BULGARIAN SCIENTISTS VISIT THE EUROPEAN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY LABORATORY (EMBL)

Prof. Penka Petrova took part in a scientific delegation to Heidelberg, Germany, to discuss future partnerships, training opportunities for young scientists, and access to Europe’s leading life sciences research infrastructure.
From 1 to 3 September, a group of Bulgarian scientists visited EMBL’s headquarters in Heidelberg as part of a two-day initiative organised by the Science Directorate of the Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science. The visit formed part of Bulgaria’s preparations for full membership of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL). During the visit, participants learned about the organisation’s wide range of scientific research, infrastructure resources and technological capabilities, with a particular focus on genomics, molecular systems biology and advanced research infrastructure. The programme provided opportunities for direct dialogue with EMBL scientists, the exchange of expertise and discussions on prospects for expanding scientific collaboration.
The delegation included representatives of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, the Medical University of Varna, the Medical University of Pleven and Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”. They were joined by Bulgaria’s national EMBL liaisons representatives for liaison with EMBL: Stoyno Stoynov, Deputy Director of the Institute of Molecular Biology “Roumen Tsanev” at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, and Mikaela Stancheva, Chief Expert at the Science Directorate of the Ministry of Education and Science.
During the visit, the Bulgarian delegation met with heads of EMBL research groups and toured facilities for advanced light and electron microscopy, including the EMBL Imaging Centre, as well as platforms for cutting-edge omics research. Participants also learned about EMBL’s mobile laboratories, which provide access to advanced technologies and support scientific research both in specialised laboratories and in real-world field settings.
Meetings with leading scientists and presentations of state-of-the-art research infrastructure highlighted new opportunities for collaboration between Bulgarian research organisations and EMBL. Among the delegates was Prof. Petrova, who discussed opportunities to develop joint research in genomics and immunology, as well as prospects for training and further specialisation for Bulgarian PhD students and early-career researchers at EMBL.
“It was inspiring to learn about the research carried out at EMBL and to compare it with the progress we have made in Bulgaria,” said Prof. Petrova. “We look forward to future joint initiatives, particularly the opportunity for our PhD students to work at EMBL and acquire new methodological skills. I was especially impressed by the research in genomics and immunology—fields that are advancing rapidly and that we aim to expand and strengthen in Bulgaria.”
Participants described the visit as an important step towards deepening cooperation between EMBL and the Bulgarian scientific community. Going forward, the partnership is expected to develop further through the exchange of expertise, access to scientific services and research infrastructure, and expanded opportunities for training, professional development and international scientific collaboration, as Bulgaria moves towards full EMBL membership.