The Vienna-based company, Affiris, announced that it has been granted a Europe-wide patent for a pool of peptide sequences that are key elements of its Alzheimer’s vaccine. The company will be able to use these newly patented components to manufacture an optimised vaccine against beta-amyloid, the peptide responsible for the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.

The 2008 Pfizer Australia Research Fellowships have been announced, bringing one Australian scientist home. [ + ]

Researchers at Cornell have discovered some 300 previously unidentified human genes and found extensions of several hundred genes already known, according to a study published online in the journal Genome Research.

NSW set to lift GM crop moratorium, while Victoria faces a tougher test. [ + ]

In recent years, scientists have discovered that biological clocks help organise a dizzying array of biochemical processes in the body — but exactly how the microscopic pacemakers in every cell in the body exert such a widespread influence has remained a mystery.

Infecting almost 20 million people worldwide each year, the measles virus remains a dangerous, highly contagious disease despite extensive vaccination efforts. However, recent advancements in understanding the pathogen’s binding mechanism could provide a new strategy to fight infection.

Petra Bachmann was announced this year’s Open Senior Division winner in the highly respected Coast Association Tow Research Awards.

A primitive fish that oozes reams of slime when it is unsettled could be the missing link in the evolutionary sequence of the vertebrate eye, according to a team led by a vision expert from The Australian National University.

Three Australian scientists have been elected as members of the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO), one of the world’s most respected scientific organisations.

The November/December 2007 issue of Australian Life Scientist is out now. [ + ]

Kari Stefansson's deCODE has launched an audacious online genome analysis service. [ + ]

Biota has begun a Phase II trial of its second generation flu treatment. [ + ]

Australian researchers think they have discovered Darwin's missing link in the evolution of the eye. [ + ]

Sexy dads produce sexy sons, in the insect world at least. [ + ]

The University of Queensland has received a $50 million funding agreement from the Queensland Government for the university’s Institute for Molecular Bioscience (IMB).