Date: 2024-10-30
The European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) held its annual meeting, celebrating its 60th anniversary, in late October 2024 at its headquarters in Heidelberg, Germany. Academia Sinica President James C. Liao delivered the first keynote speech at the event, entitled “Design of New Metabolism for Increasing Carbon Fixation,” where he presented his latest research. During the event, President Liao signed the Associate Membership Agreement on behalf of Academia Sinica and the National Science and Technology Council of Taiwan with the European Molecular Biology Conference (EMBC) and EMBO, marking a significant milestone for scientific collaboration between Taiwan and Europe.
President Liao stated that Academia Sinica and EMBO have established a solid foundation of collaboration over many years. The current delegation, including Dr. Hwai-Jong Cheng, Director of the Institute of Molecular Biology, Dr. Chih-Hao Lee, Director of the Genomics Research Center, and Dr. Tzu-Ching Meng, Director of the Department of International Affairs, will not only visit key laboratories and core facilities but will also work to strengthen the long-term partnership between Taiwan and EMBC and EMBO through this agreement. In the future, with funding support from both sides, Taiwan researchers can participate in numerous EMBO programs and activities.
President Liao added that Taiwan will be able to send representatives to the EMBO/EMBC annual meeting each year, jointly plan multinational regional academic events, expand the benefits of cooperation, enhance Taiwan's international visibility, and position the country as a hub for collaborative research between Asian and European scientists. At this year’s annual meeting, President Liao also participated in the EMBO Forum, joining several scholars in a panel discussion on “The Future of a Career in the Life Sciences,” which aimed to inspire young researchers.
EMBO President Fiona M. Watt, a co-signatory of the agreement, noted that more than a dozen outstanding scientists from Taiwan have already been honored with the “EMBO Global Investigator Scholars” and “EMBO Young Investigator Scholars.” She noted that this agreement would pave the way for greater collaboration and exchange between researchers in the life sciences from Taiwan and Europe.
EMBC is an organization composed of European states, serving as a collaborative bridge for fundamental research in molecular biology and related fields among member countries. Established in 1964, EMBO’s primary mission is to implement EMBC’s programs to foster and advance the development of molecular biology within and outside of Europe.
The Meeting of the EMBO Communities not only introduces newly elected members each year but also features presentations and discussions on the latest scientific research by accomplished scientists. The event includes dozens of short talks, where EMBO Members, EMBO Global Investigators, and EMBO Young Investigators present their work and engage in scientific exchange. This annual gathering has become a premier event in the field of molecular biology.
EMBO Member States primarily consist of EU member countries. Taiwan has been participating as a Co-operation Partner since 2012 through Academia Sinica and the National Science and Technology Council, and in July of this year received unanimous Associate Membership approval from EMBO Member States. With the signing of the Associate Membership Agreement this year, Taiwan officially becomes the third Associate Member after Singapore and India.
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Ms. Tsuey-Yin Piong, Media & Public Affairs, Secretariat, Academia Sinica
(02) 2789-8821,fangzi@as.edu.tw
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Ms. Steffi Tung Lin, Media & Public Affairs, Secretariat, Academia Sinica
(02) 2789-8820,tunglin@as.edu.tw
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Ms. Shih-Wen Huang, Secretariat, Academia Sinica
(02) 2789-9868,shihwen@as.edu.tw