Conference Posters

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A genetic approach to identify amino acids in Gcn1 required for Gcn2 activation (poster)
(8/09/2022) Schiemann A; Gottfried S; Sattlegger E
The General Amino Acid Control stress signalling pathway allows cells to sense and overcome starvation. One of the major players in this pathway is the protein kinase Gcn2 found in all eukaryotic cells. Activation of Gcn2 leads to phosphorylation of the alpha subunit of eukaryotic translation initiation factor (eIF2α), which then leads to the re-programming of the cell’s gene transcription and translation profile, and ultimately allowing cells to cope with and overcome starvation. For sensing starvation, Gcn2 must directly bind to its effector protein Gcn1. This interaction is mediated via a region in Gcn1 called the RWD binding domain (RWDBD). Overexpression of the RWDBD alone impairs Gcn2 activation through disrupting endogenous Gcn1-Gcn2 interaction, hampering eIF2α phosphorylation, and consequently cells cannot overcome starvation and fail to grow.  This dominant negative phenotype is dependent on Arg-2259 in RWDBD.  Taking advantage of this phenotype in yeast, we here found that the dominant negative phenotype was reverted by each of four amino acid substitutions, K2270A, R2289A, R2297A, and K2301A.  This correlated with increased eIF2α phosphorylation levels, suggesting their relevance for Gcn2 activation.  All but Lys-2270 are fully surface exposed, suggesting that these amino acids may directly contact Gcn2.  We also found amino acid substitutions that enhanced the dominant negative phenotype of the overexpressed RWDBD, and correlated with further reduction in eIF2α-P levels.  Our findings suggest that two helices in Gcn1 constitute at least one Gcn2 contact point.
A genome-wide scan of positive selection signature using Ovine Infinium® HD SNP BeadChip in two Romney lines, selected for resistance or resilience to nematodes
(3/07/2017) Yan J; Dukkipati VSR; Blair HT; Biggs PJ; Hamie JC; Greer A
A study was undertaken to identify selection signatures associated with resistance to gastrointestinal nematodiasis in sheep. Ninety-three Romney sheep from two selection lines (resistant or resilient) were genotyped using the Ovine Infinium® HD SNP BeadChip, and extended haplotype homozygosity (EHH) and site-specific extended haplotype homozygosity (EHHS) analyses were undertaken. In total, 224 SNPs (147 in EHH and 77 in EHHS) were found to be significant (p <0.0001). Preliminary exploration of 10 SNPs found them to be located within two previously identified QTLs, namely LATRICH_2 and FECGEN, which were associated with nematode larval count and faecal egg count, respectively.
Acceptability of LGBTQ-Affirmative Cognitive Behavioral Group Therapy for Youth: Results from a Pilot Study
(2023-04-01) Seager van Dyk I; Layland EK; Soulliard ZA; Pachankis JE
Actual versus preferred work status in older workers: Findings from the New Zealand health, work and retirement study
(30/05/2012) Alpass F; Stephens C
The past two decades have seen a significant increase in labour force participation by older workers, particularly by women and those aged over 65 years. Decisions around work continuation are influenced by financial preparedness for retirement and health status. Also thought to play a part in the work-retirement transition process are work histories, and historically these differ between men and women. For many older workers, employment preferences are not realised and this may impact on psychological and financial well-being in later life.
Becoming a distance student: Identifying and managing the key challenges
(2018-04) Kahu E
Approximately 25% of first year, distance students are unsuccessful – they withdraw, fail or just give up on their study. They pay the fees but they don’t get the benefit. And they go away discouraged and disheartened. This poster, using data from a PhD project following 19 first year mature-aged distance students, offers ideas for managing key challenges these students face. - My lifeload: Taking too many courses is common. Students overestimate the time they have available. Be realistic and start small: you can speed things up later. - My family and friends: Other people can be a support and a barrier. Communicate clearly what you need. And remember, this is a big change for the whole family not just you. - My time and space: Students choose distance study because it is more flexible. But you still have to find time and space to do the work. Be flexible and creative in your approach. It takes time to figure out what works for you, for your family, and for your studies. - My headspace: The first year is an emotional rollercoaster including negative feelings of anxiety or frustration. Manage the negative by talking things over and celebrate and focus on the positive. - My university: Returning to study is harder than you expect with a lot of new skills to be learned. Be patient with yourself, use the resources available and be willing to seek help.
Beyond BLASTing: How 3D structural prediction can support or refute BLAST results
(2015-09) Daly TK; Sutherland-Smith AJ; Penny ED
Biologists know that not all BLAST results are homologs and that trees lose information at deep times. We have therefore developed a pipeline to bring increased confidence to the BLAST result. We use structural prediction to support or refute the inclusion of protein sequences into multiple sequence alignments. Ancestral sequence reconstruction (ASR) together with structural prediction can be used to create seed sequences to help find remote homologs. The process can be used to help with annotation.
Bi-cultural wraparound practices in New Zealand
(5/03/2017) Gammon RA; Locke J
New Zealand is a bi-cultural country which ensures culturally safe practices when adapting overseas models to include not only a European or Western perspective, but a Maori World view and framework of wellness. The Ministry of Education provides Wraparound services to high and complex needs youth and families. This presentation will review how they have incorporated a bi-cultural practice with practical examples into the National Wraparound Initiative’s Wraparound model.
Bioeconomic Modelling to Assess the Impacts of Using Native Shrubs on the Marginal Portions of the Sheep and Beef Hill Country Farms in New Zealand (poster)
(9/02/2022) Wangui J; Kenyon P; Tozer P; Millner J; Pain S
Characterising the drinking water microbiome on campgrounds in New Zealand
(23/10/2012) Phiri BJ; Biggs PJ; Prattley DJ; Stevenson MA; Rainey PB; French NP
Whole-genome, 16S and 18S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) analyses combined with conventional isolation techniques are being applied to profile microbial community DNA associated with drinking water on campgrounds. The current study has a serial cross-sectional design and is being conducted on 15 campgrounds that are situated across New Zealand (Figure 1) and are managed by the Department of Conservation (DOC). Preliminary results generally show low Escherichia coli counts in water, suggesting minimal faecal contamination, and a low proportion of faecal samples were positive for Campylobacter and Giardia.
Combining Tn-seq with comparative genomics identifies proteins uniquely essential in Shigella flexneri
(3/09/2015) Freed NE; Bumann D; Silander O
Protein functions that are essential for the growth of bacterial pathogens provide promising targets for antibacterial treatment. This is especially true if those functions are uniquely essential for the pathogen, as this might allow the development of targeted antibiotics, i.e. those that disrupt essential functions only for the pathogenic bacteria. Here we present the results of a Tn-seq experiment designed to detect essential protein coding genes in Shigella flexneri 2a 2457T on a genome-wide scale. Our results suggest that 471 protein-coding genes in this organism are critical for cellular growth in rich media. Comparing this set of essential genes (the essential gene complement) with their orthologues in the closely related organism Escherichia coli K12 BW25113 revealed a significant number of genes that are essential in Shigella but not in E. coli, suggesting that the functional correspondence of these proteins had changed. Notably, we also identified a set of functionally related genes that are essential in Shigella but which have no orthologues in E. coli. We found an extreme bias in proteins that have evolved to provide essential functions, with many proteins essential in Shigella but not E. coli, but with none (or very few) being essential in E. coli but not Shigella. We also identify a set- of genes involved in nucleotide biosynthesis that are essential in Shigella, but which lack orthologues in E. coli. Consequently, the data presented here suggest that the essential gene complement can quickly become organism specific, especially for pathogenic organisms whose genomes might have reduced robustness in their metabolic capacity (e.g. functional redundancy), or a reduced numbers of protein coding genes. These results thus open the possibility of developing antibiotic treatments that target differentially essential genes, which may exist even between very closely related strains of bacteria.
Consequences of Cadmium exposure on growth and reproduction across three generations of earthworm
(Conference organisers, 29/06/2018) Dharmadasa P; Kim N; Li Y; Thunders M
Heavy metal pollution disturbs the soil ecosystem by negatively affecting soil fauna and flora. In term of biomass and activity Annelids are a very important part of the soil invertebrate community. They are one of the first organisms affected by heavy metal contamination in soil and as such are good model organisms for assessing soil contamination. The aim of this research is to observe how Cd impacts on health and reproduction in three consecutive generations of E. fetida. [...]
Differential gene expression in earthworms exposed to different concentrations of Cadmium
(Conference organisers, 29/06/2018) Thunders M; Dharmadasa P; Kim N
Introduction. Cadmium (Cd) is a common contaminant found in many foods, accumulates throughout life and, in high doses, is a significant health hazard for humans. Cadmium is of interest because its concentration in agricultural soils has become elevated over time; with dietary intake in Western countries often close to tolerable limits. Analysis of change in gene expression in response to environmental stressors could potentially aid in risk assessment and biomarker development for human studies. Eisenia fetida are commonly used in ecotoxicological studies. Object. To look at the impact of cadmium concentration on gene expression through comparative analysis of transcriptome data from E. fetida exposed to zero, low, medium and high doses of cadmium. Methods. Artificial soil was spiked with three different Cd solutions [...]
Dissecting the Discourse of Social Licence to Operate
(1/08/2018) Sinner J; Newton M; Farrelly T
The term “social licence to operate”, or SLO, has increasingly featured in public discussion about commercial operations in the marine environment. As part of the Sustainable Seas National Challenge, we are studying how this term is being used in New Zealand and its implications for industry-community relations.
Engaging in spaces: How mature distance students fit study into their homes and lives
(2/07/2013) Kahu ER
In order to fit study around family and work, a third of mature aged tertiary students in New Zealand study by distance. By enabling students to study when and where they want, distance study is said to overcome the barriers of space and time. But space and time must still be found and the blurring of the physical boundaries between study and home creates new challenges. While much has been written about how distance students juggle time, little has considered how they manage space; yet it is often the availability of an appropriate learning space that determines not just when and where they study, but the quality of their engagement. This qualitative study, following 19 mature aged distance students and their families through their first semester, examines how the students carved learning spaces from their busy lives, the nature of those spaces, and the impact this had on their engagement. For some, a space without other people was the essential characteristic and they achieved this through either a physical separation strategy such as studying at work, or a temporal separation strategy such as studying only when children were at school. For others, isolation was a barrier to their engagement and they gravitated to shared living spaces. Individual lifeload, context, and personal preference mean there are no right or wrong choices, but family support is a critical influence on the success of different strategies.
Environmental drivers of antimicrobial resistance – cadmium contamination & antibiotic resistance in soil samples from a rural airstrip.
(2023-12-05) Heydari A; Kim N; Biggs P; Horswell J; Gielen G; Siggins A; Bromhead C; Palmer B
Environmental contamination with both inorganic and organic compounds is a growing problem globally. In this study we investigated links between heavy metal contamination of soil and selection for antibiotic resistance in soil bacteria. Soil samples taken at 10 m intervals along the length of a 70 m transect of a rural airstrip used for aerial topdressing located in Belmont Regional Park near Wellington were analysed for heavy metal content and resistance profiles of heterotrophic bacteria cultured were characterised. A gradient of cadmium contamination (a known contaminant of superphosphate fertiliser) ranging from 1.14 to 7.20 mg kg-1 of dry soil was detected in the samples. Total bacterial counts were significantly reduced at the most heavily contaminated subsites, with >60% of isolates resistant to 0.01 mM CdCl2. The ratio of antibiotic resistant isolates to total CFU was significantly higher at the most contaminated compared to the least contaminated subsite for five common antibiotics. Metagenomic analysis of total DNA from three subsites showed significantly different profiles at all taxonomic levels. This suggests environmental contamination with heavy metals may be a significant and under-appreciated driver of selection for antimicrobial resistance.
Evaluating service user-led teaching in clinical psychology training
(13/01/2023) Taylor J; Gordon SE
Experiencing the educational interface: Understanding student engagement
(3/07/2017) Kahu ER; Picton C; Nelson K
Student engagement is widely recognised as critical to student retention and success – simply put, students who are engaged with their studies are more likely to be successful. However, the mechanisms contributing to an individual student’s engagement have not yet been clearly articulated and the term engagement is used differently in various contexts. We understand engagement to be an individual student’s psychosocial state: their behavioural, emotional, and cognitive connection to their learning. In 1984, Astin proposed that student involvement, as he called it, was the missing link in our understanding of how institutional factors influenced student success. Aligned with Astin’s rationale, Chickering and Gamson (1987) proposed and later explored seven principles for good practice in undergraduate education, along with six ‘powerful forces’ that they believed shaped the student experience. In the decades since, these early contributions have strongly influenced curricular and co-curricular practices which have positively impacted on student outcomes. These practices include: peer to peer participation, access and interactions with staff, timely feedback, a scaffolded curriculum, early identification of students at risk, assessment aligned with learning outcomes, clearly articulated expectations, and a supportive but challenging learning environment. More recently, Students as Partners initiatives have been taken up with much enthusiasm. However, while the impact of these good practice initiatives has been comprehensively demonstrated, the mechanisms that explain how these initiatives actually influence an individual student’s retention and success have not yet been clearly identified. In 2013, Kahu proposed a comprehensive framework that shed light on the influences on and consequences of student engagement. In 2017 Kahu and Nelson refined this framework to include the notion of the educational interface as a metaphor for the individual psychosocial space within which a student is engaged in their learning. This new framework incorporates four key constructs within the interface, dimensions of the student’s psychosocial experience. These constructs are self-efficacy, belonging, emotions, and well-being. These four constructs represent pathways by which curricular and co-curricular initiatives and other factors influence student engagement and success. For instance, a student with financial difficulties or a heavy lifeload will have reduced well-being, which will inhibit their engagement with their studies. Or a student who forms good relationships with staff and peers will feel a sense of belonging which makes them more comfortable in class and thus more willing to actively participate. This revised framework is a leap forward in our understandings about the mechanisms that underpin student engagement and provide a firm foundation for practice. This poster presents and briefly explains the revised framework as well as illustrating the framework by presenting data from a current study following a group of 19 first year students at a regional Australian university for their first year. References Astin, A. W. (1984). Student involvement: A developmental theory for higher education. Journal of College Student Personnel, 25(4), 297-308. Chickering, A. W. & Gamson, Z. F. (1987). Seven principles for good practice in undergraduate education. American Association of Higher Education Bulletin, 39(7), 3-7 Kahu, E. R. (2013). Framing student engagement in higher education. Studies in Higher Education, 38(5), 758-773. doi: 10.1080/03075079.2011.598505 Kahu, E. R., & Nelson, K. (in press). Student engagement in the educational interface: Understanding the mechanisms of student success. Higher Education Research & Development
Exploring consumer and wine expert views towards verjuice: a grape-based product made from a viticultural waste
(20/09/2022) Dupas de Matos A; Maggs R; Hort J
Exploring root traits associated with increased yield under water deficit in perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) germplasm of Mediterranean and European origins.
(2015-10) Huassion S; Matthew C; Naeem M; Easton HS
Exploring root traits associated with increased yield under water deficit in perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) germplasm of Mediterranean and European origins Sajjad Hussain1, Cory Matthew2, Muhammad Naeem3, H. Sydney Easton4 1Plant Genetic Resources Institute, National Agricultural Research Center, Islamabad, Pakistan, 2Institute of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand, 3Federal Seed Certification and Registration Department, Islamabad, Pakistan, 4AgResearch, Palmerston North, New Zealand. Contact: shmalik25@hotmail.com Introduction Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) is now one of the most widely used forage grass species in temperate pastoral agriculture and in recent years breeding for improved performance in summer drought conditions has become a focus. Germplasm of Spanish origin has been widely used in New Zealand plant breeding (Stewart, 2006), but another possibility that has attracted comparatively little research to date is introgression of summer dormant germplasm of North African origin with material of European origin. Methods Plants of a New Zealand-bred perennial ryegrass cultivar “Grasslands Samson”, a summer dormant Australian cultivar “Medea” developed in the 1960’s from germplasm of Mediterranean origin (Silsbury, 1961), and the F1 and F2 progenies of the two parents were compared during summer 2010-11 in a glasshouse study at Palmerston North, New Zealand. The experiment compared rooting behavior and herbage yield of the two cultivars and studied the pattern of inheritance of those traits to F1 and F2 progeny. Plants grown in 100 cm lengths of soil-filled PVC pipes were initially bottom-watered in 200 liter drums and then drought was imposed by gradually lowering the water table until plants survived on water retained in the soil profile. At a concluding destructive harvest, herbage yield (DW) and tiller number (TN) were recorded, while total root mass (Rt), coarse root mass (Rc) fine root mass (Rf) and gravimetric soil moisture % (SMC) were all measured for three soil depths (0-30, 30-60 and below 60 cm). From these data root:shoot ratio (R:S), deep root (below 30 cm): shoot ratio (DR:S), an index of deep rooting (% total root below 30 cm, IDR), and DW/(0.2 – SMC) as an index of efficient water use (IEWU) were derived. Results and Discussion Medea exhibited deep rooting compared to Grasslands Samson indicated by higher R:S, DR:S and IDR, that had never been studied since its release in Australia. However, it had lower IWU, 83% lower DW and 87% lower TN than Grasslands Samson – a characteristic of Mediterranean origin pasture species. On the question of introgressing root traits of Medea to Grasslands Samson: in the F1 generation, some plants surpassed Medea for some root traits (eg DR:S and IDR), while F2 plants were similar to Grasslands Samson parents, However, within Grasslands Samson itself some plants showed high IEWU. Conclusion Introgression of Medea genes into Grasslands Samson will not be straight forward. However, direct selection for maintenance of growth under moderate water deficit with reduced soil moisture extraction per unit DW is an immediate option for improving drought tolerance in perennial ryegrass, providing the trait proves sufficiently heritable. Stewart AV (2006) Genetic origins of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) for New Zealand Pastures. Pp11-20 In: Breeding for success: diversity in action, (ed, CF. Mercer) Proceedings of the 13th Australasian Plant Breeding Conference, Christchurch, NZ. Silsbury JH (1961) A study of dormancy, survival and other characteristics in Lolium perenne L. at Adelaide, SA. Aust. J. Ag. Res.12:1-9.
Green kiwifruit: effects on plasma lipids and APOE interactions
(28/05/2012) Gammon CS; Kruger R; Minihane AM; Conlon CA; von Hurst PR; Stonehouse W
Background Diet is a crucial element in the reduction of risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Furthermore, response to dietary change may be influenced by genotype. Kiwifruit are a good source of several dietary components shown to improve dyslipidaemia and lower CVD incidence such as soluble fibre and some vitamins and phytochemicals. Objective To investigate the effect of consuming two green kiwifruit daily in conjunction with a healthy diet on plasma lipids and examine response according to apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype in hypercholesterolaemic men. Design Eighty-five hypercholesterolaemic men (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) >3.0 mmol/L and triglycerides (TG) <3 mmol/L) completed an eight week randomised controlled cross-over study, after undergoing a four week healthy diet phase. The study consisted of two 4-week treatment sequences of 2 green kiwifruit/day plus healthy diet (intervention) or healthy diet alone (control). Fasting blood samples were taken at baseline, 4 and 8 weeks for the measurement of plasma lipids (total cholesterol (TC), LDL-C, TG, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C)), serum apolipoproteins A1 and B (apoA1 and apoB). Outcomes After the kiwifruit intervention plasma HDL-C concentrations were significantly higher (mean difference 0.04 [95% CI: 0.01, 0.07] mmol/L [P=0.004]) and the TC/HDL ratio was significantly lower (0.15 [-0.24, -0.05] mmol/L [P=0.002]), compared to control. In carriers of APOE4 allele TG concentrations were significantly lower (0.18 [-0.34, -0.02] mmol/L [P=0.03]) after the kiwifruit intervention compared to control. There were no significant differences between the two treatments for plasma TC, TG, LDL-C and serum apoA1 or apoB. Conclusion The small but significant increase in HDL-C and decrease in TC/HDL ratio and TG (in APOE4 carriers) suggests that the regular inclusion of green kiwifruit as part of a healthy diet may be beneficial in improving the lipid profiles of men with high cholesterol. Source of Funding: ZESPRI® International Trial No: ACTRN12610000213044

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