Many molecules have a right and a left form, like shoes. In pharmaceuticals, it is important that the correct form of the molecule is used. Researchers at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, have been able to produce a mirror image using crystals with special properties. [ + ]

A young physicist from the University of Western Australia (UWA) has won a prestigious federal government National Measurement Institute (NMI) Prize for his contributions to research in measurement techniques. [ + ]

With herbal medicines relied on by consumers worldwide, an online resource available from the US Pharmacopeial Convention (USP) will provide freely available public standards to help ensure the quality of the herbal ingredients used in traditional medicines. The USP has proposed the first 23 ingredients to be included in the Herbal Medicines Compendium (HMC) for comment by all interested stakeholders worldwide. [ + ]

Life Technologies has announced the issuance of a patent covering nucleic acids encoding transcription activator-like effector nuclease fusion proteins (TALENS) and the formal launch of an associated sublicensing program. [ + ]

Experience quantum billiards, find out how genome sequencing technology will revolutionise the practice of medicine and gain an insight into the dramatic changes the ocean is undergoing. [ + ]

Datapharm is on the expansion path for Dai-Sys, its initiative aimed at bringing together a global network of local small to mid-size CROs for international clinical trial support services. [ + ]

As part of the federal government’s Innovation and Industry Policy ‘A Plan for Australian Jobs’, released in February, applications have opened for up to eight Industry Innovation Precincts. [ + ]

Research Australia is calling for 2013 industry award nominations. [ + ]

Genetic Technologies (ASX:GTG) signed a deal with a US health insurance network, more than doubling the ‘in-network’ reach for its BREVAGen breast cancer risk screening tool. [ + ]

Bionomics (ASX:BNO) and CTx said a compound from their VEGFR3 inhibitor program was able to suppress cancer progression in an animal model of melanoma. [ + ]

The development of a new research tool for proteomics and chemical biology is set to move forward. [ + ]

Mesoblast’s (ASX:MSB) adult MPCs were able to improve cardiac function in an animal model of acute myocardial infarction, a study shows. [ + ]

Researchers have engineered a strain of electricity-producing bacteria that can grow using hydrogen gas as its sole electron donor and carbon dioxide as its sole source of carbon. [ + ]

An Australian-led project to turn 1.4 million tonnes of Chinese pig poo into alternative energy and fertiliser has been hailed in a national science award. [ + ]

A Queensland medical researcher who is on the trail of genetic markers for rheumatoid arthritis and tuberculosis has won the state’s top science prize. [ + ]