The New Zealand Biotechnology Learning Hub

The Biotechnology Learning Hub provides teaching resources for primary and secondary schools. We link modern biotechnology in New Zealand to the school curriculum.

The Biotechnology Learning Hub is funded by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), and managed by the University of Waikato.

Farming green-lipped mussels

How a tiny parasitic crab affects mussel aquaculture (Leigh Marine Laboratory).

Cheesemaking

Explore the science and the art of cheesemaking (Meyer Gouda Cheese).

Pig cell transplants

Treating diabetes with pig cell transplants (Living Cell Technologies).

Breeding red-fleshed apples

Developing an apple variety with red flesh (Plant & Food Research).

Easy care sheep

Selectively breeding more cost-effective sheep (AgResearch).

Wool innovations

Developing innovative wool fabrics and products (AgResearch).

Transgenic cows

Transgenic cows can be used to alter milk composition or to produce therapeutic proteins (AgResearch).

Taewa (Māori potatoes)

Making new food products from taewa (Riddet Institute).

Fish oil in functional food

Adding fish oil to food without making it taste or smell fishy (Riddet Institute).

Evolved enzymes

Researchers are mimicking evolution in the lab (Victoria University).

Potato plates

Making innovative biodegradable products (Potatopak).

Honey to heal

Mānuka honey is the active ingredient in a new wound dressing (University of Waikato and Comvita).

Future foods

New foods that help us match what we eat to our lifestyle (Plant & Food Research).

Nutrigenomics

Finding out how our genes interact with the food we eat (Nutrigenomics New Zealand).

Robotic milking

Using robots to milk cows (DairyNZ).

Biological control of possums

How biocontrol may help reduce possum numbers in New Zealand (AgResearch).

Mining milk

Casein proteins are extracted from milk for use in food products and infant formula (Tatua Dairy Cooperative).

Forensics

The latest DNA technology is used to help solve crimes in New Zealand (ESR).

Bacteria in biotech

Bacteria are crucial tools for working with DNA and proteins.

Xenotransplantation and organ donation

Xenotransplantation could increase availability of donor cells, tissues and organs.

Mendel and inheritance

Mendel’s principles explain how we inherit traits from our parents.

What is biotechnology?

Explore the New Zealand school curriculum’s definition of biotechnology.

Food intolerance and allergies

Biotechnology is used to diagnose and treat food intolerance and allergies.

DNA lab

Several key techniques are used to study DNA in the lab.

Barcoding life

DNA barcoding can help discover, identify and distinguish species.

Biotech product development

Development of new biotechnology products for sale means considering design, feasibility, testing and quality.

Future farming

New Zealand farming is being shaped by new and innovative biotechnologies.

Biotech and taonga

New Zealand’s cultural and natural history gives us unique knowledge and materials for biotechnology.

Marvellous milk

New biotechnologies being developed from milk proteins.

Cell biology and genetics

Understanding cell biology and genetics will help us develop new biotechnologies.

Crime scene biotech

Biotechnology is used to process trace evidence at crime scenes, such as hair, skin, blood or semen.

New Zealand views on biotech

What do we think about biotechnology in New Zealand?

Biotech therapies

New solutions to health problems from beneficial bacteria, vaccines, stem cells or organ transplants.

Biotech at home

We use biotechnology at home almost every day.

Bioethics

How we determine whether a course of action is right or wrong.

Clover root weevil and a parasitoid wasp

Biocontrol

When one organism is used to control the numbers of another.

Spotlight

Celebrating the vision
In 2005, we launched an online resource featuring case studies, examples of effective classroom and internet-based teaching methodologies and live video conferencing between scientists and schools – all ground-breaking pedagogy at the time.
This last newsletter, before the launch of our new website, celebrates the vision of those who created the original Biotech Hub.
Featured

Ethics of pig cell transplants

Pig cell transplants raise ethical issues, such as whether it is right to use...

How mussels are farmed in New Zealand

This interactive illustrates key steps in the process of farming New...

What is biotechnology?

The term ‘biotechnology’ has numerous definitions according to its context...
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The New Zealand Biotechnology Learning Hub

Farming green-lipped mussels

Cheesemaking

Pig cell transplants

Breeding red-fleshed apples

Easy care sheep

Wool innovations

Transgenic cows

Taewa (Māori potatoes)

Fish oil in functional food

Evolved enzymes

Potato plates

Honey to heal

Future foods

Nutrigenomics

Robotic milking

Biological control of possums

Mining milk

Forensics

Bacteria in biotech

Xenotransplantation and organ donation

Mendel and inheritance

What is biotechnology?

Food intolerance and allergies

DNA lab

Barcoding life

Biotech product development

Future farming

Biotech and taonga

Marvellous milk

Cell biology and genetics

Crime scene biotech

New Zealand views on biotech

Biotech therapies

Biotech at home

Bioethics

Biocontrol

Spotlight

Celebrating the vision

Featured

Ethics of pig cell transplants

How mussels are farmed in New Zealand

What is biotechnology?

Register forMy Biotech

Register for
My Biotech