The University of Western Australia will soon be home to one of the most powerful microscopes in Australia that can capture 3D images of objects and surfaces at the molecular or nanoparticle level in real time.

Mayne Pharma Group has applied for a marketing authorisation application (MAA) with the European Union (EU) for the sale and supply of its Subacap drug to treat fungal infections. [ + ]

It’s a market once deemed ‘too-hard’ by biotech and pharma companies, but with the Chinese government set to spend $US125 billion on healthcare by the end of next year, it’s an opportunity too hot to ignore. [ + ]

The WHO report on malaria shows promising reductions in infections and deaths, but scientists warn malaria might be back with a vengeance unless efforts to eradicate it aren't maintained. [ + ]

Melbourne biotech BioDiem has reported the receipt of the first royalty payments to stem from a licencing agreement signed earlier this year for the sale of its Nasovac vaccine for H1N1 (swine flu). [ + ]

Thermo Fisher Scientific has announced that it will acquire all of the outstanding shares of Dionex Corporation for a total purchase price of approximately $2.1 billion. The transaction is not conditioned on financing and is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2011. Dionex will be integrated into Thermo Fisher’s Analytical Technologies segment.

Thermo Fisher continues its acquisition frenzy by agreeing to buy laboratory equipment manufacturer, Dionex, for US$2.1 billion ($2.11 billion). [ + ]

Sigma Life Science has announced that its SAGE Labs initiative has successfully used its CompoZr Zinc Finger Nuclease (ZFN) technology to generate knock-in rats in which foreign genes have been inserted, or 'knocked-in', into the rat genome in a precisely targeted manner. This breakthrough achievement represents a major step forward in the creation of a transgenic animal, which may serve as more predictive models of human disease.

The winners of the Australian Academy of Science 2011 awards for scientific excellence have been announced. Honorific awards are presented to career researchers for life-long achievements and outstanding early-career researchers under the age of 40. In addition, the academy gives awards for research support.

Super resolution microscopy has broken the light (refraction) barrier to allow the study of cells and their components in unprecedented detail. [ + ]

An international team of researchers, including scientists at the Queensland Institute of Medical Research, have conducted the largest genome-wide association study (GWAS) to date and have identified two genetic variants that are associated with the gynaecological disease, endometriosis. [ + ]

Australia’s botanical illustration competition, the Margaret Flockton Award Exhibition, is calling for scientific botanical artists to get their entries in by 4 February 2011.

The S&P/ASX 200 Heathcare Index continued its march towards 9000 points this week as the broader market eked out a small gain for the second week in a row. [ + ]

Living Cell Technologies (LCT) announced today that Russia has become the first country in the world to approve the use and sale of its Diabecell porcine implant for Type 1 diabetics. [ + ]

A philanthropic gift of almost $1 million to The University of Western Australia to purchase state-of-the-art genome sequencing and genetic analysis equipment will provide benefits for the whole community, according to Vice-Chancellor Professor Alan Robson.