Three of Australia's top universities have formed an alliance to lead the country in climate change research, education and policy.

The University of Tasmania has developed a portable device for explosives fingerprinting, which promises to assist police in apprehending terrorists responsible for bomb blasts.

The groundbreaking first DNA sequence of a marsupial, announced earlier this week in the science journal Nature, included research by 11 Australians among its 63 international authors.

Sydney University researchers have helped to produce the first genome sequence for a marsupial, as part of an international collaboration studying the development of the mammalian immune system.

American company Sigma-Aldrich announced on 8 May that it has acquired Molecular Medicine BioServices (MMB), a biopharmaceutical contract manufacturing organisation located in Carlsbrad, California.

The new federal budget released on Tuesday has received mixed support in the science industry, with enthusiasm over the endowment initiative tempered by concern over the lack of extra research grants or funding for cooperative research.

Massachusetts is trying to regain the top position in life science research from the Governator. [ + ]

Dr Jenny Harry has been appointed CEO of Proteome Systems and has announced a new $5m deal. [ + ]

The federal government announced yesterday that it will back the development of a Brisbane-based major research centre, designed to test and produce new drugs for the medical industry.

Special Phage Services has signed an agreement to explore the market for phage therapy in Japan [ + ]

A division of Roche Pharmaceuticals is holding a peptide chemistry conference later this year. [ + ]

The importance of investment in science and innovation will be emphasised on 16 May at the Perth Exhibition and Convention Centre, with the annual conference of the Cooperative Research Centres (CRC) Association.

The Victorian delegation started BIO with a bang, announcing a slew of new initiatives. [ + ]

Anti-depressants for dogs may be a good thing for Rover but it doesn't help Parkinson's patients much, says Michael J Fox. [ + ]

BIO 2007 in Boston opens on a note of optimism for the future. [ + ]