Ocean forecasting information will soon be available to serve Australians in the same way atmospheric weather forecasting has delivered for on-land populations, following the recent announcement of a $15 million Australian Government initiative.

Dr Peter Smith, a British-born former biotech analyst and company founder, has been named as the new CEO of Melbourne firm Amrad (ASX:AML) at its annual general meeting today. [ + ]

Genetic Technologies (ASX:GTG) has formed a strategic alliance with the Perth-based CY O'Connor ERADE Village Foundation that is intended to strengthen GTG's already formidable -- and controversial -- grip on gene testing using non-coding DNA sequences. [ + ]

Industry association AusBiotech is moving to cement its role as an advocate for Australia's biotechnology industry, with the appointment of former SDA Biotech principal Paris Brooke to a newly created role in policy and communications. [ + ]

Drug reengineering company Eiffel Technologies has recruited former PowderJect technologies manager Dr Pascal Hickey as chief operating officer. [ + ]

In a drastic move to raise more funds for medical research, Monash University has sold off 6 million of its shares in promising Victorian biotech Metabolic Pharmaceuticals (ASX:MBP). [ + ]

Australia risks being left out in the cold if it doesn't participate in efforts to sequence the marsupial genome, say leading genomics scientists who are trying to raise AUD$5 million in support of Australian participation. [ + ]

Adelaide biotech Bionomics (ASX:BNM, US OTC:BMICV)) has filed a provisional patent application on a DNA diagnostic test for a benign form of epilepsy that causes seizures in early childhood. [ + ]

Scientist at a British company have discovered a way of making the glass plates used in laboratories 200 times more effective.

Sydney's Australian Technology Park biotech hub has grown to nine companies with two new businesses recently joining the BioFirst precinct. [ + ]

Medical device company Polartechnics (ASX:PLT) today announced it had secured commitments to raise $5 million to assist in international marketing of its three core products. [ + ]

A $20,000 investment in the early 1990s has turned into a multi-million-dollar business for Consulting Orthopaedic Surgeon to the Royal Adelaide Hospital, Mr. Tony Ingman, with surgical implant sales to hospitals nationally and exports to China, Europe and the Middle East.

A $20 million plant biotechnology centre to explore ways of improving agricultural sustainability and develop plants resistant to drought, frost and salinity was opened recently at the University of Melbourne.

UniQuest Pty Limited, The University of Queensland's main technology commercialisation company, has unveiled the University's first formal technology incubator.

Brisbane's Progen Industries (ASX:PGL) will take on production of an anti-cancer therapeutic vaccine for Prima Biomed's (ASX:PRR) Cancer Vac subsidiary. [ + ]