{"id":1208,"date":"2014-07-31T09:25:25","date_gmt":"2014-07-31T07:25:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/news.embl.de\/?p=1208"},"modified":"2024-11-14T16:22:55","modified_gmt":"2024-11-14T15:22:55","slug":"embanniversary-austria","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/news\/alumni\/embanniversary-austria\/","title":{"rendered":"EMBanniversary AUSTRIA"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Marc Brehme<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

EMBanniversary AUSTRIA, a unique fusion of a scientific conference, alumni reunion, science and society, and science policy event, started with a welcome gathering on the rooftop terrace of the CeMM (Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences) in Vienna on 6 July, followed by a two-day conference in the beautiful Jesuitensaal of the Aula der Wissenschaften.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The event included seven scientific sessions, thematically named after eminent Austrian scientists \u2013 including G\u00f6del, Landsteiner, Perutz and Mendel \u2013 with speakers and session chairs having direct links to Austria and EMBO or EMBL, either through past employment, prizes or fellowships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Picture-perfect
Giulio Superti-Furga captures a picture-perfect moment at the EMBanniversary AUSTRIA celebration. PHOTO: CeMM<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

EMBL Director General Iain Mattaj (pictured below) delivered the Wittgenstein Lecture entitled \u2018Looking into the future of molecular biology through the EMBL lens\u2019. Kim Nasmyth, a former director of the Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP) now at the University of Oxford, delivered a second special lecture, the Freud Lecture.<\/p>\n\n\nWe are here to celebrate Austrian science, EMBL and EMBO \u2013 at the latest when the IMP started up, those became inextricably linked – Iain Mattaj (EMBL)<\/blockquote>\n\n\nAustria would not have a molecular biology operation without EMBL and EMBO\u2026 Long live molecular biology, long live EMBL! – Giulio Superti-Furga<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Following a passionate commendation by Nasmyth, CeMM CEO and Scientific Director Giulio Superti-Furga (pictured above) \u2013 Chair of the EMBL Alumni Association Board<\/a>, and the event initiator and co-organiser \u2013 presented the Austrian Chapter Achievement Award Medal to Max L. Birnstiel, founding director of the IMP in Vienna. A second award was presented to Denise P. Barlow, Principal Investigator at CeMM, in recognition of a lifetime of outstanding research in molecular biology and for contributions to the EMBO and EMBL community in Austria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The award ceremony was followed by a lively round table panel discussion on \u2018How to promote molecular biology?\u2019. The panelists \u2013 Maria Leptin (EMBO Director, pictured below), Hemma Bauer (Austrian Federal Ministry of Science, Research and Economy) and Ren\u00e9e Schr\u00f6der (Max F. Perutz Laboratories, Vienna) \u2013 inspired, challenged and engaged the audience in a vibrant debate about the impact and future of molecular biology and the significant role of life sciences research in Austria.<\/p>\n\n\nWhat we have heard and seen from the EMBO and EMBL community at this meeting has been\u00a0utterly stunning – Maria Leptin (EMBO)<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

EMBanniversary AUSTRIA concluded with a reception that provided additional opportunity for video interviews, networking and reminiscing among the guests and friends, new and old.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Short video featuring impressions and interviews with EMBanniversary AUSTRIA speakers and special guests:<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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