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Volume 7 Number 6, November/December 1997, pp.322-333
Editorial, news, Bioshares, meetings and ABA office holders
Code Number: AU97043
Size of Files:
Text: 53.7K
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FROM THE PRESIDENT Just the last issue I wrote for the first time as President of the ABA, informing readers that Graeme Woodrow had resigned to take up an appointment in Europe. At the risk of being branded a copycat, I'm afraid I am taking the same course; the only difference is to the USA rather than Europe. So, immediately after writing my first `From the President' I am now writing my last. Surely the shortest Presidency in the history of the ABA! In the light of current events, it is perhaps timely to make a few comments about the phenomenon commonly referred to as the `Brain Drain'. While many would see this as a negative (as it certainly can be), by changing just one letter the `Brain Drain' becomes the `Brain Train'. And that's what most people go overseas for - further training. The real problem is not the leaving, it's the coming back (or lack thereof). We need to actively encourage our scientists and managers to gain experience overseas but, even more importantly, we need to be able to attract them back home again. The `Brain Drain' can only occur if this doesn't happen. How do we create such an attractive environment? Not an easy question to answer. However, some of the required features would include: - A clear, agreed, short, medium and long term industry policy - A commitment to the development of world class high technology industries - A recognition of the inherent value of science and technology as a basis for wealth creation - A culture which supports and rewards investment, risk taking and innovation While all of us have a role to play in the creation of this type of environment, it is clear that governments (both Federal and State) carry the prime responsibility. It's one they've carried out very poorly up until now, particularly the Federal Government. In fact, it has performed so poorly that the various State Governments are starting to go it alone. In some ways this is laudable. However, it's never going to work. What is needed is a concerted and united effort to create a sustainable science and technology `friendly' environment. As with everything else, we are competing in the global village _ and if we're not competitive, out people will go and stay elsewhere. In the final analysis, our scientists and managers may `still call Australia home' but, in the absence of something more tangible to pull them back, the `Train' will continue to be a `Drain'. Ian Nisbet
NEWS Letter from the Murdoch Institute Availability of human PAC/BAC Libraries and Clones at the Murdoch Institute, Melbourne Dear Colleagues, As we all know, the availability of genomic libraries is often critical for the success of gene identification, characterization and functional analysis. Until recently, many Australian labs have either had to make their own libraries, with the usual learning curve, or have bought libraries from abroad. Many such libraries have been made in other countries, and many of them are good, but the high costs of accessing these resources and the delay and AQIS formalities involved in shipping libraries to Australia are serious obstacles, limiting their utilisation by Australian science. The Murdoch Institute has recently recruited Professor Panos Ioannou as Group Leader of its Gene Therapy Team. As some of you will know, Panos was instrumental in the development of the PAC cloning system (Nature Genetics, 6 (1994) 84-89) and the construction of the first human genomic PAC library (Current Protocols in Human Genetics (1996) pp 5.15.1-24). This is a genomic library with a 3x redundancy and an average insert size of 110-120kb, providing genomic clones with minimal insert instability and chimerism. The library is already being used extensively in many centres around the world for gene identification, mapping, genomic sequencing and functional analysis. Panos has brought a copy of the PAC library to Australia with him to provide us with key "reagents" in our efforts to create model systems for a number of genetic disorders, where we hope to develop gene therapy techniques based on "pharmaceutical" approaches or on gene replacement using human artificial minichromosomes. In view of the important potential of this library for our colleagues in other labs, the Murdoch Institute is willing to offer a screening service at cost for the PAC library to the Australian community. We will try to fit in with your needs, whether to screen the library ourselves, or to supply pools to you, in as flexible a way as possible. We hope that in the near future we will be able to expand significantly the range of genomic libraries available, thus providing a unique resource centre for PAC/BAC genomic clones for the research community in Australia. Panos has also developed second generation PAC/BAC vectors to allow retrofitting and functional analysis of PAC clone inserts in eukaryotic cells, as well as to facilitate the creation of new second generation libraries from man and other organisms. He is ready to discuss collaboration in this area with any interested groups. Can I emphasise again that we will not make anything on this, and will only charge our expenses for the services provided. We want to help narrow the distance between Australian groups and those in Europe and North America. If our offer turns into some nice collaborations, so much the better. Additional information regarding the PAC/BAC cloning systems and the screening of the PAC library will soon be made available through the home page of the Murdoch Institute at http://murdoch.rch.unimelb.edu.au / or you may contact Panos directly at: ioannoup@cryptic.rch.unim elb.edu.au Bob Williamson, Director Murdoch Institute For Research into Birth Defects
New and Improved Plasmids Available Plasmid vectors are essential for developing transgenic plants. These tiny DNA circles are the unsung workhorses of biotechnology, helping scientists shuttle genes into plant cells that are then regenerated into transgenic plants. Current plasmid vectors have many limitations, and thus scientists at the Center for the Application of Molecular Biology to International Agriculture (CAMBIA) in Canberra, Australia have developed improved vectors which they are making freely available to academic researchers. Richard Jefferson, who is the head of CAMBIA, says that the new CAMBIA vectors are highly efficient and useful in developing transgenic plants and are extremely versatile for plant molecular biology research. Jefferson started CAMBIA to develop "enabling technologies" of relevance to international agriculture. The GUS gene system, which he developed in the mid-eighties at Cambridge and made widely available to researchers even before publication, has made a tremendous impact on plant molecular biology. Transformed plant cells expressing the GUS gene appear dark blue in color when stained with a substrate and thus can be easily identified. The new upgraded CAMBIA vectors consist of 18 plasmids and have several modular features: choice of selection in plants (hygromycin or phosphinothricin resistance), choice of selection in bacteria (chloramphenicol or kanamycin resistance), multiple cloning sites close to the right border (ensuring no loss of the introduced gene), blue/white screening in E. coli, presence of an intron sequence (to suppress GUS expression in the bacteria), high copy number plasmid replication, Kozak consensus sequence for improved expression, minimal extraneous DNA sequences (such as spurious AG or terminator sequences) and stability of plasmids under non-selection conditions. Further, a protein of interest can be fused to the GUS protein and the new protein purified with a single step because of the hexahistidine tail engineered at the carboxyl end of GUS. A promoter-less vector and a reporter gene without start codon are also available. All vectors have been tested successfully with tobacco and rice using particle bombardment and Agrobacterium transformation methodologies. Recently green fluorescent protein (GFP) from jellyfish has emerged as a viable alternative to the GUS gene, as GFP could be visualized in plant cells non-destructively. Jefferson cautions, however, that GFP has several caveats such as its unsuitability for field use, stochiometric detection which limits sensitivity, need for use of expensive microscopy and the photo toxicity of the protein. Nonetheless, he is also offering a codon-modified GFP (developed by Jim Hasseloff of UK) in the CAMBIA vector along with GUS-GFP (or GFP-GUS) gene fusions, thus providing scientists with a single system with features of both reporter genes. The original GUS gene was isolated from E. coli and has certain drawbacks. To improve the plasmid vector system further, CAMBIA scientists have cloned an improved GUS gene from another newly described bacteria, Bacillus oz, and call this gene "BoGUS". The BoGUS gene is a major improvement because it is secretory in nature. It is also more robust with very high thermal stability, according to Jefferson. BoGUS is not inhibited by its end products or detergents and thus is active even in high concentrations of salt and organic solvents. This gene is also being further improved through codon optimization. Jefferson visualizes that the new BoGUS will facilitate a non-destructive and non-disruptive assay of gene expression and will facilitate the development of transgenic plants without antibiotic selection or tissue culture. The new gene will require cheaper substrates and may have other applications such as targeted cell death to cause male sterility through special substrates. The new BoGUS gene will be made available to researchers soon. Academic researchers can obtain the CAMBIA vectors at no cost while commercial institutions are required to license them. For more information, send email to: cambia@cambia.org.au. C. S. Prakash
HSE Advice to Consider BSE as a Biological Agent In the light of new research strengthening the link between BSE and new variant CJD (nvCJD), BSE must now be considered a biological agent (human pathogen) within the meaning of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 1994. The Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens (ACDP) has drawn this conclusion after recent research showed that mice infected with brain material from nvCJD patients exhibit patterns of disease - incubation period and brain lesions - that are apparently the same as those caused by BSE and different from normal CJD. The ACDP believe that this, taken with other experimental data since March 1996, provides compelling evidence that nvCJD and BSE are caused by the same infectious agent and advise that in view of the severity of nvCJD, the BSE agent should be placed in the same hazard group (3 with derogation) as the agent responsible for CJD. BSE has yet to be formally added in the EC classification list under the Biological Agents Directive 90/679/EEC, but in the meantime, COSHH Schedule 9 requires that employers make their own classification of any agent that is not listed in the Approved List of Biological Agents or the ACDP publication "Categorisation of biological agents according to hazard and categories of containment". To date there have been no confirmed cases of occupational transmission of either BSE or CJD and none of the cases of nvCJD has any obvious link with occupational exposure to BSE. Cases of classic CJD have been diagnosed in a range of different occupations but there remains no evidence that these are linked to occupational exposure to BSE or CJD. The ACDP's advice and recommended worker safety measures have always been precautionary in the light of the uncertainty about the risks from BSE. Occupations that do not intentionally work with BSE, e.g., abattoir workers, vets, should continue to follow the advice given since 1990 and updated most recently in ACDP general guidance on BSE published in August 1996. Farmers can get specific advice in Agricultural Information Sheet no 19 "Occupational health risks from Cattle". Those intentionally working with BSE infected material or preparations such as laboratory researchers should use the same laboratory safety precautions as for CJD. Advice on these can be found in the 1992 publication "Precautions for work with human and animal Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies" or in the Categorisation guidance. The 1992 guidance is being revised and updated and will be published early in 1998. Further details of the advice on BSE and CJD can be obtained from the following sources:- Food National Interest Group,Glasgow
Dangerous Pathogens/Microbiology,
Health Directorate, Biological Agents Policy section (ACDP Secretariat), London
From: Jillian Deans
Pharmaceutical Company funds R&D Program at ANU ANUTECH Pty Ltd and SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals have entered into an agreement to carry out collaborative research on the development of new anti-infective agents which act agreement to carry out collaborative research on the development of new anti-infective agents which act against organisms such as Staphylococcus aureus, a major cause of hospital-acquired infections that has high levels of resistance to currently used antibiotics. Under the agreement SmithKline Beecham will be providing support for the research efforts of six post-Doctoral fellows who will work within the Research School of Chemistry at the Australian National University (ANU), under the supervision of Dr Martin Banwell and Dr Chris Easton. The collaboration, which will be at the cutting edge of chemical research, exploits the unique scientific and technical skills available within the Research School of Chemistry, the Institute of Advanced Studies and the ANU as a whole. Professor Murray Esler wins this year's Ramaciotti Medal A scientist and cardiologist whose work has resulted in substantial improvements in survival rates for sufferers of heart failure has won the 1997 Ramaciotti Foundation Medal for Excellence in Bio-Medical Research and $10,000 prize money. Professor Murray Esler, Associate Director of the Baker Medical Research Institute in Melbourne, overturned conventional thinking about nerve involvement in heart failure and high blood pressure. "We showed how nerve over-stimulation plays a role in heart failure, and this is the basis for new treatments that are extremely promising," said Professor Esler. The Ramaciotti Foundation Medal is awarded to medical researchers who have made an outstanding contribution to bio-medical research. Vera Ramaciotti established the Clive and Vera Ramaciotti Foundations in 1970, with the principal aim of supporting medical research. Since then, the Foundations have distributed more than $30 million for medical research in Australia. Professor Esler is to be awarded the medal and $10,000 prize money at a special function in Sydney on Tuesday, 11 November, 1997. At the same function, winners of other Ramaciotti Foundation medical research grants will be announced. Bioinformer The European Bioinformatics Institute (EBI) is publishing a quarterly newsletter/journal called `The BioInformer' which focuses on bioinformatics research, services and developments both at the EBI and elsewhere. It features news on the EBI itself, hot issues in bioinformatics, has in every issue an interview with a bioinformatics scientist, announces and reviews software and databases, and offers a compiled list of the most worthwhile conferences/symposia for the bioinformatics scientist. See: URL:http://bioinformer.ebi.ac.u k/newsletter/ German Biotech Directory The recently founded German Association of Biotechnology (VBU) has published something like a directory in the WWW. The URL is as follows: http://www.dechema.de/biotech/ vbu.htm Here you will find company profiles and addresses, some of whom offer links to their homepages. A printed year book will be published later this year. Further information: Dr Karsten Schuerrle, DECHEMA e.V., Frankfurt/M. Germany. email: schuerrle@dechema.de Nasal Insulin Trial Aims to Prevent Diabetes People who are at an increased risk of insulin dependent diabetes mellitus are being encouraged to participate in a new trial using an intra-nasal insulin aerosol. The trial is designed to find out if early administration of insulin as an aerosol can prevent people from developing IDDM. In people who develop IDDM, the beta cells in the pancreas are attacked by the body's immune system. This attack, by special white blood cells called T cells, leads to the destruction of the beta cells, a lack of insulin and the symptoms of diabetes. One of the targets of the attack is the insulin itself. Research Group Leader Professor Len Harrison stated: "In laboratory studies on mice that are naturally prone to IDDM, we have shown that exposure to insulin of the immune tissue under the membrane linings of the body, causes an immune response to insulin, that protects the beta cells from immune attack. When insulin is given as an inhaled aerosol or directly into the nose, the "good" T cells that respond to insulin given this way, block the "bad" T cells attacking insulin in the beta cells. In mice this prevents the development of diabetes." "It must be emphasised that when insulin is given this way, it is not absorbed into the bloodstream to lower the level of glucose of the blood. It just stimulates the immune system locally." Professor Harrison and colleagues at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Royal Melbourne Hospital have already begun testing, through the Melbourne Pre-Diabetes Family Study. For more information, please contact David Pearson at Diabetes Australia National Office on 02 6285 3277 or research nurses Peter McNair 03 9342 7063 and Cheryl Steele 03 9345 2601. COMPANY NEWS Cortecs Awarded A$2.16 Million Government Grant to Research Otitis Media Cortecs announced in October that it has agreed terms of a A$2.16m (UKL 1m) grant from the Australian Government to develop the pre-clinical and initial clinical phases of its research into an oral vaccine against otitis media (middle ear infection). The grant will help to finance the ongoing Cortecs research, centred at the University of Canberra, into developing an oral mucosal vaccine against the three predominating organisms involved in otitis media - Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis. The grant from the Commonwealth Government of Australia, will be received over three and a quarter years. It will cover up to 75 per cent of the cost of the work during that period. Under the terms of the grant, the research is to take place in Australia and when progressed to product, Cortecs is to repay up to one third of the grant to the Government through royalty payments on revenues received. Although still in the pre-clinical state, the oral vaccine research has identified a single antigen that provides broad protection against H. influenza and the Company has lodged patents. Intellectual property is being explored in relation to the other organisms. Glen Travers, Executive Chairman of Cortecs stated: "This prestigious grant from the Australian Government is a sign of the value of research we are doing at Cortecs and will assist us to continue our innovative work at the University. Early state R&D is naturally a higher risk investment and as in the past we are continuing to look at new methods of funding." He added, "The Company's mucosal immunology delivery technology has already proven to be adaptable. In the Phase II trials into chronic bronchitis with the oral mucosal vaccine Pseudostat^TM , results have indicated that the vaccine is an effective therapeutic. Antibiotics are not always successful in treating mucosal surface infections and risk creating resistant pathogens. Cortecs' oral mucosal delivery technology aims to stimulate the body's own defence system at these surfaces." With many pathogens beginning to develop resistance to antibiotics, oral mucosal vaccines may become increasingly important in the fight against significant infectious diseases. Acute otitis media affects all ages but is particularly common in children. It is caused when fluid and pus form within the middle ear, leading to pain and hearing loss. Acute otitis media frequently occurs with respiratory infections as the nasal membranes and the eustachian tube become swollen and congested, blocking the only drainage channel. Current therapy is based on antibiotics. Rarely surgical treatment to incise the eardrum is necessary. However, even after effective antibiotic treatment, 40 per cent of children retain a non-infected residual fluid in the middle ear that can cause persistent hearing loss. The condition is so common, that by the time a child reaches the age of three there is a 66 per cent chance that they will have experienced at least one episode of acute otitis media. ForBio Plants Strengthens World-Wide Network Leading Brisbane-based plant biotechnology company, ForBio Limited, has continued to strengthen its world-wide network by building relationships with research and industry bodies in key markets. ForBio signed a Heads of Agreement with the Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM) earlier this year to commercialise micropropagation of elite teak trees. FRIM is the premier forest research institute in the region. Collaboration between ForBio and FRIM will dramatically accelerate genetic improvement of teak with the potential to establish fast growing, high yielding plantations. "ForBio's association with FRIM forms part of our on-going commitment to assisting SE Asian countries in addressing the issue of diminishing native forest reserves, while catering to the ever growing demand for wood and pulp-based products," said ForBio's CEO, Dr Bill Henderson. Dato Dr Razak, Director General of FRIM, is visiting the ForBio Plants, NSW, to view ForBio's cutting edge robotic mas propagation technology and state of the art production facility. Dato Dr Razak will also be meeting with key government officials including Minister for the Department of State and Regional Development, the Honourable Michael Eagan and Minister for the Department of Land and Water Conservation, the Honourable Kim Yeadon. New AGEN Board AGEN is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr William Stubbs LLB as Director and Chairman of the AGEN Board. "I am delighted that AGEN has been able to attract a chairman of the calibre of Bill Stubbs", said Mr Zwolenski, AGEN's Managing Director. "As a lawyer with considerable experience in corporate matters, joint ventures and mergers, Bill Stubbs brings experience which is particularly relevant to AGEN at this time", Mr Zwolenski said. Bill Stubbs was one of the original Directors of Mincom Pty Ltd, a highly successful software development company and Chairman of Bio Control, which developed biologically based pest control agents for crop and animal use. He is currently a non-executive Director of Pacarc NL and Pacrim Energy, both active listed exploration companies. The AGEN Board led by Bill Stubbs, comprises four non-executive Directors, three appointed within the last six months, Dr Jane Wilson appointed in 1996 and Mr Roman Zwolenski, Managing Director, who joined the company three years ago. Two new directors joined the Board in May this year:
- Prof Peter Andrews, Director of Centre for Drug Design and ex Director of biotech company Biota. Prof Andrews has been at the cutting edge of initiatives to foster the development of an Australian research-based pharmaceutical industry. AGEN's new Chairman said that he has followed AGEN since its listing in 1986. "I believe AGEN has a solid foundation with substantial cash reserves and I am very optimistic about the company's plans for the future". Mr Rod Cormie, AGEN's past non-executive Chairman, retired in September, having served AGEN's Board for 12 years. Mr Ken Roberts retires next month after six years as a non-executive Director. Advances in Anti-clotting Therapy The biotechnology company, Thrombogenix Pty Ltd, has received an injection of funds from the Australian Technology Group Limited (ATG), to enable them to develop an exciting prospect for a new class of anti-clotting drugs. Thrombogenix, a private Australian company whose shareholders include ATG, Montech Pty Limited and the researchers who made the initial discovery, owns the technology originally developed at Monash University. Mr Stephen Robinson, a director of Start-up Australia, the venture capital company which made the investment on behalf of ATG, said that the discovery of a new agent which causes aggregation of blood platelets leading to clotting, is an exciting starting point. "The research team, led by Professor Hatem Salem and Dr Shaun Jackson, has capitalised on this discovery by going on to make compounds able to prevent this aggregation. We see this as a first step in the development of new drug therapies and diagnostic products." Blood clotting is responsible for heart attacks and strokes, and costs billions of dollars per year in health costs and lost productivity in the industrialised world. The potential markets for drugs which treat blood is more than $2 billion per annum. Dr Elane Zelcer, the CEO of Montech, Monash University's technology transfer company, which was responsible for brokering the arrangement between the shareholders, said that this is an excellent example of the type of technology which universities are capable of generating. She said the work was originally funded through the normal granting programs available in Australia, and now required significant funds to achieve its commercial potential. "Although the development is still at an early stage, it has been gratifying to have a company such as Start-up Australia recog-nise the importance of the work and be prepared to support it." Trace Scientific Expanding to New Premises Trace Scientific Ltd. set up Australia's first dry powder diagnostic reagent manufacturing facility in Clayton in 1986. Since then, the company has established itself as a leading supplier of clinical chemistry reagents to the human Diagnostic Pathology industry throughout the world. Trace supplies products to both end user laboratories and to major multinational diagnostic corporations. Demand has grown to the extent that Trace needs to expand its manufacturing capacity threefold and has moved from its disjointed three sites in Clayton to one single facility at Noble Park. The new Noble Park facility will accommodate Head Office and Administration, Distribution, Customer Service, Manufacturing and Research and Development. Details on the new Trace facility are as follows : Trace Scientific Ltd, 189-199 Browns Road, Noble Park, Vic 3174
For more information contact Mr Peter Murphy at Trace Scientific Ltd on +61 3 9790 4100. CONFERENCE NEWS There is still time to send in your Abstracts The Abstract Submission Deadline has been extended to
We are looking forward to welcoming you to the capital of Australia's wine state, and in keeping with the spirit of Adelaide we have organised a festival of science, business and social activities. THE 14th AUSTRALASIAN BIOTECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE The program for the Conference has reached its final stages and we look forward to an exciting meeting that encompasses strong Scientific Sessions and an enterprising Business Stream that has generated much interest and sponsorhip already. The Keynote Speaker, Prof. Adrienne Clarke, will deliver the Millis Oration on Biotechnology for the Third Millennium The other notable speakers in the five Streams of the Conference are from around Australia and overseas - Japan, China, the US, the UK, Canada, France, Singapore, New Zealand, Malaysia - and will include: Mr. G. Steve Burrill, Prof. Peter Colman, Dr. Ian Wilmut, Sir Gus Nossal, Dr Bruce Cornell, Prof. Pam Russell, Prof. Gary Sayler, Prof. Ko Shimamoto, Prof Grant Sutherland, Dr. Robert Devlin, Prof. Qifa Zhang, Prof. R. Henry, Dr Richard Jefferson, Prof Peter Langridge, Dr Bob Seamark, Dr Ved Malik, Dr Sally Warnerford, Dr Peter Hudson, Dr David Jackson, Dr Peter Willadsen, Dr Phillip Morris, Dr Marshall Lightowlers, Prof. Ed Nice, Prof Angel Lopez, Dr Geoffrey Regester, Dr Murray Tait, Dr Neill Goss, Dr Phillip Morris, Dr Terry Hanzlik, Dr Robin Bedding, Dr Jurgen Thiele, Dr Brett Neilan, Dr Bruce Anderson, Dr Geoff Brooke, Dr Edgar Da Silva, Prof Joan Dawes, Dr Joyce Groote, Dr Murray McLaughlin, Dr Rick Walter, Dr Leanna Read, Dr Mary Corbett and Dr Richard Strugnell. There will be opportunities for submitted papers to be presented orally and in Poster sessions. The Public Forum is intended to provide a timely opportunity for the public to learn about the new health and food technologies which are starting to enter the marketplace, to raise any concerns they might have and receive factual answers. Speakers from technology, consumer and government backgrounds will provide the basis for an interaction with the audience. The Social Program will get off to a rousing start on Sunday 19th April with a Welcome Mixer. On Monday, the Trade Reception will be followed by dinner and drinks at the Maritime Museum at Port Adelaide. The next day, you'll be treated to a Bush Dance and Dinner at a local winery. The Conference Dinner is planned for Wednesday evening, and those who have the stamina can retreat to the Planet nightclub after the Public Forum on Thursday. Addtional tours around the City and to the Adelaide Hills and Barossa are available. Bioremediation Workshop 24 April 1998 This one day workshop held in conjunction with the 14th Australasian Biotechnology Conference will be hosted at Flinders University, Adelaide. The workshop will involve scientists and engineers from the remediation industry, universities and government research organisations. Leading industry practitioners from Australia and New Zealand will present case studies at the workshop. The focus will be on full scale application of bioremediation and current and future research needs linking industry and applied research groups in the region. The Workshop will conclude with a visit to the Flinders University Pilot Scale Bioremediation Research Facility. Contributors will include: Prof Gary Sayler, Dr Bruce Anderson, Dr Stuart Rhodes, Dr Brent Davis, Dr Greg Davis, and Dr A. Cohen. Meeting Registration Fees (See Registration form for full details) We have endeavoured to keep the fees low, yet providing you an fulfilling conference and social program. The Full Registration fee includes All conference materials; Entry into all Scientific Sessions; Attendance at the Welcome Mixer; Attendance at the Trade exhibition & reception; Buffet lunches; Morning and Afternoon refreshments; AND One ticket either for the : A) Informal Dinner (Bush Dance) or B) Conference Dinner
Cost AUD$ Cost AUD$
Before 16 Feb 98 After 16 Feb 98
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ABA and NZBA Member $450 $500
Non-Member $550 $600
Student $250 $300
Day only $200 $250
Day only Student $100 $125
Bioremediation Workshop Regn. $60 $70
Extra dinner ticket (for Dinner A or B) $65 $65
Maritime Museum function $40 $40
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CALL FOR ABSTRACTS Closing Date for submission of abstracts is EXTENDED TO 15 JANUARY 1998 Acceptance of a paper is at the discretion of the Conference Programme Organising Committee. A condition of acceptance of a paper is that at least one author is registered to attend the conference. Abstracts will be removed from the Conference Proceedings if this requirement is not met. Accepted abstracts will be bound into a volume of conference proceedings and included in delegates satchels. All abstracts must be accompanied by an abstract submission form, available on the web and reproduced below. Indicate on the abstract submission form if you wish the poster considered for the student prize 1. SUBMISSION - The preferred form of submission is electronic. Abstracts will be accepted in three formats: - E-mail attachment (preferably MS Word format) to Biotech.Conf@flinders.edu.au - On-Line Available from the 1st of September 1997 - Mailed Floppy disc, Contact details, together with Printed hard-copy
Please do not submit the same abstract more than once, either electronically or on paper. If a correction is required, or new abstract to be submitted, email Biotech.Conf@flinders.edu.au for information on making revision. Electronic Submissions It is possible for you to submit an abstract through our web site at http://som.flinde rs.edu.au/FUSA/BiotechConf98.html. When you visit this site, move to the main index page, and select "Abstract Submission". From here the system will prompt you for every item that is needed. It is essential that you supply all the information that is requested. For E-mail submission, Abstracts should be e-mailed as an attachment
file in Microsoft Word version 6.0 format, including Original Form Submissions (Conventional Mail)
Abstracts must be typed on one side of plain white A4 sized paper. Do
not fold originals. Do not send abstracts by facsimile. The typed abstract
must be completely legible. Do NOT use a dot matrix printer. Send the
original and a copy of the file on disk in Microsoft Word version 6.0
format. Please name your file with the presenting authors first initial and
family name. You must adhere strictly to the instructions on layout and
content below. All abstracts must be accompanied by an abstract
submission form. Mail to the secretariat, PO Box 153, Nairne, SA
5252 or Courier to Dr C. Franco, Biotechnology, Room 7E114, Flinders
Medical Centre, Bedford Park SA 5042.
2. LAYOUT
Abstracts should be presented in the following format:
- Institution/Company (12 pt italics, Arial or Times, centred)
- Body: Abstract in 12 pt, Arial or Times, justified. Maximum 300 words.
All abstract text should be single spaced. Pages should be A4, set up with
50 mm top margin and 30 mm for the other three. Abstracts should not
contain tables or figures. References should be given as cited (Name (et
al.), year, journal or book, volume or publisher, page numbers). 3. CONTENT
Abstracts should describe unpublished work. Abstracts should be as
informative as possible, and include the objective(s) of the study, the
methods used, a summary of results obtained and the conclusions drawn. Only
standard abbreviations should be used without definition. Use generic drug
names only. Do not begin sentences with numerals.
BIO SHARES
Covering Australian Biotechnology Stocks - compiled by M.J.
Playne
The July 1997 issue of Shares magazine contained an article discussing
many of the shares listed below, and provides a useful background to these
companies.
Warning - This table is a guide only to stock movements. Persons
should not use this information as the sole basis for business and
financial decisions. Advice from financial advisors should be sought.
Suggestions from readers on how to improve information on Australian
biotechnology stocks is welcome. Please send your ideas to Martin Playne at
the ABA or telephone (03) 9252 6485 (b/h)
Government Assistance Available for Research and Development
Australian companies doing research and development are invited to
benefit from the Commonwealth Government's R&D Start program. An
umbrella program of four different support measures to foster research and
development and related commercialisation, R&D Start is mostly for
small to medium-sized companies.
The types of support available are:
1. Grants for industry-based R&D projects. Grants are available
if you can answer yes to the following questions: `Is your project directed
towards developing internationally competitive goods, services or systems?'
`Does it involve some innovation or technical risk?' `Is there related
product development that will improve performance or reduce costs?'
2. Graduate-based R&D-related projects. This assistance of up to
$100,000 (50 per cent of eligible project costs) is for graduates to work
on a specific company-based R&D-related project that will lead to new and
appropriate links between the company and a tertiary/research institution
being formed.
3. Collaborative R&D projects. To encourage research institutions
and Australian companies to collaborate on projects that involve high
technical risk and lead to extensive national benefits. Funding of up to $1
million is available.
4. Concessional loans for commercialisation. Supporting small
companies (with fewer than 100 employees) undertaking early
commercialisation of technological innovation in goods, systems or
services. The maximum loan is 50 per cent of eligible project costs, and is
for up to three years, repayment beginning after 42 months. Interest begins
to accrue three years from the date of the loan agreement.
Applications for graduate-based projects, collaborative projects and
concessional loans can be lodged at any time.
Projects Already Underway
Companies already successful in getting an R&D Start grant for an
R&D project include:
Biotech Australia Pty Ltd
Many diseases such as arthritis, cancer and pathologies of the skin are
accompanied by extensive tissue destruction. There is an excess of enzymes
that degrade tissue over their natural inhibitors. PAI-2 is a naturally
occurring protein which inhibits degradative enzymes, and is believed to
have a high level of safety when tested in humans. The project aims to test
PAI-2 directly in humans, by applying PAI-2 topically to patients with
impaired wound healing.
Compumedics Pty Ltd
Although 10 per cent of the population suffer from various forms of
sleep disorder, the vast majority of untreated patients (about 4 per cent
of the population) suffer from Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). The project
is to provide an accurate low cost screening device to provide an effective
means of mass population screening for OSA. The Sleep Screener/Intelligent
Sleep Based Therapeutic Controller will have a unique linkage to patient
sleep and arousal parameters which will set it apart from existing
available screeners. It aims to produce a method of automaticallystaging a
patient's sleep so that the patient's sleep efficiency and architecture
will be diagnosed simply, accurately and efficiently. This is expected to
open up vast markets in regions such as Asia where professional sleep
expertise is not avialable but where there are large numbers of untreated
sleep disorder patients.
Grants Available Now
Grants are available now under R&D Start for industry-based R&D
projects costing over $2 million. They cover up to 50 per cent of
eligible project costs, so your company can apply for at least $1
million in assistance.
Is your company eligible for these grants? If it is incorporated in
Australia, has an annual turnover (including that of related companies) of
less than $50 million in each of the past three financial years, and
is not tax exempt, then you are eligible to apply.
We are seeking applications now for R&D Start grants for R&D
projects of over $2 million, with applications to close on 28 January 1998.
If you would like to know more about this round of R&D Start Large
Grants, please ring the AusIndustry Hotline on 13 28 46, or visit our web
site at http://www.ausindustry.gov.au. The
Hotline can also provide information on other forms of support available
under R&D Start.
Hotline 13 28 46
MEETINGS
Genome Conference
The 20th Annual Conference on the Organisation and Expression of the
Genome will be held at Erskine House, Lorne, Victoria, from 16-20 February,
1998.
The Lorne Genome Conference is the major annual gathering of Australian
molecular geneticists. The focus of the Conference is the genome and how it
relates to all organisms. It covers prokaryotic, fungal, plant and animal
systems, with primary emphasis on genome organisation and evolution, gene
mapping, gene expression, development, and gene technology. All are invited
to register for the Conference.
Further information: Dr Rohan Baker, John Curtin School of Medical
Research, Australian National University, GPO Box 344, Canberra, ACT 2601
(Tel: (02) 6249 3824; Fax: (02) 6249 4712; Email: Genome.Conference@jcsmr.an
u.edu.au; WEFTEC Asia
7-11 March, 1998
Raffles City Convention Centre, Westin Stamford & Westin Plaza Hotels,
Singapore
The Premier Asian Technical Conference & Exhibition on International
Wastewater and Water Quality Technology
Presented by Water Environment Federation
Further information: WEFTEC Asia '98, 1 Maritime Square #09-43, World
Trade Centre, Singapore 099253 (Fax: 1 703 684 2471; Email: confinfo@wef.org)
Bioremediation for Industry
8-11 March, 1998
University of Notre Dame, Virginia, USA
Presented by Society for Industrial Microbiology
Further information: Demetra Mantziaras, Society for Industrial
Microbiology (Tel: 703 691 3357; Fax: 703 691 7991; Email: info@simhq.org; URL: www.simhq.org)
25th IOB Convention
22-27 March, 1998
Hyatt Regency Hotel, Perth, WA
The Institute of Brewing Asia Pacific Section
Further information: Meeting Masters, PO Box 6360, East Perth, WA
6892 (Tel: (08 9221 3999; Fax: (08) 9221 3983)
Life Science Applications '98
26-29 April, 1998-Gent, Belgium
A forum in biotechnology in healthcare, food and agriculture
Further information: (Fax: 32 9 241 9425; Email: com.expo@prophost.eunet.be;
URL: http://www.LSA.be)
6th Pacific Rim Biotechnology Conference and BioExpo '98
June 3 - 5, 1998 - Hong Kong
Further information: C/- Biotechnology Research Institute, Hong Kong
University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong
(Fax: 852 2358 1552; email: IN%biotec98@usthk.ust.hk Genetically Engineering and Cloning Animals: Science, Society,
Industry
June 21-23, 1998
Park City/Deer Valley
Further information: Nancy Ashcroft, Conference Secretary,
Biotechnology Center, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322-4700, USA
(Tel: (435) 797-2753; Fax: (435) 797-2766; Email: nancya@cscfsl.usu.edu; URL: The Australian Society for Microbiology's 1998 Annual Scientific
Meeting & Exhibition
27 September _ 2 October, 1998
Wrest Point Hotel Casino, Hobart, Tasmania
Further information: Georgia Last, Conference Organiser (Tel: (03)
9867 8699; Fax: (03) 9867 8722; Email: ASMConference@clari.net.au)
9th European Congress on Biotechnology
11-15 July, 1999
Brussels, Belgium
European Federation of Biotechnology
Further information: DOCUMENTA cv Lakenweverss traat 21, 1050
Brussels, Belgium (Tel: +32 2 510 2314; Fax: +32 2 510 2615; Email: ecb9.orcom@skynet.be; URL: http://www.ecb9.be
ABA OFFICE BEARERS
PRESIDENT:
VICE PRESIDENT: PAST PRESIDENT:
DIRECTORS: SECRETARY: TREASURER : ABA COMMITTEES :
PUBLIC EDUCATION RESOURCES COMMITTEE:
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY: GENETIC RELEASE: PUBLICATIONS: W.A. BRANCH CHAIRMAN: QLD BRANCH CHAIRMAN: CONFERENCE COMMITTEE ADELAIDE 1998:
Copyright 1997 Australian Biotechnology Association Ltd.
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