Federal Health Minister Tony Abbott recently announced the 19 members of the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) for the next three years, presenting the head of one of Australia's largest medical research institutes, Professor Michael Good, with an unexpected but very welcome new challenge. Fiona Wylie reports. [ + ]

With developments in the embryonic stem cell debate changing as quickly as Melbourne's weather, Kate McDonald asked two of Australia's leading researchers - Stephen Livesey and Bernie Tuch - what would happen should the recommendations of the Lockhart Review be implemented. [ + ]

Is it possible to re-awaken dormant pathways in humans to regenerate tissue? Graeme O'Neill talks to Professor Randall Moon about the Wnt family of cell-signalling proteins. [ + ]

The power of array CGH to detect chromosomal losses and gains across the genome is sparking moves into clinical diagnostics, as Kate McDonald reports. [ + ]

Nowhere is the potential of agricultural biotechnology and GM crops more obvious than in Africa, as Graeme O'Neill reports. [ + ]

GM giant Monsanto may be the bete noire of the anti-GM movement, but its scientists, particularly in India, are moving ahead with the Green Revolution, as Graeme O'Neill reports. [ + ]

An enormous, high-security greenhouse in the countryside 20km north of Ghent in Belgium hints at the high-technology future of crop breeding in the 21st century. Graeme O'Neill reports. [ + ]

Australia's Nanostructural Analysis Network Organisation (NANO) was established four years ago to provide top-tier microscopy services for Australian scientists. [ + ]

The spectacular images Brad Marsh is able to capture using NANO's cryo-transmission electron microscope are teaching us more about pancreatic beta cells. Fiona Wylie spoke to the man behind the microscope. [ + ]

A new technology combining imaging with conventional flow cytometry has arrived in Australia. Kate McDonald spoke to the inventor, Amnis Corporation's Dr David Basiji. [ + ]

A breakthrough in the production of biofuels has been developed by scientists in Germany. Research published in the September 2006 issue of Microbiology, described how specially engineered bacteria could be used to make fuel completely from food crops.

A team of CSIRO scientists has determined the molecular structure of the insulin receptor, the protein on the surface of cells that mediates the effects of insulin.

Animal health care company Vet Biotechnology has launched a collection service for equine umbilical cord stem cells from the afterbirth of newborn thoroughbred foals. [ + ]

Clinuvel Pharmaceuticals has entered into a heads of agreement with Genepharm Australasia for the sale of Clinuvel's EpiPharm range of pharmaceutical products. [ + ]

A new drug has been shown to improve blood flow in diseased arteries, reducing the risk of high blood pressure and heart attacks, a Monash University study has revealed. [ + ]