Strengthening the Research and Education Network

Heidelberg, Germany. Microscope designer Leica Microsystems and the European Molecular Biology

Laboratory (EMBL) signed a corporate partnership agreement today whereby Leica Microsystems

becomes a founder partner of the EMBL Advanced Training Centre scheduled to be completed in

September 2009. Besides its financial involvement, the company will provide EMBL with Leica systems

and will support events for the international scientific community. In return, Leica will be granted accessto the first-class facilities of the molecular biology research institute to run product and application training courses.

“We are greatly looking forward to this further consolidation of our cooperation with EMBL and its

renowned experts. It will bring us closer to trends and future developments. The collaboration with one

of the leading international life sciences institutes and access to its new technologies will provide input

into the development of our technology and products,” said Dr. Stefan Traeger, Head of the Life Science

Division of Leica Microsystems. All parties involved will benefit from stronger links with the scientific

network and closer contacts with international students and research scientists.

“The support of Leica Microsystems is an important step in the creation of a central training and

conference centre for the Life Sciences in Europe. We are pleased to welcome such a renowned

company as our partner and are looking forward to autumn 2009 when constructions will be completed

and the Advanced Training Centre will open its doors,” said Professor Iain Mattaj, EMBL’s Director

General.

Leica Microsystems is a leading global designer and producer of innovative, high-tech, precision optical

systems for the analysis of microstructures. It is one of the market leaders in each of its business areas:

Microscopy, Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy with corresponding Imaging Systems, Specimen

Preparation, and Medical Equipment. The company manufactures a broad range of products for

numerous applications requiring microscopic imaging, measurement, and analysis. It also offers system

solutions for life science including biotechnology and medicine, research and development of raw

materials, and industrial quality assurance. The company is represented in over 100 countries with 10

manufacturing facilities in 8 countries, sales and service organizations in 19 countries and an

international network of dealers. The international management is headquartered in Wetzlar, Germany.

The European Molecular Biology Laboratory is a basic research institute funded by public research

monies from 20 member states (Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany,

Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden,

Switzerland and the United Kingdom) and associate member state Australia. Research at EMBL is

conducted by approximately 80 independent groups covering the spectrum of molecular biology. The

Laboratory has five units: the main Laboratory in Heidelberg, and Outstations in Hinxton (the European

Bioinformatics Institute), Grenoble, Hamburg, and Monterotondo near Rome. The cornerstones of

EMBL’s mission are: to perform basic research in molecular biology; to train scientists, students and

visitors at all levels; to offer vital services to scientists in the member states; to develop new instrumentsand methods in the life sciences and to actively engage in technology transfer activities. EMBL’sInternational PhD Programme has a student body of about 170. The Laboratory also sponsors an activeScience and Society programme. Visitors from the press and public are welcome.