Four Australian universities have agreed to create a virtual company through UniQuest Pty Ltd to commercialise plant research discoveries.

Researchers from the Environmental Biotechnology Cooperative Research Centre (EBCRC) have successfully tested a, self-sustaining process that rapidly composts municipal solid wastes. [ + ]

Melbourne-based biomedical company Dynamic Hearing has signed an agreement with the House Ear Institute (HEI) to develop and commercialise the US-based non-profit organisation's patented feedback cancellation technology for use in hearing aids and auditory implants. [ + ]

AusBiotech and its South Korean equivalent, the Bioindustry Association of Korea (BAK), have signed an agreement that they hope will lead to a stronger relationship between the two countries' biotech industries. [ + ]

Brisbane agbiotech Farmacule BioIndustries has taken a step towards the era of molecular 'pharming' by producing vitronectin, a high-value human protein used in medical research, in genetically modified tobacco plants. [ + ]

Brisbane natural pesticide developer BioProspect (ASX:BPO) is planning to raise AUD$1.95 million via a share placement and rights issue. [ + ]

University of Queensland based contract research organisation TetraQ has formed a strategic alliance with Californian-based regulatory and product development consulting firm Ground Zero Pharmaceuticals (GZP). [ + ]

Cell therapy company CyGenics (ASX:CYN) plans to investigate the possible listing of its tissue banking business, predominantly held under its subsidiary, CordLife, on a yet to be determined key Asian stock exchange. [ + ]

The AusBiotech 2005 'Linking the Region' National Conference kicked off in Perth last night with the presentation of the chairman's Industry Medal to Peptech (ASX: PTD) executive chairman Mel Bridges and Victorian Innovation Minister John Brumby in recognition of outstanding contributions to the biotechnology industry. [ + ]

Gribbles Molecular Science (GMS), the biotechnology and molecular diagnostic division of Healthscope (ASX:HSP), has been selected to conduct genomic testing in an international collaborative study into depression. [ + ]

Melbourne meditech Norwood Immunology (AIM:NIM) has recruited the first of 100 post-surgical melanoma patients into a phase II clinical trial of its thymus-rejuvenating technology, using the gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GNRH) analogue Lupron Depot. [ + ]

The Australian government has released new national environmental regulations to control 'bioprospecting' -- the search for new chemicals in living things that will have some medical or commercial use. [ + ]

Despite gains in the training of women scientists and the implementation of programs to help women overcome ingrained barriers, the career path of most women scientists at universities remains a difficult trek, fraught with roadblocks of bias, a sometimes chilly campus climate and the challenge of balancing family and work.

Australian Stem Cell Centre (ASCC) CEO Dr Hugh Niall is to boycott the AusBiotech conference, which begins in Perth next week, where he was due to appear on a panel with South Korean stem cell expert Prof Woo-Suk Hwang. [ + ]

CSIRO Plant Industry researchers have abandoned a project to develop a genetically modified field pea with resistance to the pea weevil, Bruchus pisorum. [ + ]