{"id":71445,"date":"2024-11-06T09:20:25","date_gmt":"2024-11-06T08:20:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/news\/?p=71445"},"modified":"2024-11-06T09:20:31","modified_gmt":"2024-11-06T08:20:31","slug":"the-embl-course-and-conference-programme-a-legacy-of-excellence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/news\/lab-matters\/the-embl-course-and-conference-programme-a-legacy-of-excellence\/","title":{"rendered":"The EMBL Course and Conference Programme: a legacy of excellence"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By J\u00fcrgen Deka, Head of External Scientific Training<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starting with the first course \u2013 on electron microscopy of nucleic acids \u2013 in 1977, courses and conferences at EMBL have been a cornerstone of scientific education and collaboration for almost half a century, fostering a global community of researchers dedicated to advancing the frontiers of molecular biology and the life sciences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From its inception, EMBL\u2019s mission has incorporated the provision of advanced training to scientists both within EMBL and in the wider research community. For scientists external to EMBL, this commitment was formalised through the establishment of the Course and Conference Programme, which has played a crucial role in achieving EMBL\u2019s training mission. Over the past 50 years, this programme has grown to become one of the most respected and influential in the world, offering a diverse array of courses, workshops, symposia, and conferences that address the evolving needs of the scientific community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The evolution of the Course and Conference Programme<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The early years of the EMBL Course and Conference Programme were marked by a focus on foundational topics in molecular biology being investigated at the laboratory at the time. With the opening of the EMBL guest house in 1978, course participants were able to stay within walking distance of the campus for the first time, paving the way for new training offerings. The majority of these early courses were organised in collaboration with EMBO. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Almost a decade later, in 1987, the first EMBL-hosted scientific conference \u2013 ‘Oncogenes and Growth Control’ \u2013 took place at EMBL Heidelberg, and the EMBL Operon conference venue was opened the following year. As EMBL\u2019s research evolved, so too did the programme, expanding to include emerging topics and cutting-edge technologies. This adaptability has been key to its success, ensuring that participants receive training that is both current and relevant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the 1990s, the programme expanded significantly, reflecting the rapid advancements in molecular biology techniques and the increasing complexity of biological research. Courses on topics such as DNA sequencing, protein purification and structure determination, and electron microscopy of biological samples became staples, equipping researchers with the skills needed to harness new technologies and methodologies. These hands-on wet-lab courses provided the participants with the crucial practical experience that complemented the theoretical instructions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bioinformatics training became a core offering when EMBL\u2019s European Bioinformatics Institute, in Cambridge, UK, opened a purpose-built training facility in its new East Wing. At this point, EMBL-EBI\u2019s courses, covering an ever-evolving spectrum of data analysis methods from functional genomics through protein sequence, structure and mechanism, to pathway and network analysis, became an essential part of EMBL\u2019s Course and Conference Programme, with an emphasis on open science and open learning resources from the start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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“I attended the 2024 EMBL \u2018Host-pathogen interactions’ Conference in Heidelberg and was thoroughly impressed by the experience. The conference featured diverse talks and hosted international speakers who are leaders in their fields. The variety and depth of the presentations were outstanding, providing valuable insights and sparking numerous scientific discussions.\u00a0\u201d<\/div> <\/div>\n \n