Deakin University scientists are enlisting the services of some unlikely research partners to help find the causes of leukaemia. The humble zebrafish, with its rapid breeding cycle and transparent skin, could hold the key to the genetic causes of the disease.

Singapore-based company ES Cell International is changing the marketing strategies for its human embryonic stem cell lines because of researchers' reluctance to part with intellectual property. [ + ]

Xenotransplantation of ovarian tissue from endangered species may allow zoologists and conservationists to propagate endangered animals, according to a paper published today in the journal Science. [ + ]

New Zealand's Genesis Research and Development Corporation has persuaded long-serving director Dr Douglas Williams to join the company as head of its new strategic development unit, as part of its plan to make hay while it waits for the sun to rise again on the biotech industry. [ + ]

It seems that globalisation works for genes too. Over the past half century, a global guild of the geneticist's favourite fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, has been using science's global networks to smuggle a souped-up, multi-purpose survival kit to its six-legged subscribers. [ + ]

The stage has been for a final Senate debate on a Bill permitting research on embryonic human stem cells following the legislation's passage by a three-to-one margin in the House of Representatives. [ + ]

Listed drug discovery instrumentation maker Axon Instruments is aggressively pursuing final-stage development of an ion channel drug discovery platform in collaboration with Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research & Development (J&JPRD). [ + ]

An improved test for ovarian cancer has been developed by Melbourne researchers. The team from Prince Henry's Institute of Medical Research and Monash University's Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology has developed a test that, in conjunction with the standard test, can detect 90-95 per cent of cancers. [ + ]

The resignation of Iatia managing director Philippe Cussinet will not impact the growth of the company, according to CEO Brian Powell. [ + ]

Scientists have criticised a new report -- Seeds of doubt: North American farmers' experiences of GE crops -- released by the Soil Association, the UK's main campaigning organisation for organic farming. [ + ]

Looking to develop new methods to test Alzhiemer's drugs, US-based company Axonyx has signed an agreement with University of Melbourne's Dr David Small. [ + ]

A Melbourne University study has thrown new light on a dangerous complication of insulin-dependent diabetes called hypoglycaemic unawareness, which can cause diabetics to lapse into an insulin-induced coma. [ + ]

Endangered species could now live forever following research that shows an animal's ovarian tissue grafted onto tissues in another species can produce healthy live young.

A skeleton administrative staff is at work on the $43.5 million National Stem Cell Centre even though Federal government has yet to sign a deed of agreement for the controversial research institute. [ + ]

A $216,800 government grant to Promics is the latest piece of good news for the young biotech and its anti-inflammatory drug candidate PMX53. [ + ]