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EMBO
History
....that projects and persons be chosen, regardless
of nationality, and that all its (EMBO's) activities be guided by scientific
excellence, coupled with usefulness to molecular biology
Investigating the origins of EMBO also
allows us to explore the history of Molecular biology in Europe
and how it changed from a marginal specialty into a well-established
practice. Our origin dates back to 1963, when a group of leading
European biologists met in Ravello, Italy to propose the establishment
of an organisation for co-operation in molecular biology and a European
laboratory.
Both suggestions were endorsed and in 1964, the European Molecular
Biology Organization (EMBO) was officially born. |
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Ravello,site of EMBO's founding
meeting,1963
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Executive Directors of EMBO – 1965 to 2007: Raymond Appleyard, John Tooze, Frank Gannon
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EMBO had two initial goals – creation of a central molecular
biology laboratory and the establishment of networking activities
to enhance interactions between European laboratories.
EMBO’s networking activities started with the provision
of fellowships and the election of 200 biologists as the organisation’s
first members. |
Funding and support for EMBO’s actions came
in 1969 with the establishment of the European Molecular Biology
Conference (EMBC).
EMBC accepted EMBO’s proposal to establish a European laboratory
and in 1974 EMBL was founded. EMBC has since grown to 27 member
states including many European Union (EU) countries and beyond. |
EMBC Member States
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The late Max Perutz, first EMBO
Chairman,opens the new EMBO building in 2001
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EMBO activities expanded dramatically over the
decades in response to changes in molecular biology. This growth
dictated the need for a larger, more permanent base. In 2000, an
EMBO building was constructed on a site donated by EMBL and in 2001,
EMBO moved from its offices at EMBL to its new premises. |
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Today EMBO has approximately 1300
members in Europe and 80 associate
members worldwide – providing a dedicated
focal point for the vast network
of molecular biology. The organisation
runs an extended programme of activities
ranging from fellowships, courses
and workshops to science and society
activities and scientific publications.
In looking back on the great start to an organisation we also
look forward to one that is robust and well-structured, such that
it can continue to play a major role in the future of science
in Europe.
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44 Steps in the EMBO stairs
echo the form of DNA
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