Strange little microbes living in extreme conditions will soon be put under the microscope by Australian TAFE students in a novel partnership that aims to apply biotechnology to the real world.

Melbourne TAFE college Box Hill Institute (BHI) has engaged former AusBiotech executive director and CEO Dr Anthony Coulepis to advise on the delivery of education and training through its recently launched BioSkills initiative.

The oft-repeated cliche that Australia 'punches above its weight' in biotechnology is little more than a security blanket, and needs to be replaced with some real muscle, Merck Sharp & Dohme's external licensing coordinator, Graham Macdonald, told a meeting on Friday.