ERC FUNDED PROJECTS

Biological systems rely on an influx of energy to build and maintain complex spatio-temporal structures. A striking example of this is the self-organisation of cells into tissues, which relies on an interplay of molecular programs and tissue-level feedback. The mechanistic basis underlying these processes is poorly understood. The recent advent of single-cell sequencing technologies for the first time gives the opportunity to probe these processes with unprecedented molecular resolution in vivo. Biological function, however, relies on collective processes on the cellular scale which emerge from many interactions on the microscopic scale. But what can we learn about such collective processes from detailed empirical information on the molecular scale? Concepts from non-equilibrium statistical physics provide a powerful framework to understand collective processes underlying the self-organisation of cells. In the proposed research endeavour, we will combine the possibilities of novel single-cell technologies with methods from non-equilibrium statistical physics to understand collective processes regulating cellular behaviour. Using this conceptually new approach, we will 1) unveil collective epigenetic processes during differentiation, reprogramming and ageing, 2) determine how the interplay between different layers of regulation leads to the emergence of mesoscopic spatio-temporal structures in vivo, and 3) understand universal fluctuations in gene expression to unveil mechanistic principles of cellular decisions. Our theoretical work will be challenged by single-cell sequencing experiments performed by our collaborators. We will overcome important conceptual limitations in an emerging technology in biology and pioneer the application of methods from non-equilibrium statistical physics to single-cell genomics. At the same time, we take an interdisciplinary approach to tackle questions at the frontier of non-equilibrium physics.

1 489 500 €

Start date: 2021-01-01, End date: 2025-12-31

"Glasses are mysterious materials. Fundamental blocks in many natural and technological processes, still, their properties keep puzzling a large community of scientists nowadays. Following different experimental routes, materials as diverse as colloidal suspensions, emulsions and viscous liquids can be driven in an out-of-equilibrium state, where they solidify under conditions that still remain unknown. This process, traditionally called glass transition, leads to many intriguing phenomena as the emergence of multiple relaxations processes, dynamical heterogeneities, crossovers between distinct amorphous states, and uncommon mechanisms of particle motions. Within the large family of disordered systems, structural glasses play a key role being often considered as archetypes of out-of-equilibrium materials. Despite decades of studies, a microscopic theory of glasses is still missing due to the difficulty to probe their atomic motion with experiments and simulations. Few years ago, I used coherent x-rays to perform the first worldwide experiments probing the atomic motion of glasses. My works reported on a surprising glassy dynamic reminiscent of an anomalous stress-driven particle motion observed in some soft systems. Due to severe technical constraints, the studies performed so far were limited to the external, tiny portion of the huge ""iceberg” of dynamical features occurring at the atomic level, whose comprehension would enable substantial advances in the frontiers of knowledge. Thanks to the new possibilities offered by coherent x-rays, now is the right time to unveil the atomic dance of glasses in all its complexity with the CoherentGlasses project. Following four challenging experimental Research Objectives, we will provide a coherent picture of the microscopic dynamic and structural features accounting for the above discussed fascinating phenomena in glass-formers. A successful project keeps the promise to boost our knowledge on out-of-equilibrium material."

1 486 931 €

Start date: 2021-03-01, End date: 2026-02-28

Quantum phases of matter in novel 2D materials host fascinating correlated electron properties, such as unconventional superconductivity, novel insulating phases and exotic magnetic order. These phenomena are a hotbed of new forms of energy-efficient technologies, which require fundamental understanding and exploration of these material classes. Since the beginning, scientists have been struggling with the puzzling lack of consistent predictability of such materials, leading predominantly to serendipitous discoveries. The key ingredient driving these exotic quantum phases are electron-electron interactions, so-called correlations. These correlations between the electrons play a prominent role in their movement, and often result into atomic-scale charge and spin order, and are amplified in 2D materials compared to their 3D counterparts. Owing to the 2D nature, a new state-of-the-art methodology is needed to elucidate the electronic and magnetic properties in correlated 2D quantum materials. DeQ investigates the role of electron correlations and their interplay with structural and spin degrees of freedom at the single-atom level in insulating quantum phases of novel 2D materials. To accomplish this aim, my innovative strategy is to quantify atomic-scale charge and spin order at transitions between different quantum phases in three classes of hallmark 2D materials: twisted bilayers, correlated quasi-2D compounds, and 2D magnetic materials. My novel approach is based on creating a new state of the art in atomic imaging and spectroscopy, the JAQ setup. The development of JAQ will enable us to precisely tune relevant parameters, like electric and magnetic fields, in the highest-quality materials available. The outcome of DeQ will be groundbreaking for predicting electron correlations in novel quantum phases in 2D materials, which that are a hotbed of innovative forms of energy-efficient technologies.

1 912 095 €

Start date: 2021-01-01, End date: 2025-12-31

FERMIcQED aims at interfacing novel quantum materials with microwave light at the level of the single photon and fermion. To achieve this ambitious goal, I plan to use low-dimensional quantum conductors – such as carbon nanotubes or semiconducting nanowires – combined with state-of-the-art architectures and techniques of circuit Quantum Electrodynamics. The idea consists in isolating an individual fermionic degree of freedom within a hybrid Josephson junction – a quantum dot connected to two superconductors. Due to the superconducting proximity effect, entangled electron-hole states – called the Andreev bound states – form in the quantum dot and depend on the superconducting phase difference. By enclosing the hybrid Josephson junction inside a superconducting photonic cavity, one can couple these fermionic states to microwave light and probe their quantum properties in a well-controlled environment. Specifically, FERMIcQED will tackle three key experiments. First, we will detect the spin degree of freedom of the Andreev bound states and manipulate it coherently as a superconducting spin qubit. We will demonstrate strong coupling with cavity photons, which will enable quantum logic operations and long-range qubit interactions. Second, we will operate the hybrid Josephson junction in the topological regime in order to observe and manipulate Majorana fermions, thus implementing a topological qubit. At last, we will probe the joint entangled dynamics of bosonic and fermionic modes that coexist in hybrid Josephson junctions and simulate the spin-boson problem.

1 499 133 €

Start date: 2021-09-01, End date: 2026-08-31