Prospecting for alternate sources of shikimic acid, a precursor of Tamiflu, a bird-flu drug

Shikimic acid, more commonly known by its anionic form, shikimate, is an important intermediate compound of the ‘shikimate pathway’ in plants and microorganisms1. It is the principal precursor for the synthesis of aromatic amino acids, phenylalanine, tryptophan and tyrosine and other compounds such as alkaloids, phenolics and phenyl propanoids2. It is used extensively as a chiral building block for the synthesis of a number of compounds in both pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries3. In the recent past, the focus on shikimic acid has increased since it is the key precursor for the synthesis of Tamiflu, the only drug against avian flu caused by the H5N1 virus4,5. Shikimic acid is converted to a diethyl ketal intermediate, which is then reduced in two steps to an epoxide that is finally transformed to Tamiflu6.

'Trusting the numbers': mineral prospecting, raising finance and the governance of knowledge

Mineral prospecting and raising finance for ‘junior’ mining firms has historically been regarded as a speculative activity. For the regulators of securities markets upon which ‘junior’ mining companies seek to raise capital, a perennial problem has been handling not only the indeterminacy of scientific claims, but also the social basis of epistemic practices. This paper examines the production of a system of public warrant and associated knowledge practices intended to enable investors to differentiate between ‘destructive’ and ‘productive’ varieties of financial speculation. It traces the use of the notion of ‘disclosure’ in constructing and legitimizing the ‘juniors’ market in Canada. It argues that though the work of ‘economics’ may be necessary in the construction of markets, it is by no means sufficient. Attention must also be given to the ways in which legal models of ‘the free-market’ can be translated and constantly re-worked across the sites and spaces of regulatory practice, animating the geographies of markets.

'Trusting the numbers': mineral prospecting, raising finance and the governance of knowledge

Mineral prospecting and raising finance for ‘junior’ mining firms has historically been regarded as a speculative activity. For the regulators of securities markets upon which ‘junior’ mining companies seek to raise capital, a perennial problem has been handling not only the indeterminacy of scientific claims, but also the social basis of epistemic practices. This paper examines the production of a system of public warrant and associated knowledge practices intended to enable investors to differentiate between ‘destructive’ and ‘productive’ varieties of financial speculation. It traces the use of the notion of ‘disclosure’ in constructing and legitimizing the ‘juniors’ market in Canada. It argues that though the work of ‘economics’ may be necessary in the construction of markets, it is by no means sufficient. Attention must also be given to the ways in which legal models of ‘the free-market’ can be translated and constantly re-worked across the sites and spaces of regulatory practice, animating the geographies of markets.

Review of a refusal to grant a prospecting right

The decision involved an application for the review and setting aside of a refusal to grant a prospecting right in terms of section 17 of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act 28 of 2002 (the "MPRD Act")(par 1). The decision also dealt with the right (and duty) of an applicant to an internal appeal in terms of section 96 of the MPRD Act (par 5) as well as the procedural fairness of the decision (par18). The decision by the state to refuse the application for a prospecting right was reviewed and set aside by the court, without requiring such internal appeal, (par 20) as the decision was regarded as manifestly unfair (par 18). The court referred the matter back to the Minister for reconsideration (par 18).

Duelling prospecting rights : a non-custodial second?

This decision of the Northern Cape division dealt with competing "old order prospecting rights" and prospecting rights in terms of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act 28 of 2002 (MPRDA). The decision represents an important contribution to the resolution of tensions between the old mineral law order and the new regime of Act 28 of 2002.

Prospecting candidate SNPs for backfat in Canchim beef cattle

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Prospecting sugarcane genes involved in aluminum tolerance

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Biodiversity prospecting: a new panacea for development?

Includes bibliography

Prospecting major genes in dairy buffaloes

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)