Science Challenges unite for collaboration with China

The three health-related National Science Challenges (Healthier Lives, Ageing Well, and A Better Start) have united to lead a new research venture with China. The collaboration will focus on non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and is called the New Zealand-China Non-Communicable Diseases Collaboration Centre.

A grant of $1.25 million has been made by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s Catalyst Fund to establish this research collaboration centre. The Fund supports activities that leverage international science and innovation for New Zealand’s benefit.

The Centre will focus on six themes:

• Diabetes and obesity
• Cardiovascular disease
• Cancer
• Rare inherited diseases
• Big health data
• Gene-environment factors

Healthier Lives Director, Professor Jim Mann, will head the Centre.

China’s large population and comprehensive health data can help progress research into risk, prevention, and treatment. New Zealand’s public health and ethics expertise, and innovative research techniques, will provide insight into cost-effective approaches to manage the rapidly increasing medical burden in China.

The collaboration currently encompasses 219 researchers in 26 institutions and expects to provide opportunities for researchers from across New Zealand.

• New Zealand-China Research Collaboration Centres announced (Government media release)
• China-New Zealand health research centre funded (University of Otago media release)
• Healthier Lives National Science Challenge website
• Ageing Well National Science Challenge website
• A Better Start National Science Challenge website