A bacterium whose name was inspired by the Star Wars films has provided new clues into the evolution of our own cells and how they came to possess the vital energy-producing units, mitochondria.

Australian astronomer and 2011 Nobel Prize in Physics winner Professor Brian Schmidt has donated $100,000 of his Nobel prize money to the Australian Academy of Science primary school science program, Primary Connections.

Columbia University Medical Center (CUMC) researchers have found the first direct evidence that an acquired trait can be inherited without any DNA involvement. The findings suggest that Lamarck, whose theory of evolution was eclipsed by Darwin’s, may not have been entirely wrong.

Early Stage Commercialisation grants no longer have to be repaid and larger companies can now apply for the grants. [ + ]

AusBiotech has welcomed two new appointments to the West Australian Branch Committee and named the new Chair, Mr Brian Leedman. [ + ]

Nearly 90% of patients treated with Biotron's (ASX:BIT) Hepatitis C treatment candidate demonstrated a complete EVR at three month follow-up. [ + ]

Australian biotechs will have access to a slice of $200m in startup funding, from VC firms applying for the latest tranche of the government's Innovation Investment Fund. [ + ]

The National Imaging Facility (NIF) Research Cyclotron was officially opened today, bringing the radioisotope production, radiolabelling and biomedical imagery to life science researchers. [ + ]

Australian Research Council CEO Professor Margaret Sheil will leave the ARC in April 2012 to take up position as University of Melbourne Provost. [ + ]

AusBiotech will host two consultation policy fora in its Policy Summit of industry thought leaders this week to determine public policy direction in regard to biotechnology and medical technology for the coming one to three years. [ + ]

Several leading life scientists have landed Australian Academy of Science awards for scientific excellence. [ + ]

Tissue treated with Allied Healthcare Group's ADAPT tissue engineering technology showed significantly reduced calcification in preclinical trials. [ + ]

Cancer treatment development company Patrys (ASX:PAB) has raised $3.4m in an oversubscribed placement to fund clinical trials for its antibody-based products. [ + ]

CBio appoints new chairman, interim MD; AusBiotech CEO joins Research Australia board; Timothy Waugh named Hatchtech CEO.

The National Health and Medical Research Council has issued its annual slew of Excellent Awards for 2011-2012, handing out accolades to some of the nation's top life scientists. [ + ]