To help foster the unrivalled genetics research conducted by our members, Genetics Otago supports the establishment and running of several Technical Hubs focused on different technologies and techniques. These hubs are run by members of Genetics Otago and are open for all members to join. These groups provide a platform for collaboration and informal discussion between members in different areas but with similar research themes. Regular meetings, workshops and symposia are also held.<\/p>\n
For more information on, or to join one of the existing Genetics Otago Tech Hubs, see the links below:<\/p>\n
If you are working with a technique or technology\u00a0that is not covered by one of these Hubs and you are interested in establishing a group, please contact us<\/a>. The CRISPR Hub provides a forum for CRISPR users to share ideas, advice, resources, and expertise. We would also like to identify areas where additional input (e.g. training workshops etc.) are wanted or needed. CRISPR and related gene-editing technologies are becoming an increasingly popular and important tool for molecular biology and genetic studies, but to date research groups across various Departments have been working largely in isolation. The purpose of a CRISPR hub would be to provide a forum for those using\/intending to use CRISPR to share ideas, tools and knowledge, and to develop a core of expertise within the University to support and extend the use of this technology. Our current membership covers all levels of expertise and experience, ranging from groups that are routinely carrying out CRISPR work to individuals who want to know more about how it might advance their work in the future.<\/p>\n CRISPR Hub leaders are Dr Cushla McKinney<\/a> and Benjam\u00edn<\/span>\u00a0Dur\u00e1n<\/span>–Vinet<\/span>\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n If you would like to join this hub, please contact us here<\/a>.<\/p>\n ^ Top of Page<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n The eDNA Hub provides a platform to support students, practitioners,\u00a0and researchers, from all departments, working with environmental nucleic acids (eDNA and eRNA),\u00a0including microbiomes. The eDNA Hub focuses on developing\u00a0skillsets\u00a0and facilitating collaboration through networking events, workshops, and seminars where participants can share ideas, tools, and experiences.\u00a0The Hub actively supports the environmental nucleic acids research community by responding to current needs and preferences, while also identifying emerging priorities.\u00a0Please\u00a0reach out if you wish to be involved! We are always keen to welcome new people, no matter what stage in career you are.<\/p>\n The leaders of this Hub are Dr Phoebe Chapman<\/a>, Dr Clare Adams<\/a> and Dr Allison Miller<\/a>.<\/p>\n If you would like to join this hub, please contact us here<\/a>.<\/p>\n ^ Top of Page<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n The ethical, legal, social and cultural considerations (ELSC) Hub provides a forum to share ideas, advice, resources, and expertise for best-practice use of genomic medicine in our health care. The implementation of genomic medicine into our health care will need careful and continued oversight of the (many and complex) ELSC considerations\u2026.who has access to our DNA health information, familial level confidentiality, disclosure, insurance, risk for stigmatising and racial profiling, to name but a few. Taken broadly, there are commonalities in ELSC considerations with genomic medicine but each new genetic test or screen will have its own unique set of ELSC considerations. The molecular technology side of genomic medicine moves at a much faster pace than the ELSC solutions, and some would argue that the \u201chorse has bolted\u201d \u2013 and that we are never going to catch up\u2026.<\/p>\n The purpose of this forum is to establish a network that connects people working in the different facets of genomic medicine \u2013 from the bench scientist to those working in the field of ELSC \u2013 working to the ethos that genomic medicine needs to improve health inequities, and not compound them.<\/p>\n Leaders of the ELSC Hub are Associate Professor Sara Filoche<\/a> and Dr Josephine Johnston<\/a>.<\/p>\n If you would like to join this hub, please contact us here<\/a>.<\/p>\n ^ Top of Page<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n The Epigenetics User Group (EUG) was founded in March 2017. Epigenetics is an important field of biomedical science and its application and use are rapidly increasing worldwide. The aim of EUG is to collectively address critical\/technical problems, share resources, provide constructive peer review, provide academic consultancy in epigenetics and improve our collaborations. The group currently meets monthly and is actively expanding its membership. At the moment EUG has over 50 members spanning 6 different departments within the University of Otago in Dunedin and Christchurch.<\/p>\n EUG leader:<\/strong> Associate Professor Aniruddha Chatterjee<\/a><\/p>\n If you would like to join this hub, please contact us here<\/a>.<\/p>\n ^ Top of Page<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n The intention of the Outreach Hub is to support the science curriculum in Aotearoa and make research and scientific careers more accessible to school students and teachers. The aim of this hub is to curate a list of volunteers who are happy to go into high schools, or attend Genetics outreach events, and talk about their research. The Hub will hopefully go beyond this and support a range of school-based outreach and resources around Dunedin, and beyond.<\/p>\n If you are interested in knowing more about this Hub please contact leaders Dr Emma Wade<\/a> and Dr Nic Rawlence<\/a>.<\/p>\n If you would like to join this hub, please contact us here<\/a>.<\/p>\n ^ Top of Page<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n The purpose of this Technical Hub is to provide a core of expertise (and potentially some equipment access) based around the nanopore sequencing platform developed by Oxford Nanopore Technology Ltd (UK).<\/p>\n Hub Leader:<\/strong>\u00a0Dr Augustine Chen<\/a>.<\/p>\n If you would like to join this hub, please contact us here<\/a>.<\/p>\n ^ Top of Page<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n With no physical Department of Genetics our Postgraduate students are spread across several departments within the University and often don’t have a chance to interact with one another. Our Postgraduate Student Hub exists as a means to capture these students and offer them both assistance in their genetics based studies and a collegial environment to meet other Genetics students completing PhDs, MScs or BSc(Hons).<\/p>\n The current Genetics Otago Postgraduate Students representative is Milly Morice. \u00a0If you have any comments, questions or suggestions for the Hub and its activities, please contact Milly<\/a>.<\/p>\n If you would like to join this hub, please contact us here<\/a>.<\/p>\n ^ Top of Page<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n This hub is run by Dr Nathan Kenny<\/a> (Biochemistry) and Dr Michael Meier<\/a> (Pathology) and aims to popularise and advocate for the use of single cell approaches. We regularly organise meetings to chat about results and share new methods, as well as provide dedicated training. We also provide a platform to troubleshoot techniques and work on new and exciting applications of single-cell sequencing methods (broadly defined).<\/p>\n If you would like to join this hub, please contact us here<\/a>.<\/p>\n ^ Top of Page<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n The Variant Analysis (VA) Hub provides a platform to support researchers working with genomic variant data within the University. The VA Hub is focused on facilitating collaboration through the sharing of ideas, tools, and expertise across research groups and campuses. In addition, the VA Hub aims to identify areas of need within its community and organise workshops to address these issues.<\/p>\n VA Hub co-leaders:<\/strong> Dr George Wiggins<\/a> and Dr Ben Halliday<\/a>.<\/p>\n If you would like to join this hub, please contact us here<\/a>.<\/p>\n ^ Top of Page<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n A New Zealand-wide collaboration for developing new statistical tools and analytical pipelines for application in NZ contexts.<\/p>\n Hub Leader:\u00a0Associate Professor Phil Wilcox<\/a>.<\/p>\n If you would like to join this hub, please contact us here<\/a>.<\/p>\n ^ Top of Page<\/a><\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n This hub is led by Dr Megan Leask<\/a> and is for any current or future users of Zebrafish as a model organism. We hope that the hub will serve as a network to educate new users, share expertise and potentially share resources.<\/p>\n If you would like to join this hub, please contact us here<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\n<\/a><\/p>\nCRISPR Hub<\/span><\/h1>\n
\neDNA Hub<\/span><\/h1>\n
\nELSC Hub<\/span><\/h1>\n
\nEpigenetics Users Group (EUG) Hub<\/span><\/h1>\n
\nOutreach Hub<\/span><\/h1>\n
\nOxford Nanopore Hub<\/span><\/h1>\n
\nPostgraduate Students Hub<\/span><\/h1>\n
\nSingle Cell Sequencing Hub<\/span><\/h1>\n
\nVariant Analysis Hub<\/span><\/h1>\n
\nVirtual Institute of Statistical Genetics Hub<\/span><\/h1>\n
\nZebrafish Users Group (ZUG) Hub<\/span><\/h1>\n
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