The European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. It has become the flagship laboratory for molecular biology in Europe. What is the secret of its success and how does chemistry play a part in a biology laboratory?

In his Editorial, Carsten Schultz, EMBL, Heidelberg, Germany, outlines the concept of the EMBL, with time-limited contracts and central facilities that enable talented young scientists to become world leaders before moving to universities or other institutions. The EMBL is not only host to research groups in biology, but also three groups in the the area of chemistry. As chemists are playing an increasing role in helping solve biological problems, such as measuring enzyme activities and labeling, the crossover between biology and chemistry on the way to true interdisciplinarity is proving extremely successful at EMBL.

• The European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL)—Its Anniversary and its Chemistry,
  Carsten Schultz,
  Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2014.
  DOI: 10.1002/anie.201405106