Bridging advanced tools in molecular biology research
A new doctoral network trains fellows as it potentially pioneers a whole new way of exploring the cellular genotype-phenotype link.
PEOPLE & PERSPECTIVES2025
people-perspectives
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
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
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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
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
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Visualising biology: new tools of the trade
EMBL researchers are pushing the frontiers of big data analysis in biological imaging, allowing scientists to gain a many-layered and multidimensional view of organisms, tissues, and cells in action.
EMBLetc2023
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
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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
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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
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More than a gut reaction
What can sponges tell us about the evolution of the brain? Sponges have the genes involved in neuronal function in higher animals. But if sponges don’t have brains, what is the role of these? EMBL scientists imaged the sponge digestive chamber to find out.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2021
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A cellular atlas of an entire worm
EMBL scientists and colleagues have developed an interactive atlas of the entire marine worm Platynereis dumerilii in its larval stage. The PlatyBrowser resource combines high-resolution gene expression data with volume electron microscopy images.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2021
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Living laboratories
Under the innovative Planetary Biology research theme, EMBL scientists aim to understand life in the context of its environment.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2021
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Artistic life sciences
Paola Bertucci, from the Arendt Group at EMBL Heidelberg, studies the evolution of Platynereis dumerilii – a species of annelid polychaete worm.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2020
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Finding your way around Platynereis dumerilii
EMBL researchers combine multiple datasets to develop expandable atlas of an entire animal
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2020
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Neural pathways
Exploring the diverse routes by which EMBL scientists are driving forward neurobiology
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2019
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Fostering links with Montenegro
Two recent events have expanded EMBL’s collaboration with one of its newest member states
CONNECTIONS2019
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A worm’s sense of the world
EMBL researchers discover that four organs in a marine worm’s head can sense different chemicals
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2018
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Insights into the evolution of a signalling molecule
EMBL scientists discover how a molecule’s role changes from simple metabolite to instructive signal
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2018
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Mapping gene expression, cell by cell
EMBL researchers complete a molecular atlas showing gene expression in all cells in an entire animal
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2017
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Futures: Brain evolution
ERC grantee Detlev Arendt shares his vision for the next ten years
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2017
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See data in a new light
3D printing, gaming, virtual reality and lenticular posters bring new perspectives to research
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2016
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Awards & Honours
EMBL scientists regularly receive prestigious awards – meet the latest honourees.
EMBL ANNOUNCEMENTSLAB MATTERS2015
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Towards an expression atlas for an entire brain
New single-cell genomics techniques bring ‘omics to evolution and development research.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2015
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Focusing on partnerships
EMBL’s corporate partners zoom in on big data and bioimaging.
CONNECTIONS2015
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Brainy worms: Evolution of the cerebral cortex
Our cerebral cortex, or pallium, is a big part of what makes us human: art, literature and science would not exist had this most fascinating part of our brain not emerged in some less intelligent ancestor in prehistoric times. But when did this occur and what were these ancestors? Unexpectedly,…
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2010
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MicroRNA: a glimpse into the past
The last ancestor we shared with worms, which roamed the seas around 600 million years ago, may already have had a sophisticated brain that released hormones into the blood and was connected to various sensory organs. The evidence comes not from a newly found fossil but from the study of microRNAs…
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY2010
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