AgResearch scoops top biotech award four years running
1 April, 2008
An AgResearch scientist has won the prestigious NZBio Emerging Biotechnologist of the Year award – the fourth year in a
row the company has taken home the title.
Dr Paul Shorten works in the area of Theoretical Biology – a field of growing importance for its ability to use
mathematics as a tool to integrate the flood of data collected in the laboratories of different science disciplines.
“I think it probably is unusual for a mathematician to win a biotechnology award,” says Dr Shorten, “But I was thrilled.
Theoretical work is not often recognised for its contributions to the bio-tech field. It’s good to see it becoming more
established and getting better recognition.”
As a member of AgResearch’s Applied Biotechnology Group, Paul’s role is to study complex biological and physical systems
using modelling and computer simulation.
“I feel that this award is a representation of AgResearch’s achievements in biotechnology and the contribution of
AgResearch’s theoretical biology team in this area.”
The cross-discipline focus of the field is reflected in the team’s range of work, which is far from limited to one area
of AgResearch’s operation – or even one single area of science.
“It really does cover the gamut from cell biology to viticulture and food safety. The common thread through all of it is
the use of conceptual thinking to help researchers understand and modify biological processes.”
“The more complex biotechnology’s fundamental processes become, the more it needs something to link everything together
so that they can be understood logically and then adapted to improve the quality of human life. Systems biology, with
the help of sophisticated mathematical tools, provides an integrated framework to do this.”
For further information contact AgResearch Media Advisor Mike Eng on 03 321 8825
ENDS