Scientists at the US Department of Energy's Brookhaven National Laboratory have developed a highly sensitive way to detect specific sequences of DNA. [ + ]

CSIRO and Deakin University have officially opened the new Biosecure Immunology Laboratory. CSIRO has also announced the appointment of biotechnologist Dr Peter Riddles as a part-time member of the organisation's board. [ + ]

The US FDA has cleared the Qiagen artus C. difficile QS-RGQ MDx Kit to qualitatively detect Clostridium difficile, a widespread healthcare-associated infection. The test was developed in partnership with IntelligentMDx and CE marked in December 2013. [ + ]

Clinical Genomics and CSIRO have developed a DNA blood test for bowel cancer that has a detection rate of 65%, or 73% for cancers at stage II or higher. [ + ]

As the Federal Budget looms, AusBiotech and Employee Ownership Australia and New Zealand are urging the government to remove impediments to Australian innovation by returning Employee Share Scheme (ESS) provisions to the pre-2009 position. [ + ]

pSivida (ASX:PVA) has announced the findings of preclinical research showing that its Tethadur implant can provide long-term sustained release of Avastin and other antibody treatments. [ + ]

Jerome Whelan has joined Melbourne-based motion analysis device developer dorsaVi as CFO to help the company set the stage for its international expansion. [ + ]

The Australian Government is pleased to partner with industry to assist small businesses navigate Australian regulation and commercial growth pathways and invite expressions of interest in attending this free limited course in Melbourne on 26 May or Sydney on 2 June 2014. [ + ]

Some of the key recommendations in the recently released National Commission of Audit would remove support for the biotech and life sciences sector. [ + ]

Clinuvel (ASX:CUV) has been cleared to commence recruiting for a phase II trial of Scenesse - a subdermal implant for treating melanin-based skin disorders - in vitiligo. [ + ]

Virax Holdings (ASX:VLA) has optioned a technology to identify patients most likely to benefit from GGTI-2418, a cancer treatment candidate it plans to acquire with the purchase of Pathway Oncology. [ + ]

Australian scientists have presented data on a blood test for bowel cancer which is based on two genes that 'leak' into the blood. Developed between biotechnology company Clinical Genomics and CSIRO, the test was clinically validated in collaboration with the Flinders Centre for Innovation in Cancer at Flinders University. [ + ]

The Children's Oncology Drug Alliance (CODA) has been formed to fast-track development of anticancer therapy for neuroblastoma - the most common form of cancer in infancy. [ + ]

Biotechnology company Admedus has revealed that CardioCel, its collagen cardiovascular scaffold used to repair heart defects, has shown no detectable calcification or any other issues in the six years following implantation. [ + ]

GI Dynamics (ASX:GID) has raised $34.3m through a placement round to help fund its US phase II trial and other commercialisation efforts for EndoBarrier, its obesity and type 2 diabetes treatment. [ + ]