Yeast's family tree reveals secrets of 2 million years
18 March, 2004 by Graeme O'NeillA Melbourne research team's identification of an ancient family of transport proteins in yeast cells has revealed details of the symbiotic pact that led to the evolution of the first eukaryotic life forms some 2 billion years ago.
Report underlines researchers' fears on gene patents
08 March, 2004 by Melissa TrudingerPublic sector researchers and healthcare experts are concerned that gene patents will stifle research and cause problems affecting cost and access to genetic tests, according to a new discussion paper on gene patents released by the Australian Law Reform Commission.
Bionomics progresses angiogenesis program
03 March, 2004 by Melissa TrudingerAdelaide company Bionomics (ASX:BNO) has progressed its international patent application covering novel angiogenesis targets into the examination stage in a number of key jurisdictions including the US, Europe and Japan.
Benitec plans for global growth
12 February, 2004 by Melissa TrudingerBrisbane-based RNAi specialist Benitec (ASX:BLT) has set up two subsidiary companies in the US, in a first step toward expanding its operations both here and overseas.
Lorne Protein report: Tagging proteases
11 February, 2004 by Graeme O'NeillA US researcher has described to the Lorne Protein Conference a powerful new technique for 'tagging' protease enzymes in living cells, illuminating potential new drug targets for parasitic diseases like malaria, and metastatic cancers.
Lorne Protein report: beating anthrax
10 February, 2004 by Graeme O'NeillMolecular geneticist John Collier has devised a potentially perfect counter-measure to the bioterrorist's current weapon of choice -- the deadly anthrax bacterium.
New ASX biotech reporting guidelines due in March
30 January, 2004 by Melissa TrudingerThe Australian Stock Exchange is working with a small group of biotechnology executives, analysts and investors to develop a draft proposal for reporting results and activities, similar to those in place for the mining and exploration sectors.
Lorne proteins: Among the enzymes
22 January, 2004 by Graeme O'NeillIn the lead-up to the 2004 Lorne Protein, Cancer and Genome conferences, we continue our series of articles previewing some of the potential highlights at the events.
Lorne Protein: A synch for protein research
19 January, 2004 by Graeme O'NeillOver the next few days, we'll continue to preview the 2004 Lorne conferences: Protein, Cancer and Genome.
Intel searches for cancer's fingerprints
14 January, 2004 by David BraueThey've been using it for years to check for physical faults in semiconductor manufacturing, but researchers at computer chip maker Intel are excited about the potential new uses for a spectroscopic technique they hope could revolutionise the testing of samples for contaminants and disease.
LORNE PROTEIN: The lingua franca of bacteria
14 January, 2004 by Graeme O'NeillThe Lorne series of conferences -- Protein, Cancer and Genome -- begin in early February. Over the coming days, we'll preview the events with profiles of some of their key speakers and issues.
Our first genome: Leptospira genome completed
08 December, 2003 by Graeme O'NeillAustralian researchers have their first bug in the bank: a full genome map and complete DNA sequence of the 3900-odd genes that make up the spirochete bacterium Leptospira.
Cluster power ending Australia's research computing drought
05 December, 2003 by David BraueIf computing power were water, Australia's drought would be rapidly coming to a close. Thanks to lowering costs and steadily improving technology, Australian life scientists and other researchers are rapidly gaining access to unprecedented amounts of computing power to support their work.
PROTEOMICS FEATURE: The promise (and problem) of proteomics
02 December, 2003 by Susan WilliamsonProteomics. It's often touted as being the next revolution in biotechnology, the key to understanding biological pathways and disease states, a force that is driving research forward with an explosion of new technologies. But is identifying and describing the proteins of the human body providing the answers scientists and drug companies are after?
Proteomics: The human proteome projects
02 December, 2003 by Susan WilliamsonRichard Simpson came home from the second annual meeting of the Human Proteome Organisation in Montreal last month as the organisation's vice-president. But Simpson, of the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research in Melbourne, has too much on his mind to be too carried away by the esteem of the role.
