Industry News
Therapeutic cloning bill: first steps to overthrow ban
The Australian Senate has today taken the first steps in overturning the ban on therapeutic cloning, voting 35 to 31 in favour of a private member's bill recommending the adoption of the Lockhart Review. [ + ]
Newly discovered proteins associated with cystic fibrosis
Researchers have found a highly unusual distribution of two proteins in the lungs and airways of people with cystic fibrosis, a discovery that could be a step in determining how the disease progresses. [ + ]
Universal nanohazard symbol
An international competition is calling for designs for a universal nanotechnology hazard symbol.
[ + ]How the liver talks to white blood cells
Sydney researchers have shown for the first time how liver cells make contact with T cells in the body. [ + ]
Genetic riddle solved by kangaroo and platypus
Australian scientists have unravelled a mystery behind the evolutionary origins of two debilitating human genetic diseases by studying the kangaroo and platypus genome. [ + ]
Animal-free serum for stem cells
Melbourne-based Stem Cell Sciences (SCS) has signed an exclusive license agreement with the US Millipore Corporation to develop and market SCS' serum-free media for the growth of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). [ + ]
Faster ways to identify fruit flies
A team at the Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute (EMAI) in NSW is developing an automated, rapid diagnostic system to genotype fruit flies. [ + ]
New chemical classification system for Australia
Information on a new global system for the classification and labelling of chemicals was released by the Australian Compensation and Safety Council (ASCC) this week.
[ + ]Wine industry seeks $225 million R&D investment
Australia’s wine industry is seeking to boost investment in research and development to $225 million per annum to maintain the edge that new technologies and innovation has given the industry over its global competitors.
[ + ]Giving laboratory managers a voice
At the opening of the 2006 Laboratory Managers Conference at the Carlton Crest Hotel, Melbourne, the SIA’s executive director, Duncan Jones MAICD, announced the formation of the Australasian Laboratory Manager’s Association (ALMA).
[ + ]Vote on stem cells expected next week
Debate on Senator Kay Patterson's private member's bill to allow therapeutic cloning for stem cell research will begin in the Senate next week, with a vote to be taken by Friday, 10 November. [ + ]
ARC major funding outcomes to commence in 2007
ARC has announced the outcomes of the Australian Research Council’s National Competitive Grants Program for 2007.
[ + ]$70m research institute opens at UQ
The latest addition to a cluster of research institutes at The University of Queensland, the $70m Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), has opened at the university's St Lucia campus.
[ + ]Latest buzz: marijuana may slow progression of Alzheimer's disease
New evidence in rats suggests that marijuana may contain compounds that slow the memory loss associated with Alzheimer's disease. [ + ]
Bee researcher loves his vegemite
The powerful enticement of vegemite on toast encouraged a biologist specialising in the visual systems of bees to make his home in Australia in the '70s. Now, Professor Mandyam Srinivasan has received the Prime Minister's Prize for Science. [ + ]
