Deciphering vertebrate development, sorting out the roosters from the hens and taking on bird flu - dare we say, all in one fowl swoop - that is the job of CSIRO's Dr Mark Tizard, who has created a new microRNA catalogue for the humble chook.

After becoming an epigenetics convert four years ago at Lorne and winning the Eppendorf Young Investigator's Award there two years ago, Dr Jeff Craig returns to Lorne in 2008 as an invited speaker to present the fruits of his conversion.

Rob Learmonth is using his fluorescence expertise to help the most needy - Australia's beer and wine drinkers.

The Australian Stem Cell Centre is studying an alternative approach to treating spinal cord damage using acellular dermal matrix processing. Fiona Wylie spoke to the ASCC's Kathy Traienedes.