The Crick and EMBL launch international collaboration

Students at the Crick and EMBL PhD symposium.

100 PhD students from the Crick and the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) came together to mark the launch of a new collaboration aimed at strengthening pan-European science collaboration. 

Held at EMBL’s European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI) near Cambridge on Friday 8 November, the meeting provided an opportunity for second year PhD students to present their research, hear from the institutes’ directors, network, and share their experiences.

Students at the Crick and EMBL PhD symposium.
- EMBL-EBI

The conference is the first joint event hosted by the institutes since they signed a memorandum of understanding earlier this year to help stimulate cooperation and advance life science for the benefit of European society. 

Both of our institutes produce high quality discovery research, and by working together we will be able to achieve even more.
Paul Nurse, Director of the Francis Crick Institute

Eight PhD students spoke about their work, while the whole group presented scientific posters, gaining valuable experience of communicating their research. 

Paul Nurse, Director of the Crick, says: “Bringing together researchers from the Crick and EMBL for their first meeting since our formal co-operation agreement sends an important signal. Despite the ongoing political uncertainty in the UK, we will remain open and welcoming to scientists and students from Europe and the rest of the world.

Both of our institutes produce high quality discovery research, and by working together we will be able to achieve even more.”

Students at the Crick and EMBL PhD symposium.
- EMBL-EBI

Edith Heard, Director General of EMBL, says: “Collaboration sits at the centre of scientific discovery, and giving our young people the opportunity to meet and exchange ideas is truly invaluable. We look forward to a fruitful collaboration with the Crick Institute and many more joint initiatives in the future.”

The two institutes will continue to work together to encourage researchers to share knowledge and ideas through collaborative projects and conferences.

Isabel Zhang, PhD student in the Developmental Dynamics Laboratory and the Stem Cell Biology and Developmental Genetics Laboratory at the Crick says: “I think it’s great to get outside the Crick and network with EMBL people. It’s a good foundation for future events and collaborations. Today has been an opportunity for me to present in front of people who are at the same stage as I am and get their thoughts about my project. I’m really happy to be here, to have the time not only to talk about research, but get to know each other as students.”

Laabiah Wasim, PhD student in the Immune Receptor Activation Laboratory at the Crick says: “It’s really awesome seeing such great science from your peers. The breadth and diversity is super inspiring!”

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