Biotechnology will reach its potential only if companies involved in related markets collaborate and focus on standards-based technologies rather than proprietary work, said Michael Capellas, chairman and chief executive officer of Compaq, on Thursday. [ + ]

A Sydney investment fund has moved to grab a stake in Melbourne bioscience commercialisation group Biocomm Services, cementing its exposure to emerging Victorian biotechnology firms. [ + ]

A booklet addressing gene technology issues was launched this week by Agrifood Awareness Australia - an industry alliance dedicated to increasing public awareness of gene technology. [ + ]

An Australian-made tanning drug has shown positive results in its first human trials. [ + ]

Listed Australian diagnostics biotech Agenix Ltd is diluting its stake in Singapore subsidiary PhytoProtein Biotech. [ + ]

NZ biotechnology will fall behind the rest of the world until uncertainties and overbearing government regulations for genetic modification are tackled, according to leading industry figures.

One in two people in the UK believe that scientists are in the pockets of big business and that scientific research has become too commercialised, according to a survey by Mori and the Royal Society (UK).

Australian researchers and scientists will benefit from a $6 million, world standard, plant research facility which has recently opened at the Australian National University.

Grants funding is available to support a diverse range of projects and events to promote the importance of science, engineering, technology and innovation in Victoria.

The NZ government has announced which five biotechnology centres will receive help from the government's new centres of research excellence fund.

A voluntary code of ethics for the Victorian biotechnology industry was likely to be the first task of the State Government's new ethics advisory committee. [ + ]

Former GM crop field trial sites in Tasmania are under close scrutiny from the Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment. [ + ]

A pair of papers published this week in Nature have cast doubts on the ability of adult cells to become stem cells, capable of forming any cell in the body. [ + ]

Biotechnology emerged as the star performer in a Pricewaterhouse Coopers review of the life sciences sector. [ + ]

Researchers have welcomed the establishment of a new Plant Culture Facility (PCF) at ANU's Research School of Biological Sciences (RSBS). [ + ]