Demand for radiopharmaceuticals produced by the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation grew to record levels during the last financial year with a 13% increase in sales.

The government has appointed Sue Meek, a former biotechnology advocate, to a regulatory position. The Australian Health Minister, Michael Wooldridge, announced the government's approval of Sue Meek for appointment to the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator.

The Bracks government is to award $12.4 million of biomedical research grants, based on merit, Health Minister, John Thwaites, has just said.

The process of sequencing the 3 billion 'letters' of human DNA took researchers at the Human Genome Project 15 months and $300 million to complete.

Commonwealth funding is available on a competitive basis from the National Innovation Awareness Strategy for projects that raise awareness of the importance of science to Australia’s future. Projects are to be held during National Science Week from 17-25 August 2002 or as part of an associated Science Week event.

The biotechnology group, Progen Industries, an Australian listed firm, has just reported a manufacturing supply agreement with BresaGen to produce bacteria containing equine growth hormone (somatotropin).

University of Queensland researchers have discovered and developed a way to turn up or turn down the effects of a gene.

Australian scientists abroad are being encouraged to return to Australia to work by John Howard, announcing the first recipients of federation fellowships.

An anti-tumour drug called AQ4N, which destroys tumour cells that other anti-cancer treatments cannot reach, is undergoing clinical trials at Leicester's Royal Infirmary and Oxford's Churchill Hospital, England.

Embryonic stem cell research that might deliver cures for devastating diseases, but involves the destruction of human embryos, has been given a green light by a key parliamentary committee.

A report tabled in parliament this week has recommended funding and a framework to develop the potentially lucrative business of bioprospecting in Australia.

Dr David Kemp, the Minister for Education, has just announced that 1284 additional research projects will start across Australia in 2002.

Scientists have obtained their first detailed glimpse of a rare antibody, called B12, which is capable of inactivating many different strains of human immunodeficiency virus, the germ which causes AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome).

Researchers at Imperial College London, have just identified the gene that causes cleft palate, a finding that could improve the diagnosis and treatment of the congenital disorder.

Thirty men with prostate cancer are to be turned into genetically modified organisms (GMOs) during trials at Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth Hospital, England, in an attempt to cure the disease by making cancerous cells a target for chemotherapy.