The vice-chancellor and president of the University of Western Sydney (UWS), Professor Barney Glover, has been appointed the next chair of Universities Australia (UA) - the peak body representing the Australian university sector both nationally and internationally. [ + ]

Surgeons in Sydney have successfully replaced leaky mitral valves in two human hearts while they were still beating. [ + ]

Patrys (ASX:PAB) has secured a third European patent - its ninth globally - covering PAT-SM6, an anticancer candidate with potential applications in a wide range of cancers.

Scientific equipment supplier AXT has announced a partnership with atomic force microscope (AFM) manufacturer NT-MDT. The agreement will see AXT represent NT-MDT in Australia and New Zealand, looking after both sales and service. [ + ]

Scientific equipment supplier AXT has announced a partnership with atomic force microscope (AFM) manufacturer NT-MDT. The agreement will see AXT represent NT-MDT in Australia and New Zealand, looking after both sales and service. [ + ]

Thanks to support from the Balnaves Foundation, postdoctoral researcher Dr Jennifer Lynch will explore long non-coding RNAs as potential new targets for treating childhood leukaemia.

The finding that certain peptides have highly neuroprotective properties in stroke models may lead to a treatment that limits brain damage after stroke.

The Australia-India Strategic Research Fund (AISRF) - Australia's largest fund dedicated to bilateral research - will receive $1.9 million in government funding to support 10 collaborative projects. [ + ]

The Australia-India Strategic Research Fund (AISRF) - Australia's largest fund dedicated to bilateral research - will receive $1.9 million in government funding to support 10 collaborative projects. [ + ]

New treatments for arthritis, multiple sclerosis and other auto-inflammatory diseases may be on the horizon with the development of a small molecule that blocks a key process in inflammation. [ + ]

The annual AusBiotech CEO Industry Position Survey is in its final weeks of data collection and biotech industry leaders (CEOs, MDs) are urged to assist industry development with experiences, knowledge, key metrics and political insight. [ + ]

Anatara Lifesciences (ASX:ANR) said its Detach product was able to reduce piglet mortality compared with a placebo during an on-site trial at a Victorian farm.

Medvet Science has licensed the XL-99 cell line from ACYTE Biotech and plans to use the line for the development of a monoclonal antibody with applications in cancer diagnostics and treatment.

Minister for Industry and Science Ian Macfarlane today announced chairs for three of the federal government's Industry Growth Centres, as well as an independent advisory committee.

The passage of legislation last week to cap claims on the Research and Development (R&D) Tax Incentive and its retrospective application to 1 July 2014 has prompted calls for the government to provide transitional arrangements for biotech companies abandoned in a difficult position.