With the rapid growth of nanotechnology-based products, researchers, manufacturers, regulators and consumers are increasingly concerned with their safety and environmental impact. To help address this issue, ISO has published an International Standard to support the inhalation toxicity testing of nanoparticles.

In the International Year of Chemistry, RMIT University will open a joint research centre with the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology in Hyderabad, India.

Two next generation genome sequencers donated by Perth businessman Charles Morgan have gone online at the Royal Perth Hospital. [ + ]

Australian researchers can look to the future with renewed confidence, thanks to a new Industry Doctoral Training Centre and the Australian Government’s Research Workforce Strategy.

Researchers have found that boosting the immune system cure chronic a viral infection in mice similar to HIV, opening up possible future therapies. [ + ]

Applications for the 2011 Premier’s Award for Health and Medical Research are now open. [ + ]

The Australian Academy of Science welcomes the release of the first data assessing Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA).

Thanks to improving market conditions and more positive sentiment towards Australian biotechnology companies, Relevare is ready for its IPO, expected to raise $20 million, in March after putting its public listing on hiatus in mid-2010. [ + ]

Australian taxpayers can be confident the research activities they fund meet the highest ethical and moral standards thanks to the establishment of the government’s Australian Research Integrity Committee.

Sigma-Aldrich has acquired the assets of Resource Technology Corporation of Laramie, Wyoming, a company in analytical standards and certified reference materials.

The government’s Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) initiative will help discover how Australia's research efforts compare to the rest of the world.

Possible faster, cheaper and more effective clinical research and diagnosis of a wide range of genetic diseases including neuromuscular disorders and cancers will be available to Western Australians after the commissioning of new state-of-the-art gene sequencing equipment.

Integrated DNA Technologies (IDT) has released a free to download mutagenesis applications guide. Providing an overview of in vitro mutagenesis, along with in-depth protocols and troubleshooting advice, the guide makes it easy to carry out efficient and effective experiments. [ + ]

Australian researchers have come one step closer to understanding how the rhythm of the heartbeat is controlled and why many common drugs, including some antibiotics, antihistamines and anti-psychotics, can cause a potentially fatal abnormal heart rhythm.

Today, the key factors needed to ensure small to medium biotechnology firms survive the discontinuous change are: entrepreneurship, innovation and collaboration. The following five strategies for successful commercialisation are founded on these the three key factors of success. [ + ]