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Volume 8 Number 3, May/June 1998, pp. 130-147 Editorial and News
Code Number:AU98021
FROM THE PRESIDENT The ABA - Helping to put Australia on Biotechnology's World Map In June the ABA is leading a group of Australian organisations with interests in biotechnology to the BIO Conference in New York. This is the major annual conference for the biotechnology industry, and a great opportunity to showcase our activities. This follows on the great success of a similar but smaller presence at last year's BIO conference in Houston. We will be presenting an Australian Symposium with speakers from Biotechnology Companies, CRCs and Research Institutes, and in addition there will be a large Australian booth featuring 15 exhibitors. The booth is organised by Carolyn Gray in the Austrade San Francisco office, and we owe Carolyn a big vote of thanks for all the effort she puts in on our behalf. Just behind us is a highly successful ABA Conference. The Organising Committee in Adelaide did a wonderful job, and the combination of top quality presentations, an exciting programme and an excellent venue made for what was arguably the best ABA Conference to date. Even the weather conspired to make sure that we spent all our time at the Conference! Our generous sponsors made it possible for us to invite international speakers, and the inclusion of a business stream of presentations proved to be extremely popular. This will be a hard act to follow. As you will all know by now, the Special General Meeting of the ABA held at the Adelaide Conference resolved to raise a levy on existing members to initiate the process of resourcing a full time Executive Director for the Association. There was overwhelming support for the principle of focusing the Association's effort on delivering a more effective service to members, particularly in relation to all aspects of the commercialisation of biotechnology. However, the Meeting was concerned that the financial viability of the ABA should not be put at risk. The Board agreed that the present resources of the ABA do not permit the level of expenditure which would be incurred by the immediate appointment of a full-time Executive Director. The Directors are putting a great deal of energy into trying to access additional funds from Government bodies and potential sponsors, but until the Association has significantly more cash in the bank it cannot move to make such an appointment. Nevertheless, the Directors believe that it is important both to maintain the momentum for useful change and to deliver additional benefit to members who are now paying more for their membership. We have therefore appointed Dr. Kelvin Hopper, who conducted the initial research which underpinned our recent moves, to assist the Directors on an occasional basis over the next 3 months with their approaches to Government and other organisations, and to prepare Business and Marketing Plans for the ABA. I would like to emphasise that this is an interim measure until the Association can afford to move to make a full-time appointment, which we remain convinced is the best solution for the ABA. In the meantime we have had other matters to address. Following hard on the heels of our advice to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on the Biosafety Protocol came the need to make a submission to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Legislation Committee. Senator Natasha Stott Despoja had presented a Private Member's Bill which would make legal provisions for mechanisms by which human genetic information may be collected, stored and used. She also implied that it would affect aspects of commercialisation, dealing with ownership of genetic material and its implications for royalty streams. Much of the Bill, aiming to prevent discrimination on the basis of genetic makeup, is to be applauded, but at the same time the ABA made a strong case that ownership and commercialisation of human DNA should be handled under the same laws and regulations as that of any other biological material of human origin. Joan Dawes NEWS 1998 Australia Prize Awarded in 1998 for excellence in the field of Molecular Genetics The 1998 winners: Professor Elizabeth Blackburn Professor Elizabeth Blackburn, Professor and Chair of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of California, San Francisco, identified an enzyme crucial to the successful replication of chromosomes in cell division, a discovery hailed as one of the most important in the field of molecular genetics. Professor Blackburn's discovery of telomerase in 1985 allowed geneticists to fully account for the way chromosomes replicate. Telomerase adds DNA to the ends of chromosomes. Blackburn calls it a fascinating enzyme which remedies a defect in the evolution of the cell's replication machinery. She describes telomerase as one of life's ancient relics which got fossilised into our cells. Professor Suzanne Cory The fundamental genetics research carried out by the Director of the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Professor Suzanne Cory, has contributed significantly to understanding the molecular basis of certain cancers. Professor Cory and her husband Professor Jerry Adams tracked down the genetic mutation which leads to Burkitt's lymphoma, a malignancy of antibody-producing cells called B lymphocytes. The `transgenic' mice their team developed for this work provided the means to study the early stages of the disease and test for synergistic mutations. Previous to this work, Cory and Adams pioneered the introduction of gene cloning techniques in Australia. They employed it to uncover the fact that antibody genes are encoded as bits and pieces which can re-combine in a myriad ways, thereby creating much greater diversity with which to fight infection. The work Cory and her colleagues have done on Bcl-2, a gene responsible for the most common type of lymphoma, follicular lymphoma, produced a paradigm shift in genetics. It had been thought that all cancer-provoking mutations removed the brakes on cell division. However, Bcl-2 allows cells to survive under hostile conditions and thereby accumulate further mutations. This work is of great clinical importance as Bcl-2, and related genes discovered since, protect tumours against normally lethal doses of irradiation or chemotherapy. Professor Sir Alec Jeffreys Professor Sir Alec Jeffreys, the Royal Society Wolfson Research Professor at the University of Leicester in the UK, discovered and then developed DNA fingerprinting and DNA profiling, technologies regarded as among the most effective tools in modern crime detection. Sir Alec had been looking for good genetic markers for basic genetic analysis when he stumbled on a way to establish a human's genetic identification: DNA fingerprinting. The technology has wide applications in forensic identification and paternity testing. It's also been used to determine the natural history of various species and is being applied to conservation biology. Jeffreys and his team later developed DNA profiling which produces a pattern on x-ray film featuring just two bands per individual, one from the person's mother and one from their father. DNA profiling is now standard in forensic laboratories, the technology providing powerful evidence that allows courts to arrive at solid decisions in criminal cases. The advent of molecular identification technology has led to the overturning of a swathe of longstanding convictions around the world. Professor Grant Sutherland Professor Grant Sutherland, the Director of the Department of Cytogenetics and Molecular Genetics at the Women's and Children's Hospital in Adelaide, made a series of findings on fragile sites on chromosomes that resulted in the discovery of a new mechanism of inheritance. Professor Sutherland developed methods to allow the reliable observation of fragile sites on chromosomes. These studies culminated in the recognition of fragile X syndrome as the most common familial form of mental retardation. Cytogenetics laboratories around the world wishing to find fragile X chromosomes had to change their methods for chromosome study following Professor Sutherland's research. Professor Sutherland, who until last year was president of the Human Genome Project Organisation, later demonstrated how an increased number of repeating triplets in the DNA could cause the fragile X mutation. This new process of mutation explained a number of previously unaccounted for features of the inheritance of several genetic diseases. More than a dozen genetic diseases are now recognized as having their molecular basis in this novel mutation process, and the list is growing. More details can be accessed at this site: http://www.dist.gov.au/ausprize/ap98 The Faulding Florey Medal The Hon Dr Michael Wooldridge, the Minister for Health and Family Services, established the Florey Centenary committee to organise appropriate events to celebrate the life and work of Australia's most eminent scientist, Howard Florey. Howard Florey's contribution to world history was the development of penicillin, the substance that initially freed humankind from the fear of minor infection and assisted the UK and the USA in their victory in WWII. There would be very few people who at some time in their lives have not been administered antibiotics in a particular form. The award was announced by the Hon Dr Michael Wooldridge, Minister for Health and Family Services, on the occasion of Howard Florey's 99th birthday at a function at Darling Harbour on 24 September 1997. Dr John Best, the Chairman of the Florey Centenary Committee has undertaken to establish committees in Melbourne, Canberra and Adelaide to organise programs that will raise the public profile of Howard Florey and his achievements. The program of events for the Centenary Year has been planned to engage the public, not only the scientific and academic communities. These events range from an organised bike ride through Florey's Adelaide to scientific symposia in all three cities. Two additional committees have been established to promote Australian research and engage the interest of young Australians in the study of science especially biomedical science. The Florey Medal has been established to promote Australia's scientific achievement in research related to human health. The Florey award is to be made to an Australian or Australians (not more than three) actively working in Australia or overseas, for a major biomedical discovery benefiting human health. The organising committee for the Florey Medal are Emeritus Professor Derek Denton (Chairman), Professor Warwick Anderson (Deputy Chairman), Professor John Funder, Professor Fred Mendelsohn, Professor Sir Gustav Nossal, Professor Frank Fenner, Dr David Curtis, Professor Roger Short, Dr Jim Peacock, Professor Suzanne Cory and Dr Jack Best. The inaugural medal will be presented at the Florey Centenary dinner in Adelaide on 24 September 1998. The medal will then be presented biannually. DNA Testing Joins Fight against Illegal Trafficking of Wildlife Technology is set to become the central tool in the fight against the illegal trade of Australian wildlife. A new DNA typing laboratory and databank is being set up at Queensland University of Technology's School of Life Sciences in Brisbane. Over the next 18 months, under the direction of the school's Associate Professor Peter Timms, the University will work with the Queensland Department of Environment to help stamp out and deter the illegal trade in wildlife. Besides having a legal obligation to protect the general value of Queensland's wildlife through appropriate land management stategies, the Department also needs the technology and methods to detect illegal wildlife trade activity. "The focus is on catching out criminals who take animals from the wild, claim they have bred them and sell them," Professor Timms said. "To do this, we will not only have to test samples from animals bred in captivity, but obtain samples from wild animals to establish the range of genetic fingerprints from different parts of Queensland and, indeed, Australia. Involved in this illegal trade are a number of bird and snake species that are important to the Department of Environment from a conservation point of view. Initially, we will be looking at the cockatoo family (black, red-tail and yellow-tail), the golden-shouldered parrot and snakes, particularly the green python," he said. Fish Farming for the Year 2000 An exciting new research program in aquaculture is underway that will allow the use of a simple growth factor test to fine tune the environmental and nutritional conditions for fish farming. The project being carried out by the newly formed aquaculture group of the CRC for Tissue Growth and Repair will help fisheries management to maximise their output. The Centre's newly formed aquaculture group at Flinders University is studying growth factors in farmed fish. A dominant research goal of this group is to determine whether the levels of growth factors in fish are linked to growth or responses to environmental or nutritional stress. Such are the exciting commercial possibilities of this work that the Fish Research and Development Corporation have provided significant funds for the work. GroPep, the Centre's commercial agent, is conducting parallel research in this area assisted by a Graduate Based Project grant from AusIndustry's R&D START Program. Aquaculture is a rapidly growing area and currently supplies 16% of Australia's fisheries products. However, one of the major challenges facing those associated with the industry is maintaining the balance between commercial success and sustainability of resources. The work of the CRC research team will be crucial in assisting the fish industry to achieve this balance by allowing operators to increase production and also measure growth rates of fish under various environmental conditions. The development of such a test would provide a valuable export to Australia and benefit the aquaculture industry worldwide. Collaborations with scientists at University of Queensland and University of Tasmania further highlight the group's determination to see Australia as a key player in the aquaculture industry. The aquaculture group comprises staff from three of the Centre's six partners: CSIRO, Flinders University and GroPep Pty Ltd. News from America News from America reproduced with acknowledgement from The Bowditch Group Electronic Ag Biotech Newsletter 138, 25 April 1998 American Cyanamid will fund work at the United States Department of Agriculture for further development of a plant transformation system involving electroporation of pollen. American Cyanamid will have a license to evaluate the technique in sugarbeets and soybeans. The technology is owned by BTG plc. It has previously licensed in another field of use to Sanford Scientific, Inc. It has also licensed the technology to Okanagan Biotechnology (Summerland, British Columbia, Canada) to develop transgenic stone fruit lines with reduced polyphenol oxidase activity to control enzymatic browning of fresh and processed stone fruits. AgriBioTech Inc. has entered into a research agreement with the Noble Foundation of Ardmore, Oklahoma, U.S.A., to use plant transformation to develop alfalfa (lucerne) with improved digestibility traits using genes developed by Noble. AgriBioTech will fund the research at Noble and will own the lines developed. Monsanto Co. has entered into a broad technology with GeneTrace to investigate the genomes of plants and animals. Monsanto will put $17.2 into privately-held GeneTrace, and obtain options to exclusive licenses to all aspects of GeneTrace's technologies for plant and animal agriculture world-wide, funded R&D, equipment purchases, and supply agreements as well as an equity investment. Monsanto will get a seat on GeneTrace's board. Monsanto has exercised its option to license GeneTrace's genotyping ability and intends to apply it to many crops. San Francisco merchant bank Burrill & Company is creating a venture fund of more than $100 million to invest in start-up agbiotechnology companies. Investors so far include Bayer and AgrEvo. Fund manger will be Dr. Roger Wyse, former Dean of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences at the University of Wisconsin. The fund anticipates making about 30 investments of $3 million to $7 million each. AgrEvo USA Company has announced that it will postpone the introduction of Liberty Link glufosinate-resistant soybeans from 1998 to 1999. The 1998 introduction was to have been very limited, but still might have caused concerns in Europe, where the genetically engineered crop has not yet been approved. This will give importers time to review the technology before it shows up in soybean imports. The decision was strongly supported by the American Soybean Association. (Also, soybean seed is quite short for several suppliers this year due to poor conditions that limited last year's seed harvest. To have a successful introduction in 1999 AgrEvo may want to devote all of its supply to seed increase.) Pioneer Hi-Bred International will expand its gene discovery collaboration with CuraGen Corporation. It will double its funding at CuraGen to at least $5 million annually. The European Commission has formally approved the importation and sale in the EU of several genetically modified types of corn now being grown in the US, and one herbicide-tolerant rapeseed variety grown in Canada (approved for processing only), following approval by a scientific panel in February and by the required number of member states in March. At the same time, the Commission reluctantly agreed to let Austria and Luxembourg keep local import bans on another corn line approved for use in the EU earlier. The Commission will try to overcome these bans in meetings in June with member-country environment ministers. Rhone-Poulenc Agro has joined with French research firm Biogemma (set up last year by Limagrain and Pau-Euralis, combining their biotechnology laboratories) to form a plant biotechnology joint venture called RHOBIO. RHOBIO will pursue agrobiotechnology research in several areas, including disease resistance and enabling technologies. Mycogen Corporation will acquire Brazilian hybrid seed corn company Dinamilho Carol Productos Agricolas Ltda. Dinamilho had sales in 1997 of about $12 million. BSE Surveillance - Australia A ProMED-mail post In 1988, the United Kingdom reported that it had identified a new disease in cattle and called it bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). It was postulated that the disease was caused by a scrapie-like agent and was being spread by the feeding of rendered meat meal and bone meal to cattle. In rapid succession, spongiform encephalopathies were recognised in ruminants in zoos, and in domestic and wild cats. In March 1996, the United Kingdom reported cases of Creutzfeld-Jakob disease (CJD) that did not fit the classical description of that disease. Affected people were younger and the clinical signs and pathology were different to classical CJD. Although the causative agent of new variant CJD was not known at the time, the possibility was raised that it may have arisen from the consumption of BSE-infected meat. In April 1996, the World Health Organization advised countries on precautions to prevent the spread of a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) in countries with and without BSE and other TSEs such as scrapie in sheep. The advice for countries like Australia and New Zealand was to: ban the feeding of meat meal and bone meal (rendered ruminant protein) to ruminants; and review the rendering practices in the country. In May 1996, industry placed a voluntary ban on the feeding of rendered ruminant proteins to ruminants. The Australian Agriculture and Resource Management Council of Australia and New Zealand (ARMCANZ) agreed that States and Territories impose a regulatory ban on the feeding of rendered 2 ruminant protein from 1 November 1996. A review of the standards in the rendering industry demonstrated that all plants have treatments in place that will destroy anthrax and Clostridium perfringens spores no plant had treatments that would destroy the BSE agent (133o C for 20 minutes at 3 bar pressure when processing pieces less than 50 mm size). Given that Australia is free of animal TSEs, there is no reason to require inactivation of the BSE prion protein in Australian rendering processes, particularly as there is a ban on feeding rendered meat meal and bone meal to ruminants. In May 1997, the Office International des Epizooties (OIE) the world animal health organisation recommended that all member organisations institute a monitoring and surveillance program that would detect a BSE-like condition before it became established in cattle populations. The recommended program included: compulsory notification and clinical investigation of suspect cases, namely adult animals showing signs of nervous disease; undertaking a risk assessment to identify potential hazards for BSE occurrence in the country; initiating a continuous surveillance and monitoring program for BSE that addresses the risks identified in the point above; examining brain material of animals older than 20 months displaying progressive neurological signs for TSE at approved laboratories using approved diagnostic techniques; and recording the results of the monitoring and surveillance investigations and maintaining the records for at least seven years. In early October 1997, two research papers reported that new variant CJD in humans is caused by an agent that is either very closely related to or identical with the agent causing BSE in cattle. Even though Australia has never recorded BSE, it is important for Australia to partake in the international quality assurance program demonstrating that there is no BSE or scrapie in Australia. Accordingly, Australian animal health authorities have developed a surveillance program for TSEs in livestock. The Australian Surveillance Program comprises: [1] field investigations by an official veterinarian of cases where veterinary practitioners and/or abattoir veterinarians suspect a TSE on the grounds of clinical signs of nervous disease; [2] laboratory veterinarians screening the case histories of all laboratory submissions with a clinical history of nervous disease, to exclude the diagnosis of a TSE; and [3] veterinary histopathologists, trained in the diagnosis of TSEs, screening the brains of all animals over the age of two years with a clinical history of nervous disease to detect lesions of TSE and establish an alternative diagnosis. The surveillance program has been structured so that there is a 90% probability of finding infection of BSE or scrapie if it occurred in 1% of the nervous conditions occurring in cattle and sheep in Australia. In the first year of the program, Australia will raise the sampling levels to 500 cattle and sheep to provide a 95% probability of finding a 0.5% level of infection. Australia is committed to ensuring that neither BSE nor scrapie establish in either its cattle or sheep populations. Future trade in beef and sheep meats will require certification that there is an effective surveillance program operating for TSEs in Australia. The Australian Surveillance Program for TSE requires the cooperation of primary producers, private veterinarians, government field and abattoir veterinarians and laboratory veterinarians. Where animals are targeted for laboratory investigation, it is very important that appropriate specimens be collected to establish the cause of an animals disease condition as well as establishing that there were no histopathological lesions of BSE or scrapie in the brain. Contributed by A. J. Turner, Chief Veterinary Officer, Victoria; Convenor, Working Group, TSE Surveillance Program 1999 French Government Scientific Fellowships In 1999, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs will offer a limited number of scientific fellowships, managed by the Embassy of France in Canberra, to young qualified scientists involved in French-Australian research projects. The fellowships are tenable for 3-6 months duration and to be taken up between February and December 1999. The purpose of the French Government Scientific Fellowships is to enable successful applicants to visit a French laboratory or institution to pursue their current collaborative research, to complete their training or to implement a well-defined project that can be beneficial to Australia and France. The closing date for receipt of applications is Friday, July 31, 1998. Application and further information from: Janine Mordek, Secretary, French Government Scientific Fellowships, 6 Perth Avenue, Yarralumla ACT 2600 Tel: 02 6216 0139; Fax: 02 6216 0156; email: cst@france.net.au Australian Academy of Science International Exchange Programs - Science and Technology The Australian Academy of Science administers exchange programs which support collaborative research between professional Australian scientists and technologists and their colleagues in the UK, France, Germany, Korea, Taiwan, China and Japan. The programs provide funds for living and travelling costs. Information sheets and application forms are available for visits to China and Japan during the 1999-2000 fiscal year and for visits to the other countries during the 1999 calendar year. Closing dates for the different country programs vary between 1 June and 1 November 1998. Application forms and more information about the programs are available at http://www.science.org.a u/internat/exchange/contscix.htm International Programs, Australian Academy of Science, GPO Box 783, Canberra ACT 2601 Fax: 02 6257 4620; email: is@science.org.au The 1998 Clunies Ross National Science and Technology Awards The Australian Biotechnology Association is an accredited member of the Ian Clunies Ross Memorial Foundation and congratulates all the Award winners. Rotavirus Dr Ruth Bishop and Dr Ian Holmes were part of a team that 25 years ago discovered the human rotavirus, which is the single most common cause of severe dehydrating acute gastroenteritis in children worldwide. There is a pressing need to produce a cheap, effective and orally active vaccine for both humanitarian reasons in preventing the dreadful toll in developing countries, and to reduce deaths and medical costs in developed countries. Dr Bishop and Dr Holmes have spent most of their scientific lives in the understanding and conquest of infantile gastroenteritis. Ruth Bishop, AO Dr Ruth Bishop has devoted her whole career to the improvement of child health worldwide through the application of scientific research. Following the discovery in 1973 of the cause of acute infectious gastroenteritis in children, Dr Bishop conducted epidemiological studies on the impact of the virus in developed and developing countries, and vigorously pursued the production of a vaccine. Through meticulous research, Dr Bishop discovered a naturally attenuated strain of the virus which is the basis for an Australian candidate vaccine currently undergoing clinical trials. Dr Bishop is Professor, Department of Paediatrics, Melbourne University and carries out research at the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne. Ian Holmes Dr Ian Holmes is the world's leading expert on rotavirus, having been personally involved in most of the key discoveries which now underpin Australian and overseas research and understanding of these important pathogens of man and his livestock. Dr Holmes initially identified the virus by electron microscopy in biopsy material from infants with gastroenteritis in 1973. Subsequently Dr Holmes carried out extensive research on the virus and definitively characterised the morphology and morphogenesis of rotavirus, the nature of its complex gene structure, and the function of all of the proteins of the virus and their role in eliciting a protective response from the body's immune system. This fundamental research at the molecular level is a prerequisite for the rational development of vaccines and anti-viral compounds, areas in which Dr Holmes has also made substantial contributions. Dr Holmes is Associate Professor, Department of Microbiology, Melbourne University. Kevin Whithear Dr Kevin Whithear has applied his scientific research to the area of bacterial infections of poultry and developed and commercialised vaccines which have achieved international success. The difficult challenge of mycoplasma infections in poultry has been addressed by Dr Whithear with the introduction of two vaccines which have controlled diseases without the use of antibiotics and without resorting to wasteful culling methods or expensive and ineffectual isolation methods. For Australia the benefits have been considerable with increased poultry production as well as successful export of vaccines to global markets. Even more remarkable is that one of these vaccines is the first live vaccine of overseas origin to be registered for use in livestock in USA and Japan, and product for Japan is manufactured in Australia. Penetration of such highly regulated international markets testifies to the quality of the vaccines as well as the work carried out by Dr Whithear for registration and efficacy testing purposes. Dr Whithear has been the key source of expertise for these products from conception to release and has continued to provide scientific support for the vaccines since their release. Dr Whithear is Associate Professor, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Melbourne and conducts research at the Veterinary Clinical Centre in Werribee. Other Recipients of Awards Ian Croser Ian Croser is co-founder and technical director of CEA Technologies, which has grown to over 100 staff since 1983 and is based in Canberra. Ian Croser has developed radar and communication solutions for civilian and military applications, and placed his company as a world leader in integration of radar technology and data. Ralph Holmes Dr Ralph Holmes is the leading contributor to the development and implementation of internationally recognised sampling methods and procedures for the Australian minerals industry. Dr Holmes is Market Segment Manager, Mineral Products in CSIRO Division of Minerals at Pinjarra Hills in Queensland. New CSIRO Focus on Sustainable Energy Research CSIRO is to undertake a major new drive in sustainable energy research and development, according to Dr John Wright. The newly-named CSIRO Energy Technology, previously CSIRO Coal and Energy Technology, continues CSIRO's strong tradition of research in support of industries associated with energy production, says Dr Wright, Chief of Energy Technology. "The name change heralds a re-focus of our efforts. Over the years, the division has provided excellent value to what are now mainly mature industries. Our work in support of these industries will continue, but we must also invest in projects which will provide major expansion of Australia's technology base," says Dr Wright. "CSIRO has given its support to this shift in emphasis by providing an extra $4.8 million over three years for a key strategic project that meshes fossil and solar energy with emerging technologies such as fuel cells and microturbines. The division's new vision is to provide targeted research to enhance national and international competitiveness and environmental performance within the energy industry. Science Alliance to Boost Coverage Five major science groups announced on 29th March that they have formed a new coalition to promote the public understanding of science and technology in Australia. The first event the Committee will oversee is a three-day forum in Melbourne from May 7 to 10 called Science NOW! The five Presidents have invited the President of the National Press Club to join the Committee to ensure that events will appeal to the media, and reach the widest possible audience. The Committee consists of the Presidents (or their representatives) of the following bodies: The Australian Academy of Science (President Sir Gustav Nossal) The Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (President Mr Tim Besley) The Australian Science Communicators (President Professor Ian Lowe) The Federation of Australian Scientific and Technological Societies (President Professor Peter Cullen) Australian and New Zealand Association for the Advancement of Science (President Professor Paul Adam) The National Press Club (President Mr Ken Randall) Dr Jim Peacock, a member of both Science Academies and head of CSIRO's Division of Plant Industry, has been elected as Chair of the Committee. He said that the cooperation of these peak science councils was a major step in boosting the public communication of science and technology in Australia. "All the groups want to see a better-informed Australia," he said. "We have agreed to pool our resources to produce fresh and exciting events which will add to public understanding of science and technology." The Forum was initially suggested by Australian Science Communicators, and builds on the experience of the ANZAAS Congresses. Dr Peacock said that the first two forums are to be held in Melbourne with the support of the Victorian Government ($100,000 per year over two years), and assisted by the Commonwealth Department of Industry, Science and Tourism. The Committee expects to be inviting the other States to bid for the right to hold this showcase for science and technology in future years. Dr Peacock said a number of states are showing a keen interest in developing S&T policies, and he will be writing to the State Premiers to inform them of the Forum. CRC for Industrial Plant Biopolymers Record Breaking Fermentation Run at Yarraville CRC researchers recently passed a major milestone in large scale plant cell culture, with the completion of a four month, semi-continuous fermentation program in a 1,000 litre fermenter. Announcing the achievement, Dr David McManus said that four months is about twice as long as the published record, and represents a significant step toward commercial operation. "We are confident that with this, and other process improvements under development, production of new biopolymers by large scale plant cell culture will soon be commercially feasible," Dr McManus said. By far the majority of biopolymers used industrially are derived from plants - for example starches, pectins, gum arabic and locust bean gum. The ability to produce biopolymers is shared by all plants, although the type of biopolymer produced varies from one species to another. The CRC is making the most of this natural diversity through the development of technology to produce natural gums in a controlled industrial environment, based on a technique called plant cell suspension culture. With the right blend of nutrients and growth promoters, it is possible to encourage plant tissue to revert to a friable, amorphous state (similar to mashed potato), known as callus. When the callus is transferred to a liquid nutrient medium it breaks down further to a fine suspension of cells, which can be grown to large volumes in sterile fermentation vessels. As the cell suspensions grow, the biopolymers that normally make up the cell wall are secreted into the surrounding fluid. The product is harvested by filtering off the cells, removing unwanted salts and drying the biopolymer. CRC researchers have found that each cell line secretes a unique blend of biopolymer components, making it possible to screen a wide range of plant species to identify gums with novel properties. To date, the CRC screening program has examined cultures from about 150 species, and has identified several new biopolymers with interesting thickening, emulsification and gelling properties. Promising cell lines are initially grown in shaker flasks and small fermenters (up to about 10 litres volume), to establish their basic growth and production properties, and for nutrient optimisation. This work is primarily undertaken in the CRC laboratories at Food Science Australia (formerly CSIRO Division of Food Science and Technology) in Sydney. Research then switches to the scale-up facility at Albright & Wilson's site at Yarraville, Melbourne, for further process development. This facility houses eight fermenters with volumes up to 1,000 litres, with a 10,000 litre vessel under construction. Product recovery equipment is also available, allowing production of kilogram quantities of new biopolymers for applications testing. A First Step Towards Engineering Improved Phosphate Uptake Among the trio of major plant nutrients, phosphorus is the most limiting compared to nitrogen and potassium. Many soils are low in phosphorus and even when it is abundant, uptake of this nutrient by plants can be tricky. Bioavailability of phosphorus is very critical in the acidic soils of the tropics where iron and aluminium interfere with its uptake. Thus, millions of acres of land in developing countries have phosphorus deficiency problems. Calcium-rich soils in the Southeast and Great Plains of the United States are also plagued with a similar problem. Countries such as India spend an enormous amount of their precious foreign exchange in importing phosphate fertilizer which is derived from rock phosphate found in a few areas such as the US, Russia, Morocco and Tunisia. Global reserves of high quality rock phosphate are limited and may run out in about 100 years according to one estimate. A logical way to address this problem is by developing plants which can efficiently draw phosphate (a common form of phosphorus) from soil. Until recently, scientists knew very little about the molecular basis of how plants absorb critical nutrients such as phosphorus, potassium and sulfur. A recent flurry of papers reporting the isolation of ion transporters in plants is improving our understanding of nutrient uptake in plants. A research group led by K.G. Raghothama at Purdue University were the first to clone phosphate transporter genes in plants from Arabidopsis in 19961. More recently, they have also shown the existence of such genes in tomato2. To clone the phosphate transporter genes, the Purdue group grew roots of Arabidopsis under phosphate-deprived conditions. This led the plants to switch on the phosphate transporter genes which were then isolated using expressed sequence tags (ESTs) as probes to screen a plant cDNA library. These genes were found to be expressed differentially in the roots of phosphate-starved plants. The phosphate transporter genes in tomato isolated by the Purdue group, and those from potato, Medicago and Catharanthus identified by other researchers, appear to be similar in structure and function to the Arabidopsis genes. Predictably, expression of the tomato genes appears to be localized in the root epidermis, the site of phosphate uptake. Changes in the cellular concentration of phosphorus apparently induce the expression of these genes. Raghothama's team is now developing transgenic plants to overexpress transporter genes to test whether this would result in a higher efficiency uptake of phosphorus. Identification of genes involved in phosphate uptake is a major first step towards the eventual development of plants which can absorb phosphorus from soil in an efficient manner. Strategies like this may play an increasingly important role in the future to deal with the problems of poor soil fertility and to reduce the dependency on fertilizer application. This would be particularly welcome by resource-poor farmers in developing countries. References 1. Muchhal, U.S., J.M. Pardo & K.G. Raghothama. 1996. Phosphate transporters from the higher plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 93: 10519-10523. 2. Liu, C. et al. 1998. Tomato phosphate transporter genes are differentially regulated in plant tissues by phosphorus. Plant Physiol. 116:91-99. Contributed by C.S. Prakash, Center for Plant Biotechnology Research, Tuskegee University from ISB News Report, May 1998 Rotavirus Vaccine shows Great Promise Rotavirus is the most common cause of severe diarrhoeal disease in infants all over the world and an important public health problem, particularly in devloping countries. The virus is believed to be responsible for 125 million cases of diarrhoea each year with 600,000 to 870,000 deaths. The incidence of severe and often fatal rotavirus diarrhoea is particularly high in developing countries. Several vaccine candidates have been evaluated in recent years and recent results obtained with a quadrivalent rhesus rotavirus vaccine (RRV-TV), the only vaccine licensed so far, has raised hopes that an effective vaccine will soon be available for widespread use. Although trials in developed countries (USA, Finland) have shown this vaccine to be highly effective in preventing severe rotaviral diarrhoea, the ultimate test is its efficacy in a Third World setting. It is thus most encouraging that recent results of a vaccine trial in Venezuela, where 2,207 infants received three oral doses (4 x 105 PFU/dose) of the RRV-TV vaccine, showed that it gave 88% protection against severe rotaviral diarrhoea, 75% protection against dehydration and produced a 70% reduction in hospital admissions. The overall efficacy against a first episode of rotavirus diarrhoea was 48% (Perez-Schael et al., N. Engl. J. Med. 337, 1181-1187, 1997). It is now imperative to determine that the high level of protection seen against severe diarrhoea in Venezula can be reproduced in other developing countries, especially in Asia. The encouraging results of these vaccine trials seems particularly apt as 1998 marks the 25th anniversary of the discovery of rotavirus by Australian virologist Ruth Bishop who first described the agent in 1973. (Contributed by Prof. Tikki Pang, Malaysia) Progress in Development of Edible Vaccines The use of transgenic plants expressing antigens from pathogenic microbes has led to the
idea of
`edible' vaccines. Earlier experimental studies with pathogenic E. coli and also
with V. cholerae
have shown that mice fed on transgenic potatoes expressing toxin genes produced a significant
immune response and were protected from challenge with the virulent toxin. In the next
significant
step, researchers have recently demonstrated the `proof-of-principle' in preliminary human
Contributed by Prof. Tikki Pang, Malaysia Leading Immunologists to Run Course in Malaysia Leading immunologists, Abul K. Abbas and Martin Dorf from Harvard University, U.S.A. will be leading a course entitled "Immunology Update for Clinicians and Scientists" at the Paradise Malacca Village Resort, Malacca, Malaysia from October 30-November 1, 1998. The course will be essentially an update on the important fundamental concepts in immunology including innate immunity, lymphocyte development, antibodies, antigen presentation, MHC, T cell activation & development, tolerance & automimmunity, T cell subsets, cytokines, immunology of infectious diseases, and will also include case discussions. This is a unique opportunity to hear from two leading experts in the field and attend a course in a delghtful little resort near the historic city of Malacca, an easy 90 minute drive from the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur. Course registration fee is RM 200 and accomodation costs (inclusive of all meals) range from RM 135 to RM 235 per day. For further information please contact Assoc. Prof. Shamala Devi, Dept. of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (tel : 603 7595759, fax : 603 7582801; email : shamala@ medicine.med.um.edu.my) Contributed by Prof. Tikki Pang, Malaysia EU Science and Technology EU Research Ministers have agreed an overall budget of 14 billion ECUs for the next EU
Science
and Technology research Programme (5th Framework Programme 1998-2002). The budget is
substantially lower than that proposed by the European Commission and Parliament (16.3 and
16.7 billion ECUs respectively) and the Commission commented that the budget gave a
negative
political signal for the priorities of the EU. Seven specific programmes will be funded and one
of
these will be the "Quality of life and living resources" which will receive Company News AMRAD Half Yearly Report to 31 December 1997 AMRAD Corporation Limited is an Australian pharmaceutical and biotechnology company with a mission to commercialise Australian biomedical research in world markets. Based in Melbourne, AMRAD's businesses encompass the research and development of pharmaceutical products in the areas of neuroscience, virology and cytokines; the commercialisation of technologies involved in the discovery of pharmaceutical compounds with collaborators utilising natural product screening and genome science; the sales and marketing of human pharmaceuticals and the development, manufacture, sale and distribution of biotechnology and diagnostic products. Key Points
Biotechnology Investments Limited Leads A$7 Million Investment in Florigene Biotechnology Investments Limited (BIL), a leading UK-listed investment company advised by the Rothschild Bioscience Unit (RBU), announced on 22 April that it has invested $5 million in Florigene Limited, a Melbourne-based biotechnology company specialising in the development of novel flowers for the international cut-flower market. BIL led the A$7 million investment round, with existing investors, CP Ventures and the Japan Australia Venture Capital Fund, each contributing $1 million. Florigene is a world leader in the floriculture industry. The company is best known for isolating the gene responsible for blue pigmentation in flowers, with a view to rapidly developing new varieties of flowers, in particular, a blue rose. Florigene is already producing and marketing mauve-coloured carnations. The company launched its Moondust carnation onto the Australian market in 1996 and onto the Japanese market the following year. Moondust was the first genetically modified cut flower product to be approved for sale anywhere in the world. A second darker mauve carnation variety, Moonshadow, is about to be released into the Australian market. A second darker mauve carnation variety, Moonshadow, is about to be released into the Australian market. Plans to launch Moondust into the major European and US markets are well advanced. Dr Geoff Brooke, Director of the RBU in Australia, said, "Florigene is the world's first company to produce new varieties of cut flowers by genetic modification for sale in international markets. This technique has significant advantages. It not only reduces the time to market for new varieties, but also enables the production of flowers with unique characteristics unattainable by conventional breeding. We believe that Florigene has significant growth prospects and is in an excellent position to capture a niche share of the $30 billion per annum international cut flower market. The company represents an outstanding investment opportunity for our bioscience funds," he said. Biota's Flu Diagnostic Test Filed in the United States Biota Holdings Limited announced on 11 May the filing for clearance to market its rapid diagnostic test for influenza, AB FLU OIA® with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States. This follows the recent filing with regulatory authorities in Australia by Glaxo Wellcome Australia of Biota's anti-flu drug, Relenza®. The diagnostic 510K was filed in the United States by Biota's partner in its development, BioStar, a diagnostic company based in Boulder, Colorado. Subject to clearance from the FDA, Biota and BioStar plan to launch the diagnostic in the United States later this year. Marketing outside the United States will also begin later this year ahead of the northern hemisphere winter. Biota and BioStar will shar profits from sales of the diagnostic in the United States and Biota will pay BioStar a royalty on sales made outside the United States. Sales of the diagnostic are expected to be limited prior to the availability of Relenza on the market. Biota's Chief Executive Officer, Dr Hugh Niall, said: "Our goal was to develop a simple, rapid `point of care' diagnostic which detects both influenza A and B in 15 minutes. The AB FLU OIA test can be performed in the local doctor's office without the need for instrumentation. It can be used with multiple sample types and provides excellent performance," Dr Niall said. "We expect that it will become an effective tool in quickly identifying patients with influenza, who can then be treated with the influenza therapy, Relenza, when it becomes available." Optiscan Reaches Agreement with Olympus Optiscan Imaging Limited announced today that it had successfully resolved a patent infringement claim against Olympus Optical Co Ltd., the Japanese optical instrument company. Olympus recently launched a confocal microscope on to the US market which Optiscan believed infringed Optiscan's patents in the US and other overseas markets. As part of the settlement of Optiscan's claim against Olympus, Optiscan has granted a non-exclusive license to Olympus for the sale of confocal microscopes. Under the terms of the license, Optiscan will receive $A100,000 up front followed by royalties on each infringing microscope. The license granted relates only to confocal microscopes for general bench top use and does not include endoscopic application of the technology which is unique to Optiscan, and is Optiscan's primary business focus. Roger Wallis, Optiscan's General Manager, said that Olympus was not the only confocal microscope manufacturer Optiscan is pursuing. "The US confocal microscope market is worth over $US 40 million per annum and we believe most of these sales now infringe our patents. In addition to Olympus, Bio-Rad Laboratories, Zeiss, Leica, Nikon, and Noran Instruments Inc. are the main suppliers and we are looking to obtain royalties from all of these manufacturers," he said. "Discussions are currently taking place." Optiscan has also designed and patented a unique confocal endomicroscope which it is developing for clinical endoscopic applications. This new miniature microscope permits direct and non-invasive views of cells inside the human body. It will allow living cells to be viewed under high magnification at the actual time of medical consultation and thereby facilitate direct microscopic diagnosis. This will also reduce the need to take tissue samples invasively for biopsy examination in the laboratory. SA Scientists Win $2.9 Million Grant to Develop Anti-Cancer Drug Clinical trials of a revolutionary anti-cancer drug being developed by South Australian scientists could begin this year with the help of Federal Government assistance. Adelaide biotechnology company, BresaGen Limited, has been offered a $2.9 million AusIndustry R&D Start grant to assist further development of the drug, which laboratory tests show to be highly effective against certain myeloid leukaemias. Researchers at BresaGen and Adelaide's Hanson Centre for Cancer Research say the new drug - a genetically altered natural hormone - may also be effective in the teatment of certain types of solid tumours. Dr John Smeaton, BresaGen's Managing Director, said the grant would be matched dollar for dollar by BresaGen. The funding would enable the hormone to be manufactured locally and undertake the rigorous testing procedures required before a drug can be released for medical use. Dr Smeaton said that BresaGen would manufacture the hormone at its Thebarton headquarters during the trial stage and if approved, would upgrade its manufacturing capacity on site to handle world-wide production. He said manufacture of the hormone would use techniques devised by BresaGen and the Biochemistry Department of the University of Adelaide. "Potentially, sales of the drug could be worth hundreds of millions of dollars a year to the State and the Australian economy, particularly if it is efficacious against breast cancer" he said. The hormone was initially discovered by staff at the Hanson Centre for Cancer Research (HCCR), part of the Institute of Medical and Veterinary Science (IMVS) in Adelaide. Professor Angel Lopez, the Head of the Hanson Centre's Cytokine Receptor Laboratory and Professor Mathew Vadas, Director of the HCCR, said the hormone had been patented by the IMVS and was being developed under licence to BresaGen. "It is a genetically altered version of a natural hormone which attaches to certain types of cancer cells and assists their rapid development," they said. "The genetically altered hormone attaches to the same cancer cell receptors as the natural hormone, but instead of assisting the cell to grow and divide, it prevents any further growth and eventually kills it. By injecting the altered hormones into the body, we believe it will be possible to stop cancer cells from multiplying by blocking their receptors while not affecting normal cells. It may provide a way of slowing the progress of the cancer, or it may provide a complete cure." Professor Lopez said the treatment would be a major advance on present chemotherapy treatment, which attacks all cells and has dose limitations in usage. Biotechnology Market Leader Appoints Public Affairs Manager Monsanto Australia Limited announced the appointment on 24 March of Mr Nicolaas Tydens as the Public Affairs Manager for Monsanto's agricultural business in Australia. The area director of Monsanto Australia, Roger Angell, said Monsanto's business and profile had grown substantially in recent years, making the role of public affairs increasingly important for the company. "Monsanto has always been a technology leader in the Australian market, and our new generation biotechnology is putting us further in front. Our leadership position in Australian agriculture means we attract attention from all sectors of the community, agriculture, business and Government. We want to be in a position to respond quickly to requests for information, and be more proactive in explaining the benefits of Monsanto technology and our role in the quest to make Australian agriculture truly sustainable," Mr Angell said. Mr Tydens has worked for Monsanto for more than 20 years and brings to the job a wealth of experience in Australian agriculture and knowledge of Monsanto's technology. For the past six years Mr Tydens was Regulatory and Environmental Affairs Manager, and has previously worked with Monsanto in product development and marketing. "Biotechnology is the next green revolution in agriculture and this is an exciting new age for Australian agriculture. I am looking forward to providing information on the benefits of the green revolution to our customers and the public," Mr Tydens said. Monsanto Australia is the manufacturer and supplier of Roundup® herbicide and has been instrumental in developing conservation tillage, a key plank in developing sustainable cropping systems in Australia. Monsanto's revolutionary insect resistant cotton, INGARD® cotton, has helped the cotton industry reduce reliance on traditional insecticide sprays. Roche Diagnostics and Boehringer Mannheim Businesses Merge in Australia The merger of Roche Diagnostics and Boehringer Mannheim Australia is now complete. This merger of the businesses in Australia has resulted in the following Roche Diagnostics Divisions: Molecular Biochemicals - provides the research tools for Life Scientists for discovering the cause of, or pre-disposition to disease and for the development of early diagnostic and therapeutic applications (Gene Analysis, Gene Expression, Apoptosis, PCR, Non-radioactive labelling and detection, instrumentation, etc.) Laboratory Systems - provides improved patient health through the application of modern
laboratory diagnostics as an Patient Care - the world's leading supplier of devices which give a healthcare professional or a patient immediate diagnostic information (Glucose meters - Advantage, Glucotrend, Reflolux S, Accutrend, visual test strips - urine, blood, drugs, lancing systems, Reflotron, Coaguchek, Cardiac reader, Troponin T sensitive, BM-Test Helicobacter). The Australian structure consists of three diagnostic Divisions (Laboratory Systems, E.
Flynn;
Patient Care, J. Mayjor; BIO SHARES Covering Australian Biotechnology Stocks - compiled by M.J. Playne
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. Biocomputing BioGroup The Bioremediation Discussion Group (BioGroup) home page (http://biogroup.gzea.com) consists of a moderated Internet mailing list serving approximately 1,700 members worldwide. The BioGroup was established to provide a global forum for the environmental science/engineering communities to discuss intrinsic/enhanced bioremediation topics. The home page contains information about bioremediation, the BioGroup mailing list, a searchable archive of technical papers that may be downloaded at no cost, and links to >900 related web resources. Molecular Modeling Electronic Conference The Molecular Modeling Electronic Conference (TMMeC) announces that the papers on display for its current number are now open for discussion. TMMeC is accessible at: http://bilbo.edu.uy/tmmec/ TMMec is a non-for-profit, educational activity sponsored by the Universidad de la Republica, Montevideo, Uruguay. TMMeC is a freely accessible, indexed (ISSN 0797-9274), peer-reviewed multimedia publication established with the aim of providing a setup for fast and continuous display of current work in Molecular Modeling and Computational Chemistry. Biotechnology Industrial Platforms The Biotechnology Industrial Platforms (IPs) have set up a combined web page site. It provides details on their aims and members as well as contacts. These platforms are a feature of the EU's Biotechnology Programme and are industrial groupings established around specific research topics with a primary objective of exploiting EU funded biotechnology R&D. Since the first platforms were established in 1990, the number has now grown to 11, with the latest platform member being the Healthy Ageing Europe 2000, (HAE 2000). Web site address is: http://europa.eu.int/comm/dg12/bio tech/ip.html Australian Academy of Technological Sciences & Engineering The site may be accessed at http://www.atse.org.au. It is being developed as an additional means for communicating with the diverse spectrum of audiences important to the Academy. Current Contents Connect Take a free trial or subscribe Current Contents Connect: http://connect.isihost.com. Seven multidisciplinary editions: Life sciences; Clinical medicine; Engineering, Computing and Technology; Agriculture, Biology and Environmental Sciences; Physical, Chemical & Earth Sciences; Social & Behavioral Science; Arts & Humanities. More New Web Sites The ABA Web site (in subject field) has been included in the Edinburgh Engineering Virtual Library (EEVL): http://www.eevl.ac.uk/ - the UK gateway to engineering resources on the Internet for the higher academic and research community. It is a free, non-profit making service and is funded by the Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC) on behalf of the UK Higher Education Funding Councils. EEVL is fast becoming the first port of call for anyone looking for engineering information via the Internet, and is receiving hundreds of hits each day. Contributed by Agnes Guyon The Web site of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America - http://www.phrma.org - contains 1998 survey information about biotechnology-derived medicines. The details can be accessed through the Drugs in Development section, via the subsection titled "Biotechnology Medicines in Development: A 1998 Survey." Contributed by Dr Janice Hirshorn A new Web site on PCR (polymerase chain reaction) technology. A new interactive site - http://sunsite.berkeley.edu/pcr - devoted to discussion and debate about the past, present, and future of PCR. Features a digitalarchive of foundational articles, a brief introduction, and regular presentations on recent advances in PCR research and development. Contributed by Dr Soren Germer, MEETINGS 10-13 August 1998, Boston, MA USA Drug & Discovery Technology Breaking the bottleneck: Innovation and Speed in Drug Discovery Contact: IBC USA Conferences Inc. Fax: +1 508 481 7911; email: reg@ibcusa.com 13-15 August 1998, Maine, USA Biotechnology: Products, Policy &The Public Third World Issues Contact: Karen Kane, Fax: +1 207 288 6080; email: kgk@jax.org 14-16 September 1998, Glasgow, Scotland The 3rd European Biotechnology Symposium Contact: Cheryl Goff/Sophie Ure, Meeting Makers, Fax: +44 141 552 0511; email: ebs@meetingmakers.co.uk; Internet: www.genengnews.com/symposium 2.html 21-22 September 1998, Manning Clark Centre, ANU, Canberra The Florey Centenary Symposium on Helicobacter pylori Contact: Conference Logistics, PO Box 505, Curtin ACT 2605 Tel: 02 6281 6624; email: conference@conlog.com.au 22-24 September 1998, Melbourne Science 2000 Scientific and laboratory exhibition including professional seminars, workshops and short courses. Contact: Alan Lawrenson, Tel: 02 9804 8051; Fax: 02 9804 8052; email: ssaa@enternet.com.au; Internet: www.ssaa.asn.au 30 September 1998, SCI, London UK New Analytical Techniques in Biotechnology Contact: Society of Chemical Industry, 14/15 Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8PS Fax: +44 171 235 7743; email: conferences@chemind.demon.co.uk 10-12 November 1998, Lyon, France The Biotrade Initiative of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), in collaboration with the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), Banco AXIAL, the Corporaci Andina de Fomento (CAF), and the Spanish government is sponsoring a conference on `Bio-partnerships for Sustainable Development: Commercialisation and the Bio-industry Challenge'. The conference is designed to highlight the commercial potential of biodiversity and to set a positive and pro-active agenda for sustainable development of biological resources. The Bio-partnerships for Sustainable Development conference will share key sessions with the Partners for Development meeting being organized in Lyon by UNCTAD. The Partners for Development meeting which is anticipated to draw over 3000 participants from around the world, will include the participation at the highest level from governments, the private sector and all segments of society. The meeting will be attended by the Secretary General of the UN, several heads of state, CEO's of major corporations and directors of major international institutions. Contact: Juan A. de Castro _ Fax: +41 22 907 0044; email: juan.de.castro@unctad.org 9-12 November 1998 - Adelaide 1998 Hanson Symposium - From Genes to Therapeutics Contact: Plevin & Associates Pty Ltd, Tel: 08 8379 8222; Fax: 08 8379 8177; email: plevin@camtech.net.au 23-27 November 1998, Perth, WA Biodiversity, Biotechnology & Business - 2nd Asia Pacific Conference on Biotechnology Contact: Conference Secretariat, Tel: 08 9322 6906; Fax: 08 9322 1734; email: biodiversity@science.murdoch.edu.au 29-31 March 1999, University of Reading 4th International Conference on Separations for Biotechnology Contact: Society of Chemical Industry, 14/15 Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8PS Fax: +44 171 235 7743; email: conferences@chemind.demon.co.uk 4-9 July 1999, Melbourne International Symposium on Analytical Science (AISAS-99) Hosted by the RACI and the SSAA Contact: Dr Domenico Caridi, Secretary AISAS-99, Tel: 03 9688 4763; Fax: 03 9688 4995 NMHCC/Biotechnology Conferences 2nd Annual Therapeutic Developments in Chronic Pain May 18-19, 1998 Annapolis, MD NMHCC's Second International Discovery '98- Emerging Technologies for Drug Discovery May 18-21, 1998 San Diego, CA Asthma & Allergy - Utilizing Pharmacogenetic and Cost Effective Approaches for Target Validation June 4-5, 1998 Baltimore, MD 2nd Annual Cancer Immunotherapy and Gene Therapy: Strategies and Advances in Technologies with Pre-Conference Symposium: Cancer Detection and Immunotherapy: Novel Markers and Diagnostic Tools June 15-16, 1998 Arlington, VA Recombinant Antibodies for Pioneering Therapeutics with Pre-Conference Symposium: Antibody Expression June 17-18, 1998 Arlington, VA 2nd Annual Therapeutic Targets in Neurodegenerative Diseases with Post-Conference Symposium: Nutraceuticals: Novel Hypotheses for Mechanism of Action June 22-23, 1998 San Diego, CA Molecular Arrays: Microfabrication for Biochips July 13-14, 1998 San Jose, CA 2nd Annual Cell Signaling: Signal Transduction and Gene Transcription with Pre-Conference Symposium: Progress Towards Signal Transduction and Gene Regulating Drugs July 13-15, 1998 San Diego, CA 2nd Annual Post - Genomic Analysis of Therapeutic Targets August 3-4, 1998 San Diego, CA 2nd Annual Orthopaedic Tissue Engineering with Workshop: Meniscus & Articular Cartilage Repair August 10-12, 1998 Boston, MA Choice and Development of Cell Lines for High-Throughput Screening with Workshop: Metabolic Stability and Toxicity Screening with Hepatocytes August 13-14, 1998 San Diego, CA 2nd Annual Bioanalytical Technologies: Latest Methods and Applications to Characterize the Specified Biological September 14-15, 1998 Baltimore, MD 2nd Annual Emerging Directions in Combinatorial Chemistry September 14-16, 1998 San Diego, CA Therapeutic Targets in Osteoporosis with Post-Conference Workshop: Special Considerations for Clinical Trial Development for Osteoporosis Drugs September 16-18, 1998 Philadelphia, PA Pharmacogenetics/Pharmacogenomic Business Strategies: CRO- Pharmaceutical Partnerships September 17-18, 1998 Baltimore, MD Insulin Sensitizers: Therapeutic Advances in Diabetes and Obesity September 24-25, 1998 Philadelphia, PA Drug Discovery Collaborations: Mastering Biotech-Pharmaceutical Partnerships to Achieve Win-Win Results October 1-2, 1998 Philadelphia, PA Angiogenesis: Therapeutic Applications October 1-2, 1998 Bethesda, MD 2nd Annual Protein Analysis and Characterization: Proteomics October 26-28, 1998 Baltimore, MD 4th Annual Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies: Managing Risk in Mammalian Organs, Cells & Sera October 26-27 Washington, DC 3rd Annual International Assay Development for High-Throughput Screening February 15-17, 1999 San Diego, Ca 2nd Annual Advances in MultiWell Technologies: From Nano to Macro-Levels February 18-19, 1999 San Diego, CA Visit our Web Site: http://www.biotech.nmhcc.org Email to biotech@nmhcc.com Fax your request to: (781) 663-6412 Call outside USA: (+1 941-373-1290) Mail: NMHCC Bio/Technology Conference Division, 71 Second Avenue, 3rd Floor, Waltham, MA 02154 USA (Please include your full name, title, company name, address, phone and fax numbers and the name(s) of conference(s) in which you are interested in your message.) Product News JOHN MORRIS New C-Line Shakers from NBS New Brunswick Scientific has launched a new range of quality shakers which provide microprocessor accuracy at a price you can afford. The 7-shaker C-line models are designed for applications ranging from culturing cells and hybridisation to staining gels and growing plasmid preps. Setpoints for speed, temperature, running time and alarms are easily entered and lock in for tight control. C-line shakers are available in a range of sizes with ambient, refrigerated and high-temperature models available to meet virtually any need. A large selection of accessories accommodate test tubes and flasks up to six litres. The new NBS C-line Shakers give you high-technology at an affordable price, from a company renowned for its experience and reliablility. Further information: Claire Arevalo (Tel: (02) 9417 8877; Fax: (02) 9417 8855; Email: jms@enternet.com.au) HASKEL INTERNATIONAL High/low pressure homogenizer design reduces capital and energy costs A new homogenizer design from the Nanojet division of U. S. company Haskel International provides savings in both equipment and operating costs over traditional high pressure methods of mixing oil and water based liquids. The patented high/low design homogenizers may be used in both laboratory prototyping
and Homogenization can only be achieved by simultaneous mixing and droplet size reduction. This process has traditionally required that a premixed raw emulsion of oil and water be pumped to high pressure to attain the necessary size reduction in the oil droplets. The need for mixing tanks and high power consumption of the process has usually limited homogenization to very expensive products or those which require less stability and consequently use lower homogenzing pressures. In contrast, the new Nanojet accepts both liquids at zero pressure, eliminating the need for high pressure mixing tanks. Hydraulically driven intensifiers elevate the pressure of the oil phase to a level between 400 and 2,000 bar (depending on product specifications), while the water phase is pumped into the homogenizing valve with a pressure of only 100 to 150 bar. Within the valve, the two fluid streams are released into a common interaction zone that is kept under a pre-set back pressure, where they collide at high velocity. The total mixture is discharged via a two-stage outlet valve that enhances homogenization. The process produces a 1.6 degree (C) temperature increase for each 100 bar discharge pressure increase. Because this is far lower than traditional homogenizing units, cooling costs are said to be reduced as much as 80 percent. A comparison of energy consumption conducted by the manufacturer showed 223 kW for traditional homogenizing and 48.9 kW for the Nanojet system to support an hourly production rate of 4,000 liters of an emulsion for a low-fat sauce. Use of lower pressures to achieve comparable products produces additional capital savings because the costs of all equipment increase more than proportionally when pressure requirements are increased. The newly designed homogenizers are available in small sizes for research and product prototyping and in high capacity production models. Demonstrations can be arranged at customer locations, allowing companies to evaluate the system in their own production or laboratory facilities. Leasing arrangements are also available. For additional information, contact: Haskel International Inc.Peter DuffyV. P. Sales and Marketing 100 East Graham Place, Burbank, CA 91502 USA Fax +1 818-841-4291 POLAROID Polaroid Aiding the Electronics Industry with Latest Digital Microscope Camera Digitally capturing a darkfield micrograph of a microcircuit at 500 times magnification is now simple. In keeping with its reputation as an industry leader in specialised photography, Polaroid announce the introduction of the Polaroid Digital Microscope Camera (DMC). Designed specifically for microscopy applications, the DMC offers high resolution and a wide array of software and hardware features. Polaroid herald another first in bringing Digital Microscope Camera technology to under $10,000. Previously systems with this resolution and detail were typically several times this costing. The Polaroid DMC meets those needs and offers several major advantages over existing cameras to meet the exacting standards of microscope photography. One, a 12.15mm `mega' pixel CCD sensor, compatible with 1" and most 2/3" formats, allows users to capture 24-bit colour digital images at a resolution of 1600 x 1200 pixels. Two, an intelligent recovery system allows the extraction and use of more luminance information to render photographic-type images. And three, the employment of rectangular pixels allows dual resolutions of 1600 x 1200 and 800 x 600 pixels to satisfy the different needs of the end user. Standard SCSI communication ensures quick and efficient image transfer with maximum integrity. Another important benefit, the built-in C-mount interface, enables the DMC to couple to a microscope with a standard C-mount and does not require the special, expensive adapters that are typical in the industry. For further information contact Polaroid at (02) 9950 7000. TRACE SCIENTIFIC Enzymatic Antimitochondrial Antibody (M2) Reagent The measurement of anti-M2 has proved to be a useful indicator of Primary Biliary Cirrhosis (PBC), an autoimmune disorder affecting the small bile ducts of the liver. Trace have recently introduced an enzymatic kit for the detection of anti-M2 in human serum. The Trace Enzumatic Antimitochondrial Antibody (EMA) method is unique in that it is based on the potent Pyruvate Dehydrogenase complex (PCC) inhibitory properties of anti-M2. In the presence of anti-M2, the reaction is inhibited typically by >30% when compared to serum without the antibody present. Current methods for detecting anti-M2, such as ELISA, are time consuming and cannot be easily automated. The Trace EMA kit on the other hand is easily adapted to routine automated analysers such as the Roche Cobas MiraTM. Evaluations carried out with a range of patent serum, including known PBC patients, produced a sensitivity of 82% and specificity of 100%. The Trace EMA kit includes reagents, calibrator, abnormal and medical decision level control. Glucose - DST Reagent Trace Scientific has expanded the DST range of products with the release of its new Glucose _ DST. The Glucose _ DST reagent like other Trade DST products, is provided as a ready to use liquid (12 months stability at 2-8oC). The reagent utilises the widely used Hexokinase methodology, has a wide dynamic range (45 mmol/L or 810 mg/dL) and fast completion time (3 minutes). Glucose _ DST is available in a 2 x 125 mL format (liquid or powder) or 2 x 1000 mL (liquid only) configuration. Further information: Peter Murphy, Trace Scientific Ltd (Tel: 03 9790 4100; Fax: 03 9790 4155). REGENT Regent Medical Warns Healthcare Providers of Glove Powder Hazards Starch powdered latex surgical gloves can have serious consequences for patients and healthcare professionals. That was the message conveyed to healthcare industry representatives at a meeting in Sydney on 3 April. The meeting coincided with the NSW Operating Theatre Association's Annual Conference and set the record straight on the hazards associated with the use of starch powdered latex gloves within Australia's healthcare environment. "Exposure to starch powdered latex gloves, either directly or indirectly, may increase a person's chances of developing an allergic reaction to latex proteins," said Mr Howard Broadbridge, Divisional Manager, Regent Medical Asia Pacific. "The starch powder binds with extractable latex proteins which are present to some degree in all natural rubber latex gloves. Contact with it, particularly for latex sensitised healthcare professionals or patients, can lead to skin irritation, allergic dermatitis reactions, even life threatening anaphylactic shock in extreme cases," he said. "Starch glove powder dries and irritates the skin and in many cases exacerbates allergic reactions. The starch powder can also aerosolise and carry latex proteins to those in the immediate environment. The proteins may then be inhaled. Those most likely to be affected by starch powdered latex surgical gloves include surgeons, dentists, nurses, latex sensitised patients, patients with spina bifida (especially children) or patients who have undergone numerous surgical procedures." Regent Medical are also producers of Biogel Neotech, the world's first powder-free, non natural rubber latex surgical glove: solving the problem of latex protein allergy without the worry of powder. Further information: Howard Broadbridge, Regent Medical (Tel: (02) 9959 2292; Fax: (02) 9959 2244; Email: serv21@ozemail.com.au) METTLER TOLEDO Weighing Sensors with MonoBloc Technology In the majority of its precision balances, Mettler Toledo now uses a high performance weighing cell constructed with its novel MonoBloc technology. The entire structure is spark eroded from a single aluminium allow block using innovative electrical discharge wire cutting. Parallel guidance, link, hanger and up to three transmission levers are integrated in the MonoBloc. This reduces the number of components and moving parts by more than 50% and further improves the already legendary dependability of Mettler Toledo balances. The 2-dimensional design of the MonoBloc prevents stresses or torsional moments arising in the balance is loaded. Its characteristics when loaded off-centre (cornerload) are considerably more stable and, once adjusted, will never change, since the cell does not age and there are no screw connections. Further information: Diane Simonelli (Tel: (03) 9644 5729; Email: diane.simonelli@mt.com ABA OFFICE BEARERS PRESIDENT: Prof. Joan Dawes (BioDiscovery Ltd)
VICE PRESIDENT: Dr John Smeaton (BresaGen Limited) PAST PRESIDENT: Dr. John Smeaton (BresaGen Limited)
DIRECTORS: Dr Anne Campbell (CRC Association)
Dr Edwina Cornish (Florigene Pty Ltd)
Mr Gary Cox (Wray & Associates) Prof. Joan Dawes (BioDiscovery Ltd) Dr Shirley Lanning (Rothschild Asset Mgmt)
Dr Peter Riddles (CSIRO Div of Tropical Agriculture) Dr John Smeaton (BresaGen Limited) Dr Lyndal Thorburn (Advance Consulting & Evaluation)
Dr Elane Zelcer (Thrombogenix Pty Ltd) SECRETARY: Mrs Barbara Arnold TREASURER : Dr Craig Smith - CUB (Brewtech) ABA COMMITTEES : PUBLIC EDUCATION RESOURCES COMMITTEE: INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY: Dr Robert Klupacs (AMRAD
Operations)
GENETIC RELEASE: Dr Sue Meek (WA Dept of Commerce
& Trade) PUBLICATIONS: Dr Martin Playne (CSIRO) W.A. BRANCH Dr Michael Borowitzka (Murdoch Uni) QLD BRANCH Dr Peter Riddles (CSIRO Div of Tropical
Agriculture) PROVOCATION Food Labels As the European Union adopts a hard-line on the labelling of food containing genetically-engineered products, and the USA a less restrictive approach, the question arises of the use of such labelling restrictions as trade barriers. In Australia, we see a manufacturer of soy-based products planning to label that their products contain no genetically-engineered plants. As I see it, the problem with such food labelling is that for space reasons, it must lack real precision. Distinguishing between the use of a genetically-modified processing aid (eg. An enzyme) and the inclusion of a genetically-modified plant is not easy. The safety record of foods produced with genetically-modified materials is second to none, particularly where engineered enzymes are used in processing. Currently, the Australia New Zealand Food Authority (ANZFA) is considering modification of its rigid regulations on health claims on food labels. At present, there is a ban on any health claim on labels. Manufacturers have overcome this blanket restriction by producing product pamphlets and by advertising and press releases. Labelling will remain a difficult area for the legislators, the regulators and the consumers. No one will always be happy. Consumers all have different needs and educational levels, and require different label information. For example, I would like to know the content of C3-C10 oligosaccharides, but the best I can do is guess from the number of grams of carbohydrate and of dietary fibre stated as present. So what I am saying is that there is no room for dogmatism about labelling - there are many difficulties in providing the consumer with useful and accurate objective information which the consumer can interpret. We can all agree that present food labelling is unsatisfactory. I can't even find out if my orange juice is made from oranges grown and crushed in Australia by an Australian company! M. J. Playne Copyright 1998 Australian Biotechnology Association Ltd. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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