Melbourne company Antisense Therapeutics has won a $AUD1.1 million R&D Start grant, in the first round of funding awarded since the Federal government reopened the program late last year. [ + ]

The face of Queensland's multi-million dollar cotton industry could be about to change, thanks to pioneering work being conducted by a University of Queensland scientist.

Universities in Australia, Asia, Europe, Canada and the US are using an online laboratory to collaborate on HIV genomic research.

Woollen jumpers may soon be shrink-proof without the use of chemicals, thanks to the finding that wool shrinkage (felting) is a heritable trait that can be manipulated through selective sheep breeding. [ + ]

A $150 million incentive scheme for companies developing new drugs might prove to be the sleeper in the May budget for young drug discovery companies. [ + ]

Sydney separation technology specialist Gradipore has revised upwards its projected loss for the financial year, from $AUD12 million to up to $16 million. [ + ]

Amrad and US monoclonal antibody company Medarex have signed a licensing partnership for the R&D of fully humanised monoclonal antibodies against Amrad's asthma target interleukin-13 receptor alpha. [ + ]

"Every high school student in Australia should have the opportunity to participate in the Science and Engineering Challenge," says Associate Professor John O'Connor, Head of the School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences in the Faculty of Science and Information Technology at the University of Newcastle.

US pharma Cephalon has increased its interest in delivery biotech Sirtex up to 41 per cent with the acquisition of just under 8,800,000 shares from founder Dr Bruce Gray. [ + ]

Australia's deepest pool of tropical marine scientists will receive $AUD5 million in fresh funding thanks to this week's federal budget. [ + ]

Melbourne University proteomic research has indicated a possible link between oral hygiene and heart disease. [ + ]

Recent events in the Australian manufacturing sector have raised the focus upon end-to-end quality assurance requirements and how the transparency of plant floor operations affects boardroom decision-making.

Listed biotech Agenix is ringing in changes to bolster its current blood diagnostics business while promoting the progress of its intended next-generation product, the Thromboview blood clot-imaging agent. [ + ]

The structure of a key energy-releasing enzyme found in all animals is designed to minimise free radical production, an international team of researchers has revealed.

A row is brewing between the Royal College of Pathologists Australasia and Genetic Technologies, the Melbourne-based biotechnology company that last year obtained an exclusive license to offer Myriad Genetics' BRCA1 and BRCA2 breast cancer susceptibility tests in Australia and New Zealand. [ + ]