 News |
Banking on brain tissue
 Australia's first multiple sclerosis (MS) brain bank opened in Sydney in February 2008. Giving hope to the thousands of MS sufferers in Australia, the facility will collect and store donated tissue samples taken from the brains or spinal cords of deceased MS sufferers for use by scientists around the world to research a cure for MS.
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Tiny science goes under the microscope
 Nanotechnology offers the promise of breakthroughs that will revolutionise the way we detect and treat disease and monitor and protect the environment; but before the technology's full potential can be released, safety and ethical concerns need to be assessed. The Standing Committee on State Development is conducting an inquiry into nanotechnology in New South Wales. Interested groups from NSW are encouraged to make submissions to the enquiry.
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$22 million in research under review
 OSMR is conducting a review of a funding program designed to facilitate research into spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. Previously funded research projects have included modelling the spines of rats and humans, investigating bladder function after spinal cord injury, and trialling cell therapies to repair spinal cords.
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New opportunities for NSW manufacturers
 Steelmakers, medical device manufacturers and natural resource researchers are among the groups set to benefit from a memorandum of understanding that was signed by two peak research and development infrastructure providers with major NSW investments in fabrication, microscopy and microanalysis. The document will pave the way for an increase in capacity for industry and the public research sector, helping to open up some of the state's leading research facilities to NSW companies.
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Nanotechnology Community Forum
A community forum on nanotechnology will be held at the NSW State Library on Thursday, 3 April 2008 from 5:30-8:00 pm (for a 6:00 pm start). This forum has been organised by the Australian Office of Nanotechnology, with support from the NSW Office for Science and Medical Research. The Sydney forum is one of a series of forums taking place in capital cities all around Australia this year. For further information, please call Fiona Childs on 02 6276 1928.
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Awards & scholarships |
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The achievements of NSW leading scientists will soon be honoured with the creation of a new prestigious annual science award. The NSW Scientist of the Year Awards will offer $85,000 in prize money for cutting-edge research that generates significant economic, health, environmental or technological benefits for NSW.
"Science is helping us move forward in a range of areas -- from developing innovative new industries to improving health care and tackling environmental problems like global warming," NSW Minister for Science and Medical Research Verity Firth said.
"Like awards for our local sporting heroes, tv stars, writers and artists -- we want to put NSW scientists up on a pedestal acknowledging their contribution and inspiring others to join the field," Ms Firth said.
"The NSW Scientist of the Year Awards will shine a spotlight on the work of our best and brightest while encouraging future generations to take up careers in science related fields," said Ms Firth.
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OSMR is currently inviting applications from researchers for travel scholarships of up to $3,000 to attend the International Society for Stem Cell Research Annual Meeting 2008 in Philadelphia, USA from 11 to 14 June 2008. These travel scholarships are part of a dedicated fund which assists NSW researchers to attend national and international conferences identified by OSMR as being of strategic and commercial value. Applications are open until 3 April 2008.
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OTHER FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR NSW RESEARCHERS >>
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NSW making headlines |
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Missing link found in Sydney Harbour (Sydney Morning Herald)
One of evolution's missing links has been found lurking in Sydney Harbour. Although only a microscopic, single-celled creature, it is the nearest relative yet found of a group of deadly parasites.
Fruit flies take protein path to live fast and die young (Sydney Morning Herald)
In a complex study of 1000 tiny fruit flies on 28 different diets, Sydney researchers have found that what you eat, not just how little you eat, could be the key to a long life.
Reprogram your sweet tooth (Sydney Morning Herald)
A Sydney neuroscientist has found that we might have to learn to like most flavours in food but sweetness is never a problem - we're all born with a liking for it.
Hair sample may provide breast cancer diagnosis (Reuters)
Hair from women with breast cancer can be distinguished from hair obtained from women without the disease, researchers in Australia report.
Australia sets up robotic Antarctic observatory (ABC News)
Australian researchers have set up a new, fully robotic astronomical observatory on the highest point of the Antarctic plateau. It will send information back to scientists at the University of NSW via satellite. |
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Clinical trials news |
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High praise for clinical trials course
A world renowned expert on clinical trials has partnered with leading clinical trials centres to run a five-day course in Sydney on how to conceptualise, develop and execute effective clinical trials. The course has been roundly praised as a great success by participants who described it as "extremely stimulating, educational and enjoyable" and going "beyond expectations".
For a number of years, Harvard Medical School academic Professor James Talcott has led a renowned practice-based intensive clinical trials training course for physicians and students. He is eminently qualified with Bachelor's degrees from Stanford University (Biology) and the University of Oxford (Philosophy, Politics and Economics), a medical degree from Yale University, and a Master of Science in Epidemiology from the Harvard School of Public Health.
The NSW Government sponsored the course through the NSW Office for Science and Medical Research and the NSW Clinical Trials Business Development Centre as part of its ongoing efforts to develop and promote Sydney as an Asia-Pacific leader in clinical trials. Last year, the NSW Government established the NSW Clinical Trials Business Development Centre to help connect the world's life sciences companies to the full range of NSW clinical trials expertise.
Hosted by the NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre, Professor Talcott conducted the course in conjunction with other world-recognised NSW centres of excellence and expertise including the Cancer Institute NSW, The George Institute for International Health, the National Centre in HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research, St Vincent's Clinical Trials Centre, and the Woolcock Institute of Medical Research. |
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Banking on brain tissue