Industry News
Cultivating hairy roots for herbal medicine
A new technology for growing plant tissues in fermentation tanks may allow large-scale production of the bioactive components of herbal medicines like Echinacea, ginseng and Gynostemma. [ + ]
Ozgene in US deal to advance its GE rodent program
An Australian company will soon be offering genetically altered rodents modified at the single-cell stage to maximise efficiencies. [ + ]
Amphibian adhesive may have wound appliations
Scientists at the University of Adelaide and CSIRO Molecular Science are investigating a novel 'glue' from frogs, which could have applications as a bioadhesive for surgical wounds. [ + ]
Iatia releases software package for imaging
A software package enabling users of electron microscopes to glean specialised information from their specimens is the second product to be released by newly listed vision sciences company Iatia. [ + ]
CSL blood supply contract renewed
The Federal government has renewed its contract with CSL to supply blood to blood banks and pathology labs for use in diagnostic procedures. [ + ]
CSIRO launches one-stop science shop
The CSIRO Centre for Environment and Life Sciences, to be opened today, will be a gateway to CSIRO expertise not only in Western Australia but across Australia, says CSIRO Chief Executive Dr Geoff Garrett.
[ + ]Environmental biotech: Bugs and biotechnology
With alarm bells ringing over genetically modified organisms and their potential effects on the environment, stories about how biotechnology is also being used to improve the environment are harder to find. [ + ]
Top-seeded research
Queensland research is cutting the time and cost of seed line improvements by using DNA markers to identify high-yielding sunflower seeds. [ + ]
Comment invited on Trans-Tasman regulatory body proposal
A proposal to combine the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and the New Zealand Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Authority Medsafe into a single agency accountable to both the Australian and New Zealand governments has been released as a discussion paper. [ + ]
Cerylid seals US Anadys deal
Private drug discovery and genomics company Cerylid Biosciences has clinched a deal with Anadys Pharmaceuticals in the United States to search for new anti-infective compounds. [ + ]
Sheep genomics program proposed
In a new approach to animal science, Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) is meeting with scientists with a wide range of experience in medical and animal sciences to establish a functional genomics program for the sheep industry. [ + ]
WA plant expert to chair gene tech committee
The plant gene technology expertise of Professor Stephen Powles of the University of Western Australia has been recognised by the Federal Government.
[ + ]Sydney Uni professor honoured
The Commonwealth Health Minister's Award for Excellence in Health and Medical Research has been awarded to Sydney University Professor of Medicine, Prof David Celermajer. [ + ]
Vice-chancellors promote their 2020 vision
The Australian Vice-Chancellors' Committee has called for sweeping changes to university funding and regulatory frameworks, in response to an ongoing Federal government review of the sector. [ + ]
Bioinformatics C of E interim board named
Plans for Tasmania's Bioinformatics Centre of Excellence are stepping up with the naming of its interim board. [ + ]