Claire O’Donovan: what I’ve learned
Claire O'Donovan, biocurator and Metabolomics team leader at EMBL-EBI shares lessons from her career and life.
PEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2025
people-perspectivesperspectives
Scientists map yerba mate genome
Yerba mate is a popular caffeinated beverage. Scientists mapped its genome, revealing surprising facts about its biochemistry and the evolution of caffeine biosynthesis. The findings might pave the way for new varieties of yerba mate.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2025
science-technology
Nobel laureate and neuroscientist May-Britt Moser to deliver 2025 Kafatos Lecture
Nobel laureate and neuroscientist May-Britt Moser will discuss how the brain’s grid cells enable navigation and spatial memory at the 2025 Kafatos Lecture.
EMBL ANNOUNCEMENTS2025
embl-announcements
Metabolic activities are not global modulators of developmental tempos
A new study from EMBL Barcelona researchers shows that metabolism is a selective modulator of developmental tempo, contributing to our evolutionary understanding.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2025
science-technology
Novel analysis of intrinsically disordered proteins
Researchers from Mainz University and EMBL Hamburg have presented a new approach for assessing the form of disordered proteins by using anomalous X-ray scattering method for structural analysis.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2025
science-technology
Solve-RD: supporting rare disease data collection and harmonisation
The Solve-RD project standardises genomic and clinical data across Europe to support rare disease research.
EMBL ANNOUNCEMENTS2025
announcementsembl-announcements
We are EMBL: Timothé Cezard on pivoting from biology to infrastructure
On the importance of genetic variation data and the move from biology to infrastructure
PEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2025
people-perspectivesperspectives
How have human activities disrupted the ecosystems of Europe’s coasts?
The Paleocore project, led by the French marine institute Ifremer and part of the TREC expedition, aims to study marine sediments to understand the impact of major historical events on ecosystems.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2025
science-technology
BioChatter: making large language models accessible for biomedical research
Introducing an open-source large language model (LLM) framework designed for custom biomedical research.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2025
research-highlightsscience-technology
Structural insights reveal drug target in trypanosome parasites
The Kowalinski group at EMBL Grenoble identified significant differences between the trypanosomal and human nuclear cap-binding complex, a key player in cellular RNA metabolism and a potential target for novel anti-parasitic drugs.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2025
science-technology
Cute molecules and the scientists who adore them: Sarah Gharbi
Sarah Gharbi, technician at EMBL Grenoble, talks about her favourite protein complex, which looks like a poodle. This is part of a series of stories about EMBL scientists and quirky, charming proteins that make them smile.
PEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2025
people-perspectives
Researchers uncover what drives aggressive bone cancer
Study identifies a novel mechanism driving osteosarcoma and provides insights to help predict patient outcomes.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2025
research-highlightsscience-technology
New strategic partnership for AI in the sciences
Memorandum of Understanding between EMBL and ELLIS will drive AI in European life science research, training, and technology. The strategic partnership will promote interdisciplinary training and develop innovative projects that address pressing challenges in human and planetary health.
CONNECTIONS2025
connections
A marine worm offers clues about our evolutionary past
The Arendt Group at EMBL Heidelberg focuses on mechanisms of evolution, studying Platynereis dumerilli – evolutionarily ancient marine worms found broadly along European coasts.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2025
science-technology
Sweet gene regulation in the mammalian embryo
Researchers in the Boulard group at EMBL Rome demonstrated that the catalytic activity of the OGT enzyme is essential for embryonic development, and that when it’s reduced, embryo development is delayed – especially in males.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2025
science-technology
12 moments of philanthropy: #12 New frontiers in childhood cancer research
In our final 12th ‘moment of philanthropy’, we shine a light on how a donation from the Athenaeum Dietrich Götze Stiftung fuels impactful EMBL research that aims to better understand treatment-resistant childhood leukaemia.
CONNECTIONS2025
connections
Cute molecules and the scientists who adore them: Maria Costanzo
Maria Costanzo, former predoc at EMBL Barcelona, talks about YAP, her favourite protein in the shape of a heart. This is part of a series of stories about EMBL scientists and quirky, charming proteins that make them smile.
PEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2025
people-perspectives
From the bench to the EMBL Imaging Centre: when science meets art
Scientists share their experiences of creating stunning images at the EMBL Imaging Centre.
CONNECTIONS2025
connections
Sharing scientific expertise to empower European partners
EMBL and its partners have received funding from the European Commission for two new Twinning Projects, which will build expertise and research capacity in its member states.
CONNECTIONS2024
connections
Welcome: Alexandra Koumoutsi
New Head of the Microbial Automation and Culturomics Core Facility discusses her career, her goals for the facility, and her early inspirations.
PEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2024
people-perspectives
Common cough syrup ingredient shows promise in treating serious lung disease
EMBL scientists discovered that dextromethorphan, an FDA-approved active ingredient in cough syrups, has potential to treat fibrotic lung disease by containing collagen and other pro-fibrotic molecules capable of forming scars inside the cells.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2024
science-technology
A new EMBL microscope hits the road
The Prevedel group at EMBL Heidelberg developed a mobile microscope: miniature in scale, fast in sample imaging, and giant in resolution.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2024
science-technology
Cute molecules and the scientists who adore them: Veijo Salo
Veijo Salo, postdoc at EMBL Heidelberg, talks about seipin, the cell’s molecular ‘bubble blower’.
PEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2024
people-perspectives
Winners of Unfold Your World protein art project announced
EMBL announced the winners of its Unfold Your World protein art project, an initiative intended to engage young people, interweaving science with art.
EMBL ANNOUNCEMENTS2024
embl-announcements
Speaking the language of DNA
Right from the early days of DNA sequencing, EMBL’s scientists have been instrumental in helping the world understand, decode, archive, and manipulate genomes at scale and across many branches of the evolutionary tree, a task they continue to excel at today.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2024
science-technology
Working towards more responsible research assessment
A member of EMBL’s Responsible Research Assessment Working Group shares his thoughts on the importance of reforming strategies to assess research and researchers.
LAB MATTERS2024
lab-matters
Beginning a PhD at warp speed
Kristaps Krims-Dāvis spent a month at EMBL Heidelberg getting a crash course in cutting-edge microscopy.
CONNECTIONS2024
connections
Welcome: Christina Ernst
EMBL-EBI's new Functional Genomics Team Leader will develop standards for new data types and integrate AI into workflows.
PEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2024
people-perspectivesperspectives
EMBL Agri-Tech Partnership to deliver safe food and environmental health
The partnership will address global food security challenges through optimised agricultural research and data-driven innovation.
CONNECTIONS2024
connections
EMBL announces interim leadership
EMBL announces that Peer Bork and Ewan Birney will lead the organisation after the departure of Director General Edith Heard in summer 2025.
EMBL ANNOUNCEMENTS2024
embl-announcements
EMBL Science Day with Evonik: fostering collaborative innovations
EMBL hosted a Science Day with Evonik, bringing together 16 industry experts and EMBL scientists to explore collaborative research opportunities.
CONNECTIONS2024
connections
From the biochemistry of thoughts to the complexity of protein networks
Lennart Philipson Award recipient Giulio Superti-Furga discusses the scientific achievements he's most proud of, the importance of entrepreneurship, and why he had his personal genome sequenced.
PEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2024
people-perspectives
From snapshots to motion: watching biology in action
With a novel approach, EMBL scientists discovered important interactions between molecular machines, potentially offering new opportunities for drug development.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2024
science-technology
We are EMBL: Romain Linares on the infinitely small and the infinitely large
Romain Linares talks about his role in managing the cryo-electron microscopy facility at EMBL Grenoble, how he sees this technique evolving in the coming years, and his passion for astronomy.
PEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2024
people-perspectives
We are EMBL: Laura Marin on moving back to Barcelona, success, and the colour blue
Laura Marin, Head of Administration at EMBL Barcelona, talks about how finding joy at work is true success, and how she feels in her new role.
PEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2024
people-perspectives
Sea anemone study shows how animals stay ‘in shape’
Scientists have shown how regenerating sea anemones restore their shape following a major injury, uncovering novel cellular and molecular mechanisms.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2024
science-technology
12 moments of philanthropy: #11 EMBL’s World of Molecular Biology
In 2023, EMBL opened its interactive World of Molecular Biology exhibition as an inspiring entree into molecular biology. This visionary project would not have been possible without an impressive array of support.
CONNECTIONS2024
connections
Cute molecules and the scientists who adore them: Sofia Rucli
Sofia Rucli, postdoc at EMBL Rome, talks about her relationship with the protein OGT, a molecular ‘candy man’ of the cell.
PEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2024
people-perspectives
EMBL and Nikon launch tech development partnership for next-generation research
EMBL and Nikon have formally broadened their partnership to accelerate development of next-generation microscopy technologies.
EMBL ANNOUNCEMENTS2024
embl-announcements
Diving into the world of science
EMBL Grenoble took part in a series of activities during the French Science Week, highlighting EMBL’s research and the TREC scientific expedition.
LAB MATTERS2024
lab-matters
Sparking a data revolution
The introduction of computational methods in biology opened up an entirely new world of insights and breakthroughs. Over the last several decades, EMBL has been at the forefront of discoveries and innovations that have not only propelled the field forward but also opened up access to bioinformatics…
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2024
science-technology
New online career-planning resources for life science researchers
EMBL Fellows’ Career Service launches new online resources for early- career researchers at EMBL and beyond, aimed at providing comprehensive career guidance.
EMBL ANNOUNCEMENTS2024
embl-announcements
EMBL ARISE2 programme receives EC funding
The programme will advance excellence in research infrastructure management and technology development.
EMBL ANNOUNCEMENTS2024
embl-announcements
Celebrating 25 years of EMBL Rome
EMBL Rome celebrates its 25th anniversary this year – some impressions of the symposium and party organised for staff and alumni to mark this special occasion.
LAB MATTERS2024
lab-matters
Making sense of RNA: five key insights from a recent EMBO | EMBL Symposium
A recent symposium on ‘The complex life of RNA’ brought together scientists from across the world interested in exploring one of the most crucial molecules essential to life.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2024
science-technology
Stopping severe malaria by harnessing natural human antibodies
The findings of the study provide insights into vaccines or treatments to protect people from severe malaria.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2024
science-technology
Progress report on sustainability
EMBL’s Head of Sustainability shares the steps the organisation has taken to make its research more sustainable.
LAB MATTERS2024
lab-matters
From head to tail: how cells give rise to our body plan
Researchers from the Trivedi Group at EMBL Barcelona unveil how cells can act autonomously during early development.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2024
science-technology
EMBL Barcelona celebrates EMBL’s 50th anniversary with Spanish community
EMBL Barcelona observed EMBL’s 50th anniversary with a scientific celebration that attracted alumni and other leading life scientists.
CONNECTIONS2024
connections
The value of a scientific meet-up
Yuvarani Masarapu, a junior bioinformatician and doctoral student at SciLifeLab in Stockholm, spent a week with EMBL collaborators, finding solutions to research challenges and expanding her scientific perspective.
CONNECTIONS2024
connections
Picky proteins: understanding yeast adaptor protein selectivity
Scientists from EMBL Hamburg and CSSB have revealed key insights into the cellular process of clathrin-mediated endocytosis.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2024
science-technology
Microbial load can influence disease associations
Scientists have developed a new machine-learning model to predict microbial load — the density of microbes in our guts — and used it to demonstrate how microbial load plays an important role in disease-microbiome associations.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2024
science-technology
Making in situ serial crystallography more accessible
Nicolas Foos, a postdoctoral fellow at EMBL Grenoble, talks about the implementation of a new method for in situ serial crystallography developed during his ARISE fellowship.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2024
science-technology
We are EMBL: Jan Bláha on protein crystallisation inside cells
Jan Bláha, postdoc at EMBL Hamburg, talks about the utility of in cellulo protein crystallisation in structural biology research, his sources of inspiration, and the values of collaboration, curiosity, and resilience.
PEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2024
people-perspectives
We are EMBL: Briony Jackson on community-focused public engagement
Public Engagement Officer Briony Jackson is building lasting relationships with local communities to make science accessible and engaging for all.
PEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2024
people-perspectivesperspectives
The EMBL Course and Conference Programme: a legacy of excellence
As we mark EMBL’s 50th anniversary, we celebrate not only the groundbreaking research and discoveries that have emerged from this prestigious institution but also the rich history and profound impact of the EMBL Course and Conference Programme.
LAB MATTERS2024
lab-matters
TREC in numbers: the expedition’s impact so far
In less than two years, the EMBL-led TREC expedition has demonstrated that large-scale international collaboration is essential for driving ground-breaking planetary and human health research with societal impact. Here, we summarise some aspects of the expedition in numbers.
CONNECTIONS2024
connections
12 moments of philanthropy: #10 EMBL-Stanford Life Science Alliance
Dieter Schwarz Foundation provides the ‘life’ support for innovative global research collaboration of EMBL-Stanford Life Science Alliance
CONNECTIONS2024
connections
Welcome: Isabella Graf
Isabella Graf is EMBL’s newest group leader and the first theoretical biophysicist to join the Developmental Biology Unit.
PEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2024
people-perspectives
Sabbaticals at EMBL: a great opportunity for scientific exchange and growth
EMBL’s Scientific Visitor Programme enables high-level scientific exchange and cross-fertilisation of ideas and technologies through sabbatical fellowships for researchers.
CONNECTIONS2024
connections
Empowering research infrastructure scientists
The ARISE summer school brought together fellows from across EMBL sites who are working on technology projects as part of EMBL’s Career Accelerator for Research Infrastructure Scientists (ARISE) programme.
CONNECTIONS2024
connections
Evaluating the link between chemicals and declining insect populations
Employing a library of more than 1,000 chemicals, EMBL researchers and collaborators investigated how agrochemicals affect insect populations.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2024
science-technology
The cellular superhero that protects us against RNA viruses
Scientists have discovered how the antiviral protein TRIM25 finds and binds viral RNA to activate an innate immune response.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2024
science-technology
Academia meets Industry: merging worlds through science
EMBL’s first Industry Day offered EMBL scientists a unique opportunity to network with several leading life science companies.
CONNECTIONS2024
connections
Seeing is understanding
Imaging lets us observe biology in action – it makes visible the hidden processes of life. From its founding, EMBL has been a centre of breakthroughs and developments in bioimaging, and it continues to play a pioneering role in this field today.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2024
science-technology
All eyes on science!
EMBL Rome volunteers participated in the European Researchers’ Night organised by the CNR in Montelibretti, attended by over 1,500 visitors. They prepared activities and games reflecting the wide variety of projects conducted at the site and across EMBL.
LAB MATTERS2024
lab-matters
Vitamin B1’s journey in your body, and why it matters
EMBL Hamburg scientists have gained molecular insights into how we absorb vitamin B1 – a mechanism with implications for disease and drug development.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2024
science-technology
We are EMBL: Daniele Ancora on improving microscopes and his ‘obsession’ with fixing things
Daniele Ancora is an ARISE fellow in the Light Imaging Facility at EMBL Rome. With a background in theoretical physics, he develops algorithms to improve image-based omics technologies. Learn about his interdisciplinary training and his little ‘obsessions’.
PEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2024
people-perspectives
Inspiring young minds by breaking language barriers
A hands-on workshop offered an excellent opportunity for scientists to connect with children with whom they share a common language.
LAB MATTERS2024
lab-matters
“Structurally” sound
The function of biological molecules is intimately linked to their structure. In the 50 years since EMBL was established, its researchers and engineers have constantly provided leadership in structural biology research and services, resulting in many scientific breakthroughs and novel insights.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2024
science-technology
Computational protein design and protein structure prediction win Nobel Prize in Chemistry
Creators of AI system AlphaFold receive 2024 Nobel Prize for Chemistry.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2024
sciencescience-technology
Machine learning discoveries honoured with 2024 Nobel Prize for Physics
The prize was awarded to John J. Hopfield, Princeton University, USA, and Geoffrey Hinton, University of Toronto, Canada, for their seminal contributions to the foundational methods that enabled the development of machine learning.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2024
science-technology
What we can learn from hungry yeast cells
Scientists at EMBL Heidelberg and University of Virginia revealed a new cellular response to starvation: ribosomes attach to the mitochondrial outer membrane in a very unusual way, via their small subunit. The finding made in yeast might provide insights into how cancer cells survive the harsh…
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2024
science-technology
12 Moments of Philanthropy: #9 TREC research expedition
The Manfred Lautenschläger Foundation helped fund EMBL’s Advanced Mobile Lab, enabling many experimental concepts.
CONNECTIONS2024
connections
Fostering Nordic collaborations in molecular medicine
The 13th annual meeting of the Nordic EMBL partnership for molecular medicine took place on 16–19 September 2024 in Oslo and was hosted by the Centre for Molecular Medicine Norway (NCMM).
CONNECTIONS2024
connections
Training for the future
Starting in the 1980s, EMBL’s PhD programme has played a notable role in helping train some of the brightest scientific minds in Europe, as well as in building a thriving research community focused on collaboration and innovation.
LAB MATTERS2024
lab-matters
Polygenic Score (PGS) Catalog increases diversity and usability of genetic data
Addition of data from more diverse populations to the Polygenic Score (PGS) Catalog and a new software tool for PGS calculation could help produce more equitable disease risk predictions.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2024
science-technologytechnology-and-innovation
The importance and limitations of organoids
Cell biologist Hans Clevers will discuss organoids as 'avatars' for human organs in research and medicine at the 2024 Kafatos lecture.
PEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2024
people-perspectives
Better together: gut microbiome communities’ resilience to drugs
EMBL Heidelberg researchers compared the effect of drugs on isolated bacteria versus those growing in communities. This is the first study showing that bacteria are more resilient when in community due to cross-protection strategies. This could help researchers design more efficient therapies.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2024
science-technology
Silencing in action: how cells ‘repress’ genomic remnants of ancient viruses
Researchers have identified key cellular control sites that regulate gene expression and prevent the activation of ancient viral sequences in the genome.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2024
science-technology
We are EMBL: Iguaracy Pinheiro-de-Sousa on organoids and nanorobot ‘highways’
EMBL-EBI Postdoctoral researcher Iguaracy Pinheiro de Sousa is using bioinformatics to support the development of better organoids.
PEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2024
people-perspectivesperspectives
EMBL-EBI’s open data resources for biodiversity and climate research
EMBL-EBI data resources help advance biodiversity and climate change research by enabling scientists to study species interactions, evolutionary processes, ecosystem health, and more.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2024
science-technologytechnology-and-innovation
Spanish dignitaries meet EMBL leaders to uplift cooperation for future research synergy
A delegation from Spain’s Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Universities visited EMBL to strengthen ties and discuss future opportunities.
CONNECTIONS2024
connections
New directions for molecular systems biology at EMBL
Julia Mahamid and Nassos Typas reflect on the direction of the Molecular Systems Biology Unit they now lead at EMBL Heidelberg.
PEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2024
people-perspectives
Follow the cellular road
An AI-enhanced advanced microscopy approach offers promise in better understanding glioblastomas, one of the deadliest brain cancers.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2024
science-technology
We are EMBL: Jia Le Lim on zebrafish, temperature, and Johann Sebastian Bach
Jia Le Lim talks about contributing back to society through science, finding inspiration in the way birds fly in the sky, and winning a recent international piano competition.
PEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2024
people-perspectives
Promoting impact-driven science
PROMETHEUS is an EMBL-born grassroots initiative to promote and optimise impact-driven science.
PEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2024
people-perspectives
Alvis Brazma: what I’ve learned
EMBL-EBI alumnus Alvis Brazma reflects on how mathematics and mountaineering have shaped his life and why keeping things simple in bioinformatics is key.
PEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2024
people-perspectivesperspectives
Hans Clevers to deliver 2024 Kafatos Lecture on pioneering organoid research
On Friday 4 October 2024 at 18:00 CEST, the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) in Amsterdam will host the 2024 Kafatos Lecture, delivered by renowned scientist Hans Clevers.
EMBL ANNOUNCEMENTS2024
embl-announcements
12 moments of philanthropy: #8 Suzanne Eaton Playground
After Suzanne Eaton’s death, family and friends raised funds for a Kinderhaus playground, providing a joyous way to remember her.
CONNECTIONS2024
connections
Seeing into the depths
EMBL scientists applied molecular engineering to build photoacoustic probes to label and visualise neurons deep within brain tissue.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2024
science-technology
Welcome: David Ocaña
EMBL-EBI’s new Head of Applications will use his expertise in cloud infrastructure and security to support the institute’s open data resources.
PEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2024
people-perspectivesperspectives
The forces behind chromosome repulsion and attraction during cell division
EMBL Heidelberg researchers discovered how a protein switches between repelling and gluing chromosomes during cell division. This helps the mother cell to divide the genome equally into two daughter cells and cluster chromosomes inside the daughter nuclei, ensuring a successful cell division.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2024
science-technology
New insights on how bird flu crosses the species barrier
A new publication from the Cusack group sheds light on how a key avian influenza virus enzyme can mutate to allow the virus to replicate in mammals.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2024
science-technology
TREC expedition concludes sampling in Greece
The TREC expedition concluded its sampling in Greece and strengthened scientific exchange and collaborative networks with their Greek partners during a political and scientific stakeholder event in Athens.
CONNECTIONS2024
connections
Merging passion, collaboration, and serendipity
EMBL alumnus Thibaut Brunet, recipient of the 2024 John Kendrew Young Scientist Award, shares his scientific journey – from a childhood passion for nature to the discovery of a new species of choanoflagellate.
PEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2024
people-perspectives
Developing a simple, cost-effective method to study an important protein modification
EMBL Grenoble researchers have come up with a new way to identify the targets of a crucial protein-modifying enzyme involved in diverse cellular processes.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2024
science-technology
We are EMBL: Jana Helsen on the Bridging Excellence fellowship, chromosomal evolution, and art
EMBL-Stanford Life Science Alliance fellow Jana Helsen shares how she balanced her life between two laboratories and countries, her latest research paper, and her passion for cover art.
PEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2024
people-perspectives
Why clinical trials stop: the role of genetics
Using machine learning to analyse the genetic factors behind early clinical trial termination, researchers find a link between genetic evidence and trial outcome.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2024
research-highlightsscience-technology
Gut microbes implicated in bladder cancer
Study shows that gut bacteria can metabolise carcinogens and cause them to accumulate in distant organs, leading to tumour development.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2024
science-technology
12 moments of philanthropy: #7 John Kendrew Young Scientist Award
Since 2011, Roland Specker has sponsored the John Kendrew Young Scientist Award, which both supports early-career scientists while also honouring EMBL’s first director general.
CONNECTIONS2024
connections
Science City Day at EMBL Hamburg
A major public engagement event at EMBL Hamburg attracted thousands. A video captures the spirit of the day from participants.
LAB MATTERS2024
lab-matters
Sparking the next 50 years of collaborative discovery
EMBL's 50th anniversary symposium brought together its vibrant community, showcased its many scientific contributions, and drove discussion on the future of Europe's leading life sciences laboratory.
CONNECTIONS2024
connections
We are EMBL: Melanie Schneider on changing career trajectory
ARISE fellow Melanie Schneider shares how she uncovered a new interest in research infrastructures and supporting discovery.
PEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2024
people-perspectivesperspectives
Run, Scientist, Run: engaging with science through play
A life-size game inspired by the Traversing European Coastlines (TREC) expedition provides the public with an inside view of the world of coastal ecology research.
LAB MATTERS2024
lab-matters
We are EMBL: Kim Gurwitz on working with global partners to support bioinformatics training
Kim Gurwitz talks about her role as Scientific Training Lead at EMBL-EBI and how collaborative projects for bioinformatics training support researchers and service providers in making the most of publicly available data.
PEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2024
people-perspectivesperspectives
Leveraging expertise across EMBL services
A scientific workshop on flow cytometry was organised at EMBL Rome, taking advantage of the presence of the Advanced Mobile Laboratory, the biggest unit of EMBL’s mobile lab fleet.
CONNECTIONS2024
connections
Proteomics: a different lens for precision medicine
The dynamic world of proteomics is shaping the future of personalised medicine, but some obstacles stand in the way
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2024
perspectivesscience-technology
EMBL Director General becomes next Director and Chief Executive of the Francis Crick Institute
Professor Edith Heard will succeed Sir Paul Nurse at the London-based institute in the summer of 2025
EMBL ANNOUNCEMENTS2024
embl-announcements
EMBL Annual Report 2023 now online
EMBL’s 2023 Annual Report has been published, sharing achievements in its various missions, plus facts & figures from the year.
EMBL ANNOUNCEMENTS2024
embl-announcements
Celebrating 50 years of infinite curiosity
What makes EMBL unique? Among many things, it’s the infinite curiosity of its community.
LAB MATTERS2024
lab-matters
The EMBL evolution: Ewan Birney on open data and the ethos of excellence
Ewan Birney reflects on his time at EMBL and the development of the organisation through a commitment to open data and nurturing scientific talent.
PEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2024
people-perspectivesperspectives
Bulgaria becomes EMBL prospect member state
Bulgaria has become the latest EMBL prospect member state, starting a three-year process toward full membership. The prospect membership opens up new opportunities for mutual exchange and collaboration. Including Bulgaria, EMBL is now supported by 29 full member states, one associate member state,…
EMBL ANNOUNCEMENTS2024
embl-announcements
IIT-EMBL: New molecules to modulate gene expression
A new research paper published in Nature Communications lays the groundwork for the development of new drugs specific to genetic mutations or alterations responsible for the onset of tumours or genetic diseases.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2024
science-technology
New funding scheme to strengthen infection biology research across Europe
EMBL and partners announce ‘Amplifying Funds in Infection Biology’ to foster interdisciplinary and collaborative research in infection biology.
EMBL ANNOUNCEMENTS2024
embl-announcements
EMBL celebrates 50 years of cutting-edge life science research
EMBL celebrates 50 years of cutting-edge European research: founded in Heidelberg by the first ten member states, Europe's pioneering Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) is now supported by 29 member states and stands for outstanding open research, scientific services for researchers, innovative…
EMBL ANNOUNCEMENTS2024
embl-announcements
12 moments of philanthropy: #6 ‘Summer in Science’
At EMBL Rome, an immersive youth training programme is dedicated to, but also inspired by, alumnus Riccardo Cortese, thanks to private donors.
CONNECTIONS2024
connections
Exploring microbial life in context
EMBL researchers and their partners have been studying microbial functions and interactions for the benefit of human and planetary health for the last two decades.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2024
science-technology
Inaugural ‘From Lab to Launch’ event ignites entrepreneurial spirit among scientists
This event bridged research and entrepreneurship, fuelling innovation and discovery. Attendees immersed themselves in insightful discussions and invaluable networking opportunities, inspired to journey from lab research to entrepreneurial success.
CONNECTIONS2024
connections
An enzyme with a smart friend
EMBL Grenoble’s Kowalinski Group analysed the structure of an enzyme responsible for modifying tRNA molecules to fine-tune protein production. They discovered that to distinguish almost identical, yet different, tRNA molecules, the enzyme uses help from another enzyme – a type of cooperation…
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2024
science-technology
Welcome: Mallory Freeberg
The new Team Leader for Human Genomics at EMBL-EBI shares how curiosity and maths shaped her career and what it takes to be a community builder.
PEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2024
people-perspectivesperspectives
‘Invisible’ protein keeps cancer at bay
EMBL Hamburg scientists and collaborators discovered a new molecular mechanism in which an unstructured protein disables one of the main cancer-promoting proteins by gluing them into an elongated stack. Data from human patient samples support the role of this mechanism in prostate cancer…
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2024
science-technology
Minecraft-ing our way into studying cell sorting
A theoretical model involving tiny Minecraft-like cubes can help us understand dynamic biological processes, such as cell sorting in embryos.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2024
science-technology
EMBL’s reflection on the future European Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (FP10)
EMBL´s position paper outlines the organisation’s views on the importance of science and how it could be best supported in the context of the upcoming European Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (FP10).
EMBL ANNOUNCEMENTS2024
embl-announcements
TREC in Italy – sampling from coast to coast
For almost two months, Italy was the stage for the TREC expedition, with a rich programme of events organised across the country attended by the public, scientists, schools, and high-level political stakeholders, including Minister of University and Research Anna Maria Bernini.
CONNECTIONS2024
connections
Ancient environmental DNA provides solutions for global food security challenges
Researchers explore genetic diversity found in ancient environmental DNA to help modern agricultural practices.
EMBL ANNOUNCEMENTS2024
announcementsembl-announcements
Looking back: EMBL in the 1970s and 1980s
A special Coffee with EMBL session celebrated EMBL’s 50th anniversary by inviting alumni to reflect on the organisation’s first two decades.
LAB MATTERS2024
lab-matters
AI approaches in structural biology and drug discovery
EMBL Grenoble and the ESRF hosted a workshop bringing together representatives from research and industry to discuss the ever-growing role of artificial intelligence in the field of structural biology.
CONNECTIONS2024
connections
Case study: Discovering new enzymes to upcycle food waste
EMBL-EBI data resource helps scientists upcycle animal by-products.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2024
perspectivesscience-technology
Structure and function of new lysosome transporter revealed
The group of Christian Löw at EMBL Hamburg and CSSB, and collaborators from the Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel and CNRS & Université Paris Cité worked together to reveal the structure and function of a previously unknown lysosome transporter, MFSD1.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2024
science-technology
We are EMBL: Elise Bralet on the importance of connecting people
Elise talks about her role in supporting EMBL Grenoble staff in daily human resources matters and the multiple events she’s been involved in to connect people, both at and outside of work.
PEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2024
people-perspectives
12 moments of philanthropy: #5 Friends of EMBL
Starting in 2014, Friends of EMBL engages a diverse range of individuals to support and connect with EMBL research. Through unique events and philanthropic contributions, members play a vital role in fostering a stronger bond between EMBL and society.
CONNECTIONS2024
connections
Genetic mosaicism more common than thought
Blood stem cells from healthy people carry major chromosomal alterations, a study in Nature Genetics by researchers at the Max Delbrück Center and the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) finds. The discovery suggests that we are all genetic mosaics, which may contribute to ageing-related…
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2024
science-technology
Stephen Cusack: what I’ve learned
Stephen Cusack, world-renowned structural biologist and former Head of EMBL Grenoble, reflects on his early influences, his achievements, and the lessons he’s learned as he embarks on his next adventure
PEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2024
people-perspectives
Predicting cancer risk on the basis of national health data
Large-scale study uses data from Danish health registries to predict individual risks of developing cancer
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2024
research-highlightsscience-technology
Exploring diversity in cell division
New research by EMBL scientists shows how different modes of cell division used by animals and fungi might have evolved to support diverse life cycles.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2024
science-technology
Welcome: Julio Saez-Rodriguez
EMBL-EBI's new Head of Research shares his plans and priorities.
PEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2024
people-perspectivesperspectives
Toby Gibson: what I’ve learned
Toby Gibson reflects on 38 years at EMBL, the scientific tools he built along the way, and the state of science today.
PEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2024
people-perspectives
An epigenome editing toolkit to dissect the mechanisms of gene regulation
A study from the Hackett group at EMBL Rome led to the development of an epigenetic editing system that allows to precisely program chromatin modifications at any specific position in the genome, to understand their causal role in transcription regulation.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2024
science-technology
We are EMBL: María Cerezo on balancing two roles and one of EMBL’s proudest achievements
María Cerezo talks about her role as Scientific Curator, how she combines it with her position as co-chair of the Staff Association, and what she believes has been EMBL's biggest achievement in its first 50 years.
PEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2024
people-perspectivesperspectives
Father’s gut microbes affect the next generation
Scientists from EMBL Rome and EMBL Heidelberg found that disrupting the gut microbiome of male mice increases the risk of disease in their offspring. Their findings suggest that a father’s pre-conception environment can have lifelong effects on offspring.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2024
science-technology
12 moments of philanthropy: #4 EMBL Imaging Centre
A bold vision to build a centre of excellence for imaging captured the imagination and support from private and public donors to help create the EMBL Imaging Centre.
CONNECTIONS2024
connections
MSD joins the Open Targets consortium
MSD joins as the latest partner in the Open Targets consortium, enhancing the initiative’s collaborative efforts in drug discovery.
EMBL ANNOUNCEMENTS2024
announcementsembl-announcements
Researchers aim to use quantum computing to assemble and analyse pangenomes
Experts in quantum computing and genomics to develop new methods and algorithms to process biological data.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2024
announcementsscience-technology
A universal framework for spatial biology
SpatialData is a tool developed by EMBL scientists in cooperation with multiple research institutions to unify and integrate data from different omics technologies in a spatial environment, providing holistic insights into health and disease. Researchers can now freely access and use SpatialData…
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2024
science-technology
Sparking curiosity: the Curiosity microscope
BIOcean5D is an EMBL-coordinated project co-funded by the European Union that unites 31 institutes to address pressing global challenges on marine biodiversity.
LAB MATTERS2024
lab-matters
Collaborative project launched across EMBL member states invites teenagers to discover the wonder of proteins
New project will help inform and educate young people about the important roles proteins play in nature, health, and disease, as part of EMBL’s 50th anniversary celebrations.
EMBL ANNOUNCEMENTS2024
embl-announcements
TREC sets off along the Mediterranean coast
The second phase of the TREC expedition focuses on the Mediterranean coast, with Barcelona, Spain, hosting the first ‘superstop’ of 2024
CONNECTIONS2024
connections
Exploring cellular complexity with EMPIAR’s new cryo-electron tomography prototype browser
Data obtained through cryogenic sample electron tomography (cryo-ET) are openly available in the new Electron Microscopy Public Image Archive (EMPIAR) cryo-ET tomography browser.
EMBL ANNOUNCEMENTS2024
announcementsembl-announcements
When AI meets biology
A recent EMBO | EMBL conference provided a forum for researchers to share how AI is making a difference in biology and bioinformatics.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2024
science-technology
Building the cell’s splicing machine
New study from the Galej group provides deeper structural insight into the assembly of a critical molecular machine, that removes non-coding information from genes during their expression.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2024
science-technology
We are EMBL: Diego Benusiglio on decoding ‘surprise signals’ and the ETPOD programme
Diego Benusiglio, ETPOD postdoc in the Asari group at EMBL Rome, talks about his peculiar postdoctoral programme and his passion for science and Swing music
LAB MATTERSPEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2024
lab-matterspeople-perspectives
‘Exhausted’ immune cells in healthy women could be target for breast cancer prevention
New study uncovers the potential of immunotherapy in preventing breast cancer and creates the openly available Human Breast Cell Atlas.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2024
research-highlightssciencescience-technology
12 moments of philanthropy: #3 Environmental Research Initiative
The Environmental Research Initiative is a community effort of donations empowering EMBL scientists to solve global environmental challenges through molecular biology.
CONNECTIONSLAB MATTERS2024
connectionslab-matters
Connecting shores and exploring new avenues for collaboration with Malta
During a visit from high-level representatives of EMBL’s member state Malta, the honourable delegation allowed a peek behind the scenes of their scientific and institutional collaborations, and shared their memories and future aspirations for the partnership.
CONNECTIONS2024
connectionsevents
Sense makers: how standards are enabling data reuse
Data standards that have been silently enabling discovery in the life sciences for decades are now making AI advances possible.
PEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2024
people-perspectivesperspectivesscience
Gaining skills and building connections in infection biology
The first EMBL-UNESCO infection biology research fellows share observations after residencies with EMBL researchers.
LAB MATTERSPEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2024
lab-matterspeople-perspectivesperspectives
The AI revolution hinges on accessible training
Team Leader Sameer Velankar on why accessible training is key for AlphaFold and AI tools more generally.
PEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2024
people-perspectivesperspectivesscience
Casting new light on gene regulation in development
New research from EMBL Heidelberg shows how cells in developing embryos undergo a major shift in the way they regulate gene expression as they mature and differentiate.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2024
sciencescience-technology
Insights and wisdom from the women of TREC
On International Women’s Day 2024, we hear from some of the women who have been working tirelessly in the field and behind the scenes as part of the Traversing European Coastlines (TREC) expedition.
LAB MATTERSPEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2024
lab-matterspeople-perspectives
The malaria parasite generates genetic diversity using an evolutionary ‘copy-paste’ tactic
Plasmodium falciparum, a malaria parasite, uses gene conversion to produce genetic diversity in two surface protein genes targeted by the human immune system.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2024
announcementssciencescience-technology
Team SAMBAI: addressing cancer disparities in recent African heritage populations
An international team of researchers aim to combine social determinants of health with genomics, immune profiling, and exposomics data to tackle cancer inequities at an unprecedented scale.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2024
announcementssciencescience-technology
Studying the relationship between cancer-promoting proteins
A new study from the Bhogaraju Group at EMBL Grenoble reveals how the cancer-promoting MAGE family of proteins bind to their targets, aiding the development of anti-cancer drugs that target these proteins.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2024
sciencescience-technology
2024 EMBL Alumni Award recipients announced
Two former EMBL scientists have been recognised for their outstanding contributions to research and leadership capabilities in the fields of evolutionary cell biology and molecular medicine.
EMBL ANNOUNCEMENTS2024
alumniembl-announcements
We are EMBL: Simone Heber on RNA, bicycling, and Ironman
Simone Heber talks about studying RNA transport, organising the Bike Club at EMBL, and participating in the Ironman World Championship.
LAB MATTERSPEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2024
lab-matterspeople-perspectives
12 moments of philanthropy: #2 The Fuchs Fund and its unique approach to supporting EMBL PhD students
The Fuchs Fund, started by Lilo and Manfred Fuchs in 2017, has become a lifeline for EMBL students facing adversity during their PhD journeys.
CONNECTIONSLAB MATTERS2024
connectionslab-matters
TREC in 2024: bringing it home
The Traversing European Coastlines (TREC) expedition prepares to begin its next phase of sampling, with stops in Spain, Greece, Italy, and beyond.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2024
sciencescience-technology
Anne Ephrussi: what I’ve learned
After 32 years at EMBL – leading a developmental biology research group and later simultaneously serving as EMBL’s Dean for its PhD programme, Anne Ephrussi has retired, ready to start her life’s next chapter.
LAB MATTERSPEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2024
lab-matterspeople-perspectives
We are EMBL: Jacqueline Toussaint on strange bacteria and bioinformatics
Jacqueline shares her experience of EMBL's international PhD programme.
LAB MATTERSPEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2024
lab-matterspeople-perspectives
We are EMBL: Renato Alves on Bio-IT and stargazing
Renato Alves talks about his time at EMBL, the Bio-IT project, his wishes for EMBL in its anniversary year, and how a passion for night hikes and stargazing led to the creation of EMBL’s astronomy club.
LAB MATTERSPEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2024
lab-matterspeople-perspectives
Welcome: Kyle Morris
Kyle Morris joins EMBL-EBI as Electron Microscopy Data Bank (EMDB) Team Leader.
LAB MATTERSPEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2024
lab-matterspeople-perspectives
Ancient ‘relaxant-inflammatory’ response gets sponges moving
Sponges lack muscles and neurons. Yet, they make coordinated movements. Scientists at EMBL Heidelberg have discovered that sponge movement is controlled by an ancient ‘relaxant-inflammatory’ response that is also present in vertebrate blood vessels. The findings shed light on sponge physiology…
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2024
sciencescience-technology
Reflections for the future during EMBL’s 50th anniversary year
EMBL’s link to other sciences and its tradition of collaborative discovery carry on, providing the model and means to address big challenges, including climate change and biodiversity loss.
LAB MATTERSPEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2024
lab-matterspeople-perspectives
12 moments of philanthropy: #1 Klaus Tschira and the ATC
A pivotal conversation 20 years ago led to the creation of the iconic 'double-helix building' that is EMBL's Advanced Training Centre.
CONNECTIONSLAB MATTERS2024
connectionslab-matters
Latvia becomes EMBL’s 29th member state
Latvia’s life sciences sector will benefit from expanded access to the leading European research, services, and training provided by EMBL.
EMBL ANNOUNCEMENTSLAB MATTERS2024
embl-announcementslab-matters
Six takeaways from the EMBL conference Cancer Genomics 2023
Approximately 300 scientists met up at EMBL Heidelberg to unravel the centuries-old puzzle of cancer through the modern lens of genomics.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2024
eventsscience-technology
RNA to rule them all
The Kosinski Group at EMBL Hamburg collaborated with other groups in Hamburg to reveal critical steps in Lassa virus ribonucleoparticle assembly and recruitment, and the crucial role played by RNA in in the Lassa virus life cycle.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2023
sciencescience-technology
Unravelling the role of immune cells in early lung development
Researchers reveal that healthy lung development hinges on immune-epithelial crosstalk, with implications for respiratory diseases.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2023
research-highlightsscience-technology
Unveiling the vulnerabilities of pulmonary neuroendocrine tumours
A new organoid model mimics the behaviour of neuroendocrine tumours (NETs), providing a novel and invaluable tool to study the disease in the lab.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2023
sciencescience-technology
‘X-ray vision’ for investigation of mRNA nanomedicines
EMBL Hamburg, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Postnova Analytics GmbH, and BioNTech SE have developed a new method to quantitatively investigate sizes of nanoparticles containing mRNA. It may become an important part of regular characterisation of mRNA nanomedicines in the future.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2023
sciencescience-technology
EMBL and UGA signed the renewal of their agreement for the delivery of a doctoral degree
The two institutions celebrated the renewal of the partnership agreement initiated in 1999 for the delivery of a doctoral degree and a joint training certificate during UGA’s Welcome Day for doctoral students.
CONNECTIONSLAB MATTERS2023
connectionslab-matters
We are EMBL: Selina Storm on PETRA IV and new perspectives for EMBL Hamburg
EMBL Hamburg is located at the PETRA III synchrotron, which in the future, will be upgraded to PETRA IV. Selina Storm is theEMBL@PETRA IV Programme Manager. Here, she speaks about her role and the benefits of PETRA IV for EMBL.
LAB MATTERSPEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2023
lab-matterspeople-perspectives
Using artificial intelligence to discover therapeutic antibodies
Former EMBL staff scientist founds a start-up – DenovAI – for broader, faster and cheaper antibody discovery using advanced machine learning and computational biophysics.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2023
sciencescience-technology
We are EMBL: Victor Armijo on instrumentation in supporting research
Victor Armijo, a mechatronics engineer at EMBL Grenoble, talks about his dream job, highlighted in EMBL’s exhibition ‘The World of Molecular Biology’.
LAB MATTERSPEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2023
lab-matterspeople-perspectives
The Barcelona Collaboratorium hosts its first event since its opening
The Barcelona Collaboratorium celebrated a milestone as it hosted the EMBO Practical Course ‘Computational modelling of multicellular systems'.
CONNECTIONS2023
connectionsevents
Navigating success: an EMBL alumni mentorship story
A recent success story of the Alumni Mentorship Programme is that of Luis Pedro Coelho, a Portuguese former postdoctoral fellow in the Bork Group, and his mentor Frank Gannon, former EMBO Director and EMBL Group Leader and Senior Scientist.
LAB MATTERS2023
alumnilab-matters
The Global Biodiversity Portal: enabling biodiversity research worldwide
The new initiative brings together genomic data from various biodiversity projects to aid conservation and biodiversity efforts.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2023
announcementssciencescience-technology
Exploring the universe: Roel Wijnaendts
EMBL alumnus Roel Wijnaendts looks back at a long career in academic research and entrepreneurship that has left an indelible mark in the fields of instrumentation and optics.
PEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2023
alumnipeople-perspectives
Hamburg collaboration paves the way to cleaner technologies for industry
An interdisciplinary collaboration between Hamburg scientists has yielded new insights into the structure and function of a heat-resistant enzyme from an exotic microbe. In this interview, EMBL Hamburg’s Matthias Wilmanns and TUHH’s Garo Antranikian discuss how their collaboration developed and…
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2023
sciencescience-technology
Federal Research Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger visits EMBL exhibition ‘The World of Molecular Biology’
Representatives from politics, research and the philanthropist community joined the Minister's visit to EMBL exhibition “The World of Molecular Biology” in Heidelberg and welcomed the dialogue between science and society initiated by the exhibition.
CONNECTIONSLAB MATTERS2023
connectionslab-matters
ERC Consolidator Grants awarded to two EMBL researchers
Alba Diz-Muñoz and Arnaud Krebs from EMBL Heidelberg have received grants to work on projects that aim, respectively, to understand the cellular mechanics that control cell division and investigate the regulatory networks that govern transcription factor function.
EMBL ANNOUNCEMENTSLAB MATTERS2023
embl-announcementslab-matters
How AI shapes the life sciences: an interview with Oliver Stegle
EMBL scientist Oliver Stegle explains how AI-based tools have the potential to transform our ability to better understand the complexity of life and how these tools will shape the future of life science exploration.
LAB MATTERSPEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2023
lab-matterspeople-perspectives
TREC – Towards the end of the first phase
The TREC expedition has come to the end of its first phase. The last superstop of 2023 was hosted by CIIMAR in Porto and, despite the adverse weather conditions, included many scientific and public engagement activities.
CONNECTIONSLAB MATTERS2023
connectionslab-matters
EMBLetc. issue 101 published
The newest issue of our online magazine dives deep into a critical research direction in developmental biology, structures of promiscuous proteins, EMBL’s newest service offerings in field research, and much, much more.
EMBL ANNOUNCEMENTSLAB MATTERS2023
embl-announcementslab-matters
New evidence on retinal function
A new study from the Asari group at EMBL Rome shows a different retinal function in awake mice compared to isolated retinal samples. These new insights could help to develop prosthetic devices that can act as a retina in the future.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2023
sciencescience-technology
Looking back on 20 years of structural biology collaboration in Grenoble
On this date (15 November), 21 years ago, the EMBL, ESRF, ILL, and IBS directors signed a memorandum of understanding to create the Partnership for Structural Biology (PSB) on the European Photon and Neutron (EPN) science campus in Grenoble.
CONNECTIONSLAB MATTERS2023
connectionslab-matters
Five takeaways from ‘Seeing is believing’ in 2023
A recent EMBO | EMBL symposium brought together leading developers of imaging methods with cutting-edge applications that illustrate how imaging can answer biological questions.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2023
eventsscience-technology
Celebrating European collaboration at the TREC supersite in Bilbao
A celebratory event at the Maritime Museum Bilbao marked the partnerships that make possible the TREC expedition on land and at sea along the European coast.
CONNECTIONSLAB MATTERS2023
connectionslab-matters
Genes, cells, and embryos in development and evolution: Pere Alberch, 25 years on
Scientists from the MELIS department at UPF and EMBL Barcelona have organised a symposium to discuss the work of the visionary Catalan scientist Pere Alberch, who passed away 25 years ago.
CONNECTIONS2023
connectionsevents
EMBL in Spain: Molecules to Ecosystems
EMBL in Spain 2023 was held in Bilbao on Friday 9 October, hosted at the Center for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC bioGUNE).
CONNECTIONS2023
alumniconnections
Enjoying a science day in Grenoble
EMBL Grenoble was once again present for the science outreach event ‘Parvis des Sciences’ on Saturday 14 October 2023.
CONNECTIONSLAB MATTERS2023
connectionslab-matters
We are EMBL: Sihyun Sung on time-resolved structural biology
In this interview, Sihyun Sung, Postdoctoral Fellow at EMBL Hamburg, talks about making molecular movies with time-resolved serial X-ray crystallography, his sources of inspiration, and the value of forging deeper connections with friends and colleagues.
LAB MATTERSPEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2023
lab-matterspeople-perspectives
EMBL’s southern hemisphere connection
Ian Smith, Chair of EMBL Australia´s Council, chats about the synergies between the organisations, opportunities for collaboration, and ideas for exciting new programmes arising out of a recent visit to EMBL Heidelberg.
CONNECTIONSLAB MATTERS2023
connectionslab-matters
Inspiring the next generation of Montenegrin scientists
EMBL participated in the recent Science and Innovation Days in Podgorica, Montenegro, sharing its passion for knowledge and curiosity.
CONNECTIONS2023
connectionsevents
Spotlight: Creating an artificial uterus
EMBL researchers have created an engineered uterus that allows a closer look at a mouse embryo’s development and its interactions with the uterine environment.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2023
picture-of-the-weeksciencescience-technology
EMBL scientists receive prestigious ERC Synergy Grants
Jan Kosinski, Julia Mahamid, and Georg Zeller have received grants to enable ambitious projects aimed at mapping the cellular protein synthesis machinery in context and understanding complex host-microbiome interactions, respectively.
EMBL ANNOUNCEMENTS2023
embl-announcementsscience
A promising target to fight inflammatory bowel diseases
Researchers from the Cusack group at EMBL Grenoble provide structural insights on the XIAP/RIPK2 complex, a promising drug target to fight inflammatory bowel diseases.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2023
sciencescience-technology
AI in biology and health: opportunities and challenges
EMBL gathered together government, industry, and academic researchers to explore how to leverage the power of AI and machine learning to advance research.
CONNECTIONSLAB MATTERS2023
connectionslab-matters
AI at EMBL: enabling responsible innovations in the life sciences
EMBL stands as a leader, exemplifying how to harmoniously integrate AI in research and through its delivery of data services.
LAB MATTERSPEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2023
lab-matterspeople-perspectives
We are EMBL: Victoria Yan on open science and how it has transformed the way we do research
Victoria Yan, Open Science & Research Information Specialist, talks about the importance of open science, the challenges she has faced in her career, and what she enjoys about working at EMBL
LAB MATTERSPEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2023
lab-matterspeople-perspectives
Six symposium takeaways about human microbiome research
Here are six takeaways from a recent EMBO/EMBL symposium that brought together scientists to discuss the state of research involving the human microbiome and its connection to health and disease.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2023
eventsscience-technology
EMBL’s second Kafatos Lecture this Friday
Elena Conti will discuss how cells control the life and death of mRNA molecules at the 2023 annual Kafatos Lecture on 20 October in Munich.
EMBL ANNOUNCEMENTS2023
alumniembl-announcements
Fighting antimicrobial resistance with new drug combinations
In an extensive investigation, EMBL researchers have tested over 10,000 drug combinations against some of the leading pathogenic bacteria carrying antimicrobial resistance and causing mortality.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2023
sciencescience-technology
We are EMBL: Gerald Pfister on scientific support and field work
Gerald Pfister, Head of the Flow Cytometry Facility at EMBL Rome, talks about his private and professional passions and a return to his roots as part of the TREC project.
LAB MATTERSPEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2023
lab-matterspeople-perspectives
Understanding developmental plasticity in time and space
A two-week practical course introduced participants to the intricacies of studying the dynamic interplay between organisms and their changing environment and how it impacts development and evolution.
LAB MATTERSSCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2023
lab-mattersscience-technology
A night to share the wonders of science
EMBL Rome celebrated the European Researchers’ Night by participating in an event organised at the CNR Campus in Montelibretti.
LAB MATTERS2023
lab-matters
We are EMBL: Zuzana Koskova on her experience as a PhD student at EMBL Heidelberg
Zuzana Koskova is a PhD student from Slovakia who, at the age of 19, left her country to pursue her career in biological sciences in Germany. In this interview, she talks about her interests, career aspirations, and recent participation at the Info Day held in Bratislava, where she had the…
LAB MATTERSPEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2023
lab-matterspeople-perspectives
Spotlight: Seeing into the seas
A new method developed by EMBL scientists can help us identify and investigate plankton species in field samples with greater speed, accuracy, and resolution than ever possible before.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2023
sciencescience-technology
mRNA nanomedicines scoop Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
Pioneers of the mRNA nanomedicines technology receive 2023 Nobel Prize in Physiology or medicine. EMBL is pleased to have supported the development of the application of the mRNA nanomedicine technology through our long-standing collaboration with BioNTech, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz and…
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2023
sciencescience-technology
EMBL receives German AI prize
EMBL receives the German AI prize awarded for outstanding services to the research and development as well as application and commercialisation of artificial intelligence (AI) in life science research.
EMBL ANNOUNCEMENTS2023
embl-announcementsscience
Five decades of EMBL visits
Structural biologist Shlomo Trachtenberg has made research trips to EMBL from Israel since the late 1970s and reflects on the boost EMBL’s technology provided his research, the ingredients for an ideal research institution, and his ongoing fascination with microscopes.
CONNECTIONSLAB MATTERS2023
connectionslab-matters
We are EMBL: Valentina Lorenzi on human reproductive development
PhD student Valentina Lorenzi is using single-cell sequencing data to create a map of the developing human reproductive system.
LAB MATTERSPEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2023
lab-matterspeople-perspectivesperspectives
Understanding the mechanisms of enzyme catalysis
Enzymes constitute a large fraction of genomes – 20% in humans – which makes them a very important part of life. Despite decades of studies and a rich literature dedicated to understanding the reaction mechanisms of enzymes, the rules of enzyme catalysis are still not fully clear. A new…
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2023
science-technologytechnology-and-innovation
Forging collaborations across the Nordics
The 12th annual meeting of the Nordic EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine took place in Espoo, Finland, between 11-14 September 2023.
CONNECTIONSLAB MATTERS2023
connectionslab-matters
Welcome: David Hulcoop
David Hulcoop discusses how his experience bridging organisational cultures will help address critical challenges in drug discovery and target selection at Open Targets.
LAB MATTERSPEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2023
announcementslab-matterspeople-perspectives
We are EMBL: Thomas Haize on sampling along the coast of Europe
Thomas Haize talks about his passion for the ocean, what TREC means to him, a day in the field, and the captivating beauty of underwater photography.
LAB MATTERSPEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2023
lab-matterspeople-perspectives
New predictions of genetic variant pathogenicity using AlphaFold protein structures
Ensembl Variant Effect Predictor integrates Google DeepMind’s new AlphaMissense Database for better predictions of genetic variant pathogenicity.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2023
science-technologytechnology-and-innovation
Global guidelines to improve the quality of microscopy images in scientific publications
A working group of researchers from the QUAREP-LiMi initiative has developed global guidelines to improve the quality of microscopy data and images published in scientific publications.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2023
sciencescience-technology
Celebrating Stephen Cusack’s contributions to science
Researchers from across the globe have gathered in Grenoble to celebrate the remarkable lifelong scientific achievements of Stephen Cusack, the former head of EMBL Grenoble.
PEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2023
eventspeople-perspectives
Switching off the cytokine storm
EMBL Grenoble and University of Geneva researchers shed light on the molecular activation of the MAP kinase p38α, the final ‘switch’ triggering the inflammatory response.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2023
sciencescience-technology
Uncovering the mechanisms underlying lack of response to immunotherapy
New research improves understanding of the molecular mechanisms behind why some cancers respond to immunotherapy and others don't.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2023
research-highlightssciencescience-technology
Revealing the secrets of protein evolution using the AlphaFold database
Researchers use the AlphaFold database and Foldseek Cluster algorithm to analyse millions of predicted protein structures and offer new insights into protein evolution.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2023
research-highlightssciencescience-technology
Understanding how cells avoid obstacles
EMBL researchers have identified a novel mechanism that allows cells to sense obstacles in their path and avoid them while navigating complex environments.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2023
sciencescience-technology
Exploring Nexus Island
Learn more about the game-based workshop that lets participants experience what it feels like to be a researcher on the TREC expedition.
LAB MATTERS2023
lab-matters
TREC: Exploring the ocean’s oxygen supply
As part of the EMBL-led Traversing European Ecosystems (TREC) expedition, scientists are studying plankton to understand biodiversity, health, and our planet’s future.
LAB MATTERSSCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2023
lab-mattersscience-technology
We are EMBL: Sabrina Krueger on being a skill development guide
Sabrina Krueger, scientist-turned-training officer, shares her approach to this role and the need to be ‘true to yourself’.
LAB MATTERSPEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2023
lab-matterspeople-perspectives
EMBL leadership comments on the UK’s association to Horizon Europe
EMBL Director General and Deputy Director General respond to the announcement by the European Commission and UK Government
EMBL ANNOUNCEMENTSLAB MATTERS2023
announcementsembl-announcementslab-matters
Swordfish sword under X-rays: SAXS explained
Learn how scientists use bio-SAXS, an experimental X-ray technique, to study the shape and dynamics of proteins and other biomolecules. SAXS can be even used to analyse the structure of mineral particles in the swordfish sword bone, which can help scientists better understand bone ageing.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2023
sciencescience-technology
ERC starting grants for two EMBL Heidelberg researchers
Jordi van Gestel and Maria Zimmermann-Kogadeeva each receive 1.5 million EUR funding for research projects on microbial predators and the gut microbiome respectively
EMBL ANNOUNCEMENTSLAB MATTERS2023
embl-announcementslab-matters
Spotlight: Off to the pole
For a fruit fly embryo to develop correctly, key factors need to get to the right place at the right time – a journey that starts in the developing egg, as seen in this image from the Ephrussi Group at EMBL Heidelberg
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2023
picture-of-the-weeksciencescience-technology
We are EMBL: Therese Welander on enabling science
Therese Welander talks about her inspiration, and supporting science by solving problems and overcoming challenges.
LAB MATTERSPEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2023
lab-matterspeople-perspectives
Deciding when to destroy mRNA
Elena Conti will discuss how cells control the life and death of mRNA molecules at the next annual Kafatos Lecture on 20 October in Munich.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2023
alumniscience-technology
After EMBL: Sergiy Avilov
Ukrainian scientist Sergiy Avilov uses the microscopy skills and scientific network he built at EMBL in his current role heading the Imaging Facility at the Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics.
PEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2023
alumnipeople-perspectives
From data management to AI: an interview with Laura Clarke
Experience in data management and coordination has enabled EMBL alumna Laura Clarke to pursue a career in AI development.
PEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2023
people-perspectivesperspectivesscience
Bringing scientific services together ‘2RISE’
An upcoming EMBL-led infrastructure management training will help formalise information exchange in the Rhine-Neckar region to widen access to technology and scientific services for members of the Health + Life Science Alliance.
CONNECTIONS2023
connectionsevents
We are EMBL: Emerald Perlas on infrastructures and technology in research
Emerald Perlas, Head of the Histology Facility, talks about his experience in supporting multidisciplinary research at EMBL Rome and keeping up with technological advances.
LAB MATTERSPEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2023
lab-matterspeople-perspectives
Open data to power up the blue economy
EMBL-EBI Senior Scientist Rob Finn explains why data coordination and sharing are fundamental for a sustainable blue economy.
PEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2023
people-perspectivesperspectivesscience
Novel algorithm able to detect mutations in single-cell sequencing data sets
SComatic enables researchers to link genotype to phenotype using only single-cell profiling data
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2023
research-highlightssciencescience-technology
Welcome: Clément Blanchet
Clément Blanchet has been appointed to lead the team working on small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) at EMBL Hamburg. In this interview, he talks his ambitions for the future work of the SAXS Team, his passion for science, and a memorable ‘aha’ moment he had in his early career.
LAB MATTERSPEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2023
lab-matterspeople-perspectives
Bringing advanced life science technologies to the field
EMBL’s newly deployed Advanced Mobile Laboratory (AML) is bringing cutting-edge technologies to the European coast to help researchers study ‘life in context’.
LAB MATTERSSCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2023
lab-mattersscience-technology
Filling the skills gap to advance genomic medicine: an interview with Emily Perry
By upskilling researchers on bioinformatics skills and tools, EMBL alumna Emily Perry is helping to make genomic medicine more accessible.
LAB MATTERSPEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2023
lab-matterspeople-perspectivesperspectives
From academia to industry: exploring new career paths
EMBL organised a five-day summer school to help PhD students and postdocs learn more about research and development (R&D) related industry career roles.
LAB MATTERS2023
eventslab-matters
Imaging-based spatial-omics: EMBO Practical Course at EMBL Rome
The first EMBO Practical Course on imaging-based spatial-omics was organised at EMBL Rome to explore the latest techniques to visualise RNA transcripts and proteins in their native tissues.
LAB MATTERSSCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2023
lab-mattersscience-technology
New therapies to improve cardiovascular health
EMBL researchers have made new strides into understanding and reversing genetic defects that underlie familial heart disease.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2023
sciencescience-technology
A glimpse into the hexasome: 40 years on
Research from the Eustermann group at EMBL Heidelberg reveals how the packaging of DNA into hexasomes impacts the function of enzymes involved in gene regulation.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2023
sciencescience-technology
We are EMBL: Rutuja Yelmar on her life as a PhD student at EMBL Grenoble
Rutuja Yelmar, predoctoral Fellow at EMBL Grenoble in the Kowalinski group, talks about her passion for research, daily inspiration, and the importance of collaboration in achieving her goals.
LAB MATTERSPEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2023
lab-matterspeople-perspectives
The power of cell sorting: understanding heart disease, phase separation, plankton, and more
EMBL researchers use a new cell sorting technology to gain new insights into cellular function in health and disease, as well as for other innovative applications.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2023
sciencescience-technology
EMBL-EBI’s new building set to support data growth and innovative partnerships
Construction begins on EMBL-EBI's new building named after Janet Thornton.
EMBL ANNOUNCEMENTSLAB MATTERS2023
announcementsembl-announcementslab-matters
Spotlight: Shedding light on deadly parasites
This single-celled organism the size of a dust particle is capable of causing deadly tropical diseases in both humans and livestock –Trypanosoma brucei, in an image by Luciano Dolce from EMBL.
LAB MATTERSSCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2023
lab-matterspicture-of-the-weekscience-technology
Facilitating drug discovery against COVID-19
A collaboration between EMBL Grenoble and EBRIS scientists led to the characterisation of a new compound with promising activity against SARS-CoV-2 variants.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2023
sciencescience-technology
EMBL and ZEISS enter long-term strategic partnership
Through the collaborative framework agreement, EMBL and ZEISS aim to accelerate the development of imaging technology to advance life science research.
CONNECTIONSLAB MATTERS2023
connectionslab-matters
DECIPHER database for rare diseases joins EMBL-EBI
Closer collaborations with EMBL-EBI data resources set to further develop and grow this unique rare disease platform.
EMBL ANNOUNCEMENTS2023
announcementsembl-announcementsscience
Pathogens Portal: The new gateway to public pathogen data
Enabling researchers worldwide to share and analyse pathogen data generated across the world
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2023
sciencescience-technologytechnology-and-innovation
David Hulcoop appointed as Open Targets Director
Coming from a pharmaceutical industry background, David Hulcoop is set to take over as Executive Director of the public-private partnership Open Targets.
EMBL ANNOUNCEMENTS2023
announcementsembl-announcements
2022 EMBL Annual Report published
EMBL’s 2022 Annual Report is now available online, including a downloadable ‘Year in Review’.
EMBL ANNOUNCEMENTSLAB MATTERS2023
embl-announcementslab-matters
EMBL scientists elected to EMBO Membership
Three EMBL group leaders and six EMBL alumni were recognised for their contributions to the life sciences.
LAB MATTERSPEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2023
lab-matterspeople-perspectives
Save the date: 4-5 July 2024!
EMBL will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2024 with a dynamic scientific symposium. The event will share fundamental research that continues to open the way to scientific discoveries.
EMBL ANNOUNCEMENTS2023
embl-announcementsevents
Bringing research on disordered proteins to order
A third of all known proteins are either completely or partially unstructured. EMBL scientists contributed to a new set of guidelines – Minimum Information About a Disorder Experiment (MIADE) – that will help researchers share data on unstructured proteins in a more useful way and will enable…
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2023
sciencescience-technology
Research assessment reform at EMBL: an interview with Wolfgang Huber
Wolfgang Huber discusses why research assessment needs reform and how this could make science more diverse, more inclusive, and better
LAB MATTERSPEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2023
lab-matterspeople-perspectives
Serbia becomes EMBL prospect member
Starts three-year process toward full membership, opening up new opportunities for mutual exchange and collaboration.
EMBL ANNOUNCEMENTSLAB MATTERS2023
embl-announcementslab-matters
After EMBL: Urtė Neniškytė
EMBL Rome alumna Urtė Neniškytė returned to her native Lithuania, helping establish the Vilnius University-EMBL Partnership Institute and advance genome-editing technologies there.
PEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2023
alumnipeople-perspectives
Supporting the development of hologenomic approaches for more sustainable animal feeds
HoloFood, the first consistent collection of multiomic data about chicken and salmon gut microbiomes, set to enable the development of better animal feeds.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2023
sciencescience-technologytechnology-and-innovation
Connecting scientists, engaging citizens
The TREC expedition stop in Sopot offered an opportunity to create connections with Polish scientists and citizens around the topics of planetary biology and ocean science.
CONNECTIONSLAB MATTERS2023
connectionslab-matters
Welcome: Sihem Bennour
Sihem Bennour, new head of HR, foresees a deeper culture of information sharing, listening, and problem solving with EMBL staff.
LAB MATTERSPEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2023
lab-matterspeople-perspectives
The speed of life: a zoo of cells to study developmental time
Researchers from the Ebisuya Group at EMBL Barcelona have used an unprecedented stem cell zoo to compare six different mammalian species and their developmental time.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2023
sciencescience-technology
We are EMBL: Jürgen Bauer on translating ideas into applications
Jürgen Bauer talks about translating science into applications with societal benefit, his journey from the lab bench to business development, and technology transfer at EMBL.
LAB MATTERSPEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2023
lab-matterspeople-perspectives
An organisation and its environment
A recent EMBL conference brought together scientists from various disciplines to conjoin scientific pursuits studying ‘life in context’.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2023
eventsscience-technology
We are EMBL: Adriana Castillo Caballero on multicultural science and creativity
Adriana Castillo Caballero talks about her curiosity-driven career, the importance of the people in her life, and her dreams for the future
LAB MATTERSPEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2023
lab-matterspeople-perspectives
TREC on Twitter: a life-in-context journey through the social media lens
TREC scientists, outreach specialists, and a crucial support team have been on the road, exploring life at European coasts.
CONNECTIONSLAB MATTERS2023
connectionslab-matters
Genomic medicine: ushering in a new era in healthcare
EMBL-EBI data resources are being used to deliver thousands of genetic diagnostics to patients every month.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2023
perspectivessciencescience-technology
Janet Thornton retires: a pioneer in structural bioinformatics
In recognition of Janet Thornton’s retirement, we look back at some of her biggest accomplishments shaping the field of bioinformatics.
LAB MATTERSPEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2023
announcementslab-matterspeople-perspectives
Baden-Württemberg’s new Minister of Science, Research, and the Arts visits EMBL
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.
CONNECTIONS2023
connectionsevents
ProtVar: understanding missense variation in humans
A new tool for the interpretation of missense variation in humans – ProtVar – will help enable drug discovery.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2023
sciencescience-technologytechnology-and-innovation
IMAGINE-ing next-generation technology to help biologists
EMBL researchers and collaborators have begun an impactful innovation-development journey, thanks to a European Commission ‘IMAGINE’ grant.
CONNECTIONSLAB MATTERS2023
connectionslab-matters
EMBL in Italy: cutting-edge science from basic to applied research
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)
CONNECTIONS2023
alumniconnections
EMBL and SciLifeLab cooperate on data science
The third meeting between EMBL and SciLifeLab communities took place in Uppsala and focused on data science, aiming at further expanding the collaboration
CONNECTIONSLAB MATTERS2023
connectionslab-matters
Sharing knowledge, widening access across Europe
European Commission and EMBL renew commitment, agree on new areas of cooperation, in new EC DG’s first infrastructure visit since appointment.
CONNECTIONSLAB MATTERS2023
connectionslab-matters
Cancer cell ‘decathlon’ to help predict tumour aggressiveness and metastasis
The PLAST-CELL project aims to understanding cancer progression by quantifying a cancer cell’s ability to respond to environmental stress that threatens its survival
CONNECTIONS2023
connectionstechnology-and-innovation
After EMBL: Heiko Runz and Laurence Ettwiller
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.
PEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2023
alumnipeople-perspectives
We are EMBL: Martin Pelosse on his role at the Eukaryotic Expression Facility
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.
LAB MATTERSPEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2023
lab-matterspeople-perspectives
We are EMBL: Carolin Sauer on supporting cancer research
Postdoctoral researcher Carolin Sauer is leveraging long-read sequencing to develop new detection methods for various cancers.
LAB MATTERSPEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2023
lab-matterspeople-perspectivesresearch-highlights
We are EMBL: Timothy Shayers on building maintenance and renovation in Rome
Timothy Shayers talks about his role in overseeing the renovation works at EMBL Rome, his past experiences around the world, and his personal passions.
LAB MATTERSPEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2023
lab-matterspeople-perspectives
100th issue of EMBLetc. published
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.
EMBL ANNOUNCEMENTSLAB MATTERS2023
embl-announcementslab-matters
The World of Molecular Biology is open
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.
EMBL ANNOUNCEMENTSLAB MATTERS2023
embl-announcementslab-matters
What happens when chromosomes shatter
Understanding chromothripsis offers insights into how cancer develops.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2023
research-highlightsscience-technology
A more diverse human reference genome
The human pangenome – one of the most complete collections of genome sequences released so far – captures rich human diversity.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2023
announcementssciencescience-technology
Time-resolved crystallography for the masses
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…
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2023
sciencescience-technology
The hairy single-celled Tetrahymena provides a work reset
Dey Group holds second annual ‘labbatical’ to step outside daily research tasks with the help of single-celled model organisms.
LAB MATTERSSCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2023
lab-mattersscience-technology
Vizgen joins EMBL science-industry programme
Vizgen, the life science company dedicated to improving human health by visualising single-cell spatial genomics information, has joined EMBL’s Corporate Partnership Programme.
CONNECTIONSLAB MATTERS2023
connectionslab-matters
Bioinformatics powers international effort to map gene function
EMBL-EBI is making a key contribution to a historic effort to understand the function of every human gene
LAB MATTERSSCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2023
announcementslab-mattersscience-technology
Celebration of the next ten years of the Nordic EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine
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.
CONNECTIONSLAB MATTERS2023
connectionslab-matters
Building a broader European science community
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.
CONNECTIONSLAB MATTERS2023
connectionslab-matters
EMBL celebrates 43 new PhDs
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.
LAB MATTERS2023
eventslab-matters
The Human Genome Project at 20: interview with Ewan Birney
On the 20th anniversary of the Human Genome Project, we look back at its history, wonder and potential.
LAB MATTERSPEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2023
lab-matterspeople-perspectivesperspectives
EMBL Hamburg joins northern European life science consortium
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…
CONNECTIONSLAB MATTERS2023
connectionslab-matters
We are EMBL: Angelika Thomasson on administrative support to EMBL staff
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.
LAB MATTERSPEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2023
lab-matterspeople-perspectives
EMBL alumni: Alex Almeida on the unchartered gut microbiome and becoming a principal investigator
As a postdoc Alex Almeida used bioinformatics to push the boundaries of what we know about the gut microbiome. Here, Almeida explains how his time at EMBL-EBI generated new research avenues, and how the skills and connections from his postdoc prepared him for leading his own research group at the…
PEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2023
people-perspectivesperspectives
WormBase ParaSite 18 released
WormBase ParaSite release 18 adds largest number of new genomes and annotations since launch, as well as full integration with AlphaFold.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2023
science-technologyupdates-from-data-resources
Nikon Europe increases support for EMBL’s innovative scientific training programme
Nikon Europe has intensified its engagement with EMBL's Corporate Partnership Programme to support young scientists.
CONNECTIONSLAB MATTERS2023
connectionslab-matters
After EMBL: Thomas Graf
Alumnus Thomas Graf reflects on his time at EMBL, offering an update on his whereabouts and advice for young scientists.
PEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2023
alumnipeople-perspectives
We are EMBL: Eduard Avetisyan on the role of IT in structural biology
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…
LAB MATTERSPEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2023
lab-matterspeople-perspectives
Human genome editing: regulations, risks, and ethical considerations
Scientists have the technology to edit the human genome. But when should they, and who contributes to these decisions?
LAB MATTERSPEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2023
lab-matterspeople-perspectivesperspectives
MAPLE: a phylogenetic tool for pandemic-scale genome data
EMBL-EBI researchers have developed a new tool capable of performing state-of-the-art phylogenetic inference on larger datasets than previously thought possible.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2023
research-highlightssciencescience-technology
EMBL and Montenegro: boosting cooperation and enhancing awareness
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…
CONNECTIONSLAB MATTERS2023
connectionsembl-member-stateslab-matters
Building a bioinformatics community at the nf-core hackathon
Darwin Tree of Life project improves bioinformatics tools for biodiversity data analysis
CONNECTIONS2023
connectionstechnology-and-innovation
TREC is underway!
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.
EMBL ANNOUNCEMENTS2023
embl-announcementseventsscience
Life in context
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.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2023
eventsscience-technology
Dispensing microscopy expertise
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…
LAB MATTERSSCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2023
lab-mattersscience-technology
Shining light on the mechanics of embryo development
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.
LAB MATTERSSCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2023
lab-matterssciencescience-technology
ERC Advanced Grant awarded to EMBL Rome researcher
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.
EMBL ANNOUNCEMENTSLAB MATTERS2023
embl-announcementslab-matters
We are EMBL: Audrey Spielmann on providing lab support
Audrey Spielmann, Lab Support Manager, talks about her role in supporting the research done at EMBL Grenoble.
LAB MATTERSPEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2023
lab-matterspeople-perspectives
Welcome: Alejandro Torres-Sánchez
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.
LAB MATTERSPEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2023
lab-matterspeople-perspectives
EMBL explores synergies in neuroscience research with French partners
Scientists from EMBL and its French academic partners gathered at EMBL Rome for a workshop to foster collaboration and advance research in neuroscience.
CONNECTIONSLAB MATTERS2023
connectionslab-matters
Welcome: Thomas Quail
New group leader Thomas Quail studies the fundamental processes that determine how proteins organise the genome inside a cell.
LAB MATTERSPEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2023
lab-matterspeople-perspectives
Welcome: Gergely Papp
Together with his team, Gergely Papp pushes the frontiers of technology development in the field of structural biology.
LAB MATTERSPEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2023
lab-matterspeople-perspectives
Molecules to Ecosystems: Liz Duke on X-ray imaging
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…
LAB MATTERSPEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2023
lab-matterspeople-perspectives
EMBL Barcelona: Five years down the road
EMBL’s site by the sea completed its fifth year of operations. We look back at some key milestones and achievements since 2017.
LAB MATTERS2023
lab-matters
Sharing science, shaping opportunities for collaboration
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.
CONNECTIONS2023
connectionsevents
TREC: A two-year mission to study human impact on Europe’s seas and coastal regions
EMBL is leading the TREC project: the first pan-European and cross-disciplinary effort to examine life in its natural context.
EMBL ANNOUNCEMENTSLAB MATTERS2023
embl-announcementslab-matters
Tracing the history of women in science at EMBL
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.
LAB MATTERS2023
lab-matters
EMBL Grenoble showcased at Biophysical Society Meeting
EMBL’s French site was highlighted in a short film presenting its expertise in structural biology research and services.
CONNECTIONSLAB MATTERS2023
connectionslab-matters
Biology meets engineering
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…
LAB MATTERSSCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2023
lab-mattersscience-technology
Spotlight: Using light and sound to see into the brain
Researchers in the Prevedel Group use photoacoustic spectroscopy setup to test and optimise probes before their usage in mouse neuroscience.
LAB MATTERSSCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2023
lab-matterspicture-of-the-weekscience-technology
Molecules to Ecosystems: Jo McEntyre on data services
Jo McEntyre talks about data services, open data and a new era for research assessment.
LAB MATTERSPEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2023
lab-matterspeople-perspectivesperspectives
EMBL welcomes Estonia as full member
The Baltic nation of Estonia has become a full member of EMBL, joining the organisation as its 28th member state.
EMBL ANNOUNCEMENTSLAB MATTERS2023
embl-announcementslab-matters
New EU-funded Project: Fragment-Screen
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.
LAB MATTERSSCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2023
lab-mattersscience-technology
Supporting scientists across Europe: the SPC Facility at EMBL Hamburg
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…
LAB MATTERSSCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2023
lab-mattersscience-technology
Welcome: Hanh Vu
Group Leader Hanh Vu studies ‘immortal’ flatworms that can grow and de-grow to understand better factors that determine organisms’ sizes.
LAB MATTERSPEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2023
lab-matterspeople-perspectives
Scientific passion that seeds passion
A recent student visitor shares her impressions from visiting EMBL’s Vincent group as we recognise International Day of Women and Girls in Science.
LAB MATTERS2023
lab-matters
Promoting European innovation in the life sciences
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…
CONNECTIONSLAB MATTERS2023
connectionslab-matters
ERC Consolidator Grant success at EMBL
EMBL Rome group leader Jamie Hackett receives EUR 2 million for the ModLogic project, aimed at understanding how chromatin modifications impact gene activity.
EMBL ANNOUNCEMENTSLAB MATTERS2023
embl-announcementslab-matters
EMBL partners with UNESCO to drive progress on shared goals
New agreement with UN organisation will enable cooperation in the fields of open science, capacity building, and talent development
CONNECTIONSLAB MATTERS2023
connectionslab-matters
Machine learning to identify and prioritise drug targets
Open Targets is using artificial intelligence and machine learning to identify and prioritise drug targets.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2023
sciencescience-technologytechnology-and-innovation
BIOcean5D targets marine biodiversity
EMBL hosts inaugural meeting for major interdisciplinary project designed to boost understanding of ocean life
CONNECTIONSLAB MATTERS2023
connectionslab-matters
Vikas Trivedi from EMBL Barcelona receives ERC Synergy Grant
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.
EMBL ANNOUNCEMENTSLAB MATTERS2023
embl-announcementslab-matters
Spotlight: A ‘devil’ of a flatworm
Tasmanian flatworms add to an EMBL researcher’s collection as she studies principles that control animal body size.
LAB MATTERSSCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2023
lab-matterspicture-of-the-weekscience-technology
Spotlight: Colours of the colon
Mucus present in the mouse colon can be visualised using Alcian blue staining, as imaged here by EMBL predoctoral fellow Linda Decker.
LAB MATTERSSCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2023
lab-matterspicture-of-the-weekscience-technology
Darwin Tree of Life: first 500 genome assemblies released as project creates a buzz
We look back through some of the 2022 highlights from the Darwin Tree of Life project.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2023
perspectivessciencescience-technology
Molecules to Ecosystems: Rob Finn on the Microbial Ecosystems transversal theme
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.
LAB MATTERSPEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2023
lab-matterspeople-perspectives
New molecular insights on medical cannabis
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.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2023
sciencescience-technology
Step-by-step guide to nuclear pore complex assembly
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.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2023
sciencescience-technology
BOSS-RUNS: streamlining dynamic nanopore sequencing
A new method developed by EMBL-EBI researchers helps to streamline nanopore sequencing in real-time.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2023
research-highlightssciencescience-technology
Spotlight: Zebrafish embryos to make this season jolly
Zebrafish embryos during gastrulation, a very early stage of development, to study the effect of temperature on vertebrate embryo development.
LAB MATTERSSCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2022
lab-matterspicture-of-the-weekscience-technology
Spotlight: Establishing a colour palette for antibiotic resistance
To identify which drugs disrupt bacterial envelope integrity, the Typas group uses a molecule called chlorophenyl red-β-D-galactopyranoside.
LAB MATTERSSCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2022
lab-matterspicture-of-the-weekscience-technology
Understanding marine biodiversity across space, time, and human impacts
Europe-wide project studies coastal and marine biodiversity from viruses to whales
CONNECTIONSLAB MATTERS2022
connectionslab-matters
Edith Heard elected as member of the French Academy of Sciences
The Director General of EMBL was elected by her peers to become a member of one of France’s oldest national science academies.
EMBL ANNOUNCEMENTSLAB MATTERS2022
embl-announcementslab-matters
Celebrating science in Grenoble
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.
CONNECTIONSLAB MATTERS2022
connectionslab-matters
New chair of EMBL Council
EMBL alumnus and eminent molecular biologist Peter B. Becker has been named the next chair of EMBL’s Council as of January 2023.
EMBL ANNOUNCEMENTSLAB MATTERS2022
embl-announcementslab-matters
Making a great postdoc program even better with our member states
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.
EMBL ANNOUNCEMENTSLAB MATTERS2022
embl-announcementslab-matters
Getting closer to stopping toxoplasmosis infection
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.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2022
sciencescience-technology
Welcome to EMBL: Talya Dayton
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.
LAB MATTERSPEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2022
lab-matterspeople-perspectives
Six enlightening questions about ‘plasticity across scales’
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.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2022
eventsscience-technology
EMBL scientists receive prestigious ERC Starting Grant
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.
EMBL ANNOUNCEMENTSLAB MATTERS2022
embl-announcementslab-matters
Welcome Jordi van Gestel
Looking to understand microbial predator-prey relationships, EMBL’s newest group leader tackles a molecular ‘arms race’ in his lab.
LAB MATTERSPEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2022
lab-matterspeople-perspectives
EMBLetc. receives digital-first makeover
The biannual magazine that highlights EMBL’s research, people, and projects now has a new online home.
EMBL ANNOUNCEMENTSLAB MATTERS2022
embl-announcementslab-matters
Promoting EMBL opportunities for the Danish scientific community
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…
CONNECTIONS2022
connectionsevents
EMBL builds on links with Malta
EMBL deepens scientific collaboration, opening the door for greater engagement and opportunities for Malta’s life science community
CONNECTIONS2022
connectionsevents
Two in one: combining MASSIF-1 and CrystalDirect
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.
LAB MATTERSSCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2022
lab-mattersscience-technology
Setting priorities for preprints and open science
Newly appointed member of the ASAPbio Board of Directors, EMBL Group Leader Gautam Dey speaks about preprints, data management, and open science.
LAB MATTERSPEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2022
lab-matterspeople-perspectives
Welcome: Flora Vincent
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.
LAB MATTERSPEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2022
lab-matterspeople-perspectives
Teaming up to drive forward time-resolved crystallography
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
LAB MATTERSSCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2022
lab-mattersscience-technology
Ardan Patwardhan and Wim Hagen receive Scientific Achievement Award
The Royal Microscopical Society awarded Ardan Patwardhan and Wim Hagen with Scientific Achievement Award
EMBL ANNOUNCEMENTSLAB MATTERS2022
embl-announcementslab-matters
EMBL deepens ties with Croatia
Visit of delegation from the Ruđer Bošković Institute to EMBL Heidelberg marks a new chapter in scientific and institutional cooperation
CONNECTIONS2022
connectionsevents
Examining life along Iceland’s coasts
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.
LAB MATTERSSCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2022
lab-mattersscience-technology
Leading research institutions launch Health + Life Science Alliance Heidelberg Mannheim
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.
CONNECTIONS2022
connectionsevents
The EMBL Connection
EMBL's Partnership Conference highlights the value of its networks, bringing researchers together to build new scientific connections.
CONNECTIONS2022
connectionsevents
EMBL Barcelona and CRG kickstart new era of digital biology in Barcelona
The institutes have launched a joint new initiative which aims to make biology as engineerable as an aeroplane or a bridge.
CONNECTIONSLAB MATTERS2022
connectionslab-matters
Tools for teachers
EMBL reminds teachers of freely available educational resources and workshops just in time for school.
LAB MATTERS2022
lab-matters
Seeing antibiotics in action inside a pathogenic bacterium
New research by EMBL scientists shows at atomic detail how antibiotics affect the process of protein production inside bacteria.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2022
sciencescience-technology
Combi-seq: a leap forward for personalised cancer therapy
Researchers have come up with a way to test the efficacy of hundreds of anticancer drug combinations – simultaneously, rapidly, and accurately.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2022
sciencescience-technology
AlphaFold developers and EMBL alumnus among Breakthrough Prize recipients
Cell biologist Anthony Hyman and DeepMind’s Demis Hassabis and John Jumper were announced among 25 Breakthrough Prize recipients
EMBL ANNOUNCEMENTSLAB MATTERS2022
embl-announcementslab-matters
European institutes commit to data access across borders
The Federated EGA is set to improve access to sensitive human data in a safe and secure way.
CONNECTIONS2022
announcementsconnectionsscience
PETRA IV and future opportunities at EMBL Hamburg beamlines
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…
LAB MATTERSSCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2022
lab-mattersscience-technology
Life Science Alliance starts new chapter
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.
CONNECTIONSLAB MATTERS2022
connectionslab-matters
Does exercise drive development? In the sea anemone, the way you move matters.
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
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2022
sciencescience-technology
When microbiomes collide
EMBL researchers used data from over 300 human faecal microbiota transplants to gain an ecological understanding of what happens when two gut microbiomes clash.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2022
sciencescience-technology
Summer in Science – life in a research lab
20 secondary school students from all over Italy participated in the fourth edition of Summer in Science at EMBL Rome.
LAB MATTERS2022
lab-matters
Insights into scientific careers
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.
LAB MATTERS2022
eventslab-matters
Augmenting science
The Scientific Visitor Programme shares EMBL tools and talent with outside researchers in collaborative, multidisciplinary environments.
LAB MATTERS2022
lab-matters
ERC Proof-of-Concept grant provides way to realise commercial potential of ‘SpaceM’ technology
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.
LAB MATTERSSCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2022
lab-mattersscience-technology
Building the ideal limb
EMBL researchers use a “fearless” computer reconstruction and a two-centuries-old mathematical approach to study limb bud growth.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2022
sciencescience-technology
Spotlight: A giant in action
Physarum polycephalum, a single, giant cell containing tens of thousands of nuclei is large enough to be photographed with a phone.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2022
picture-of-the-weekscience-technology
Strengthening scientific ties between EMBL and Iceland
EMBL delegation including the Director General visits Iceland marking another stage in this deepening scientific collaboration
CONNECTIONSLAB MATTERS2022
connectionslab-matters
Spotlight: EMBL Imaging Centre, Heidelberg
EMBL’s imaging centre makes advanced microscopy technologies accessible to the international scientific community.
LAB MATTERS2022
lab-matterspicture-of-the-week
AlphaFold: where will the next AI breakthrough come from?
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.
PEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2022
people-perspectivesperspectivesscience
Molecules to Ecosystems: Virginie Uhlmann on the Theory transversal theme
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.
LAB MATTERSPEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2022
lab-matterspeople-perspectives
CNest: a new method for copy number variation analysis
A new method for the robust analysis of copy number variation and used UK Biobank data to identify links between genome and disease.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2022
research-highlightssciencescience-technology
New antibiotic resistance genes identified in tuberculosis
International consortium analyses the genetic sequences and antibiotic susceptibility of 10,000 global Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2022
research-highlightssciencescience-technology
Visualising Life: The EMBL Lautenschläger summer school returns to Heidelberg
The EMBL Lautenschläger summer school, held 4–15 Jul 2022, introduced students from a range of scientific backgrounds to interdisciplinary life science research.
LAB MATTERS2022
eventslab-matters
Making patterns visible
How do gene expression patterns result in the generation of different cell types? Scientists at EMBL Heidelberg used the zebrafish notochord to find out.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2022
sciencescience-technology
Zooming in to get the full picture
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.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2022
sciencescience-technology
Shining a light on how bacteria interact
Machine learning has helped researchers uncover new insights into how bacteria infect host cells.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2022
research-highlightssciencescience-technology
AlphaFold predicts structure of almost every catalogued protein known to science
AlphaFold database offers a look at 3D protein universe.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2022
sciencescience-technologytechnology-and-innovation
Latvian science benefits from prospect membership
The first meeting of the Latvian Bioinformatics Forum points towards an even brighter future for the country’s role in European life sciences
CONNECTIONS2022
connectionsevents
A summer of scientific exchange in Barcelona
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.
CONNECTIONSLAB MATTERS2022
connectionslab-matters
Molecules to Ecosystems: Jan Kosinski on the Infection Biology transversal theme
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.
LAB MATTERSPEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2022
lab-matterspeople-perspectives
Welcome: Maria Papanikolaou
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.
LAB MATTERSPEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2022
lab-matterspeople-perspectives
The retron switch
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.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2022
sciencescience-technology
EMBL Rome’s Gene Editing and Embryology Facility generates transgenic mice to understand human diseases
The GEEF facility at EMBL Rome supports scientists worldwide with scientific expertise and state-of-the-art gene editing technologies.
LAB MATTERSSCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2022
lab-mattersscience-technology
Priorities for ocean microbiome research
Microbial communities play essential roles in ocean ecology and planetary health. A recent publication highlights priorities for understanding and protecting ocean microbiomes.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2022
sciencescience-technology
Uncharted territories in the human genome
Scientists identify previously unexplored gene segments to be added to human genome databases.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2022
research-highlightssciencescience-technology
Three EMBL scientists elected as EMBO Members
Cornelius Gross, Miki Ebisuya and Nassos Typas join EMBO, the prestigious organisation for the life sciences.
EMBL ANNOUNCEMENTSLAB MATTERS2022
embl-announcementslab-matters
The EMBL Imaging Centre: making it happen
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.
CONNECTIONS2022
connectionsevents
Official opening of the EMBL Imaging Centre
Representatives from politics, industry and academia attended the inauguration ceremony at EMBL Heidelberg
EMBL ANNOUNCEMENTS2022
embl-announcementsevents
EMBL welcomes first generation of ARISE fellows
Participating researchers will lead projects to develop novel technologies for better science.
LAB MATTERS2022
lab-matters
EMBL 2021 Annual Report published
EMBL’s 2021 Annual Report is now available, sharing mission highlights from the year in a new digital-first, sustainable format.
EMBL ANNOUNCEMENTSLAB MATTERS2022
embl-announcementslab-matters
Patrick Cramer elected as next President of the Max Planck Society
Former chair of EMBL Council to take office as the next President of the Max Planck Society in June 2023.
EMBL ANNOUNCEMENTS2022
alumniembl-announcements
The world needs science, and science needs women
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.
LAB MATTERSPEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2022
lab-matterspeople-perspectives
EMBL and CSIC join hands to discuss microbes in a changing world
Researchers from EMBL and CSIC came together to discuss microbial communities, diversity, and behaviour, in the context of One Health.
CONNECTIONS2022
connectionsevents
The new heroics of RNA in cell differentiation
EMBL research with Enolase 1 (ENO1) points to a possible new way to understand RNA’s leading role in how cells develop.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2022
sciencescience-technology
EMBL enhances collaboration with scientists and research institutes in Croatia
Two days of events with institutes in the country add a new chapter to successful scientific collaboration
CONNECTIONS2022
connectionsevents
Puzzling out the structure of a molecular giant
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…
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2022
sciencescience-technology
2022 EMBL Alumni Awards Winners announced
Two former EMBL staff members have been recognised for their outstanding contributions to research in the fields of brain evolution and cancer.
EMBL ANNOUNCEMENTS2022
alumniembl-announcements
Supporting the African BioGenome Project to build bioinformatics capacity
The African BioGenome Project and EMBL have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to support each other in building genomics and bioinformatics capacity across Africa
CONNECTIONSLAB MATTERS2022
announcementsconnectionslab-matters
EMBL and IIT: Launching new avenues of collaboration
EMBL and IIT scientists met in person at EMBL Rome to strengthen their collaboration and explore new opportunities for scientific exchange
CONNECTIONSLAB MATTERS2022
connectionslab-matters
Welcome: Pascale Cossart
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.
LAB MATTERSPEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2022
lab-matterspeople-perspectives
Shaping up the genome for cell division
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.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2022
sciencescience-technology
Teamed up to innovate
A new formal collaboration agreement enables will help smooth the transition from fundamental science to innovation.
CONNECTIONSLAB MATTERS2022
connectionslab-matters
Impact of DNA mutations on blood cell production uncovered
Researchers discover how DNA mutations change blood cell production and how this relates to ageing and cancer development.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2022
research-highlightssciencescience-technology
EMBL in Italy event held at GSK Vaccines in Siena
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.
CONNECTIONS2022
alumniconnections
A machine learning approach for allocating gene function
Researchers in the Ensembl team are making the most of machine learning methods to speed up genome annotation pipelines
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2022
sciencescience-technologytechnology-and-innovation
Fergal Martin – Eukaryotic Annotation Team Leader
Fergal Martin discusses the importance of open access data and his work in different biodiversity initiatives
LAB MATTERSPEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2022
lab-matterspeople-perspectives
Edith Heard elected as a member of The Royal Danish Academy of Sciences and Letters
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.
EMBL ANNOUNCEMENTSLAB MATTERS2022
embl-announcementslab-matters
EMBL and SciLifeLab foster new connections
Joint workshop brings researchers together on site and virtually to discuss broad range of planetary biology topics.
CONNECTIONS2022
connectionsevents
EMBL Hamburg is helping train lab techs of the future
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…
LAB MATTERS2022
lab-matters
Organisations should embrace open science faster – interview with Prof. Dame Janet Thornton
Janet Thornton, the inaugural winner of the FEBS Journal Open Science Award, explains the importance and impact of open science.
LAB MATTERSPEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2022
lab-matterspeople-perspectivesperspectives
Europe PMC: Harnessing the power of text mining to accelerate life sciences research
How text mining collaborations benefit our research, data resources, and the wider scientific community.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2022
sciencescience-technologytechnology-and-innovation
Peter Harrison – Genome Analysis Team Leader
Peter Harrison discusses the importance of data accessibility and his passion for biodiversity and agricultural genomics.
LAB MATTERSPEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2022
lab-matterspeople-perspectives
Royal Society honour for Eileen Furlong
EMBL’s Head of Genome Biology announced as Fellow of the Royal Society for her exceptional contributions to science.
EMBL ANNOUNCEMENTSLAB MATTERS2022
embl-announcementslab-matters
Flip-flop genome
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.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2022
sciencescience-technology
What do stem cell aggregates and whipped cream have in common?
EMBL researchers revise the old problem of sintering droplets to understand the mechanical properties of tissues.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2022
sciencescience-technology
Enabling imaging across scales
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…
EMBL ANNOUNCEMENTS2022
embl-announcementsevents
Interpreting bioimages with deep learning
Virginie Uhlmann shares her tips for using deep learning for bioimage analysis in the life sciences.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2022
perspectivessciencescience-technology
Anne Ephrussi elected member of the US National Academy of Sciences
The honour recognises distinguished and continuing achievements in original research.
EMBL ANNOUNCEMENTSLAB MATTERS2022
embl-announcementslab-matters
Unravelling the origins of the human spine
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.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2022
sciencescience-technology
Next Head of EMBL Grenoble appointed
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…
EMBL ANNOUNCEMENTSLAB MATTERS2022
embl-announcementslab-matters
Meet the next Head of EMBL Grenoble
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.
LAB MATTERSPEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2022
lab-matterspeople-perspectives
Greater than the sum of our genes: DNA does not define us
Ewan Birney discusses the input of both genetics and our environment in making us who we are
LAB MATTERS2022
lab-mattersperspectives
“If you want science to move forward, you have to share it”
EMBO Director Fiona Watt discusses preprints, data sharing, and evaluation in light of EMBL’s new Open Science policy
LAB MATTERSPEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2022
lab-matterspeople-perspectives
EMBL consolidates ties with Sapienza University
EMBL and the Sapienza University of Rome confirm their reciprocal interest in intensifying collaborations and launch new opportunities for exchange of expertise
CONNECTIONSLAB MATTERS2022
connectionslab-matters
A metaphor for epigenetic inheritance
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
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2022
sciencescience-technology
The MANE collaboration: working together to support genome science
Researchers from the MANE collaboration bring you the most comprehensive human genome annotation dataset to date.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2022
research-highlightssciencescience-technology
Matthias Hentze receives Centenary Award
EMBL Heidelberg’s Matthias Hentze receives the Biochemical Society’s Centenary Award for his discoveries in RNA biology.
EMBL ANNOUNCEMENTSLAB MATTERS2022
embl-announcementslab-matters
Welcome: John Lees
John Lees joins EMBL-EBI as a Group Leader in Pathogen informatics and modelling.
LAB MATTERSPEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2022
lab-matterspeople-perspectives
“Summer in Science” is back! A full immersion in science for high school students
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.
LAB MATTERS2022
lab-matters
Pathogen data sharing – key to pandemic preparedness
Researchers lay out a set of principles for open genomic data sharing or pathogens
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2022
perspectivesscience-technology
From liquid to solid to drive development
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.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2022
sciencescience-technology
Genomic sequencing aids the global Tuberculosis fight
Zamin Iqbal and his team are working with researchers all over the globe to help put a stop to Tuberculosis
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2022
perspectivessciencescience-technology
Darwin Tree of Life at EMBL-EBI: reaching the first major milestone
Our researchers highlight their contributions to the Darwin Tree of Life project and how new genome annotations helps to further biodiversity research
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2022
announcementssciencescience-technology
Judith Zaugg from EMBL Heidelberg receives ERC Consolidator Grant
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…
EMBL ANNOUNCEMENTSLAB MATTERS2022
embl-announcementslab-matters
EMBL’s statement on the invasion of Ukraine
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…
EMBL ANNOUNCEMENTSLAB MATTERS2022
embl-announcementslab-matters
Safeguarding African biodiversity through genomics
The African BioGenome Project aims to safeguard biodiversity and build bioinformatics capacity across Africa
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2022
perspectivessciencescience-technology
Putting Cryptococcus in context
EMBL’s imaging technology helps researchers gain insights in the fungus’ journey from the lung to the brain.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2022
sciencescience-technology
An international study proposes stool analysis for early detection of pancreatic cancer
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.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2022
sciencescience-technology
A postdoc conference spotlighted in tweets
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.
LAB MATTERS2022
eventslab-matters
Deep learning models help predict protein function
Deep learning models can improve protein annotations and has helped expand the Pfam database.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2022
perspectivessciencescience-technology
Understanding genomes, piece by piece
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.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2022
sciencescience-technology
A 3D culture model to study embryo growth
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.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2022
sciencescience-technology
Break the bias – an interview with Louise Mullany
An exploration of what gender bias looks like in science and how organisations and individuals can address it
LAB MATTERSPEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2022
lab-matterspeople-perspectivesperspectives
Academia, industry, or somewhere else?
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.
LAB MATTERS2022
alumnilab-matters
‘The World of Molecular Biology’ exhibition
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.
EMBL ANNOUNCEMENTSLAB MATTERS2022
embl-announcementslab-matters
Converging lenses on embryo development
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.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2022
sciencescience-technology
Molecular medicine across borders
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,…
CONNECTIONSLAB MATTERS2022
connectionslab-matters
New genetic data policy must promote biodiversity conservation
Scientists urge the adoption of a sensible international policy for digital sequence information.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2022
announcementssciencescience-technology
Welcome: Michael Dorrity
Michael Dorrity, one of EMBL’s newest group leaders, is studying how the environment influences early life stages in zebrafish.
LAB MATTERSPEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2022
lab-matterspeople-perspectives
Pfizer joins the Open Targets consortium
Open Targets, a consortium focused on drug target identification, prioritisation, and validation, announced today that Pfizer has joined as a partner.
CONNECTIONS2022
announcementsconnectionsscience
EMBL and Latvia deepen collaboration
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.
CONNECTIONS2022
connectionsevents
Investing in Italy by translating EMBL expertise to the market
Experiences at EMBL Rome led former group leader to establish his start-up in Italy, developing a new generation of gene therapies.
LAB MATTERSSCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2022
alumnilab-mattersscience-technologytechnology-and-innovation
Learning from Deep Learning: the inspirational story behind AlphaFold
DeepMind visits EMBL Heidelberg to discuss current and future implications of Artificial Intelligence for life science research.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2022
sciencescience-technology
Decoding the secrets of snake venom
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.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2022
sciencescience-technology
Fostering excellence, diversity, and mobility in the Nordic EMBL Partnership
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.
CONNECTIONSLAB MATTERS2022
connectionseventslab-matters
Genomic data for biodiversity – a global challenge
An exploration of where in the world genomics methods are applied and where the data are used.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2022
perspectivessciencescience-technology
EMBL Imaging Centre kickstarts training with workshop for undergraduates
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.
LAB MATTERS2022
lab-matters
Cell sorting enters a new dimension
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.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2022
sciencescience-technology
The Earth Biogenome Project: on track and ready to ramp up
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?
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2022
announcementssciencescience-technology
A new era for European molecular biology
EMBL announces details about its next programme, ‘Molecules to Ecosystems’. It will guide studying life across scales and in context with changing environments.
EMBL ANNOUNCEMENTSLAB MATTERS2022
announcementsembl-announcementslab-matters
Capturing ‘snapshots’ of a crucial step in RNA splicing
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.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2022
sciencescience-technology
Welcome: Melissa Harrison
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.
LAB MATTERSPEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2022
lab-matterspeople-perspectives
New facility in Hungary builds on strong collaborative foundations
A delegation from EMBL has participated in inauguration of a new facility — Incubator House — located in Szeged, Hungary.
CONNECTIONS2022
connectionsevents
Kristina Haase from EMBL Barcelona receives ERC Starting Grant
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.
EMBL ANNOUNCEMENTSLAB MATTERS2022
embl-announcementslab-matters
New bacteria and viruses found on human skin
Researchers have identified hundreds of new bacterial species and viruses in the human skin microbiome.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2022
sciencescience-technology
The start of a journey
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.
LAB MATTERSPEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2022
lab-matterspeople-perspectives
EMBL-IAB collaboration on the rise
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.
CONNECTIONSLAB MATTERS2021
connectionslab-matters
Observing the secret life of molecules inside the cell
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…
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2021
sciencescience-technology
EMBL and Gulbenkian strengthen their scientific collaboration
The agreement focuses on reinforcing the collaboration between scientists to strengthen our understanding of the organism in its environment.
CONNECTIONSLAB MATTERS2021
connectionslab-matters
Fostering diversity and equality
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.
LAB MATTERS2021
lab-matters
Solving molecular puzzles to find the perfect fit
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.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2021
sciencescience-technology
Darwin Tree of Life in 2021: tireless fieldwork and the first beautiful genomes
A look back at some of the 2021 highlights from the Darwin Tree of Life partner institutes.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2021
sciencescience-technology
Artificial intelligence — a scientific game changer in 2021
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.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2021
sciencescience-technology
Denis Duboule to deliver inaugural Kafatos Lecture
EMBL alumnus Denis Duboule has been selected as the speaker for the inaugural Kafatos Lecture to take place in October 2022.
EMBL ANNOUNCEMENTS2021
alumniembl-announcements
Open science at EMBL: a transparent way of working
EMBL announces the release of its new Open Science Policy, contributing to positive culture change across the life sciences.
LAB MATTERS2021
lab-matters
Connecting the dots between bacterial genes around the world
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.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2021
sciencescience-technology
A gallery of human RNA polymerases
New structural biology research provides fundamental information critical to understanding enzyme mutations connected to rare diseases and cancers.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2021
sciencescience-technology
Eileen Furlong honoured with Leibniz Prize
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).
EMBL ANNOUNCEMENTSLAB MATTERS2021
embl-announcementslab-matters
Strengthening collaborations in France
EMBL and the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) signed a memorandum of understanding.
CONNECTIONSLAB MATTERS2021
connectionslab-matters
The impact of drugs on gut microbes is greater than we thought
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…
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2021
sciencescience-technology
How structural biology helps to make RNA vaccines
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…
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2021
sciencescience-technology
EMBL Imaging Centre launches first open call for users
The new EMBL Imaging Centre has announced its first open user call, and new project evaluation process and training opportunities.
EMBL ANNOUNCEMENTSLAB MATTERS2021
embl-announcementslab-matters
Wrangling an octopus-like viral replication machine
EMBL structural biology is part of an international collaboration addressing zoonotic disease caused by Lassa virus.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2021
sciencescience-technology
Welcome: Niccolò Banterle
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.
LAB MATTERSPEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2021
lab-matterspeople-perspectives
Celebrating Lithuania-EMBL cooperation on life science research
EMBL has taken another step towards strengthening its scientific relationship with Lithuania.
CONNECTIONS2021
connectionsevents
Welcome: Maria Zimmermann-Kogadeeva
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.
LAB MATTERSPEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2021
lab-matterspeople-perspectives
Welcome: Tudor Groza
Tudor Groza joins EMBL-EBI as our new Phenomics Team Lead. We found out from Tudor exactly what this new role will entail
LAB MATTERSPEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2021
lab-matterspeople-perspectives
A holistic approach to preserving our health – and our planet’s
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.
CONNECTIONS2021
connectionsevents
Can data help feed a hungry world?
How genomics, open data, and multidisciplinary science can improve food security.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2021
sciencescience-technology
Addressing the biodiversity crisis with 12,000 reptiles – or one database
An alumnus reflects on the reptile database he started in 1996 while at EMBL. The database helps understand biodiversity issues.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2021
alumniscience-technology
Building a 3D placenta on a chip
A new model could serve as a platform to investigate critical placenta barrier phenomena, including defence against bacteria, viruses, and parasites.
LAB MATTERSSCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2021
lab-mattersscience-technology
Newly-launched Kafatos Lectures to bring groundbreaking science to the public
A new life sciences lecture series commemorates the legacy of former EMBL Director General Fotis Kafatos for people around the world.
EMBL ANNOUNCEMENTS2021
alumniembl-announcements
EMBL alum takes DNA sequencing to the field
EMBL alum Lara Urban has developed mobile DNA approaches to monitor impacts upon biodiversity in remote areas of New Zealand and elsewhere.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2021
alumniscience-technology
EMBL Imaging Centre welcomes first external user
Correlative microscopy service enables PhD student from Switzerland to study structure and location of proteins cells use to communicate.
LAB MATTERSSCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2021
lab-mattersscience-technology
DUO: streamlining access to biomedical datasets
The GA4GH Data Use Ontology (DUO) supports a data authorisation and access framework to streamline consent to use biomedical data
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2021
sciencescience-technology
EMBL experimental services enable European researchers to tackle global societal challenges
Independent impact review finds EMBL experimental services are ‘critical’ for research and endorses EMBL as a world-class service provider for academia and industry.
LAB MATTERSSCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2021
lab-mattersscience-technology
Making sense of bacterial DNA data
A vast, curated collection of bacterial genomes is now organised, searchable and open to the community.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2021
sciencescience-technology
New horizons for the EIPP
EMBL's PhD and postdoc programmes evolve to the more multidisciplinary way of doing great molecular biology research.
LAB MATTERS2021
lab-matters
EMBL Hamburg trains future generations of life scientists in using SAXS
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…
LAB MATTERSSCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2021
lab-mattersscience-technology
Ken Holmes
Ken Holmes,