Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron (DESY)

• 1975: EMBL Hamburg outstation is established on the DESY site
• 2004: DESY and EMBL formalised their interdisciplinary partnership.
• 2009: PETRA-III synchrotron went into operation.
• 2010: First EMBL-operated beamline, for small angle X-ray scattering, made available.
• 2011: First data collections on EMBL@PETRAIII beamline for protein crystallography.

The Centre for Structural Systems Biology (CSSB) on the Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron (DESY) campus in Hamburg hosts top-notch research activities in structural biology, systems biology and infection biology. Scientists at the Centre for Structural Systems Biology (CSSB) study the structure and function of pathogens and their interactions with the human body. Through cutting-edge molecular infection research, CSSB aims to identify critical targets for therapeutic interventions, paving the way for novel treatments and preventive strategies. EMBL Hamburg has been located on the DESY campus since 1975, and EMBL is one of CSSB’s partner institutions.

The CSSB complements the infrastructures on the DESY campus with top-notch research activities in structural biology, systems biology and infection biology. It provides privileged access to on-campus synchrotron and free electron laser facilities, alongside state-of-the-art cryo-electron microscopy. A unique collaborative hub, CSSB brings together four universities and six research institutes, including EMBL, fostering interdisciplinary expertise to advance our fundamental understanding of infection biology. To achieve this, scientists leverage world-class research infrastructure at Science City Hamburg Bahrenfeld, complemented by five in-house core facilities. This includes the beamlines EMBL operates at the PETRA III synchrotron.