The chair of the NSW Agricultural Advisory Council on Gene Technology, Prof Tim Reeves, has expressed concern that anti-GM representatives on the council have breached its confidentiality code by claiming that the council had already decided to recommend a large-scale trial planting of genetically modified canola in NSW. [ + ]

An Australian geneticist has called for better balancing of ethical concerns with researchers' needs when it comes to developing guidelines for the collection of human genetic and genomic information into databases for research purposes. [ + ]

Adelaide-based epilepsy specialist Bionomics has raised AUD$6 million in additional capital to fast-track its drug-discovery for new drugs to treat epilepsy and anxiety disorders. [ + ]

Australia's tropical savannas cover two million square kilometres and are largely uncleared. They account for about a third of Australia's land-based carbon stores and have the potential to store even more.

Sydney biotech company Peptech (ASX:PTD) is lifting its investment in leading UK domain antibody therapeutics developer Domantis by the equivalent of £6.2 million (AUD$15 million) this year to remain Domantis' major investor. [ + ]

A partnership between Swinburne TAFE’s Centre for New Manufacturing and UK-based nanotechnology company Melles Griot will see Swinburne gain cutting-edge nano-positioning equipment that will be a vital tool for researchers in a variety of fields.

Australian Cancer Technologies (ASX:ACU) has announced plans to pursue listing on the US Nasdaq exchange, through the American Depositary Receipts (ADR) program. [ + ]

Neuroscience researchers have found evidence that environmental factors play a major role in accelerating or delaying the onset and progression of the lethal brain disorder Huntington's disease in a mouse model. [ + ]

Melbourne company Antisense Therapeutics (ASX:ANP) has been cheered by news this week that Biogen Idec will file early for approval of its monoclonal antibody-based drug for multiple sclerosis. [ + ]

Melbourne drug-development company Prana Biotechnology (ASX:PBT) will turn up the wick on development of its second-generation drug candidate for Alzheimer's disease PBT-2, after receiving a $1.35 million federal government R&D Start grant. [ + ]

Amrad (ASX:AML) released its half-year results today, revealing a 10 per cent increase in revenues to AUD$8.14 million and a decrease in operating loss to $2.2 million -- down 48 per cent. [ + ]

Brisbane biotech Alchemia's (ASX:ACL) drug design program has yielded a promising molecule that significantly inhibits the growth of human prostate tumours in mice. [ + ]

Whether it refers to cause or consequence, the term 'overkill' applies: New Zealand biotechnology company PPL Therapeutics is being forced to slaughter its unique flock of 3500 transgenic sheep in the name of public safety. [ + ]

Climate forecasting is set to change forever thanks to new ground-breaking research from ANSTO’s* Director of Environment, Professor Ann Henderson-Sellers and Dr Kendal McGuffie, University of Technology Sydney.

Brisbane-based Pooled Development Fund Medica Holdings (ASX:MCA) is feeling no pain despite reporting a AUD$2.4 million loss in the six months to December 31 last year. [ + ]