The Advanced Mobile Laboratory (AML) of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) is stationed at the University of Malta for one month, from 17 March until 11 April 2025 to be exact, in order to provide advanced technology, expertise and training to Malta’s scientific community.
During this time, the EMBL specialists in cutting-edge light microscopy, sample preparation for (cryo)-electron microscopy, and flow cytometry, will collaborate with local scientists and support their research projects.
The topics include cancer research, analyses of plant adaptations in coastal environments of the Maltese islands, the analysis of microbial strains and biofilms, and the study of wound healing in the zebrafish model organism.
The Mobile Laboratories scientists will also provide training courses to University students including lectures and hands-on demonstrations.
EMBL’s Advanced Mobile Laboratory (AML) was a key component of the TREC expedition: as part of the pan-European expedition exploring coastal ecosystems along the continent’s coastline, the mobile laboratory brought cutting-edge technology and methodology to the field. This enabled unprecedented experimental standardisation, fresh sample processing, and data integration.
After completion of the TREC sampling phase, the AML is currently operating in its full mobile service capacity, as part of the EMBL Mobile Laboratories, an interdisciplinary core facility supporting European researchers with advanced technologies, expertise and training directly at their institutes.
The first users of this unique service provided by EMBL are researchers at the University of Malta.
The AML was stationed at six TREC stops in Sweden, Spain, Portugal, Italy, and Greece, where it also provided access to advanced instrumentation and training for local researchers.
Malta is one of EMBL’s 29 member states since 2016, and in 2022 EMBL and the University of Malta signed a Memorandum of Understanding to further stimulate mutually beneficial scientific and academic exchange across multiple research areas related to Infection Biology, Human Ecosystems, Planetary Biology, and Data Sciences, all pillars of EMBL’s current research programme.
An official launch event was held on Monday 24 March 2025, with the participation of Minister for Education, Sport, Youth, Research & Innovation, Hon. Clifton Grima, Parliamentary Secretary for Education, Sport, Youth, Research & Innovation. Hon. Keith Azzopardi Tanti, and UM Rector, Prof. Alfred J. Vella.
The President of Malta, H.E. Myriam Spiteri Debono also paid a visit to EMBL last week, emphasising the importance of advance scientific research and innovation to ultimately strengthen Malta’s position as a hub for collaboration.
“By bringing the Advanced Mobile Laboratory to Malta, we are able to connect deeply with Maltese scientists on a number of topics. These range from shining light on cellular processes to more deeply understanding coastal ecosystems. It’s a delight to see the uptake of EMBL’s mobile service offerings by our partners in Malta, and I’m excited to see how EMBL’s cutting-edge technologies can help drive knowledge in these specific areas,” said Peer Bork, EMBL Interim Director General Elect, and co-chair of EMBL’s Planetary Biology Transversal Theme.
"This collaboration is an achievement that underscores the University's strategic vision to continue to elevate our research endeavours in life sciences, thereby enhancing our global presence but more importantly, our impact on humanity. We are happy to be hosting the EMBL and are looking forward to more cutting-edge scientific exploration”, commented the UM Rector.
“Having EMBL’s Advanced Mobile Lab here in Malta is an incredibly exciting milestone for our scientific community,” said Melissa Formosa, Associate Professor at the University of Malta and EMBL Council Delegate. “This state-of-the-art facility brings world-class research tools and expertise directly to our doorstep, opening new avenues for collaboration, training, and discovery. This visit is not just an opportunity—it’s a testament to Malta’s growing role in international research, and we look forward to the groundbreaking discoveries and lasting partnerships that will emerge from this collaboration.”
