Feds block homegrown mass spec export
01 April, 2003 by Melissa TrudingerRon Grey's company GBC Scientific Instruments makes one of the fastest and most sensitive mass spectrometers available. But the Victorian company has run into a big problem -- laws in Australia put into place to counter the development of weapons of mass destruction by other countries are making it almost impossible for the company to export its instruments.
Spin-offs not always the answer: CSIRO business chief
01 April, 2003 by Iain ScottTechnology transfer, rather than spin-offs or other options, is the key to effective commercialisation at CSIRO, according to the organisation's recently appointed executive director of business development.
Melbourne firm develops JAK kinase inhibitor
27 March, 2003 by Melissa TrudingerA new JAK kinase inhibitor developed by Melbourne biotech Cytopia had far higher activity than blockbuster drug Glivec in tests on cells from a patient with chronic myeloid leukaemia, the company announced today.
How we won the Congress
26 March, 2003 by Graeme O'NeillPhil Batterham is a skilled and meticulous organiser, with an understanding of the value of theatre. When the University of Melbourne geneticist flew to Beijing in 1998 for the 18th International Congress of Genetics, he had already spent two years organising Australia's bid to bring the world's biggest genetics festival to Melbourne in 2003.
Intel offering more power to Melbourne researchers
21 March, 2003 by David BraueFor decades, Intel has struggled to build processors that could compete with specialised chips from supercomputing rivals. Today's chips, however, are cheaper, more scalable and fast enough that they're winning over life sciences researchers -- and redefining the rules of supercomputing.
CSIRO unleashes new bioinformatics centre
20 March, 2003 by Jeremy TorrCSIRO's gene analysis capability has just been given a massive fillip with the opening of the new CSIRO Bioinformatics Facility (CBF) in Canberra.
MCRI spin-off to commercialise 'plug-and-play' chromosome
11 March, 2003 by Graeme O'NeillThere's no easy way of popping a gene into human cells to repair or replace a defective gene -- at least, not yet. But Dr Andy Choo's research team at the Murdoch Children's Research Institute in Melbourne is developing such a technology: a sort of plug-and-play gene 'cassette' employing a tiny, but fully functional human artificial chromosome.
Bio-IT down under: supply without demand?
10 March, 2003 by Pete YoungIt is a question of making haste slowly for Australia's small circle of private companies dedicated to selling bioinformatics-related goods and services. The good news is that new arrivals are seeping into the sector while established players are consolidating their positions and looking forward optimistically.
Retrospective on a century of genetics
10 March, 2003 by Melissa TrudingerThe history of the International Congress of Genetics goes hand in hand with the history of genetics.
Gene silencing patent argument grows louder
06 March, 2003 by Graeme O'NeillQueensland biotechnology company Benitec says CSIRO has "no claim" to its patented technology for gene silencing by RNA interference (RNAi).
Patently, a battle for genetics' next big thing
28 February, 2003 by Graeme O'NeillWho invented hairpin gene silencing? It's literally a $64 million question, as the claimants to one of the most valuable biotechnology patents of the past decade begin skirmishing over its ownership.
New director seeks broader role for AGRF
25 February, 2003 by Melissa TrudingerDr Sue Forrest, the new head of the Australian Genome Research Facility, is keen to raise the facility's profile as a natural home for agricultural genomics as well as biomedical, she said today.
More than meets the eye as Affymetrix chases transcription
25 February, 2003 by Melissa TrudingerWith the increasing recognition of the importance of non-coding RNA in regulation and control of gene expression, it now appears there is much more to the genome than meets the eye.
Proteomics facility launches its latest phase
20 February, 2003 by Iain ScottThe Australian Proteome Analysis Facility (APAF) today launched the latest phase of its development, unveiling a new logo and plans to become self-sufficient within the next five years.
The world is getting smaller for Australian nanotech ventures
19 February, 2003 by Melissa TrudingerAs a nation, Australia has often lagged behind bigger and better-funded countries when it comes to seizing on a new technology and taking it to new places. But with the emerging nanotechnology industry, Australia is finding itself in a position of relative strength, despite our size.
