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European Molecular Biology Organization

The European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) promotes excellence in life sciences in Europe through a range of programmes and activities. EMBO is largely funded by the European Molecular Biology Conference (EMBC), an organisation comprising 27 member states including most European Union states and some neighbouring countries. Together with EMBO, EMBC promotes a strong pan-European approach to research.

The organization nurtures training and careers at all stages. This is done through courses, workshops, conferences and fellowships. The most recent is the Young Investigator Programme, which promotes Europe’s best young scientists in the early stages of their research careers. EMBO promotes mobility throughout member states, and globally through post-doctoral and short-term fellowships.

Case study

BBSRC-supported scientist Dr Michele Vendruscolo, of University of Cambridge's Department of Chemistry, was a winner in EMBO's Young Investigator Programme 2007. He was one of 18 researchers selected from across Europe.

Vendruscolo and colleagues have set up an interdisciplinary programme to investigate the ability of cells to generate and regulate protein levels (homeostasis). They are bringing together methods and concepts from chemistry, physics, engineering, genetics and medicine to understand the normal behaviour of living systems. Ageing and neurodegenerative disorders are associated with a failure to maintain protein homeostasis, and the group's work is increasing our understanding in this area.

The figure shows correlation between mRNA expression levels and the in vitro aggregation rates of the corresponding proteins (TiBS 32, 204-206, 2007)

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