European Molecular Biology Laboratory

The European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) supports fundamental research in molecular biology involving European partners. It provides the necessary infrastructure and develops databases, methods and tools for modern life sciences. Switzerland is a member of the EMBL.

The EMBL is one of the world's foremost molecular biology laboratories. It is home to over 80 independent research groups, which often work on an interdisciplinary basis. The EMBL provides a wide range of services in areas such as imaging, databases, genomics, proteomics and structural biology. Training young researchers is also an important priority for the EMBL. Each year, several thousand young researchers attend a course or workshop at the EMBL.

The EMBL was established in 1974 by 10 founding member states, including Switzerland. Today it has 29 member states. Its nearly 2,000 employees are spread out across six sites. In addition to the organisation’s headquarters in Heidelberg (Germany) and the European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI) in Hinxton (United Kingdom) – both major research centres – there are four smaller sites in Grenoble (France), Hamburg (Germany), Monterotondo (Italy) and Barcelona (Spain). Each site has its own areas of specialisation.

The EMBL has always prided itself on its pioneering work. Since 2022, it has been pursuing the new concept of planetary biology. This approach uses molecular biology technologies to address complex issues relating to life in its natural environment.

Swiss participation

The Swiss scientific community benefits in many ways from Switzerland's membership in the EMBL. Chief among these are the databases and bioinformatics tools operated by the EMBL-EBI, which are indispensable for modern research. SERI represents Swiss interests on the EMBL Council and in 2025 will chair the meetings of the EMBL Finance Committee.