Productivity Commission to review support for science and innovation

The Productivity Commission has been requested by the Treasurer, Peter Costello, and the Minister for Education, Science and Training, Julie Bishop, to undertake a research study into the economic, social and environmental returns on public support for science and innovation in Australia.

Ms Bishop said the study will provide a rigorous evaluation of science and innovation support in Australia and would complement ongoing and planned reviews of the Backing Australia's Ability programs.

The Commission’s study will consider all key elements of the innovation system, including research and development, and especially:

• the economic impact of public support for science and innovation, including impacts on Australia’s recent productivity performance;
• impediments to the effective functioning of Australia’s innovation system; and
• the broader social and environmental impacts.

It will evaluate the decision-making principles and program design elements that influence the effectiveness and efficiency of Australia’s innovation system and guide the allocation of funding between and within the different components of Australia’s innovation system. It will also identify any scope for improvements and comment on any implications from changing the level and balance of current support.

Although the Commission is not requested to review individual programs, it can undertake case studies of particular types of public support for science and innovation. It will also draw on relevant international experience.

The Commission will produce a draft report and a final report by March next year.

Further information on the study can be obtained from the Productivity Commission’s website at: www.pc.gov.au or by contacting the Commission directly on (02) 6240 3239.

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Research links with India

During his recent visit to India, the Prime Minister John Howard announced the establishment of a new million bilateral research program with India and new Endeavour fellowships.

The Australia-India Strategic Research Fund has been established with $20 million to promote multi-disciplinary research collaboration between the two countries. The fund will support Australian participation in scientific symposia and bilateral research projects in mutually beneficial priority research areas. More information will be provided at here as it becomes available.

The $5 million fellowships include:

• Endeavour India Research Fellowships ($3.5 million), providing top researchers from India an opportunity to undertake short-term postgraduate and postdoctoral research in any field of study in Australia, and Australians to do the same in India; and
• Endeavour Executive Awards ($1.5 million) providing professional development opportunities for high achievers in business, industry, education and government from Australia and India at their counterpart organisations.

India and Australia have also signed a Biotechnology Memorandum of Understanding to facilitate increased research cooperation in biotechnology.

In other recent arrangements with India, Monash University and BHP Billiton is partnering with the Indian Institute of Technology Mumbai (IIT Mumbai) to establish a joint institution for scientific research, and the University of New South Wales has entered a partnership with IIT Mumbai to develop collaborative research programs in computer science.

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Coal industry sets up demonstration fund

The Australian Coal Association has announced the establishment of a Coal 21 Fund which will provide up to $300 million over the next five years to work with the electricity generation industry to demonstrate promising technologies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from coal-fired power stations.

Executive Director of the Australian Coal Association, Mark O’Neill said the new fund was being raised by a voluntary levy on coal producers based on their production levels.

The 19 articipating companies to date include Anglo Coal Australia Pty Ltd, BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal Pty Ltd, BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance, Coal and Allied Industries Ltd, Enhance Place Pty Ltd, Ensham Resources Pty Ltd, Excel Coal Ltd, Felix Resources Ltd, Gloucester Coal Ltd, Griffin Coal Mining Company Pty Ltd, Hunter Valley Energy Coal Limited, Macarthur Coal (C&M Management Pty Ltd), Muswellbrook Coal Co Ltd, New Hope Corporation Ltd, Peabody Pacific Pty Ltd, Rio Tinto Coal Australia Pty Ltd, Wesfarmers Energy, Whitehaven Coal Mining Pty Ltd, Xstrata Coal Pty Ltd.

Mr O'Neill said that the fund would focus on project with the objective of achieving "substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining a secure, reliable and affordable energy supply". He said coal industry will work with project proponents to settle the details of individual projects.

“The initial focus of the fund will be to support more mature projects applying for funding under the Federal Government’s Low Emission Technology Development Fund (LETDF). Projects that are less mature will be considered as they progress, which is why the fund will run over five years.”

Demonstration projects are being assessed for funding support in a range of technologies including:

• capture and permanent geological storage of carbon dioxide (the key to achieving near zero emissions from coal);
• coal gasification for either electricity or liquid fuels production (a way of capturing CO2 without first burning coal);
• oxy-fuel combustion (a way to reduce the cost of capturing carbon dioxide at conventional power stations);
• post-combustion capture and storage of carbon dioxide, including retrofitting of existing stations (another promising option for capturing CO2 from conventional power stations); and
• advanced clean coal preparation technology.

Mr. O’Neill said funding could also be made available for examining synergies between coal and renewable energy technologies which may be integrated with coal-fueled power generation (examples being co-generation with biomass and solar thermal technology).

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Funding for health services research announced

Funding of $9.8 million has been awarded to four projects under the National Health and Medical Research Council's (NHMRC) Health Services Research Program.

• A team from the University of Sydney and the Australian National University, led by Professor Stephen Leeder, has been awarded $3.5 million over five years to research cardiovascular disease, diabetes and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
• Associate Professor Ian Cameron's team from the University of Sydney, Flinders University and the University of Queensland has been awarded $2.9 million over five years to investigate the impact on older Australians and their carers of the transition from hospital care to community and residential care. The team will develop new models for high quality and cost effective systems of care.
• Dr Alan Cass and his team from the University of Sydney, the George Institute of International Health, the Menzies School of Health Research and six Aboriginal Medical Service sites in New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory will use a $2.8 million grant over five years to research ways to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal Australians with chronic disease. The study will focus on identifying existing health system barriers and developing ways to overcome them.
• Professor Stephen Duckett from the University of Queensland, in collaboration with the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, has been awarded $600,000 over five years to chart the changes in service delivery and type of care used by older Australians with chronic conditions such as dementia, arthritis and cardiovascular disease.
More information about recipients and descriptions of the research projects can be found at:
here

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R&D Tax Concession deadline looms – apply for registration now

AusIndustry delivers a range of more than 30 business products, including innovation grants, tax and duty concessions, small business services, and support for industry competitiveness worth nearly $2 billion each year to about 10,000 small and large businesses.

For companies with a standard fiscal year wishing to apply for AusIndustry’s R&D Tax Concession for 2004-05 the deadline to apply for registration is 30 April. As this date falls on a Sunday this year, companies may lodge their application on the next working day.

To see if you are eligible for an Australian Government R&D Tax Concession, visit www.ausindustry.gov.au or call the hotline.

AusIndustry is the Australian Government’s business program delivery division in the Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources.

See http://www.ausindustry.gov.au

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Eureka Prizes for Leadership & Innovation

The Australian Museum Eureka Prizes have been profiling and rewarding outstanding Australian science since 1990. The Prizes have become Australia's premier and most widely publicised science awards. Among the 20 prizes on offer covering many areas of science are three focussed on leadership and innovation.

• $10,000 ATSE Clunies Ross Eureka Prize for Leadership in Business Innovation - a new cash prize that acknowledges outstanding leadership by an Australian in business innovation. See here

• $10,000 British Council Eureka Prize for Innovation and Leadership in Environmental Science – a new cash prize that acknowledges the innovation and leadership of a young Australian who has raised, or has the potential to raise the public profile of environmental science. See here

• $10,000 CSIRO Eureka Prize for Leadership in Science – a prize that acknowledges an Australian who has demonstrated an outstanding role and impact in science leadership. See here

These are important prizes that highlight issues of critical importance for Australia. We urge you to consider nominating yourself or a colleague, business associate or client for these prestigious leadership and innovation awards.
Further information and entry details are available on the Australian Museum website http://www.amonline.net.au/eureka or email eureka@austmus.gov.au.

Entries close Friday 5 May 2006.

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The Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science – Nominations close Friday 19th of May.

Closing Date: Friday 19 May 2006, AEST 5.00 pm.

We are seeking nominations for any of the following five (5) prestigious science and science teaching annual awards:

• Prime Minister's Prize for Science
• Science Minister's Prize for Life Scientist of the Year
• Malcolm McIntosh Prize for Physical Scientist of the Year
• Prime Minister's Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Primary Schools
• Prime Minister's Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Secondary Schools

Information about the Prizes and the online nomination process is available here

Contact Information: Science Prizes Secretariat, Department of Education, Science and Training, Tel: (02) 6240 5066, Fax (02) 6123 6168, email: pmprize@dest.gov.au

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Position Vacant: Research Director – Regional Victoria

Advertised by Principal Consulting Group

WIDCORP – Water in Drylands Collaborative Research Program, part of the University of Ballarat’s Institute of Rural and Regional Research, are looking to make the strategic hire of a Research Director.

The research program is a collaboration between the University of Ballarat and a number of peak regional organisations, which has been established to identify and optimise opportunities that arise from the provision of quality, reliable water to a dryland agricultural region. The program will advance and apply knowledge to improve the social, economic and environmental sustainability of the region.

The Research Director will be responsible for leading, developing and managing the research activities and profile of the program. This will include establishing and nurturing a collaborative research focus, attracting funding for the further support and development of the program, and identifying/facilitating opportunities for cross-disciplinary research.

Principal Consulting Group, specialist recruiters for the environment, water and planning sectors, have been exclusively retained by University of Ballarat to undertake the recruitment of a Research Director for WIDCORP.

Interested applicants will need to obtain a position description by emailing Melanie Mitchell at research@principal.net.au quoting the job title and reference number MMRJ039.

Full details of how to apply for this position are contained in the position description.

For further information please call Melanie Mitchell or Scott White on 03 9596 3893.

www.principal.net.au

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Position Vacant: Senior Research Technician

THERAPEUTICS RESEARCH UNIT, SCHOOL OF MEDICINE – SOUTHERN CLINICAL DIVISION, THE UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND, BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA

The Therapeutics Research Unit (TRU) is committed to internationally competitive and productive therapeutic research outcomes with a focus on research in drug design, drug delivery, pharmacokinetics and quality use of medicines that may lead to improved patient outcomes. The Unit is staffed from scientists from a range of disciplines (medicine, pharmacy, pharmacology, chemistry, biochemistry, mathematics) and uses facilities such as organ perfusion equipment and related facilities, LCMSMS, multiphoton in vivo microscopy, radiochemical counting, LC, experimental intensive care unit facilities and various molecular biology modules.

The Role: Work on an NHMRC project on pharmacokinetics in liver disease; provide research assistance in experimental drug metabolism, drug disposition and pharmacokinetic research in the Unit; research will focus on altered pharmacokinetics as a consequence of liver and cardiovascular disease.

The Person: A researcher with a BSc or BSc (Hons) or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and/or education/training. Skills and experience in animal experimentation techniques and pharmacology would be highly regarded.

Remuneration: This is a full-time, fixed term appointment at HEW Level 5, to 31 December 2006 in the first instance, with the possibility of renewal for a further two years. The remuneration package will be in the range of $51,480 – $57,657 p.a., which includes employer superannuation contributions of 17%.

Contact: Obtain the position description and selection criteria online at http://www.jobsatUQ.net/ or contact Bernie Cook, telephone (07) 3240-5318 or email bcook@soms.uq.edu.au. Contact Dr Sheree Cross, telephone (07) 3240-5364, to discuss the role.

Applications Close: 20 April 2006.

Reference No: 3013667.

How to Apply:
1. Visit http://www.jobsatUQ.net/ to obtain a copy of the position descriptions and selection criteria.
2. Include a covering letter, curriculum vitae and statement addressing the selection criteria.
3. Quote the vacancy reference number on your covering letter.

The University is an equal opportunity employer.

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Position Vacant: Senior Research Officer / Research Officer

THERAPEUTICS RESEARCH UNIT, SCHOOL OF MEDICINE – SOUTHERN CLINICAL DIVISION, THE UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND, BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA

The Therapeutics Research Unit (TRU) is committed to internationally competitive and productive therapeutic research outcomes with a focus on research in drug design, drug delivery, pharmacokinetics and quality use of medicines that may lead to improved patient outcomes. The Unit is staffed from scientists from a range of disciplines (medicine, pharmacy, pharmacology, chemistry, biochemistry, mathematics) and uses facilities such as organ perfusion equipment and related facilities, LCMSMS, multiphoton in vivo microscopy, radiochemical counting, LC, experimental intensive care unit facilities and various molecular biology modules.

The Role: Work on an NHMRC Project on Pharmacokinetics in Liver Disease; lead experimental drug metabolism, drug disposition and pharmacokinetic research in the Unit; responsible for the day-to-day design, execution and maximal productivity for a NHMRC Research Grant on altered pharmacokinetics as a consequence of liver and cardiovascular disease.

The Person: An experienced researcher with a PhD with proven expertise in animal experimentation techniques and pharmacology; able to work interactively with clinical colleagues in translating results in patients outcomes.

Remuneration: This is a full-time, fixed term appointment at Level A or B, to 31 December 2006 in the first instance, with the possibility of renewal for a further two years. The remuneration package will be in the range of $51,429 – $69,759 p.a. (Level A) or $73,431 – $87,200 p.a. (Level B), which includes employer superannuation contributions of 17%. Level of appointment will be commensurate with qualifications, experience and research achievements.

Contact: Obtain the position description and selection criteria online at http://www.jobsatUQ.net/ or contact Bernie Cook, telephone (07) 3240-5318 or email bcook@soms.uq.edu.au. Contact Dr Sheree Cross, telephone (07) 3240 5364, to discuss the role.

Applications close: 20 April 2006.

Reference No: 3013666.

How to Apply:
1. Visit http://www.jobsatUQ.net/ to obtain a copy of the position descriptions and selection criteria.
2. Include a covering letter, curriculum vitae and statement addressing the selection criteria.
3. Quote the vacancy reference number on your covering letter.

The University is an equal opportunity employer.

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Commercialisation Expo 2006 – Today’s Knowledge is Tomorrow’s Innovation

Commercialisation Expo 2006 connects research organisations with industry to exchange ideas to create tomorrow’s future commercial successes. The expo will build on the 2003 inaugural event where the exhibited technologies attracted over $40 million of investment and led to numerous contract R&D and service agreements.

The event will be held from the 18th-20th June 2006 at the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre.

Registrations for the Expo are now open for delegates, exhibitors and
sponsors,.

In addition research organisations can submit Posters and Business Opportunity Summaries that highlight their technologies and become eligible for a range of prizes including the prestigious Peter Doherty Prize, worth $100,000.

The Poster submissions are due on the 21st April for prize submissions, or 4th May for just Poster submissions.

Commercialisation Expo 2006 boasts the following activities:

• Commercialisation Conference: The conference aims to identify and assess the challenges facing research organisations and business when they connect and commercialise. A diverse array of speakers from around the world will draw on both local and global knowledge and provide assessment and forecasts for future commercialisation trends.

• Exhibition: A feature of the Expo is the general exhibition booths that will showcase your technology to your peers and potential partners.

• Poster Displays: 300 posters will showcase the best innovation and technology Australia has to offer. Posters will also be featured in the Big Book of Ideas and these posters are the entry gateway for the Peter Doherty Prize for Innovation.

• Peter Doherty Prize for Innovation: The most outstanding eligible opportunity will be awarded the Peter Doherty Prize which is valued at $100,000 of cash and in-kind services. Other prizes available included $10,000 sector-specific and state-based prizes.

Contact The Meeting Planners expo2006@meetingplanners.com.au or 03 9417 0888 or more information and bookings can be made on line now at http://www.expo2006.com.au.

Early Bird registration ends on the 21st April, and exhibition booths are selling out fast, with over 50% sold already.

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A Free ‘Taste’ of the NSW Enterprise Workshop - Specialist Biotechnology Stream

For more than 20 years the Workshop has provided a structured analytical process that enables participants to identify and evaluate commercial opportunities.

If you are a research scientist or employed in a biotechnology or medical device company and you are motivated to succeed in your career, or in a business of your own, this is the right program for you.

Biotech specific information sessions will be held in Parramatta on 28 March, and in the CBD on 30 March.

Join us to hear John Morrison’s ‘Tips on Product Testing’. John has worked in the pharmaceutical industry for more than 15 years and has extensive experience in the design and management of clinical trials.

John was a research scientist at the University of Queensland and CSIRO, and was Clinical Program Manager with QRx Pharma Pty Ltd, a start-up biotechnology company.

The Workshop covers a wide range of business topics such as marketing (research, positioning and communication); intellectual property; and finance (budgeting and accounting, risk analysis and venture capital).

The specialist biotechnology stream includes topics such as:

• commercialising and product development;
• clinical trials and regulatory issues;
• reimbursement in the medical industry; and
• business development in the pharma market.

Programs start 28 April and 28 July 2006

• Four months part-time primarily outside business hours
• Includes 10 hours of face-to-face sessions with specialist biotech speakers
• Government subsidies are available for eligible biotechnology businesses and researchers.

To register for an information session or for more information about the program, contact the NSW Enterprise Workshop on 02 9209 4796 or email succeed@enterpriseworkshop.com.au.

http://www.enterpriseworkshop.com.au

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Writing Clear Science Workshops (ACT, VIC, SA & NSW)

www.writingclearscience.com.au

Writing Clear Science teaches writing and research skills to science students and science professionals.

Writing Clear Science workshops include short lectures, followed by one-hour interactive writing exercises. These workshops help you overcome your writing obstacles, improve your writing productivity and enhance your research skills. We teach the skills necessary to produce high quality science projects, reports, articles and theses.

The next round of three-day workshops are now open for bookings in ACT, VIC, SA & NSW. If spaces permit, enrolments for individual days are also available.

Day 1: The Nuts & Bolts of Writing
Day 2: Writing Reports & Manuscripts
Day 3: Writing Your Thesis

Cost: $190 / $150 (F/T student concession) per day (GST incl.)
(-10% Early-bird discount >14 days in advance)

Calendar:
Melbourne: Wed 22nd - Fri 24th March 2006 (Fully Booked)
Canberra: Mon 10th - Wed 12th April 2006
Melbourne: Mon 1st – Wed 3rd May 2006
Adelaide: Mon 19th - Wed 21st June 2006
Sydney: Wed 19th - Fri 21st July 2006

Course Outlines
The workshops cover all essential aspects of science writing.

Day 1: The Nuts & Bolts of Writing

• How Do We Develop Good Writing Skills?
• Researching your Topic
• Developing a Framework for Good Writing
• Writing Style

Day 2: Reports & Manuscripts

• Publishing Your Science
• Structuring Your Report
• Fundamental Research Skills
• Summarising and Presenting Your Information

Day 3: Writing Your Thesis

• Thesis Design & The Scientific Method
• Researching Your Topic
• Chapter Structures
• Submission, Marking & the Oral Defence

For further information, to download Course Outlines, Venue Details & Registration Forms, go to http://www.writingclearscience.com.au. Email info@writingclearscience.com.au. Phone 0416-097979

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Are you involved in research? An Introduction to Project Management!

The School of Enterprise, University of Melbourne, in association with the Association of Regulatory and Clinical Scientists (ARCS), are pleased to announce that they will be holding a 1 day short course on An Introduction to Project Management.

This course is suitable for anyone working in research project teams in medical and scientific areas, to develop research management capabilities both in general and also specifically in the clinical research context.

Project Management

• Standard steps for any clinical project
• Defining, planning and implementing a project
• Exercise: How to schedule

Risk Assessment

• Exercise: Feasibility assessment

Site Selection

• How to apply risk-minimising strategies in an actual site selection visit
• What documentaion to expect
• What to ask and how to ask it
• Early warning signs to note

Recruiting Strategies

• Common issues, tried solutions

Supporting your Centres

• Applying management strategies that work

Common Audit Issues

Cost: $1100 + GST ($800 + GST for ARCS members)

When: 28th April, 2006. (8.30am to 5.30pm)

Where: The University of Melbourne, Hawthorn Campus, 442 Auburn Rd, Hawthorn

NEED TO KNOW MORE? Check out more information at;
http://www.soe.unimelb.edu.au/clinicalresearch

Express your interest in this course or related courses by contacting;
Brad Atkins on (03) 9810 3185 or email b.atkins@soe.unimelb.edu.au

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Are you involved in research? Then you need to be able to work effectively with research project teams!

The School of Enterprise, University of Melbourne, in association with the Association of Regulatory and Clinical Scientists (ARCS), are pleased to announce that they will be holding a 1 day short course on Working Effectively with Research Project Teams.

This course is suitable for anyone working in research project teams in medical and scientific areas, to develop research management capabilities both in general and also specifically in the clinical research context.

The best research often emerges out of the creative interaction of talented team members. This interaction at times can be stressful and sometimes unproductive. This one-day workshop has been designed to introduce participants to a range of tools and techniques to help them understand:

• The strengths and weaknesses of different work preferences and styles
• How to work to their own work-style strengths and those of others
• How to develop effective communication strategies for research projects
• How to deal with creative tension and manage conflict
• How to develop high performance teams of knowledge workers
• How to manage dysfunctional work climates and team members

Numbers are limited, so be quick!

Cost: $540 + GST

When: 8th April, 2006. (8.30am to 5.30pm)

Where: The University of Melbourne, Hawthorn Campus, 442 Auburn Rd, Hawthorn

NEED TO KNOW MORE? Check out more information at;
http://www.soe.unimelb.edu.au/clinicalresearch

Express your interest in this course or related courses by contacting;
Brad Atkins on (03) 9810 3185 or email b.atkins@soe.unimelb.edu.au

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Are you involved in research? Then you need to know how to define research projects and deliverables

The School of Enterprise, University of Melbourne, in association with the Association of Regulatory and Clinical Scientists (ARCS), are pleased to announce that they will be holding a 1 day short course on Defining Research Projects and Deliverables.

This course is suitable for anyone working in research project administration and management in medical and scientific areas, to develop research management capabilities both in general and also specifically in the clinical research context.
Traditional project management approaches often don’t work for many research projects. By their nature, research projects involve novel tasks with uncertain resource requirements. This practical one-day workshop has been designed to introduce participants to a range of tools and techniques to help them:

• Understand the different types of research projects
• Define project scopes
• Understand the impact of “scope creep” on project success
• Define deliverables and success from the perspective of different stakeholders
• Define research milestones and performance indicators
• Understand how to identify resources to successfully complete a project and the impact of resource constraints
• How to selectively use common project management tools available

Numbers are limited, so be quick!

Cost: $540 + GST

When: 7th April, 2006. (8.30am to 5.30pm)

Where: The University of Melbourne, Hawthorn Campus, 442 Auburn Rd, Hawthorn

NEED TO KNOW MORE? Check out more information at;
http://www.soe.unimelb.edu.au/clinicalresearch

Express your interest in this course or related courses by contacting;
Brad Atkins on (03) 9810 3185 or email b.atkins@soe.unimelb.edu.au

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Knowledge and Research....Is it time commercialise?

The School of Enterprise, University of Melbourne, in association with the Australian Institute for Commercialisation (AIC), are pleased to announce that they will be holding a 2 day short course; Commercialisation Bootcamp.

• How much is your organisation’s know-how and IP worth to others?
• Do you have the skills to develop and sell your knowledge and research to industry?

TAKE YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND RESEARCH TO NEW HEIGHTS

This course has been specifically designed for people in research organisations involved or likely to be involved in commercialisation activities. The Bootcamp introduces participants to various stages of the commercialisation process, from structuring a research program through realising the potential of commercial outcomes in the market.

Numbers are limited, so be quick!

Cost: $850 + GST

When: 3rd & 4th April, 2006
Time: 8.30am for 9am start, Finish at 5.00pm

Where: The University of Melbourne, University House, Parkville

NEED TO KNOW MORE? Check out more information at;

http://www.soe.unimelb.edu.au/commercialise

Express your interest in this course or related courses by contacting;

Brad Atkins on (03) 9810 3185 or email b.atkins@soe.unimelb.edu.au

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Measuring the Success of Messaging: What Do Clinicians Value Most?

To learn new ways to improve the value of publication planning and medical writing, Astrolabe Analytica, Inc., a Thomson business, and the University of Alabama School of Medicine performed a study of the reading habits of physicians. The study confirmed that clinicians still rely on scientific literature to learn about new drugs, advances in therapies, etc.

Factors influencing interpretation of medical literature comprised (in rank order):

• Quality of information
• How well key concepts are supported by data
• Journal quality
• Presentation format
• Reputation of sponsor
• Reputation of investigators
• Commercial sponsorship

Evaluating knowledge: The Brand Management Module from Thomson PharmaSM

The Brand Management Module evaluates knowledge in publicly available resources, from a prescribing clinician’s point of view. The system identifies, categorizes and quantitatively scores key ideas and messages published about a product from the point of view of the practicing clinician. The results can then be used to assess the impact these messages will have on the attitudes and treatment habits of clinicians.

To find out more, visit: here

E-mail: ts.info.asia@thomson.com
Tel: +61 2 8587 7948 or 1 800 007 214 (from Australia)

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Special offer from New Scientist

This week in New Scientist: Is space-time actually a superfluid?, trials for drug that leaves HIV defenceless, tests to show if dark energy interacts with dark matter,and much much more...

Eaxch week New Scientist distils the key developments in science and technology and analyses their impact on the economy, society, the environment, politics and individuals.

EnviroInfo readers can save up to 30% off the standard subscription price + for a limited time receive a FREE Copy of the full length last word book 'Does anything eat wasps?'

Subscribe on-line here or call 1300 360 126 and quote the code NS06WB10.

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Spruson&Ferguson: patent and trade mark attorneys

With over 115 years experience, Spruson&Ferguson is a leading intellectual property firm in Australia which provides a fully integrated service for the protection, commercialisation and enforcement of your intellectual property.

Spruson&Ferguson is one of the largest intellectual property firms in Australia, with a team of over 220. Our 60 plus patent and trade mark attorneys and lawyers work in specialised practice areas; Chemical/Life Sciences, Mechanical, Electrical/Information & Communications Technologies (ICT) and Trade Marks, together with Spruson&Ferguson Lawyers which provides intellectual property commercialisation, enforcement and dispute resolution services.

Spruson&Ferguson’s patent and trade mark attorneys and lawyers have extensive intellectual property and industry experience in science and engineering including pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, electronics, phototonics, transport, telecommunications, mining, publishing, consumer products, ceramics, chemistry and mechanical/medical technologies.

The depth of our industry experience is an attribute that many of our clients hold in high regard. Spruson&Ferguson is a recognised as a market leader with multinationals and many of Australia’s foremost research institutions entrusting to us to protect and assisting with the maximisation of returns on their intellectual property assets.

Our comprehensive range of services includes patents, trademarks, designs, domain names, IP audits, due diligence, dispute resolution and litigation and intellectual property commercialisation services including licensing, joint ventures and research and development collaborations.

For more information about our comprehensive range of intellectual property services, please contact one of the following relationship principals:

Chemical: Dr John McCann BSc (Hons) PhD FIPTA
Life Sciences: Dr Andrew Blattman BScAgr (Hons) PhD GDipIP FIPTA
Electrical: Robert Miller BE BLegS FIPTA
ICT: Scott Berggren BSEE MSEE LLB FIPTA
Mechanical: Greg Turner BE FIPTA
Trade Marks: Annette Freeman BA LLB (ANU) LLM (UTS)
IP Commercialisation: Rob McInnes BSc (Hons) LLB (Syd)
IP Litigation & Dispute Resolution: Simon Williams BA LLB (Syd) LLM (Lond)
Managing Principal: David Griffith BE (Hons) FIPTA

Telephone: (02) 9207 0777
Fax: (02) 9261 5486
Email mail@sprusons.com.au

www.sprusons.com.au

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