The European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) is an intergovernmental organisation dedicated to molecular biology research which is supported by 29 EU member states, including Malta. In 2022, the scientific programme ‘Molecules to Ecosystems’ was launched with the flagship project TREC ('Traversing European Coastlines') aimed at sampling European coastlines to explore the biodiversity and molecular adaptability of microbial communities as well as key selected organisms.
TREC is supported by EMBL's Advanced Mobile Laboratory (AML) which is equipped with cutting edge technology, including a confocal laser scanning microscope, flow cytometer, high pressure freezer and plunge freezer for electron microscopy preparation, amongst others. A dedicated team of researchers with the expertise to operate the equipment will travel with the mobile lab.
EMBL’s AML will be in Malta from 17 March until 11 April 2025 to undertake joint projects with local researchers and deliver training on the specialised equipment available on the AML.
A 4-day in-person training course (including lectures and hands-on demonstrations) will be held at the University of Malta, Msida campus between the 21 until 27 March. Participation is free of change and targeted to postgraduate students, researchers and academics in the life sciences field. Prior online registration is required and limited to 24 participants for the hands-on demonstrations. This is a unique opportunity to develop scientific and technical skills, and to collaborate with EMBL. Participation can be either for all days, or selective for topics of interest.
Registrations will be open until 7 March. Interested participants may register online.
For more information on the project, training course and EMBL please contact Prof. Melissa Formosa and Prof. Jean Paul Ebejer.
Training Schedule
Widefield and Fluorescence Microscopy
Training Session
Date: Friday 21 March
Time: 09:00 - 11:00
Afternoon Hands-On
Time: 11:30 - 13:00 or 14:00 - 15:30 or 15:45 - 17:15
Flow Cytometry and Cell Sorting
Training Session
Date: Tuesday 25 March
Time: 09:00 - 11:00
Afternoon Hands-On
Time: 11:30 - 13:00 or 14:00 - 15:30 or 15:45 - 17:15
Electron Microscopy (Preparation)
Training Session
Date: Wednesday 26 March
Time: 09:00 - 11:00
Afternoon Hands-On
Time: 11:30 - 13:00 or 14:00 - 15:30 or 15:45 - 17:15
Confocal Laser Microscopy
Training Session
Date: Thursday 27 March
Time: 09:00 - 11:00
Afternoon Hands-On
Time: 11:30 - 13:00 or 14:00 - 15:30 or 15:45 - 17:15