The unique dual-action role of a natural regulatory protein that controls cellular function has been described by researchers at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) School of Medicine.

The Queensland government and The University of Queensland have announced a $50 million Australian Institute of Bio-Engineering and Nanotechnology would be established in Brisbane.

An effective leukaemia vaccine could be available within a few years following a breakthrough by scientists in the UK.

A study into Australian entrepreneurship has recommended the creation of a Cooperative Development Centre (CDC) Program, modelled on the successful Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) Program, and which would aim at developing expertise in commercialising research output.

Dr Grant Griffiths, recently appointed acting director of the Institute for Nanoscale Technology, plans to strengthen the focus of UTS research and scholarship in nanotechnology.

Researchers who have studied the activity of thousands of genes in a drug-resistant form of childhood leukemia are now proposing that the disease be called mixed-lineage leukemia (MLL) because it is a distinct disease, and not a subtype of the more prevalent acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

UTS scientists have made significant progress towards their goal of an effective gene-therapy treatment for diabetes that would make insulin injections obsolete.

Nationally, the NHMRC is funding 408 project grants ($143 million), 16 new program grants ($115 million), and 46 fellowship grants ($25.5 million), totalling $283.5 million.

A Ben-Gurion University research team, headed by Dr. Raz Jelinek, has recently designed one of the simplest, most rapid approaches to detect specific antibodies.

Australia's diagnostic capability to deal with any potential large-scale outbreak of foot and mouth disease is being increased, thanks to two training workshops.

Scientists from Johns Hopkins University, US, have created bacteria that selectively target large advanced tumours in mice.

A major increase in research investments for Australia's burgeoning pasta wheat (durum) industry is being planned by the Grains Research and Development Corporation.

Researchers have shown for the first time in living mammals that specific peptides with known anti-microbial properties, also act as natural antibiotics.

CSIRO Livestock Industries has commenced a huge biotechnology recruitment drive that aims to reverse some of Australia's scientific brain drain.

Scientists and technologists welcome the appointment of Brendan Nelson and Peter McGauran as ministers responsible for science.