A review of CSIRO’s role in providing science input into policy development will be undertaken, the organisation's chief executive, Dr Geoff Garrett has announced.

Penn State University researchers have developed a prototype sonic gas analyser that automatically and continuously tracks the concentration of a gas in an air/gas mixture based on changes in pitch.

Genetic Technologies (ASX:GTG; Nasdaq:GENE) has appointed London-based lawyer SJ Berwin to help the company expand its licensing program for its non-coding patents in the UK and in Europe [ + ]

Research projects aiming to prevent, detect or control avian influenza and other respiratory disease outbreaks will receive $6.5 million in urgent research funding from the Commonwealth Government.

The federal government is considering whether to protect vaccine company CSL (ASX:CSL) against lawsuits by patients who suffer adverse reactions from its bird flu vaccine if production is fast-tracked in the event of pandemic. [ + ]

Biotechnology, genomics and molecular modelling will be boosted with grants from the Victorian Partnership for Advanced Computing (VPAC) with AUD$348,000 in funding for its round eight e-Research grants program. [ + ]

Unlisted immunotherapy company Replikun Biotech has contracted UK-based Cobra Biomanufacturing to build a cell line to manufacture their vaccine and immunotherapy products under GMP conditions. [ + ]

As new Australian restrictions on use of the treated-pine preservative copper-chrome arsenate (CCA) white-ant the profits of New Zealand's arsenic industry, stakeholders in Brisbane biopesticide company BioProspect (ASX:BPO) have cause for optimism. [ + ]

Physicists in Switzerland and Germany have made a new type of optical microscope that can produce images without capturing light from the sample. The new device relies on measuring changes in the properties of a gold nanoparticle placed next to the sample. The nanoantenna could have application in sensing devices (Phys Rev Lett 95 200801).

Brisbane cancer drug developer Progen Industries (ASX:PGL) managing director Lewis Lee has resigned, and the company has named his replacement -- one-time Monsanto executive Justus Homburg. [ + ]

The Commonwealth government has outlined AUD$6.5 million in urgent funding for 33 research projects aiming to prevent, detect or control avian influenza and other respiratory disease outbreaks. [ + ]

Zenyth Therapeutics (ASX:ZTL), formerly Amrad, and unlisted Walter and Eliza Hall Institute (WEHI) spinout MuriGen Therapeutics are to co-develop a new class of drugs that target arthritis and other inflammatory diseases. [ + ]

A new $12 million electromaterials centre based at the University of Wollongong aims to create the materials needed for the next generation of bionic ears, artificial muscles and nerve repairs. [ + ]

The junk DNA revolution has thrown up yet another neologism for cancer geneticists to add to their spellcheckers: 'oncomere'. [ + ]

The non-GM chickens may be coming home to roost for Australian states that have imposed moratoriums on the commercialisation of biotech crops, with a new report commissioned by the federal government warning of the consequences for Australian agriculture if the bans continue. [ + ]