The Senate passed the law on the ratification of the agreement establishing the European Molecular Biology Laboratory concluded at Geneva on 10 May 1973.

81 senators voted in favour of the bill, one abstained.

This opens the way for Poland to becoming a full member of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) - an international research organization of European countries. The main objectives of the EMBL activity include conducting scientific research in the field of molecular biology, training scientific staff at all levels, providing scientific services to Member States and actively engaging in technology transfer. Many EMBL research groups have received prestigious European Research Council (ERC) grants.

Poland has the status of a prospective member of the organization since 2014.

"Full membership gives us the opportunity to influence what kind of research and in what consortium structures will be launched - so that it would be more beneficial for Polish competitors" - Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education Piotr Dardziński said during the meeting of the Senate Science, Education and Sport Committee.

He added that full membership creates an opportunity to open an EMBL research centre in Poland. "Until now, such a centre has not been organized in any Central and Eastern European country" - emphasised the deputy minister.

The organization has laboratories in six locations in Europe. The headquarters and main laboratory are located in Heidelberg (Germany). In addition, there are also laboratories in Barcelona (Spain), Grenoble (France), Hamburg (Germany), Hinxton (United Kingdom) and Rome (Italy).

EMBL currently has 24 Member States and two non-European Associated Members: Australia and Argentina.

The bill is now waiting for the president`s signature; it will come into force 14 days after its publication in the Journal of Laws.

PAP - Science in Poland, Katarzyna Florencka

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