Melbourne X-ray crystallographer, Tom Caradoc-Davies, needed only one hour on the Australian Synchrotron’s beamline to obtain the high-resolution diffraction data that revealed the structure of a key component of bacterial pili. [ + ]

Australian and US researchers have shown that the brain uses a different physiological pathway to form memories for the first time than it uses for subsequent learning of similar information. [ + ]

Australian researchers have used a novel technique for protein analysis to partly unravel the mystery of basal breast cancer. [ + ]

Instructions for use are provided in this article for protocols for converting cells to serum-free culture.

Cryopreservation may compromise cell quality and performance. Performance of the cells CANNOT be guaranteed after cryopreservation.

The University of Technology Sydney is commercialising a rapid technique that can be used to develop ‘invisible’ fingerprints on porous surfaces such as paper, cloth and wood.

A US study aims to look for dependency biomarkers in the blood that will indicate current and past use and abuse of illicit drugs. On top of that the study would like to find indicators identifying people who may be prone to abuse drugs in the future.

Venture capital activity is growing strongly throughout the Asia pacific biomedical and biotech sectors at the same time as the US and Europe suffer sharp declines, according to industry database MedTRACK. [ + ]

A group of international scientists has identified a handful of important new genetic variants indicating increased risk of ovarian cancer, which also reveal the genetic similarities between it and breast cancer. [ + ]

It’s apparent pointlessness in the grand scheme of human biology earned it the label of ‘Junk DNA’. However, in a study published this week in Nature Medicine, researchers have provided the most compelling evidence yet that microRNA is anything but superfluous, and may in fact help to unravel the mysteries of cancer as well as other diseases. [ + ]

In a reversal of last week's pattern, the S&P ASX/200 Healthcare Index put on a strong showing today to finish the week in positive territory while the wider market fell to snap a three week winning streak. [ + ]

Australian and Canadian researchers have made what may turn out to be the most significant breakthrough yet in the fight against HIV, revealing this week that they have solved the mystery of how the virus is able to infect resting T-cells. [ + ]

Researchers from the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute (WEHI) have identified the one protein without which the body is unable to regulate immune cells. [ + ]

Johnson & Johnson has offered US$2.29 billion to buy Dutch biotech Crucell NV, the two companies announced this week. [ + ]

Researchers from the University of Wollongong’s (UOW) Schools of Chemistry and Health Sciences have been awarded a US patent for their novel method of characterising lipid molecules. [ + ]