In the last few weeks our project leaders have been involved in a project review. This is part of the Board's agenda to ensure our research investments in the final years focus on delivering our Milestones and Goals as set in our agreement with the Commonwealth.  

It is our intention that all current project activities are well defined in time for the next Board meeting (December 5).  

Project feedback is being prepared for each of the reviews. Clearly we will attempt to give staff employed under CRC funds as much possible notice of these 2009/10 activities as possible.

The Les Edye/Bill Doherty project, based at QUT in Brisbane, has shown how to make a new coating from sugarcane cellulose for potential use as a wax for waterproof papers and industrial cardboards. Due to this product having a plant base, it would be fully recyclable.

CRC Communication sent out a release in early August. The interest among web, radio and print media was tremendous. ABC Science News interviewed Les the day the story was released and made it their number one story. Web sites in Australia and overseas soon picked up the story, covering it in its entirety. Various newspapers, including the Brisbane Courier Mail, and sugar industry magazines, proceeded to give the story good coverage.

The outcome of all of this has been many commercial enquiries, including interest from global pharmaceutical company, Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS). BMS has global sales of $19.3 billion.

Julie and Deon will give a presentation re the value of communication in commercial activities at our forthcoming symposium.

This is a major coup for the Aussie cane industry and for our CRC. DAS specialises in applying biotechnology to sophisticated crop research, and will be able to work closely with our scientists on a major pest management project.

As with many of the major chemical and agricultural companies, DAS has made a strategic decision to embrace the options provided by biotechnology to source alternative sources of carbon and energy.

Part of this position clearly considers the sugarcane plant and its associated product streams as being of significant interest.

The expertise in this range of science as occurs in this part of Australia, and our CRC in particular, is behind their alliance with the CRC.

Our Board members were given the run down on DAS and the Dow Chemical Company when Dr Susanne Wasson, Global Leader in Traits and Seeds addressed the Board dinner.

Caption: Pictured L to R is Dr Deon Goosen, Dr Susanne Wasson and Dr Peter Twine.

Students are at various stages with their work, but all are progressing admirably.

The students get together every few months as part of a networking program to share research progress, network, and at times engage in extra training.

Not to mention, Suzanne always puts on a good feast and selection of drinks!

Thanks to all who attended.

Award nominations should be made on the template that was distributed to CRC members via email on 14 August 2008. The 2008 award categories are listed in the table below.

Please note:

• Not all awards will necessarily be given in 2008
• Nominations close 3 November 2008
• All awards can be self or peer nominated
• Awards will be presented at the 2008 CRC SIIB Symposium, 3&4 December 2008
• Please note that decisions made by the judges are final

Click here to view more awards details.

Rachel, who is been with us for just under a year, has been a major asset. She’s the frontline representative who answers our queries, keeps Peter on track and helps to organise CRC events, just to name a few of her talents.

We would like to wish Rachel the best and hope to introduce you to her replacement in our next issue of eNews.

CRC SIIB Symposium 2008

We will hold our fifth symposium on Wednesday 3 & Thursday 4 December 2008 at the Victoria Park Golf Complex in Herston, Brisbane (not the Marriott Hotel as advertised in the last eNews).  http://www.victoriaparkgolf.com.au/

All of our staff and students are requested to attend so please mark the dates in your diary. Further program and registration details will be made available closer to the date.

ASSCT conference 2009

The ASSCT Annual Conference will be held at Ballina, NSW from Tuesday, 5th May to Friday, 8th May 2009. The submission deadline for outlines of papers and poster papers for the 2009 Annual Conference is 10th October 2008, although posters received by the editor before 27th February 2009 will also be considered. For further information, go to http://www.assct.com.au/. Please ensure that all papers relating to CRC research are approved by the CRC prior to submission to the ASSCT editor. Papers should be submitted via the CRC’s OMS website: https://oms.crcsugar.com.