The Liggins Institute

28/05/2026

Join us in celebrating World Gut Health Day 2026, recognising the vital role our gut microbiome plays in lifelong health. We’re sharing a short clip from our public lecture, “Restoring the gut microbiome for a healthy life,” featuring Professor Justin O’Sullivan, Director of the Liggins Institute and co-leader of our gut bugs team. In this segment, he explains the key factors that shape the composition of the gut .

Want to learn more? Watch the full lecture series here:
🔗 https://bit.ly/3vooUBI

You can also explore our news story, “In 2026, feed your microbiome what it deserves,” for expert tips on supporting your .
🔗 https://bit.ly/4pCYQZX

Let’s take small, informed steps today to support a healthier tomorrow on . 🦠💚

27/05/2026

Reserve your spot at our next free public lecture, ‘Tiny babies, big questions: the high-stakes science of early nutrition’, on Thursday, July 2 at 6 pm. From life-threatening refeeding syndrome to the surprising power of smell and taste – our researchers will take you inside the science reshaping neonatal care.

What happens when babies are born before they’re ready to feed? How do you safely feed a baby that has been undernourished in the womb? And can nutrition in the NICU affect learning years later?

Every year, more than 4500 whānau in Aotearoa New Zealand experience preterm birth. Babies now survive at rates once thought impossible, but scientists are discovering that how babies are fed in the first days after birth may have lifelong consequences.

At this Liggins Institute public lecture, Interim Vice-Chancellor and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) Professor Frank Bloomfield, Dr Barbara Cormack and Dr Tanith Alexander will explore surprising new findings about early nutrition, where seemingly small decisions can shape brain development, allergies and lifelong health.

You’ll hear the extraordinary story of refeeding syndrome - a dangerous condition first recognised in starving explorers and victims of siege and imprisonment, in which feeding someone too quickly after severe malnutrition can kill them. Researchers now know that some extremely preterm babies can face the same risk after complications lead to them being undernourished in the womb. Liggins Institute research has helped dramatically reduce this condition in New Zealand hospitals and has changed neonatal practice around the world.

You’ll also discover why something as simple as giving preterm babies the smell and taste of milk before gastric tube feeds may improve language development in two-year-olds, reduce allergies and empower parents to play a direct role in their baby’s care.

Book your tickets now: https://bit.ly/4nSjBln

25/05/2026

Research opportunity: Predicting early development in moderate to late preterm babies

Are you passionate about maternal and neonatal health? The Liggins Institute is offering a Masters by Research or PhD project under the supervision of Distinguished Professor Dame Jane Harding, focusing on predicting early development in moderate to late preterm babies.

🔬 Project Focus: Investigating whether changes on brain MRI in preterm babies could be early markers of later adverse outcomes like cerebral palsy and developmental delays.

💡 Who should apply? Candidates may be interested in and have experience with MRI, mothers, babies, or young children, including nurses, doctors, midwives, psychologists, physiotherapists, developmental therapists, and MRI technicians.

Scholarships are available for suitably qualified candidates. Don’t miss this opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking research and shape the future of neonatal health.

🔗 For more details and to apply, visit: https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/liggins/study-with-us/study-options/find-a-research-project-1/liggins-research-project-5.html

20/05/2026

Last week we welcomed 40 students from NZMA Manukau to the Liggins Institute for a hands-on introduction to genomics research.

The students had the chance to try Oxford Nanopore sequencing technology, preparing samples and learning how flow cells are loaded for sequencing - the same technology used in our newborn genomics programme. They also heard about some of the research happening here at Liggins, including research exploring the benefits of breastmilk.

A big thank you to Dr Olin Silander and Dr Mariana Muelbert for speaking with the students and sharing their research, and to Liggins Senior Technologist Hui Hui Phua for setting up all the lab equipment for the session.

19/05/2026

Kiwi kids take a lot of antibiotics, which can negatively affect their fragile early gut microbiome. Researchers at the Liggins Institute are investigating whether HMO supplements can improve gut health in children taking antibiotics. Watch the clip of Professor Wayne Cutfield, speaking at our March public lecture, to find out more.

Check out the full video of ‘The Good Sh*t: turning microbiome science into therapy’ on our YouTube playlist. Professor Justin O’Sullivan, Professor Wayne Cutfield, and Dr Theo Portlock take you inside the gut microbiome trials already underway and the next wave of studies aiming to tackle some of today’s toughest health challenges.

Watch in full: 📹🔗 https://bit.ly/4nirVua

Find out more about the OAK Study: 🔗https://bit.ly/42M0uzF

11/05/2026

Interested in how healthy gut bugs influence health? This clip from our March lecture, “The Good Sh*t: turning microbiome science into therapy," features Dr Theo Portlock discussing Theta and Bacteria X. Watch to find out more about microbiome science at the Liggins Institute.

Check out the full video on our YouTube playlist. Professor Justin O’Sullivan, Professor Wayne Cutfield, and Dr Theo Portlock take you inside the gut microbiome trials already underway and the next wave of studies aiming to tackle some of today’s toughest health challenges.

Watch in full: 📹🔗 https://youtu.be/4l4_vC4FEfs

11/05/2026

Last Wednesday, we held an afternoon tea to celebrate the achievements of the latest cohort of Liggins Institute graduates. We're delighted to share photos capturing the moment when the Institute Director, Professor Justin O’Sullivan, congratulated each graduate.

Photos:
1. Dr David Nyakotey (PhD) with Professor Justin O’Sullivan
2. Dr Catriona Miller (PhD) with Professor Justin O’Sullivan
3. Dr Anna Behling (PhD) with Professor Justin O’Sullivan
4. Dr Atif Majid (MHSc) with Professor Justin O’Sullivan
5. Zillah Daysh (MSc) with Professor Justin O’Sullivan
6. Rosemary White (BBiomedSc Hons) with Professor Justin O’Sullivan
7. Libby Lord (BMedSc Hons) with Professor Justin O’Sullivan
8. William Craig (BSc Hons) with Professor Justin O’Sullivan
9. Dr Phyllis Ohene-Agyei (PhD, in absentia)

Each of you has contributed meaningfully to our research community, and we’re proud to celebrate your success. Ka rawe to you all! 👏

06/05/2026

🎓 Congratulations to our latest Liggins Institute graduates 🎓

The Liggins Institute is pleased to recognise and congratulate our most recent cohort of graduates. This group reflects the depth and diversity of talent within our community, and we celebrate the commitment and high standard of scholarship each graduate has demonstrated.

Please join us in celebrating: Dr David Nyakotey (PhD), Dr Phyllis Ohene-Agyei (PhD, in absentia), Dr Catriona Miller (PhD), Dr Anna Behling (PhD), Dr Atif Majid (MHSc), Zillah Daysh (MSc), Rosemary White (BBiomedSc Hons), Libby Lord (BMedSc Hons), and William Craig (BSc Hons).

We can’t wait to see where your journeys take you next — congratulations on this remarkable achievement!

📷 Graduates and supervisors
Front row, left to right: Libby Lord, Zillah Daysh, Dr Atif Majid, Dr Catriona Miller, Dr Olin Silander, Professor Justin O’Sullivan
Back row, left to right: Professor Jane Harding, Dr David Nyakotey, William Craig, Rosemary White, Dr Anna Behling.

05/05/2026

Did you know that 2kg of you isn’t you?! Watch this short clip of Professor Justin O’Sullivan at our March public lecture, “The Good Sh*t: turning microbiome science into therapy”, to find out more.

Check out the full video on our YouTube playlist. Professor Justin O’Sullivan, Professor Wayne Cutfield, and Dr Theo Portlock take you inside the gut microbiome trials already underway and the next wave of studies aiming to tackle some of today’s toughest health challenges.

Watch in full: 📹🔗 https://youtu.be/4l4_vC4FEfs

03/05/2026

Join the Cerebral Palsy Society of NZ for a webinar overview on the evolving role of genetics in Cerebral Palsy – Hōkai Nukurangi. Professor Justin O’Sullivan of the Liggins Institute and Dr Gina O’Grady will explore what this means for individuals and whānau, what they’ve learned from international research, and what’s happening in Aotearoa New Zealand now and into the future.

🧬 Are you interested in learning more about genetics? 🧬
Join us for a webinar that will give an overview of the evolving role of genetics in Cerebral Palsy – Hōkai Nukurangi.

✅ What this means for individuals and whānau
✅ What’s been learnt from international research
✅ What’s happening in Aotearoa New Zealand now and into the future.

There will be time for questions and discussion.

The webinar will also provide information on the New Zealand Cerebral Palsy Register’s research platform, generously funded by the Neurological Foundation, and the sequencing project being undertaken at the Liggins Institute.

Breaking new ground: Genetics research and Cerebral Palsy
📅: Wednesday 6 May
⏰: 6.30pm-7.30pm
Presenters: Professor Justin O’Sullivan, Dr Gina O’Grady
Guest speaker: Merryn Straker, parent of a child with CP and former CP Society Board Member
MC: Amy Hogan
🌐: Zoom link https://auckland.zoom.us/j/92136001272
ℹ: [email protected] or go to www.cerebralpalsy.org.nz/genetics-research-and-cerebral-palsy-webinar/

Can’t make the webinar? It will be available on the Cerebral Palsy Society’s website for viewing after the event.

29/04/2026

Doing your doctorate can be lonely and overwhelming, even more so when you are far from home. In May every year, we focus on doctoral wellbeing and highlight the many events and resources on offer across campus to help you thrive. We encourage you to visit the Doctoral Wellbeing and Community web page to sign up for special wellbeing events and explore all the support available to you. Visit 🔗 https://bit.ly/4uomJYn