The aim of this programme is to support fundamental research across the spectrum of molecular biology. European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) is a non-profit organisation funded by public research organisations in 27 member states.
The European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) is one of the world’s leading research institutions, and Europe’s flagship laboratory for the life sciences.
EMBL’s mission
The cornerstones of EMBL’s mission are to:
- perform basic research in molecular biology
- train scientists, students and visitors at all levels
- offer vital services to scientists in the member states
- develop new instruments and methods
- actively engage in technology transfer
- integrate European life science research.
EMBL areas of research
Research at EMBL focuses on a central strategic goal: the fundamental understanding of basic biological processes in model organisms.
EMBL places emphasis on experimental analysis at multiple levels of biological organisation, from the molecule to the organism, as well as computational biology, bioinformatics and systems biology.
Research is conducted by approximately 85 independent groups covering the spectrum of molecular biology. Its 1,600 employees from 60 nations represent scientific disciplines including biology, physics, chemistry and computer science.
EMBL locations
EMBL operates from sites across Europe:
- Heidelberg, Germany – main laboratory
- Hinxton, UK – European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI)
- Grenoble, France – research and services for structural biology
- Hamburg, Germany – research and services for structural biology
- Rome, Italy – epigenetics and neurobiology
- Barcelona, Spain – tissue biology and disease modelling.
Scientific services
Scientific services provided by EMBL include:
- core biomolecular databases and bioinformatics tools, particularly at EMBL-EBI
- the provision of beamlines, instrumentation and high-throughput technology for structural biology at the Hamburg and Grenoble outstations
- core facilities, which provide cost-effective and efficient access to methods and technologies that are expensive to set up or maintain, or that require considerable expense.