Final Activity Report Summary - SYMPOSI@EMBL (International EMBL PhD Students' Symposia') During the past 4 years ( 2004-2008) 1000 junior researchers from Europe and around the world benefited from the participation in a series of conferences in molecular biology, chemistry, bioinformatics and biophysics which took place at one of the worldwide most prestigious research institutes for molecular biology, the EMBL ( European Laboratory for Molecular Biology) in Heidelberg (Germany). The EC's Marie Curie Action SCF (Series of Conferences and Events funded under Framework Programme 6, FP6) financed these 9 high-level events (7 conferences, 1 Summer School, 1 Training course) in which European as well as international achievements, interests and cutting-edge research topics were highlighted and discussed and future networks established. The events were organised by EMBL's pre-doctoral fellows (more than 130) who received support from internationally qualified experts in research as well as skilled personnel at the institute's 5 sites. 1000 participants with different academic backgrounds from all over the world profited from this series of events. 130 top scientists (amongst them Nobel laureates, Institute Directors and Vice Directors) and experts both from industry and academia presented their achievements and thoughts, interacted with the early stage researchers and demonstrated the attractiveness and excellence of European research. Each event promoted awareness and facilitated interaction between researchers in basic and applied biosciences and brought them together in a conference environment where they critically reviewed and discussed the major life science topics from various point of views. The 9 events were: 1. 5th International EMBL PhD Students Symposium: Design of Life-Learning from Nature. EMBL Heidelberg (Germany) -December 2004. 2. 6th International EMBL PhD Students Symposium: Animal Models- Tips and Tricks from Nature. EMBL Monterotondo ( Italy) - May 2005. 3. 7th International EMBL PhD Students Symposium: Biology at Work - a journey through applied life sciences. EMBL Heidelberg (DE) - December 2005. 4. 8th International EMBL PhD Students Symposium: Biology of Disease - a molecular battlefield. EMBL Heidelberg (DE) - November 2006. 5. 1st Online EMBL PhD Symposium: Life Sciences - Shaping the future - December 2006. 6. 9th International EMBL PhD Students Symposium: Patterns in Biology - Organisation of life in space and time. EMBL Heidelberg (DE) - October 2007. 7. European Science & Society Summer School (E4S): Deconstructing and Reconstructing life - From classification to design. IWH Heidelberg (DE) - August 2008. 8. Matlab Beginners Training course. EMBL Heidelberg (DE) - October 2008. 9. 10th International EMBL PhD Students Symposium: Decision making in Biology - Nature at the crossroads. EMBL Heidelberg (DE) - October 2008. Hundreds of junior researchers, primarily early stage female and male researchers, from more than 40 different countries, benefited from the experience of meeting leading experts from across Europe and beyond and, thus, widened their competencies. The events presented invaluable opportunities to network, to forge strong scientific collaborations and friendships. A high participation of women of up to 67% clearly demonstrated their increasing interest in pursuing research careers. The International EMBL PhD Symposia series financed by Marie Curie turned out to be a trend-setter. As a highlight in the advanced training of junior researchers, the Series strongly supported and strengthened the European scientific research community.
