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.

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).

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

Making silage
Silage is preserved pasture. Making silage is an important way for farmers to feed cows and sheep during times when pasture isn't good, such as during times of drought. Your students can make silage at school by following the instructions on this information sheet. They can also try different variations to see the effect they have on silage.
Featured

Honey wound healing chemically complex

New research into the infection-fighting properties of New Zealand’s Mānuka...

Nutrigenomics

Different people respond differently to different foods. This is partly because...

Training cows to milk themselves

The Greenfield Project at DairyNZ has been set up to investigate whether a...
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The New Zealand Biotechnology Learning Hub

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

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

Featured

Honey wound healing chemically complex

Nutrigenomics

Training cows to milk themselves

Register forMy Biotech

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My Biotech