The  Australian State of Victoria, the Asia-Pacific leader in the biotechnology industry, today concluded  a showcase of its scientists, innovative companies, projects and technology  at the 2011 BIO International Convention, held in Washington, D.C. at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. The delegation included scientists, researchers and executives from Victoria’s successful biotechnology and life sciences industry.

As part of the delegation, Melbourne-based National ICT Australia Ltd (NICTA), an information and communications technology research center, showcased its breakthrough research, including:

• A major milestone for the bionic eye: A team of researchers led by NICTA’s Professor Stan Skafidas announced that it has developed a microchip for the second generation bionic eye, as part of its work with Bionic Vision Australia. Testing of the microchip is progressing well and results are encouraging. The team will now focus on developing a version of the chip with 1,000 stimulation channels and wireless transfer of data and power. The bionic eye works by sending data directly from a camera mounted on glasses to a retinal implant at the back of the eye. Researchers aim to develop the technology so people can recognize faces and objects. Patient tests for the second generation bionic eye are set to commence in 2014.

• Gossamer genome assembler: NICTA’s de novo genome assembler, demonstrated for BIO attendees in the Australian Pavilion (booths 2537 and 2637) throughout the course of the show, enables researchers to assemble DNA fragments using a commodity computer instead of having to depend on large-scale, complex computing infrastructures. Now available to be trialled for non-commercial use, Gossamer allows for complex analytics to be completed on personal computers, significantly expediting the research process and significantly decreasing the cost of genome assembly.

• TrackAssist software for enhanced cell proliferation data analysis: TrackAssist, also demonstrated at the Australian Pavilion during the course of the event, is an advanced software tool that automates microscopic image data analysis for the extraction of biologically relevant information from video sequences of live cells. The software, which was developed in collaboration with the Immunology Lab at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (WEHI), decreases the time it takes to analyze these video images from as much as 9-12 months down to just hours. In addition to saving significant time, TrackAssist also is able to extract additional cell data, such as size, intensities and lineage, which provide detailed insight into the workings of cells.

Melbourne and the State of Victoria have long been a hotbed for biotech innovation down under.  Home to life sciences companies that have developed everything from the swine flu vaccine to the bionic ear,Victoria boasts more than 13 major medical research institutes.

Victorian biotech companies benefit from the state’s cutting-edge infrastructure, including the Parkville Comprehensive Cancer Centre, the world’s most powerful life sciences supercomputer, financial stability and a supportive state government – the Victorian government has invested nearly A$4 billion in science and innovation during the last 10 years.

Earlier this month, the Australian government announced an A$1.8 million R&D tax credit that further established Melbourne as the world’s most attractive tax environment for R&D, according to KPMG, the U.S.-based audit, tax and advisory services firm. Under the new broad-based system, which will begin on July 1, 2011, companies in industries such as biotechnology with turnover of less than A$20 million will be eligible for a 45 percent refundable tax credit. Additionally, KPMG’s biennial Competitive Alternatives study found that companies benefited from an 88 percent lesser tax burden for R&D activities carried out in Melbourne than in the United States.

“Now, the incentives for companies to establish operations in the State of Victoria are greater than ever,” said Victor Perton, Commissioner to the Americas for the State Government of Victoria.  At the Convention, my team has met with a large number of U.S. corporations interested in doing more in R&D and investing in Australian know-how and ingenuity. They like our can-do manner and healthy optimism.

“We look forward to welcoming more innovative biotechnology and life sciences companies that are eager to take advantage of this tax credit,” continued Perton. “American companies are keen to tap into our tens of thousands of researchers, top-flight research schools, skilled workforce, sophisticated infrastructure and the world’s best lifestyle, which attracts a global pool of talent.”

This week TrackAssist will be demonstrated at the Australian Pavilion, an advanced software tool that automates microscopic image data analysis for the extraction of biologically relevant information from video sequences of live cells. The software, which was developed in collaboration with the Immunology Lab at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (WEHI), decreases the time it takes to analyze these video images from as much as 9-12 months down to just hours. In addition to saving significant time, TrackAssist is also able to extract additional cell data, such as size, intensities and lineage, which provide detailed insight into the workings of cells.

TrackAssist will make a major contribution to medical research and pharmaceutical development. It will potentially revolutionize the use of single cell tracking to evaluate drugs or evaluate the effect of hormones or evaluate the effect of genetic changes on cell behavior. It has the potential to underwrite a whole new branch of biological investigation,” said Professor Phil Hodgkin, Head of the WEHI Immunology Lab.

TrackAssist can be viewed at the NICTA stand on the Australia Booth (Booth #2537) at Bio 2011 in the Walter E Washington Convention Centre in Washington, DC, 27-30 June, 2011.

Follow the announcements as they happen at #BIO2011 on Twitter and be sure to come along to the launch of our new life sciences video at 3:30 on Thursday where there will be a range of Victorian and Australian wines for you to sample.

National ICT Australia Ltd (NICTA) – a Melbourne-based information and communications technology research center will be demonstrating their de novo genome assembler for BIO attendees at the Australian Pavilion (booths 2537 and 2637) throughout the course of the show. This gossamer genome assembler enables researchers to assemble DNA fragments using a commodity computer instead of having to depend on large-scale, complex computing infrastructures. Now available to be trialed for non-commercial use, Gossamer allows for complex analytics to be completed on personal computers, significantly expediting the research process and significantly decreasing the cost of genome assembly.

You can follow the announcements as they happen at #BIO2011 on Twitter and be sure to come along to the launch of our new life sciences video at 3:30 on Thursday where there will be a range of Victorian and Australian wines for you to sample.

Patna, Jan 21 (PTI) Bihar government has prepared an agricultural roadmap under which one village in each of the 38 districts would be selected as organic village for promoting organic farming. “Under the roadmap formulated for agriculture, we will select one village in every district as organic village for the purpose of organic farming”, state Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh said. “Organic farming is the only way to restore fertility of land”, he said. The fertility of land has decreased due to the increasing use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides over the years, he said. “Organic farming will increase the production of food crops”, he said. Singh said the present government had increased the agriculture budget from Rs 25 crore to Rs 803 crore and was ready to achieve the objectives under the agricultural roadmap. Stating that several rounds of talks have taken place between he state governent and various banks regarding assistance to farmers, the minister said the government was also making efforts for certification of organic villages as it was important for the marketing of agricultural products.PTI AJK MM

The Soil Association is accepting nominations for their annual Organic Awards, which have become a benchmark for excellence and set the highest standard for innovation, quality and commitment within the organic health and beauty industry.

Sophie Bolton, Soil Association Marketing Manager says “The Organic Industry Awards acknowledge the very best of organic business and are a fantastic marketing tool for anyone wishing to demonstrate their brand’s innovation, quality and ethics.”

The awards presentation will form part of The Natural & Organic Awards, hosted in association with Natural Products – the industry’s leading trade magazine, on Sunday 3 April at Olympia Conference Centre after the close of business on the first day of the Natural & Organic Products Europe trade show.

The deadline for nominations in all five organic categories is Friday 25 February:

• Best Organic Retailer
• Best Organic Textile Product
• Best Organic Facial Skincare Product
• Best Organic Baby Product
• Best Organic Bodycare Product

Nomination forms are available to download from www.naturalproducts.co.uk/awards and should be submitted to Events Co-ordinator Laura Andrews (landrews@soilassociation.org) at the Soil Association. Winners, who stand to gain huge competitive advantage from displaying the winning logo on their products, will be decided by a panel of industry professionals.

The shortlist for the Organic Retail category is decided by a public vote. While the award for Best New Organic Food Product is open to Natural & Organic Products Europe exhibitors only and will be chosen by visitors to the show’s New Product Showcase throughout Sunday 3 April.

Outstanding Achievement Award

Nominations are also being accepted for this year’s Natural Products Outstanding Achievement Award, sponsored by Pegasus PR, which honours an inspirational individual (or organisation) whose contribution to the natural and organic sector has been genuinely transformational. The ten individuals who receive the most nominations by the deadline of Friday 4 February (email Jim Manson at editor@naturalproducts.co.uk) will be published in the March issue of Natural Products. The readers of the magazine (both in print and online) will then be called upon to cast a final vote. The eventual winner of this prestigious Award will also to be announced at the Natural & Organic Awards ceremony.

Soil Association exhibitor space

The Soil Association is a key supporter of Natural & Organic Products Europe and show highlights for 2011 include the official Trade launch of the annual Organic Market Report, plus the return of the popular Soil Association Organic Marketplace. Specifically designed to promote smaller organic producers, the marketplace offers a cost-effective way for Soil Association licensees to launch their fledging brands to some of the world’s leading buyers.

Natural & Organic Products Europe is free to attend for pre-registered trade visitors. To register, please visitwww.naturalproducts.co.uk

The three biggest categories of organic food in terms of retail sales value – dairy, produce and fresh meat – saw their sales fall by 5.5%, 14.8% and 22.7% respectively in 2009.

The Consumer

On average consumers bought organic products 16 times during the year, compared to 18 times in 2008. When they did so they typically spent 2.9% less on organic products per shopping trip. This pattern of shopping less frequently and spending less on each occasion shows organic consumers being hit by the recession and tightening their belts – just like everyone else. For some this has meant choosing cheaper cuts of organic meat, or canned and frozen alternatives that help avoid waste. Sales of organic fresh fish fell by 46% in 2009, for example, while sales of organic frozen fish more than trebled. Organic products continue to attract shoppers from across the social spectrum. Those in the C2, D and E social groups – which cover manual and casual workers, pensioners, students and people on benefits – accounted for 33% of spend in 2009. Consumers on higher incomes – those from the A, B and C1 socio-economic groups – were responsible for 67% of spending.

In Conclusion

UK needs significantly to increase the proportion of organic food served in schools, hospitals and throughout the public sector. This country needs an agricultural equivalent of the car scrappage scheme that offers enhanced incentives through agri-environment funding for farmers who swap polluting old farming techniques for practices that maximise soil carbon storage. By the other hand they must increase research and development funding to support sustainable farming practices from 11% to 50% or more of the UK’s agriculture research budget. For its part the organic movement needs to strengthen its collective effort to communicate all the benefits of organic food and farming to the public. Finally they need to rekindle the kind of consumer demand that it will ultimately be impossible for policy makers, and retailers, to ignore.

Sourece: Soil Association

BioFach offers  an extensive range of organic food and fair trade products, plus everything worth knowing about agricultural and marketing supplies.

By the other hand Vivaness, the Trade Fair for Natural Personal Care and Wellness, is really interesting to visit.

BioFach has a lot to offer:

1. Organic + Fair: Fair production and trade with organic products will continue to be the sector’s focus in the future.
2. Textil-Area: smart, ecologically and socially compatible.
3. Organic Wine: Supporting ecology is a sign of good taste and a good nose. The result is shown excellently in the world of wine tasting
4. Organic Olive Oil: A variety of tastes. The fine oils from the worldwide olive growing regions are presented in BIOFACH.
5. Novelty Stand: new and innovative products.

Let´s take a look to the Organic + Fair platform

Today more and more customers are gearing their consumption to quality and values. The basis for this is organic, and fair production and trading conditions are other vital aspects.

The special show “Organic + Fair” at the heart of the world’s leading exhibition presents an extract of the whole spectrum of fair trade products at BioFach / Vivaness. Regional initiatives are just as much a part of the presentation as projects at international level, and the products range from coffee, tea and chocolate to fruit, herbs, spices and cosmetics.

51 exhibitors from 14 countries and some 100 product presentations illustrated the whole variety of organic and fairly produced products at the last event in 2010.

For those thirsting for knowledge, the Fair & Ethical Trade Forum at the BioFach Congress provides the latest developments, projects and figures.

BioFach and Vivaness have a lot of topics and special shows in store for you again in 2011.

Catch the opportunity and be inspired!