Biosceptre develops targeted antibodies for cancer treatment
01 February, 2012 by Lauren DavisBiosceptre has announced that it is about to clinically trial the use of targeted antibodies as a method to treat cancer. At a Sydney conference held on 24 January, it was revealed that the company has identified a receptor found only in cancer cells.
Star Wars-inspired bacterium provides glimpse into the evolution of life
08 December, 2011A bacterium whose name was inspired by the Star Wars films has provided new clues into the evolution of our own cells and how they came to possess the vital energy-producing units, mitochondria.
Acquired traits can be inherited via small RNAs
08 December, 2011Columbia University Medical Center (CUMC) researchers have found the first direct evidence that an acquired trait can be inherited without any DNA involvement. The findings suggest that Lamarck, whose theory of evolution was eclipsed by Darwin’s, may not have been entirely wrong.
Australia signs up to newly formed SKA organisation
25 November, 2011Australia and New Zealand’s bid to host the square kilometre array (SKA) radio telescope took a step forward with the formation of the SKA Organisation.
Optimal algorithm for determining focus error
27 October, 2011Researchers have discovered how to extract and use information in an individual image to determine how far objects are from the focus distance.
Evidence for first production of oxygen on Earth
21 October, 2011A new study is believed to have resolved a major debate about when oxygen began to be produced on Earth and how long it took before oxygen levels were enough to support the growth of life.
Physicists turn liquid into solid using an electric field
17 October, 2011Physicists have predicted that under the influence of sufficiently high electric fields, liquid droplets of certain materials will undergo solidification.
Microdots spot on for wasp study
17 October, 2011New research by scientists at The Australian National University will see wasps being tracked in the same way as stolen cars using specialist microdot technology.
New telescope for Mt Stromlo centenary
27 September, 2011The Oddie II telescope has been unveiled at Mt Stromlo Observatory.
Researchers identify signals triggering dendrite growth
23 September, 2011A study in worms that are less than a millimetre long has yielded clues that may be important for understanding how nerves grow.
Mice DNA making a difference to human genome studies
09 September, 2011Mice DNA may be the key to sequence hundreds of human genomes a year.
Cattle tick vaccine a step closer
17 August, 2011Australian scientists believe they may be a step closer to finding a cattle tick vaccine that could save the national cattle and dairy industries approximately $175 million per annum and reduce the need for pesticides.
Tips for practising safe cells - Part 1
10 August, 2011Completely avoiding cell culture contamination is very difficult in busy laboratories. However, careful aseptic technique, appropriate caution and training can reduce the risk of contamination.
Tips for practising safe cells - Part 2
10 August, 2011Part 1 of this article looks at ways to improve aseptic techniques and to preserve the integrity of cell cultures and sterile liquid transfers. Here in Part 2 we look at the lab environment and how it can impact on safety.
The deadly E. coli outbreak
29 July, 2011The mention of E. coli O157:H7 sends a chill through the spine of every food processor. This deadly pathogen has been implicated in disease outbreaks all over the world and only a small load can cause illness. But in the latest outbreak in Germany and France, a new serotype is proving even more deadly.
