Fun for beer and fermented products

The 23rd international conference on yeast genetics and molecular biology was held in Melbourne this week, with talks by many scientists on all things related to fermentation products. The conference will focus on popular studies in Australia and around the world, such as Vegemite, expanding the chain of discovery and application of yeast.

'Scientists are contributing to basic biological problems, improving alcohol and beer, new energy, and human health through the use of yeast' Conference president - Professor Ian Macreadie of the team CSIRO Molecular and Health Technologies said.

He said: "Most people don't know the fact that yeast is a 'thrifty' living creature, bringing new hope to all areas from pharmaceuticals to agriculture and bioenergy. For example, the latest vaccine for neck cancer produced in yeast and antibodies like Herceptin will be produced in yeast and insulin that are also produced in yeast '.

He added: Basic studies of yeast in the field of molecular and genetic biology will reinforce the knowledge we have about the human genome.

Attending the conference were Mr. Paul Nurse, winner of Noble Prize for his research on yeast application for human cancer.

Ngoc Thanh