The Victorian government has committed over $2.1 billion to its Innovation Agenda and this includes $40,000 in prize money ($16,000 for the winner and $8000 each for three commended applicants) for the 2009 Premier’s Award for Health and Medical Research. Nominations for the award are now open.

Rat studies show encapsulated brain cells useful in Parkinson’s model [ + ]

Multi-centre Phase II trial in rheumatoid arthritis begins [ + ]

Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDIs) have emerged as oncology’s Great Hope – rarely has a new class of drugs showed promise against such a broad range of cancers, including leukaemias, lymphomas and solid tumours. [ + ]

US researchers link genes for nicotine receptor to response to alcohol [ + ]

Viralytics finds fourth indication for oncolytic virus technology [ + ]

ChemGenex compound shows promising results in drug-resistant CML [ + ]

Mark Smyth is investigating a long-suspected but previously unproven role of the immune system – keeping cancer development in a holding pattern such that it neither grows nor gets ‘cured’. [ + ]

Dr Margaret Hartley has been appointed as CEO of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering.

Phosphagenics reports early results from lidocaine topical delivery trial [ + ]

Drug trial contracts bring total worth to US $5.7m in past six months [ + ]

Golder Associates has opened a new laboratory in Osborne Park, Perth, to extend its specialised testing service capabilities.

By merging APG into its Environmenntal Resource Associates operations, Waters will form a comprehensive environmental proficiency testing (PT) and reference materials partner.

Microbicide inhibits HPV 16 and 18 in vivo [ + ]

Australian named as 'researcher who could change the world' [ + ]