featured in this issue - NZIFST - The New Zealand Institute of Food ...

In-Brief
Recently appointed Adjunct Professor at the Riddet
Institute, Warren McNabb
Appointment at Riddet Centre
Dr Warren McNabb, a research scientist at AgResearch,
has been appointed an Adjunct Professor at the
Riddet Institute. The honorary position will strengthen
links between the Riddet Institute, AgResearch and Massey
University, which hosts the Institute, and will allow
Dr McNabb to supervise PhD scholars and postdoctoral
fellows.
Dr McNabb gained his PhD from Massey University
in 1990 and has more than 260 publications. His long
standing research interests are in amino acid and protein
metabolism and he currently leads a particularly innovative
research programme in digestive physiology and gut
microbe genomics. He was a key member of the science
team that established New Zealand’s first nutrigenomics
research capability and is currently on the science management
team of Nutrigenomics New Zealand. His position
at AgResearch is Section Manager, Food, Metabolism
& Microbiology, Food & Textiles Group.
New Centre for Reproduction and
Genomics
Opened in December by the Chairman of AgResearch, Sam
Robinson, the purpose-built facility, which will be known as the
Christie Building (named after AgResearch’s former chairman,
Rick Christie) will house scientific teams from both AgResearch
and The University of Otago. AgResearch CEO, Dr Andrew
West, says bringing together the complementary capabilities of
both AgResearch and the University in genomics and reproduction
will enable the two organisations to make significant
progress in this type of research. “Scientific endeavour in the
fields of reproduction and genomics will help many issues facing
the world today, such as sustainability and food supply,” he
says. The CRG is poised to contribute to that movement.”
The new building features an innovative design aimed at
fostering collaboration. Key features of the Christie building are
large, open-plan laboratories, easily adapted to different types
of work and large open-plan general staff areas. The design is
modern and answers to the latest accepted wisdom in comfort
and environmental consideration.
Major collaboration in food and
biological research
Two of New Zealand’s leading research organisations, The
University of Auckland and AgResearch, have announced a major
new collaboration to improve human health through diet.
They will work closely together on research in growth and
development at the scientific interface between human and
animal biology. In particular they want to develop new animalbased
foods to keep people well and strong.
Their collaboration will be centred on the University’s Liggins
Institute under the directorship of Professor Peter Gluckman
FRS.
AgResearch will second some staff to the Liggins
Institute and the two parties will jointly invest in and commercialise
new research for New Zealand’s benefit. The CEO of
AgResearch will join the Advisory Board of the Liggins Institute.
Professor Gluckman will take on a role of assisting AgResearch
in defining strategies to capture the best benefit from its research
in growth and development.
The collaboration aims to leverage the underutilised synergies
of the two organisations with the potential to create transformational
change in the pastoral livestock, food and health
sectors.”
The collaboration will build on major developments in
biomedical research such as the recent understanding of
metabolic processes that lead to obesity in humans and increased
carcass fatness in farm animals, says Professor Gluckman.
“This new knowledge now allows us to manage and
improve the health of infants and young animals through
better nutrition. This new initiative is the first step in what
we hope will be a new vision for best using New Zealand’s
skills in biomedical and biological research for maximum
advantage.”
IMCD changes premises
IMCD New Zealand have experienced positive changes
throughout 2008 and these look to continue in 2009.
After many years based in Mt Roskill, IMCD are now located
at 459 Great South Road, Penrose. New contact numbers;
Phone: 09 582 0250 Fax: 09 525 0030.
Recent portfolio changes have seen a move back to products
marketed in previous years, namely Potato Starch from
KMC Denmark, Tapioca and Rice Starches from Thailand.
We now also have the privilege of working with Thermphos
Phosphates from Europe and China, EDME Malted Flours,
Flakes and Kibbles from UK, Tastetech natural and encapsulated
flavours and food acids. Sasol Fatty Acid Esters - mono,
tri, di glycerides for use as emulsifiers, wetting agents, binders,
lubricants
We continue to focus on our quality existing suppliers;
• Bio Springer Yeast Extracts to replace/ reduce MSG, HVP
and salt and have now launched the use of yeasts to
enhance sweet flavours and improve quality perception in
cakes, desserts, confectionary.
• JRS functional fibres to increase yield, add fibre and we are
now working with cellulose based gels and fat replacers
for the meat/ smallgoods sector.
• Sensus Inulin and FOS continues to grow and are now
actively marketing liquid FOS for easy dosing in liquid
applications for fibre enrichment and sugar replacement.
Julie or Lara look forward to assisting you.
Food New Zealand