• Research Capabilities
  • Sustainable land and water
  • High performance plants
  • Personalised foods
  • High value marine products
  • Biomolecules and biomaterials
    • Advanced biological materials
    • New bioactive materials
    • Bioactive efficacy testing
    • Plant Extracts Research Unit
    • Research programmes

New biomolecules and biomaterials

We undertake a range of collaborative research programmes in this area. Some examples are highlighted below.

Knowledge and economic benefit from genetic technologies
This programme will develop valuable intellectual property from unique germplasm and innovative gene discovery and transfer technologies. Use of plant genetic technologies will support the production of novel, plant-based products from diverse economic plant species for use in the food and fibre industries.

Enhanced public understanding and assessment of the possible environmental effects of transgenic crops will be part of this project, ensuring that the application of these new technologies is based on sound judgment guided by reliable information, while minimising risks to the environment.

New biomaterials from nanotechnology
Crop & Food Research and the University of Canterbury have identified a unique opportunity for New Zealand researchers to advance ground-breaking research that will lead to the exploitation of protein amyloid fibrils as new biomaterials.

These new self-assembling biomaterials present an exciting opportunity for future nanotechnology applications. Gaining a greater understanding of the properties required will result in more natural sources of suitable proteins being discovered.

For more on specific research programmes:

• Award for new fibre-making process

top of page