biotechnology

Farming is an economic venture – farmers work the land to gain an income. Many New Zealand farmers have an interest in preserving and enhancing the...

Nitrogen is the most abundant element in our planet’s atmosphere. Approximately 78% of the atmosphere is made up of nitrogen gas (N2). Nitrogen is a crucially...

Dr Ross Monaghan, Dr Selai Letica, Professor Richard McDowell and other scientists from AgResearch at Invermay are researching how to reduce excessive levels of nutrients in...

What’s going on inside us when we get sick? What do germs have to do with us getting sick? How does our body help us to...

In this activity, students test and compare the firmness of different apple varieties using an instrumental method adapted for the classroom. The activity forms part of...

In this activity, students conduct focus group research to generate consumer feedback on a proposed future apple variety. The activity forms part of the unit plan...

In this activity, students use industry methods to test and analyse some attributes of a variety of different apples. They use the findings to create an...

In this unit, students investigate trends and drivers and what may be possible and preferable attributes for new fruit varieties in the future. Purpose To understand...

AgResearch scientists have generated transgenic cows with biomedical and agricultural applications. Here, we list potential applications of transgenic cows and describe how a transgenic farm might...

In this activity, students explore the microstructure of wool fibre and how it relates to the properties and uses of wool. Purpose This activity will help...

In this activity, students create felt from wool fibres to illustrate how the surface structure of wool fibres affects its washability. Purpose This activity will help...

Wool’s range of desirable properties make it a valuable material for many different purposes, from high-end fashion to fire-resistant products and heavy-duty carpet. Discover how wool’s...

A unique stab and flame-resistant material combines wool with high-strength synthetic to add comfort to protective clothing. Find out about the research and development behind this...

A unique new stab and flame-resistant material has been made using wool and a special synthetic fibre. It looks and feels like regular wool jacket fabric...

Natural Easy Care (NEC) fabrics are designed to retain all their aesthetic and functional properties after machine washing and tumble drying. Performance testing provides assurance they...

Lightweight, easy care wool fabrics have been made possible by new developments in spinning technology, and they’re meeting consumer demand for more functional fabrics. Discover how...

Lightweight and easy care are not qualities usually associated with wool, but innovative fabrics developed at AgResearch in Christchurch are changing this reputation. Natural Easy Care...

Innovative wool textiles developed at AgResearch in Christchurch are meeting consumer demand for more functional fabrics and creating new opportunities for textile products. Consumer demand and...

In this activity, students use role playing to explore different stakeholders’ perspectives on the issue of using transgenic cows to make medicines to treat human diseases....

In this activity, students explore different stakeholders’ perspectives on using transgenic cows to make medicines and weigh up the consequences, both benefits (pluses) and harms (minuses)...

In this activity, students explore how ethical frameworks can be used to guide decision-making on an ethical issue. The activity forms part of the unit plan...

In this unit, students develop their knowledge of transgenics so they can formulate an argument and make ethical decisions about using transgenic cows to make medicines...

Scientists at AgResearch must apply for approval to work with transgenic animals. If their application is approved, they follow strict guidelines for care and containment of...

Scientists producing transgenic cows use a range of techniques including DNA cloning, restriction enzyme digests, ligation, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), transfection, nuclear transfer and in vitro...