‘Marriage made in heaven’ for protein scientists

TWO Palmerston North researchers have won the top awards in the Prime Minister’s Science Prizes for their work in the field of food protein.

Professors Paul Moughan and Harjinder Singh, from Massey University, receive $500,000 to continue their research into projects hoped to strengthen New Zealand’s growing food and beverage industry.

The science prizes, which recognise some of New Zealand’s leading scientists by offering research grants from a $1 million pool, were presented at Te Papa yesterday.

Prof Singh’s expertise is in food protein structures and how they interact in food systems, while Prof Moughan focuses on how proteins are broken down and absorbed in the digestive system and the resulting physiological benefits.

‘‘It’s a marriage made in heaven,’’ Prof Moughan said. ‘‘Between us we cover the whole spectrum of food protein science, which is rare worldwide.’’

Their developments included the creation of a probiotic, establishing the health benefits of kiwifruit – which has given New Zealand company Zespri a global edge – and a technology that allows high doses of fish oil-derived Omega-3 fatty acids to be added to food products without a fishy smell and aftertaste.

They have also developed a pro- cess to isolate proteins and peptides in low-cost meat for use in a food product that has been shown to have health benefits for older people.

Fonterra has commercialised products that build on their work.

The pair set up and are codirectors of the Riddet Institute at Massey University, which focuses on food, nutrition and health sciences.

They also drive the Riddet Foodlink network, which involves 90 companies collaborating with the institute on research and commercialising intellectual property.

Since 2003, the institute has secured more than $40 million in research funding and used it to carry out research and create new food products, processes and systems. It has also trained 80 postgraduate scholars and 30 post doctoral fellows.

‘‘We have a lot of bright minds that come up with really good ideas,’’ Prof Singh said.

‘‘The prizemoney will allow us to screen those ideas and take the most promising through to the next stage.’’

James Russell, of Auckland University, who is internationally recognised for his work in conservation, was awarded $200,000, $150,000 of which will be used for further research.

His citation said his innovative combination of ecology, statistics and genetics to prevent rats and other pests invading predator-free islands.

The

science

teacher

award went to Papatoetoe High School head of chemistry Peter Stewart.

He teaches in a decile three school where ‘‘English is most commonly a second language’’, but class numbers have risen 44 per cent at NCEA level two, and 100 per cent at level three.

He was awarded $50,000, with his school getting $100,000.

Seventeen-year-old student Hannah Ng, of St Cuthbert’s College in Auckland, received $50,000 to fund her tertiary study.

Hannah has been researching childhood myopia, or shortsightedness. In Greenzone, Professor Shaun Hendy argues we need to be clean, green and smart.