Articles
Understanding plant-microbe interactions
With a relentless passion for plants, a strong desire to secure the world's food resources and numerous papers and awards under his belt, Dr Jonathan Plett from Western Sydney University is one of Australia's most promising scientists. [ + ]
Treating childhood allergies with gut bacteria
Australian biotech company Ondek is on a mission to develop an immunotherapy based on the gram-negative bacterium Helicobacter pylori, which it hopes to eventually deploy as a new treatment for childhood allergy. [ + ]
DNA sequencing programs vulnerable to cyber attack
Everyone knows the importance of practising good cybersecurity, but we bet you never thought your computer could be hacked using DNA. [ + ]
Tumour blood supply stopped in its tracks by dextran-catechin
An international study, led by researchers from the Children's Cancer Institute and University of New South Wales, has uncovered a new way of dealing with neuroblastoma, a form of cancer that typically affects infants as young as one or two years of age. [ + ]
From Vietnam War refugee to STEM superstar
She arrived in Australia as an asylum seeker from the Vietnam War, with no English-speaking skills and nothing but the clothes on her back. Now, more than 20 years later, Dr Tien Huynh has been named as one of the 30 'Superstars of STEM'. [ + ]
Targeting the Achilles' heel of breast cancer
Researchers have found that by combining traditional treatments with a new class of anticancer agents they can target the 'Achilles' heel' of HER2-positive breast cancers, in the first significant improvement in this area in over 30 years. [ + ]
Genetic experts recommend against gene editing that culminates in human pregnancy
An international group of 11 organisations with genetics expertise is urging a cautious but proactive approach to gene editing. [ + ]
Australasian Genomic Technologies Association (AGTA) conference 2017
The 17th annual conference of the Australasian Genomic Technologies Association (AGTA) will be held in Tasmania at the Hotel Grand Chancellor from 29 October–1 November 2017. [ + ]
How eating our greens led to the rise of antibiotic resistance
By recreating the evolutionary history of class 1 integrons — a class of DNA elements known to be a major player in the rise of antibiotic resistance — researchers have identified how these integrons first entered the human food chain 100 years ago. [ + ]
Nanocapsules could create artificial organs, treat incurable diseases
Researchers have developed a significant advancement in manufacturing better-quality nanocapsules which may lead the way to new treatments for currently incurable diseases, including diabetes. [ + ]
Gene drives and the rapid rise of resistance
The latest research by a team from Cornell University has found that current approaches to gene drives may need to be rethought. [ + ]
Aus start-up completes first-in-human trial of bone 'glue'
Australian biotech company Trimph has successfully completed a first-in-human trial of its proprietary bone 'glue' — said to be the only bone graft substitute in the world to be applied in liquid form. [ + ]
Mother's epigenetic memory essential for embryo development and survival
It has long been debated if epigenetic modifications accumulated throughout the entire life can cross the border of generations and be inherited by children or even grandchildren. [ + ]
RMIT research points to treatment breakthrough for viruses
An international collaboration headed by RMIT University researchers has discovered a novel new way of treating viral diseases including HIV, dengue, rhinovirus, and influenza, the last of which infects five million people annually with a death rate as high as 10%. [ + ]
Monash discovery paves way for growing replacement organs
A discovery by Australian scientists could help ease the current organ shortage, paving the way to producing replacement organs for damaged hearts, kidneys and bowels using patients' own stem cells. [ + ]