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Research

To perform fundamental research in molecular biology

EMBL’s research aims to understand the basis of life at a molecular level and in the context of different environments.

By exploring molecular mechanisms inside cells, organisms, whole populations, and ecosystems, EMBL scientists explore different scales through research themes that foster collaborative, multidisciplinary research.

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A snapshot of EMBL 2022 facts and figures

Molecular building blocks

Probing the smallest building blocks of life to understand their role in cells and beyond

Flip-flop genome

EMBL Heidelberg researchers found that inversions in the human genome are common, impacting our understanding of certain genetic diseases.

Crucial ‘snapshots’ of RNA splicing

The Galej group at EMBL Grenoble obtained hi-resolution snapshots of a key component of the human spliceosome.

The atomic details of antibiotics at work

EMBL scientists showed for the first time in atomic detail the dynamic process of protein production inside bacteria and how antibiotics alter this process.

Solving a nuclear pore complex puzzle

Using AI, scientists solved several mysteries around the structure and function of a true molecular giant: the human nuclear pore complex.

“AlphaFold2 was a breakthrough moment for us. Before, we didn’t know the structure of many proteins within the nuclear pore complex. You cannot assemble a puzzle when you don’t know what the pieces look like. But AlphaFold2 combined with other approaches enabled us to predict those shapes.”

— Agnieszka Obarska-Kosińska, visiting postdoctoral fellow, Kosinski Group at EMBL Hamburg; postdoctoral researcher, Martin Beck Research Group at the Max Planck Institute of Biophysics

Multicellular dynamics

Unravelling the impact of variation to understand responses at the cellular and multicellular levels

Mapping fruit fly development

Researchers constructed a complete map of fruit fly embryonic development using machine learning – an important foundational step to better understand embryo development in other species, including humans.

3D modelling and the origins of the human spine

EMBL Barcelona scientists created for the first time a 3D in vitro model that recapitulates periodic formation of human somites – structures that give rise to the spinal column.

Making patterns visible

How do gene expression patterns result in the generation of different cell types? EMBL Heidelberg scientists used the zebrafish notochord – a cellular key to a developing nervous system – to find out.

“For the first time, we have been able to create periodic pairs of human mature somites linked to the segmentation clock in the lab. This led to a 3D in vitro model that mimics how somites, which build the spinal column during human embryonic development, form — a big step toward understanding the origins of the human spine.”

— Marina Sanaki-Matsumiya, postdoctoral fellow in the Ebisuya Group at EMBL Barcelona

Microbial ecosystems

Dissecting microbial functions and communities to understand how microbes interact with each other and their environments

Uncovering a microbe’s inner life

EMBL researchers collaborate and harness the newest technology to observe the inner workings of an unusual bacteria, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, at an unprecedented level of detail.

Stool analysis helps detect pancreatic cancer earlier

A molecular signature of 27 microorganisms in stools defines high-risk populations for most the common pancreatic cancer, according to EMBL scientists and collaborators in Germany and Spain.

Priorities for ocean microbiome research

EMBL joined with the Tara Ocean Foundation, Tara Oceans, and the European Marine Biological Resource Centre to present priorities for understanding and protecting ocean microbiomes.

Infection biology

Characterising pathogen interactions with the host at an atomic, molecular, and tissue level to tackle infection and antimicrobial resistance

Genomic sequencing aids the global Tuberculosis fight

Zamin Iqbal and his team at EMBL-EBI are working with researchers all over the globe to help put a stop to tuberculosis.

The retron switch

EMBL researchers now understand the function of an elusive small DNA in bacteria and developed a tool to better understand what might ‘switch on’ bacterial immune defences.

Shining a light on how bacteria interact

Machine learning helped researchers uncover new insights into how bacteria infect host cells.

Human ecosystems

Developing a quantitative, mechanistic, and molecular understanding of environmental and genetic effects on human biology

Method links genome and disease

CNEST, which used UK Biobank data, is a new method for robust analysis of copy number variation to identify links between genome and disease.

New molecular tool maps breast cancer

EMBL researchers along with scientists from the UK, Germany, and Sweden created a tool that maps previously unseen details of breast cancer’s spread.

Understanding DNA mutations better

Researchers discovered how DNA mutations change blood cell production and how this relates to ageing and cancer development.

Advances for tailored cancer therapy

Researchers came up with a way to test the efficacy of hundreds of anticancer drug combinations – simultaneously, rapidly, and accurately.

Planetary biology

Unravelling genetic and environmental influences in biomes and ecosystems to understand biological processes and improve planetary health

Coast to coast and beyond

EMBL’s Planetary Biology flagship project, TREC (Traversing European Coastlines), visited Iceland to finalise the expedition’s plans.

The power of a pesticide library

EMBL research groups applied molecular biology and its research tools to better understand agricultural pesticides.

Mining data for enzymes

With EMBL-EBI’s MGnify data resource, researchers are now able to mine databases to find enzymes for novel applications, such as degrading plastic with ‘plastizymes’.

Theory@EMBL

Promoting theory-guided paths to understanding and conceptualising the underlying principles of biological systems