The Monash Institute of Phermaceutical Sciences has received a $4.48 million grant from the US National Institutes of Health to develop new antibiotics to combat multidrug-resistant bacteria. [ + ]

Current screening strategies for Down syndrome, caused by foetal trisomy 21 (T21), and Edwards syndrome, caused by foetal trisomy 18 (T18), have false positive rates of 2 to 3%, and false negative rates of 5% or higher. Now an international, multicentre cohort study finds that a genetic test to screen for trisomy 21 or 18 from a maternal blood sample is almost 100% accurate. [ + ]

A major development has begun in the molecular biology and biotechnology industry, with the discovery of the ‘Proteomic Code’ and ‘Nucleic Acid Chaperons’. A US patent has recently been granted for biotechnological application of the Proteomic Code for design and ‘to Obtain Oligo-peptides Oligo-peptides with High Affinity to Query Proteins’. [ + ]

Australians will be able to take part in hands-on local science activities thanks to a $5 million grant from the Gillard government for Inspiring Australia projects across the country. [ + ]

BioTek has announced receipt of European Patent EP 2 093 572 B1, covering the ultrasonic cleaning and maintenance feature used in the company’s microplate washers. Known as Ultrasonic Advantage, this cleaning technology is incorporated into most of BioTek’s microplate washers. [ + ]

Universal Biosensors (ASX:UBI) has achieved the first of six milestones under its coagulation testing collaboration with Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics. [ + ]

ImpediMed Limited (ASX:IPD) has been recognised for making “the biggest difference on an individual while addressing the greatest medical need” for its bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) technology. [ + ]

Pharmaxis (ASX:PXS) has officially launched its Bronchitol spray in the UK and Germany, and presented more trial data showing its efficacy. [ + ]

Mesoblast's (ASX:MSB) CEO has detailed plans to work with partner Teva to commercialise off-the-shelf adult dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) for neurological conditions. [ + ]

Incoming CEO and present COO of Prima BioMed, Matt Lehman, will refocus the company’s efforts on progressing CVac through clinical trials. [ + ]

Since February this year, John Morris Scientific has been conducting a campaign to locate the oldest working Gilson pipette in Australia and New Zealand. The winner, Denise Lupton, Chief Technician at the University of Western Australia, submitted a Gilson P200, manufactured prior to 1979. [ + ]

pSivida (ASX:PVA) has received a US patent for a new microdrug delivery device which will be used with its Medidur implant, an injectable, sustained-release drug delivery system. [ + ]

AusBiotech members in Western Australia (WA) this week welcome the appointment of a new industry development officer (IDO), Michelle Nicolson to support the work of the WA Branch Committee. [ + ]

BioDiem (ASX:BDM) has been granted a license for vaccine technology developed at ANU with applications for diseases including dengue fever. [ + ]

New funding from the Health Research Council has continued support for the Centre for Free Radical Research at the University of Otago, Christchurch, with a grant of $4.2 million over the next three years. [ + ]