EMBL Hamburg

EMBL Hamburg carries out research in structural and infection biology and provides related services

Founded in 1975, EMBL Hamburg is specialised in structural biology research and services. The Unit is situated on campus of the German Synchrotron Research Centre (DESY)

EMBL Hamburg operates an integrated facility for applications in structural biology, which includes three state-of-the-art beamlines at the PETRA III synchrotron ring. We provide access to our infrastructures and expertise as research services to many external research groups.

Our research uses different structural biology techniques for applications on challenging projects, mostly in the field of infection research, such as host/pathogen interactions, translocation and secretion systems, and unravelling mechanisms of the infection process. EMBL Hamburg is a member of the Centre for Structural Systems Biology (CSSB) in Hamburg, and many of our research projects are in cooperation with other partners from this Centre. We also develop and implement innovative methods, technologies and instruments used for structural biology applications and for implementation at our research infrastructures.

The Interim Head of EMBL Hamburg is Dr Thomas Schneider.

Research groups and teams

headshot of Clement Blanchet

Blanchet team

Characterisation of biological molecules and assemblies using small angle x-ray scattering (SAXS)

headshot of Steffan Fiedler

Fiedler team

Synchrotron instrumentation for structural biology beamlines at PETRA III

headshot of Matthias Wilmanns

Wilmanns group

Structure and function of molecular machinery for protein translocation across membranes

Services and Facilities

To apply for beam time submit a proposal via the EMBL User Portal.

X-Ray Imaging

High-Throughput Tomography (HiTT) is available on beamline P14 to enable X-ray imaging of soft biological tissue.

Computational Facilities

Our computational services include facilities for remote computing and software packages for downloading.

Industry Services

We welcome industry projects from diverse backgrounds. We offer services on, experimental design, consulting and data analysis.

Fellowship and Funding opportunities

Topics

Chemistry

Developing new drugs and tools to understand the chemistry of life

Imaging

Cutting edge technology, zooming into life at the tiniest scales

Job opportunities from EMBL Hamburg

Seminars

EMBL Course

17 - 21 Nov 2025

Solution scattering from biological macromolecules

Contact and travel

Accommodation

The EMBL Hamburg secretariat can arrange accommodation, ideally at the DESY guesthouse or at a local hotel.

Travel

EMBL Hamburg is situated at the campus of DESY (Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron) in Hamburg-Bahrenfeld and can be reached by road, rail and air.

Address

EMBL Hamburg
c/o DESY, Notkestraße 85
22607 Hamburg
Germany