- F r o m   t h e   D i r e c t o r -

Food Futures Flagship Director, Bruce Lee.

The Food Futures National Research Flagship, a CSIRO initiative, has been established to improve the international competitiveness of Australia’s agrifood sector by applying frontier technologies to high-potential industries.

Food Futures is one of six National Research Flagships established by CSIRO to focus Australia’s significant scientific resources on issues of national importance.

The National Research Flagships are partnerships between research institutions, private enterprise, community groups, government and non-government organisations and CSIRO.

National Research Flagships will deliver scientific solutions to advance our nation’s key priorities in health, the economy and our environment. By harnessing Australia’s scientific and intellectual capital, the Flagship programs are leading the way in establishing cross-disciplinary initiatives and partnerships with all sectors of Australian industry, government, research and community sectors.

Launched in March 2004, the Food Futures Flagship’s research programs have built considerable momentum. The Flagship’s research programs have progessed significantly in the areas of advanced genetics, breed engineering, separation technologies, non-thermal processing and advanced sensory technologies.

Specific outcomes of note include:

• Advances in the cloning of genes involved in the biosynthesis of Omega-3 fatty acids
• The discovery of genetic markers which will lead to the production of new strains of wheat with enhanced health properties
• The development of domesticated black tiger prawn broodstock
• Advances in high-pressure processing on microbial inactivation for the production of safer foods.

In this first edition of Food Futures Update we report on a range of current research programs and the advances made to date. In ‘Meet the Scientist’ we profile the Food Futures Flagship’s leader of aquaculture Dr Nigel Preston and look at his fascinating career in marine research.

We look forward to keeping you up to date with the Flagship’s latest research findings in future editions of this newsletter. I would also encourage you to contact us directly for further information about the Food Futures National Research Flagship.

Dr Bruce Lee
Director, Food Futures Flagship

Update Home

From the Director

Flagship Advisory Committee

The good oil on health

From vine to palate

Advancing Australian aquaculture breeds

Cybernose – Advances in Olfactory Biosensor Technology

Meet the Scientist

The Food Futures Flagship is a CSIRO initiative and part of the National Research Flagships program that aims to deliver scientific solutions to advance Australia's most important national objectives. One of the largest scientific initiatives ever mounted in Australia, it aligns closely with the Federal Government's National Research Priorities. The initiative brings together our national research resources to deliver breakthroughs in fields ranging from healthcare to light metals and the environment.