News: 11 January 10
Taking top young scientists further, faster
The biosynthesis of morphine and codeine from yeast, the bioluminescence of glow-worms, and the use of biological nano-wires in energy production are among research projects to be undertaken by 15 of New Zealand’s brightest young scientists.
As recipients of Postdoctoral Fellowships from the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology, the emerging researchers benefit from a scheme designed to boost future science leaders and build greater national research capability and knowledge.
The 15 Fellowships are worth almost $3,880,000 in total and each is for a three-year duration.
“We are investing in top talent here—these are the people who will take New Zealand science capability to the next level,” says Murray Bain, Foundation Chief Executive Officer.
“These Fellowships support New Zealand’s ability to conduct the quality of research needed to drive this country forward towards greater wellbeing, prosperity and international recognition.”
The successful researchers and their projects are:
HUMAN HEALTH & BIOMEDICAL TECHNOLOGY
Dr Geoffrey Rodgers, University of Otago
A unique collaboration in the fields of medicine and engineering will see Dr Rodgers develop a non-invasive device to investigate loosening and wear in hip and knee joint replacements, using acoustic emission monitoring. Aging, but still active, populations are leading to a surge in demand for joint replacement (7000 operations and $70 million per year in NZ alone), the majority of which will need to be replaced due to wear and/or premature loosening after 10-15 years. Early diagnosis of impending failure can save significant time, cost and more serious surgery. However, there are currently no reliable, non-traumatic and non-invasive monitoring methods to do so—a problem that Dr Rodgers and his team will solve.
Dr Aaron Le Compte, University of Canterbury
Dr Le Compte aims to develop a user-friendly, robust and safe protocol to control blood sugar levels of patients in intensive care units (ICU). Tight blood glucose control (TGC) can reduce mortality up to 40 per cent and NZ innovation in TGC to date has produced effective, computer model-based methods that also reduce costs over $1000 per patient. However, consistent results are elusive internationally and inflexible systems often fail to meet differing clinical demands across countries or ICUs, a fundamental problem that Dr Le Compte’s research aims to address by bringing this unique NZ technology to hospitals in the US and Europe."
Dr Catherine Thodey, Stanford University, US
Dr Thodey aims to develop a new way to produce morphine and codeine—drugs which have traditionally been extracted from opium poppy plants, but that she will produce using a new method with yeast. By first identifying the enzymes responsible for the natural synthesis of morphine and codeine within the opium poppy, she will then transfer this knowledge to yeast by engineering the metabolism of these microbes to produce the same drugs more cheaply and in greater quantity by fermentation. The end result could be a secure and local supply of morphine and other related pharmaceuticals, free from the inherent problems of the opium poppy trade.
Dr Esther Bulloch, University of Auckland
Dr Bulloch will develop new biotechnology to produce proteins for research purposes, and apply it to study the paramyxoviruses that cause acute respiratory disease in NZ children. Isolating proteins in a soluble and correctly-configured form is essential for research in molecular biology, biotechnology and pharmacology, yet often proves extremely difficult. Dr Bulloch aims to use a high-throughput screening method to overcome this bottleneck, in which millions of variant proteins are produced in parallel and subject to simple genetic and biochemical tests to determine their fitness. Applying this technology to study paramyxoviruses will ultimately allow design of drugs to block replication of this important viral family.
ENERGY PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY
Dr Martin Hohmann-Marriott, University of Otago
Dr Hohmann-Marriott aims to advance knowledge around the application of biological nanowires—metal-decorated protein filaments — to directly tap into highly efficient processes of photosynthetic energy conversion. The ability of photosynthetic model organisms and entire ecosystems to provide an efficient, carbon-independent source of energy will be explored. This research could contribute to New Zealand's energy future and create opportunities for economic growth.
Dr Duleepa Thrimawithana, University of Auckland
Dr Thrimawithana aims to develop cost-effective, wireless power transfer methods for ‘green’ energy applications. Using these methods he will also develop a ‘living and mobility’ energy generation system consisting of a plug-in electric vehicle that stores harnessed renewable energy to provide transportation and green power for residential customers. Dr Thrimawithana aims to build on the advantages that this system offers in contrast to existing renewable energy technologies.
Dr Yantao Song, University of Auckland
Dr Song will use spectroscopy to focus on the chemistry of silica scale formation in geothermal energy production. Energy extraction from geothermal fluids typically results in solutions that are super-saturated in silicic acid; this can lead to silica scale formation that is detrimental to geothermal energy use. Dr Song’s research has applications to the development of technologies designed to mitigate these negative effects—and is particularly important for New Zealand where geothermal fluids are an accessible and environmentally-benign energy resources/
CLIMATE, ENVIRONMENT & ECOLOGY
Dr Carolyn Walker, National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research Ltd (NIWA)
Dr Walker will study the production and emission of dimethylsulphide (DMS) gas at the sea surface. As the exchange of gases and solutes between the ocean and the atmosphere is a major driver of climate, accurate estimates of gas emissions are imperative for predicting climate change. Traditionally, the rates at which gases are exchanged with the atmosphere are estimated using subsurface waters rather than the surface layer where exchange occurs. Current research points to a potential underestimation of emissions of biologically produced gases, like DMS, as a consequence. Dr Walkers’ research may be used to refine these estimates and provide important input to Earth’s system models. DMS has been chosen for its potential to mitigate climate change, particularly in the Southern hemisphere where it is thought to play a major role in influencing the radiative properties of clouds.
Dr Daniel Leduc, University of Otago
Dr Leduc aims to develop cost-effective tools to assess and manage human impacts on deep-sea habitats. With a focus on nematodes—a poorly-known but major group of marine animals—in NZ’s Chatham Rise, he will determine the environmental drivers of sea-floor biodiversity and the impact of seabed disturbance (eg bottom trawling) on function and diversity, among other goals. Dr Leduc aims to develop management tools that will ensure a balance between fishing industries and the conservation of marine ecosystems.
Dr William Rayment, University of Otago
Dr Rayment’s research will focus on southern right whales around New Zealand—a population that is showing signs of recovery since the suspension of whaling. Specifically, he will study trends in population growth and habitat preferences around the sub-Antarctic Auckland Islands and the linkages between sub-Antarctic, NZ mainland and Australian populations. This information will facilitate predictions of the regions around mainland NZ likely to be recolonised by the recovering species, and thus where the potential impacts of commercial fishing, aquaculture, shipping and tourism can be mitigated.
Dr Miriam Sharpe, University of Otago
Dr Sharpe’s research focuses on the unique bioluminescent (light-emitting) properties of the New Zealand glow-worm (titiwai). Bioluminescence produced by living organisms is an extremely valuable, widely-used biotechnological tool and a new bioluminescent system, as promised by the glow-worm, would be an important scientific and biotechnological advance and could improve current, and generate new,
bioluminescent applications. Dr Sharpe will study the biochemistry of the glow-worm’s light emission by
purifying and cloning the proteins involved and determining how they function.
Dr Fiona Cross, University of Canterbury
Dr Cross will study the use of olfactory search images by a species of an East African jumping spider known to use olfaction extensively in its choice of both prey and mates. Search images refer to an animal’s heightened ability to detect specific prey, after experience with that prey, and this particular spider is the only predator known to specialise at feeding indirectly on vertebrate blood by choosing blood-carrying mosquitoes as preferred prey. The spiders’ preferred mosquitoes are those that can carry malaria, and Dr Cross has a broader goal to study how a thorough understanding of the spiders’ biology might be used to address the catastrophic health burden that malaria imposes on Africa.
Dr Debra Wotton, Landcare Research Ltd
Dr Wotton will investigate whether the limited production of seeds in a plant drives its rarity. At least a third of New Zealand’s vascular (sap-carrying) plant species have small, declining populations that are threatened with extinction. The discrepancy between the amount of seed generally produced, and the number of seedlings that result, highlights a bottleneck for many plant populations; Dr Wotton will investigate the causes of this bottleneck, identify the constraints that limit seedling establishment in rare plant populations, and provide a new basis for management of threatened species.
Dr Rachel Anderson, AgResearch Ltd
A current Postdoctoral Fellow, Dr Anderson is the recipient of ‘Bridge to Employment’ funding that secures her fulltime employment with AgResearch where she has undertaken her Fellowship. At AgResearch, Dr Anderson will identify the key mechanisms by which commensal bacteria enhance intestinal function, and apply this knowledge and intellectual property to develop ‘smart foods’.
For further information about these projects, or to contact the researchers, please contact:
Stephanie Gray, Senior Communications Advisor
Foundation for Research Science and Technology
Tel: +64 4 9177801 Mobile: 021 599 132
Email: stephanie.gray@frst.govt.nz