ALS on holidays, Benedict on medical alert due to leek threat [ + ]

The Institute for Transdisciplinary eResearch Services and Technology will facilitate e-research across NSW universities and relevant public and private sector research agencies. The NSW government is investing $2.8 million over three years to develop the institute.

The potential for joint Australian–French science and research breakthroughs has been boosted with the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the two governments in Canberra.

Reactive oxygen species can be detected and measured in vivo using a new family of fluorescent probes called Hydrocyanines.

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 [ + ]