Frank Fenner to retire at (almost) 93. [ + ]

The Australian National University will be using the 12th Frank and Bobbie Fenner Conference to honour the retirement of Emeritus Prof Frank Fenner, the Australian scientist who oversaw the eradication of smallpox.

The Health Partnerships for the Future event, hosted by UQ’s Faculty of Health Sciences, will be held on Tuesday 30 October at Brisbane Customs House.

A recently released report has identified signs of maturity in Australian biotechnology along with a continued need for early stage investment.

Stem Cell Sciences adds pericyte cell types to list of products for research. [ + ]

A team of international researchers have identified an important gene responsible for binocular vision.

A clinical trial evaluating a vaccine in patients with newly diagnosed brain cancer has begun at the New York University Medical Center. [ + ]

$8 million injection of funds to allow ANZ CRO Novotech to expand into Asia. [ + ]

A team of Australian and Israeli researchers has possibly discovered the aphrodisiac for the biggest moonlight sex event on the planet.

Brisbane's Farmacule will partner Syngenta and QUT to develop sugarcane-derived biofuels. [ + ]

Fast-track grants of $100,000 available to small projects addressing big needs from Bill Gates Foundation. [ + ]

Research Australia report says the source of original research for biotech companies is moving from the public to the private. [ + ]

A Queensland scientist has discovered two genes responsible for developing a form of arthritis known as ankylosing spondylitis, according to research published in the latest edition of

ReWire Therapies can probably boast one of the most impressive groups of company directors to be found in any biotechnology venture in Australia. [ + ]

Adelaide company Oncaidia is developing a novel monoclonal antibody it hopes will target cancer by tracking down the La protein and letting loose a firestorm. [ + ]