Welcome
Welcome to the EMBL Australia website. Whilst we are only one year old, the Australian Associate Membership of EMBL has seen significant progress on a number of fronts.
The creation of EMBL Australia by the participant organisations has provided a structure that will allow the original objectives of the initiative to be achieved.
The EMBL Australia Scientific Program, developed with widespread input from the scientific community, sets the agenda for all activities for the period of the membership and consistent with the EMBL philosophy focuses on driving improved scientific outcomes.
The appointment of Dr Marcus Heisler as the first Group Leader in the Faculty Development Program is a major milestone in providing opportunities for Australia scientists to participate in EMBL research and culture.
For the coming year, a number of equally significant milestones will be reached.
Underpinning the proposed research objectives, a scientist led governance arrangement for EMBL Australia will be modelled along EMBL lines. Recognising the rich Australian scientific environment, the EMBL Australia Council will include representatives from all participant organisations and will be an influential group to ensure that Australian researchers capitalise on the benefits of EMBL Associate Membership.
The formation of the EMBL Australia Council will provide the necessary leadership structure to secure funding for the Partner Laboratory Network. The challenge is to establish a national network of young research groups benefitting from the EMBL model of secured funding during a fixed term contract, which will accelerate the career path of Australia's best and brightest scientists. The Partner Laboratory Network will also support an integrated system of state-of-the-art core facilities and services, which will enrich the productivity of all Australian researchers and students in the life sciences.
The proposed central provision of financial support for the EMBL Australia Partner Laboratory Network has been favourably received; but there is still a long way to go.
That so much has been achieved in the first year of membership is a testament to the collaborative spirit shown by a large number of individuals and organisations. The contributions made by members of the EMBL Australia Working Group have been significant and all should be congratulated. The leadership shown by Monash University in accepting the responsibility of Lead Institute until the formation of EMBL Australia is to be applauded. Much of this progress would not have been possible without the continued organisational support of the EMBL Australia Secretariat Office, allowing the Working Group to focus on the issues at hand.
The encouragement from the Minister of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research and his cabinet is deeply appreciated. The Department of Industry, Innovation, Science and Research has played a vital role in the formation of EMBL Australia and we are grateful for their continued assistance.
The critical initial support from the Group of 8 in securing the Associate Membership, and contributions made by members of the EMBL Australia Working Group have been significant and all should be congratulated.
If the first year of EMBL Associate Membership is indicative of progress to come, we can all look forward to a busy but exciting and productive second year.
Please explore this website to discover more about the EMBL Australia initiative. Please feel free to contact the secretariat office if you would like to be involved or gain greater connection to the European scientific community.
Professor Nadia Rosenthal
EMBL Australia