EU-funded scientists have discovered a new molecule in Streptomyces bacteria that could be exploited to make the bacteria produce hundreds of novel antibiotics. The work, which is published online by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), was partly supported by the EU-funded ACTINOGEN (Integrating genomics-based applications to exploit actinomycetes as a resource for new antibiotics) project.

For his milestone discoveries on the development of diabetes, Prof. Markus Stoffel from the Institute of Molecular Systems Biology at the ETH Zurich was awarded the Heinrich Wieland Prize, one of the most treasured science awards in Germany. He received the distinction with EUR 50,000 prize money for his work in deciphering important mechanisms of blood sugar regulation and lipid metabolism in the body.

InforSense Ltd., the leading provider of next generation business and scientific intelligence tools, has successfully completed a pilot project at world leading pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) to enable virtual drug discovery through virtual outsourcing of data analysis via secure Grid technology.

Novo Nordisk A/S, a world leader in diabetes care, Cellartis AB, a forefront stem cell biotechnology company, and Lund University Stem Cell Center today signed a collaborative research agreement for the development of insulin-producing cells from human stem cells.

The European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) has announced the introduction of EMBO Molecular Medicine, a new journal dedicated to a research discipline focused on the interface between molecular biology and clinical research. The new journal, launching in 2009, will publish original research offering molecular insights into cellular and systemic processes underlying defined human diseases as well as potential clinical applications for diagnosis, prevention and therapy.

At its 60th meeting, held in London on 2 October 2008, the Management Board of the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) welcomed the half-year report for 2008 presented to them by EMEA Executive Director Thomas Lönngren.

Over 145 million U.S. adults use the Internet to research health information, according to pharmaceutical and healthcare market research company Manhattan Research. The company has just released Cybercitizen Health v8.0, a multi-client study and strategic advisory service focused on how consumers use media and technology for health information and its impact on treatment and product decisions.