Genomics Aotearoa is a collaborative platform established to ensure that Aotearoa New Zealand is internationally participating and leading in the rapidly developing fields of genomics and bioinformatics. Funded by the Strategic Science Investment Fund following an application and assessment process managed by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, Genomics Aotearoa is an alliance of ten partners at New Zealand universities and crown research institutes, and 30 associate members that are researchers or end users of genomics and bioinformatics.

One of the key strategic goals of Genomics Aotearoa is to engage Māori in genomic research and to facilitate embedding mātauranga Māori into genomics research. AMSRC has received funding through Genomics Aotearoa towards this purpose. AMSRC is engaged in a collaborative research project with Te Roroa to investigate conservation genomics of a rare plant of cultural significance to Te Roroa. For more information see here. 

Genomics Aotearoa further facilitates genomics capability in New Zealand by providing free bioinformatics workshops and monthly online seminars, hosting and providing access to a high-performance computer for researchers in Aotearoa, as well as a genomics data repository designed to acknowledge and preserve Māori data sovereignty.

Unitec’s Bachelor of Applied Science students that are enrolled in our genetics courses, NSCI6748 Molecular Genetics and Evolution and NSCI7732 Conservation Science, are encouraged to attend these seminars to develop their knowledge and skills in genomics to complement their practical application in these courses. Moreover, with new genomics courses being currently developed for the new Master of Applied Science, these seminars and connections will be invaluable to our postgraduate students and support their career progression.

Dr Sarah Wells will be representing AMSRC at the Annual General Meeting of Genomics Aotearoa at the University of Otago, Dunedin, in November this year to further develop this great opportunity for collaboration with researchers in genomics in Aotearoa.