Csiro

Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization is the federal government agency for scientific research. It manages three national research facilities, including the Australian Animal Health Laboratory at Geelong; Australia Telescope at Parkes, Coonabarabran, and Narrabri; and the oceanographic research vessel Southern Surveyor. CSIRO’s research highlights include the invention of atomic absorption spectroscopy, development of the first commercially successful polymer banknote, the invention of the insect repellent in Aerogard, and the introduction of a series of biological controls into Australia, such as the introduction of myxomatosis and rabbit calicivirus which causes rabbit haemorrhagic disease for the control of rabbit populations. Employing nearly 6,500 staff, CSIRO maintains more than 50 sites across Australia and biological control research stations in France and Mexico. It was founded in 1926 originally as the Advisory Council of Science and Industry.

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