Researchers in Germany can now receive funded access to structural biology technology and services across Europe, as Germany is now a member of Instruct-ERIC.
Starting 2024, Germany has become the 17th member of the structural biology research infrastructure consortium, Instruct-ERIC.
Bettina Stark-Watzinger, Germany’s Federal Minister of Education and Research, emphasised: “The rapid and successful development of active substances against the SARS-CoV-2 virus illustrated the importance of good and trusting international cooperation among scientists, especially in the field of integrated structural biology. Exchanging information at an international level is crucial, especially when it comes to using specialist infrastructures. There are many advantages to us joining Instruct-ERIC, which not only gives our researchers access to European high-tech facilities, but also is a prerequisite for us to continue to deliver outstanding contributions to structural biology in the future."
Large-scale facilities including synchrotrons; NMR and cryo-EM instrumentations are now fully accessible for researchers in Germany. Furthermore, unique specialised technologies are available for structural biology research in Germany.
The addition of Germany as a member is also a huge boost to Instruct: facilities across Europe can now collaborate with the excellent scientists in the country, and Germany is making progress towards also establishing a centre within Instruct, which researchers in existing member countries and organisations will be able to receive funds to access.
Prof. Harald Schwalbe, Instruct director, who was central to the establishment of Germany as a member, said: "Scientific institutions and companies in Germany have contributed significantly in recent years to the development and establishment of structural biology methods and technologies. We will establish in Germany a network of Instruct centres with associated laboratories that meet European standards, which in turn will allow access to all facilities, across locations." As well as funded access to technologies, Instruct also provides a variety of services for early career researchers. Harald said, “In addition to enabling technological advancements, Instruct-ERIC also finances and organises research stays and trainings for researchers, thereby contributing to the education of the next generation of researchers."
Such opportunities include:
· The Instruct Internship call – find out more here.
· Instruct R&D calls: non-specific topic research and development for early career researchers, and TechDev call on specific structural biology topics. Find out more here.
· Instruct runs several training courses each year – See all courses.
Instruct invites research communities from across Europe to submit an application to become a member country. Receive funded access to technologies and services, be part of the growing European structural biology community, and receive added perks such as reduced registration costs for the Instruct Biennial Structural Biology Conference – find out more about the conference and register here.