CORRECTION
10 September, 2004 by Graeme O'NeillAn article published on September 8, headlined 'Nucleonics challenges Benitec-CSIRO RNAI patent' contained errors relating to the timing of the filing of key patents.
Gene patent system ain't broke, but needs fine tuning: ALRC
06 September, 2004 by Melissa TrudingerA report by the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) following an 18-month inquiry into genetic patents has concluded that significant patent law reforms are needed to accommodate cutting-edge genetic technology.
Looking for drugs amongst exotic peptides
20 August, 2004 by Graeme O'NeillIn the realm of the proteome, it’s shape rather than size that matters. Perth-based drug-discovery biotech Phylogica believes it has just about every possible molecular contingency covered.
$30 million sheep genomics project launched
13 August, 2004 by Graeme O'NeillWith almost no fanfare, Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) and Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) have joined forces to fund one of the largest and most significant projects in Australia’s history: a $30 million sheep genomics program.
Benitec grants license in Ambion settlement
10 August, 2004 by Melissa TrudingerBenitec (ASX: BLT) has settled its patent infringement case against US company Ambion, giving the company a world-wide non-exclusive licence to make and sell DNA-directed RNAi products.
Bionomics and Louisiana State University collaborate on gene therapy
30 July, 2004 by Graeme O'NeillSouth Australian genomics company Bionomics (ASX:BNO) has shaken hands with Louisiana State University’s Health Sciences Centre (LSUHSC) on a landmark collaboration to explore the efficacy of the company’s gene-silencing constructs as a gene therapy for solid tumours.
Fear of scientific advances a challenge: Shine
23 July, 2004 by Melissa TrudingerGrasping the opportunities provided by advances in medical science, rather than succumbing to fears about the challenges involved, is the key to the biology revolution, the vice-president of the Australian Academy of Sciences Prof John Shine told the National Press Club this week.
New centre aims to broaden genetics awareness
21 July, 2004 by Melissa TrudingerThe new Gene Technology Access Centre (GTAC), which opened its doors in Melbourne today, aims to "blast away" some of the mythology of the scientific enterprise, according to one of its founders.
There's no such thing as race: geneticist
15 July, 2004 by Melissa TrudingerModern genetics is finally laying to rest some of the arguments about the expansion of humans out of Africa and across the world, says Washington University professor Alan Templeton, who presented data from his work on human genetic evolution at this week's Genetics Society of Australia conference in Melbourne.
DNA databases tapped for typhoid clues
13 July, 2004 by Graeme O'NeillUsing international DNA databases, a University of Melbourne PhD student has discovered a variety of previously anonymous bacteria in the mammalian gut that may explain why live oral vaccines against bacterial diseases like typhoid fever often produce erratic results.
Genetics: Why fruit flies make model humans
13 July, 2004 by Melissa TrudingerThe use of Drosophila fruit flies as a model for human neurodegenerative disease has led to the insight that molecular chaperones, such as heat shock proteins, may play a common role in the development of these diseases, says the University of Pennsylvania's Assoc Prof Nancy Bonini, in Australia this week for the Genetics Society of Australia's annual conference in Melbourne.
Downvalued Proteome Systems "cops it sweet"
23 June, 2004 by Graeme O'NeillNorth Ryde proteomics technology and research company Proteome Systems will list on the ASX later this year at a valuation of only $160 million, after sceptical fund managers baulked at a share price proposal that would have valued it at $300 million.
Grid to speed analysis of genomic heritage
21 June, 2004 by David BraueThe search for faster genomics analysis has spawned a multi-state biotech grid network built from ordinary Windows PCs, reports David Braue.
Novel sequencing technique finds local commercial partner
18 June, 2004 by Iain ScottTwo biotech start-ups, Combinomics and Nucleics, are to team up to commercialise a novel DNA sequencing technology.
IBM's Kovac calls for open standards in life science
17 June, 2004 by Melissa TrudingerThe development of open industry standards that can be applied to life science and healthcare data across the board are a necessity, according to IBM's general manager for life sciences, Carol Kovac.
