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.

Two new vaccines against rotavirus infection have been added to the PBS.

A debate is emerging over where to draw the line on use of basic research funding sparked by the wholesale push towards commercialisation of Australian research.

Australian scientists and ethicists have expressed dismay and disbelief at reports a woman is eight weeks pregnant with the world's first human clone.

Next week's meeting of Australian governments should reopen the debate over therapeutic cloning of human embryos, top stem cell scientists said last night.

A Melbourne research group has become one of the first in the world to create a gene cream that successfully penetrates psoriasis lesions.