1. Developer of ‘biological electronic nose’ sensor announced as first
recipient of KiwiNet Emerging Innovator Fund
HAMILTON, NZ – XXDecember2015 - Dr Andrew Kralicek,aresearcheratPlant& Food Research,
has beennamedthe firstrecipientof a$20,000 award fromthe KiwiNetEmergingInnovatorFund
for hisbiosensorwhich actslike apowerful electronicnose. The fundwassetup througha
partnershipbetweenKiwiNetandCallaghanInnovation tohelp earlycareerresearchscientists with
a clevernewideaand commercial interesttotake itto market.
Dr Kralicek’spowerful biosensortechnologyisbasedongroundbreakingresearchcombininginsect
receptorproteins withnovelman-made sensorstoenable detectionof targetcompoundsin
extremelysmall concentrations. Potential applications forthe novel real-time detectiontechnology
include airqualitymonitoring, point-of-care medicaldiagnostics,foodqualitymonitoring,security
and agricultural pest/disease detection.
Dr Kralicek,TeamLeaderof the MolecularSensingTeamat Plant& FoodResearch says, “It’sa really
excitingtime inourresearch.The timingof the fundingisperfect asitwill allow ustocreate a
prototype sensorforairqualitymonitoring todemonstratetopotential usersof the technology.”
Harnessingthe powerof insect odorantreceptorbased sensors isapotential game changerinthe
worldof electronicsensorsaccordingtoKralicek.
“Nature isstill ordersof magnitude aheadof the mostadvancedman-made electronicnosesthatare
currently produced. Insectodorantreceptors candetecta wide range of natural and synthetic
chemicals evenatverylowlevels. Bycombiningpurifiedinsectreceptorproteinwithspeciallymade
electronicsensorswe will be able todetect parts-per-billiontoparts-per-trillionconcentrationsof
target volatile compounds suchas hazardouspollutantsinthe environment.
“Once we have a workingprototype we’relookingtodevelopbothhandheldformatsaswell as
sensorsthatare housedina casing in the environment thatcan wirelesslysignal toaniPhone,for
example,”he says.
Dr Kralicekis workingwithleadingNewZealandenvironmental monitoringcompany,Aeroqual Ltd,
to developthe newgenerationof airqualitymonitoringsensors.
Geoff Henshaw,CTOAeroqual Ltdsays,“Aeroqual hasreceivedrepeatedmarketenquiresfor
selectivelowcostsensingmethodsforairtoxins.This researchprogramme hasthe potential to
generate newtechnologiesthatwoulddisruptthe currentlandscape.Thisisof significant
commercial interesttous.”
Dr Bram Smith,General Managerof KiwiNetsays, “Andrew’s newtechnologycouldimmediately

2. create newsensormanufacturingopportunities byprovidingasolutionformonitoringairquality
and detectingemissions orgasleaks at industrial sites. Demonstratingcompliance with airquality
and emissions regulations iscritical insome countries,and isa $200M pa industry.”
The KiwiNetEmergingInnovatorFund isavailabletoearlycareerresearchersbasedatuniversities
and CrownResearchInstitutesacrossNew Zealand.
Dr Smithsays,“The fundaimsto powerupsome of New Zealand’smosttalentedearlycareer
scientists.It’sbeenateameffortwithCallaghanInnovationprovidingthe funding,MinterEllison
RuddWatts providingin-kindexpertlegal supportandKiwiNetrecruitingacommercial mentorto
supportAndrew.Thisisan initiative KiwiNetwill be growingoverthe nextyeartosupportmore
emerginginnovators.”
CallaghanInnovationGroupManagerProgrammesWillemvanderSteen,saysthe aimof the
initiativefitswithCallaghanInnovation’smissiontohelpbusinesssucceedthroughtechnology.
“The EmergingInnovatorFundwill boostresearchandallow researcherstobuildprototypesof new
solutionstoindustryproblems.
“CallaghanInnovationworkswithanumberof incubatorsandacceleratorswhichfosterinnovation
inemergingtech-drivenbusinesses.Ideally,successfulrecipientsof the EmergingInnovatorFund
can go on to be consideredforthe appropriate incubatororacceleratorprogrammes,tocontinue
the commercial developmentof theirresearch.”
Sue Muggleston,Intellectual PropertyManageratPlant& Food Research,nominatedAndrew for
award.“As the championof the biosensorresearchprogramme atPlant&Food,Andrew’s
enthusiasm,abilitytodeliverresultsandwillingnesstoworkwithindustrymade himaprime
candidate forthisfunding.I’mdelightedathissuccess.”
ENDS
The Kiwi InnovationNetwork(KiwiNet) comprisesuniversitiesandcrownresearchinstitutesand
agenciesworkingtogethertoincrease the scale andimpactof scientific andtechnologybased
innovationinNewZealand.KiwiNet’srole istoempowerthose involvedinresearch
commercialisationbyhelpingthemaccessthe tools,connections,investmentandsupportthey
need.Byworkingtogether,KiwiNetaimstobetterleverage the combinedcapabilityof NZresearch
organisationsandhelpeachothertoachieve greatercommercial outcomesforNew
Zealand. KiwiNetpartnerorganisationsinclude WaikatoLink,Plant&FoodResearch,Otago
InnovationLtd,LincolnUniversity,AUTEnterprises,AgResearch,Universityof Canterbury,Callaghan
Innovation,Viclink,Landcare Research,CawthronInstitute,ESR,NIWA andScion. Principal support
isalso providedbythe Ministryof Business,Innovation&Employment(MBIE).
For furtherinformationcontactSandraLukey,Shine Group,(PRforKiwiNet) on021 222 858 or visit
www.kiwinet.org.nz