A gene expression technique adapted for single molecule sequencing has enabled researchers at the Riken Omics Science Center (OSC) to accurately and quantitatively measure gene expression levels using only 100 ng of total RNA. The technique, which pairs Riken’s Cap Analysis of Gene Expression (CAGE) protocol with the Helicos Genetic Analysis System opens the door to the detailed analysis of gene expression networks and rare cell populations.

Norway is cooperating with Canada and Chile to sequence the salmon genome. The knowledge generated could provide the answers to several problematic issues involving Norwegian farmed salmon - and lead to major competitive advantages for companies taking part in the project.

Revealing the role of a particular microRNA in cancer of epithelial tissue was a tricky prospect for Professor Peter Leedman and his team. [ + ]

Have you got the world’s fastest cell? Now, for the first time in history, you can race your cells in an international competition. If they win it will be by less than a hair’s breadth as the entire track length is only a hair’s breadth - 100 µm.

Paul Verma is looking towards a future where we’ll have access to banks of immunomatched stem cells at our beck and call. [ + ]

Hunting down the precancerous stem cells that might be responsible for leukaemia is no mean feat. But Matthew McCormack and his team are on the job. [ + ]

Dr Mark Shackleton has been testing three leading models of melanoma formation and propagation, on the hunt for better diagnostics and treatments. [ + ]

’Point of care’ monitoring of haemoglobin levels is nearing reality in operating rooms as a spectrophotometric haemoglobin sensor is providing a new approach to non-invasive monitoring of blood haemoglobin levels during surgery.

At the 2011 ASM Annual Scientific Meeting, Microbiology on the Edge, world-leading scientists will be presenting their current research on diverse microbiology topics. The program encompasses the latest developments in food microbiology, medical microbiology, molecular microbiology, virology, emerging zoonoses and marine microbiology.

The US spends around 2 billion dollars a year on remediation at hazardous waste sites, with a large portion of this used for groundwater monitoring. Yet according to Rolf Halden, a researcher at Arizona State University’s Biodesign Institute, the information gathered is often of limited value.

An intriguing example of epigenetics is evident in the size of the backside of ‘callipyge’ sheep – leading to the genuine question: do these genes make my backside look big?

A major multinational food processor purchased a subscription to Key’s PROliance Online Training program, as a way to effectively train its plant personnel on the maintenance and operation of Key Technology’s equipment.

More scientists are needed to help television shows portray accurate science as more and more people rely on TV as their major source of science and technology information and even base career and study choices on these fictional shows.

The Hunter Meeting fused cell biology and differentiation, showcasing leading research from Australia and around the world. [ + ]

The federal government’s rumoured $400 million cuts to the NHMRC budget will not only set back health and medical research, it’ll cost lives. [ + ]