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.

Human evolution has become supercharged in the last 40,000 years, new research shows.

The elusive molecule responsible for spreading gene silencing through plants is still unknown, but the pioneers of RNAi research at CSIRO Plant Industry are close to tracking it down.

Scorpion toxin makes fungus deadly to insect pests.

CSIRO scientists win Australia's premier science award for discovery of double-stranded RNA interference in plants, while marine researcher wins life scientist of the year award.

Scientists at CSIRO's Australian Animal Health Laboratory (AAHL) in Geelong have launched a potentially revolutionary research project aimed at reducing the threat of the lethal H5N1 avian influenza virus.

The legal mists swirling the issue of ownership of key patents to RNA-induced (RNAi) gene silencing are lifting, with the US Patent Office granting CSIRO a patent for its Hellsgate family of vectors for exploring and manipulating gene function in plants and animals.

Life Therapeutics (ASX:LFE) will relocate two of its three business divisions from Sydney to Atlanta, Georgia in the USA by March 31, 2006.

Virologists have identified the cellular receptor that serves as a portal for infection by deadly bat-borne Henipa viruses, which have caused human deaths in Australia, Malaysia, Singapore and Bangladesh during the past decade.

Chronic hepatitis C patients at risk of liver failure, of cancer or the liver may take heart from a joint venture announced this week between Sydney company Life Therapeutics (formerly Gradipore) (ASX:GDP) -- and Italian blood-products company Kedrion, based in Naples.

A new software package developed by two research scientists could give molecular biologists a badly needed tool to speed DNA sequencing experiments by streamlining the process of creating virtual clones and choosing vectors.