by Laurène Ramos Martins

EMBL hosted a Science Day with Evonik, bringing together 16 industry experts and EMBL scientists to explore collaborative research opportunities

A group of about 20 people looking at the camera, standing on a set of stair inside a building with glass walls.
EMBL, EMBLEM, and Evonik teams gather to drive innovation forward. Credit: Stuart Ingham/EMBL

On 1 October 2024, EMBL hosted a Science Day, welcoming a team from Evonik, a global leader in speciality chemicals operating in over 100 countries. Evonik’s innovations enhance a diverse range of products – from tyres to medications – with a strong focus on sustainability and cutting-edge technologies. The event gathered 16 Evonik experts alongside EMBL scientists to explore potential collaborations in four key areas: RNA delivery, microbiome technology, skincare innovation, and cell culture solutions.

Organised by EMBLEM, the Science Day is designed to bring together EMBL scientists and industry experts, fostering an environment where ideas can thrive and collaborations can emerge. The event’s format encourages networking, with multiple breaks for informal discussions, allowing EMBL scientists to connect directly with industry representatives. This relaxed atmosphere has proven effective in nurturing relationships that lead to impactful research collaborations.

Networking in action: connecting minds during breaks. Credit: Stuart Ingham/EMBL

EMBL Director Matthias Hentze opened the day by highlighting EMBL’s research goals and setting an energetic tone for productive dialogue. Evonik then presented advancements in the aforementioned key areas after which EMBL keynote speakers – chosen for their strong potential for shared research interests with Evonik – took the stage to present their research and vision in these fields.

Claire Deo, Group Leader in the Cell Biology and Biophysics Unit and Head of the Chemical Synthesis Core Facility at EMBL, presenting her research during the Evonik Science Day. Credit: Stuart Ingham/EMBL

“Strategic cooperations with universities and research institutions have always played an important role for Evonik. The atmosphere of the event really encouraged an open dialogue, revealing significant shared areas of interest, and laying a solid foundation for future collaborations,” said Andreas Kappel, Director Strategic Innovation, Evonik RD&I Healthcare.

As the day concluded, Timo Zimmermann, Team Leader of Advanced Light Microscopy Services at EMBL’s Imaging Centre, led a guided tour of the installation, showcasing some of EMBL’s advanced imaging capabilities. “The Imaging Centre provides researchers from Europe and beyond with a suite of high-tech imaging tools – including cryo-electron microscopy, super-resolution, and intravital microscopy – that enable groundbreaking research across biological scales,” Timo remarked. “We are excited to leverage these capabilities to drive innovative projects forward.”

Credit: Stuart Ingham/EMBL

At EMBL, we foster an entrepreneurial spirit through technology transfer programmes and spin-offs, ensuring that our research has practical applications and real impact across various industries. Science Days like these brim with energy and collaboration, bringing together experts from diverse fields to drive innovation.

Looking ahead, we applaud Evonik’s commitment to innovation and look forward to the promising opportunities for continued collaboration. We’re eager to see the impactful projects that could emerge from this successful Science Day.

This press release was originally published by EMBL News.