It has taken nearly a decade of hard work, but the first pages of an ‘Encyclopaedia Genomica’ have been published by an international consortium of researchers, revealing some surprising insights about the human genome. [ + ]

The NSW government has launched a seven-figure fund to encourage the development and commercialisation of innovative medical devices in the state. [ + ]

Avita Medical (ASX:AVH) will raise up to $10m through a placement and SPP to support marketing and US commercialisation efforts for its ReCell Spray-On Skin technology. [ + ]

The best young Australian scientists will have the chance to be mentored by Nobel Prize winners, thanks to a new collaboration between the Australian Academy of Science and the Science and Industry Endowment Fund. [ + ]

The event, to be held in Melbourne – 30 October - 2 November 2012 – will feature expert speakers from overseas and Australia, who will speak on investment, public policy, industry experiences and business development. [ + ]

New Zealand's Innate Immunotherapeutics has launched a US$10 million ($9.75 million) capital raising to help fund an Australian trial of a prospective treatment for progressed multiple sclerosis. [ + ]

Azure Healthcare (ASX:AZV), shed of its unprofitable audio visual business, swung to a $744,000 net profit for FY12. [ + ]

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an extremely nasty disease. It is the most common inherited, life-shortening condition affecting Australian children. It is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations in the cystic fibrosis trans-membrane conductance regulator (CFTR), a transport protein found in epithelial linings. [ + ]

In what is akin to finding a needle in a haystack, a genetic discovery has helped medical researchers in Newcastle take a further stride towards predetermining the risk factors for stroke. [ + ]

Life Technologies Corporation and Sino Biological have announced a partnership for worldwide product distribution and product development. Life Technologies will distribute Sino Biological’s portfolio of recombinant proteins, antibodies and Elisa kits through its global distribution channels. [ + ]

Genetic Technologies (ASX:GTG) has filed a patent suit against California's Reproductive Genetics Institute, in the newest enforcement effort for its non-coding DNA patents. [ + ]

Commercialisation Australia has granted a $50,000 grant to help bring Nexgen – an anti-viral technology for plants developed at The University of Queensland – to market. [ + ]

Research at Imperial College London examining influenza transmission in ferrets suggests that the virus can be passed on before the appearance of symptoms. If the finding applies to humans, it means that people pass on flu to others before they know they’re infected, making it very difficult to contain epidemics. [ + ]

The outlook for Tasmanian devils appears even worse following breakthrough research by the University of Sydney, recently published in the journal PLoS One. [ + ]

The Productivity Commission’s review into compulsory licensing in the patents system is now examining whether and how to ensure access to patented technology, while maintaining the patent incentive to create and protect new technology. [ + ]