Australia accepted as first EMBL associate member
Australia is to become the first associate member of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL). The membership will see Australia sending early-career scientists to EMBL faculties, while the EMBL will share its expertise in researcher training and research infrastructure development with Australian institutions. 'Australia is a highly valuable addition to EMBL and we are very pleased to welcome it as our first associate member,' said Iain Mattaj, Director General of the EMBL. 'In recent years Australia has become a central player in the landscape of molecular biology. With its special expertise, for example in the fields of medical epidemiology and stem cell research, it will be an excellent complement to EMBL's focus on basic research in molecular biology.' Australia too sees its associate membership as a reflection on Australian science: '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,' said Julie Bishop, Australia's Minister for Education, Science and Training. Ms Bishop also believes that the new relationship 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,' she said. Since its foundation in 1974, the EMBL has expanded and now encompasses all of Western Europe, as well as Iceland and Israel. Australia's associate membership is due to start officially in January 2008, and will initially last for seven years.
Countries
Australia