Welcome to the first ASB Newsletter of 2001. I’ve opted to put the steady stream of information we receive for distribution into a more formal newsletter which I’ll send out about six times a year. This will not be to the exclusion of more urgent notices, and if any of you need to circulate information to ASB members at short notice this can certainly be organised.

In adopting this approach I’m also hoping to encourage you to contribute items that might be of interest to fellow members. For example, if you’ve attended an international biophysics meeting or if you know of upcoming meetings that might be of interest to others then please email me.

Suggestions are very welcome at any time on ways that the Newsletter could be expanded or improved.

I’m hoping that everyone will be able to read one of the two formats in which the Newsletter will be attached, namely as a Word document or rtf file, both created on a PC. If you can’t please let me know.

With best wishes for a happy and productive 2001………..Ray Norton.

At the AGM in Melbourne on November 24 a new ASB Council was elected. The membership of the new Council and their contact details are given at the end of this Newsletter.

The most significant change were the election of Ray Norton as President and Peter Barry as Vice-President (President-Elect), with Frances Separovic stepping down after two years as President. The Society has been fortunate over the years to have had enthusiastic and hard-working Presidents, and Frances has continued this trend. Her involvement in the US Biophysical Society has also enhanced the status of Australasian biophysics at the international level (the prominent roles of David Parry from New Zealand and Cris dos Remedios, one of our recent Presidents, in IUPAB have also contributed enormously to our international reputation). On behalf of all members of the Society I would like to thank Frances for her excellent work as President of ASB, and we look forward to her continued involvement in and contribution to the Society for many years to come.

Following discussions at the Melbourne ASB meeting, most presenters agreed to submit a paper or review article on the topic of their conference presentation for publication in the European Biophysics Journal.

The agreed date for submission of the manuscript was the end of January. The manuscripts will then all be sent to Professor Tony Watts, the Managing Editor of the Journal, but should be sent to Peter Barry (contact details below) in the first instance. The web address of the Journal, with details of Instructions for Authors:

http://www.ebsa.org/ebj/instructions.html

This year the ASB is planning to have its annual meeting immediately following an IUPS satellite symposium on the "Structure and Function of Ion Channels" in the Blue Mountains near Sydney. The satellite symposium is to be held September 2-5, 2001 at the Fairmont Resort at Leura, finishing at midday on Wednesday 5^th (see website: www.iups2001.org.au, for details).

The ASB 2001 meeting will be held close by, at the Carrington Hotel in Katoomba. It will start on the Wednesday evening and finish at midday on Friday 7^th, with the conference dinner on the Thursday evening; details will be updated on the ASB website. Although the ASB meeting will cover other areas of biophysics, it is anticipated that there will also be a reasonable amount of ion channel work presented and that it may include some international participants from the previous channel meeting.

Contributions welcome!

Hans Freeman advises that Keith Moffat will be visiting Australia in the period May 7-June 5

As the AAS's Selby Fellow. The dates of arrival in, and departure from, Australia are now firm but his exact itinerary is still to be dcided. The visit to each city (with the exceptions of Hobart and Townsville) foresees three types of activity:

(1) The Selby Lecture, aimed at a non-specialist audience, on "Big Science and Little Science at Synchrotron Light Sources in the Twenty-First Century".

(2) A research lecture/seminar, aimed at a biochemical/biophysical/crystallographic audience, on "Ultra-fast Time-Resolved Macromolecular Crystallography".

(3) 'Consultations' with policy makers, administrators, industrial representatives or others

nominated by the local hosts - potentially a most useful aspect of the tour.

For further details contact Hans:

H C Freeman Email: freemanh@chem.usyd.edu.au

School of Chemistry Phone: +61-(0)2-9351-4405

University of Sydney FAX: +61-(0)2-9351-3329

Between 29 April - 4 May 2001, CHIC (Collaborative Health Informatics Centre - http://www.chic.org.au) is coordinating a group of Australian medical diagnostic organisations (both commercial and R&D) to participate in a practical, focussed workshop program with potential French partners with a view to establishing collaborative partnerships for market entry, technology, R&D, commercialisation and other partnering opportunities.

The initiative falls within the framework of the intergovernmental French

Industrial Research (FAIR) agreement. Support is provided through the

Federal Department of Industry Science and Resources (ISR) Technology

Diffusion Program and significant financial support will be provided to

participating companies. More information on FAIR is available at:

http://www.isr.gov.au/science/ist/country/france/index.html

Workshops have previously alternated between Australia and France and have focussed on a different industry sectors each year. The workshops this year will focus on medical diagnostics and will take place in Canberra and Sydney. Last year’s workshops were held in Paris in March and focussed on health IT.

It is proposed that up to 25 Australian and similar numbers of French organisations participate in the event . The workshops will begin in Canberra, followed by individual French co visits to participating Australian organisations to begin collaborative/ partnering discussions, finishing with a FAIR dinner and workshop in Sydney for all participants.

More information on the workshops are available on the CHIC website at:

They are keen to make contact with potential participants organisations from around Australia in the medical diagnostics field. The workshops are particularly looking to focus on imaging, invitro diagnosis and non-invasive diagnosis.

This came to us via ASBMB:

Research Finder - http://panoptic.act.cmis.csiro.au/research-finder/

Research Finder is an internet search tool developed by the Department of Industry, Science and Resources which enables discovery of Australia's researchers, research activity and emerging technologies. It is now on-line at http://panoptic.act.cmis.csiro.au/research-finder/

Research Finder currently searches the web sites of 192 government-funded research and research-support organisations, institutions, departments and agencies. These include, CRCs, universities, technology transfer organisations, Research Councils, R&D Corporations, Government organisations involved in research, and medical and biotechnology research institutes.

There are currently over 2.1 million web documents in the Research Finder index.

NOMINATIONS FOR SCIENCE PRIZES

Nominations have been called for the Prime Minister’s Prize for Science, the Minister’s Prize for achievement in the Life Sciences, and the Malcolm McIntosh Prize for achievement in the Physical Sciences. Eligibility is limited to Australian citizens and those who have permanent resident status as defined by the Department of Immigration and Ethnic Affairs. Nominations should be lodged with the Science Prizes Secretariat. Additional information can be found at http://www.isr.gov.au/science.

These are prestigious prizes and bring great credit to both the individuals who receive them and the institutions they represent.

ASIA EXCHANGES

The Academy supports international collaboration with a number of Asian countries including short-term visits and post-doctoral awards. At present most people who apply win an award. Council wishes to encourage more applications. The next deadline will be mid-2001. The details are at http://www.science.org.au/internat.

INTER-ACADEMY PANEL (IAP) AND INTER-ACADEMY MEDICAL PANEL (IAPM) The Inter-Academy Panel comprises most of the world’s national science academies, and leads joint activities on matters like sustainability. The Academy is a member, and has been appointed to the IAP Council. The Academy has also joined the recently-formed Inter-Academy Medical Panel. More information on both is available at

http://www4.nationalacademies.org/oia/iap/iaphome.nsf

and http://www.interacademies.net/medical.

International Union for Pure and Applied Biophysics (IUPAB)

Biophysical Society of Argentina

Buenos Aires, Argentina: 27 April - 2 May 2002

PLEASE FILL IN AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PRE-REGISTRATION FORM!

Organized by: The International Union for Pure and Applied Biophysics (IUPAB)

Hosted by: Sociedad Argentina de Biofísica (SAB)

Venue: "Plaza Houssay Complex" - Faculties of Medicine, Biochemistry, Pharmacy and Dentistry

IUPAB International Biophysics Congresses are held every three years. Recent venues have been Vancouver, Budapest, Amsterdam and New Delhi. The Buenos Aires meeting will be the first International Biophysics Congress to be held in the Southern hemisphere.

World leaders in biophysics will be presenting authoritative accounts of recent advances in Biophysics. The programme will embrace nine areas of contemporary Biophysics* including a "Special Congress Topic":

Six plenary lectures and 30 symposia are planned. In each Symposium there will be three oral presentations by invited speakers and two by speakers selected from those who have submitted Abstracts (see the specific subject descriptions *below).

Registration:

Registration will entitle participants to attend the Scientific Meetings, Opening and Closing Ceremonies and a Welcome Reception and to receive the corresponding Congress material.

Students will be granted a reduced fee.

Call for Papers/Posters:

Authors wishing to attend the Congress and present a poster (which could be selected eventually for oral presentation) are requested to fill in the appropriate box in the attached Reply Form.

Official Language:

English will be the official language of the meeting.

Facilities:

Projection facilities for 35 mm. slides, as well as overhead, video and data beam projectors, will be available.

Accommodation:

The Organizing Committee will offer accommodation at various rates, to suit all delegates.

Satellite Symposia:

Satellite symposia will be held in Argentina and other countries in the area (Brazil, Uruguay and Chile).

Travel fellowships:

A limited number of fellowships for young scientists will be available. IUPAB Travel Fellowships are intended to cover a substantial part of the travel and accommodation expenses; in addition the Congress Registration fee will be waived for recipients of IUPAB Travel Fellowships. Details of the application procedure will be provided in the Second Circular and on the Congress and IUPAB Web sites at a later date - please do not make enquiries until these details appear.

Accompanying Persons:

A full program is being developed for people accompanying participants.

Pre and Post Conference Tours:

A number of pre and post conference tours are being arranged to give participants a taste of Argentina.

Second Announcement - Invitation and Programme:

The Second Announcement is due August 2001. It will be in the web page of the Congress and sent to all pre-registered scientists. In order to receive the Second Announcement, please return the attached reply form to the Congress Secretariat.

Prof. Ponce Hornos

M. T. de Alvear 2270

(1122) Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Fax: 54 11 49 63 58 89

4 December 2000

Mr Jonathan Shier

Managing Director

Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Dear Mr Shier

Coverage of science by the ABC

Australian scientists and technologists regard the ABC as one of the prime ways of keeping the Australian public informed of developments in science. The importance of this has been underlined in two major reports currently before Government - the Batterham Review and the Innovation Summit Implementation Group. Both make a major point of the need for a greater national awareness of the possibilities and limitations of science.

There is a growing view in political circles that science and technology hold the key to our prosperity, but first Australians need to change the way they think about science and its applications. Both reports urge an engagement of the public in science, technology and innovation; as a means to bringing about a cultural change in Australia.

Clearly the ABC has a major role to play if this national objective is to be achieved, as an authoritative nation-wide source of information and as a critical investigator on scientific matters. An important part of this equation is that scientists trust the ABC to report their research accurately and will therefore cooperate with the ABC, whereas they are less likely to participate in any program that relies on sensationalism.

For 16 years Quantum has made a valuable contribution to informing Australians of new scientific achievements. We regret the decision of the ABC to bring this successful program to an end, while recognising there may be advantages in lookjng at new ways of producing a high-quality program to bring the best of Australian (and international) science to a national audience.

We seek your assurance that ABC will continue to produce high quality science programs for television. What plans do you have for a replacement program?

Our view is that while there is room for commissioning some work from outside production units, the ABC needs to retain a solid core of scientific expertise. This expertise should have responsibility for in-house production and for commissioning the best of the external production houses to do particular segments or programs.

The retention of scientific expertise within the ABC is vital. To be producers or commissioning agents for good science programs, the ABC needs to be an active player in the field. This will provide continuity, balance, impartiality, corporate memory and resistance to commercial pressures.

FASTS is a national body representing 60,000 working scientists and technologists in all disciplines. We work actively with the ABC in news, current affairs and programs in helping them make contact with appropriate experts in different scientific fields; and would seek to continue this relationship with those involved in the successor to Quantum.

Yours sincerely

Sue Serjeantson

Are you a graduate with a burning desire to be a science and technology journalist? New Scientist is pleased to announce a six-month internship to commemorate Ian Anderson, our prize winning Australasian editor who passed away earlier this year. The internship, which is co-funded by The British Council Australia, will start in April 2001. The successful applicant will spend three months in New Scientist’s London office, followed by three months in Melbourne. Travel expenses and a stipend ({sterling} 4600 in London, A$7000 in Melbourne) will be provided.

Applicants should be Australian citizens, with a degree in science, medicine or engineering. They should demonstrate their talent for journalism by sending us an unpublished article of not more than 350 words, modelled on stories found in New Scientist’s news section and describing some recent advance in science or technology.

Applications, including a CV (resume), the 350 word article, and any published writing, should reach the Australasian Editor by 31 January 2000 by email to newscientist.internship@reedbusiness.com.au or by post to the Sydney address and marked "internship".

There is no application form and no further details can be provided.

Australia’s peak council for scientists and technologists today (Wednesday) predicted that science and technology is moving to centre stage in debates about Australia’s future.

Climate change, public health, genetically-modified food, information technology, salinity, energy, disposal of nuclear waste are all unresolved issues on the public agenda.

Professor Sue Serjeantson, President of the Federation of Australian Scientific and Technological Societies (FASTS), said scientists and technologists had to work more closely with Parliamentarians, to help them construct Australia’s future over the next decade.

"Bill Clinton said last month that the language of science is about to become a much more pervasive part of life," she said.

Professor Serjeantson was releasing FASTS’ "Ten Top Issues", a list of priority issues for 2001.

She predicted that science will continue to become more integrated with national policy-setting, as President Clinton has suggested.

"Ultimately, science means new industries and new jobs. It’s the way forward - an improved environment, better healthcare, enhanced economic competitiveness, solutions to the problems that drag our society back.

"Science doesn’t have all the answers, but it is always part of the solution."

"The Prime Minister’s commitment to his Science, Engineering and Innovation Council has raised the political stakes," she said. "Major decisions on national policies are having their birth in PMSEIC, a Council where the Prime Minister has shown a great deal of interest.

"FASTS’ ‘Science meets Parliament’ Days have opened up a new conduit for information, and I have been struck at how useful and enjoyable Parliamentarians and scientists find this event."

The Government is expected to make a major statement on science later this month, with a significant boost in the national investment in science and research.

But Professor Serjeantson said she hoped the increased investment would come into effect immediately, ramping up over time.

"Frankly, Australia can’t wait," she said.

2000 Selection Round - Successful Applications by Research Sector:

MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY

1. CRC for Construction Innovation

2. CRC for Functional Communication Surfaces

3. CRC for Innovative Wood Manufacturing

4. CRC for Railway Engineering and Technologies

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY

5. CRC for Smart Internet Technology

6. CRC for Technology Enabled Capital Markets

MINING AND ENERGY

7. CRC for Coal in Sustainable Development

8. CRC for Landscape Environments and Mineral Exploration

9 CRC for Predictive Mineral Discovery

AGRICULTURE AND RURAL BASED MANUFACTURING

10. Australian Sheep Industry CRC

11. CRC for Innovative Dairy Products

12. CRC for Sustainable Aquaculture of Finfish

13. CRC for Value Added Wheat

ENVIRONMENT

14. CRC for Australian Weed Management

15. CRC for Plant-based Management of Dryland Salinity

16. CRC for Tropical Savannas Management

17. CRC for Water Quality and Treatment

MEDICAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

18. CRC for Chronic Inflammatory Diseases

19. CRC for Diagnostics

Further details of successful applicants are available on:

http://www.minister.industry.gov.au/minchin/releases/2001/january/cmr002%2D0

1.doc

Mr Toss Gascoigne

Executive Director

Federation of Australian Scientific and Technological Societies

PO Box 218

DEAKIN WEST ACT 2600

AUSTRALIA

Phone: +61 2 - 6257 2891 (work); +61 2 - 6249 7400 (home)

Fax: +61 2 - 6257 2897

Mobile: 0408 704 442

Email: fasts@anu.edu.au (Toss Gascoigne)

Web address: http://www.FASTS.org

FASTS’ ABN: ABN 71 626 822 845

This section is available to all members. Please send notices to Ray Norton.

The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute is establishing a new Division of Structural Biology in January 2001. Activities in the new Division include protein crystallography, NMR spectroscopy, theoretical chemistry and ligand design, and synthetic chemistry.

A research assistant in NMR spectroscopy is sought to assist with the maintenance of spectrometers (Bruker DRX-600 and AMX-500) and associated hardware, training of new users and general support activities in specific project areas. An Honours degree in Science with knowledge of NMR spectroscopy is essential. Experience in protein expression and purification will be an advantage.

Enquiries to Ray Norton (9903 9650, rnorton@wehi.edu.au).

Ray Norton Peter Barry

The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Professor of Physiology

Research, School of Physiology and Pharmacology NMR Laboratory, The University of New South Wales

381 Royal Parade, Parkville 3052. Sydney 2052.

Phone (03) 9903 9650 Phone +61-2-9385 1101

FAX (03) 9903 9655 FAX +61-2-9385 1099

Email: rnorton@wehi.edu.au Email: P.Barry@unsw.edu.au

Secretary Treasurer

Cyril Curtain Paul Pallaghy

School of Physics and Materials Engineering 381 Royal Parade, Parkville 3052.

Monash University Phone (03) 9903 9658

Clayton 3800. FAX (03) 9903 9655

Phone (03) 9397 2421 Email: paul.pallaghy@bioresi.com.au

Email: Cyril.Curtain@sci.monash.edu.au

ACT NSW

Paul Smith Brett Hambly

Department of Chemistry Pathology Department D06

Australian National University University of Sydney NSW 2006.

ACT 0200. Phone (02) 9351 3059

Phone 61 2 6249 3074 FAX (02) 9351 3429

FAX 61 2 6249 0760 Email: bretth@pathology.usyd.edu.au
Email: Paul.Smith@ANU.edu.au

Simon Brown Christa Critchley

Institute of Fundamental Sciences Department of Botany

Massey University The University of Queensland 4072

Private Bag 11222 Phone: 07 33653470

Palmerston North FAX: 07 33651699

New Zealand mobile: 0407 639394

Phone +64 6 3504784 Email: c.critchley@botany.uq.edu.au

FAX +64 6 3505682

Email : S.C.Brown@massey.ac.nz (work)

simon_brown@zfree.co.nz (home)

SA Tasmania

Geoff Findlay Sergey Shabala

School of Biological Sciences School of Agricultural Science

Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, University of Tasmania

Adelaide, SA 5001. GPO Box 252-54, Hobart, Tas 7001.

Phone: 08 8201 2150 or 08 8201 2450 Phone (03) 6226 7539

FAX: 08 8201 3015 FAX (03) 6226 2642

Email: geoff.findlay@flinders.edu.au Email: Sergey.Shabala@utas.edu.au

Victoria WA

Paul Gooley Boris Martinac

School of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department of Pharmacology QEII

University of Melbourne Medical Center

Melbourne VIC 3010. The University of Western Australia

Phone (03) 8344 5935 Crawley, WA 6009.

FAX (03) 9347 7730 Phone: +61 8 9346 2986

p.gooley@biochemistry.unimelb.edu.au FAX: +61 8 9346 3469

bmartinac@receptor.pharm.uwa.edu.au

Ray Norton