Australian Life Scientist July/August edition out now

The July/August edition of Australian Life Scientist is out now. The issue takes an in-depth look at the happenings at the upcoming Human Proteome Organisation (HPUO) 2010 World Congress, which will host the launch of the long awaited Human Proteome Project. (Observant readers might even recognise the significance of the text on the cover behind the Vitruvian Man.)

We also take a look at synthetic biology and the hoo-ha around Craig Venter’s creation of a synthetic chromosome.

Genetics and genomics are also covered, with a look at the latest research in mitochondrial disease as well as an organisation that is using the latest IBM Blue Gene supercomputers to provide a new approach to personalised medicine.

Next generation sequencing – and the next next generation sequencing are also investigated, with a look at two up and coming new technologies that could radically change genome sequencing.

Our regular look at clinical trials catches up with xenotransplantation specialists, Living Cell Technologies, and the latest promising results of its diabetes treatment, DiabeCell.

You also get our regular roundup of the latest in product releases in Lab News, along with books and our events calendar showing you all the big events over the next 12 months.

To subscribe to the magazine, go here.

Full contents below:

OPINION

Reports of our death are greatly exaggerated
The Australian clinical trials industry is often the target of criticism, particularly from within. But are things really as bad as they seem?

RESEARCH

The meaning of life
The creation of an artificial genome by the J. Craig Venter Institute (JCVI) got people talking the world over, but how significant really is Venter’s achievement?

PROTEOMICS

Quest for the human proteome
Sydney, the birthplace of proteomics, will host the launch of the Human Proteome Project in September at the HUPO 2010 meet.

Fighting cancer from the inside
Who would have thought that a staid structural part of the cell could be so treacherous in cancer, determining life or death? Maria Kavallaris at Children’s Cancer Institute Australia is using a mixture of proteomics and good old-fashioned biology to fight such treachery head-on.

Healing touch of pawpaw
The first clinical trial of an Australian-made wound healing product derived from pawpaw, Carica papaya, is underway in Melbourne. While the exact modes of action are still unclear, proteomic and enzymatic approaches are being explored to understand how the extract got its power.

Brilliant insight
Australia now boasts one of the most advanced synchrotrons in the world. The third-generation Australian Synchrotron in Melbourne is transforming proteomics, and the high-impact research papers are flowing.

GENETICS & GENOMICS

Mitochondrial mysteries
Getting to the root of mitochondrial disorders is a tricky business. Associate Professor David Thorburn is working on improving methods of diagnosis by understanding the genetics of mitochondrial DNA.

Personalising medicine with Supercomputers
Gene Network Services is employing supercomputing to model diseases and provide new targets and approaches for drug development.

Next next generation sequencing
Technological advances in the field of sequencing are overcoming cost and speed limitations and opening the door to new applications.

CLINICAL TRIALS

Swine saviours
Treatment for diabetes has not changed significantly since the discovery of insulin. Now a new xenotransplantation technology from New Zealand offers new hope or diabetes sufferers.

LAB NEWS

BOOKSHOP

EVENTS

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