Articles
The life science IT wish list
Researchers performing leading edge bioinformatics work are as likely to use a desktop machine as hold an account at a supercomputer centre. Whatever their hardware, the bio-IT wish list of most members of the research community is headed by the same item: software that is smarter on at least two counts. [ + ]
Market forces: do biotechs list too early?
What's the difference between a biotech and a dot com? The average age of the board or directors. Funny? Maybe, but not exactly accurate. While there may be a sense of déjà vu - small start-ups looking for cash stampeding to the market - the biotech industry, unlike dot coms, is anything but an overnight phenomenon. [ + ]
Mass spectrometry: the supply side
In the last 10 years, we've seen a dizzying array of new variations of mass spectrometry instruments, and at the same time as we've seen radical changes in scientific discovery. Mass spectrometry has become a key tool across the life sciences, from discovery to routine lab work. Consequently there seems to be an almost limitless range of permutations of mass spec. [ + ]
Mass spectrometry: Critical mass
During the past decade, dramatic progress in the field of mass spectrometry has resulted in a large increase in the number of commercially available mass spectrometry (MS) instruments principally used for biochemical analysis. Advances in mass spectrometry instrumentation, driven primarily by proteomics and the need to identify low abundance proteins (<50 femtomoles) has resulted in the current generation of instruments having approximately 50 times more sensitivity combined with substantially greater resolution than mass spectrometers available only four or five years ago. [ + ]
Making things better
Prof Bob Williamson's involvement in genetics goes back to a time when few people understood the possibilities of the science. [ + ]
Where have all the young minds gone?
The decision to pursue post-doctoral studies overseas is one of the defining moments in a young Australian scientist's career. [ + ]
Supercomputers to the rescue
Bio-researchers are burning through about one-quarter of the total computational cycles at some of Australia's largest computing centres. [ + ]
Diabetes feature: the politics of diabetes
As well as the many clinical research projects looking for cures and better treatments, a major emphasis in stemming the level of adult-onset diabetes in Australia lies in education and awareness. [ + ]
Diabetes feature
Attend any major meeting on diabetes around the world and chances are there will be a fair contingent of Aussies in attendance. Australian researchers are renowned for their work in all facets of the disease, which experts say has now burgeoned to epidemic proportions. [ + ]
New Zealand feature: NZ lures high-flying Scot to head biotech
Similarities between New Zealand and Scotland are plentiful - the agrarian industries, the scenery, the weather. But one of the less heralded similarities is the two places' biotechnology industries - or at least, it was, before Scotland's received a major boost about four years ago. [ + ]
New Zealand feature: election result key to NZ biotech
With New Zealand's general election imminent, many in the biotechnology industry believe the outcome could determine the sector's future. [ + ]
New Zealand feature: solid biotech is lacking investors
In terms of industry size, New Zealand and Australia have a similar number of biotech companies operating on their respective shores. [ + ]
New Zealand feature: primary industry backs NZ biotech
If biotechnology is as old as agriculture, then biotechnology in New Zealand has been around for as long as the nation. New Zealand is a country that relies on its strengths in its primary industries - dairying and sheep, horticulture and forestry. [ + ]
Give it a myth: the big assumptions about GM
Several myths, misconceptions and assumptions about genetically modified organisms and food have made their way into the public arena. What doesn't help the average punter to get a grip on the science is that there are huge swathes of information available, from scientists, policy-makers, lobbyists and industry. And for every opinion exists its opposite. [ + ]
IBM's life science focus
On a recent visit to Sydney, IBM Life Sciences chief Caroline Kovac outlined her views on bio-IT, the life sciences and Australia's potential. [ + ]