NEWS
Catch up on the news and updates driving change and inspiring discovery across our fields.
NCRIS Synthetic Biology voucher scheme 2026-27 (Round 2)
Key Points 1. The aim of this Voucher Scheme is to enable projects addressing significant scientific challenges using synthetic biology capabilities at NCRIS SynBio and NCRIS Partner facilities. 2. Applications for a Primary Voucher will include a Lead Provider from...
Genomics for Forest Resilience Initiative – Request for Partnership 2026
REQUEST FOR PARTNERSHIP GUIDELINES Background and Aims Australia’s forests are facing increasing pressures from climate change, invasive pests and habitat fragmentation. These ecosystems are home to ecologically important species and their long-term resilience is...
Australia contributes to the global tree of life for flowering plants: Celebrating the completion of the Fungal Trees of Life Project (PAFTOL)
The Genomics for Australian Plants Framework Initiative (GAP) consortium, formed by Bioplatforms Australia in partnership with researchers from the Australian State and National Herbaria and Botanic Gardens is a major partner and collaborator with the Royal...
Animal Disease Genomics Initiative – Request for Partnership 2026
REQUEST FOR PARTNERSHIP GUIDELINES BACKGROUND Animal diseases continue to pose a growing threat to Australia’s agriculture, biosecurity, and public health. Climate change, land use change, global trade, and increased movement of people, livestock, and wildlife are...
AI and genomics combine to create personalised cancer vaccine for dog
A Sydney tech entrepreneur has used artificial intelligence and genomics to develop a personalised mRNA cancer vaccine for his rescue dog, Rosie, offering hope for both veterinary and human cancer treatments. When Rosie was diagnosed with advanced mast cell cancer,...
Australian Avian Genomics Initiative – Request for Partnership guidelines
BACKGROUND Australia is home to approximately 830 species of birds, of which 43% are endemics that are only found here. There have been substantial efforts, particularly internationally, in avian genomics and phylogenomics. However, central gaps remain in the...
Bioplatforms-supported startups recognised in NSW Emerging Technology Commercialisation Fund
Three startups supported by Bioplatforms Australia have been announced as recipients of the NSW Government’s Emerging Technology Commercialisation Fund, recognising the strength of Australia’s deep-tech pipeline and the role of national research infrastructure in...
Bioplatforms Initiative recognised as an official project supporting Australia’s Animalplan
We are pleased to share that the Bioplatforms Animal Disease Genomics Initiative is now listed as an official project supporting the ambitions of the DAFF Animalplan 2022–2027, Australia’s first national action plan for production animal health. Led by the Department...
The Threatened Species Initiative has now opened its 2026 Request for Partnership
TSI is now seeking partnerships as part of its Genomics Library program. This program seeks to create a foundation of genomic data to advance our understanding of key threatened species in Australia (fauna and flora) by developing best-practice reference genomes, and...
AVID Initiative supports 17 research groups to generate molecular data for 38 venomous species
Australia is home to one of the world’s most diverse arrays of venomous species, yet the vast majority remain poorly characterised at the molecular level. The Australian Venom Innovation and Discovery (AVID) Initiative is addressing this gap through a national...
Strengthening Australia–Europe collaboration in health and life sciences research infrastructure
A new joint white paper from the Australian NCRIS Health Group and the European Life Sciences Research Infrastructure Strategy Board sets out a shared vision for building a structured, well-resourced Australia–Europe research infrastructure ecosystem in health and...
OzMedicago to deliver national genotype-to-phenotype platform for climate-smart pasture legumes
A new national research effort, OzMedicago, has begun work to build Australia’s first integrated genotype-to-phenotype resource for annual Medicago species. These nitrogen-fixing pasture legumes underpin nearly 25 million hectares of Australian grazing land,...
Annual Report 2025
Bioplatforms Australia, enabled by NCRIS investment in research infrastructure, is committed to supporting the Australian life sciences community through a diverse access program, provision of targeted infrastructure requirements, and making integrated capability...
NCRIS vouchers enable new synthetic biology projects across Australia
Australia’s synthetic biology research community is receiving a significant boost, with a new wave of collaborative projects supported through the NCRIS Synthetic Biology Voucher Scheme, delivered by Bioplatforms Australia. The initiative is enabling...
Genomic research targets harmful algal blooms in South Australia
Researchers from Flinders University and the South Australian Genomics Centre (SAGC) are undertaking a whole-genome sequencing project to study Karenia mikimotoi, the microscopic algae suspected to be driving the harmful algal bloom currently impacting South...
The Australian Venom Innovation and Discovery Initiative – Request for Partnership 2025 now open
Request for Partnership 2025 The Australian Venom Innovation and Discovery (AVID) Initiative is pleased to announce that the 2025 Request for Partnership is now open! Initiative background Australia is home to one of the world’s most diverse ranges of venomous and...
A national effort to decode venoms for science and innovation
Australia harbours one of the world’s richest diversities of venomous species, from spiders and snakes to marine organisms and insects. Venoms play critical ecological roles, helping species hunt, defend themselves, and adapt to their environments. They also...
Celebrating the winners of the 2025 Australian Museum Eureka Prizes
Bioplatforms Australia congratulates all the winners of the 2025 Australian Museum Eureka Prizes, announced on 3 September at the Australian Museum in Sydney. Now in its 35th year, the Eureka Prizes recognise the very best in Australian science, spanning research,...
Pipeline Accelerator voucher scheme now open for applications
Bioplatforms Australia is proud to partner with Therapeutic Innovation Australia (TIA), Phenomics Australia, and ANSTO to support translational medical research through the Pipeline Accelerator voucher scheme. The initiative, launched by TIA, tackles the medical...
Protecting Victorians through drug surveillance and pill testing initiatives
Illicit drug use poses a growing public health challenge, with increasingly potent and unpredictable substances circulating in the community. In recent years, new synthetic drugs and dangerous drug mixtures have become more common, increasing the risk of overdose and...