Lab+Life Scientist - labandlifescientist-october-november_2018.pdf

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oct/nov 2018
Contents
16
06
WHY ARE POTENTIALLY
IMPORTANT GENES
IGNORED?
Most research on human genes only
concentrates on around 2000 out of
nearly 20,000 genes. New research
highlights the need to incentivise the
study of other genes important to
human health.
26
NEW CRYO-EM
MICROSCOPE
The Victor Chang Cardiac Research
Institute and UNSW have launched
a multimillion-dollar cryo-electron
microscopy (cryo-EM) machine.
16
GENETIC VARIATION
DISCOVERED IN CANCER
CELL LINES
30
MOLECULAR DETAILS OF
KEY MIGRAINE INITIATOR
REVEALED
Melbourne researchers have
revealed the molecular details of the
key initiators in migraine headaches.
26
Cancer cell lines have been found to
harbour significant levels of genetic
variation, which may help explain
why it can be hard to reproduce
findings in cell line-based research.
18
ULTRAHIGH-RESOLUTION
TEM UNVEILED IN
SYDNEY
Two Nobel Laureates and the
NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer
recently unveiled a vital new piece
of scientific infrastructure at the
University of Sydney.
33
DNA DETECTION OF
CROWN-OF-THORNS
STARFISH TO IMPROVE
MONITORING
Researchers have made a
significant breakthrough in the war
against crown-of-thorns starfish.
33
40
SCIENTISTS ASSEMBLE
THE CANE TOAD
GENOME
A new study, led by UNSW, will
help scientists gain a better
understanding of what makes
Australia’s most infamous
amphibian tick.
23
BYE BYE, E. COLI
Food safety researchers have come
together with industry in a joint effort
to enhance the quality of Australian
red meat.
40
Cover image © stock.adobe.com/au/Anton Harder
READ ONLINE!
www.LabOnline.com.au | www.LifeScientist.com.au
This issue is available to read and download at
www.labonline.com.au/magazine
LAB+LIFE SCIENTIST - Oct/Nov 2018
|
3
editorial
Welcome to the October/November issue of
Lab+Life Scientist.
Sydney recently had the opportunity to host the
19th International Microscopy Congress. The event
saw over 2100 scientists and researchers from close
to 50 countries come together to discuss and explore
the latest advances in microscopy and microanalysis.
The event also inspired the next generation of young
scientists with its Schools Outreach Program, which
welcomed 570 students from 19 schools. The
program also featured a ‘Young Scientists Assembly’
where 50 young scientists from around the world
enjoyed the opportunity to discuss career planning
with some of the most senior figures in the field.
“Without Microscopy, there is no modern
science — end of story,” said Australia’s Chief
Scientist, Dr Alan Finkel, in his opening speech
at IMC19.
An investment in this field (microscopy) is an
investment in nanoparticles that target such things
as a drug directly to malignant cells; 3D printed
lattices that act like tiny factories for T-cells; vital in
the new generation of cancer immunotherapies and
more, said Dr Finkel.
Recent advances in microscopy have
transformed health, science and industry globally
and in Australia.
In September, two Nobel Laureates and
the NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer unveiled a
vital new piece of scientific infrastructure at the
University of Sydney — a multimillion-dollar
transmission electron microscope (TEM).
Standing 4.5 m tall, the microscope is housed in the
$150 million Sydney Nanoscience Hub in a room
that is shielded from electromagnetic interference
and ‘floats’ architecturally independent from the
building to minimise vibrations. The TEM can
simultaneously analyse the atomic structure and
the spectral nature of materials. Available for
use by industry, the microscope has applications
in geosciences, mining, chemical and advanced
manufacturing industries.
Separately, the Victor Chang Cardiac
Research Institute and UNSW also launched a
multimillion-dollar cryo-electron microscopy
(cryo-EM) machine. The 240,000-times
magnification cryo-EM machine is fitted with
the next generation of highly sensitive cameras
that allow researchers to image samples frozen
at liquid ethane temperatures with never-before-
seen clarity. Head of Structural Biology at the
Victor Chang Institute Dr Alastair Stewart said
investing in cryo-EM was “building for the
future” of structural biology.
Microscopy is one of the many interesting
topics covered in this issue of
Lab+Life Scientist.
Other topics include: bias in biomedical research;
genetic variation in cancer cell lines; eliminating its
risk of
E. coli
contamination; cane toad genetics;
gene drive and malaria amongst others.
I do hope you enjoy this issue of the magazine
and if you have a story to tell or a new product
announcement to share, please drop me a line at
LLS@wfmedia.com.au.
Regards,
Mansi Gandhi
LLS@wfmedia.com.au
Mansi Gandhi
www.LabOnline.com.au | www.LifeScientist.com.au
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LAB+LIFE SCIENTIST - Oct/Nov 2018
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