The Singing Scientist’s new song

11 August 2010

The Singing Scientist’s new song

Dr Matthew Barnett, Senior Scientist in AgResearch’s Agri-Foods & Health Section who featured on TV and radio last year with his Epigenome Song, has written a second song based on his scientific work, this time about fibre.

‘I Love Fibre’ recently debuted on Radio New Zealand’s Our Changing World.

Matt warns “You can't have a piece referring to fibre without mentioning bowel movements (but it’s done in the best possible taste, of course)”.

Matt says that while he usually plays rock music he decided to stick with a country theme for ‘I Love Fibre’ because it worked pretty well for the Epigenome Song. “Plus it gave me the chance to dress up in checked shirts and a flax hat.

Matt has already given live performances in the Nutrition Department at The University of Auckland where the song will be used in Nutrition courses led by Dr Clare Wall and Prof Lynnette Ferguson.

Matt’s nutritional research sits under the umbrella of Nutrigenomics New Zealand, a collaboration between AgResearch, Plant & Food Research, and The University of Auckland. Funded by the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology, the group aims to determine how foods and food components affect health at the molecular genetic level. To enhance its use as a learning tool, Dr Wall asked that the song include some specific references, such as soluble vs. insoluble fibre and beneficial effects for heart health.

The Epigenome Song from 2009 has had over 9,000 views on YouTube, including a request for a Paris concert and appreciation from a range of students.

To see Matt’s ‘I Love Fibre’ song and music video visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGqHuKcbu6c

The Epigenome Song is still attracting viewers at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_YKiXI7l9c

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