News: School of Biological Sciences

Engineering a virus: What is gain of function research?

Genetics lab

Interview with researcher A/Prof Michael Beard about gain-of-function research, a technique used in virology and genetics to alter the function of a virus.

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Time to wake up to the illegal trade of sleepy lizards

Smugglers attempt to disguise shingleback lizards as other freight to the detriment of the animals health and wellbeing.

Australian reptiles face serious conservation threats from illegal poaching fuelled by international demand and the exotic pet trade.

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Scientists unearth secrets about the evolution of soil-burrowing cockroaches

A giant burrowing cockroach (Macropanesthia rhinoceros), a species commonly bought as a pet that can reach up to eight centimetres long and weigh 30 grams. Image by Yi-Kai Tea

Evolutionary biologists have assessed the phenomenon of parallelism in soil-burrowing cockroaches for the first time.

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Optical imaging and battery technology focus for Laureates

Professor Kishan Dholakia (left) and Professor Zaiping Guo

Two University of Adelaide scientists have been awarded prestigious Australian Laureate Fellowships by the Australian Research Council.

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Improving vaccine allergy tests

Allergy test - Credit: MajaMitrovic/Getty Images

South Australian researchers have been studying ways to improve tests for allergies to vaccine ingredients.

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Coronaviruses have been hijacking human genes for 20,000 years

Coronavirus graphic. Image by Gerd Altmann, from Pixabay.

Humans have been exposed to coronaviruses for more than 20,000 years, according to new University of Adelaide research.

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New standards to assist conservation and decision-making

TERN fieldwork

University of Adelaide and TERN researchers have partnered with the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (DAWE) to standardise both environmental monitoring and data systems for improved decision-making.

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DNA tracking of timber to increase forest sustainability and integrity

A teak tree is sampling in Laos - Photo by Double Helix Tracking Technologies

University of Adelaide scientists have created a DNA fingerprint map to link teak timber back to its plantation of origin and help reduce the $40 billion illicit trade of timber in the Asia Pacific region.

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The Federated States of Degradia

Carbon Neutral, a Perth-based carbon offset provider, has planted 30 million native trees and shrubs since 2008. Their ambition is to plant a 200km highway of trees across Western Australia’s Wheatbelt, as shown in this image taken using a carbon neutral drone by photographer Russell Ord.

With almost a third of arable land classified as degraded, what can we do to reverse the rapid pace of degradation and can we do it in a way that benefits us?

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New genetic biocontrol research to help prevent mice plagues

Paul Thomas microscope

Scientists are partnering with the CSIRO and the Centre for Invasive Species Solutions to fine new solutions to control mice populations.

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