Genomics
Ngā huingaira
Genomics is the study of the structure and function of the entire genome, or genetic instructions, of living organisms. All living things, from single-celled bacteria to multi-cellular humans, have a genome, which contains the information needed to build and maintain that organism throughout its life. The more we know about genomes, the more we understand our health – and the wellbeing of the world around us – in order to make informed health decisions.
Genomics Aotearoa Consortia
ESR is a partner in Genomics Aotearoa, a science platform supporting advanced genomics research in New Zealand. It is an alliance between New Zealand Universities and Crown research institutes which provides a collaborative platform to grow New Zealand’s capability, build international connections and develop tools and technologies to support genomics research.
Microbial Genomics
- Viral detection in wastewater, including COVID-19 screening.
- Clinical Metagenomics led by Matt Storey. Collaboration with Dr Max Blomfield, Wellington SCL based at the Wellington Hospital.
Human Genomics
- ESRs Human Genomics team is collaborating with clinicians and surgeons at Wellington Hospital with the aim of bringing the benefits of lower cost, quicker turn-around sequencing to aid in clinical decision making.
- DNA methylation, transcriptomics and small non-coding RNA and their role and utility as biomarkers in metabolic diseases - in particular obesity and type-two diabetes. This incorporates a Social Systems aspect to understand what makes a successful community-led intervention and is part of Healthier Lives(external link) He Oranga Hauora National Science Challenge.
- Epigenetics for equitable cardiovascular risk prediction.(external link)
- Affordable, disruptive sequencing for community empowerment (external link)-
Service
- The presence of an unwanted microorganism could lead to damaging and expensive recalls, and erosion of trust in a product or brand. ESR scientists can provide information to identify food safety and quality issues that could otherwise prove potentially serious.
- GenomESR (external link)can provide surety in obtaining confidential results to identify and characterise isolates (microorganisms) from food, health, water and environmental samples. GenomESR uses next-generation sequencing technology to determine the entire DNA make-up of a microorganism – commonly referred to as the genome sequence.
Forensics
- DNA databank
- miRNA markers for Concussion

Genomics and next generation sequencing
Genomics is a fast moving field, where changes in DNA sequencing technologies are generating more detailed data on life’s basic building blocks.
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Evolution of an epidemic
ESR is using genome sequencing to analyse and understand a large-scale meningococci epidemic based on New Zealand's prolonged epidemic experienced between 1991 and 2008.
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