Faculty of Biomedical Sciences at Otago

12/10/2026

Faculty of Biomedical Sciences researchers have developed a new patented process that could improve the way bone graft materials are produced for medical and dental applications.

The technology, developed in a Department of Anatomy laboratory led by Professor George Dias in Ōtepoti Dunedin, uses cow bone to produce hydroxyapatite, a naturally occurring mineral that makes up much of the hard structure of human bones and teeth.

The process has now been patented.
Read more here

12/10/2026

Congratulations to eight Faculty of Biomedical Sciences (BMS) researchers, recipients of this year’s University of Otago Research Grants (UORG).

A total of 38 applicants received $1.9m of UORG funding in the 2026 round, 24 of whom were early or mid-career researchers (within their first ten years of a research position).

The BMS research projects will address some of Aotearoa New Zealand crucial health issues as well as investigating biosecurity, bee and pasture topics:
• Bridget Watson (Department of Microbiology and Immunology), Innovative bacteria-based biotechnologies to sustainably improve pasture establishment, $38,905.
• Daniel Pletzer (Department of Microbiology and Immunology), Spatial mapping of Pseudomonas aeruginosa transcriptional states in infected tissue, $40,000.
• Kimberley Dainty (Department of Biochemistry), Generation of a novel pathogen-free in vitro Apis mellifera cell line, $40,800.
• Nathan Kenny (Department of Biochemistry), Harnessing airborne environmental DNA to enhance viticultural biosecurity using CRISPR-based environmental biosurveillance for the detection of grapevine powdery mildew, $34,223.
• Kaj Kamstra (Department of Anatomy), Go big or go home II: understanding the role of competitive growth in socially controlled s*x change, $34,223.
• Karl Iremonger (Department of Physiology), Revealing a new brain pathway to control stress and anxiety, $14,164.
• Megan Leask (Department of Physiology), Pharmacogenetic Screening of Māori/Pacific-Enriched Diabetes Associated Genes: High throughput and Cost Effective Pipeline, $52,063.
• Rebecca Campbell (Department of Physiology), Expanding our technical toolbox to understand the role of the brain in polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS), $79,999.

07/10/2026

06/10/2026

The Department of Anatomy recently joined with the Department of Bioethics to celebrate the launch of Emeritus Professor David Gareth Jones latest book “Encountering the dead - Ethical reflections of a human anatomist.”

Written from a personal perspective, his new book presents an overview of ethics and anatomy in an accessible manner. It covers unethical travesties such as those from the N**i era, and the revolution in public anatomy created by the Body Worlds public exhibitions of dissected human bodies. It highlights the growing appreciation of ethical developments by anatomists from Medieval times to the present and assesses the consequences for present-day ethical expectations.

Gareth was Head of Department of Anatomy for 20 years, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) for five years, and was Director of the University’s Bioethics Centre. He was appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to science and education in 2004.

He has published extensively in neuroscience and more recently in the ethical implications of using dead human bodies for the training of medical and allied health professional students. This includes more than 20 books in bioethics, including Speaking for the Dead published in 2009 and co-authoring the text Medical Ethics.

05/10/2026

Congratulations to Faculty of Biomedical Sciences mid-career researchers who will benefit from a new initiative to help New Zealand make the most of emerging biotechnology discoveries.

Newly appointed Co-Directors of Genetics Otago Dr Megan Leask and Associate Professor Michel Knapp have launched the Genetics Otago Impact Cluster programme to support staff working in genetic sciences to progress their careers.

Five BMS and four Health Sciences researchers will participate in in-person workshops and be mentored to upskill, build connections, and accelerate their research through access to internal and external expertise, with a focus on networking, partnerships, and funding and activity-based skill development.

Read more here

Some of Otago’s mid-career researchers will benefit from a new initiative to help New Zealand make the most of emerging biotechnology discoveries.

04/10/2026

Scientists have long marvelled at a chilling biological phenomenon - parasites that force their terrestrial hosts to march into water and drown themselves, so they can complete their life cycle.

A groundbreaking study led by the University of Otago – Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka has now uncovered the molecular mechanisms driving this bizarre host manipulation.

Led by Senior author Professor Neil Gemmell of the Department of Anatomy, the study used advanced transcriptomic sequencing to decode interactions between the European earwig (Forficula auricularia) and the parasitic worm, mermithid nematode (Mermis nigrescens).

Read what happens here https://www.otago.ac.nz/news/newsroom/study-unlocks-parasitic-mind-control-code

01/10/2026

A new tool to mutate bacteriophages – viruses that infect bacteria – provides a “big leap” forward in both our understanding of how they function, and our ability to harness their full potential.

Developed by researchers in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, the method features on the latest cover of prestigious international journal Nature Microbiology.
Senior author Professor Peter Fineran says bacteriophages, or simply phages, have “huge potential” to combat the antimicrobial resistance crisis, and for increasing sustainable agriculture as an alternative to agrochemicals, because they can destroy bacteria.

Read about how Peter and Co-lead author Dr Manuela Fuchs have used CRISPR-Cas technology to develop the exciting new method and how it could ultimately support the use of phages in healthcare and biotechnology.

A new tool to mutate bacteriophages – viruses that infect bacteria – provides a “big leap” forward in both our understanding of how they function, and our ability to harness their full potential.

30/09/2026

The biggest bat genome and fossil study ever undertaken has busted myths about bat origin. Published in the prestigious international journal Nature, the study lays new foundations for research into the genetic basis of bats' exceptional longevity and disease resistance.

Our own Professor Neil Gemmell from the Department of Anatomy was one of the co-authors.

Read more here https://www.otago.ac.nz/news/newsroom/major-international-bat-study-rewrites-species-family-tree.

29/09/2026

Congratulations to the Otago Biochemistry and Genetics Student Association, which has been recognised in this year’s University of Otago – Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka Blues and Golds Awards 🙌

The association was highly commended in the Society of the Year award, while its co-founders Cushla Bridges and Liam Young received Silver Service awards🎖

Read the full list of Blue and Gold award recipients here https://www.otago.ac.nz/news/newsroom/from-athletes-to-the-arts-celebrating-otagos-students.

28/09/2026

An Otago research group is joining a USD$50 million international research programme from Wellcome Leap set to tackle the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance.

The group is one of 16 – and the only from Aotearoa New Zealand – selected for the Focused Antibiotics programme.

Associate Professor Daniel Pletzer from the Department of Microbiology and Immunology is part of the Otago cross-disciplinary initiative, led by School of Pharmacy and Pharmacology’s Associate Professor Allan Gamble alongside co-principal investigators Professor Sarah Hook and Dr Rachel Purcell.

Read more about how the programme aims to transform how antibiotics are delivered to sites of infection, so the gut microbiome isn’t affected https://www.otago.ac.nz/news/newsroom/otago-researchers-funded-to-fight-major-global-threat.