- The EMBL is the main European laboratory in life sciences
- Research in tissue biology will be carried out, which may be key to understanding cancer, birth defects or diseases of the immune system
The Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness and the European Laboratory of Molecular Biology (EMBL) They have presented the agreement by which the international organization will open a branch in Barcelona. It will have between 6 and 8 research groups and their scientific objectives, focused on the development of tissue biology and disease modeling, will contribute to scientific advancement with cutting-edge technologies and will favor the conversion of new knowledge into practical applications in the field. Of the health.
The EMBL branch in Barcelona, the first the agency has opened in almost 20 years, joins the headquarters in Grenoble (France), Hamburg and Heidelberg (Germany), Hinxton (United Kingdom) and Monterotondo (Italy). It will be located in the Barcelona Biomedical Research Park, where researchers will have the most advanced technologies in imaging and disease modeling that will allow them to obtain complex 4D information on tissues and organs. Understanding how cells organize and interact at the tissue level is key to addressing various health-related aspects such as cancer, congenital malformations, diseases of the immune system or regeneration of tissues and organs, among others.
The Minister of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness, Luis de Guindos, the Minister for Business and Knowledge of the Generalitat of Catalonia, Jordi Baiget, the Secretary of State for Research, Development and Innovation, Carmen Vela, the General Director of EMBL and the President of his council, Iain Mattaj and Patrick Cramer, and the director of the CRG, Luis Serrano, have participated in the presentation of the sub-venue.
Spain contributes financially to sustain the activities of the EMBL through annual quotas established according to national income. In 2016, it was responsible for contributing 8.5% (9 million euros) of the contributions of the Member States to the budget. This contribution gives Spanish researchers access to participate in all the activities organized by the EMBL.
Since 2006 there has been a mixed unit between EMBL and the Center for Genomic Regulation (CRG) focused on advancing the understanding of complex biological systems. The CRG has been key for the EMBL to finally open the branch in Barcelona. In July 2016, the Council of Ministers approved the granting of 6 million euros to the CRG to sign a collaboration agreement between the two organizations until 2021.
About EMBL
It is the leading European laboratory in life sciences, an intergovernmental body established in 1974 and made up of 20 member states.
EMBL conducts basic research in molecular biology, studying the history of life. It offers services to the scientific community, training the next generation of scientists and striving to integrate life sciences across Europe.
It is an international, interdisciplinary body with a high innovative capacity. Currently 1,600 people from 80 countries are working, distributed between Barcelona, Grenoble (France), Hamburg and Heidelberg (Germany), Hinxton (United Kingdom) and Monterotondo (Italy). EMBL scientists work in independent groups, conducting their research and offering their services in all areas of molecular biology.
EMBL researchers drive the development of new technologies and methods in the life sciences and work to transfer knowledge for the benefit of society.
About the CRG
The Genomic Regulation Center, created in 2000, is a world reference institute in biomedical research participated by the Generalitat de Catalunya, the Pompeu Fabra University, the Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness and the “la Caixa” Welfare Projects. It is accredited as a ‘Severo Ochoa’ center of excellence and is part of the Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology
