Hinxton, 13 September 2019 B cells linked to immunotherapy Researchers at EMBL’s European Bioinformatics Institute and the Medical University of Vienna have found evidence that B cells might play an important role in immunotherapy for melanoma. Currently, immunotherapy is primarily focused on T cells, but the results suggest that B cells could also provide an interesting research avenue.  more

Rome, 12 September 2019 EMBL and Tara: Rome Tara’s next stopover, from 12–14 September, will take place a few miles downriver from Rome. It will be accompanied by various events, including a scientific conference about the environment and life, named ‘On the waves of science’, and a press conference with speakers from EMBL Rome and Tara. There will also be outreach activities, such as group visits on board Tara, an opportunity to build a fluorescence microscope, and stalls with games and science-related activities. more

Hinxton, 6 September 2019 25 years of EMBL-EBI In September 1994, a small group of researchers from EMBL Heidelberg travelled to a remote campus in the Cambridgeshire countryside to set up a home for the growing volumes of biological data being generated around the world: the European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI). more

Grenoble, 5 September 2019 EMBL in France: where science meets the sea EMBL alumni and friends will gather in Marseille on 29–30 September for a meeting with a difference. In addition to an intellectually inspiring programme of talks from scientists at some of France’s leading research institutes, the participants will have the opportunity to go aboard the Tara research vessel on the final day of its Marseille stopover. They will also take to the seas onboard the Green Calanques for a trip around the Frioul Islands, dinner and cocktails, and some relaxed networking. more

Heidelberg, 29 August 2019 EMBL Lautenschläger Summer School success The EMBL Lautenschläger Summer School was established to inspire students from fields such as physics, maths, engineering and computer science to pursue interdisciplinary research in the life sciences. The inaugural programme ran from 15–26 July at EMBL Heidelberg, with 20 students from 18 countries, including 13 EMBL member states. The Summer School is made possible thanks to a substantial gift from the Manfred Lautenschläger-Stiftung and further generous donations. The two-week programme – on the theme Visualising Life – offered the students a unique opportunity to experience first-hand the interdisciplinary nature of EMBL’s research environment. more

Rome, 26 August 2019 From rodents to roadsters In EMBL Rome's 20th anniversary year, Klaus Rajewsky, Head of EMBL Rome 1996–2001 (then known as the EMBL Mouse Biology Programme), recalls the pioneering spirit of the site’s first years more

Grenoble, 20 August 2019 ‘Kissing loops’ in RNA molecule essential for its role in tumour suppression A team of researchers in the Marcia group at EMBL Grenoble, France, have discovered that the tumour suppressor MEG3 adopts a complex three-dimensional structure to fulfil its function. Furthermore, they were able to fine-tune its activity by targeted manipulation of this architecture. The results of this study, published in Molecular Cell, might help to advance diagnosis and treatment of certain types of cancer. more

Hinxton, 14 August 2019 Understanding molecular mechanisms of ageing Researchers at EMBL’s European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), the Babraham Institute and collaborators have used the epigenetic clock to explore the molecular mechanisms that may drive ageing in humans. They found one gene, called NSD1, that seems to be closely linked to the process. This type of research could advance our understanding of ageing. more

Heidelberg, 12 August 2019 Obituary: Bernd-Uwe Jahn Bernd-Uwe was EMBL Administrative Director from 2001–2009. He joined EMBL during a period of discord between personnel and management, and set about restoring the good relations that were, and are, the norm at EMBL. Bernd-Uwe’s efforts focused on an inclusive approach and the involvement of all categories of staff in EMBL’s life and decisions. This approach won him the respect of everyone at EMBL and of the EMBL Council, together with the friendship of all those who came into contact with him. more

Heidelberg, 9 August 2019 Teaching science in your mother tongue Native Scientist organises science workshops to help children of migrant communities improve their performance in school and at the same time motivate them to choose careers in STEM – science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The project has grown continuously since it began in 2013, mainly because the idea behind it motivates a large number of volunteers. “Now we have workshops in many different languages like French, Italian, German, Spanish, Greek, Arabic and Estonian,” says Rafael Galupa, from the Crocker group at EMBL and an editor for Native Scientist. more