Industry News
Bionomics touts new mouse model for blood vessel growth
Adelaide biomed Bionomics announced today it has developed a new transgenic mouse model that will allow it rapid testing of candidate compounds to inhibit cancer and other disorders involving angiogenesis -- blood vessel growth. [ + ]
Boost for NSW spinal injury research
NSW Premier Bob Carr has pledged $AUD10.9 million towards research into spinal injury. [ + ]
Tranquillisers increase your brain's stiffness
Results of a recent study by Swinburne University of Technology researchers may have resolved the long standing question of how tranquillisers affect brain waves. This work is expected to result in the development of new methods for monitoring the effects of drugs on the brain.
[ + ]Autogen finds potential key to depression gene
In a serendipitous discovery a couple of years ago, Autogen researchers found that the Israeli Sand Rat, Psammomys obesus, which the company uses for its diabetes and obesity gene discovery program, exhibited behaviour indicative of depression and anxiety when isolated from litter mates. [ + ]
New instrument for Bio21
Melbourne's Bio21 precinct at the University of Melbourne received a boost today with the announcement that the Victorian State government would provide $AUD5.7 million towards the cost of purchasing an 800-megahertz Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectrometer. [ + ]
Work to begin on LaTrobe plant bioscience facility
Work will begin this year on a $AUD17 million Plant Biosciences Facility at LaTrobe University's Research and Development Park in the northern Melbourne suburb of Bundoora. [ + ]
Chemeq broadens pipeline with sunscreen product
Perth-based biotech Chemeq has expanded its pipeline with the development of a sunscreen and an after-sun emollient based on its proprietary polymer chemistry platform. [ + ]
Heart monitor to telephone the doctor with critical data
Heart failure patients at the Ohio State University Heart Center in the US may be seeing less of their doctors. And the doctors couldn't be happier.
[ + ]Mt Stromlo still an icon despite fire devastation
Mount Stromlo was, is and will continue to be an icon of scientific research and education, ANU Vice-Chancellor Professor Ian Chubb has said in the wake of the recent Canberra bushfires, which destroyed the historic observatory.
[ + ]NZ team creates high-protein GM milk
New Zealand geneticists have laid the foundation for a revolution in dairying by developing transgenic dairy cows that yield high-protein milk. [ + ]
Bacterial defence systems could help with new vaccines
Like a well-trained soldier with honed survival skills, the common bacterium, Group A Streptococcus (GAS), sometimes can endure battle with our inborn (innate) immune system and cause widespread disease. By investigating the ability of combat-ready white blood cells (WBCs) to ingest and kill GAS, researchers have discovered new insights into how this disease-causing bacteria can evade destruction by the immune system.
[ + ]Long live CRCs: veteran researchers adapt to survive
Forget the record $AUD478 million that the Federal Government has just pledged to pump into the Cooperative Research Centre program over the next seven years. The real story is all about who is getting the new funds and what is happening to the senior citizens in the CRC scheme. [ + ]
Former telco ventures into biotech with Burnet deal
Former telecommunications company Select-Tel is the latest to venture into biotech, signing a memorandum of understanding with Melbourne's MacFarlane Burnet Institute for Medical Research and Public Health to commercialise several projects from the Institute. [ + ]
Qld steps up east-coast biotech powerhouse campaign
A proposal by Queensland Premier Peter Beattie to join biotechnology forces with Victoria and NSW is receiving a positive response from NSW Premier Bob Carr. [ + ]
New genetic theory claims epileptics may cop a double whammy
Some individuals born into families with a history of epilepsy may be doubly, even triply cursed, according a new theoretical model of the world's most common inherited brain disorder. [ + ]