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Media Release
Australia joins world-leading European research organisation
10 July 2007
The Minister for Education Science and Training, the Hon Julie Bishop MP, today announced that Australia is to become an associate member of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL).
EMBL is a pre-eminent international research institution in the area of molecular biology, and the leading such institution in Europe. It is supported by 19 European member states, has laboratories located in Germany, France, Italy and the UK, and a staff of more than 1400 researchers from 60 nations.
“EMBL is a central hub for molecular biology in Europe. Australia is the first country to be granted associate membership, which demonstrates the high regard that the international research community holds for Australian life scientists,” Minister Bishop said.
“Associate membership will provide Australian researchers with access to faculty positions and research infrastructure within EMBL laboratories in Europe. It will also allow Australian research institutions to become EMBL Partner Laboratories and will encourage EMBL’s world-leading scientists to work collaboratively with these laboratories.
“This new relationship between Australia and EMBL will facilitate interaction and exchange between the Australian and European molecular biology communities. It will further integrate and strengthen Australian and European research by combining Australia’s special expertise in the fields of medical epidemiology and stem cell research with EMBL’s focus on basic research in molecular biology.”
Funding for Australia’s associate membership will be provided through the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) and through contributions from Monash University, The University of Western Australia, The University of Queensland, The University of Sydney and CSIRO.
The EMBL Council agreed to Australia’s request to become an associate member on 3 July , with associate membership formally commencing from January 2008.
Further information on EMBL may be found at: www.embl.org
Media Contacts:
Minister Bishop’s Office: Tory Vidler 0414 228 727
Dept of Education, Science & Training: 02 6240 7300
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