The Bioactivity Investigation Group (BIG) is a research unit in the Department of Medicine at the Wellington School of Medicine and Health Sciences,...
The Bioactivity Investigation Group (BIG) is a research unit in the Department of Medicine at the Wellington School of Medicine and Health Sciences, one of the University of Otago's three clinical schools. The group conducts fundamental and basic biological research. The BIG provides specialist scientific expertise and methodologies to assist industry and researchers identify, characterise, evaluate and develop natural health, nutraceutical, health food products, and food supplements as well as pharmaceutical products.
Over the last decade members of the BIG team have developed a number of reliable and proven assays and analyses which are in regular use involving biochemical, immunological, cell and tissue culture and in vivo models. Major areas of interest include angiogenesis, cancer, inflammation, diabetes and sugar metabolism, dermatology, wound healing, gastroenterology and safety/toxicity. These facilities are available to others, either as part of a collaborative research undertaking or as a contracted service.