Organisers of LABbuild 2004, a specialist conference for the design, management and maintenance of science and research facilities, have confirmed that several top industry experts will be presenting at the three-day conference.

Cross-linked oligomers of beta-amyloid (AB) may be the primary neurotoxic agent in Alzheimer's disease according to Rob Moir, an expatriate Australian researcher in Rudolph Tanzi's Genetics and Aging Research Unit at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard University. [ + ]

Chemeq shares jumped 46 per cent today after the company announced that it had shipped its first order of its polymeric anti-microbial product to South Africa for use in poultry. [ + ]

Acrux (ASX: ACR) has completed a Phase I clinical trial of its testosterone metered-dose lotion for the treatment of hypogonadism, or low testosterone, in men. [ + ]

With plans for its anti-cancer virus therapy mapped out, Psiron (ASX:PSX) today lodged a prospectus for a non-renounceable rights issue to raise approximately $10.5 million at $0.20 a share. [ + ]

Benitec (ASX: BLT) has signed a term sheet for a AUD$7.5 million standby facility with Icon Investors, to provide the RNAi company with a flexible source of cash at hand for use as working capital, for expansion of its US operations or for future acquisitions. [ + ]

Three long-term studies conducted by Pfizer seeking additional uses for its popular arthritis drug Celebrex have turned up no cardiovascular safety concerns, according to the company [ + ]

A leading South African biosafety expert has told a Brisbane conference that the biotechnology revolution is beginning to roll across Africa, with small-scale farmers clamouring to grow genetically modified crops. [ + ]

Brisbane based Peplin Biotech (ASX:PEP) has called a halt to trading shares on the ASX for at least a week, telling shareholders to expect a major announcement. [ + ]

Solbec Pharmaceuticals (ASX:SBP) has completed the first stage of its Phase I clinical trial for a psoriasis treatment based on its lead drug candidate SBP002. [ + ]

Genetic Technologies (ASX:GTG) has reached two agreements with US animal genomics company MetaMorphix over the use of GTG's non-coding DNA patents and access to technology developed by MetaMorphix. [ + ]

Once again, the RACI NSW Analytical Chemistry Group is organising a seminar on the topic of Quality Assurance. The seminar is being held on 25 and 26 October 2004 at the National Measurement Institute, Bradfield Road, Lindfield NSW 2070.

Associate Professor Lea Williams, of the University of Sydney and the Brain Dynamics Centre at Sydney's Westmead Hospital is one of three Australian researchers to have been awarded a Pfizer Australia Research Fellowships valued at $1 million each over five years. [ + ]

Melbourne-based nanotechnology company Starpharma (ASX:SPL) has won a US$5.4 million (AUD$7.5 million) grant from the US National Institutes of Health to lead a consortium developing microbicides for the prevention of infection by HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. [ + ]

Shares in Biota (ASX:BTA) jumped 14 cents to $0.66 when the Melbourne anti-viral drug developer announced it had been awarded a US$5.6 million (AUD$8 million) US Government research grant to develop a long-acting influenza drug. [ + ]