Hugh Green Technology Centre: driving innovation and support of medical research

Kylie Price

“Technology lies at the heart of research,” says Malaghan Institute Chief Technology Officer Kylie Price. “Over the past seven years, we have been steadily expanding our horizons and technology platforms to support research at the Malaghan and beyond.  We now offer a much wider range of services than just cytometry. The rename is primarily to reflect what we already are; a national technology centre.”

The Hugh Green Foundation, a charitable trust dedicated to improving living standards and social well-being in New Zealand communities, has underpinned funding the Malaghan Institute’s research technology capabilities for more than 12 years. Initially focused on building capacity and expertise in flow cytometry, a scientific technique used to critical information about cells - the centre quickly expanded to include microscopy, genomics and more recently, data science. The Hugh Green Foundation recently pledged an additional $15 million investment over the next five years to further expand capacity in flow cytometry and bioimaging, establish integrated capabilities in data science and genomics, and build a national bioanalytical services offering.

“We’re democratising access to cutting-edge technologies to advance medical research and foster innovation across New Zealand” says Kylie. “We do this by offering a suite of advanced technologies and comprehensive training for researchers to analyse individual molecules, decipher the spatial resolution of gene transcripts, examine single cells, and study entire tissues and whole organisms. This approach ensures that scientists at the Malaghan Institute and throughout New Zealand can leverage advanced tools without needing to reinvent the wheel or secure elusive funding. By facilitating access and support, we are collectively pushing the sector forward and enhancing the overall impact of medical research.

“By integrating these various levels of analysis and leveraging data science to synthesise the findings, we help researchers understand the broader context of their studies. This holistic approach not only enhances the depth of scientific insights but also accelerates the development of new treatments and cures for diseases.”