Editorial, News, Bio shares, Biocomputing, Books, Meetings, ABA office holders, Issues.

Australasian Biotechnology, Volume 8 Number 2, March/April 1998, pp. 66-85 Editorial, News, Bio shares, Biocomputing, Books, Meetings, ABA office holders, Issues. Code Number:AU98013 Sizes of Files: Text: 122K Graphics: No associated graphics files FROM THE PRESIDENT A lot is happening at the ABA. In the last 6 months we have lost two Presidents, Graeme Woodrow and Ian Nisbet, to fresh fields overseas. Both Graeme and Ian were not only skilled scientists in our currently too sparse biotechnology industry, but also tireless workers for the good of this industry. NEWS Florey Centenary South Australian-born Howard Florey was born 100 years ago. He joined the team that took Alexander Fleming's discovery of penicillin on to commercialisation as the world's first antibiotic. Along with Fleming and Ernst Chain, Florey won the Nobel Prize for Medicine. Science Policy Geared to Election "Decks Cleared for Action": FASTS The new science policy document released recently by Australia's peak council for scientists and technologists is geared to an election in 1998. Alzheimer Collaboration Biotechnology firm Biota Holdings Limited today announced it will work with the Howard Florey Institute of Experimental Physiology and Medicine on the development and commercialisation of a treatment for memory-related disorders, including Alzheimer's Disease. Money for Health Partnerships to Boost Exports Multinational health care companies will be encouraged to work with Australian manufacturers in a $500,000 project to develop, adapt and export locally-made medical products. Genetic Screen Success Finalist for Australian Technology Award PreScreen, an innovative and non-invasive screen for detecting serious fetal genetic diseases as early as six weeks into a pregnancy, should be ready for testing in selected medical centres later this year. Delft Study Tour In July 1998 a delegation of the Kluyver Institute for Biotechnology will visit Australia. Brewing Research International's new Director General's "down-under" tour "I was impressed by the level of technological expertise I met and the advice I was given which has helped define and focus our research programmes. There was an air of excitement and openness to technological exploration and change (dare I say it!) untrammelled by the sometimes over-cautious traditions of much of Europe". More Meat, Less Gas from Cattle A team of Australian and Japanese scientists are investigating ways to cut global greenhouse gas emissions from cattle, while increasing the amount of meat and milk they produce. Irish Biotech News An Irish Bio-Industries Association is in the process of being formed. The organisation, BioResearch Ireland (BRI) recently celebrated its 10th year of operation. Fighting Tooth Decay with Eucalyptus Japanese researchers have found that eight compounds from eucalyptus fight off the bacteria that cause tooth decay and gum diseases. Extracts of the plant might well become dental drugs for humans. Bioethics Group Finds "No Objection" to Human Gene Patents A group of ethics advisers to the European Commission in Brussels says that it has found no ethical reason why a human gene should not be patented by its "discoverer" if it can be shown that it has a function with a specific industrial application. Non-Regulated Status Gains Ground in the U.S. Non-regulated status of many agricultural plants which have been modified genetically is rapidly gaining ground in the USA. The USDA is granting this status for crops such as Roundup® - ready corn, as it considers that the glyphosate-resistant corn did not pose a plant pest risk. Once passed by the FDA and that there no issues raised, the companies involved will market the seed to farmers in the US. Probiotic E. Coli Food Regulation Weekly Probiotic E. coli bacteria that kill E. coli 0157:H7 in cattle's rumen and colon is being developed by Michael Doyle, director of the University of Georgia's Center for Food Safety and Quality Enhancement. IP and the Bt Gene Ag Biotech Reporter summarised in its March 1998 issue the legal battle that has been going on since October 1997 between Mycogen Corporation and Monsanto and others. News from Bowditch Group AgBiotech Newsletter 136 COMPANY NEWS Biota - Half Yearly Financial Statements Biota Holdings Limited has lodged its results for the half year ended 31 December 1997. Industry R&D Board Announces Successful Innovation Investment Fund Managers The Industry Research and Development (IR&D) Board today announced five successful applicants who will be offered the opportunity to negotiate a licence to operate a fund under the Government's early-stage venture capital initiative, the Innovation Investment Fund (IIF) program. Hyal Pharmaceutical Issues Action Plan Hyal Pharmaceutical Corp's Board of Directors have approved an action plan for the corporation following in the wake of their decision to discontinue the development of Hyanalgese-D and the resultant subsequent sharp decline in the company's share price. The primary intention of a five-point plan is to preserve their cash position while working to maximise the value of the company for shareholders. Agen Sought by Biotech International The WA-based company, Biotech International, launched a $15.7 million takeover bid to Agen recently. GroPep Expands for the Future Biotechnology company, GroPep Pty Ltd, is expanding its operations, and announces the appointment of Richard England as Independent Chairman. Faulding's Half Yearly Announcement BIO SHARES Covering Australian Biotechnology Stocks - compiled by M.J. Playne ASIAN NEWS A Better Method to Control Dengue Dengue and dengue haemorrhagic fever (DF/DHF) are viral syndrome caused by the dengue viruses and transmitted by mosquitoes of the Aedes species. Private Sector in Malaysia Spending More on R&D The recently announced results of the 1996 National Survey of Research and Development in Malaysia indicated that the amount invested by the private sector in R&D activities has increased significantly by 62% since 1992. Malaysia Needs to Boost the Number of Scientists A recent survey by the Malaysian Science and Technology Information Centre (MASTIC) revealed that presently the country only had a ratio of five researchers for every 100,000 workers. Malaysian Biodiversity Policy in the Works Malaysia's national policy on biological diversity was recently approved by the cabinet and will become the cornerstone of all future socio-economic development projects in the country. ABA NEWS 14th Conference Major Success The 14th Australasian Biotechnology Conference held at Glenelg, Adelaide during the week of 19th - 24th April has been a triumph for the organisers. The Organising Committee chaired by Dr John Smeaton, and ably led by Dr Chris Franco, has set standards previously not met in Australian conferences. ABA Extraordinary General Meeting A special meeting of the Association was held on Wednesday, 22nd April 1998 at Glenelg. New Office Bearers REGULATORY NEWS New Standard Proposed for Food Produced using Gene Technology ANZFA - Australia New Zealand Food Authority released on 25 February 1998 a "Statement of Reasons - proposal P97 for recommending Standard A18-Foods produced using Gene Technology". Federal Government-Funded Research Schemes Large Grants Research Fellowships International Research Fellowships Strategic Partnerships with Industry-Research and Training (SPIRT) Scheme Australian Postgraduate Awards (with stipend) Australian Postgraduate Awards (without stipend) Overseas Postgraduate Research Scholarships Small Grants Research Infrastructure Research Centres Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Researchers Development Special Research Initiatives International Research Projects Biocomputing New Internet Site Honours Howard Florey, Australian Creator of Penicillin A new Internet site detailing the life and achievements of Howard Florey, was launched on 26 Feb in Adelaide by the Federal Minister for Health and Family Services, Hon Dr Michael Wooldridge. Biotechnology Education Web Sites Aimed at Schools and Colleges Asian Development Bank Conferences KPMG's Biotechnology Report Nova Science in the News List Servers - Electronic Maillist Discussion Groups BOOKS Nine books of general interest to biotechnologists are reviewed. MEETINGS Details of meetings from 3 June 1998 - 8 September 2000. Product news JOHN MORRIS The Celligen Plus from NBS METTLER TOLEDO InLab Electrodes Designed to Meet Your Demands! PROTECTOR TECHNOLOGIES New `Softstream' Non-Aerated Eye/Face Wash TRACE SCIENTIFIC Enzymatic Antimitochondrial Antibody (M2) Reagent ABA OFFICE BEARERS ISSUES Biotechnology YES, A Scheme for Australia? Copyright 1998 Australian Biotechnology Association Ltd