A new array of ocean robots has begun working deep in the Indian Ocean to help scientists understand Australia's changing climate.

Melbourne-based Metabolic Pharmaceuticals has begun a Phase IIA clinical trial for its obesity drug AOD9604 to investigate safety of daily dosing in preparation for the Phase IIB weight reduction study scheduled for next year. [ + ]

Encouraging results are flowing for Australian researchers using computer graphics to find inhibitors of a protein that plays a pivotal role in the life cycle of the parasite that causes malaria. [ + ]

Adelaide biotechnology company BresaGen has fitted the keystone into the archway of its ambition to be a substantial player in embryonic stem cell (ES cell) therapy, by acquiring valuable patents on the methodology for isolating pluripotent stem cells. [ + ]

Melbourne's Bio21 project looks to be back on track with a restructured board, a newly approved business plan and orders in for some key new equipment. [ + ]

How does a soybean plant's leaves communicate with its roots, hidden beneath the ground? [ + ]

The world's largest combined solar hot water and electricity system is coming to the Australian National University in Canberra.

A protein involved in the detection of the most lethal form of DNA damage and which is also linked with a rare genetic disorder has attracted the largest single slice of the NHMRC's latest project funding round for Queensland. [ + ]

Western Australian company Chemeq has signed an agreement with renowned University of Western Australia researcher Prof Barry Marshall to investigate the use of its CHEMEQ polymeric antimicrobial to treat ulcers caused by Helicobacter pylori. [ + ]

Adelaide's BresaGen Ltd is about to launch its new ProtEcol service to manufacture recombinant proteins and peptide therapeutics for client biotech companies in Australia and overseas. [ + ]

Embryonic stem cell research opponent Senator Ron Boswell has this week widened his criticism of the CEO-designate of the National Stem Cell Centre, Prof Alan Trounson, to include other high-profile members of the biotech community. [ + ]

Carbohydrate-based drug design and manufacture company Alchemia has secured two key patents on its technology platform that should aid its efforts to tie off a multimillion dollar fundraising exercise. [ + ]

Biosensor company Ambri will receive an injection of up to $15.7 million under an equity and technology licensing pact with Dow Corning Corp and diversified US biotech Genencor International. [ + ]

The $100 million Queensland BioCapital Fund, whose formation was announced five months ago by the State government, is finally swinging its doors open for business. [ + ]

Fiddle with an old recipe and you may get an unpalatable, but not always unpredictable result. [ + ]