title: Developing a biotechnology learning hub for New Zealand

authors: Buntting, Catherine Michelle

subjects: Biotechnology

abstract: The article discusses the development of New Zealand's Biotechnology Learning Hub. The authors explains the Biotechnology Learning Hub is an on-line portal developed as a result of initial findings. Its principal aim is to bring the biotechnology and education sectors together in a more sustainable way. The author outlines classroom studies, meetings with the Biotechnolgy industry, and the features of the hub.

text: Developing a biotechnology learning hub for New Zealand The article discusses the development of New Zealand's Biotechnology Learning Hub. The authors explains the Biotechnology Learning Hub is an on-line portal developed as a result of initial findings. Its principal aim is to bring the biotechnology and education sectors together in a more sustainable way. The author outlines classroom studies, meetings with the Biotechnolgy industry, and the features of the hub.

year: 2005

title: Molecular Studies of House Mice in Southern New Zealand

authors: McCormick, Helen Margaret

subjects: mus musculus

abstract: The house mouse, Mus Musculus, was first introduced into New Zealand in significant numbers in the mid nineteenth century. Earlier research suggests that multiple introductions of the three subspecies of house mouse M. m. domesticus, M. m. musculus and M. m. castaneus occurred at this time. While M. m. domesticus is widely distributed in New Zealand with M. m. musculus somewhat less so, the only extant evidence found to date for M. m. castaneus is in hybrid mice found principally in the southern half of the South Island. In this study, the hybrid population of mice in the South Island was examined in detail using a variety of molecular techniques. The extent of the hybrid zone was first established using a simple polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique that enabled rapid identification of mitochondrial genomes as being M. m. domesticus, castaneus or musculus in nature. In the second part of the study, four representative mice from the hybrid zone and three M. m. domesticus from north of this zone were subjected to high density (600K) single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analyses in order to pinpoint regions of the genomes that differed in a significant manner between the two groups. In a refinement of these analyses, regions of each genome were identified as being domesticus-, castaneus- or musculus-like, using diagnostic SNP alleles for each sub-species. Some 170 mice, principally collected in the Southern South Island, were screened using the rapid PCR technique. In the coastal regions, all mice further south than 44oS had M. m. castaneus mtDNA whereas those north of 43oS had M. m. domesticus mtDNA. Between the two, there is a ‘contact zone’ in which both subspecies were found, sometimes in the same building. The contact zone extends approximately 50km north to south and some 30km inland. Classical tests with three nuclear DNA markers confirmed earlier work, namely, that the nuclear genomes of all mice appeared to be predominantly domesticus-like. Although there is no obvious geographical, ecological or land-use features that characterise this contact zone it may be relevant that there is the distinct change to a wetter colder climate in the south and inland of the contact zone, especially in winter. The inability to identify obvious defining features is not surprising, given that much research over many years worldwide has failed to yield an explanation for distinct mouse hybrid zones. The high density SNP analyses demonstrated that the nuclear genomes of all seven representative mice were very similar and largely (approximately 95%+) domesticus-like in nature. Despite this similarity, clusters of SNPs did reveal differences throughout the genome, often just extending over a few haplotype blocks and often encompassing much less than a million basepairs (Mb). Some of these were of biological interest, for example clusters of vomeronasal receptor genes and also genes believed to be involved in maternal-fetal conflict, which are known to vary markedly between species. The diagnostic SNP analyses confirmed that no marked differences exist between the genomes of the hybrid and M. m. domesticus mice. As stated above, the genomes were predominantly domesticus-like but small regions (~1Mb) of castaneus-like and musculus-like genome were found scattered throughout all mice but, contrary to initial expectations, there was no preponderance of castaneus-like regions in the hybrid mice. The one exception to the largely identical genomic SNP patterns, were those from the mouse collected in Hamilton. This was quite bizarre, in that its genome contains large (up to 10Mb) musculus-like regions that correspond exactly to the same regions in a common laboratory strain of mouse, C57BL/6J. I conclude that if pure M. m. castaneus mice did originally reach New Zealand, extensive ‘backcrossing’ with M. m. domesticus has virtually eliminated the castaneus genome, with just a few remnants remaining that may or may not confer some selective advantage, but could just as likely represent segregation of recognition factors that give rise to assortative mating. Thus, the most obvious and consistent genetic difference between the mice remains the original observation concerning their mitochondrial genomes and these should be examined in more detail. In future research aimed at identifying potential selective advantages that have allowed the hybrid mice to exclusively populate the southern South Island factors that relate to climate should be considered. Specifically, the fact that, in humans, some mitochondrial haplotypes are believed to confer a selective advantage in colder climates immediately suggests that examining variants of key genes involved in energy metabolism such as NADH-dehydrogenase-subunit-3 ( ND3 ) in the hybrid mice could be a profitable line of future research.

text: Molecular Studies of House Mice in Southern New Zealand The house mouse, Mus Musculus, was first introduced into New Zealand in significant numbers in the mid nineteenth century. Earlier research suggests that multiple introductions of the three subspecies of house mouse M. m. domesticus, M. m. musculus and M. m. castaneus occurred at this time. While M. m. domesticus is widely distributed in New Zealand with M. m. musculus somewhat less so, the only extant evidence found to date for M. m. castaneus is in hybrid mice found principally in the southern half of the South Island. In this study, the hybrid population of mice in the South Island was examined in detail using a variety of molecular techniques. The extent of the hybrid zone was first established using a simple polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique that enabled rapid identification of mitochondrial genomes as being M. m. domesticus, castaneus or musculus in nature. In the second part of the study, four representative mice from the hybrid zone and three M. m. domesticus from north of this zone were subjected to high density (600K) single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analyses in order to pinpoint regions of the genomes that differed in a significant manner between the two groups. In a refinement of these analyses, regions of each genome were identified as being domesticus-, castaneus- or musculus-like, using diagnostic SNP alleles for each sub-species. Some 170 mice, principally collected in the Southern South Island, were screened using the rapid PCR technique. In the coastal regions, all mice further south than 44oS had M. m. castaneus mtDNA whereas those north of 43oS had M. m. domesticus mtDNA. Between the two, there is a ‘contact zone’ in which both subspecies were found, sometimes in the same building. The contact zone extends approximately 50km north to south and some 30km inland. Classical tests with three nuclear DNA markers confirmed earlier work, namely, that the nuclear genomes of all mice appeared to be predominantly domesticus-like. Although there is no obvious geographical, ecological or land-use features that characterise this contact zone it may be relevant that there is the distinct change to a wetter colder climate in the south and inland of the contact zone, especially in winter. The inability to identify obvious defining features is not surprising, given that much research over many years worldwide has failed to yield an explanation for distinct mouse hybrid zones. The high density SNP analyses demonstrated that the nuclear genomes of all seven representative mice were very similar and largely (approximately 95%+) domesticus-like in nature. Despite this similarity, clusters of SNPs did reveal differences throughout the genome, often just extending over a few haplotype blocks and often encompassing much less than a million basepairs (Mb). Some of these were of biological interest, for example clusters of vomeronasal receptor genes and also genes believed to be involved in maternal-fetal conflict, which are known to vary markedly between species. The diagnostic SNP analyses confirmed that no marked differences exist between the genomes of the hybrid and M. m. domesticus mice. As stated above, the genomes were predominantly domesticus-like but small regions (~1Mb) of castaneus-like and musculus-like genome were found scattered throughout all mice but, contrary to initial expectations, there was no preponderance of castaneus-like regions in the hybrid mice. The one exception to the largely identical genomic SNP patterns, were those from the mouse collected in Hamilton. This was quite bizarre, in that its genome contains large (up to 10Mb) musculus-like regions that correspond exactly to the same regions in a common laboratory strain of mouse, C57BL/6J. I conclude that if pure M. m. castaneus mice did originally reach New Zealand, extensive ‘backcrossing’ with M. m. domesticus has virtually eliminated the castaneus genome, with just a few remnants remaining that may or may not confer some selective advantage, but could just as likely represent segregation of recognition factors that give rise to assortative mating. Thus, the most obvious and consistent genetic difference between the mice remains the original observation concerning their mitochondrial genomes and these should be examined in more detail. In future research aimed at identifying potential selective advantages that have allowed the hybrid mice to exclusively populate the southern South Island factors that relate to climate should be considered. Specifically, the fact that, in humans, some mitochondrial haplotypes are believed to confer a selective advantage in colder climates immediately suggests that examining variants of key genes involved in energy metabolism such as NADH-dehydrogenase-subunit-3 ( ND3 ) in the hybrid mice could be a profitable line of future research.

year: 2011

title: KAUMĀTUATANGA  Supporting School Leaders To Develop Cultural Values While Resisting The Dominance of Colonialism

authors: Nuri, Ngahuia

subjects: Kaumātua

abstract: In an education system that is asserting to the importance of Māori (indigenous people of Aotearoa) language, culture, identity and the history of Aotearoa  (New Zealand) into the curriculum, there is direction from the Ministry of Education (MOE) for schools to reach out to iwi. What this looks like and how this can be achieved is not an easy task. This thesis follows the journey of three kaumātua (respected, knowledgeable elders, both female and male) working alongside the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) of a decile 10 kura auraki (mainstream primary school) where ākonga Māori (Māori students) were in the minority. The research examines what role kaumātua might have in guiding other schools to help tamariki Māori (Māori children) enjoy and achieve education success as Māori. It highlights the coming together of leaders from two different worldviews with this vision as a common purpose. 

Kaumātua in te ao Māori (the Māori world) are respected elders. Kaumātua are leaders, respected for their wisdom, knowledge and models of behaviour among other attributes. The Māui narratives are one example of demonstrating the characteristics of kaumātua. It was through his respected elders that Maui achieved so much. It was his grandfather who rescued him and taught him all he knew. It was his grandmother Mahuika who gave him fire and it was his kuia (female elder) Murirangiwhenua from whom he received the magic jawbone. The wisdom of Māori kaumātua has been recognised for centuries by Māori and yet kaumātua are often an untapped resource in the mainstream sector of education. In this thesis the kaumātua and members of the SLT share their experiences of working together and the learning and unlearning that has taken place over a period of four years from 2016 through 2019. They share their vulnerability, humility and strength in the goals they have worked towards over this period of time.

text: KAUMĀTUATANGA  Supporting School Leaders To Develop Cultural Values While Resisting The Dominance of Colonialism In an education system that is asserting to the importance of Māori (indigenous people of Aotearoa) language, culture, identity and the history of Aotearoa  (New Zealand) into the curriculum, there is direction from the Ministry of Education (MOE) for schools to reach out to iwi. What this looks like and how this can be achieved is not an easy task. This thesis follows the journey of three kaumātua (respected, knowledgeable elders, both female and male) working alongside the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) of a decile 10 kura auraki (mainstream primary school) where ākonga Māori (Māori students) were in the minority. The research examines what role kaumātua might have in guiding other schools to help tamariki Māori (Māori children) enjoy and achieve education success as Māori. It highlights the coming together of leaders from two different worldviews with this vision as a common purpose. 

Kaumātua in te ao Māori (the Māori world) are respected elders. Kaumātua are leaders, respected for their wisdom, knowledge and models of behaviour among other attributes. The Māui narratives are one example of demonstrating the characteristics of kaumātua. It was through his respected elders that Maui achieved so much. It was his grandfather who rescued him and taught him all he knew. It was his grandmother Mahuika who gave him fire and it was his kuia (female elder) Murirangiwhenua from whom he received the magic jawbone. The wisdom of Māori kaumātua has been recognised for centuries by Māori and yet kaumātua are often an untapped resource in the mainstream sector of education. In this thesis the kaumātua and members of the SLT share their experiences of working together and the learning and unlearning that has taken place over a period of four years from 2016 through 2019. They share their vulnerability, humility and strength in the goals they have worked towards over this period of time.

year: 2024