4th EMBO Conference:From Functional Genomics to Systems Biology
EMBL Heidelberg, 15 - 18 November, 2008
General Information The European Molecular Biology Laboratory [EMBL] was established in 1974 and is supported by 20 member states and one associate member. EMBL consists of five facilities: the main Laboratory in Heidelberg [Germany] and Outstations in Hamburg [Germany], Grenoble [France], Hinxton [UK] and Monterotondo [Italy].
EMBL is one of the top research institutions in the world; it is the flagship of European molecular biology, ranking as the highest non-US institute in research performance in a study by ISI Science Indicator for 1992-2002. More than 1400 people from 60 nations currently work at EMBL; the more than 3000 alumni form a network of connections throughout Europe and the world. EMBL is a world-renowned international centre for advanced training and has had the right to award its own PhD degrees since 1997.
The cornerstones of EMBL's mission are: to conduct basic research in molecular biology, to provide essential services to scientists in its Member States, to provide high-level training to its staff, students, and visitors, to develop new instrumentation for biological research, and technology transfer. These core functions are combined with significant outreach activities in the areas of Science and Society and training for science teachers.
Over its 30-year history, the Laboratory has had a deep impact on European science in all of these areas. EMBL has achieved so much because it is a truly international, European institution, because it has achieved a critical mass of services and facilities which are driven by cutting-edge biological research, and because it regards education – at all levels – as a way of life.