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New Zealand Invests $40 Million in Genetics Research
Wednesday, 17 September 2008
A $40 million government grant will enable the University of Otago to buy New Zealand's third gene sequencing machine and almost double the number of scientists working in New Zealand in the highly specialised area of genomics. Massey University and the University of Auckland will also be using the new equipment and resources.
(via Otago Daily Times) The funding, spread over nine years, will be administered by an Otago-owned trading company also involving Massey University, the University of Auckland and the Crown Research Institute AgResearch.
The company will carry out gene sequencing and analysis for customers in New Zealand and internationally.
Gene sequencing allows scientists to examine the structure and function of living things, such as humans, animals, plants and bacteria.
Scientists called bioinformationists take the sequencing data and convert it into information which can be used by others.
Otago bought a $1 million machine about 12 months ago and has already carried out contracts worth almost $2 million for tertiary institutions, Crown Research Institutes and private customers. Prof Tony Reeve, directory of Otago's Cancer Genetics Laboratory, said yesterday the new collaborative structure would help New Zealand stay at the forefront in genomics research.
He said bioinformationists were "very thin on the ground" in this country, with only about 10 working in dedicated roles.
The grant would enable the consortium to hire eight or nine more, he said. Recruiting is expected to begin before the middle of next year.
The consortium also planns to buy or develop sequencing software, and buy another gene sequencing machine in about 2010.
Technology is advancing so rapidly he said he expected the new machine would be able to do its work 100 times faster than today's machines.
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