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Liggins Link
August 2024
Kia ora koutou
Welcome to the August edition of Liggins Link, in which I have the pleasure of sharing two special features related to the history and ongoing research at the Liggins Institute. First, a timeline that explores the legacy of Professor Sir Graham Collingwood (Mont) Liggins, who gifted his name to the Institute and whose work saved the lives of thousands of babies globally. Second, the story of Susan Wright and her daughter Amanda, born pre-term, who participated in the landmark Auckland Steroid Study fifty years ago. Have a read!
This month, we bid farewell to the two National Science Challenges hosted at the Liggins Institute: High-Value Nutrition (Ko Ngā Kai Whai Painga) and A Better Start (E Tipu e Rea). We celebrate their remarkable contributions to advancing the science that takes Aotearoa’s food to the world and gives our tamariki a better start in life. Listen to the RNZ Nine to Noon interview with Joanne Todd and read our story about the Challenges to learn more.
Finally, we’re delighted to share photos from recent school outreach events and our extremely popular July public lecture, “Restoring the gut microbiome for a healthy life. Thank you to everyone who came along and contributed to an incredible evening. If you missed the live event, the video is now available online.
Ngā mihi nui
Justin
Professor Justin O'Sullivan
Director, The Liggins Institute,
University of Auckland
PITOPITO KŌRERO | NEWS
SPECIAL FEATURE: The Liggins legacy - Professor Sir Graham Collingwood (Mont) Liggins
Professor Sir Graham 'Mont" Liggins research has had a significant impact helping pre-term babies to survive birth.
Professor Sir Graham 'Mont' Liggins work demonstrated the power of a brilliant mind to recognise the unexpected, to perform fundamental biomedical research and translate those findings into clinical practice. Hundreds of thousands of pre-term babies have survived birth due to his groundbreaking research.
Read our special feature on the life and research of an exceptional New Zealand scientist whose work has saved the lives of hundreds of thousands of babies.
STEROID STUDY PARTICIPANTS: Charlie, Sue and Amanda Wright
A landmark study dramatically improved the survival rate of very preterm babies. Half a century on, the Auckland Steroid Study continues to deliver good news.
This feature tells the story of Susan Wright and her daughter Amanda, who was one of those Auckland steroid babies. She now has the confidence that the then experimental treatment has had no consequences as she has become an adult.
Liggins researcher tackles cerebral palsy and ageing
Cerebral palsy is the most common childhood-onset physical disability in NZ. However, adults with this condition often struggle to find information on what the future holds. Liggins Institute doctoral student Woroud Alzaher wants to fill the gap.
Kiwi health food science supporter in limbo after funding expires
Torere Macadamias
From large producers like Sanford Limited and Zespri International to SMEs like Torere Macadamias, the Liggins-hosted High-Value Nutrition (HVN) Science Challenge has partnered with 60 New Zealand businesses to fund research into 137 food and beverage products.
Without ongoing government funding for research into high-value food and nutrition, New Zealand’s scientific leadership and economic growth in the food and beverage sector is at risk.
Challenge Director Joanne Todd and Vanessa Hayes from Torere Macadamias spoke to RNZ’s Kathryn Ryan about the impact of funding on New Zealand businesses and the scientific community.
The New Zealand Herald also featured a premium article about the closure of the National Science Challenges, including an interview with Joanne Todd, information about HVN’s work and details on the Save Science Coalition. If you have a Herald Premium subscription, you can read the article at the link below:
Take 10 with... Mariana Muelbert
Take 10 with... Mariana Muelbert
We’re pleased to share a new "Take 10 with our researchers" featuring Dr Mariana Meulbert. In this interview, Mariana discusses her research on maternal nutrition and breastfeeding practices, highlights the joys and challenges of her career, and shares the impact of her work on public health.
"I think lactation and breastfeeding research is often overlooked. In New Zealand, only 1 in 10 babies are exclusively breastfed to 6 months of age (as recommended), demonstrating improvement is urgently needed. Improving breastfeeding practices in New Zealand should be a key public health priority, given the many positive impacts it has on maternal and infant health, society and environment."
Dr Mariana Muelbert, Research Fellow
Celebrating their achievements and bidding farewell to the Liggins-hosted National Science Challenges
The HVN Directorate at Foodomics 2024 (l-r) Eleanor Surtida, Treena Brown, Helen Madden, Joanne Todd, Jane Mullaney, Richard Mithen. |
Wayne Cutfield, Kawiti Howard, Kathryn Howard and Deborah Baker at A Better Start National Science Challenge Final Symposium 2024. |
As the tenure of the two National Science Challenges hosted at the Liggins Institute concludes, we reflect on their achievements and acknowledge those who have contributed to these transformative initiatives.
Established in 2014, the National Science Challenges were envisioned as a collaborative effort to tackle New Zealand’s most pressing scientific issues. The Liggins Institute proudly hosted two challenges, High-Value Nutrition (Ko Ngā Kai Whai Painga) and A Better Start (E Tipu e Rea), each with a distinct focus and far-reaching goals.
The High-Value Nutrition | Ko Ngā Kai Whai Painga National Science Challenge aimed to create high-value foods that promote health benefits and drive economic growth. With secured funding of $83.8 million over ten years, the Challenge fostered partnerships with 60 businesses, including 17 Māori-owned enterprises. Together, they researched 137 products and developed four patents. HVN supported 47 PhD students, 32 Masters and Honours students, and 8 Māori scholarships. In addition, the Challenge funded 41 internships through the Pūhoru STEMM Academy.
Meanwhile, A Better Start | E Tipu e Rea Challenge concentrated on enhancing the potential of young New Zealanders for healthy and successful lives. With $34.7 million in funding over ten years, the Challenge made substantial strides towards this goal. Since 2016, ABS has brought together more than 160 researchers from diverse disciplines to take a holistic approach to addressing health, wellbeing and learning issues for tamariki.
As we bid farewell to these Challenges, we also say goodbye to esteemed colleagues who have been instrumental in their success. While the Challenges formally conclude, their legacy will continue through ongoing research, innovation, and the dedication of those who remain committed to advancing science for the betterment of Aotearoa New Zealand.
Public Lecture - Restoring the gut microbiome for a healthy life
Professor Justin O'Sullivan presenting on the microbiome and malnutrition.
What an incredible evening at our public lecture on " Restoring the gut microbiome for a healthy life" on Thursday, 18 July.
Thank you to our outstanding speakers, Professors Justin O’Sullivan, Wayne Cutfield, and Dr Theo Portlock, for sharing their groundbreaking research on the gut microbiome's role in brain development, metabolic syndrome in adolescents with obesity, and anorexia recovery.
To everyone who joined us at the public lecture, thank you for making the event a success. We concluded the evening with drinks and nibbles, facilitating great conversations and connections.
If you missed the live event, don’t worry. The video is now available to view on our YouTube channel.
Professor Wayne Cutfield presenting on gut bugs treatment for obesity. 
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Dr Theo Portlock presenting on gut bugs treatment for anorexia nervosa. 
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Outreach events inspiring secondary school students to pursue careers in science and medicine
Associate Director Postgraduate Jo Perry presenting at the Mānawa Mai Catalyst High Achieving Cohort event.
The Liggins Institute has had the pleasure of participating in three school outreach events during June and July, nurturing tomorrow's future superstars, innovators, and researchers. It's inspiring to experience the engagement and curiosity of the secondary students involved. Thanks to our excellent presenters for sharing their knowledge and passion and the event organisers for their work behind the scenes.
Mānawa Mai Catalyst High Achieving Cohort - Monday, 24 June
Associate Director Postgraduate Jo Perry, Research Fellow Dr Theo Portlock, and doctoral student Jillian Hildreth, presented their research and introduced the work of the Liggins Institute to Auckland and Northland’s brightest year-12 students from the following schools: St Peter's College; ACG Sunderland; Auckland Grammar; Botany Downs Secondary College; Carmel College; Huanui College; Long Bay College; Macleans College; Onehunga High; Rangitoto College, and Rosmini College.
Jo, Theo and Jillian at the Mānawa Mai Catalyst High Achieving Cohort event.
Theo Portlock presenting at the Mānawa Mai Catalyst High Achieving Cohort event. |
Jillian Hildreth presenting at the Mānawa Mai Catalyst High Achieving Cohort event. |
Mānawa Mai Catalyst Pacific Cohort - Monday, 1 July
Associate Director of Research Fiona Lithander, Associate Director of Postgraduate Jo Perry, and PhD student Jillian Hildreth shared their knowledge and passion for research with Auckland’s brightest year-12 Pacific students from Rangitoto College, Aorere College, McAuley College, Botany Downs College, Rosmini College, Auckland Girls Grammar, Carmel College and Avondale College.
Fiona Lithander presenting at the Mānawa Mai Catalyst Pacific Cohort event.
Student attending the Mānawa Mai Catalyst Pacific Cohort event. |
Jillian Hildreth presenting at the Mānawa Mai Catalyst Pacific Cohort event. |
Massey High School visit - Wednesday, 3 July
Professor Justin O'Sullivan, Dr Theo Portlock, and doctoral students Catriona Miller and Phyllis Ohene-Agyei, shared their journeys into academia and the groundbreaking research happening at the Liggins Institute with Massey High School students.
Phyllis Ohene-Agyei, Catriona Miller, Elsie Combrinck (Head of Science Faculty at Massey High School), Professor Justin O'Sullivan and Dr Theo Portlock during the Massey High School visit.
New asthma research conducted at the Liggins Clinical Research Unit
New research looking to see if technology such as smart watches can detect changes in the body before an asthma attack occurs is being conducted in the Liggins Clinical Research Unit with input from the research nursing team.
Individuals who have had an asthma attack in the last 12 months are being seen in the CRU, where they are set up with smart devices – a smart inhaler, smart watch, and AI cough monitor – to monitor their asthma for 6 months. The ultimate aim is to develop an alert system that can warn people earlier about changes to their asthma.
If you’re interested in finding out more about this exciting work being conducted at the Liggins CRU, contact digipredict@auckland.ac.nz or visit DIGIPREDICT Asthma study for more information.
You can sign up for the study using the button below.
WHAKAMIHI | CONGRATULATIONS
Professor Frank Bloomfield presented with ONZM insignia
Professor Frank Bloomfield, ONZM and The Rt Hon Dame Cindy Kiro, GNZM, pictured at the Investiture Ceremony on Tuesday, 21 May.
Congratulations to Professor Frank Bloomfield, who was awarded the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) at an Investiture Ceremony at Government House Wellington last month. Frank’s perinatal research has advanced knowledge of fetal development and infant nutrition, improving health outcomes for mothers and newborn babies.
Congratulations to Briar Hunter who has qualified for the final of the 2024 Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition.
Congratulations to Robyn May whose thesis "Understanding Cardiovascular Remodelling Related to Preterm Birth: A Clinical and Computational Modelling Study" was added to the June Dean's List. Robyn was supervised by Dr Soroush Safaei, with co-supervisors, Professor Frank Bloomfield, Dr Finbar Argus, Dr Gonzalo Maso Talou and adviser Professor Tom Gentles.
Denis (left) receiving his award.
Robyn (left) receiving her award.
Congratulations to Denis Nyaga and Robyn May, who won awards at SUMMIT2024, a postdoc-led symposium celebrating the outstanding research of our early- and mid-career researchers from FMHS, the Liggins Institute, and the Auckland Bioengineering Institute.
- Denis won the 3rd-place research presentation award for his talk on “Benchmarking and quality control for clinical nanopore sequencing facility for acute care in New Zealand.”
Robyn won the 2nd-place elevator pitch award for her 3-minute pitch on “20-year outcomes of repeat doses of antenatal corticosteroids: A randomised controlled trial”.
SUPPORT THE LIGGINS INSTITUTE
Our goal is to continue the Liggins legacy started by Sir Graham (Mont) Liggins’ steroid treatment, which has given so many babies a start to life they would not otherwise have had. Every baby deserves a healthy start to life, and you can help us to do that by donating today. Every amount, large or small, enables us to make a difference. One hundred percent of your donation will go directly to support our research, not administration or overheads.
