Australian research has led to clinical trials of a drug which could provide a painless and non-destructive way to treat blindness in diabetics.

Perth-based Meditech Research has signed an exclusive commercial agreement with British drug company SkyePharma giving the local biotech access to a suite of new patents. [ + ]

Biotech start-up EvoGenix has teamed with Adelaide-based company BresaGen to work on a protein biopharmaceutical project. [ + ]

A $1 million deal to analyse molecular changes in tumours has been signed between Melbourne's Bernard O'Brien Institute of Microsurgery (BOBIM) and a private London biotech. [ + ]

A new procedure for knee replacement, in which cultured cartilage cells grow themselves into place, is available now for Australian patients. [ + ]

A new way to treat multiple sclerosis (MS) with antisense drugs is being developed by Melbourne company Antisense Therapeutics with the assistance of its US partner Isis Pharmaceuticals. [ + ]

Dedication to warding off a common form of blindness has earned a Melbourne ophthalmologist the 2002 Amgen Medical Researcher Award. [ + ]

Ease of use, reliability and service and support are the main things that scientists consider when buying a new chromatography system. But previous familiarity with a particular brand is also a major factor. [ + ]

The big trend in liquid chromatography instrumentation is the ever-shrinking sample size, according to leading manufacturers of chromatographic instruments. [ + ]

In a much-needed show of investor support, cardboard king Richard Pratt has become a substantial shareholder of Amrad Corporation. [ + ]

Adelaide growth factor biobusiness GroPep has laid out its path to profits by announcing plans to concentrate on growing its pharmaceutical cell culture division. [ + ]

Nominations are now open for the Australian Academy of Science's Awards for Scientific Excellence and Grants for International Travel.

Australian cookbook icon Margaret Fulton joined Greenpeace at Sydney's Fox Studios on Friday last week to launch the environmental campaigner's True Food Guide book. [ + ]

Australia's decision to back stem cell research with a $46.5 million grant would have international ramifications for local researchers, according to the head of the winning Centre of Excellence bid. [ + ]

Sydney-based company Proteome Systems' proteomics R&D system, ProteomIQ, has been launched on the market. [ + ]