Researchers at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), part of the National Institutes of Health, have discovered a genetically controlled brain mechanism responsible for social behavior in humans — one of the most important but least understood aspects of human nature. The findings are reported in Nature Neuroscience, published online on July 10, 2005. Read the press release.

Ocimum Biosolutions announced that Ireland’s National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology (NICB), Dublin City University (DCU), has acquired its Biotracker laboratory information management system (LIMS) solution to provide a centralized, secure, privilege driven access to researchers working in the Gene Expression and Proteomics groups at DCU. This centralized database would assist researchers to track samples, growth conditions, clinical history, extraction information, isolated RNA and/or cell fraction details. Biotracker would also provide connectivity to existing databases at DCU, in a secure archival format with scope for future data mining. The implementation partner for Ocimum is Science-Partners Ltd., U.K. Read the press release.

ViroLogic Inc. announced that the company has signed a multi-year, $4.8 million service agreement with Schering-Plough Research Institute, the research arm of Schering-Plough Corp., to use ViroLogic's novel HIV resistance testing technology to support Schering-Plough's drug discovery and development programs. Schering-Plough plans to use ViroLogic's assays for the clinical development of its CCR5 receptor antagonist, vicriviroc, a potential new drug for HIV infection. CCR5 receptor antagonists are a type of HIV Entry Inhibitor, a class of drugs that is a promising new treatment option for HIV-infected individuals. The Phase III program for vicriviroc is scheduled to commence in 2005 and will use ViroLogic's PhenoSense HIV Co-receptor Tropism assay to identify and monitor patients during the trials. Read the press release.