Nobel Prize in Chemistry for key protein receptor discovery
11 October, 2012 by Tim DeanRobert Lefkowitz and Brian Kobilka have received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their research into a class of protein receptors that govern many key cellular functions.
Feature: Protein treasure hunt
03 October, 2012 by Graeme O'NeillDr Peter Hoffman’s research group is using mass spectrometry to create high-resolution images of proteins in archived tumour samples to help identify new diagnostic markers for cancer.
Feature: Proteomics’ open book
10 September, 2012 by Graeme O'NeillIn the beginning, there was the Human Genome Project. For all its epochal significance, it was little more than that: a beginning. It delivered the first 3.5 billion base-pair DNA sequence of a human being, along with a near-complete catalogue of 20,000-odd genes, and a map showing where each gene located on our 22 pairs of autosomes and pigeon-paired sex chromosomes.
ENCODE yields insights into the deeper genome
06 September, 2012 by Tim DeanIt has taken nearly a decade of hard work, but the first pages of an ‘Encyclopaedia Genomica’ have been published by an international consortium of researchers, revealing some surprising insights about the human genome.
Feature: Breathing easy
03 September, 2012 by Fiona WylieCystic fibrosis (CF) is an extremely nasty disease. It is the most common inherited, life-shortening condition affecting Australian children. It is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations in the cystic fibrosis trans-membrane conductance regulator (CFTR), a transport protein found in epithelial linings.
Feature: Born or made?
13 August, 2012 by Tim DeanWhat makes a champion? With Olympic fever running hot, this is a question that is likely to have been asked more than a few times in recent weeks both in living rooms and locker rooms worldwide.
Feature: In vino veritas
06 August, 2012 by Tim DeanA bold sequencing project hopes to reveal the genetic basis for variation in Chardonnay grapes. And it might even lead to better wine.
Slideshow: Genetically modified flowers glow in the dark
09 July, 2012 by Tim DeanAdelaide-based Bioconst has begun developing a line of genetically modified fluorescent flowers that produce a protein that glow when exposed to a proprietary UV LED.
Feature: RNA interference goes mobile
01 June, 2012 by Graeme O'NeillNearly 15 years after their discovery of siRNA-mediated gene silencing, CSIRO Plant Industry’s Ming-Bo Wang and Peter Waterhouse propose a mechanism that may explain how gene-silencing spreads from cell to cell.
Feature: Inside the bacterial machine
11 May, 2012 by Fiona WylieProfessor Trevor Lithgow is tinkering with the cogs of bacteria to understand how they, and their mitochondrial cousins, tick.
Special feature: The legacy of Malcolm Simons, the junk DNA genius
24 April, 2012 by Graeme O'NeillBefore his death in January this year, Malcolm Simons spoke to Australian Life Scientist about why he believed his invention of a controversial ‘junk DNA’ technique for identifying haplotypes associated with inherited disorders was misunderstood – and misapplied.
One smart snip: uncovering the genetics of intelligence
16 April, 2012 by Tim DeanThere’s no gene for genius, but scientists have found that a tiny change in a single gene has an impact on brain size and general intelligence.
Gene therapy hopes for X-linked lymphoproliferative
13 April, 2012 by Tim DeanResearchers have uncovered why some individuals with X-linked lymphoproliferative live far longer than expected, which could lead to a gene therapy for the disease.
Gene therapy hopes for X-linked lymphoproliferative disease
13 April, 2012 by Tim DeanResearchers have uncovered why some individuals with X-linked lymphoproliferative live far longer than expected, which could lead to a gene therapy for the disease.
World’s top systems biology researchers coming to Melbourne in 2014
14 March, 2012 by Tim DeanThe 15th International Conference on Systems Biology will be held in Melbourne in 2014.
