Bio-processing is presenting new challenges as the size and scale of operations increase. Maintaining clean facilities can be problematic as traditional methods of sterilisation become difficult to deploy in a controlled and regulatory compliant way.This article looks at the role and requirements of a modern bio-decontamination solution. It explores the key areas that need to be considered when seeking a solution and provides an illustration of the application of hydrogen peroxide vapour bio-decontamination technology within the biological production industry. [ + ]

Sample management software provider Titian Software has announced that its Mosaic sample management software has recently been selected by Roche to provide fast, easy access to the company’s sample banks in Europe and the US. [ + ]

The Human Protein Atlas Project is using the Thermo Scientific HM355S automated microtome and Section Transfer System to create high-quality tissue sections during tissue microarray (TMA) production. [ + ]

We’ve all been brought up to believe that scientific innovation is ‘good’ - that it will ultimately result in a better, safer, happier world. But some are now considering that such innovation may not be the vanguard of a sustainable future. [ + ]

A bit more about the nature of carbon dioxide has been learned by researchers studying the Fermi resonance patterns as part of their geologic carbon storage research. [ + ]

Mitochondria - subunits inside cells that produce energy - have long been thought to play a role in Alzheimer’s disease. Now, Mayo Clinic researchers using genetic mouse models have discovered that mitochondria in the brain are dysfunctional early in the disease. [ + ]

The National Health and Medical Research Council will soon mandate that all research it funds is placed into an open access repository 12 months after publication. [ + ]

A new genome sequencing technology demonstrated by Oxford Nanopore could see an entire genome sequenced in under an hour by 2013. [ + ]

The devil facial tumour disease (DFTD) is a rare type of infectious cancer that threatens to rid Australia of one of its most iconic marsupials: the cute (sort of), and feisty (definitely), Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii). [ + ]

To manage data associated with genomics, proteomics and next-generation sequencing, the Queensland Centre for Medical Genomics implementied the GenoLogics LIMS. The LIMS has enabled QCMG to take control of previously unstructured data stored in scattered spreadsheets, enabling them to reduce pipeline stalling errors and measure lab progress to improve efficiency. [ + ]

Lorne Genome: The humble fruit fly is teaching us how microRNAs seem to be punching above their weight in an ever-growing list of biological functions in health and disease. [ + ]

RIKEN researchers are leading the way with novel rare-earth metal catalysts that reduce waste and improve aromatic bond-forming reactions. [ + ]

The National Health and Medical Research Council has published its Ten of the Best Research Projects of 2011, showcasing the best of NHMRC-funded research. [ + ]

Lorne Protein: Dr Nikki Verrills believes reactivating a suppressed protein phosphatase might just switch off leukaemia cells. [ + ]

The Attorney-General’s Department’s Chemical Security program requires chemical manufacturers’ and users’ input to develop systems to prevent common chemicals being misappropriated and used in illegal bomb manufacture. [ + ]