Graeme O'Neill has been writing about science for almost 30 years and along the way he's developed a couple of favourite stories. One is the evolution of fruit bats, recounted in our last issue, and the other is the role of FOXP2, sometimes called the Chomsky Gene. In a sublime twist, the two stories have merged together.

One of the world's leading structural biologists, Helen Saibil, is bringing her knowledge -- and some spectacular images -- of molecular chaperones to the Lorne Protein conference.

Genome-wide association studies show the way forward for global genomic research.

Xiril Robotic Workstations are for the entry level to medium throughput pipetting market.

Hox genes - long thought to define the body plans of all animals - are not used by corals.

Perth agbiotech company Grain Biotech Australia harvested its first trial crop of genetically modified, salt-tolerant wheat this month, grown in salt-affected farmland near Corrigin, in Western Australia.

Hip replacement specialist Portland Orthopaedics has joined the growing list of companies who have lodged a prospectus to list on the ASX before Christmas.

Sydney-based cancer drug development company PacMab has lodged a prospectus for an IPO to raise AUD$5 million to commercialise its treatment for a fatal blood cancer and potentially other blood disorders, with listing of its shares on the ASX expected in December this year.

Agenix (OTC: AGXLY, ASX: AGX) subsidiary, Agen Biomedical has signed an agreement with diagnostics company Axis-Shield under which Axis-Shield will produce a new laboratory assay for deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. The Axis-Shield assay will use Agen's 3B6 D-dimer antibody, and will be incorporated into Abbott Laboratories' mmunodiagnostic analyser, AxSYM.

Prevention and prevention strategies form the basis of a coordinated path for the future of child healthcare, writes Fiona Stanley.