Industry News
Soybean genome sequenced
Complete genome expected to lead to improved strains of this vital economic crop. [ + ]
Australian biotech market watch 13/01/10
ChemGenex, Ramsay Health Care, Mesoblast, Biota, Sonic Health Care, CSL [ + ]
Push for free access to publicly funded research
Expert panel calls on U.S. research agencies to develop policies for providing free public access to federally sponsored research results. [ + ]
Molecular biomarker development partnership
Qiagen Asia Pacific and WuXi AppTec (BVI) have announced a partnership to provide an integrated single solution for molecular biomarker development, validation and personalised healthcare targets to their respective client bases.
[ + ]Feature: Blending ‘omics in the wine glass
Winemaking is a practice steeped in tradition, but it’s about to be brought in to the 21st century through an ambitious systems biology project that will also have ramifications for the broader life science community. [ + ]
New quantum cascade lasers emit more light than heat
Mid-infrared laser diodes that generate more light than heat, developed by researchers at the McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science, are an important step towards the use of quantum cascade lasers in a variety of applications.
[ + ]Feature: How we got our big brains
Around two million years ago, the human brain began to increase in size. James Sikela’s team has linked the expansion to a specific protein domain, DUF1220. [ + ]
Unravelling kidney cancer
Mutations in the genome regulation machinery identified in clear cell renal cell carcinoma. [ + ]
Nanotech used to create pulsing artificial arteries
Human trials set to begin this year on blood vessels that flex, pulse like real arteries. [ + ]
Majority of Australians shun H1N1 vaccine
Many Australians confused or concerned about the swine flu vaccine. Health experts concerned about continued spread. [ + ]
Feature: Origins of life
It now seems quite likely that life began with self-replicating RNA molecules. But under what conditions? New Zealand theoretical biologist David Penny is warming to the idea of a cold start. [ + ]
Feature: Immunity at Defcon B
How B cells scramble to respond to foreign threats and produce antibodies has long been a mystery. Now the role of a key protein is shedding light on this crucial defence mechanism. [ + ]
Feature: Nature or Nurture? Neither!
It’s an age old debate: nature or nurture. But as Emma Whitelaw is finding, our individual differences may be due to neither, they might be down to dumb luck. [ + ]
A very life sciences Christmas
ALS wishes you a merry Christmas and safe new year. [ + ]