Cafe Scientifique - NZ's Bioprospecting

Cafe Scientifique occurs on the last Thursday of every month. It is a very casual gathering of people interested in hearing the latest in science. The speaker will only talk for 10-20 minutes and the floor is opened for questions. Very relaxed, always interesting!

New Zealand has unique flora and fauna, a ‘biodiversity’ that if thoroughly explored could well provide the next significant technology leap in drug therapies, agrichemicals, enzyme technology or any number of applications.

‘Natural products’ conjures up images of Manuka honey, omega-3, deer velvet and tea infusions, but they can have a far greater influence on our lives, from food to paint to antibiotics, painkillers and organ transplant drugs.

• What natural products has NZ been discovering and are we doing enough to protect against biopiracy?
• What strategies are in place for giving investigators access to our resources?
• How do we share the benefits if a discovery is made and commercialised?

Simon Hinkley completed his PhD at the University of Otago as a natural products chemist, investigating unique compounds in rimu trees. This was followed by three years post-doctoral research in the USA, looking into toxic compounds that may cause sick-building syndrome. Simon returned to NZ for a seven year stint making high-potency pharmaceuticals through large-scale fermentation.

Simon currently works in the Glycoactives team at Industrial Research Ltd where his research activities focus on heparin research, bone regenerative therapies and high-renewable-content paints.

Thursday 24 June, 6.00pm – 7.30pm at Wholly Bagels, Myrtle Street in Lower Hutt.

Supported by: The Malaghan Institute, GNS Science, Royal Society of New Zealand Wellington Branch, Wholly Bagels, Capital E and Hutt City Council.

Event listed by huttcity

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