Using sophisticated computer algorithms running on standard desktop computers, researchers have designed and constructed a novel functional protein that is not found in nature. The achievement should enable researchers to explore larger questions about how proteins evolved and why nature 'chose' certain protein folds over others.

A research team led by engineers at Purdue University and physicists at the University of Chicago has made a discovery about the formation of drops that could lead to new methods for making threads, wires and particles only a few nanometers wide.

Alistair Lees spends much of his research time hoping to see the light.

Knowing how different types of bacteria exchange genes is vitally important to regulators trying to decide how safe genetically modified organisms are but, so far, the way genes are transferred naturally is poorly understood.

A new protein discovery sheds light on how chemical information is transported within cells. A group of researchers, which includes Dartmouth Professor of Biological Sciences Roger Sloboda, have found the protein EB1 in Chlamydomonas, a single-celled organism commonly used to study cell biology. Previous research has implicated EB1 in the progression of many colon cancers.

During her doctoral research in the Netherlands, Gemma Piella developed a new method for processing images. With this method more details are visible at a lower resolution than the original image: both the wood and the individual trees are distinct. Piella also combined various images of the same object to produce a detailed complete picture.

A new scanner that measures the composition of the body - and can potentially also provide relevant data for studies comparing and relating body shapes to health risks such as heart disease - is being developed.

Scientists at the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology have harnessed the power of DNA to create a self-assembling nanoscale transistor, the building block of electronics. The research is a crucial step in the development of nanoscale devices.

The developer of British Columbia's Discovery Parks -- technology parks based on four campuses around the Canadian province -- believes the Discovery Park model would be advantageous to the development of Australian innovation and technology. [ + ]

Victoria has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Chinese sister state Jiangsu Province calling for strategic biotechnology alliances and joint ventures. [ + ]

Academic researchers need a bit of encouragement to take the plunge into biotechnology, according to visiting University of British Columbia professor and biotechnology company founder Bob Hancock. [ + ]

Amrad (ASX: AML) has received its first milestone payment from its exclusive licensing and research collaboration agreement with Merck, Sharp and Dohme (MSD). [ + ]

AGT Biosciences (ASX: AGT) has signed an agreement with US drug discovery company the Institutes for Pharmaceutical Discovery (IPD) to collaborate on the development of over-the-counter (OTC) drugs for obesity. [ + ]

Leading US nanotechnology innovator Dendritic Nanotechnologies (DNT) continues to shine for its associate and 49.9 per cent owner Melbourne drug-developer Starpharma (ASX: SPL), after being granted a US patent on a new self-assembly technique for its giant, branched molecules, called dendrimers. [ + ]

Researchers working with Melbourne medical technology company Norwood Abbey (ASX: NAL) will present results from their trials on the company's promising immune-boosting therapy in leukaemia and lymphoma patients at next month's meeting of the American Society of Haematology (ASH) in Washington, DC. [ + ]