Beyond Borders: The North American Scientists Shaping EMBO's Global Mission
Exploring the transatlantic bridge in life sciences and the influential role of North American researchers in EMBO's international network
Introduction: A Transatlantic Bridge in Life Sciences
In an increasingly interconnected scientific landscape, geographic boundaries are becoming less significant than shared pursuits of knowledge. The European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO), long recognized as a beacon of excellence in European life sciences, has steadily evolved into a truly global enterprise. Its membership now includes hundreds of leading researchers based outside Europe, including an influential contingent of North American scientists.
These distinguished researchers bring unique perspectives to the EMBO community, fostering transatlantic collaborations that accelerate discovery across fields ranging from cancer biology to neuroscience. Their participation underscores a fundamental truth in modern science: tackling biology's most complex questions requires pooling the brightest minds from across the planet, making EMBO not just a European institution but a cornerstone of the global scientific ecosystem.
EMBO Global Membership Distribution
Research Fields of North American Members
What is EMBO Membership?
EMBO membership represents one of the highest honors for life scientists in Europe and beyond. Unlike many scientific societies where researchers can simply apply, EMBO Members are nominated and elected exclusively by their peers in a highly selective process that recognizes outstanding research achievements and sustained excellence in the life sciences 4 9 . Established in 1964, EMBO has grown to include more than 2,100 leading researchers who guide the organization's scientific direction, initiatives, and funding programmes 2 3 .
EMBO Members
Scientists who reside or were elected while residing in an EMBC (European Molecular Biology Conference) Member State.
EMBO Associate Members
Eminent scientists who reside outside the EMBC Member States, including those in North America 4 .
EMBO Young Investigators
Early-career group leaders with outstanding potential 9 .
This membership structure allows EMBO to maintain its European foundation while actively embracing global scientific talent, particularly through its Associate Members who add crucial international perspectives to EMBO's activities and strategic planning 3 .
North American EMBO Members: A Growing Influence
Each year, EMBO elects a new cohort of members, including Associate Members from outside Europe. The 2025 election saw nine new Associate Members joining the organization, including several based at prestigious North American institutions 5 . These scientists represent the cutting edge of their respective fields and strengthen the scientific ties between North America and Europe.
| Researcher Name | Institution | Country | Primary Research Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suzanne Angeli | University of Toronto | Canada | Evolutionary genetics and adaptation |
| Harmit Malik | Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center | USA | Evolutionary conflict and disease |
| Mohan Babu | University of Regina | Canada | Functional proteomics and systems biology |
| Jessica Downs | University of Toronto | Canada | Genome stability and chromatin |
| Lucas Pelkmans | University of Zurich* | Switzerland* | Cell organization and heterogeneity |
| Hiroshi Ohno | RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences | Japan | Intestinal immunology and microbiome |
Nobel Laureates Among EMBO Members
As of 2018, 88 EMBO Members and Associate Members have been awarded Nobel Prizes in Physiology or Medicine, Chemistry, or Physics 9 .
The Road to Election: How Scientists Become EMBO Members
The path to EMBO membership is notably rigorous and exclusive. Scientists cannot apply for membership; instead, they must be nominated by current EMBO Members through a process designed to identify the most exceptional researchers 4 9 .
Nomination Period
Each October, a call for nominations is sent to all current EMBO Members. The nominating member must complete an online nomination form and secure support from exactly four additional EMBO Members, with at least three of the five nominators residing in different countries from the nominee 4 .
Voting Phase
From December through February, current EMBO Members vote on the nominated candidates. Members may vote for as many candidates as will be elected directly (typically around 30) 4 .
Dual Election Pathway
Approximately half of the new members are elected directly by receiving sufficient votes from the membership. The remaining half are selected by the EMBO Council based on recommendations from the Membership Committee, which considers factors including scientific excellence, geographic distribution, research field representation, gender balance, and contributions to the scientific community 4 .
Annual Announcement
Newly elected members are announced each spring and formally welcomed at the EMBO Members' Meeting in October 5 .
This meticulous process ensures that EMBO membership remains both highly selective and responsive to emerging areas of scientific importance, maintaining the organization's reputation for recognizing true excellence across the diverse landscape of modern biology.
Scientific Impact: Key Research Areas and Discoveries
The North American members of EMBO represent a broad spectrum of research expertise that reflects the dynamic nature of contemporary life sciences. Their work spans from molecular mechanisms of disease to evolutionary principles that shape biological systems, often bridging multiple disciplines to advance our understanding of fundamental life processes.
Evolutionary Genetics and Conflict
Harmit Malik's research at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center explores how evolutionary arms races have shaped our genetic material and continue to influence human disease. His work on "genomic conflict" has revealed how ancient viral infections and genetic competition have driven the evolution of host defense mechanisms, with profound implications for understanding infectious diseases and cancer 5 .
Genome Stability and Epigenetics
Jessica Downs at the University of Toronto investigates how cells maintain genomic integrity through mechanisms that repair DNA damage and regulate chromatin structure. Her research has shed light on the molecular pathways that prevent catastrophic genomic rearrangements, offering insights critical to cancer biology and developmental disorders 5 .
Functional Proteomics and Systems Biology
Mohan Babu's work at the University of Regina employs large-scale protein interaction mapping to decipher complex cellular networks. This systems-level approach helps identify novel drug targets and understand how perturbations in protein networks contribute to human disease, bridging the gap between genomic information and biological function 5 .
These research programs exemplify the interdisciplinary approach that characterizes modern life sciences, integrating methods from genetics, biochemistry, computational biology, and cell biology to tackle questions of fundamental importance to human health and disease.
In-Depth Look: A Key Experiment in Organoid Technology
While North American EMBO members work across diverse fields, one area of particularly rapid advancement has been the development of organoid technologies—three-dimensional miniature organs grown from stem cells that recapitulate key aspects of real organs. Though based on research from multiple EMBO members and collaborators, the following experiment illustrates the type of groundbreaking work emerging from this field.
Methodology: Building a Miniature Brain
A landmark study led by Madeline Lancaster, an EMBO Member and former EMBO Young Investigator, detailed the creation of cerebral organoids to model human brain development 3 . The experimental procedure involved:
| Developmental Feature | Observation in Organoids | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Neural Progenitor Zones | Formation of ventricular and subventricular zones | Recapitulates human-specific neuroanatomy |
| Neuronal Differentiation | Sequential generation of deep and superficial cortical neurons | Models in vivo corticogenesis timeline |
| Circuit Formation | Spontaneous neuronal activity and synaptic connections | Demonstrates functional maturation |
| Regional Identity | Forebrain, midbrain, and hippocampal regions | Enables study of region-specific disorders |
The Scientist's Toolkit: Essential Resources for Cutting-Edge Research
The groundbreaking work of EMBO members relies on a sophisticated array of research tools and technologies. The following table highlights key reagents and methodologies essential for advanced life science research, particularly in emerging fields like organoid biology and functional genomics.
| Research Tool | Composition/Type | Primary Function | Application Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matrigel | Extracellular matrix proteins from Engelbreth-Holm-Swarm mouse sarcoma | Provides 3D scaffolding for cell growth and organization | Organoid culture, tissue engineering, cell differentiation assays |
| CRISPR/Cas9 Systems | Guide RNA and Cas9 nuclease | Precise genome editing through targeted DNA cleavage | Gene knockout, knock-in mutations, genetic screening, disease modeling |
| Pluripotent Stem Cells | Embryonic or induced pluripotent stem cells | Source of any cell type through directed differentiation | Organoid generation, disease modeling, drug screening, developmental biology |
| Small Molecule Inhibitors | Chemical compounds targeting specific proteins | Controlled modulation of signaling pathways | Directed differentiation, pathway analysis, therapeutic testing |
| Multi-Omics Platforms | Integrated genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics | Comprehensive molecular profiling | Identification of disease mechanisms, network analysis, biomarker discovery |
| Light-Sheet Microscopy | Selective plane illumination microscopy | High-resolution, rapid 3D imaging of living samples | Organoid development, long-term live imaging, developmental processes |
These tools have become indispensable for the type of innovative research conducted by EMBO members, enabling questions that were technically impossible just a decade ago. The continued refinement of these methodologies—such as the Viventis Deep dual-view light sheet microscope being demonstrated at EMBO symposia —ensures that the pace of discovery will continue to accelerate across the life sciences.
Conclusion: Strengthening Global Scientific Collaboration
The inclusion of North American scientists as EMBO Members represents far more than an individual honor—it embodies a strategic commitment to international collaboration that benefits the global scientific community. These researchers serve as vital connectors between scientific traditions, funding landscapes, and research ecosystems, amplifying EMBO's impact far beyond Europe's borders.
"Science thrives on global collaboration, and the annual election of the new EMBO Members and Associate Members brings fresh energy and inspiration to our community"
Future Directions in Transatlantic Collaboration
The ongoing exchange of ideas and methodologies between European and North American laboratories—facilitated by EMBO membership—ensures that the organization remains responsive to scientific opportunities regardless of their geographic origin. In this way, EMBO continues to fulfill its mission of promoting excellence in the life sciences while adapting to an increasingly interconnected research landscape, proving that scientific progress knows no borders when minds come together in pursuit of knowledge.