TREC on Twitter: a life-in-context journey through the social media lens
Lab Matters TREC scientists, outreach specialists, and a crucial support team have been on the road, exploring life at European coasts.
2023
lab-matters
Genomic medicine: Ushering in a new era in healthcare
Perspectives, Science EMBL-EBI data resources are being used to deliver thousands of genetic diagnostics to patients every month.
2023
perspectivesscience
Janet Thornton retires: a pioneer in structural bioinformatics
Announcements, Lab Matters In recognition of Janet Thornton’s retirement, we look back at some of her biggest accomplishments shaping the field of bioinformatics.
2023
announcementslab-matters
Baden-Württemberg´s new Minister of Science, Research, and the Arts visits EMBL
Events During a visit to the Heidelberg EMBL campus, Minister Petra Olschowski learned about EMBL´s current research programme, its scientific operations and local collaborations, and explored its Imaging Centre and World of Molecular Biology exhibition.
2023
events
ProtVar: understanding missense variation in humans
Science, Technology and innovation A new tool for the interpretation of missense variation in humans – ProtVar – will help enable drug discovery.
2023
sciencetechnology-and-innovation
IMAGINE-ing next-generation technology to help biologists
Lab Matters EMBL researchers and collaborators have begun an impactful innovation-development journey, thanks to a European Commission ‘IMAGINE’ grant.
2023
lab-matters
EMBL in Italy: cutting-edge science from basic to applied research
Alumni The annual meeting organised by Italian EMBL alumni was held in Turin on 18-19 May, hosted by the University of Turin and the University of Piemonte Orientale (UPO)
2023
alumni
EMBL and SciLifeLab cooperate on data science
Lab Matters The third meeting between EMBL and SciLifeLab communities took place in Uppsala and focused on data science, aiming at further expanding the collaboration
2023
lab-matters
Sharing knowledge, widening access across Europe
Lab Matters European Commission and EMBL renew commitment, agree on new areas of cooperation, in new EC DG’s first infrastructure visit since appointment.
2023
lab-matters
After EMBL: Heiko Runz and Laurence Ettwiller
Alumni From biking together while at EMBL to assistant professorships at Heidelberg University, two academics soon formed a union that took them to the United States., into various industry positions, and now to a life with two young children.
2023
alumni
We are EMBL: Martin Pelosse on his role at the Eukaryotic Expression Facility
Lab Matters Martin Pelosse, Scientific Expert at EMBL Grenoble Eukaryotic Expression Facility, explains the platform’s role in supporting the site’s cutting-edge research activities and its future applications.
2023
lab-matters
We are EMBL: Carolin Sauer on supporting cancer research
Lab Matters, Research highlights Postdoctoral researcher Carolin Sauer is leveraging long-read sequencing to develop new detection methods for various cancers.
2023
lab-mattersresearch-highlights
We are EMBL: Timothy Shayers on building maintenance and renovation in Rome
Lab Matters Timothy Shayers talks about his role in overseeing the renovation works at EMBL Rome, his past experiences around the world, and his personal passions.
2023
lab-matters
100th issue of EMBLetc. published
Lab Matters First published in 1999 as a black-and-white printed newsletter for EMBL staff and alumni, EMBLetc. has undergone many transformations in its 24 years of existence.
2023
lab-matters
The World of Molecular Biology is open
Lab Matters EMBL´s new permanent exhibition ‘The World of Molecular Biology’ in Heidelberg is now open for registration. The exhibition takes the visitor on a journey of scales, from genomes to ecosystems, and introduces key imaging technologies.
2023
lab-matters
A more diverse human reference genome
Announcements, Science The human pangenome – one of the most complete collections of genome sequences released so far – captures rich human diversity.
2023
announcementsscience
Time-resolved crystallography for the masses
Science EMBL Hamburg scientists have contributed to the development of the Spitrobot, a ground-breaking experimental setup that will simplify creating molecular movies. The Spitrobot automates the sample preparation for time-resolved crystallography, which is used to create 3D snapshots of protein…
2023
science
The hairy single-celled Tetrahymena provides a work reset
Lab Matters Dey Group holds second annual ‘labbatical’ to step outside daily research tasks with the help of single-celled model organisms.
2023
lab-matters
Vizgen joins EMBL science-industry programme
Lab Matters Vizgen, the life science company dedicated to improving human health by visualising single-cell spatial genomics information, has joined EMBL’s Corporate Partnership Programme.
2023
lab-matters
Bioinformatics powers international effort to map gene function
Announcements, Lab Matters EMBL-EBI is making a key contribution to a historic effort to understand the function of every human gene
2023
announcementslab-matters
Celebration of the next ten years of the Nordic EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine
Lab Matters The Nordic EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine celebrates the signing of its renewed ten years agreement between EMBL and the Universities of Aarhus, Oslo, Umeå, and Helsinki.
2023
lab-matters
Building a broader European science community
Lab Matters Croatian scientists and students from the Ruđer Bošković Institute and University of Zagreb visited EMBL to exchange ideas with researchers and public outreach experts on ways to increase interest, awareness, and involvement in science.
2023
lab-matters
EMBL celebrates 43 new PhDs
Events On Friday 21 April 2023, EMBL held a graduation ceremony to celebrate its newest group of PhDs who graduated during the last 12 months. The graduating class comprised 43 fellows representing 17 nationalities and all six EMBL sites.
2023
events
The Human Genome Project at 20: interview with Ewan Birney
Lab Matters, Perspectives On the 20th anniversary of the Human Genome Project, we look back at its history, wonder and potential.
2023
lab-mattersperspectives
EMBL Hamburg joins northern European life science consortium
Lab Matters EMBL Hamburg partners with the Hanseatic Life Science Research Infrastructure Consortium (HALRIC) to enhance life sciences research in Scandinavia and northern Germany. The consortium builds on the HALOS project to foster collaborations between industry, hospitals, and universities, leveraging…
2023
lab-matters
We are EMBL: Angelika Thomasson on administrative support to EMBL staff
Lab Matters Angelika Thomasson, administrative assistant at EMBL Grenoble, talks about her role in supporting her colleagues in organising events and travels, what she enjoys about EMBL, and which famous female scientist she would like to have coffee with.
2023
lab-matters
Nikon Europe increases support for EMBL’s innovative scientific training programme
Lab Matters Nikon Europe has intensified its engagement with EMBL's Corporate Partnership Programme to support young scientists.
2023
lab-matters
After EMBL: Thomas Graf
Alumni Alumnus Thomas Graf reflects on his time at EMBL, offering an update on his whereabouts and advice for young scientists.
2023
alumni
We are EMBL: Eduard Avetisyan on the role of IT in structural biology
Lab Matters Eduard Avetisyan leads the EMBL Hamburg IT team. He joined EMBL after transitioning from particle physics research to IT. Besides providing standard IT user support, his team also enables smooth processing and computational analysis of structural biology data. Here, he talks about the joys and…
2023
lab-matters
Human genome editing: regulations, risks, and ethical considerations
Lab Matters, Perspectives Scientists have the technology to edit the human genome. But when should they, and who contributes to these decisions?
2023
lab-mattersperspectives
MAPLE: a phylogenetic tool for pandemic-scale genome data
Research highlights, Science EMBL-EBI researchers have developed a new tool capable of performing state-of-the-art phylogenetic inference on larger datasets than previously thought possible.
2023
research-highlightsscience
EMBL and Montenegro: boosting cooperation and enhancing awareness
EMBL Member States, Lab Matters Europe’s life sciences laboratory EMBL on 5 April welcomed Council delegates Ivana Lagator and Lidija Vukcevic from the Montenegrin Ministry of Science and Technological Development, and University of Montenegro representative Professor Danilo Mrdak, to discuss expanding research and training…
2023
embl-member-stateslab-matters
TREC is underway!
Events, Science EMBL’s planetary biology flagship TREC expedition has officially started. The new project applies EMBL's expertise and technologies in molecular and cellular biology to current environmental challenges, and connects with a wide range of research disciplines.
2023
eventsscience
Life in context
Events Upcoming EMBO/EMBL symposium provides a forum to explore how organisms function together, and how they react or adapt to changes at different molecular levels.
2023
events
Dispensing microscopy expertise
Lab Matters Home to some of Europe’s most cutting-edge tools in molecular biology, EMBL has long shared its expertise and access to these tools through an extensive repertoire of courses, conferences, seminars, and other training. And now included in this mix is a job shadowing programme at EMBL Imaging…
2023
lab-matters
Shining light on the mechanics of embryo development
Lab Matters, Science A new microscope built by EMBL researchers, based on Brillouin scattering principles, allows scientists to observe the dynamics of mechanical properties inside developing embryos in real time.
2023
lab-mattersscience
ERC Advanced Grant awarded to EMBL Rome researcher
Lab Matters Interim head of EMBL Rome Cornelius Gross has been awarded an Advanced grant from the European Research Council (ERC) for his project TERRITORY, aimed at investigating the neural basis of territorial aggression and fear.
2023
lab-matters
EMBL Alumni Awards Announced for 2023
Alumni Two former EMBL scientists have been recognised for their outstanding contributions to the fields of science communication and multiple sequence alignment research, respectively.
2023
alumni
We are EMBL: Audrey Spielmann on providing lab support
Lab Matters Audrey Spielmann, Lab Support Manager, talks about her role in supporting the research done at EMBL Grenoble.
2023
lab-matters
Welcome: Alejandro Torres-Sánchez
Lab Matters The new group leader is setting up the first purely theory-focused research group at EMBL Barcelona. He aims to understand fundamental biological principles using mathematical models and computer simulations, in close collaboration with experimental researchers across EMBL.
2023
lab-matters
EMBL explores synergies in neuroscience research with French partners
Lab Matters Scientists from EMBL and its French academic partners gathered at EMBL Rome for a workshop to foster collaboration and advance research in neuroscience.
2023
lab-matters
The ‘long read’ for cancer
Science Using Oxford Nanopore long-read sequencing, EMBL scientists sequenced a primary childhood brain tumour known as a medulloblastoma, uncovering a novel complex mutation pattern.
2023
science
Welcome: Thomas Quail
Lab Matters New group leader Thomas Quail studies the fundamental processes that determine how proteins organise the genome inside a cell.
2023
lab-matters
Welcome: Gergely Papp
Lab Matters Together with his team, Gergely Papp pushes the frontiers of technology development in the field of structural biology.
2023
lab-matters
Molecules to Ecosystems: Liz Duke on X-ray imaging
Lab Matters Biological X-ray imaging is an emerging technology that uses X-rays to image tissues or even entire organisms. It will play an important role in EMBL Hamburg’s future service portfolio, and will allow studying life on multiple scales. Team Leader Liz Duke discusses her plans to establish X-ray…
2023
lab-matters
EMBL Barcelona: Five years down the road
Lab Matters EMBL’s site by the sea completed its fifth year of operations. We look back at some key milestones and achievements since 2017.
2023
lab-matters
Sharing science, shaping opportunities for collaboration
Events An annual Corporate Partnership Programme meeting provided a forum for EMBL researchers and industry representatives to discuss mobile labs, planetary biology, and other areas of common interest.
2023
events
Large-scale study enables new insights into rare eye disorders
Research highlights, Science EMBL-EBI researchers use UK Biobank data to uncover new information about rare diseases of the eye.
2023
research-highlightsscience
TREC: A two-year mission to study human impact on Europe’s seas and coastal regions
Lab Matters EMBL is leading the TREC project: the first pan-European and cross-disciplinary effort to examine life in its natural context.
2023
lab-matters
Tracing the history of women in science at EMBL
Lab Matters On the occasion of International Women’s Day 2023, EMBL archivist Maria Papanikolaou discusses the traces left by the women in science who have passed through EMBL, irrevocably changing the organisation in small and big ways.
2023
lab-matters
Open data for biodiversity: an EMBL-EBI 2022 round-up
Perspectives, Science As major biodiversity projects ramp up, EMBL-EBI enables genomic data sharing for all species.
2023
perspectivesscience
EMBL Grenoble showcased at Biophysical Society Meeting
Lab Matters EMBL’s French site was highlighted in a short film presenting its expertise in structural biology research and services.
2023
lab-matters
Biology meets engineering
Lab Matters Physicists, engineers and robotics experts work together in EMBL Hamburg’s Instrumentation Team to design instruments that support structural biology research. The team has finished a transfer robot that facilitates automated handling of protein crystals with care and precision. This will help…
2023
lab-matters
Shedding light on rare diseases: open data and model organisms
Perspectives, Science Why open data from model organisms is essential for rare disease research.
2023
perspectivesscience
A human interactome to prioritise drug discovery
Research highlights, Science Researchers create a network of interacting proteins – or interactome – to aid drug discovery.
2023
research-highlightsscience
Spotlight: Using light and sound to see into the brain
Lab Matters, Picture of the week Researchers in the Prevedel Group use photoacoustic spectroscopy setup to test and optimise probes before their usage in mouse neuroscience.
2023
lab-matterspicture-of-the-week
Molecules to Ecosystems: Jo McEntyre on data services
Lab Matters, Perspectives Jo McEntyre talks about data services, open data and a new era for research assessment.
2023
lab-mattersperspectives
Studying epigenetic regulation at the single-molecule level
Science In a first-of-its-kind study, EMBL researchers have shown how DNA methylation across the genome contributes to the precise regulation of gene expression.
2023
science
EMBL welcomes Estonia as full member
Lab Matters The Baltic nation of Estonia has become a full member of EMBL, joining the organisation as its 28th member state.
2023
lab-matters
New EU-funded Project: Fragment-Screen
Lab Matters EMBL is one of the partners of this project that aims to accelerate drug discovery and development, bringing in expertise from EMBL Grenoble and EMBL-EBI.
2023
lab-matters
Supporting scientists across Europe: the SPC Facility at EMBL Hamburg
Lab Matters EMBL Hamburg’s Sample Preparation and Characterisation (SPC) Facility offers scientists access to almost all available biophysics technologies. The facility’s staff provides advice and support with experiments and data analysis. The facility is conveniently located just next to the EMBL…
2023
lab-matters
Welcome: Hanh Vu
Lab Matters Group Leader Hanh Vu studies ‘immortal’ flatworms that can grow and de-grow to understand better factors that determine organisms’ sizes.
2023
lab-matters
Scientific passion that seeds passion
Lab Matters A recent student visitor shares her impressions from visiting EMBL’s Vincent group as we recognise International Day of Women and Girls in Science.
2023
lab-matters
Case study: AlphaFold uses open data and AI to discover the 3D protein universe
Perspectives, Science Open data played a pivotal role in the development of the AlphaFold AI. The same open principles now apply to AlphaFold predictions.
2023
perspectivesscience
New evolutionary insights from stepping outside the lab
Science EMBL researchers are stepping outside the lab and thinking outside the box to understand the basic principles that underlie the development and evolution of organismal characteristics.
2023
science
Promoting European innovation in the life sciences
Lab Matters One of EMBL’s core missions is the development and transfer of scientific know-how and technologies to academia, industry, and commercial entities to facilitate further research, innovations, and commercialisation for the benefit of society at large. Working across Europe, EMBL has partnerships…
2023
lab-matters
Solving the structure of a critical molecular editor
Science EMBL Grenoble scientists provide new insights into the function of an essential RNA editing enzyme.
2023
science
BlueRemediomics: harnessing marine microbes to promote a circular bioeconomy
Announcements, Science Funding awarded for developing tools to harness marine microbiome data for biotechnological applications and ecosystem services.
2023
announcementsscience
Leveraging long-read sequencing for cancer genomics
Perspectives, Science Genomic sequencing and big data analysis are two novel technologies driving researchers’ understanding of the complexities of cancer.
2023
perspectivesscience
AI helps scientists decipher cellular structures
Science New artificial intelligence tool adds speed and detailed cellular information to analysis of cryo-electron tomography to aid researchers’ understanding of inner cell workings.
2023
science
ERC Consolidator Grant success at EMBL
Lab Matters EMBL Rome group leader Jamie Hackett receives EUR 2 million for the ModLogic project, aimed at understanding how chromatin modifications impact gene activity.
2023
lab-matters
EMBL partners with UNESCO to drive progress on shared goals
Lab Matters New agreement with UN organisation will enable cooperation in the fields of open science, capacity building, and talent development
2023
lab-matters
Machine learning to identify and prioritise drug targets
Science, Technology and innovation Open Targets is using artificial intelligence and machine learning to identify and prioritise drug targets.
2023
sciencetechnology-and-innovation
BIOcean5D targets marine biodiversity
Lab Matters EMBL hosts inaugural meeting for major interdisciplinary project designed to boost understanding of ocean life
2023
lab-matters
Vikas Trivedi from EMBL Barcelona receives ERC Synergy Grant
Lab Matters The group leader, together with three other principal investigators, has been awarded the ERC Synergy Grant, one of the most prestigious public grants in Europe.
2023
lab-matters
Spotlight: A ‘devil’ of a flatworm
Lab Matters, Picture of the week Tasmanian flatworms add to an EMBL researcher’s collection as she studies principles that control animal body size.
2023
lab-matterspicture-of-the-week
Spotlight: Colours of the colon
Lab Matters, Picture of the week Mucus present in the mouse colon can be visualised using Alcian blue staining, as imaged here by EMBL predoctoral fellow Linda Decker.
2023
lab-matterspicture-of-the-week
Darwin Tree of Life: first 500 genome assemblies released as project creates a buzz
Perspectives, Science We look back through some of the 2022 highlights from the Darwin Tree of Life project.
2023
perspectivesscience
Molecules to Ecosystems: Rob Finn on the Microbial Ecosystems transversal theme
Lab Matters Rob Finn, one of the co-chairs of the Microbial Ecosystems theme, discusses his work, the challenges of multidisciplinary research, and how the theme is already helping to promote the exchange of scientific ideas.
2023
lab-matters
New molecular insights on medical cannabis
Science EMBL Grenoble researchers have investigated the interaction between THC and some proteins it might bind to. In a recent study, they showed in vitro that THC inhibits an important human enzyme called autotaxin.
2023
science
Step-by-step guide to nuclear pore complex assembly
Science EMBL Heidelberg researchers and their collaborators reveal how the nuclear pore complex, one of the biggest molecular machines in eukaryotic cells, is assembled one protein at a time.
2023
science
BOSS-RUNS: streamlining dynamic nanopore sequencing
Research highlights, Science A new method developed by EMBL-EBI researchers helps to streamline nanopore sequencing in real-time.
2023
research-highlightsscience
Spotlight: Zebrafish embryos to make this season jolly
Lab Matters, Picture of the week Zebrafish embryos during gastrulation, a very early stage of development, to study the effect of temperature on vertebrate embryo development.
2022
lab-matterspicture-of-the-week
EMBL-EBI databases considered critical to life sciences
Announcements, Science Open data resources that enable global research and development recognised by the Global Biodata Coalition.
2022
announcementsscience
Spotlight: Establishing a colour palette for antibiotic resistance
Lab Matters, Picture of the week To identify which drugs disrupt bacterial envelope integrity, the Typas group uses a molecule called chlorophenyl red-β-D-galactopyranoside.
2022
lab-matterspicture-of-the-week
Understanding marine biodiversity across space, time, and human impacts
Lab Matters Europe-wide project studies coastal and marine biodiversity from viruses to whales
2022
lab-matters
Edith Heard elected as member of the French Academy of Sciences
Lab Matters The Director General of EMBL was elected by her peers to become a member of one of France’s oldest national science academies.
2022
lab-matters
EMBL in Spain: from EvoDevo to Tissues
Alumni More than a hundred scientists from across Spain and Europe met at the Andalusian Centre for Developmental Biology (CABD) for the 2022 “EMBL in Spain” event.
2022
alumni
Celebrating science in Grenoble
Lab Matters In October 2022, EMBL Grenoble participated in the annual science outreach event Parvis des Sciences, organised by the GIANT campus under the umbrella of the French science week – La Fête de la science.
2022
lab-matters
Developmental cell atlas uncovers new cell states
Research highlights, Science Unveiling a useful tool for understanding human lung development.
2022
research-highlightsscience
New chair of EMBL Council
Lab Matters EMBL alumnus and eminent molecular biologist Peter B. Becker has been named the next chair of EMBL’s Council as of January 2023.
2022
lab-matters
Making a great postdoc program even better with our member states
Lab Matters EMBL’s EIPOD-Learning in Context programme focuses on interdisciplinary research that explores ‘life in context’ and adds a new collaborative dimension with member state organisations.
2022
lab-matters
Getting closer to stopping toxoplasmosis infection
Science Recent studies supported by EMBL Grenoble’s expertise in structural biology research and scientific services have identified Altiratinib as a potential drug to stop toxoplasmosis infection and opened up treatment options against malaria.
2022
science
Welcome to EMBL: Talya Dayton
Lab Matters The new group leader in Barcelona aims to understand how cells behave in health and in disease, and approaches her favourite hobby, cooking, very similarly to her work in the lab.
2022
lab-matters
Six enlightening questions about ‘plasticity across scales’
Events A recent EMBO|EMBL symposium provided a forum for discussing recent research on a range of issues for organisms as they cope with changing environments.
2022
events
Genomic Data Infrastructure – integrating genomics into healthcare
Announcements, Science EMBL-EBI supports new European Commission project set to support the use of genomics in research and healthcare.
2022
announcementsscience
EMBL scientists receive prestigious ERC Starting Grant
Lab Matters Three EMBL scientists received this year’s ERC Starting Grants, and will be awarded €1.5 million over five years to carry out research projects.
2022
lab-matters
Welcome Jordi van Gestel
Lab Matters Looking to understand microbial predator-prey relationships, EMBL’s newest group leader tackles a molecular ‘arms race’ in his lab.
2022
lab-matters
EMBLetc. receives digital-first makeover
Lab Matters The biannual magazine that highlights EMBL’s research, people, and projects now has a new online home.
2022
lab-matters
Promoting EMBL opportunities for the Danish scientific community
Events DANEMO is a communication platform and research support initiative launched by DANDRITE at Aarhus University. It aims to encourage scientists in Denmark to engage with EMBL and EMBO. The DANEMO symposium from 3-4 November in Aarhus focused on raising awareness of the new EMBL programme ‘Molecules…
2022
events
EMBL builds on links with Malta
Events EMBL deepens scientific collaboration, opening the door for greater engagement and opportunities for Malta’s life science community
2022
events
Open Targets consortium welcomes Genentech as newest member
Announcements, Science Open Targets announces that Genentech will become the seventh partner in the drug discovery and validation consortium.
2022
announcementsscience
Open science for climate justice
Perspectives, Science Our experts discuss the importance of open science for food security and preserving global biodiversity.
2022
perspectivesscience
New molecular microscopy uncovers how breast cancer spreads
Research highlights, Science Researchers have created a tool that maps in previously unseen detail how breast cancer develops and spreads.
2022
research-highlightsscience
AlphaFold applications – a community assessment
Research highlights, Science Researchers use social media to share findings on how useful AlphaFold predictions are for different applications.
2022
research-highlightsscience
Two in one: combining MASSIF-1 and CrystalDirect
Lab Matters Researchers and engineers have integrated a CrystalDirect harvester into the fully automated beamline MASSIF-1, a unique combination of structural biology technologies that is now open to external academic users.
2022
lab-matters
AI4LIFE: AI models for bioimaging
Announcements, Science Researchers across EMBL are helping to make artificial intelligence (AI) models for bioimaging analysis interoperable and openly available to the scientific community.
2022
announcementsscience
Plankton zombies for Halloween!
Science Plankton parasites provide a zombie story perfect for Halloween. While invading single-celled plankton, these parasites devour the cell’s nucleus and hijack metabolism while the organism remains alive.
2022
science
Setting priorities for preprints and open science
Lab Matters Newly appointed member of the ASAPbio Board of Directors, EMBL Group Leader Gautam Dey speaks about preprints, data management, and open science.
2022
lab-matters
Mapping the human brain: a global collaboration
Announcements, Science NIH BRAIN Initiative to fund brain atlases, network coordination, and knowledge sharing to explore brain function research.
2022
announcementsscience
Welcome: Flora Vincent
Lab Matters After a postdoc at Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel, Flora Vincent has joined EMBL’s Developmental Biology unit to further explore the world of phytoplankton.
2022
lab-matters
The power of light: folding 3D tissues
Science EMBL Barcelona researchers have developed a tool that can use light to control the shape of cells .
2022
science
Teaming up to drive forward time-resolved crystallography
Lab Matters The recent construction of the new ID29 beamline in Grenoble is pioneering a new way of doing experiments in time-resolved crystallography and opening up technology transfer possibilities
2022
lab-matters
Ardan Patwardhan and Wim Hagen receive Scientific Achievement Award
Lab Matters The Royal Microscopical Society awarded Ardan Patwardhan and Wim Hagen with Scientific Achievement Award
2022
lab-matters
EMBL deepens ties with Croatia
Events Visit of delegation from the Ruđer Bošković Institute to EMBL Heidelberg marks a new chapter in scientific and institutional cooperation
2022
events
Funding for researchers working on plastic recycling enzymes
Announcements, Science EMBL-EBI’s MGnify data resource helps researchers find enzymes for novel applications.
2022
announcementsscience
Examining life along Iceland’s coasts
Lab Matters The final pilot project in Iceland marked the countdown to the ‘Traversing European Coastlines’ (TREC) expedition to study coastal ecosystems and their response to changes in the environment.
2022
lab-matters
Light-Seq: from images to sequences in context
Science Researchers have combined advanced light microscopy with next-generation sequencing to create a method to study cells directly in the context of their native tissues
2022
science
Leading research institutions launch Health + Life Science Alliance Heidelberg Mannheim
Events Leading scientific research facilities launch the Health + Life Science Alliance Heidelberg Mannheim. The research alliance aims to build the Rhine-Neckar region into an internationally leading biomedical-technological cluster focusing on life sciences, the health economy, and medical technology.
2022
events
The EMBL Connection
Events EMBL's Partnership Conference highlights the value of its networks, bringing researchers together to build new scientific connections.
2022
events
EMBL Barcelona and CRG kickstart new era of digital biology in Barcelona
Lab Matters The institutes have launched a joint new initiative which aims to make biology as engineerable as an aeroplane or a bridge.
2022
lab-matters
Biodiversity Genomics Europe: addressing biodiversity loss through genomics
Announcements, Science European experts gather to launch a project that aims to characterise and conserve life on Earth using DNA data.
2022
announcementsscience
Inaugural Kafatos Lecture brings outstanding science to the global public
Alumni EMBL´s Inaugural Kafatos Lecture brings outstanding science to the global public. The 2022 lecture will be delivered by EMBL alumnus and distinguished developmental geneticist Denis Duboule and will focus on ‘Evolution and Embryonic Development: The Complex Story of our Dual Origins’.
2022
alumni
Tools for teachers
Lab Matters EMBL reminds teachers of freely available educational resources and workshops just in time for school.
2022
lab-matters
Seeing antibiotics in action inside a pathogenic bacterium
Science New research by EMBL scientists shows at atomic detail how antibiotics affect the process of protein production inside bacteria.
2022
science
Combi-seq: a leap forward for personalised cancer therapy
Science Researchers have come up with a way to test the efficacy of hundreds of anticancer drug combinations – simultaneously, rapidly, and accurately.
2022
science
AlphaFold developers and EMBL alumnus among Breakthrough Prize recipients
Lab Matters Cell biologist Anthony Hyman and DeepMind’s Demis Hassabis and John Jumper were announced among 25 Breakthrough Prize recipients
2022
lab-matters
European institutes commit to data access across borders
Announcements, Science The Federated EGA is set to improve access to sensitive human data in a safe and secure way.
2022
announcementsscience
PETRA IV and future opportunities at EMBL Hamburg beamlines
Lab Matters EMBL joined a kick-off event focusing on the developments related to the upgrade of the PETRA III synchrotron storage ring to PETRA IV at the DESY campus, where EMBL Hamburg is located. PETRA IV could open new possibilities at EMBL Hamburg, contributing to the goals of the EMBL Programme…
2022
lab-matters
Life Science Alliance starts new chapter
Lab Matters Dieter Schwarz Foundation renews 3-year funding to EMBL for the EMBL | Stanford Life Science Alliance, a unique international collaboration bringing together researchers from the two leading institutions to develop transformative technologies and accelerate biomedical research.
2022
lab-matters
Does exercise drive development? In the sea anemone, the way you move matters.
Science The latest research from EMBL’s Ikmi group employs interdisciplinary approaches to show how sea anemone ‘exercise’ changes their developing size and shape, uncovering an intimate relationship between behaviour and body development
2022
science
When microbiomes collide
Science EMBL researchers used data from over 300 human faecal microbiota transplants to gain an ecological understanding of what happens when two gut microbiomes clash.
2022
science
Summer in Science – life in a research lab
Lab Matters 20 secondary school students from all over Italy participated in the fourth edition of Summer in Science at EMBL Rome.
2022
lab-matters
Insights into scientific careers
Events As the career landscape continues to change for PhDs and postdocs, the EMBL Fellows’ Career Service offers webinars that present professional options in and beyond academia.
2022
events
Augmenting science
Lab Matters The Scientific Visitor Programme shares EMBL tools and talent with outside researchers in collaborative, multidisciplinary environments.
2022
lab-matters
ERC Proof-of-Concept grant provides way to realise commercial potential of ‘SpaceM’ technology
Lab Matters A new grant will provide a way for fundamental metabolomic research to realise its commercial potential and promise in aiding drug development and precision medicine.
2022
lab-matters
Building the ideal limb
Science EMBL researchers use a “fearless” computer reconstruction and a two-centuries-old mathematical approach to study limb bud growth.
2022
science
Strengthening scientific ties between EMBL and Iceland
Lab Matters EMBL delegation including the Director General visits Iceland marking another stage in this deepening scientific collaboration
2022
lab-matters
AlphaFold: where will the next AI breakthrough come from?
Perspectives, Science Ewan Birney, Deputy Director General of EMBL and Director of EMBL-EBI, reveals the key factors that enabled AlphaFold to change the world of biology.
2022
perspectivesscience
Molecules to Ecosystems: Virginie Uhlmann on the Theory transversal theme
Lab Matters Virginie Uhlmann, Research Group Leader at EMBL-EBI and one of the co-chairs of the Theory@EMBL transversal theme, chats about how this theme will open up new research avenues.
2022
lab-matters
CNest: a new method for copy number variation analysis
Research highlights, Science A new method for the robust analysis of copy number variation and used UK Biobank data to identify links between genome and disease.
2022
research-highlightsscience
New antibiotic resistance genes identified in tuberculosis
Research highlights, Science International consortium analyses the genetic sequences and antibiotic susceptibility of 10,000 global Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates.
2022
research-highlightsscience
Visualising Life: The EMBL Lautenschläger summer school returns to Heidelberg
Events The EMBL Lautenschläger summer school, held 4–15 Jul 2022, introduced students from a range of scientific backgrounds to interdisciplinary life science research.
2022
events
Making patterns visible
Science How do gene expression patterns result in the generation of different cell types? Scientists at EMBL Heidelberg used the zebrafish notochord to find out.
2022
science
Zooming in to get the full picture
Science EMBL and UW researchers plus additional collaborators have constructed a complete map of fruit fly embryonic development using machine learning. This research is foundational to better understanding overall embryo development in other species, including humans.
2022
science
Shining a light on how bacteria interact
Research highlights, Science Machine learning has helped researchers uncover new insights into how bacteria infect host cells.
2022
research-highlightsscience
AlphaFold predicts structure of almost every catalogued protein known to science
Science, Technology and innovation AlphaFold database offers a look at 3D protein universe.
2022
sciencetechnology-and-innovation
Latvian science benefits from prospect membership
Events The first meeting of the Latvian Bioinformatics Forum points towards an even brighter future for the country’s role in European life sciences
2022
events
A summer of scientific exchange in Barcelona
Lab Matters EMBL’s site by the sea hosted a trio of conferences this summer, covering topics ranging from vascular biology to engineered living systems to evolution.
2022
lab-matters
Molecules to Ecosystems: Jan Kosinski on the Infection Biology transversal theme
Lab Matters Jan Kosinski, Group Leader at EMBL Hamburg and one of the co-chairs of the Infection Biology theme in EMBL’s new programme, chats about how this theme will support his work and help establish new collaborations.
2022
lab-matters
Welcome: Maria Papanikolaou
Lab Matters EMBL’s new archive and records manager, Maria Papanikolaou, explains the dual role she and an additional colleague will have in the Office of Science Information Management.
2022
lab-matters
The retron switch
Science EMBL researchers now understand the function of an elusive small DNA in bacteria and have developed a tool that can be used to better understand what might ‘switch on’ bacterial immune defences.
2022
science
EMBL Rome’s Gene Editing and Embryology Facility generates transgenic mice to understand human diseases
Lab Matters The GEEF facility at EMBL Rome supports scientists worldwide with scientific expertise and state-of-the-art gene editing technologies.
2022
lab-matters
Priorities for ocean microbiome research
Science Microbial communities play essential roles in ocean ecology and planetary health. A recent publication highlights priorities for understanding and protecting ocean microbiomes.
2022
science
Uncharted territories in the human genome
Research highlights, Science Scientists identify previously unexplored gene segments to be added to human genome databases.
2022
research-highlightsscience
Three EMBL scientists elected as EMBO Members
Lab Matters Cornelius Gross, Miki Ebisuya and Nassos Typas join EMBO, the prestigious organisation for the life sciences.
2022
lab-matters
The EMBL Imaging Centre: making it happen
Events Creating a cutting-edge facility for the global life science community doesn't happen overnight. We spoke to some of those who worked to turn this dream into a reality.
2022
events
Official opening of the EMBL Imaging Centre
Events Representatives from politics, industry and academia attended the inauguration ceremony at EMBL Heidelberg
2022
events
EMBL welcomes first generation of ARISE fellows
Lab Matters Participating researchers will lead projects to develop novel technologies for better science.
2022
lab-matters
EMBL 2021 Annual Report published
Lab Matters EMBL’s 2021 Annual Report is now available, sharing mission highlights from the year in a new digital-first, sustainable format.
2022
lab-matters
Patrick Cramer elected as next President of the Max Planck Society
Alumni Former chair of EMBL Council to take office as the next President of the Max Planck Society in June 2023.
2022
alumni
The world needs science, and science needs women
Lab Matters EMBL Director General Edith Heard joined other L’Oreal-UNESCO Laureates in Paris for a series of events celebrating these outstanding researchers and their contributions.
2022
lab-matters
EMBL and CSIC join hands to discuss microbes in a changing world
Events Researchers from EMBL and CSIC came together to discuss microbial communities, diversity, and behaviour, in the context of One Health.
2022
events
The new heroics of RNA in cell differentiation
Science EMBL research with Enolase 1 (ENO1) points to a possible new way to understand RNA’s leading role in how cells develop.
2022
science
EMBL enhances collaboration with scientists and research institutes in Croatia
Events Two days of events with institutes in the country add a new chapter to successful scientific collaboration
2022
events
Puzzling out the structure of a molecular giant
Science Scientists have solved several mysteries around the structure and function of a true molecular giant: the human nuclear pore complex. They created the most complete model of the complex thanks to combining the program AlphaFold2 with cryo-electron tomography, integrative modelling, molecular…
2022
science
2022 EMBL Alumni Awards Winners announced
Alumni Two former EMBL staff members have been recognised for their outstanding contributions to research in the fields of brain evolution and cancer.
2022
alumni
Supporting the African BioGenome Project to build bioinformatics capacity
Announcements, Lab Matters The African BioGenome Project and EMBL have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to support each other in building genomics and bioinformatics capacity across Africa
2022
announcementslab-matters
EMBL and IIT: Launching new avenues of collaboration
Lab Matters EMBL and IIT scientists met in person at EMBL Rome to strengthen their collaboration and explore new opportunities for scientific exchange
2022
lab-matters
Welcome: Pascale Cossart
Lab Matters Pascale Cossart, one of the world’s foremost authorities on the biology of Listeria, brings four decades of expertise in intracellular bacterial parasitism to EMBL as a visiting scientist.
2022
lab-matters
Shaping up the genome for cell division
Science Researchers have discovered the mechanism by which a family of DNA motor proteins packages loosely arranged strands of DNA into compact individual chromosomes during cell division.
2022
science
Teamed up to innovate
Lab Matters A new formal collaboration agreement enables will help smooth the transition from fundamental science to innovation.
2022
lab-matters
Impact of DNA mutations on blood cell production uncovered
Research highlights, Science Researchers discover how DNA mutations change blood cell production and how this relates to ageing and cancer development.
2022
research-highlightsscience
EMBL in Italy event held at GSK Vaccines in Siena
Alumni The GSK Vaccines site in Siena hosted the annual EMBL in Italy event. The hybrid meeting brought together industry leaders, representatives from biotech start-ups, data scientists, and researchers from academia.
2022
alumni
A machine learning approach for allocating gene function
Science, Technology and innovation Researchers in the Ensembl team are making the most of machine learning methods to speed up genome annotation pipelines
2022
sciencetechnology-and-innovation
Fergal Martin – Eukaryotic Annotation Team Leader
Lab Matters Fergal Martin discusses the importance of open access data and his work in different biodiversity initiatives
2022
lab-matters
Edith Heard elected as a member of The Royal Danish Academy of Sciences and Letters
Lab Matters EMBL Director General Edith Heard has been elected as a foreign member of The Royal Danish Academy of Sciences and Letters in recognition of her academic excellence. Heard is among 15 new members of the Academy, which has been advancing basic research and interdisciplinarity for nearly 280 years.
2022
lab-matters
EMBL and SciLifeLab foster new connections
Events Joint workshop brings researchers together on site and virtually to discuss broad range of planetary biology topics.
2022
events
EMBL Hamburg is helping train lab techs of the future
Lab Matters Students from the Business Academy Aarhus visit EMBL Hamburg annually. Many of them return later as trainees to gain experience as lab technicians. EMBL Hamburg offers great opportunities to learn diverse techniques and work with various equipment. This experience helps them in their future jobs in…
2022
lab-matters
Organisations should embrace open science faster – interview with Prof. Dame Janet Thornton
Lab Matters, Perspectives Janet Thornton, the inaugural winner of the FEBS Journal Open Science Award, explains the importance and impact of open science.
2022
lab-mattersperspectives
Europe PMC: Harnessing the power of text mining to accelerate life sciences research
Science, Technology and innovation How text mining collaborations benefit our research, data resources, and the wider scientific community.
2022
sciencetechnology-and-innovation
Peter Harrison – Genome Analysis Team Leader
Lab Matters Peter Harrison discusses the importance of data accessibility and his passion for biodiversity and agricultural genomics.
2022
lab-matters
Royal Society honour for Eileen Furlong
Lab Matters EMBL’s Head of Genome Biology announced as Fellow of the Royal Society for her exceptional contributions to science.
2022
lab-matters
Flip-flop genome
Science Researchers at EMBL Heidelberg found that inversions in the human genome are more common than previously thought, which impacts our understanding of certain genetic diseases.
2022
science
What do stem cell aggregates and whipped cream have in common?
Science EMBL researchers revise the old problem of sintering droplets to understand the mechanical properties of tissues.
2022
science
Enabling imaging across scales
Events EMBL’s first Imaging Centre Symposium will occur onsite at EMBL and include tours of the new Imaging Centre on 31 May, introducing participants to the facility and its staff and featuring talks on the rapid developments in imaging technologies that have led to notable biological and medical…
2022
events
Interpreting bioimages with deep learning
Perspectives, Science Virginie Uhlmann shares her tips for using deep learning for bioimage analysis in the life sciences.
2022
perspectivesscience
Anne Ephrussi elected member of the US National Academy of Sciences
Lab Matters The honour recognises distinguished and continuing achievements in original research.
2022
lab-matters
Unravelling the origins of the human spine
Science Scientists at EMBL Barcelona have created for the first time a 3D in vitro model that recapitulates the periodic formation of human somites – structures that give rise to the spinal column.
2022
science
Next Head of EMBL Grenoble appointed
Lab Matters Professor Kristina Djinović-Carugo has been appointed as the next head of EMBL Grenoble. She will join EMBL in July from the Max Perutz Laboratories at the University of Vienna, where she is currently Head of the Department of Structural and Computational Biology and full Professor of Structural…
2022
lab-matters
Meet the next Head of EMBL Grenoble
Lab Matters Slovenian structural biologist Kristina Djinović-Carugo will join EMBL in July as the new Head of EMBL Grenoble. We spoke to her about her background, research interests, and plans for EMBL Grenoble.
2022
lab-matters
Greater than the sum of our genes: DNA does not define us
Lab Matters, Perspectives Ewan Birney discusses the input of both genetics and our environment in making us who we are
2022
lab-mattersperspectives
“If you want science to move forward, you have to share it”
Lab Matters EMBO Director Fiona Watt discusses preprints, data sharing, and evaluation in light of EMBL’s new Open Science policy
2022
lab-matters
EMBL consolidates ties with Sapienza University
Lab Matters EMBL and the Sapienza University of Rome confirm their reciprocal interest in intensifying collaborations and launch new opportunities for exchange of expertise
2022
lab-matters
A metaphor for epigenetic inheritance
Science Recent studies from the Hackett group at EMBL Rome have revealed new insights on the mechanism regulating transmission of non-genetic information during embryonic development, and inspired a scientific illustration
2022
science
The MANE collaboration: working together to support genome science
Research highlights, Science Researchers from the MANE collaboration bring you the most comprehensive human genome annotation dataset to date.
2022
research-highlightsscience
Matthias Hentze receives Centenary Award
Lab Matters EMBL Heidelberg’s Matthias Hentze receives the Biochemical Society’s Centenary Award for his discoveries in RNA biology.
2022
lab-matters
Welcome: John Lees
Lab Matters John Lees joins EMBL-EBI as a Group Leader in Pathogen informatics and modelling.
2022
lab-matters
“Summer in Science” is back! A full immersion in science for high school students
Lab Matters After a two-year break, the summer school organised by Adamas Scienza and EMBL in collaboration with CNR is back. It will take place at the International Research Campus of Monterotondo (Rome) from 13 to 24 June 2022.
2022
lab-matters
From liquid to solid to drive development
Science Condensates are membraneless organelles that control specific functions within a cell. Scientists at EMBL Heidelberg have shown how the physical state of condensates can influence biological function.
2022
science
Genomic sequencing aids the global Tuberculosis fight
Perspectives, Science Zamin Iqbal and his team are working with researchers all over the globe to help put a stop to Tuberculosis
2022
perspectivesscience
Darwin Tree of Life at EMBL-EBI: reaching the first major milestone
Announcements, Science Our researchers highlight their contributions to the Darwin Tree of Life project and how new genome annotations helps to further biodiversity research
2022
announcementsscience
Judith Zaugg from EMBL Heidelberg receives ERC Consolidator Grant
Lab Matters Judith Zaugg, Group Leader at EMBL Heidelberg, has been awarded an ERC Consolidator Grant of €2 million funded under the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme. Over the next five years, the grant will enable her group to study cellular interactions in the human bone…
2022
lab-matters
EMBL’s statement on the invasion of Ukraine
Lab Matters EMBL condemns in the strongest terms the unjustified military invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation, with the support of Belarus, and the resulting loss of life and human suffering. We express our deepest sympathy to the Ukrainian people and to all the victims of this war. As an…
2022
lab-matters
Safeguarding African biodiversity through genomics
Perspectives, Science The African BioGenome Project aims to safeguard biodiversity and build bioinformatics capacity across Africa
2022
perspectivesscience
Putting Cryptococcus in context
Science EMBL’s imaging technology helps researchers gain insights in the fungus’ journey from the lung to the brain.
2022
science
An international study proposes stool analysis for early detection of pancreatic cancer
Science A molecular signature of 27 microorganisms in stool defines the high-risk population for the most common pancreatic cancer and could be used for early detection of the disease.
2022
science
A postdoc conference spotlighted in tweets
Events EMBL hosted a futuristic infection biology conference, but it offered even more: an opportunity for postdocs to share their work and network towards future research homes.
2022
events
Deep learning models help predict protein function
Perspectives, Science Deep learning models can improve protein annotations and has helped expand the Pfam database.
2022
perspectivesscience
Understanding genomes, piece by piece
Science Genomes are made up of thousands of individual pieces – genes – which are expressed at different levels. Researchers at EMBL have shed light on how the placement of a gene affects its expression, as well as that of its neighbours.
2022
science
A 3D culture model to study embryo growth
Science A recent study by EMBL researchers proposes a new method to grow early embryos in the laboratory. With a 3D culture set-up, scientists can closely monitor the changes embryos undergo around the time of implantation.
2022
science
Break the bias – an interview with Louise Mullany
Lab Matters, Perspectives An exploration of what gender bias looks like in science and how organisations and individuals can address it
2022
lab-mattersperspectives
Academia, industry, or somewhere else?
Alumni, Lab Matters New study: EMBL PhDs and postdocs develop skills that make them highly employable in roles that drive research and innovation in academia, industry, and other sectors.
2022
alumnilab-matters
‘The World of Molecular Biology’ exhibition
Lab Matters The new permanent ‘The World of Molecular Biology’ exhibition will open in mid-2023 at EMBL’s headquarters in Heidelberg. It will encourage people to actively engage with science and its relevance for everyday life.
2022
lab-matters
Converging lenses on embryo development
Science Researchers from the Furlong group at EMBL have come up with a way to observe the development of fruit-fly embryos simultaneously at the genetic and cellular levels, generating a high-resolution and integrated view of how different cell lineages form.
2022
science
Molecular medicine across borders
Lab Matters The 11th annual Nordic EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine meeting was hosted in virtual format by DANDRITE, the Danish node of the Partnership, from 31 January–2 February 2022. The programme included updates from all partnership nodes, discussions about opportunities for new collaborations,…
2022
lab-matters
New genetic data policy must promote biodiversity conservation
Announcements, Science Scientists urge the adoption of a sensible international policy for digital sequence information.
2022
announcementsscience
Welcome: Michael Dorrity
Lab Matters Michael Dorrity, one of EMBL’s newest group leaders, is studying how the environment influences early life stages in zebrafish.
2022
lab-matters
Pfizer joins the Open Targets consortium
Announcements, Science Open Targets, a consortium focused on drug target identification, prioritisation, and validation, announced today that Pfizer has joined as a partner.
2022
announcementsscience
EMBL and Latvia deepen collaboration
Events Agreement signed with Latvia’s Biomedical Research and Study Centre will boost academic exchange and collaboration on some of the largest challenges facing human and planetary health.
2022
events
Investing in Italy by translating EMBL expertise to the market
Alumni, Lab Matters, Technology and innovation Experiences at EMBL Rome led former group leader to establish his start-up in Italy, developing a new generation of gene therapies.
2022
alumnilab-matterstechnology-and-innovation
Learning from Deep Learning: the inspirational story behind AlphaFold
Science DeepMind visits EMBL Heidelberg to discuss current and future implications of Artificial Intelligence for life science research.
2022
science
Decoding the secrets of snake venom
Science EMBL Hamburg’s Grzegorz Chojnowski from the Wilmanns Group developed software called findMySequence, which identifies proteins’ amino-acid sequences based on electron cryo-microscopy and X-ray crystallography data. It’s useful for identifying unknown proteins in samples from natural sources.
2022
science
Fostering excellence, diversity, and mobility in the Nordic EMBL Partnership
Events, Lab Matters Ahead of the annual meeting of the Nordic EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine, we spoke with its new Speaker, Mark Daly. Mark Daly, FIMM Director, recently accepted the post of Speaker of the Nordic EMBL Partnership. He explains his vision of the future cooperation between EMBL and the Nordics.
2022
eventslab-matters
Genomic data for biodiversity – a global challenge
Perspectives, Science An exploration of where in the world genomics methods are applied and where the data are used.
2022
perspectivesscience
EMBL Imaging Centre kickstarts training with workshop for undergraduates
Lab Matters The new EMBL Imaging Centre held its first on-site training workshop, introducing undergraduate students to the basics of volume electron microscopy. This marks the first of many opportunities to aid capacity-building in imaging techniques in Europe.
2022
lab-matters
Cell sorting enters a new dimension
Science EMBL researchers, in collaboration with BD Biosciences, have demonstrated a new technology that allows rapid image-based sorting of cells. The new technology represents a major upgrade to flow cytometry and has applications in diverse life science fields.
2022
science
The Earth Biogenome Project: on track and ready to ramp up
Announcements, Science On track to reach an ambitious goal of 3,000 genomes sequenced by the end of 2022, what’s next for the Earth Biogenome Project?
2022
announcementsscience
A new era for European molecular biology
Announcements, Lab Matters EMBL announces details about its next programme, ‘Molecules to Ecosystems’. It will guide studying life across scales and in context with changing environments.
2022
announcementslab-matters
Capturing ‘snapshots’ of a crucial step in RNA splicing
Science The Galej group at EMBL Grenoble has recently obtained high resolution snapshots of a crucial step in RNA splicing involving the U2 snRNP complex, a crucial component of the human spliceosome.
2022
science
Welcome: Melissa Harrison
Lab Matters Melissa Harrison joins EMBL-EBI as the new Team Leader of Literature Services. We found out more about her plans for open access publishing and Europe PMC.
2022
lab-matters
New facility in Hungary builds on strong collaborative foundations
Events A delegation from EMBL has participated in inauguration of a new facility — Incubator House — located in Szeged, Hungary.
2022
events
Kristina Haase from EMBL Barcelona receives ERC Starting Grant
Lab Matters Kristina Haase, Group Leader at EMBL Barcelona, will receive €1.5 million over the next five years to develop her project on 3D vascularised in vitro cardiac tissues.
2022
lab-matters
New bacteria and viruses found on human skin
Science Researchers have identified hundreds of new bacterial species and viruses in the human skin microbiome.
2022
science
The start of a journey
Lab Matters This year marks the beginning of EMBL’s next programme ‘Molecules to Ecosystems’ to advance the understanding of life across scales and in the context of changing environments.
2022
lab-matters
EMBL-IAB collaboration on the rise
Lab Matters The memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between EMBL and the Institute for Advanced Biosciences (IAB) a year ago has already catalysed new grants for joint research projects related to cancer and infection biology, thereby deepening collaborative activities.
2021
lab-matters
Observing the secret life of molecules inside the cell
Science EMBL Hamburg’s Kosinski Group, the Beck Laboratory at the Max Planck Institute of Biophysics, and colleagues at EMBL Heidelberg recorded the nuclear pore complex contracting in living cells. They visualised the movement with an unprecedented level of detail with help of new software called…
2021
science
EMBL and Gulbenkian strengthen their scientific collaboration
Lab Matters The agreement focuses on reinforcing the collaboration between scientists to strengthen our understanding of the organism in its environment.
2021
lab-matters
Fostering diversity and equality
Lab Matters Showing a continued commitment to providing a diverse and inclusive organisation for conducting leading molecular biology research, EMBL has launched an Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) strategy.
2021
lab-matters
Solving molecular puzzles to find the perfect fit
Science Using cryo-EM and structural biology techniques, EMBL researchers have shown how two proteins of Legionella pneumophila interact. This finding sheds light on a mechanism critical to the infection process and could lead to the development of new drugs to treat pneumonia.
2021
science
Darwin Tree of Life in 2021: tireless fieldwork and the first beautiful genomes
Science A look back at some of the 2021 highlights from the Darwin Tree of Life partner institutes.
2021
science
Artificial intelligence — a scientific game changer in 2021
Science The systematic application of AI in life sciences as in the AlphaFold algorithm for predicting protein structures has been named '2021 Breakthrough of the Year' by Science magazine.
2021
science
Denis Duboule to deliver inaugural Kafatos Lecture
Alumni EMBL alumnus Denis Duboule has been selected as the speaker for the inaugural Kafatos Lecture to take place in October 2022.
2021
alumni
Open science at EMBL: a transparent way of working
Lab Matters EMBL announces the release of its new Open Science Policy, contributing to positive culture change across the life sciences.
2021
lab-matters
Connecting the dots between bacterial genes around the world
Science Bork Group at EMBL Heidelberg analysed a new global gene database to study how genes emerge and spread across various habitats on our planet. In the future, the group will expand the database and use it for studying microbial gene evolution and dispersal at a finer-grained scale.
2021
science
A gallery of human RNA polymerases
Science New structural biology research provides fundamental information critical to understanding enzyme mutations connected to rare diseases and cancers.
2021
science
Eileen Furlong honoured with Leibniz Prize
Lab Matters EMBL Senior Scientist and Head of the Genome Biology Unit is among the researchers honoured for outstanding work by the German Research Foundation (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, DFG).
2021
lab-matters
Strengthening collaborations in France
Lab Matters EMBL and the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) signed a memorandum of understanding.
2021
lab-matters
The impact of drugs on gut microbes is greater than we thought
Science Researchers studying a massive cohort of European patients have found that commonly prescribed drugs for cardiometabolic disorders can have long-term effects on the gut microbiome. Such effects can complicate the understanding of how disease affects the microbiome and must be taken into…
2021
science
How structural biology helps to make RNA vaccines
Science RNA vaccines, such as the ones for COVID-19, represent a new approach in vaccine technology. Cy Jeffries, faculty staff scientist at EMBL Hamburg, explains the clever technology behind RNA vaccines, and how structural biology contributes to its development. EMBL Hamburg collaborated on several…
2021
science
EMBL Imaging Centre launches first open call for users
Lab Matters The new EMBL Imaging Centre has announced its first open user call, and new project evaluation process and training opportunities.
2021
lab-matters
Wrangling an octopus-like viral replication machine
Science EMBL structural biology is part of an international collaboration addressing zoonotic disease caused by Lassa virus.
2021
science
Welcome: Niccolò Banterle
Lab Matters Using gene editing and three types of microscopy, one of EMBL’s newest group leaders is deciphering the functions of one of the smallest molecules involved in cell division, motility, and signalling, known as a centriole.
2021
lab-matters
Celebrating Lithuania-EMBL cooperation on life science research
Events EMBL has taken another step towards strengthening its scientific relationship with Lithuania.
2021
events
Welcome: Maria Zimmermann-Kogadeeva
Lab Matters Maria Zimmermann-Kogadeeva is one of EMBL’s newest group leaders and a computational biologist whose research group applies computational modelling to better understand the metabolism of gut bacteria and their potential to have far-reaching impacts on other organs.
2021
lab-matters
Welcome: Tudor Groza
Lab Matters Tudor Groza joins EMBL-EBI as our new Phenomics Team Lead. We found out from Tudor exactly what this new role will entail
2021
lab-matters
A holistic approach to preserving our health – and our planet’s
Events The upcoming 22nd EMBL Science & Society Conference will explore the One Health approach, which advocates for greater cross-sectoral collaboration and communication across the human-animal-environment interface.
2021
events
Can data help feed a hungry world?
Science How genomics, open data, and multidisciplinary science can improve food security.
2021
science
Addressing the biodiversity crisis with 12,000 reptiles – or one database
Alumni An alumnus reflects on the reptile database he started in 1996 while at EMBL. The database helps understand biodiversity issues.
2021
alumni
Building a 3D placenta on a chip
Lab Matters A new model could serve as a platform to investigate critical placenta barrier phenomena, including defence against bacteria, viruses, and parasites.
2021
lab-matters
Newly-launched Kafatos Lectures to bring groundbreaking science to the public
Alumni A new life sciences lecture series commemorates the legacy of former EMBL Director General Fotis Kafatos for people around the world.
2021
alumni
EMBL alum takes DNA sequencing to the field
Alumni EMBL alum Lara Urban has developed mobile DNA approaches to monitor impacts upon biodiversity in remote areas of New Zealand and elsewhere.
2021
alumni
EMBL Imaging Centre welcomes first external user
Lab Matters Correlative microscopy service enables PhD student from Switzerland to study structure and location of proteins cells use to communicate.
2021
lab-matters
DUO: streamlining access to biomedical datasets
Science The GA4GH Data Use Ontology (DUO) supports a data authorisation and access framework to streamline consent to use biomedical data
2021
science
EMBL experimental services enable European researchers to tackle global societal challenges
Lab Matters Independent impact review finds EMBL experimental services are ‘critical’ for research and endorses EMBL as a world-class service provider for academia and industry.
2021
lab-matters
Making sense of bacterial DNA data
Science A vast, curated collection of bacterial genomes is now organised, searchable and open to the community.
2021
science
New horizons for the EIPP
Lab Matters EMBL's PhD and postdoc programmes evolve to the more multidisciplinary way of doing great molecular biology research.
2021
lab-matters
EMBL Hamburg trains future generations of life scientists in using SAXS
Lab Matters Each year, EMBL Hamburg’s Svergun Group offers practical EMBO courses and lecture courses on biological small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). The courses provide young scientists an opportunity to gain hands-on experience by measuring their own samples, and by exploring different aspects of SAXS…
2021
lab-matters
Ken Holmes
Alumni Ken Holmes, outstanding pioneer of structural biology and founder of EMBL´s Hamburg site, died on 2 November 2021 at the age of 87.
2021
alumni
More than a gut reaction
Science What can sponges tell us about the evolution of the brain? Sponges have the genes involved in neuronal function in higher animals. But if sponges don’t have brains, what is the role of these? EMBL scientists imaged the sponge digestive chamber to find out.
2021
science
Structure of a promiscuous protein will help scientists design better drugs
Science Scientists at EMBL Hamburg determined the molecular structure of Peptide Transporters 1 and 2. The findings will enable developing drugs that more efficiently pass from the gut to target tissues.
2021
science
Welcome: Svetlana Dodonova
Lab Matters Svetlana Dodonova is one of EMBL's newest group leaders, leading a team of researchers who will study how genetic material is organised inside cells using structural biology approaches.
2021
lab-matters
Open data on the rise: the value of EMBL-EBI data resources
Lab Matters Independent study reveals that EMBL-EBI open data resources are critical for the life sciences.
2021
lab-matters
Science for sustainability
Lab Matters The engagement of US and European Big Science facilities
2021
lab-matters
Genomic sequencing to strengthen biodiversity
Science The Darwin Tree of Life project is an unprecedented initiative sequencing 70,000 species
2021
science
Harnessing the microbiome to improve meat production
Science International project uses biomolecular data to improve animal feed and make meat production more sustainable
2021
science
Novel enzymes for a Green Economy
Science Using metagenomic data to find novel enzymes for plastic degradation and beyond
2021
science
Life sciences have key role in developing climate change solutions
Lab Matters EMBL attends COP26 to argue for strategy to involve molecular biology in the Green Recovery
2021
lab-matters
Biophysics analysis made easy with an online tool
Science EMBL Hamburg’s Sample Preparation and Characterisation (SPC) Facility has released eSPC, an online platform for analysing data from biophysical experiments. The platform enables the scientific community to analyse data from different experiments without the need to travel.
2021
science
Analysis and sorting with flow cytometry
Lab Matters A technology around since the ‘60s, flow cytometry has increasing applications. New leadership at EMBL’s flow cytometry facilities is looking to ease use, expand training, and encourage more collaboration.
2021
lab-matters
EMBL reinforces collaboration with Belgian scientific community
Events EMBL has held a joint workshop with the Belgian Science Policy Office, BELSPO, underlining their long-standing collaboration and commitment to future cooperation.
2021
events
BY-COVID – a new EU project for pandemic preparedness
Science The BY-COVID project aims to make infectious disease data, including COVID-19, openly available to everyone.
2021
science
CRyPTIC: cataloguing drug resistance mutations in M. tuberculosis
Science Profiling M. tuberculosis strains from 27 countries to reveal causes of drug resistance.
2021
science
The human genome, data sharing, and drug discovery: a career profile with Ian Dunham
Lab Matters Ian Dunham walks us through his career so far including working on the human genome project, seeing his work on the cover of Nature and his current role as Director of Open Targets.
2021
lab-matters
Characterising protein phosphosite function at scale
Science Researchers develop a new high-throughput approach to assess the functional significance of protein phosphosites.
2021
science
EMBL DG joins National Academy of Medicine
Lab Matters Professor Edith Heard is among new members elected to US National Academy of Medicine
2021
lab-matters
How herpes seizes proteins’ means of production
Science The Graham and Crump groups at the University of Cambridge and the Svergun Group at EMBL Hamburg have discovered a mechanism by which the herpes simplex virus takes control of the molecular machinery of human cells. Their work reveals how a dedicated viral protein hijacks key host proteins, forcing…
2021
science
Genomic tracking of the COVID-19 pandemic in England
Science Largest in-depth analysis of genomic data tracks the spread of SARS-CoV-2 lineages in England.
2021
science
Tackling the collateral damage from antibiotics
Science Researchers from EMBL’s Typas group and collaborators have analysed the effects of 144 antibiotics on the wellbeing of gut microbes. The study improves our understanding of antibiotics’ side effects and suggests a new approach to mitigating the adverse effects of antibiotics therapy on gut…
2021
science
When ‘good’ cells go ‘bad’
Science If researchers can identify specifically when good cells go bad, they can potentially understand disease better.
2021
science
EMBL and Ifremer cooperate to advance ocean sciences
Lab Matters The two organisations have signed a memorandum of understanding to support scientific cooperation in the exploration of coastal and oceanic ecosystems.
2021
lab-matters
EMBL welcomes young scientists
Lab Matters This autumn, students begin their PhD in research groups across EMBL’s six sites.
2021
lab-matters
Six Ways to Protect the Planet Against Pandemics*
Events EMBL will host a conference to look at the state of the pandemic, lessons learned, and ways to improve pandemic preparedness. Here’s a sneak peek into what promises to be another interesting and informative EMBL conference.
2021
events
From creating new antimicrobials to combating Alzheimer’s disease
Science Structural biology provides insights into the diverse functions of fibrous protein in humans, amphibians, and bacteria.
2021
science
A cellular atlas of an entire worm
Science EMBL scientists and colleagues have developed an interactive atlas of the entire marine worm Platynereis dumerilii in its larval stage. The PlatyBrowser resource combines high-resolution gene expression data with volume electron microscopy images.
2021
science
EMBL strengthens links with Estonia
Lab Matters A memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed between EMBL and the University of Tartu, a leading centre of research and training. The MoU aims to strengthen cooperation between EMBL and the life science research community in Estonia.
2021
lab-matters
New microscopy technique makes deep in vivo brain imaging possible
Science Scientists in EMBL’s Prevedel Group have developed a pioneering microscopy technique that allows researchers to observe cells hidden within opaque tissues, such as live neurons embedded deep in the brain.
2021
science
Transferable skills
Lab Matters In the lab, Diënty Hazenbrink works with microbes that live in our guts. In her free time, she enjoys wildlife photography. A shared set of skills facilitates both activities.
2021
lab-matters
Celebrating Hungary-EMBL collaborations for life sciences research
Lab Matters EMBL and Hungarian research institutes will collaborate to address urgent biological and environmental challenges.
2021
lab-matters
Proteins, art and seeing the world through a new lens
Lab Matters Hundreds of school children explore the beauty of proteins through art
2021
lab-matters
The secret life of baby octopuses
Science Some of the most amazing creatures live in the deep blue sea. The Mesoscopic Imaging Facility (MIF) at EMBL Barcelona was recently involved in studying one unique feature of the octopus: the ephemeral structures on the surface of their skin called Kölliker’s organs.
2021
science
EMBL and Helmholtz Health join forces
Lab Matters EMBL and Helmholtz Association have signed a memorandum of understanding. The expanded collaboration of both institutions will focus on research related to health.
2021
lab-matters
Organoids and machine learning: image analysis software developed during lockdown
Science MOrgAna is an open source, user-friendly, modular software that is able to analyse organoids with machine learning.
2021
science
Vision unveiled: new roles for the retina in visual processing
Research highlights, Science EMBL scientists have found evidence of an unexpected role for retinal cells in pre-processing visual information; their results provide potential opportunity for future prosthetic visual aids.
2021
research-highlightsscience
3D-Beacons Network: protein structure data, all in one place
Science 3D-Beacons Network acts as a one-stop shop for protein structures by combining and standardising data from several providers.
2021
science
Charting a multi-omic universe
Science A research collaboration used machine learning to map tumour molecular make-up, potentially paving way to more customised cancer treatment.
2021
science
Artificial neural networks revolutionise biological image analysis
Science Packaged for simple installation and free use, the novel method DECODE enables researchers to reduce imaging times and increase localisation density in single-molecule localisation microscopy (SMLM).
2021
science
German Cross of Merit for former EMBL Director General
Alumni Former EMBL Director General Professor Iain Mattaj was awarded the German Cross of Merit (‘Verdienstkreuz 1. Klasse des Verdienstordens der Bundesrepublik Deutschland’) at a ceremony held at EMBL Heidelberg on 9 September 2021.
2021
alumni
New horizons for virtual learning
Events EMBL's science education department makes the latest scientific research more accessible for teachers and students.
2021
events
Common medications accumulate in gut bacteria
Science A new collaborative study led by EMBL group leaders Kiran Patil, Nassos Typas, and Peer Bork has found that common medications accumulate in human gut bacteria. This process reduces drug effectiveness and affects the metabolism of common gut microbes, thereby altering the gut microbiome.
2021
science
A flip book for biological systems
Science In the Mesoscopic Imaging Facility (MIF) at EMBL Barcelona, researchers study the details of biological systems in the context of organs, body parts, or entire organisms. This image shows OPTiSPIM1, one of the custom light-sheet microscope setups available at the facility.
2021
science
The Spatial Mouse Atlas: new insights into cell fate
Science Researchers have combined spatial gene expression information with single-cell genomics data to create a high-resolution atlas of mouse organogenesis.
2021
science
Cryo-Electron Microscopy Service Platform supports research on protein transport
Lab Matters Giulia Zanetti from the Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology (ISMB) in London explains how the collaboration with the Cryo-Electron Microscopy Service Platform enabled her group to reveal the structure of protein transport complexes.
2021
lab-matters
Welcome: Liz Duke
Lab Matters The new team leader at EMBL Hamburg talks about her plans to establish biological X-ray imaging and high-throughput tomography.
2021
lab-matters
Inspiring the next generation of life scientists
Lab Matters EMBL launches new mentoring opportunity, linking Master’s students with postdoctoral researchers.
2021
lab-matters
Edith Heard elected to the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina
Lab Matters EMBL Director General Edith Heard has been elected a member of the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina. Her admission to the ‘Human Genetics and Molecular Medicine’ section recognises her outstanding professional contributions to science.
2021
lab-matters
MASSIF-1 beamline in Grenoble supports COVID-19 drug discovery
Lab Matters MASSIF-1, run jointly by EMBL Grenoble and the ESRF, is a beamline for macromolecular crystallography. It is used by the research community to study the 3D structure of proteins, which is important for drug development.
2021
lab-matters
Supporting EMBL and fundamental research
Alumni EMBL alumnus Angus Lamond reflects on the process of translating the importance of fundamental research – to EMBL and wider society.
2021
alumni
All heart
Alumni A community of scientists is looking at the estimated three billion heart muscle cells in a human heart to better understand heart disease.
2021
alumni
Peer Bork honoured with Novozymes Prize and ISCB Senior Scientist Award
Lab Matters Distinctions recognise Peer’s development and sharing of bioinformatics tools as well as his significant contributions to bioinformatics research, education, and services.
2021
lab-matters
What lies beneath: the building blocks of life
Science Analysis of more than 2 million images has boosted understanding of ocean microbes, shedding light on the distribution of nitrogen-fixers at a global level
2021
science
Studying coronavirus proteins using small-angle X-ray scattering at European XFEL
Science A collaboration led by EMBL Hamburg’s Svergun Group used small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) at the European XFEL to obtain data on samples containing coronavirus spike proteins and antibodies that bind them.
2021
science
DeepMind and EMBL release the most complete database of predicted 3D structures of human proteins
Science Partners use AlphaFold, the AI system recognised last year as a solution to the protein structure prediction problem, to release more than 350,000 protein structure predictions including the entire human proteome to the scientific community.
2021
science
Accessible 3D protein models to accelerate scientific discovery
Science DeepMind and EMBL-EBI to make millions of protein structure predictions freely available to the scientific community.
2021
science
Great expectations – the potential impacts of AlphaFold DB
Science A discussion of the applications that AlphaFold DB may enable and the possible impact of the resource on science and society.
2021
science
The PROTACtable genome – a new route to drug discovery
Science Researchers establish a framework for identifying new drugs capable of exploiting a cell’s own machinery.
2021
science
A black redstart visits
Lab Matters Mehdi Khadraoui, a former member of the EMBL Communications team, took this close-up of a black redstart.
2021
lab-matters
EMBL Director General welcomes new EMBO Director
Lab Matters EMBL Director General Edith Heard has warmly welcomed Fiona Watt, who will become the new director of EMBO.
2021
lab-matters
EMBL Alumni Awards 2021
Alumni EMBL alumni Ilaria Piazza and Ken Holmes have been recognised for their outstanding contributions, and will receive their awards as part of the celebrations for EMBL World Alumni Day.
2021
alumni
A model of cooperation for transporting mRNA
Science EMBL scientists generate a high-resolution crystal structure of the Kinesin-1/aTm1 transport complex in the fruit fly.
2021
science
From antibodies to nanoplastics
Science EMBL’s Melissa Graewert and colleagues are taking a structural biologist’s approach to better understanding nanoplastic particles.
2021
science
A hidden medal
Alumni We all like a story about rediscovering treasures, right? Well, that’s just what happened recently at EMBL Grenoble!
2021
alumni
New insights into Salmonella’s survival strategies
Science Research in the Typas group uncovers new details of the strategies Salmonella uses to survive in infected cells.
2021
science
New life science Imaging Centre preparing for user access
Lab Matters The EMBL Imaging Centre is preparing for external user access, after an on-time and on-budget build and handover to the science team.
2021
lab-matters
Welcome: Sarah Dyer
Lab Matters EMBL welcomes Sarah Dyer, the new Non-Vertebrate Genomics Team Leader at EMBL-EBI.
2021
lab-matters
New head for EMBL’s Developmental Biology Unit
Lab Matters Dr Alexander Aulehla has been appointed the new Head of EMBL’s Developmental Biology Unit, and will take up the role starting in July 2021.
2021
lab-matters
EMBL welcomes appointment of Maria Leptin as new President of the ERC
Lab Matters EMBL Director General Edith Heard has warmly welcomed the appointment of Professor Maria Leptin as the next President of the European Research Council (ERC)
2021
lab-matters
Structural biology reveals new opportunities to combat tuberculosis
Science EMBL Hamburg’s Wilmanns and Kosinski groups have determined the detailed structure of a bacterial protein complex critical for tuberculosis infection.
2021
science
Welcome: Anna Erzberger
Lab Matters Anna Erzberger, one of EMBL’s newest group leaders, will provide unique perspective as a theoretical biological physicist.
2021
lab-matters
After the Lecture: Cultivating the information ecosystem
Events At an EMBL Science & Society lecture, science journalist Kai Kupferschmidt advocated for accurate, clear and contextual science communication.
2021
events
Food safety, antibiotics, and a shrinking planet
Science After work in antimicrobial resistance, EMBL postdoc Laura Carroll is using machine learning for next-gen antibiotic development.
2021
science
Illuminating protein complexes in cells
Lab Matters EMBL group leaders Julia Mahamid, Anna Kreshuk & Jonas Ries awarded Chan Zuckerberg Initiative grant to advance what we see inside cells.
2021
lab-matters
How our gut microbiome changes over time
Science Researchers investigate how external factors can influence the persistence of microbe species in the human gut
2021
science
Visualising RNA structures using R2DT
Science New software enables scientists to visualise RNA secondary structures using the world’s largest RNA structure dataset.
2021
science
EMBL scientists elected as EMBO Members
Lab Matters John Marioni, Alex Bateman, and Takashi Hiiragi have been elected to EMBO Membership.
2021
lab-matters
EMBL external research community survey
Lab Matters EMBL is conducting an Impact Assessment of our experimental services to understand the value these services have for our external user community. If you have accessed EMBL experimental services at one or more of our facilities to support the conduct of your research, we would like to hear from you.
2021
lab-matters
Molecular biology stepping up to solve environmental challenges
Lab Matters EMBL’s EU Green Week event showcased various ways molecular biology research can help solve environmental challenges.
2021
lab-matters
The power of community
Lab Matters EMBL Director Matthias Hentze describes the Environmental Research Initiative: a community effort to solve global environmental challenges.
2021
lab-matters
Living laboratories
Science Under the innovative Planetary Biology research theme, EMBL scientists aim to understand life in the context of its environment.
2021
science
Joining forces to solve global challenges
Lab Matters EMBL and the Swedish Science for Life Laboratory sign agreement to advance science together.
2021
lab-matters
Genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in England
Science The largest in-depth analysis of genomic surveillance data mapping out the dynamics of 62 lineages of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
2021
science
EMBL scientists support malaria research
Science EMBL scientists support research on malaria by providing freely available data resources and using innovative experimental approaches. Our Course and Conference Office facilitates the exchange of knowledge in the field by hosting the annual BioMalPar conference.
2021
science
Just the gist: Big data and pandemics in seven key points
Events EMBL’s most recent Science and Society seminar explored how best to harness big data to address multi-faceted issues of a pandemic.
2021
events
Michael Zimmermann receives FEBS Anniversary Prize
Lab Matters The Gesellschaft für Biochemie und Molekularbiologie has awarded a FEBS Anniversary Prize to Michael Zimmermann for his gut microbiome research.
2021
lab-matters
How can we prepare for future pandemics?
Events Leading international experts gathered to showcase progress in the fight against COVID-19 and share lessons for the future.
2021
events
Reshaping the cell membrane with molecular pegs
Science Researchers at EMBL Hamburg reveal how peg-like proteins clasp and reshape the cell membrane
2021
science
Shaping the future of structural biology and X-ray imaging at EMBL Hamburg
Events A workshop run by EMBL Hamburg explored opportunities for structural biology at the future, upgraded PETRA IV synchrotron.
2021
events
EMBL and Inserm to join forces
Lab Matters A memorandum of understanding has been signed between EMBL and Inserm to strengthen their scientific cooperation.
2021
lab-matters
Artificial intelligence makes great microscopes better than ever
Science EMBL scientists have combined artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms with two cutting-edge microscopy techniques.
2021
science
After the lecture: Zehra Sayers
Alumni Zehra Sayers explains what makes the SESAME synchrotron special, why we should not fear failure, and why curiosity is her biggest driver.
2021
alumni
EMBL and Tara Ocean Foundation sail forward with formalised cooperation
Lab Matters The EMBL-Tara Ocean Foundation collaboration will expand opportunities to jointly explore molecular connections between ocean and humankind.
2021
lab-matters
EMBL provides key infrastructure for COVID-19 drug screening project
Science EMBL Hamburg’s integrated structural biology facility has contributed to the success of a large-scale SARS-CoV-2 study
2021
science
Piecing together the best reference genome
Science Researchers reveal the best technology for assembling reference genomes.
2021
science
Uniting strengths to expand research
Lab Matters The European Molecular Biology Laboratory and the Italian Institute of Technology have signed an agreement to expand the scope of their collaboration to include areas of mutual interest and in the context of EMBL’s 2022-2026 Programme “Molecules to Ecosystems”.
2021
lab-matters
EMBL Director General elected to US National Academy of Sciences
Lab Matters EMBL Director General Edith Heard has been elected into the US National Academy of Sciences, recognising her contributions to research.
2021
lab-matters
SARS-CoV-2 curtails immune response in the gut
Science EMBL scientists, together with collaborators from Heidelberg University, have provided further evidence of the gut’s role in COVID-19.
2021
science
EMBL DG joins WHO Science Council
Lab Matters Edith Heard has been appointed to a new World Health Organization advisory council.
2021
lab-matters
EMBL strengthens collaborations in the French academic landscape
Lab Matters A memorandum of understanding has been signed between EMBL, Collège de France, and the Institute of Biology of the Ecole Normale Supérieure (IBENS).
2021
lab-matters
Different immune responses identified in patients with COVID-19
Science Researchers identify differences in immune response in asymptomatic COVID-19 cases compared to those with severe symptoms
2021
science
Team Science: building diversity and inclusion in research
Lab Matters In a talk on 29 April, Professor Jeanette Woolard will share her experience of creating a more positive research culture
2021
lab-matters
Combating emerging infectious diseases: lessons from COVID-19
Events EMBL and Portugal are bringing together leading scientists to highlight the role of fundamental research in tackling infectious diseases.
2021
events
Using metagenomic techniques to explore lichens
Science Researchers have used a metagenomics approach to piece together the genomes of yeasts found in wild lichens.
2021
science
The value of open data for Latin American science
Science Scientists from the CABANA project explore how open data is benefiting global research efforts.
2021
science
Structural biology at EMBL: driving technology development
Lab Matters Florent Cipriani, who recently retired as Head of the Instrumentation Team after a long career at EMBL Grenoble, is one of the pioneers of instrumentation development in this field.
2021
lab-matters
Repurposing drugs to manage COVID-19 progression
Science Researchers use large-scale human genetic studies to identify drug targets important for managing COVID-19 in its early stages
2021
science
EMBL Hamburg lights the way to folding next-level origami
Science Using EMBL Hamburg’s world-class structural biology infrastructure, researchers advance the folding of protein ‘origami’ designed in the lab.
2021
science
Linking genetics and age-related diseases
Science Researchers have used human medical and genetic data from UK Biobank to investigate the genetics of age-related diseases
2021
science
Welcome: Matthew Hartley
Lab Matters The challenges and opportunities when setting up a global archive for bioimages
2021
lab-matters
From molecules to ecosystems: EMBL and IAB sign memorandum of understanding
Lab Matters This MoU formalises a 15-year collaboration between the two institutes and strengthens Grenoble as a European research centre in the life sciences.
2021
lab-matters
New perspectives for treating psychiatric disorders
Science Scientists have determined the structure of Glycine Transporter 1. The finding could open new avenues for developing therapeutics for psychiatric disorders
2021
science
Welcome: Ana Boskovic
Lab Matters The new group leader at EMBL Rome will study how embryos can inherit non-genetic information from their parents that causes stable and heritable effects
2021
lab-matters
Coronavirus vaccine uses EMBL’s earliest virus research
Alumni EMBL alumnus Kai Simons did early work with Semliki Forest virus membranes, which is now central to a COVID-19 vaccine.
2021
alumni
VAAM Research Award for Nassos Typas
Lab Matters Nassos Typas has received the German VAAM Research Award.
2021
lab-matters
From mRNA researcher to BioNTech manager
Alumni EMBL alumnus Pawel Masiewicz has transferred skills and experience gained at EMBL to oversee starting materials for mRNA vaccine development.
2021
alumni
Wolfgang Huber becomes ISCB Fellow
Lab Matters The contribution of EMBL Group Leader and Senior Scientist Wolfgang Huber has been recognised by the International Society for Computational Biology
2021
lab-matters
After the lecture: Tracey Brown
Lab Matters Tracey Brown from Sense about Science shares her thoughts on the need to empower women to share and access scientific information.
2021
lab-matters
EMBL prepares women postdocs for leadership
Lab Matters Members of EMBL’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee explain how EMBL is choosing to challenge through its LEAP mentoring programme.
2021
lab-matters
Induced pluripotent stem cells reveal causes of disease
Science Scientists in the Stegle group and colleagues have studied induced pluripotent stem cells from around 1,000 donors to identify correlations between individual genetic variants and altered gene expression. They linked more than 4,000 of the genetic variants responsible for altered expression…
2021
science
Pfam releases structures for every protein family
Science Thousands of new protein structure models, prected using deep learning, now available to explore
2021
science
From crisis to recovery: achieving an equal future in a post-COVID-19 world
Lab Matters EMBL invites Simon Gallow, an advocate at UN Women UK, to give a talk marking International Women’s Day.
2021
lab-matters
New avenues for eradicating cancer
Science A new method has the potential to boost international research efforts to find drugs that eradicate cancer at its source.
2021
science
Bridging Excellence: a unique transatlantic opportunity for postdocs
Lab Matters Applications are now open for the Life Science Alliance’s Bridging Excellence Fellowships, enabling postdocs to carry out collaborative projects at EMBL and Stanford University.
2021
lab-matters
The European Climate Pact: EMBL plays its part
Lab Matters EMBL's Environmental Officer Brendan Rouse explains more about his role as a European Climate Pact Ambassador.
2021
lab-matters
Welcome: Sinem Saka
Lab Matters As one of EMBL’s newest group leaders, Sinem Saka will combine multiple technologies, such as microscopy and single-cell omics, to solve biological puzzles.
2021
lab-matters
Human genomes provide new reference for global genetic diversity
Science A collaboration including EMBL scientists has created the most diverse set of reference human genomes ever assembled.
2021
science
Reflecting on allyship as women in science
Lab Matters Being a woman in science takes allies, not just great science. Here, EMBL’s L’Oréal–UNESCO Fellows talk about support networks.
2021
lab-matters
Feldberg Prize for Anne Ephrussi
Lab Matters Anne Ephrussi has been awarded the German Feldberg Prize 2022 in recognition of her outstanding research.
2021
lab-matters
SPC Facility in Hamburg supports a new pan-European consortium
Lab Matters The Sample Preparation and Characterisation (SPC) Facility at EMBL Hamburg is one of the founding members of the Molecular-Scale Biophysics Research Infrastructure (MOSBRI). Within this new European initiative, the SPC Facility will offer services related to membrane proteins, protein complexes,…
2021
lab-matters
Welcome to EMBL: Gautam Dey
Lab Matters Gautam Dey is fascinated by the evolutionary origins of the nucleus, and is looking forward to making the most of EMBL's infrastructure.
2021
lab-matters
The thousands of viruses living in your gut
Science Scientists identify more than 140 000 virus species in the human gut; more than half have never been seen before
2021
science
Allyship and support: an interview with Janet Thornton
Lab Matters Professor Dame Janet Thornton discusses work–life balance, the support she has received during her career, and how organisations can help staff during the COVID-19 pandemic
2021
lab-matters
A new piece of the HIV infection puzzle explored
Science Researchers from EMBL and Heidelberg University Hospital combine high-resolution imaging to observe the infection process in cell nuclei, opening the door for new therapeutics.
2021
science
Finding coronavirus’s helper proteins
Science A team of EMBL scientists and colleagues have analysed how the novel coronavirus affects proteins in human cells. They identified several human proteins as potential drug targets to prevent viral replication.
2021
science
Understanding Earth’s oceans together
Lab Matters EMBL and EMBRC have signed a memorandum of understanding for increased scientific collaboration.
2021
lab-matters
Coding between the vines
Lab Matters EMBL Teen Maria-Theresa Licka shares how female scientists guided & inspired her to develop an app to ID vine disease.
2021
lab-matters
Protein sequences provide clues to how SARS-CoV-2 infects cells
Science Researchers at EMBL Heidelberg have identified sequences in human proteins that might be used by SARS-CoV-2 to infect cells. They have discovered that the virus might hijack certain cellular processes, and they discuss potentially relevant drugs for treating COVID-19.
2021
science
Opinion: Allyship and Women in Science
Lab Matters Roshni Mooneeram discusses what Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) is to her, and what the meaning of allyship is.
2021
lab-matters
A better look at a human RNA polymerase
Science New EMBL research shows where & to what degree a component of cellular machinery known as RNA Pol III is mutated and becomes problematic.
2021
science
At the core of the Integrator complex
Science A new paper from the Galej group at EMBL Grenoble describes the structure of key parts of the Integrator complex, involved in gene expression.
2021
science
Show your support for open COVID-19 data
Lab Matters Open letter galvanises life science community in support of open COVID-19 data
2021
lab-matters
Insights into the new B.1.1.7 coronavirus lineage
Science A new lineage of coronavirus was first identified in the UK, but why is it spreading much more rapidly within the population?
2021
science
Strengthening collaborations in Italy
Lab Matters EMBL and CNR have signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen scientific cooperation. The agreement will foster collaborative projects and integrate them within the European and global scientific landscape.
2021
lab-matters
Issue #51 of Science in School now available
Lab Matters The latest issue of Science in School highlights the eight members of EIROforum.
2021
lab-matters
Welcome: Nicoletta Petridou
Lab Matters New group leader Nicoletta Petridou explains her fascination with the complexity of early embryo development, and how the interdisciplinary nature of EMBL will aid her research.
2021
lab-matters
The SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 lineage
Science A note on the coronavirus variant B.1.1.7, which has first been described in the U.K. and has spread to 57 countries. The note summarises epidemiological information about the spread of B.1.1.7 in the U.K. collated and in part conducted by researchers from EMBL-EBI.
2021
science
DKFZ and EMBL intensify cooperation
Lab Matters EMBL and the German Cancer Research Center in Heidelberg are increasing their already existing collaborations with a Memorandum of Understanding between the two institutions.
2021
lab-matters
Monitoring dangerous bacteria in freshwater
Science Freshwater sports can cause waterborne infections, but real-time DNA sequencing could help.
2021
science
EMBL courses and conferences: learning lessons and looking ahead
Events EMBL has a packed schedule of courses and conferences for 2021, ready to go ahead virtually, regardless of limitations on physical gatherings
2021
events
Welcome: Timo Zimmermann
Lab Matters The EMBL Imaging Centre is scheduled to open in 2021 with Timo Zimmermann as Team Leader for advanced light microscopy technology development and service provision.
2021
lab-matters
Welcome: Olivier Duss
Lab Matters One of EMBL’s newest group leaders, Olivier Duss, will explore how RNA folds into functional structures and how it works with proteins to control a diverse range of activities in the cell.
2021
lab-matters
Toadlet peptide transforms into a deadly weapon against bacteria
Science Researchers at the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology and EMBL Hamburg, in collaboration with scientists in Israel and Spain, have discovered remarkable molecular properties of an antimicrobial peptide from the skin of the Australian toadlet. The discovery could inspire the development of…
2021
science
EMBL becomes newest Instruct Centre
Lab Matters EMBL’s sites in Grenoble, Hamburg, and Heidelberg form the newest Instruct Centre. The new centre offers users access to a broad range of state-of-the-art facilities.
2021
lab-matters
Opinion: Scientific disagreements aren’t new to COVID
Science Understanding why disagreement is good for COVID science. EMBL Deputy Director General Ewan Birney offers tips for sorting through the discourse.
2021
science
In kefir, microbial teamwork makes the dream work
Science Researchers discovered the dominant species of bacteria in kefir grains cannot endure without other species that help the 'team' survive.
2021
science
Discover the wonderful world of proteins: first virtual PDB Art exhibition
Lab Matters Schoolchildren create exquisite protein-inspired artworks
2020
lab-matters
Darwin Tree of Life: looking back on 2020
Science Despite restrictions, 2020 has been a busy year for the Darwin Tree of Life Project. We take a look at some of this year’s achievements and highlights.
2020
science
How EMBL alumni created a groundbreaking vaccine technology
Alumni The story of a life-long friendship and a professional partnership that sowed the seeds for a ground-breaking vaccine technology.
2020
alumni
Stronger together
Science Gene activation requires the cooperative activity of multiple transcription factors. Until now, the mechanism used by these factors to coordinate their actions has been poorly understood. EMBL’s Krebs group presents a DNA footprinting method that makes it possible to determine whether…
2020
science
EMBL and the European Commission refresh longstanding collaboration
Events December has seen the start of a new chapter in the collaboration that has for years marked the relationship between the European Commission (EC) and EMBL.
2020
events
EMBL Scientific Visitor Programme opens eyes and doors
Lab Matters Facilitated by EMBL’s Scientific Visitor Programme in 2019, Silvia Dias Almeida spent a year in the Diz-Muñoz group, helping solidify her career plans and set her up for a competitive PhD programme in biomedical imaging.
2020
lab-matters
Heating proteins to understand how genes work
Science A new paper from EMBL’s Savitski team and Typas group describes their work on E. coli and how it brings a greater understanding of the way genes function and interact.
2020
science
EMBL group leader Miki Ebisuya receives ERC Consolidator Grant
Lab Matters Funding by the European Research Council (ERC) will support research on the timing of developmental processes in mammals
2020
lab-matters
Seeing deeper inside cells
Science While cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET) was first envisioned in 1968, the advances the Mahamid group are bringing to this 3D method for studying molecules directly inside cells are new, and are likely to greatly expand its use.
2020
science
Solving the protein structure puzzle
Science How artificial intelligence can help us solve the mysteries of the protein universe
2020
science
Chan Zuckerberg Initiative recognises EMBL scientists
Lab Matters The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative has recognised four EMBL researchers with their most recent awards, showing how tech trailblazers are integral to advancing science and medicine.
2020
lab-matters
Scratching the surface on cell differentiation
Science Scientists in the Diz-Muñoz group at EMBL Heidelberg are working to build understanding of the role that mechanical properties play in affecting cell behaviour – a young and rapidly developing field of study. They have developed and successfully used a highly specialised technique to manipulate…
2020
science
Tackling tropical diseases
Science Members of the EMBL community are working to improve our understanding of the parasites that cause malaria and sleeping sickness
2020
science
EMBL facilities support development of RNA vaccines
Science Biotechnology company BioNTech and Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz conduct collaborative research with EMBL scientists at the beamline P12 in Hamburg
2020
science
Repurposing bioinformatics tools to tackle the pandemic
Science Bioinformaticians at EMBL-EBI and beyond are adapting computational tools to investigate coronavirus genomes and proteins.
2020
science
Science and society: global youth activism
Events At EMBL’s Science and Society conference, Ugandan campaigner Vanessa Nakate spoke about the need to take action on climate change.
2020
events
Microbiomes help predict the future of the Atlantic
Science Microbiomes, plastics, and connectivity – AtlantECO aims to understand the fabric of the Atlantic Ocean.
2020
science
Replication cycle of SARS-CoV-2 in 3D
Science Researchers have studied SARS-CoV-2 replication in cells and obtained detailed insights into the alterations induced in infected cells. This information is essential to guide the development of urgently needed therapeutic strategies for suppressing viral replication and induced pathology.
2020
science
Statement on recent paper on mentorships in academia
Lab Matters EMBL’s Eileen Furlong, Chair of the Equality and Diversity Committee and Head of the Genome Biology Unit, responds to the recent Nature Comms paper on the potential effects of mentor–mentee relationships.
2020
lab-matters
Sharing our vision for the future
Lab Matters EMBL Director General Edith Heard introduced EMBL’s future plans during a parliamentary event at the Paul-Löbe-Haus of the German Bundestag in Berlin. She shared examples of EMBL’s research and outlined how EMBL’s activities will develop.
2020
lab-matters
ARISE fellowship programme readying for applications
Lab Matters Ever-evolving technology and related budgetary, regulatory, and management challenges prompted EMBL to establish its new ARISE fellowship programme, which begins accepting applicants in December.
2020
lab-matters
Scientists identify synthetic mini-antibody to combat COVID-19
Science By screening hundreds of sybodies (synthetic mini-antibodies), scientists have identified one that might stop SARS-CoV-2 from infecting human cells. This work, which holds promise for treating COVID-19, was conducted by EMBL Hamburg and collaborators from the Centre for Structural Systems Biology…
2020
science
Should I run, or should I not? The neural basis of aggression and flight
Science Researchers in the Gross group at EMBL Rome have investigated the mechanism behind defensive behaviour in mice. They have identified a specific area of the brain that encodes both spatial and threat cues to drive location-specific defensive responses.
2020
science
Bringing AI out of the black box
Lab Matters Why should researchers make artificial intelligence more transparent and how can they do it?
2020
lab-matters
EOSC: shaping Europe’s digital future
Lab Matters EMBL’s Rupert Lück is engaged in developing the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC): the infrastructure that will support the future of data sharing and analysis in Europe.
2020
lab-matters
Open data sharing accelerates COVID-19 research
Science Open access data benefits millions of scientists around the world and is essential for a rapid response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2020
science
EMBL forms new collaborations in France
Lab Matters EMBL and CIML have signed a memorandum of understanding that will open up new scientific opportunities.
2020
lab-matters
Taking charge by seeking ways to achieve gender balance
Events A three-day virtual conference, ‘Gender Roles and their Impact in Academia’, explored how biology, social structures, and unconscious bias shape gender roles, and discussed ways to achieve equal opportunities for men and women in academia.
2020
events
Welcome: Meytal Landau
Lab Matters New associate group leader at EMBL Hamburg investigates the structure of functional amyloids in bacteria and in human disease
2020
lab-matters
Repurposing drugs for a pan-coronavirus treatment
Science Scientists from the Beltrao Group at EMBL-EBI and collaborators identified drug targets common to SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV-1, and MERS-CoV, three pathogenic coronaviruses. They also found potential drugs that could be repurposed as COVID-19 treatments, and against emerging coronavirus strains in the…
2020
science
Respecting diversity: the role of the scientist
Events Maria Arruda is on a mission to make scientists think more about the role they play in society. After a career in academia and the life sciences, she is trying to help others see the bigger picture when it comes to the responsibility of the scientist.
2020
events
Seeing evolution happening before your eyes
Science Researchers from EMBL Heidelberg have established an automated pipeline to create mutations in genomic enhancers, letting them watch evolution unfold before their eyes.
2020
science
How deadly parasites ‘glide’ into human cells
Science A group of scientists led by EMBL Hamburg’s Christian Löw provide insights into the molecular structure of proteins involved in the gliding movements through which the parasites causing malaria and toxoplasmosis invade human cells.
2020
science
EMBL strengthens collaboration with Spanish research
Lab Matters On 9 October, EMBL and the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding that paves the way for stronger collaboration between these two leading research institutions.
2020
lab-matters
Beyond the lens – microscopy at EMBL Rome
Lab Matters Research facilities play a crucial role in the advancement of science by supporting scientists with specialised expertise and state-of-the-art equipment. The Microscopy Facility at EMBL Rome exemplifies this role by making a wide variety of light microscopy technologies available to its researchers…
2020
lab-matters
Powerful genome editing tool recognised by Nobel Prize in Chemistry
Science The genome editing tool CRISPR–Cas9 – which plays a critical role in EMBL’s research – was recognised by the Nobel Prize in Chemistry.
2020
science
Deep learning captures cell cycle
Science Members of an EMBL-led research group with collaborators in Estonia and Russia have built and trained a deep learning model to better understand how cells grow and divide.
2020
science
New partnership in Lithuania
Lab Matters On 8 September, EMBL and Vilnius University Life Sciences Center signed a framework agreement for the establishment of the VU LSC–EMBL Partnership for Genome Editing Technologies.
2020
lab-matters
Boosting the life sciences through alumni networks
Events EMBL’s network of alumni plays a vital role in advancing the life sciences globally. EMBL provides research, services, and infrastructure that help former staff to do this effectively. For several years EMBL has been discovering more avenues to help the life sciences across Europe. A key part of…
2020
events
The Nordic EMBL Partnership: supporting national research
Events The partnership between EMBL and four Nordic research institutions aims to stimulate scientific exchange and inspire scientific collaborations. This year’s conference of the Nordic EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine included many talks by EMBL researchers and a presentation by EMBL’s…
2020
events
Dinosaurs, dodos, and the future of life on Earth
Events EMBL’s 21st Science and Society Conference will address scientific and societal responses to mass extinctions. Ahead of his keynote speech, renowned palaeontologist Mike Benton explains how looking into the deep past can give us vital insights into the future of life on Earth.
2020
events
Human and mouse cells run at different speeds
Science The internal clock that governs the development of embryos ticks slower for humans than for mice. Differences in the speed of biochemical reactions underlie the differences between species in the tempo of development.
2020
science
Indirect impacts of a pandemic on women in science
Events The EMBL conference that explored direct and indirect impacts from the current pandemic on women in science allowed for information and story sharing both in the form of lectures but also via online platforms like Slack and social media that included Twitter.
2020
events
Level up!
Lab Matters ARISE fellowships to offer first-ever comprehensive training for bioscience infrastructure operations
2020
lab-matters
Fighting cardiovascular disease with acne drug
Science Researchers have found the cause of dilated cardiomyopathy – a leading cause of heart failure – and identified a potential treatment for it: a drug already used to treat acne.
2020
science
Achieving personalised therapeutics
Lab Matters A decadal roadmap points the way to cell-based medicine for Europe
2020
lab-matters
Genome sequencing accelerates cancer detection
Science The Gerstung Group at EMBL-EBI and collaborators have developed a statistical model that analyses genomic data to predict whether a patient has a high or low risk of developing oesophageal cancer.
2020
science
Looking forward
Lab Matters Two EMBL speakers gave presentations that looked toward the future and at ways to trailblaze on the endless frontier of science.
2020
lab-matters
Supporting the alumni community
Alumni Erin Tranfield recently joined the EMBL Alumni Association Board as one of 15 newly elected members. Here, she talks about her new role on the board and reflects on how a life-changing event made her refocus her perspective on work and life.
2020
alumni
EMBL scientists receive prestigious ERC Starting Grants
Lab Matters Maria Bernabeu and Wojciech Galej have each been awarded €1.5 million to research malaria and pre-mRNA splicing, respectively.
2020
lab-matters
Nuclear pores in their natural context
Science Scientists from the Beck group have studied the 3D structure of nuclear pores in budding yeast. They show how the architecture of the nuclear pore complex differs inside cells compared to its form observed in vitro studies.
2020
science
How to remove unwanted components from the cell nucleus
Science Researchers have uncovered how cells remove unwanted components from the nucleus following mitosis.
2020
science
An organoid cell atlas to enhance biomedical research
Lab Matters EMBL-EBI is one of the eight European institutes involved in the Humanoid Cell Atlas initiative, a new open-access platform that combines single-cell profiling and organoid technology
2020
lab-matters
Eat more to grow more arms…if you’re a sea anemone
Science An international group of researchers, led by scientists from EMBL Heidelberg, have discovered that the number of tentacle arms a sea anemone grows depends on the amount of food it eats.
2020
science
EMBL Fellows’ Career Service celebrates first birthday
Lab Matters As the EMBL Fellows' Career Service program reaches a milestone, it reflects on its first year and looks forward to ways to improve its offerings to EMBL postdocs and predocs.
2020
lab-matters
Intelligent software tackles plant cell jigsaw
Science Starting with computer code and moving on to a more user-friendly graphical interface called PlantSeg, the Kreshuk Group at EMBL and collaborators built a simple open-access method to provide the most accurate and versatile analysis of plant tissue development to date.
2020
science
Royal Microscopical Society award for Yannick Schwab
Lab Matters The Head of the Electron Microscopy Core Facility at EMBL Heidelberg receives Mid-Career Scientific Achievement Award 2020
2020
lab-matters
COVID-19’s indirect attack on women
Events More than 500 people have registered for an EMBL conference, "The impact of the COVID-19 crisis on women in science: Challenges and solutions." Scheduled for 9 September, the conference is free and open to all. Pre-registration is still available and required to attend.
2020
events
Training the next generation of molecular biologists
Lab Matters The EMBL International PhD Programme is one of EMBL’s flagship training programmes. It forms part of our efforts to train and inspire talented scientists to become skilled and creative future leaders. Submission of applications for the current PhD student recruitment round is now possible.
2020
lab-matters
Upgraded beamlines at EMBL Grenoble unveiled
Science The beamlines run jointly by EMBL Grenoble and the ESRF reopen today, unveiling significant upgrades that exploit the brand new fourth generation ESRF synchrotron source.
2020
science
Welcome: Simone Mattei
Lab Matters The new team leader offering services in electron microscopy discusses his hopes and plans for the forthcoming EMBL Imaging Centre
2020
lab-matters
Welcome: Geetika Malhotra
Lab Matters The Web Development team provides a central source of web design and development for EMBL’s European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI). In July, Geetika Malhotra joined the team as their new Head.
2020
lab-matters
New clues to a 500-year old mystery about the human heart
Science An international team of scientists involving Ewan Birney's group has investigated the function of a complex mesh of muscle fibres that line the inner surface of the heart.
2020
science
Predicting how gene expression varies
Science Discoveries at EMBL will help researchers to interpret one of the most common types of experiments in genomics and medical studies.
2020
science
Flexible and protected – new findings on SARS-CoV-2 protein shed light on virus’s ability to infect cells
Science Researchers studied the spike protein on the surface of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. With its spikes, the virus binds to human cells and infects them. The study gave surprising insights into the spike protein, including an unexpected freedom of movement and a protective coat to hide it from antibodies.
2020
science
Arrivederci Phil!
Lab Matters As he enters retirement, Head of EMBL Rome Phil Avner reflects on his scientific career and memories from his time as Head of EMBL’s site in Italy
2020
lab-matters
Bridging artificial intelligence and the life sciences – launch of ELLIS Heidelberg
Lab Matters Researchers from all life science disciplines – from fundamental biological research to medical applications – generate immense datasets. Analysing these datasets and gaining new knowledge from them is a growing challenge for scientists. The fields of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine…
2020
lab-matters
The curious genome of the tuatara, an ancient reptile in peril
Science A global team of researchers including the Flicek Team at EMBL-EBI has partnered up with the Māori tribe Ngātiwai to sequence the genome of the tuatara, a rare reptile endemic to New Zealand.
2020
science
Bagpipe and Pokemon, or how not to name a human gene
Science The human genome harbours about 19 000 protein-coding genes, many of which still have no known function. As scientists unveil the secrets of our DNA, they come across novel genes that they need to refer to using a unique name. The Human Genome Organisation’s Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC) at…
2020
science
Visualising the cell’s molecular machinery in action
Science A new approach that allows researchers to see molecular machinery at work inside cells has offered a deeper understanding of how bacteria produce proteins and a unique glimpse into how they respond to antibiotics.
2020
science
Europe PMC: unlocking the potential of COVID-19 preprints
Science Europe PMC has begun indexing full-text COVID-19 preprints along with the associated data. The project aims to accelerate research to fight the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
2020
science
EMBL releases online course on solution scattering from biological macromolecules
Events The Svergun group at EMBL Hamburg has released the course ‘Solution Scattering from Biological Macromolecules’ in an online format for the first time. The course explores different aspects of small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) for studying the structure of macromolecules.
2020
events
Understanding chromosome organisation
Science EMBL scientists and collaborators help reveal the process by which enormous quantities of DNA are folded into cells.
2020
science
Artificial intelligence finds patterns of mutations and survival in tumour images
Science Researchers have developed an artificial intelligence algorithm that uses computer vision to analyse tissue samples from cancer patients. The algorithm can distinguish between healthy and cancerous tissues, and can also identify patterns DNA and RNA changes in tumours.
2020
science
A tool to improve cancer research
Science EMBL scientists have created a new, realistic 3D testbed that could help achieve the goal of stopping cancers before they start by studying cancer cells as they first form.
2020
science
Unparalleled inventory of the human gut ecosystem
Science An international team of scientists has collated all known bacterial genomes from the human gut microbiome into a single large database. Their work will allow researchers to explore the links between bacterial genes and proteins, and their effects on human health.
2020
science
Response to the proposed compromise on the EC’s Multiannual Financial Framework
Lab Matters EMBL Director General Edith Heard and EMBO Director Maria Leptin respond to the current proposal on the Multiannual Financial Framework.
2020
lab-matters
Funding to predict the risk of infectious disease outbreaks
Lab Matters European collaboration receives funding to explore risks and impact of future infectious disease outbreaks.
2020
lab-matters
Changes in senior roles at EMBL
Lab Matters Three changes in senior staff positions have been confirmed at EMBL today. Jessica Vamathevan becomes Head of Strategy, Jan Korbel becomes Head of Data Science for EMBL Heidelberg, and Nassos Typas becomes Senior Scientist.
2020
lab-matters
Applications for virtual learning lab open
Lab Matters The European Learning Laboratory for the Life Sciences (ELLS), EMBL’s education facility, invites secondary school science teachers to participate in a virtual training course this autumn entitled ‘Introducing your microbiome’.
2020
lab-matters
Latvia becomes EMBL prospect member state
Lab Matters Latvia has joined EMBL as a prospect member, starting a three-year process toward full membership.
2020
lab-matters
Two EMBL scientists become EMBO Members
Lab Matters This year, EMBO elected 63 new members, including Alexander Aulehla, Group Leader and Senior Scientist at EMBL Heidelberg, and Paul Flicek, Associate Director of EMBL-EBI Services, Senior Scientist, Group and Team Leader at EMBL-EBI.
2020
lab-matters
ALPX – smart crystallography
Lab Matters The CrystalDirect® technology, combined with the web-based CRIMS software enable a fully automated, remote-controlled protein-to-structure pipeline.
2020
lab-matters
What COVID-19 is teaching us
Events The virtual EMBL Conference ‘SARS-CoV-2: Towards a New Era in Infection Research’ explored the importance of fundamental research, collaboration, and data science in containing the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, and discussed opportunities to improve our response to pandemics in the future.
2020
events
Edith Heard elected senator of the Max Planck Society
Lab Matters EMBL Director General Edith Heard has been elected a senator of the Max Planck Society, one of Germany’s leading scientific research organisations. She joins the Senate along with Nobel Laureates and EMBL alumni Christiane Nüsslein-Volhard and Stefan W. Hell, as well as nine additional new…
2020
lab-matters
From stem cells to neurons
Science Scientists at EMBL Heidelberg have investigated stem cells and how they differentiate to become neurons. Their approach included an assessment of the complex interplay of molecules during the differentiation process and generated fundamental new insights into the role of a protein called Sox2 in…
2020
science
Restructure of senior management
Lab Matters The governing Council of EMBL has approved Director General Edith Heard’s restructure of senior management with effect from 1 July 2020.
2020
lab-matters
Unravelling epigenetic reprogramming
Science A study conducted by the Hackett group at EMBL Rome has identified key factors controlling the complex system of gene regulation during early embryo development, shedding new light on the mechanisms behind these events and on their evolutionary implications. Their findings are published in Nature…
2020
science
Welcome: Ellie McDonagh
Lab Matters Open Targets welcomes new Informatics Science Director
2020
lab-matters
EMBL boosts national and international sharing of genomic data
Lab Matters A national consortium including EMBL and the DKFZ is set to launch the German Human Genome–Phenome Archive, creating an invaluable bridge between fundamental biomedical research and applied healthcare.
2020
lab-matters
Editing the mouse genome to study SARS-CoV-2 infection
Science To study how SARS-CoV-2 infects cells, the Gene Editing and Embryology Facility (GEEF) at EMBL Rome will generate mice that express a human version of a protein called ACE2. The mouse line will be shared with preclinical research collaborators carrying out vaccine and antibody trials, and with the…
2020
science
Existing drugs can prevent SARS-CoV-2 from hijacking cells
Science Researchers evaluate how the new coronavirus rewires human proteins for its own replication, and identify several antiviral drugs ready for clinical trials
2020
science
Five things you probably didn’t know about the Human Genome Project
Science Today we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the first draft of the entire human genome.
2020
science
Sharing our passion for science with the world
Lab Matters EMBL is joining the virtual seminar series ‘Life Science Across the Globe’ – a timely initiative to foster international scientific exchange across countries and continents, starting on 1 July.
2020
lab-matters
Silencing the SARS-CoV-2 receptor with epigenetic modifications
Science EMBL scientists develop a new molecular tool to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection in mice. This tool is able to cause targeted epigenetic modifications of specific genes in specific cell populations. They will use it in mice to target airway cells that express the ACE2 protein – the receptor that…
2020
science
Unpicking the complexity of DNA mutations
Science DNA damage caused by chemical mutagens is not repaired immediately and can create more genetic diversity in tumours.
2020
science
Equality and diversity at EMBL
Lab Matters EMBL is striving to make its labs and offices a welcoming and inclusive environment for all. To achieve this goal, EMBL's Equality and Diversity Officers, Luisa Vieites Rodrigues and Zac O'Sullivan, are working closely with leadership and the EMBL community. In this interview, they share their…
2020
lab-matters
EMBL survey studies effects of COVID-19 pandemic on life scientists
Lab Matters Jan Korbel and Oliver Stegle have performed a survey of fellow life scientists to learn how the current crisis, with partial or complete institutional shutdowns, is affecting their work.
2020
lab-matters
Closing the gender gap
Events To explore the origins of gender imbalances in academia and possible ways of overcoming them, international experts will meet for the virtual EMBL | EMBO | HHMI conference ‘Gender Roles and their Impact in Academia’ from 13–15 Oct 2020. The conference’s outcomes will be integrated into a…
2020
events
Investigating the structure and mechanisms of coronavirus biomolecules
Science While global research on coronaviruses has shed light on the function of many SARS-CoV-2 proteins, the role of some crucial components remains unknown. Researchers at EMBL Grenoble will use a range of structural biology methods to try to solve some of the puzzles of the molecular mechanics of…
2020
science
Understanding how SARS-CoV-2 behaves in the gut
Science Scientists at EMBL and Heidelberg University Hospital are studying how the novel coronavirus behaves in the gut to try to better understand its epidemiology and prevent its spread. To do this, they are combining advanced imaging and sequencing technologies to study coronavirus in human intestinal…
2020
science
Life sciences open their doors for engineers
Lab Matters The European Molecular Biology Laboratory has secured 6.8 million Euros funding from the European Commission to launch a unique training programme. The ARISE Programme will train and develop Europe’s next generation leadership for research infrastructures in the life sciences.
2020
lab-matters
Improving our response to emerging pandemics
Events The emergence of previously unknown pathogens, such as the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, raises many questions. To explore these questions in an international scientific forum, EMBL will host the virtual conference ‘SARS-CoV-2: Towards a New Era in Infection Research’ on 3 July. Invited…
2020
events
Blood pressure drug improves response to cancer therapy
Science Scientists discovered that antihypertensive agent alters the tissue characteristics of colon cancer metastases. This "stiffness" of metastases has an effect on the therapeutic success.
2020
science
New insights into epigenetic modifications
Science Scientists at EMBL Rome unveil the mechanism behind the most studied epigenetic modification.
2020
science
Genetic cut and paste at atomic resolution
Science Researchers in the Marcia group at EMBL Grenoble and the De Vivo lab at the Italian Institute of Technology in Genoa have obtained some of the most detailed ever snapshots of the splicing process in systems known as group II self-splicing introns. The new insights will help scientists to develop…
2020
science
Shining high-brilliance beams on coronavirus structure
Science EMBL researchers are studying COVID-19-related molecules by exposing them to high-brilliance X-ray beams. The Svergun group at EMBL Hamburg is using biological small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) as part of a global effort by scientists to elucidate the structural organisation of SARS-CoV-2…
2020
science
Re-trafficking proteins to fight Salmonella infections
Science Scientists including members of EMBL’s Typas group have investigated how immune cells called macrophages respond to infection by the intracellular pathogen Salmonella enterica. They discovered that Salmonella causes newly produced cathepsins to accumulate in the nuclei of infected cells to…
2020
science
Enabling functional genomics studies in individual cells
Science Scientists at EMBL Heidelberg have developed a new method, called Targeted Perturb-seq (TAP-seq), which increases the scale and precision of functional genomics CRISPR–Cas9 screens by orders of magnitude. Their method overcomes limitations in previous applications of single-cell RNA sequencing,…
2020
science
Novel method sheds new light on tumour-suppressing RNA
Science Researchers from EMBL Grenoble have developed a way to visualise large RNAs in 3D using biochemical and structural biology techniques.
2020
science
Facilitating COVID-19 structural biology research
Science EMBL and the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) restart the activities of the Joint Structural Biology Group in Grenoble to support coronavirus-related projects. A new initiative will allow users to be granted access to the High-Throughput Crystallisation (HTX) lab at EMBL and to a…
2020
science
Distinguishing coronavirus genome mutations from inadvertent errors
Science EMBL scientists have performed a large-scale analysis of over 4700 SARS-CoV-2 genome sequences. They found that many of the most interesting changes in the SARS-CoV-2 genome that have been reported so far are likely to be technical artefacts, rather than biological mutations.
2020
science
The hunt for neutralising antibodies against SARS-CoV-2
Science Scientists hope that a legacy of the novel coronavirus in recovered COVID-19 patients – antibodies in their blood – could lead to drugs to treat others. The Merten group at EMBL Heidelberg has pivoted its microfluidics platform to support the search for neutralising antibodies that could…
2020
science
EMBL scientists investigate rare lung disease
Science Researchers in EMBL’s Zaugg group have studied the causes of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), a rare disease that causes high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs. The study, carried out in collaboration with Stanford University School of Medicine, compared lung cells of patients…
2020
science
Welcome: Georgia Rapti
Lab Matters The nervous system has fascinated Georgia Rapti ever since her first introduction to biology. Her research group in the Developmental Biology unit will focus on understanding the early biological events involved in the nervous system’s formation.
2020
lab-matters
Tracing the origins of cells
Science Researchers from the Sharpe group at EMBL Barcelona have published a method to track the developmental history of a cell using the gene editing tool CRISPR–Cas9, but without the need to create transgenic organisms.
2020
science
EMBL welcomes NetApp in its Corporate Partner Programme
Lab Matters EMBL welcomes NetApp, a leader in cloud data services empowering global organisations to change their world with data, as member of the Corporate Partnership Programme of the EMBL Advanced Training Centre.
2020
lab-matters
Understanding the role of our genes in SARS-CoV-2 infections
Science EMBL scientists will contribute to the new German COVID-19 OMICS Initiative to study the biological mechanisms contributing to coronavirus infections. EMBL group leaders Jan Korbel and Oliver Stegle, who is also affiliated with the DKFZ Heidelberg, will coordinate the set-up of IT infrastructures…
2020
science
EMBL SPC facility supports COVID-19 projects
Science The Sample Preparation and Characterisation Facility (SPC) at EMBL Hamburg reopens to support scientists working on Covid-19 research. The SPC Facility is one of the best equipped facilities in Europe is therefore in high demand from external users. Re-opening the facility also allows experts at…
2020
science
DNA damage and faulty repair jointly cause mutations
Science DNA mutations are caused by a combination of DNA damage and repair, shows study by EMBL-EBI and collaborators.
2020
science
Responding to health threats posed by coronaviruses
Science By re-opening the High-Throughput Crystallisation (HTX) lab at EMBL Grenoble, EMBL is supporting structural biology projects to respond to the health threats posed by coronaviruses.
2020
science
Nordic EMBL Partnership awarded €210,000 funding
Lab Matters The Nordic EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine has been awarded 210,000 euros. The funds will be used to train the next generation of specialists and research leaders in molecular medicine in the Nordic countries.
2020
lab-matters
Remote access to EMBL structural biology pipelines to support research on SARS-CoV-2
Science The Marquez Team has restarted operations at the High-Throughput Crystallisation (HTX) lab at EMBL Grenoble. The team has developed a fully automated protein-to-structure pipeline, which can be operated remotely and provides virtual access to the facilities.
2020
science
Taking a closer look at infected cells to better understand COVID-19
Science EMBL electron microscopy specialists collaborate with researchers from Heidelberg University Hospital to understand the changes occurring in cell structures upon SARS-CoV-2 infection.
2020
science
Understanding the influenza virus
Science The infectious disease commonly known as flu is caused by the influenza virus. It spreads around the world in seasonal outbreaks, causing millions of infections and hundreds of thousands of deaths each year. Stephen Cusack, Head of EMBL Grenoble, has been studying different aspects of the influenza…
2020
science
Exploring synthetic antibodies to stop coronavirus
Science Scientists at EMBL Hamburg and Karolinska Institutet Stockholm aim to find synthetic antibodies – known as nanobodies – that bind a surface protein of the novel SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. Nanobodies could prevent the virus from entering human cells and causing COVID-19.
2020
science
Helping researchers identify host proteins used by coronavirus
Science EMBL scientists working in the groups of Matthias Hentze and Wolfgang Huber have created RBPbase – a database of RNA-binding proteins – to assist the identification of proteins that interact with the SARS-CoV-2 RNA genome.
2020
science
Why share data during a pandemic?
Science In March 2020, planes were grounded, streets went quiet, and our lives changed forever. But while the world came to a halt, many scientists were ramping up their efforts to understand the new virus.
2020
science
EMBL hosts its first virtual conference
Events The virtual EMBO | EMBL symposium ‘The Four-Dimensional Genome’ brought together 470 participants. Here, Jürgen Deka, Head of External Scientific Training, discusses how he and his team overcame the organisational challenges.
2020
events
EMBL statement on Earth Day 2020
Lab Matters To address global challenges, we need to better understand life in the context of environmental change, says EMBL Director General Edith Heard
2020
lab-matters
Welcome: Brendan Rouse
Lab Matters Brendan Rouse came to Heidelberg in March as EMBL’s Environmental Officer, tasked with monitoring the organisation’s environmental impact and promoting sustainable practices. Here, he discusses his plans for the new role.
2020
lab-matters
Unprecedented single-cell studies in virtual embryo
Science Researchers from EMBL Heidelberg have created a complete description of early embryo development, accounting for every single cell in the embryo.
2020
science
EMBL-EBI launches COVID-19 Data Portal
Science The new collaborative space will help scientists, public health and healthcare professionals around the world to fight the coronavirus pandemic.
2020
science
Supporting international research on the structure of the coronavirus
Science EMBL Heidelberg reopens the Cryo-Electron Microscopy Service Platform to support coronavirus structural biology research.
2020
science
Helping to scale up coronavirus testing
Science Scientists at EMBL Heidelberg are contributing their expertise in a community effort to develop large-scale testing methods for coronavirus. Their goal is to increase the capacity and speed of testing, which is crucial for containing the pandemic.
2020
science
Identifying how potential COVID-19 drugs work
Science EMBL researchers are studying how drugs that have shown good results against COVID-19 work in living cells
2020
science
Producing proteins for coronavirus research
Science The Protein Expression and Purification Core Facility at EMBL Heidelberg will produce proteins for several coronavirus-related research projects, to assist the development of new strategies to fight the virus.
2020
science
How chromosome structure influences development
Science EMBL researchers in the Heard group at EMBL Heidelberg explore the interaction between DNA organisation and gene expression in the early embryo
2020
science
Response to the resignation of ERC President Mauro Ferrari
Lab Matters EMBL Director General Edith Heard responds to the resignation of the President of the European Research Council (ERC)
2020
lab-matters
Tissue dynamics provide clues to human disease
Science EMBL scientists examine the molecular causes of a rare hereditary disease of the spine and ribs
2020
science
EMBL shares expertise with four European institutes
Lab Matters Three international teams involving EMBL Heidelberg have been granted funding from the European Commission for three Twinning projects with institutes in Portugal and the Czech Republic.
2020
lab-matters
Understanding brain tumours in children
Science The causes of 40 percent of all cases of certain medulloblastoma – dangerous brain tumours affecting children – are hereditary. These are the findings of a recent genetic analysis carried out by scientists from EMBL and numerous colleagues around the world.
2020
science
Welcome: Bastian Drees
Lab Matters Bastian Drees is a biophysicist turned librarian, who joined EMBL in January as the new Head of Library. Here, he discusses the changing role of libraries and how they can help scientists organise and share their results.
2020
lab-matters
EMBL-EBI leads International collaboration to share COVID-19 research data
Science EMBL-EBI set to launch European COVID-19 Data Platform to help store, share, and analyse research data linked to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2020
science
EMBL’s response to the coronavirus outbreak
Lab Matters EMBL is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for our staff and visitors.
2020
lab-matters
The history of EMBL in many voices
Lab Matters Stories from EMBL’s past are captured via the EMBL Archive’s Oral Histories programme
2020
lab-matters
2020 EMBL Alumni Award winners announced
Alumni Committee recognises outstanding contributions of EMBL alumni to science journalism and genome editing
2020
alumni
€2.45 m to investigate leukaemia causes and therapies
Science The Heidelberg-based LeukoSyStem consortium investigates leukaemia stem cells in acute myeloid leukaemia. The German Federal Ministry of Education and Research financially supports this collaboration between Heidelberg University Hospital, HI-STEM gGmbH, the German Cancer Research Center and EMBL.
2020
science
Science for all: the origins of Native Scientist
Events How Joana Moscoso bridges the gap between science and society
2020
events
New insights into gene regulation
Science EMBL researchers investigate the role of a histone protein in regulating gene expression
2020
science
Finding your way around Platynereis dumerilii
Science EMBL researchers combine multiple datasets to develop expandable atlas of an entire animal
2020
science
Baden-Württemberg Science Minister visit
Lab Matters Theresia Bauer and EMBL discuss organisational developments and future strategies
2020
lab-matters
Annual Reception 2020: An evening with friends
Events Annual Reception celebrates EMBL’s achievements in 2019 and explores its way ahead
2020
events
Welcome: Lucia von Bredow
Lab Matters EMBL’s new Science and Society Manager shares her plans for fostering multidisciplinary dialogue
2020
lab-matters
Welcome: Claire Deo
Science New group leader at EMBL Heidelberg employs synthetic chemistry to develop novel tools for biology
2020
science
Luxembourg funds research collaborations with EMBL
Lab Matters 2020 call now open for FNR funding of bilateral projects between EMBL and Luxembourg
2020
lab-matters
Edith Heard wins L’Oréal–UNESCO Award
Lab Matters EMBL Director General recognised alongside four other exceptional women in the life sciences
2020
lab-matters
New technique for studying living fly larvae
Science This technique provides a simple but effective way to study the functions of organs in living animals
2020
science
Building microscopes to learn biology
Lab Matters How EMBL’s ‘Microscope in Action’ introduces teenagers to the basics of fluorescence microscopy
2020
lab-matters
How females shut off their second X chromosome
Science Scientists provide important new insights into the molecular basis of X-inactivation
2020
science
The Pan-Cancer project
Science EMBL co-leads most comprehensive study of genetic causes of cancer
2020
science
Protecting data in the cloud
Science Cloud computing offers unprecedented opportunities for global-scale research collaborations. It also presents a unique set of challenges in terms of data protection and the ethics of data sharing.
2020
science
Characterising RNA alterations in cancer
Science The largest and most comprehensive catalogue of cancer-specific RNA alterations reveals new insights into the cancer genome.
2020
science
Cancer mutations occur decades before diagnosis
Science Researchers at EMBL’s European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI) and the Francis Crick Institute have analysed the whole genomes of over 2600 tumours from 38 different cancer types to determine the chronology of genomic changes during cancer development.
2020
science
Analysis of human genomes in the cloud
Science Scientists from EMBL present a tool for large-scale analysis of genomic data with cloud computing. Main advantages of the new tool, called Butler, are continuous system monitoring and its ability to self-heal in case of failure, allowing for 43% more efficient data processing than previous…
2020
science
Studying DNA rearrangement to understand cancer
Science Using the dataset from the Pan-Cancer project, scientists has developed methods to group, classify, and describe large rearrangements of the genome that are a key driver of cancer.
2020
science
Scientists identify new genetic drivers of cancer
Science Analysis of whole cancer genomes gives key insights into the role of the non-coding genome in cancer
2020
science
Chromothripsis in human cancer
Science Researchers at Harvard Medical School and EMBL-EBI have carried out the largest analysis across cancer types of the newly discovered mutational phenomenon chromothripsis.
2020
science
Finding genetic cancer risks
Science Using the data from the Pan-Cancer project EMBL scientists describe how our genetic background influences cancer development.
2020
science
Pinpointing rare disease mutations
Science New resource that categorises genes essential for supporting life could be used to identify rare disease mutations
2020
science
Statement on Brexit
Lab Matters Today marks the next chapter in the UK’s relationship with Europe. While we wait to see what a future relationship brings, researchers will continue to work across borders to tackle society’s most pressing problems, such as climate change, ageing, and disease.
2020
lab-matters
Chan Zuckerberg grant for Global BioImaging
Lab Matters New grant will increase collaboration between imaging centres and fuel scientific discovery
2020
lab-matters
Meytal Landau: a visiting researcher in Hamburg
Science Strengthening ties between EMBL and Israel through the Scientific Visitor Programme
2020
science
Welcome: Maria Bernabeu
Science New group leader at EMBL Barcelona is investigating how malaria affects the human circulatory system
2020
science
Hungarian Minister visits EMBL
Events László Palkovics, Hungarian Minister for Innovation and Technology, visited EMBL Heidelberg
2020
events
How transcription factors work together
Science EMBL researchers have developed a method to observe interactions between transcription factors
2020
science
Lifetime Achievement Award for Matthias Hentze
Events EMBL Director honoured by the international RNA Society
2020
events
Antibody engineering for therapy and diagnosis
Lab Matters The new EMBL spinoff company Araxa Biosciences GmbH aims to set new standards for the development of antibody-based therapeutics and diagnostics
2020
lab-matters
Ageing and disease
Events Dame Janet Thornton presents the 2019 EMBL Insight Lecture: Ageing and disease – what is the link?
2020
events
Welcome: Kristina Haase
Science Kristina Haase brings an engineer’s perspective to vascular disease and regenerative medicine
2020
science
Judith Reichmann receives Paul Ehrlich prize
Lab Matters Judith Reichmann will receive this year’s Paul Ehrlich and Ludwig Darmstaedter Prize for Young Researchers
2020
lab-matters
Melting reveals drug targets in a living organism
Science EMBL scientists identify drug targets in blood and organs
2020
science
Science in School #49 available
Lab Matters The latest issue of the free magazine, Science in School, is now available for teachers worldwide.
2020
lab-matters
Bridging Excellence Fellowships
Lab Matters The call for applications for Bridging Excellence Fellowships is now open
2020
lab-matters
EMBL book club: a forum for diverse perspectives
Events The club provides a social outlet for EMBLers with a social conscience
2020
events
EMBL co-develops new method that could facilitate cancer diagnosis
Science Researchers have developed a cheaper and faster method to check for genetic differences in individual cells
2019
science
Innovative method delivers new insights into the stem cell microenvironment
Science Researchers have developed new methods to reveal the 3D-organisation of bone marrow at a single cell level
2019
science
A classification tool for transcription factors
Science The software diffTF quantifies activity of transcription factors and predicts their mode of action
2019
science
Empowering European structural biology
Lab Matters EU funding for iNEXT-Discovery consortium unlocks key technologies for structural biology
2019
lab-matters
EMBL Imaging Centre top-out event
Events Celebrating the construction progress with a traditional German ceremony
2019
events
Building Euro-BioImaging
Lab Matters EMBL’s Jan Ellenberg reflects on the process of forming a European research infrastructure
2019
lab-matters
Graduation Ceremony 2019
Lab Matters Forty-seven PhD students from all of EMBL’s six sites were celebrated during EMBL’s 2019 Graduation Ceremony on Friday 13 December
2019
lab-matters
Machine learning finds critical phosphosites
Science Resource has implications for disease research
2019
science
Strengthening European biology
Lab Matters EMBL is now a member of the Instruct-ERIC organisation
2019
lab-matters
New chair of EMBL Council
Lab Matters Professor Eiríkur Steingrímsson will commence his initial one-year term as Chair of EMBL Council on 1 January 2020.
2019
lab-matters
Understanding a key player in melanoma
Science A new paper describes a unique mechanism of partner selectivity in transcription factors.
2019
science
EMBL and Leica sign open innovation agreement
Events Unique long-term collaboration agreement to provide new imaging technologies
2019
events