It’s the Next Big Thing in understanding human biology and the natural successor to the Human Genome Project. It’s the Human Proteome Project (HPP), and it was launched this morning by some of the leading figures in proteomics to a room filled with Australian an international delegates attending the HUPO World Congress in Darling Harbour in Sydney. [ + ]

Shareholders in regenerative medicine company Mesobast have voted almost unanimously in favour of the company acquiring its US subsidiary Angioblast Systems, increasing its 32.6 percent stake to full ownership. [ + ]

They are diseases most people haven’t heard of: Kearns-Sayre syndrome; Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy; Leigh syndrome or mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes (MELAS). [ + ]

British scientists believe they have found the biological explanation for why some people are better than others at the important facility of introspection. [ + ]

Studies of twins conducted at the Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR) has revealed a number of genes that appear to affect eyesight. [ + ]

Researchers in New Zealand have warned of the potential for new mutant strains of flu after reports of further cases of people testing positive to both the seasonal and pandemic versions of the H1N1 virus. [ + ]

A team of Australian and European Scientists have identified a gene network which appears to be the main culprit in the hardening arteries and heart attacks. [ + ]

Associate Professor Wojciech Gutowski has been awarded the 2010 Victoria Prize.

A new cancer vaccine concept developed by researchers at The University of Queensland's Diamantina Institute has been licensed to US-based developer of RNAi therapeutics, Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, through UniQuest - UQ's main research commercialisation company.

Mapping the human genome, and its 21,000-odd protein-coding genes, was a mammoth undertaking, requiring a 10 year, multi-billion dollar, collaborative effort by teams from across the globe. Yet the Human Genome Project (HGP) was only the beginning. In Sydney in September, at the Human Proteome Organisation (HUPO) Annual World Congress, the next great undertaking in uncovering the foundations of human biology will begin, with the official launch of the Human Proteome Project. [ + ]

A team of scientists at the Australian Centre for Plant Functional Genomics has successfully used genetic modification to improve the salt tolerance of rice, offering hope for improved rice production around the world.

The mesenchymal stromal cells in wisdom teeth pulp can be used to create lines of induced-pluripotent stem cells - opening up a new potential avenue for stem-cell therapy whereby patients could be treated with their own stem cells.

The Australian Stock Market just managed to stayed ahead for the week this week, as weakness from major sectors pushed down on the market. [ + ]

The retirement this week of Mark Morrisson as the CEO of Australian medical diagnostics company Universal Biosensors has triggered speculation throughout the industry that the company may be on the market. [ + ]

Professor Geoff Hill, chair of immunology at the Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR), has been awarded a second round Senior Clinical Research Fellowships (SCRF) from the Queensland Government to support his work on improving bone marrow transplant success for leukaemia sufferers. [ + ]