Complete genome expected to lead to improved strains of this vital economic crop. [ + ]

ChemGenex, Ramsay Health Care, Mesoblast, Biota, Sonic Health Care, CSL [ + ]

Expert panel calls on U.S. research agencies to develop policies for providing free public access to federally sponsored research results. [ + ]

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.

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. [ + ]

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.

Mesoblast generates impressive gains over Christmas.

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. [ + ]

Mutations in the genome regulation machinery identified in clear cell renal cell carcinoma. [ + ]

Human trials set to begin this year on blood vessels that flex, pulse like real arteries. [ + ]

Many Australians confused or concerned about the swine flu vaccine. Health experts concerned about continued spread. [ + ]

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. [ + ]

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. [ + ]

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. [ + ]

ALS wishes you a merry Christmas and safe new year. [ + ]