Regular news from state and federal governments.
CSIRO IP revenue success
August 2 – Australian Government Science Minister Peter McGauran has congratulated the CSIRO on attaining their goal of making AU$22 million in intellectual property revenue for the last financial year representing a 60 per cent increase in intellectual property income, and now look forward toward an even higher growth rate this financial year. 'An increase in earnings from intellectual property is just one component of CSIRO's latest financial results,' McGauran said. CSIRO's total external revenue has grown by 7.6 per cent to $320 million, very close to its budget target of $320 million.
[Source: Ministerial Media Release]
OTGR give GM green light in Vic and Qld
30 July – The Office of the Gene Technology Regulator has issued licences to the Victorian Department of Primary Industry and biotechnology company, Hexima, for the release of genetically modified produce. Hexima requested approval to undertake a limited and controlled release of four types of genetically modified insecticidal cotton. The release site will be confined to 0.5 hectares in south east Queensland over three summer cotton growing seasons starting October 2004 to May 2007. The Victorian Department of Primary industry will undertake a controlled release of virus-resistant while clover on one site in Victoria over four planting season during 2003-2007.
[Source: Government Media Release]
UQ facility sees living cells
July 27 – The Queensland State Government has provided AU$1.45 million towards the development of the Centre of Microscopy and Microanalysis at the University of Queensland, which houses the most powerful electron microscope in the southern hemisphere. Researchers will use the cryo-transmission electron microscope to view specimens at the cellular level and hopefully gain the world's first view of a living cell. Cryo-transmission allows cell movement to be slowed to provide a more accurate view of the living cell, as real-time cellular process are too rapid to view and can only be done so in a dried, non-living state. Researchers hope to enhance their understanding of how cells are affected by various diseases leading to the design of better counter disease therapies.
[Source: Ministerial Media Release]
