Developing therapy-resistant cancers for research
17 December, 2007A cancer cell line that is resistant to one of the newest classes of cancer treatments has been developed by researchers who already are using it to determine treatment alternatives for when it starts appearing in patients.
Violent sex acts boost insect's immune system
10 December, 2007Scientists have discovered that many insects have a form of immune memory similar to the vertebrate system, which protects them against reinvasion by previously encountered pathogens.
Growing human embryonic stem cells
06 December, 2007Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), the building blocks for all cell types in the human body, may be harnessed for potential applications in cell therapy and regenerative medicine. Currently, hESC culture and expansion methods require the use of serum, mouse or human fibroblast feeder layers, or feeder-conditioned medium. These culture methods are labour intensive and hard to scale, and it is difficult to maintain hESCs in an undifferentiated state because of significant sources of variability such as growth factor fluctuations during culture.
EMBO elects three top Australian scientists
26 November, 2007Three Australian scientists have been elected as members of the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO), one of the world’s most respected scientific organisations.
Unknown haemoglobin function discovered
14 November, 2007The discovery of a previously undetected chemical process within the oxygen-carrying molecule, haemoglobin, could have far-reaching implications for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
Volunteers squeeze decades of cancer research into one year
13 November, 2007Canadian researchers hope to accelerate the war on cancer by tapping into a global network of hundreds of thousands of people volunteering their idle computer time.
Report shows growth in Australian biotech
25 October, 2007A recently released report has identified signs of maturity in Australian biotechnology along with a continued need for early stage investment.
Defanging viruses
05 October, 2007Researchers may be able to tinker with a single amino acid of an enzyme that helps viruses multiply to render them harmless, according to molecular biologists who say the discovery could pave the way for a fast and cheap method of making vaccines
Salvation for the Tassie devil
03 October, 2007Researchers have discovered why the Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD) has been so devastating, allowing it to wipe out 90% of some native Tasmanian devil populations.
Genetic variant identification
10 September, 2007Variant Reporter software is designed to accelerate the analysis of genetic variation data. The Variant Reporter Software reduces manual review time of these data by automating the detection of genetic variants and streamlining the data analysis process. Applied Biosystems expects that the software can reduce by up to half the time currently required to evaluate genetic variation data generated during medical sequencing projects.
Plant bank conserves its billionth species
31 August, 2007The Millennium Seed Bank Project has collected its billionth variety from across the world for safekeeping and conservation. Simply gathered on the land, in woods and wetlands, the bank's deposits could hold the key to the globe's well-being and every creature that depends on it.
A 'one-stop shop' for brain dysfunctions
10 August, 2007A ‘one-stop shop’ for brain disorder information has been created, with the launch of the website www.florey.edu.au by the Howard Florey Institute, Australia’s leading brain research centre.
Scientists identify the oldest forms of life
08 August, 2007Some of the oldest forms of life, confirmed to be 3.5 billion years-old, have been identified by a team of researchers at the University of Queensland.
237 reasons to have sex
06 August, 2007 by Janette Woodhouse, EditorMany scientists assume people have sex for simple and straightforward reasons such as to experience sexual pleasure or to reproduce, but new research reveals hundreds of varied and complex motivations that range from the spiritual to the vengeful
NSW grants for life science research
01 August, 2007The Iemma Government is offering grants of up to $100,000 to help life science companies commercialise their research, Minister for State Development Ian Macdonald announced today.
