The HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology and The University of Alabama in Huntsville, both in America, have joined together to strengthen the business skills of life science sector start-ups in the area.

The HudsonAlpha-University of Alabama in Huntsville Entrepreneurship Collaboration will improve the educational experience for students linked to both organisations. HudsonApha is a non-profit research institute working in genomic research, educational outreach and economic development.

Lab recognised

Alltech Inc’s Analytical Services Laboratory has been awarded ISO/IEC 17025:2005 accreditation, an international standard that recognises the competence of testing laboratories. The laboratory in Ireland opened in September 2012 and is a division of Alltech, a global leader in improving the health and performance of people, animals and plants. Within the last two years, more than 5,000 feed and feedstuff samples from more than  50 countries have been analysed by the lab.

Gas could treat trauma conditions

Researchers in the United States say that xenon gas, used for anaesthesia and diagnostic imaging, could treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other memory-related disorders. Edward G. Meloni, PhD, assistant psychologist at McLean Hospital and an assistant professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, said the study found that xenon gas can reduce memories of traumatic events. He said: “It’s an exciting breakthrough as this has the potential to be a new treatment for individuals suffering from PTSD.”