Project acronym MULTIEPIGEN
Project Ancestral environmental exposures and offspring health – a multigenerational epidemiologic cohort study across 3 generations
Researcher (PI) Olli RAITAKARI
Host Institution (HI) TURUN YLIOPISTO
Call Details Advanced Grant (AdG), LS7, ERC-2016-ADG
Summary MULTIEPIGEN seeks to solve does ancestral exposure to various stressors transmit to offspring via epigenetic mechanisms. Thus far animal models have indicated that exposure to certain stressors can lead to phenotypic changes not only in the predisposed individuals, but also in the future generations, such that individuals can acquire phenotypes caused by exposures of their ancestors. Such effects do not involve new DNA mutations, but are transmitted to offspring via epigenetic mechanisms such as the transfer of non-coding RNA molecules in the semen. In humans, intergenerational transmission has been examined extremely little because a priori designed population-based studies across several generations are lacking. To close this gap MULTIEPIGEN will expand the well-characterized Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study (YFS) to the parents and offspring of the original YFS participants. During the ERC funding period, we will perform field studies involving N~9000 individuals across 3 generations and test 3 key ancestral exposures with very high plausibility causing intergenerational effects on obesity-related phenotypes, cognitive function and psychological well-being. The studied exposures are 1) tobacco smoke, 2) persistent organic pollutants, and 3) accumulation of psychosocial adversities. We will collect serum, blood and semen samples for epigenetic marker analysis to provide understanding of the mechanisms of intergenerational transmission in humans. Specifically, we will seek proof for the hypothesis that paternal stressors can lead to phenotypic changes in the offspring via non-coding RNA molecules in the semen. Multigenerational epidemiologic data showing robust links between ancestral exposures and offspring phenotypes that operate with biologically plausible epigenetic mechanism would provide a conceptual change in the developmental biology in humans and have substantial ramifications on public health.
Summary
MULTIEPIGEN seeks to solve does ancestral exposure to various stressors transmit to offspring via epigenetic mechanisms. Thus far animal models have indicated that exposure to certain stressors can lead to phenotypic changes not only in the predisposed individuals, but also in the future generations, such that individuals can acquire phenotypes caused by exposures of their ancestors. Such effects do not involve new DNA mutations, but are transmitted to offspring via epigenetic mechanisms such as the transfer of non-coding RNA molecules in the semen. In humans, intergenerational transmission has been examined extremely little because a priori designed population-based studies across several generations are lacking. To close this gap MULTIEPIGEN will expand the well-characterized Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study (YFS) to the parents and offspring of the original YFS participants. During the ERC funding period, we will perform field studies involving N~9000 individuals across 3 generations and test 3 key ancestral exposures with very high plausibility causing intergenerational effects on obesity-related phenotypes, cognitive function and psychological well-being. The studied exposures are 1) tobacco smoke, 2) persistent organic pollutants, and 3) accumulation of psychosocial adversities. We will collect serum, blood and semen samples for epigenetic marker analysis to provide understanding of the mechanisms of intergenerational transmission in humans. Specifically, we will seek proof for the hypothesis that paternal stressors can lead to phenotypic changes in the offspring via non-coding RNA molecules in the semen. Multigenerational epidemiologic data showing robust links between ancestral exposures and offspring phenotypes that operate with biologically plausible epigenetic mechanism would provide a conceptual change in the developmental biology in humans and have substantial ramifications on public health.
Max ERC Funding
2 498 606 €
Duration
Start date: 2017-11-01, End date: 2022-10-31
Project acronym MYCLASS
Project Towards prevention, early diagnosis, and noninvasive treatment of uterine leiomyomas through molecular classification
Researcher (PI) Lauri Aaltonen
Host Institution (HI) HELSINGIN YLIOPISTO
Call Details Advanced Grant (AdG), LS7, ERC-2015-AdG
Summary Every fourth woman suffers from uterine leiomyomas (ULs) – benign tumors of the uterine smooth muscle wall - at some point in premenopausal life. ULs, also called myomas or fibroids, cause a substantial health burden through symptoms such as excessive uterine bleeding, abdominal pain and infertility. These tumors are the most common cause of hysterectomy. Considering the impact that ULs have to women’s health, they are severely understudied. Our breakthrough work has shed important new light on the biology and genesis of ULs. In this ERC proposal we hypothesize that ULs can emerge through several distinct mechanisms and anticipate that each mechanism contributes to somewhat different tumor biology, clinicopathological features, and response to treatment. Also, we hypothesize that predisposing genetic variants may confer susceptibility to a particular UL subclass. To test these hypotheses, we shall create multiple layers of high-throughput data on clinicopathologically characterized ULs, including copy number variation, whole genome sequence, gene expression, and methylome profiles. Integration of these data should establish the existence and key characteristics of the different UL subclasses. Finally, we shall examine the effect of currently used drugs as well as new lead compounds in response to treatment, stratified per UL subclass. These efforts will 1) provide biological insight into molecular mechanisms driving the UL genesis and lay the scientific basis of their molecular classification, 2) describe the key characteristics of each class, 3) provide key biomarkers and molecular tools for routine diagnosis of UL subclasses, as well as clues to their targeted treatment, and 4) produce tools for detection of hereditary predisposition to ULs. This ERC project will be an important step towards non-invasive management of ULs. Reaching this goal would benefit hundreds of millions of women.
Summary
Every fourth woman suffers from uterine leiomyomas (ULs) – benign tumors of the uterine smooth muscle wall - at some point in premenopausal life. ULs, also called myomas or fibroids, cause a substantial health burden through symptoms such as excessive uterine bleeding, abdominal pain and infertility. These tumors are the most common cause of hysterectomy. Considering the impact that ULs have to women’s health, they are severely understudied. Our breakthrough work has shed important new light on the biology and genesis of ULs. In this ERC proposal we hypothesize that ULs can emerge through several distinct mechanisms and anticipate that each mechanism contributes to somewhat different tumor biology, clinicopathological features, and response to treatment. Also, we hypothesize that predisposing genetic variants may confer susceptibility to a particular UL subclass. To test these hypotheses, we shall create multiple layers of high-throughput data on clinicopathologically characterized ULs, including copy number variation, whole genome sequence, gene expression, and methylome profiles. Integration of these data should establish the existence and key characteristics of the different UL subclasses. Finally, we shall examine the effect of currently used drugs as well as new lead compounds in response to treatment, stratified per UL subclass. These efforts will 1) provide biological insight into molecular mechanisms driving the UL genesis and lay the scientific basis of their molecular classification, 2) describe the key characteristics of each class, 3) provide key biomarkers and molecular tools for routine diagnosis of UL subclasses, as well as clues to their targeted treatment, and 4) produce tools for detection of hereditary predisposition to ULs. This ERC project will be an important step towards non-invasive management of ULs. Reaching this goal would benefit hundreds of millions of women.
Max ERC Funding
2 499 099 €
Duration
Start date: 2016-06-01, End date: 2021-05-31
Project acronym Near-infrared probes
Project Near-infrared fluorescent probes based on bacterial phytochromes for in vivo imaging
Researcher (PI) Vladislav Verkhusha
Host Institution (HI) HELSINGIN YLIOPISTO
Call Details Advanced Grant (AdG), LS9, ERC-2013-ADG
Summary Non-invasive monitoring of deep-tissue developmental, metabolic and pathogenic processes will advance modern biology. Imaging of live mammals using fluorescent probes is more feasible within the near-infrared (NIR) transparency window (NIRW: 650-900 nm) where hemoglobin and melanin absorbance significantly decreases, and water absorbance is still low. The most red-shifted fluorescent proteins (FPs) of the GFP-like family exhibit fluorescence outside of the NIRW and suffer from low brightness and modest photostability. Natural bacterial phytochrome photoreceptors (BphPs) utilize low molecular weight biliverdin as a chromophore and provide many advantages over other chromophore binding proteins. First, unlike the chromophores of non-bacterial phytochromes, biliverdin is ubiquitous in mammals. This makes BphP applications in mammalian cells, tissues and mammals as easy as conventional GFP-like FPs, without supplying chromophore through an external solution. Second, BphPs exhibit NIR absorbance and fluorescence, which are red-shifted relative to that of any other phytochromes, and lie within the NIRW. This makes BphPs spectrally complementary to GFP-like FPs and available optogenetic tools. Third, independent domain architecture and conformational changes upon biliverdin photoisomerization make BphPs attractive templates to design various photoactivatable probes. Based on the analysis of the photochemistry and structural changes of BphPs we plan to develop three new types of the BphP-based probes. These include bright and spectrally resolvable permanently fluorescent NIRFPs, NIRFPs photoswitchable either irreversibly or repeatedly with non-phototoxic NIR light, and NIR reporters and biosensors. The resulting NIR probes will extend fluorescence imaging methods to deep-tissue in vivo macroscopy including multicolor cell and tissue labeling, cell photoactivation and tracking, detection of enzymatic activities and protein interactions in mammalian tissues and whole animals.
Summary
Non-invasive monitoring of deep-tissue developmental, metabolic and pathogenic processes will advance modern biology. Imaging of live mammals using fluorescent probes is more feasible within the near-infrared (NIR) transparency window (NIRW: 650-900 nm) where hemoglobin and melanin absorbance significantly decreases, and water absorbance is still low. The most red-shifted fluorescent proteins (FPs) of the GFP-like family exhibit fluorescence outside of the NIRW and suffer from low brightness and modest photostability. Natural bacterial phytochrome photoreceptors (BphPs) utilize low molecular weight biliverdin as a chromophore and provide many advantages over other chromophore binding proteins. First, unlike the chromophores of non-bacterial phytochromes, biliverdin is ubiquitous in mammals. This makes BphP applications in mammalian cells, tissues and mammals as easy as conventional GFP-like FPs, without supplying chromophore through an external solution. Second, BphPs exhibit NIR absorbance and fluorescence, which are red-shifted relative to that of any other phytochromes, and lie within the NIRW. This makes BphPs spectrally complementary to GFP-like FPs and available optogenetic tools. Third, independent domain architecture and conformational changes upon biliverdin photoisomerization make BphPs attractive templates to design various photoactivatable probes. Based on the analysis of the photochemistry and structural changes of BphPs we plan to develop three new types of the BphP-based probes. These include bright and spectrally resolvable permanently fluorescent NIRFPs, NIRFPs photoswitchable either irreversibly or repeatedly with non-phototoxic NIR light, and NIR reporters and biosensors. The resulting NIR probes will extend fluorescence imaging methods to deep-tissue in vivo macroscopy including multicolor cell and tissue labeling, cell photoactivation and tracking, detection of enzymatic activities and protein interactions in mammalian tissues and whole animals.
Max ERC Funding
2 496 946 €
Duration
Start date: 2014-05-01, End date: 2019-04-30
Project acronym NEMSQED
Project Electromechanical quantum coherent systems
Researcher (PI) Mika Antero Sillanpää
Host Institution (HI) AALTO KORKEAKOULUSAATIO SR
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE3, ERC-2009-StG
Summary At a low temperature, nearly macroscopic quantum states can be sustained in superconducting (SC) Josephson junctions. Recently, these superconducting qubits have been coupled to electromagnetic resonators, in a manner analogous to cavity Quantum Electro Dynamics (QED) which describes the interaction between atoms and quantized oscillation modes in the quantum limit. On the other hand, there is yet no experimental evidence of a mode of a mechanical oscillator, such as that of a miniaturized vibrating string, to be chilled down to its quantum ground state. The main part of the proposal involves the use the coupling of Nanomechanical Resonators (NR) to SC qubits employed as artificial atoms in order to address the quantum-classical interface in mechanical motion. Similarly as the SC qubit can exchange quanta with electrical oscillators, it can, in principle, communicate with mechanical modes. The research will begin with demonstrating this kind of electromechanical interaction. In order to tackle experimental surprises, I plan on launching two parallel paths, one with a charge qubit, the other using a phase qubit. The formidable main goal is to experimentally reach the quantum ground state of a mechanical mode. I will investigate the following routes: Make a 1 GHz frequency NR, corresponding to 50 mK, which will reach the ground state at accessible temperatures. On the other hand, I propose to side-band cool a lower-frequency NR via the attached SC qubit. Near the quantum limit, I will start taking advantage of the NR as a building block of electromechanical quantum information. I also propose to push the QED setup of SC qubits coupled to electrical cavities towards more and more complicated states in order to test quantum mechanics in the nearly classical limit.
Summary
At a low temperature, nearly macroscopic quantum states can be sustained in superconducting (SC) Josephson junctions. Recently, these superconducting qubits have been coupled to electromagnetic resonators, in a manner analogous to cavity Quantum Electro Dynamics (QED) which describes the interaction between atoms and quantized oscillation modes in the quantum limit. On the other hand, there is yet no experimental evidence of a mode of a mechanical oscillator, such as that of a miniaturized vibrating string, to be chilled down to its quantum ground state. The main part of the proposal involves the use the coupling of Nanomechanical Resonators (NR) to SC qubits employed as artificial atoms in order to address the quantum-classical interface in mechanical motion. Similarly as the SC qubit can exchange quanta with electrical oscillators, it can, in principle, communicate with mechanical modes. The research will begin with demonstrating this kind of electromechanical interaction. In order to tackle experimental surprises, I plan on launching two parallel paths, one with a charge qubit, the other using a phase qubit. The formidable main goal is to experimentally reach the quantum ground state of a mechanical mode. I will investigate the following routes: Make a 1 GHz frequency NR, corresponding to 50 mK, which will reach the ground state at accessible temperatures. On the other hand, I propose to side-band cool a lower-frequency NR via the attached SC qubit. Near the quantum limit, I will start taking advantage of the NR as a building block of electromechanical quantum information. I also propose to push the QED setup of SC qubits coupled to electrical cavities towards more and more complicated states in order to test quantum mechanics in the nearly classical limit.
Max ERC Funding
1 373 000 €
Duration
Start date: 2010-01-01, End date: 2014-12-31
Project acronym NGG
Project Next Generation Genetics of Cancer Predisposition
Researcher (PI) Lauri Aaltonen
Host Institution (HI) HELSINGIN YLIOPISTO
Call Details Advanced Grant (AdG), LS7, ERC-2010-AdG_20100317
Summary Unravelling genetic components of human tumor predisposition has contributed significantly to our understanding on molecular basis of cancer, and cancer prevention in the context of hereditary tumor susceptibility is one of the early examples of benefits from genetic disease information. Research into cancer susceptibility is of great importance, and as shown in this proposal Finland provides unique interdisciplinary possibilities to take the field forward. Indeed, in the near future ability to recruit very small groups of patients with a potentially novel cancer susceptibility phenotype will be more relevant than ever. Such materials have been resistant to previous gene identification approaches but lend themselves towards success by exomic and whole genome sequencing.
Important discoveries are anticipated in the following fields of research to be conducted under NGG:
1) Identification of rare high-penetrance Mendelian cancer predisposition conditions, and the respective susceptibility genes. One should note that the impact of a gene discovery for basic understanding of key cellular processes is not related to the frequency of the predisposition condition (e.g. RB, LKB1, P53 etc).
2) Identification of moderate penetrance cancer susceptibility genes. Such phenotypes have been difficult to approach with traditional gene identification methods because large pedigrees with multiple affected individuals and few or no phenocopies are not easily identified. Also, the current GWAS approaches are not ideal to detect these loci due to relative rarity of the responsible variants.
3) Characterization of common variants associated with cancer susceptibility.
Summary
Unravelling genetic components of human tumor predisposition has contributed significantly to our understanding on molecular basis of cancer, and cancer prevention in the context of hereditary tumor susceptibility is one of the early examples of benefits from genetic disease information. Research into cancer susceptibility is of great importance, and as shown in this proposal Finland provides unique interdisciplinary possibilities to take the field forward. Indeed, in the near future ability to recruit very small groups of patients with a potentially novel cancer susceptibility phenotype will be more relevant than ever. Such materials have been resistant to previous gene identification approaches but lend themselves towards success by exomic and whole genome sequencing.
Important discoveries are anticipated in the following fields of research to be conducted under NGG:
1) Identification of rare high-penetrance Mendelian cancer predisposition conditions, and the respective susceptibility genes. One should note that the impact of a gene discovery for basic understanding of key cellular processes is not related to the frequency of the predisposition condition (e.g. RB, LKB1, P53 etc).
2) Identification of moderate penetrance cancer susceptibility genes. Such phenotypes have been difficult to approach with traditional gene identification methods because large pedigrees with multiple affected individuals and few or no phenocopies are not easily identified. Also, the current GWAS approaches are not ideal to detect these loci due to relative rarity of the responsible variants.
3) Characterization of common variants associated with cancer susceptibility.
Max ERC Funding
2 483 525 €
Duration
Start date: 2011-06-01, End date: 2016-05-31
Project acronym NUCLEARACTIN
Project Actin as the Master Organizer of Nuclear Structure and Function
Researcher (PI) Maria Kristina Vartiainen
Host Institution (HI) HELSINGIN YLIOPISTO
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), LS1, ERC-2012-StG_20111109
Summary Unlike previously thought the nucleus is a highly compartmentalized organelle. Both the genome and processes associated with it show non-random distribution within the nucleus. This compartmentalization has a fundamental impact on nuclear processes. However, the mechanisms driving this organization are poorly understood. I hypothesize that actin plays a key role in this process. Nevertheless, the true potential of nuclear actin has not been fully appreciated, due to two fundamental open questions in this field, namely 1) what is the biological significance of nuclear actin and 2) what is the molecular mechanism by which actin operates in the nucleus? I intend to address these key questions by manipulating actin specifically in the nucleus, and by identifying nuclear actin binding partners, respectively. My lab has recently identified the nuclear import mechanism for actin, which offers us a unique tool to manipulate nuclear actin. We will therefore create cell lines with decreased/increased nuclear actin, and analyze the consequences by using cell biological and gene expression tools, combined with deep sequencing. This will disclose the genes that depend on actin for their expression, and reveal the biological significance of nuclear actin in organizing the general nuclear landscape. To unravel the mechanisms by which actin functions in the nucleus, we will implement a novel multi-readout, fluorescence microscopy screen to identify nuclear actin binding proteins, which will be analyzed by different biochemical methods. This approach will reveal how actin is connected to nuclear machineries, and what biochemical features of actin are required to power the essential nuclear processes. These techniques will significantly broaden our understanding on the nuclear functions of actin, and thus likely reveal molecular mechanisms that regulate nuclear organization, which are highly relevant to basic biological processes, such as cell differentiation and epigenetics.
Summary
Unlike previously thought the nucleus is a highly compartmentalized organelle. Both the genome and processes associated with it show non-random distribution within the nucleus. This compartmentalization has a fundamental impact on nuclear processes. However, the mechanisms driving this organization are poorly understood. I hypothesize that actin plays a key role in this process. Nevertheless, the true potential of nuclear actin has not been fully appreciated, due to two fundamental open questions in this field, namely 1) what is the biological significance of nuclear actin and 2) what is the molecular mechanism by which actin operates in the nucleus? I intend to address these key questions by manipulating actin specifically in the nucleus, and by identifying nuclear actin binding partners, respectively. My lab has recently identified the nuclear import mechanism for actin, which offers us a unique tool to manipulate nuclear actin. We will therefore create cell lines with decreased/increased nuclear actin, and analyze the consequences by using cell biological and gene expression tools, combined with deep sequencing. This will disclose the genes that depend on actin for their expression, and reveal the biological significance of nuclear actin in organizing the general nuclear landscape. To unravel the mechanisms by which actin functions in the nucleus, we will implement a novel multi-readout, fluorescence microscopy screen to identify nuclear actin binding proteins, which will be analyzed by different biochemical methods. This approach will reveal how actin is connected to nuclear machineries, and what biochemical features of actin are required to power the essential nuclear processes. These techniques will significantly broaden our understanding on the nuclear functions of actin, and thus likely reveal molecular mechanisms that regulate nuclear organization, which are highly relevant to basic biological processes, such as cell differentiation and epigenetics.
Max ERC Funding
1 491 484 €
Duration
Start date: 2012-11-01, End date: 2018-08-31
Project acronym OAPROGRESS
Project Evaluation of Osteoarthritis Progression in a Patient-Specific Manner using Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Computational Modeling
Researcher (PI) Rami Kristian Korhonen
Host Institution (HI) ITA-SUOMEN YLIOPISTO
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), LS7, ERC-2011-StG_20101109
Summary Background
Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most prevalent disorders of the musculoskeletal system. In OA, articular cartilage degenerates and its structure and mechanical properties change, but monitoring or predicting the progression of OA has not been possible. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a potential tool for the imaging of joint tissues, estimating cartilage structure and diagnostics of OA, whereas joint loading and estimation of stresses/strains within joint tissues necessitates computational modeling. It would be a major breakthrough if one could develop a technique where, based on MRI and computational modeling, prediction and evaluation of OA progression of a patient under a certain loading condition would be possible.
Objectives
1) to combine MRI with computational modeling for the estimation of stresses and possible failure points within human knee joints, and 2) to develop second generation adaptive models of articular cartilage for the prediction of altered tissue structure and composition during OA progression. For the model validation, cartilage structure, composition and biomechanical properties as well as cell responses in situ are characterized. At the end of the project these main aims will be merged 3) to estimate the effect of loading on cartilage degeneration during the progression of OA in a patient-specific manner.
Significance
Combining MRI information of joint tissues with computational modeling, we develop a tool to evaluate the effect of different interventions on stresses in human joints. By combining this tool with an adaptive model that can estimate the effect of loading on cartilage composition and structure, we hope to be able to predict changes in cartilage properties during OA progression in a patient-specific manner several years ahead. This would help in decision making of clinical treatments and interventions (conservative or surgical) for the prevention or further progression of OA.
Summary
Background
Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most prevalent disorders of the musculoskeletal system. In OA, articular cartilage degenerates and its structure and mechanical properties change, but monitoring or predicting the progression of OA has not been possible. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a potential tool for the imaging of joint tissues, estimating cartilage structure and diagnostics of OA, whereas joint loading and estimation of stresses/strains within joint tissues necessitates computational modeling. It would be a major breakthrough if one could develop a technique where, based on MRI and computational modeling, prediction and evaluation of OA progression of a patient under a certain loading condition would be possible.
Objectives
1) to combine MRI with computational modeling for the estimation of stresses and possible failure points within human knee joints, and 2) to develop second generation adaptive models of articular cartilage for the prediction of altered tissue structure and composition during OA progression. For the model validation, cartilage structure, composition and biomechanical properties as well as cell responses in situ are characterized. At the end of the project these main aims will be merged 3) to estimate the effect of loading on cartilage degeneration during the progression of OA in a patient-specific manner.
Significance
Combining MRI information of joint tissues with computational modeling, we develop a tool to evaluate the effect of different interventions on stresses in human joints. By combining this tool with an adaptive model that can estimate the effect of loading on cartilage composition and structure, we hope to be able to predict changes in cartilage properties during OA progression in a patient-specific manner several years ahead. This would help in decision making of clinical treatments and interventions (conservative or surgical) for the prevention or further progression of OA.
Max ERC Funding
1 303 056 €
Duration
Start date: 2012-02-01, End date: 2017-01-31
Project acronym OPTOSENSE
Project Optical sensing of relative humidity using photoswitchable molecules
Researcher (PI) Arri PRIIMÄGI
Host Institution (HI) TTY-SAATIO
Call Details Proof of Concept (PoC), ERC-2017-PoC
Summary Precise control over humidity and moisture levels is pertinent for various industrial processes dealing with, e.g., chemical engineering and fabrication of pharmaceuticals and semiconductor devices. In order to improve the product yields and ensure safety and high quality, accurate and reliable humidity sensing is in great demand. The dominant humidity-sensing technologies in the market are based on permittivity changes in a polymer matrix induced by water adsorption from air, resulting in changes in capacitance or conductivity. These approaches have been well established, but they are not suitable for all environments, such as those with large electromagnetic interference, high-voltage electricity, or explosive atmospheres. For several environments, remote humidity sensing would be the preferred, if not the only, option.
OPTOSENSE aims at developing a remote, all-optical detection scheme for measuring relative humidity and temperature, utilizing photoswitchable azobenzene compounds. The proposed method relies on following the thermal cis-trans isomerization kinetics of hydroxyazobenzene derivatives embedded into an optically transparent matrix, which acts as the active sensing layer. The thermal isomerization kinetics of such a material is sensitive to the presence of water molecules, which adsorb to the active sensing layer from the measurement environment, providing the basis for the proposed humidity-sensing concept. Combinations of different hydroxyazobenzene derivatives and sensing wavelengths allow for simultaneous measurement of temperature and multiple hydrogen-bonding gases within a single sensing layer. In the proof-of-concept device, the whole measurement system will be integrated into optical fibers, offering a simple solution based on low-cost materials for simultaneous temperature and humidity sensing.
Summary
Precise control over humidity and moisture levels is pertinent for various industrial processes dealing with, e.g., chemical engineering and fabrication of pharmaceuticals and semiconductor devices. In order to improve the product yields and ensure safety and high quality, accurate and reliable humidity sensing is in great demand. The dominant humidity-sensing technologies in the market are based on permittivity changes in a polymer matrix induced by water adsorption from air, resulting in changes in capacitance or conductivity. These approaches have been well established, but they are not suitable for all environments, such as those with large electromagnetic interference, high-voltage electricity, or explosive atmospheres. For several environments, remote humidity sensing would be the preferred, if not the only, option.
OPTOSENSE aims at developing a remote, all-optical detection scheme for measuring relative humidity and temperature, utilizing photoswitchable azobenzene compounds. The proposed method relies on following the thermal cis-trans isomerization kinetics of hydroxyazobenzene derivatives embedded into an optically transparent matrix, which acts as the active sensing layer. The thermal isomerization kinetics of such a material is sensitive to the presence of water molecules, which adsorb to the active sensing layer from the measurement environment, providing the basis for the proposed humidity-sensing concept. Combinations of different hydroxyazobenzene derivatives and sensing wavelengths allow for simultaneous measurement of temperature and multiple hydrogen-bonding gases within a single sensing layer. In the proof-of-concept device, the whole measurement system will be integrated into optical fibers, offering a simple solution based on low-cost materials for simultaneous temperature and humidity sensing.
Max ERC Funding
148 369 €
Duration
Start date: 2018-09-01, End date: 2020-02-29
Project acronym PapyGreek
Project Digital Grammar of Greek Documentary Papyri
Researcher (PI) Marja VIERROS
Host Institution (HI) HELSINGIN YLIOPISTO
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), SH5, ERC-2017-STG
Summary The project creates a new Digital Grammar of Greek Documentary Papyri. It fills a void in Greek scholarship: the papyrological corpus represents the Post-Classical variety of Greek, a bridge between Classical and Medieval Greek, which has hitherto been very difficult to use as a source for studying historical linguistics. This project will develop new digital methods for studying this fragmentary but vast text corpus.
Greek is a unique language for linguists in its chronological scope. Documentary Greek papyri, ranging from ca. 300 BCE to 700 CE, can be contrasted with literature: these papyri preserve us the language as the ancient writer composed it and lead us close to the colloquial contemporary language. The nonstandard variation in documentary texts is where language change can first be detected, making the papyrological corpus an important source for diachronic study of Greek. The new Grammar of Greek papyri will answer such questions as how much bilingualism affected Greek in Egypt and when and where it was a dominant feature of the society. The papyri will partly be treated as big data; the whole corpus will be morphologically tagged. This will enable e.g. phonological analyses to be performed in greater accuracy than has been possible before through eliminating the confusion between inflectional morphology and phonological variation.
As a result, the Digital Grammar will bring the language used in the Greek papyri openly available to the scholarly community in an unforeseen manner. It will include new, more exact analyses of the phonology and morphology of Greek in Egypt, as well as a possibility to search both phonological and morphological forms, in combination or in separation, in the whole corpus. The syntactically annotated corpora will form a smaller but constantly expanding corpus of selected papyri, which yields to a wider range of searches on morphosyntax.
Summary
The project creates a new Digital Grammar of Greek Documentary Papyri. It fills a void in Greek scholarship: the papyrological corpus represents the Post-Classical variety of Greek, a bridge between Classical and Medieval Greek, which has hitherto been very difficult to use as a source for studying historical linguistics. This project will develop new digital methods for studying this fragmentary but vast text corpus.
Greek is a unique language for linguists in its chronological scope. Documentary Greek papyri, ranging from ca. 300 BCE to 700 CE, can be contrasted with literature: these papyri preserve us the language as the ancient writer composed it and lead us close to the colloquial contemporary language. The nonstandard variation in documentary texts is where language change can first be detected, making the papyrological corpus an important source for diachronic study of Greek. The new Grammar of Greek papyri will answer such questions as how much bilingualism affected Greek in Egypt and when and where it was a dominant feature of the society. The papyri will partly be treated as big data; the whole corpus will be morphologically tagged. This will enable e.g. phonological analyses to be performed in greater accuracy than has been possible before through eliminating the confusion between inflectional morphology and phonological variation.
As a result, the Digital Grammar will bring the language used in the Greek papyri openly available to the scholarly community in an unforeseen manner. It will include new, more exact analyses of the phonology and morphology of Greek in Egypt, as well as a possibility to search both phonological and morphological forms, in combination or in separation, in the whole corpus. The syntactically annotated corpora will form a smaller but constantly expanding corpus of selected papyri, which yields to a wider range of searches on morphosyntax.
Max ERC Funding
1 495 584 €
Duration
Start date: 2018-03-01, End date: 2023-02-28
Project acronym PATHEVOL
Project Linking Pathogen Evolution and Epidemiology
Researcher (PI) Anna-Liisa Laine
Host Institution (HI) HELSINGIN YLIOPISTO
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), LS8, ERC-2011-StG_20101109
Summary The goal of the proposed research is a comprehensive understanding of how evolutionary potential of pathogen populations interacts with epidemiological dynamics in natural populations. The empirical work will be conducted on the specialist fungal pathogen Podosphaera plantaginis and its host plant Plantago lanceolata in a large network of host populations. I will address the key theories of pathogen evolution, involving life-history trade-offs, competition for resources under multiple infection, and sexual reproduction. This project takes advantage of the exceptional research opportunities offered by the focal study species to test models that have not been validated with respect to realized population dynamics and the persistence of pathogen populations.
I have studied the coevolutionary dynamics between P. plantaginis and P. lanceolata for several years. Unique epidemiological data have been collected annually on the occurrence of the pathogen in a network of 4000 host populations since 2001. Recently, I have generated an EST library for the pathogen that allows and facilitates genetic studies. In the planned research, I will combine laboratory experiments with large-scale population surveys, genetic studies and mathematical modelling to achieve the objectives of this proposal.
The proposed research has potential for groundbreaking results on pathogen evolution and epidemiology through: i) Simultaneous study of multiple forces driving pathogen evolution and their importance in natural populations, with direct connections to epidemiology. ii) Development of new methodology for the study of obligate parasites like P. plantaginis. iii) Construction of a stochastic, spatially explicit epidemiological model predicting pathogen occurrence from one season to the next with applicability to a wide range of pathogens. iv) Identifying critical life-history stages and mechanisms for virulence evolution yield much needed insights and tools into the battle against disease.
Summary
The goal of the proposed research is a comprehensive understanding of how evolutionary potential of pathogen populations interacts with epidemiological dynamics in natural populations. The empirical work will be conducted on the specialist fungal pathogen Podosphaera plantaginis and its host plant Plantago lanceolata in a large network of host populations. I will address the key theories of pathogen evolution, involving life-history trade-offs, competition for resources under multiple infection, and sexual reproduction. This project takes advantage of the exceptional research opportunities offered by the focal study species to test models that have not been validated with respect to realized population dynamics and the persistence of pathogen populations.
I have studied the coevolutionary dynamics between P. plantaginis and P. lanceolata for several years. Unique epidemiological data have been collected annually on the occurrence of the pathogen in a network of 4000 host populations since 2001. Recently, I have generated an EST library for the pathogen that allows and facilitates genetic studies. In the planned research, I will combine laboratory experiments with large-scale population surveys, genetic studies and mathematical modelling to achieve the objectives of this proposal.
The proposed research has potential for groundbreaking results on pathogen evolution and epidemiology through: i) Simultaneous study of multiple forces driving pathogen evolution and their importance in natural populations, with direct connections to epidemiology. ii) Development of new methodology for the study of obligate parasites like P. plantaginis. iii) Construction of a stochastic, spatially explicit epidemiological model predicting pathogen occurrence from one season to the next with applicability to a wide range of pathogens. iv) Identifying critical life-history stages and mechanisms for virulence evolution yield much needed insights and tools into the battle against disease.
Max ERC Funding
1 498 811 €
Duration
Start date: 2011-10-01, End date: 2016-09-30
Project acronym PBL-PMES
Project Atmospheric planetary boundary layers: physics, modelling and role in Earth system
Researcher (PI) Sergej Zilitinkevich
Host Institution (HI) ILMATIETEEN LAITOS
Call Details Advanced Grant (AdG), PE10, ERC-2008-AdG
Summary This project aims to systematically revise the planetary-boundary-layer (PBL) physics accounting for the non-local effects of coherent structures (long-lived large eddies especially pronounced in convective PBLs and internal waves in stable PBLs). It focuses on the key physical problems related to the role of PBLs in the Earth system as the atmosphere-land/ocean/biosphere coupling modules: the resistance and heat/mass transfer laws determining the near-surface turbulent fluxes, the entrainment laws determining the fluxes at the PBL outer boundary, the PBL depth equations, and turbulence closures. In this project the first round of revision will be completed, the advanced concepts/models will be empirically validated and employed to develop new PBL parameterization for use in meteorological modelling and analyses of the climate and Earth systems. The new parameterizations and closures will be implemented in state-of-the-art numerical weather prediction, climate, meso-scale and air-pollution models; evaluated through case studies and statistical analyses of the quality of forecasts/simulations; and applied to a range of environmental problems. By this means the project will contribute to better modelling of extreme weather events, heavy air pollution episodes, and fine features of climate change. The new physical concepts and models will be included in the university course and new textbook on PBL physics. This project summarises and further extends our last-decade works in the PBL physics: discovery and the theory of the new PBL types of essentially non-local nature: long-lived stable and conventionally neutral ; quantification of the basic effects of coherent eddies in the shear-free convective PBLs including the non-local heat-transfer law; physical solution to the turbulence cut off problem in the closure models for stable stratification; and discovery of the stability dependences of the roughness length and displacement height.
Summary
This project aims to systematically revise the planetary-boundary-layer (PBL) physics accounting for the non-local effects of coherent structures (long-lived large eddies especially pronounced in convective PBLs and internal waves in stable PBLs). It focuses on the key physical problems related to the role of PBLs in the Earth system as the atmosphere-land/ocean/biosphere coupling modules: the resistance and heat/mass transfer laws determining the near-surface turbulent fluxes, the entrainment laws determining the fluxes at the PBL outer boundary, the PBL depth equations, and turbulence closures. In this project the first round of revision will be completed, the advanced concepts/models will be empirically validated and employed to develop new PBL parameterization for use in meteorological modelling and analyses of the climate and Earth systems. The new parameterizations and closures will be implemented in state-of-the-art numerical weather prediction, climate, meso-scale and air-pollution models; evaluated through case studies and statistical analyses of the quality of forecasts/simulations; and applied to a range of environmental problems. By this means the project will contribute to better modelling of extreme weather events, heavy air pollution episodes, and fine features of climate change. The new physical concepts and models will be included in the university course and new textbook on PBL physics. This project summarises and further extends our last-decade works in the PBL physics: discovery and the theory of the new PBL types of essentially non-local nature: long-lived stable and conventionally neutral ; quantification of the basic effects of coherent eddies in the shear-free convective PBLs including the non-local heat-transfer law; physical solution to the turbulence cut off problem in the closure models for stable stratification; and discovery of the stability dependences of the roughness length and displacement height.
Max ERC Funding
2 390 000 €
Duration
Start date: 2009-01-01, End date: 2013-12-31
Project acronym PD UpReg
Project Gene knock-up via 3’UTR targeting to treat Parkinson’s disease
Researcher (PI) JAAN-OLLE ANDRESSOO
Host Institution (HI) HELSINGIN YLIOPISTO
Call Details Consolidator Grant (CoG), LS7, ERC-2016-COG
Summary Parkinson’s disease (PD) affects 1% of elderly persons and is currently incurable. PD pathogenesis is driven, at least in part, by defects in proteostasis and mitochondrial function, leading to degeneration of dopaminergic axons and neuronal death. Neurotrophic factors (NTFs) such as GDNF can protect and restore dopaminergic axons. However, attempts to deploy NTFs ectopically in therapy models, or to increase proteostasis and mitochondrial function, have met with only limited success.
I hypothesize that instead of ectopic application, over-expression of relevant pathways restricted to physiologically appropriate cells provides a potent therapeutic approach to treat PD. I have made significant progress toward this goal by targeting the 3’UTR in the mouse Gdnf gene, thereby increasing expression levels without affecting the gene’s spatiotemporal expression pattern. Using this approach I have shown that elevation of endogenous GDNF levels protects mice from experimentally induced PD. Unlike ectopic GDNF application, it causes no side effects. Importantly, I have established that GDNF levels can be elevated by 3’UTR targeting in adulthood, suggesting that this strategy could be applied in humans late in life.
I will use 3’UTR targeting to study the therapeutic potential of overexpressing endogenous genes, using transgenics and CRISPR-Cas9‒mediated 3’UTR editing in adult mice. First, I will increase the expression of NTFs in adult mice with experimentally induced PD. Next, I will upregulate genes important in mitochondrial function and proteostasis and test whether concurrently upregulating endogenous NTFs is a viable approach for treating PD. Third, I will use 3’UTR targeting to create a mouse model of PD in which alpha-synuclein is overexpressed, for better validation of my therapeutic strategy. Collectively, these experiments should establish proof of concept for a revolutionary, safe and effective treatment for PD.
Summary
Parkinson’s disease (PD) affects 1% of elderly persons and is currently incurable. PD pathogenesis is driven, at least in part, by defects in proteostasis and mitochondrial function, leading to degeneration of dopaminergic axons and neuronal death. Neurotrophic factors (NTFs) such as GDNF can protect and restore dopaminergic axons. However, attempts to deploy NTFs ectopically in therapy models, or to increase proteostasis and mitochondrial function, have met with only limited success.
I hypothesize that instead of ectopic application, over-expression of relevant pathways restricted to physiologically appropriate cells provides a potent therapeutic approach to treat PD. I have made significant progress toward this goal by targeting the 3’UTR in the mouse Gdnf gene, thereby increasing expression levels without affecting the gene’s spatiotemporal expression pattern. Using this approach I have shown that elevation of endogenous GDNF levels protects mice from experimentally induced PD. Unlike ectopic GDNF application, it causes no side effects. Importantly, I have established that GDNF levels can be elevated by 3’UTR targeting in adulthood, suggesting that this strategy could be applied in humans late in life.
I will use 3’UTR targeting to study the therapeutic potential of overexpressing endogenous genes, using transgenics and CRISPR-Cas9‒mediated 3’UTR editing in adult mice. First, I will increase the expression of NTFs in adult mice with experimentally induced PD. Next, I will upregulate genes important in mitochondrial function and proteostasis and test whether concurrently upregulating endogenous NTFs is a viable approach for treating PD. Third, I will use 3’UTR targeting to create a mouse model of PD in which alpha-synuclein is overexpressed, for better validation of my therapeutic strategy. Collectively, these experiments should establish proof of concept for a revolutionary, safe and effective treatment for PD.
Max ERC Funding
1 999 987 €
Duration
Start date: 2017-09-01, End date: 2022-08-31
Project acronym PeptiCrad
Project Personalized oncolytic vaccines for cancer immunotherapy
Researcher (PI) Vincenzo Cerullo
Host Institution (HI) HELSINGIN YLIOPISTO
Call Details Consolidator Grant (CoG), LS7, ERC-2015-CoG
Summary This grant application proposes to develop a novel, customizable and personalized anti-cancer vaccine: peptide-coated conditionally replicating adenovirus (PeptiCrad).
Anti-cancer vaccines represent a promising approach for cancer treatment because they elicit durable and specific immune response that destroys primary tumors and distant metastases. Oncolytic viruses (OVs) are of significant interest because in addition to cytolysis they stimulate anti-tumor immune responses, thereby functioning as anti-tumor vaccines. However, their efficacy among cancer patients has been modest. One reason for this shortcoming is that the immune responses generated by virus infection primarily target the virus rather than the tumor. In addition, tumors differ across patients. Specific and personalized approaches (rather than generic virus infection strategies) are required to optimize therapy. To this end we propose to develop a novel vaccine platform that combines the strengths of OVs with the specificity of vaccines. Our technology is called PeptiCrad. PeptiCrad is a virus “dressed as a tumor”. It directly kills cancer cells (i.e., oncolytic viruses) and expresses immunomodulatory molecules (i.e., cytokines or the immune checkpoint inhibitors anti-CTLA4 or anti-PDL1); most importantly, it diverts immunity toward the tumor (i.e., the capsid becomes covered with MHC-I-restricted tumor-specific peptides).
The method that we have developed to cover the virus with tumor peptides is novel and exceeds current state-of-the-art. Importantly, it is fast and does not require genetic or chemical manipulation of the virus; this feature has a significant impact on the translational capability of the project.
Our preliminary results show great potential but significant questions regarding the development and the personalization of PeptiCrad remain to be studied. In this grant I propose two lines of research, one focused on the development and the other one on the personalization of PeptiCrad.
Summary
This grant application proposes to develop a novel, customizable and personalized anti-cancer vaccine: peptide-coated conditionally replicating adenovirus (PeptiCrad).
Anti-cancer vaccines represent a promising approach for cancer treatment because they elicit durable and specific immune response that destroys primary tumors and distant metastases. Oncolytic viruses (OVs) are of significant interest because in addition to cytolysis they stimulate anti-tumor immune responses, thereby functioning as anti-tumor vaccines. However, their efficacy among cancer patients has been modest. One reason for this shortcoming is that the immune responses generated by virus infection primarily target the virus rather than the tumor. In addition, tumors differ across patients. Specific and personalized approaches (rather than generic virus infection strategies) are required to optimize therapy. To this end we propose to develop a novel vaccine platform that combines the strengths of OVs with the specificity of vaccines. Our technology is called PeptiCrad. PeptiCrad is a virus “dressed as a tumor”. It directly kills cancer cells (i.e., oncolytic viruses) and expresses immunomodulatory molecules (i.e., cytokines or the immune checkpoint inhibitors anti-CTLA4 or anti-PDL1); most importantly, it diverts immunity toward the tumor (i.e., the capsid becomes covered with MHC-I-restricted tumor-specific peptides).
The method that we have developed to cover the virus with tumor peptides is novel and exceeds current state-of-the-art. Importantly, it is fast and does not require genetic or chemical manipulation of the virus; this feature has a significant impact on the translational capability of the project.
Our preliminary results show great potential but significant questions regarding the development and the personalization of PeptiCrad remain to be studied. In this grant I propose two lines of research, one focused on the development and the other one on the personalization of PeptiCrad.
Max ERC Funding
1 975 705 €
Duration
Start date: 2016-07-01, End date: 2021-06-30
Project acronym PHDVIRTA
Project Physically-based Virtual Acoustics
Researcher (PI) Kalle Tapio Lokki
Host Institution (HI) AALTO KORKEAKOULUSAATIO SR
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE5, ERC-2007-StG
Summary The objective of the project is to find new methods for quality evaluation and modeling of room acoustics. Room acoustics has been studied over 100 years, but, e.g., the relation between objective attributes and subjective measures is not fully understood yet. This project will develop novel methods to simulate and auralize sound propagation in rooms, in particular in concert halls. The research is divided into three main topics. First, authentic auralization with physically-based room acoustics modeling methods will be studied. The recently introduced acoustic radiance transfer method is developed further to handle complex reflections from surfaces as well as diffraction. The second research topic is quality evaluation of concert hall acoustics. Novel algorithms will be developed for spatial sound analysis of a large impulse response database. Live recordings will be analyzed to find new objective quality measures. Quality assessments will also be performed subjectively with sensory evaluation methods borrowed from food industry. The third topic is related to augmented reality audio technology, which reveals the potential and richness of emerging technologies, giving a scenario of the possible future personalized mobile audio communications. The results of the project will be widely applicable in the academia, but also in every day life of people all over the world. The new knowledge in room acoustics will help to build acoustically better concert halls and public places such as libraries, shopping malls, etc. The augmented reality audio applications will help and enrich communication between humans. The concert hall acoustics research has great potential to find novel objective and subjective quality metrics. They also help in creation of authentic auralization, which will be one of the main tools for consultants in design, and in particular when explaining design results to architects, clients, and public audience.
Summary
The objective of the project is to find new methods for quality evaluation and modeling of room acoustics. Room acoustics has been studied over 100 years, but, e.g., the relation between objective attributes and subjective measures is not fully understood yet. This project will develop novel methods to simulate and auralize sound propagation in rooms, in particular in concert halls. The research is divided into three main topics. First, authentic auralization with physically-based room acoustics modeling methods will be studied. The recently introduced acoustic radiance transfer method is developed further to handle complex reflections from surfaces as well as diffraction. The second research topic is quality evaluation of concert hall acoustics. Novel algorithms will be developed for spatial sound analysis of a large impulse response database. Live recordings will be analyzed to find new objective quality measures. Quality assessments will also be performed subjectively with sensory evaluation methods borrowed from food industry. The third topic is related to augmented reality audio technology, which reveals the potential and richness of emerging technologies, giving a scenario of the possible future personalized mobile audio communications. The results of the project will be widely applicable in the academia, but also in every day life of people all over the world. The new knowledge in room acoustics will help to build acoustically better concert halls and public places such as libraries, shopping malls, etc. The augmented reality audio applications will help and enrich communication between humans. The concert hall acoustics research has great potential to find novel objective and subjective quality metrics. They also help in creation of authentic auralization, which will be one of the main tools for consultants in design, and in particular when explaining design results to architects, clients, and public audience.
Max ERC Funding
880 224 €
Duration
Start date: 2008-07-01, End date: 2013-06-30
Project acronym PHOTOTUNE
Project Tunable Photonic Structures via Photomechanical Actuation
Researcher (PI) Arri Priimägi
Host Institution (HI) TTY-SAATIO
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE8, ERC-2015-STG
Summary The next frontier in photonics is to achieve dynamic and externally tunable materials that allow for real-time, on-demand control over optical responses. Light is in many ways an ideal stimulus for achieving such control, and PHOTOTUNE aims at devising a comprehensive toolbox for the fabrication of light-tunable solid-state photonic structures. We harness light to control light, by making use of photoactuable liquid-crystal elastomers, which display large light-induced deformations through coupling between anisotropic liquid-crystal order and elasticity brought about by the polymer network.
We will take liquid-crystal elastomers into a new context by intertwining photomechanics and photonics. Specifically, PHOTOTUNE is built around the following two objectives:
(i) Tunable photonic bandgaps and lasing in photoactuable layered structures: The aim is to take photomechanical materials into the scale of optical wavelengths and utilize them in thickness-tunable liquid-crystal elastomer films. Such films will be further integrated into layered structures to obtain photonic crystals and multilayer distributed feedback lasers whose properties can be tuned by light.
(ii) Photomechanical control over plasmonic enhancement on nanostructured elastomeric substrates: Fabrication of metal nanostructures on substrates that can contract and expand in response to light comprises a perfect, yet previously unexplored, nanophotonic platform with light-tunable lattice parameters. We will apply such tunable photoelastomeric substrates for surface-enhanced Raman scattering and phototunable nonlinear plasmonics.
We expect to present a wholly new technological toolbox for tunable optical components and sensing platforms and beyond: The horizons of PHOTOTUNE are as far-reaching as in studying distance-dependent physical phenomena, controlling the speed of light in periodic structures, and designing actively-tunable optical metamaterials.
Summary
The next frontier in photonics is to achieve dynamic and externally tunable materials that allow for real-time, on-demand control over optical responses. Light is in many ways an ideal stimulus for achieving such control, and PHOTOTUNE aims at devising a comprehensive toolbox for the fabrication of light-tunable solid-state photonic structures. We harness light to control light, by making use of photoactuable liquid-crystal elastomers, which display large light-induced deformations through coupling between anisotropic liquid-crystal order and elasticity brought about by the polymer network.
We will take liquid-crystal elastomers into a new context by intertwining photomechanics and photonics. Specifically, PHOTOTUNE is built around the following two objectives:
(i) Tunable photonic bandgaps and lasing in photoactuable layered structures: The aim is to take photomechanical materials into the scale of optical wavelengths and utilize them in thickness-tunable liquid-crystal elastomer films. Such films will be further integrated into layered structures to obtain photonic crystals and multilayer distributed feedback lasers whose properties can be tuned by light.
(ii) Photomechanical control over plasmonic enhancement on nanostructured elastomeric substrates: Fabrication of metal nanostructures on substrates that can contract and expand in response to light comprises a perfect, yet previously unexplored, nanophotonic platform with light-tunable lattice parameters. We will apply such tunable photoelastomeric substrates for surface-enhanced Raman scattering and phototunable nonlinear plasmonics.
We expect to present a wholly new technological toolbox for tunable optical components and sensing platforms and beyond: The horizons of PHOTOTUNE are as far-reaching as in studying distance-dependent physical phenomena, controlling the speed of light in periodic structures, and designing actively-tunable optical metamaterials.
Max ERC Funding
1 486 400 €
Duration
Start date: 2016-05-01, End date: 2021-04-30
Project acronym Porous Silicon Nanov
Project Multistage-Multifunctional Porous Silicon Nanovectors for Directed Theranostics
Researcher (PI) Hélder Almeida Santos
Host Institution (HI) HELSINGIN YLIOPISTO
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), LS7, ERC-2012-StG_20111109
Summary The progress of nanotechnology during the last decades has had a strong impact to the current research of biomedical applications, in particular against dreadful diseases such as cancer. It is estimated that more than 12 million cases of cancer are diagnosed every year worldwide. Multidrug resistance, rapid elimination by the immune system, enzymatic degradation, and poor targeting efficiency are still the major obstacles of the nanomedicines used in cancer therapy. The integration of imaging and therapeutic agents into a single carrier (theranostics) allows simultaneously detection, diagnostics, and treatment of the diseases, which may enhance both expectancy and quality of life of the patients.
In the proposed project a systematic approach is taken towards developing and testing of novel multistage–multifunctional nanovectors based on the fusion between stage-2 nanoporous silicon nanoparticles and stage-1 polymersomes (fused materials = protocells, cell-like particles) for directed (targeted/personalized) therapy and multimodal imaging. With this approach it is aimed to decouple the quadruple functions of the protocell nanovectors in order to generate relevant preclinical information for rapid translation into the clinic: sufficient multifunctionality to avoid biological barriers, recognition of their targets, accounting for non-invasive in vivo imaging and delivery of therapeutics. The overall distinct and final milestones are: to ligand-anchored, co-loading of drug(s)-dye(s), and dual radiolabelling of the precisely tailored protocell nanovectors for simultaneously targeting the tumour vasculature cells, stimulating the immune system response and multimodal imaging in vivo. It is also aimed to evaluate the suitability and effectiveness of the designed nanodevices by employing in vitro models and in vivo imaging techniques and to achieve a comprehensive and deeper understanding on the cellular interactions between the protocell nanovectors and the cancer cells.
Summary
The progress of nanotechnology during the last decades has had a strong impact to the current research of biomedical applications, in particular against dreadful diseases such as cancer. It is estimated that more than 12 million cases of cancer are diagnosed every year worldwide. Multidrug resistance, rapid elimination by the immune system, enzymatic degradation, and poor targeting efficiency are still the major obstacles of the nanomedicines used in cancer therapy. The integration of imaging and therapeutic agents into a single carrier (theranostics) allows simultaneously detection, diagnostics, and treatment of the diseases, which may enhance both expectancy and quality of life of the patients.
In the proposed project a systematic approach is taken towards developing and testing of novel multistage–multifunctional nanovectors based on the fusion between stage-2 nanoporous silicon nanoparticles and stage-1 polymersomes (fused materials = protocells, cell-like particles) for directed (targeted/personalized) therapy and multimodal imaging. With this approach it is aimed to decouple the quadruple functions of the protocell nanovectors in order to generate relevant preclinical information for rapid translation into the clinic: sufficient multifunctionality to avoid biological barriers, recognition of their targets, accounting for non-invasive in vivo imaging and delivery of therapeutics. The overall distinct and final milestones are: to ligand-anchored, co-loading of drug(s)-dye(s), and dual radiolabelling of the precisely tailored protocell nanovectors for simultaneously targeting the tumour vasculature cells, stimulating the immune system response and multimodal imaging in vivo. It is also aimed to evaluate the suitability and effectiveness of the designed nanodevices by employing in vitro models and in vivo imaging techniques and to achieve a comprehensive and deeper understanding on the cellular interactions between the protocell nanovectors and the cancer cells.
Max ERC Funding
1 499 603 €
Duration
Start date: 2013-01-01, End date: 2017-12-31
Project acronym POWERSPIN
Project Low-power spin-wave-based computing
Researcher (PI) Sebastiaan VAN DIJKEN
Host Institution (HI) AALTO KORKEAKOULUSAATIO SR
Call Details Proof of Concept (PoC), ERC-2018-PoC
Summary Downscaling of Si-based microprocessors has considerably increased the amount of heating in computers and other information and communication technology (ICT) devices. As a result, computer servers in big data centres waste more than 90% of the electricity they pull off the grid. High-density electrical currents in microprocessors and interconnects cause excessive warm-up via an effect known as Joule heating. To fulfil future requirements for data transmission and processing rates with low energy consumption, a paradigm shift away from purely charge-based electronics is needed. Recently, post-Si computing with collective spin wave excitations in tailored magnets has been identified as a promising route. Spin waves are transmitted through a magnetic material without the displacement of electric charges (i.e. currents), thus drastically reducing energy consumption and heating. We recently demonstrated that short-wavelength spin waves can be emitted and manipulated by small voltage pulses in ferroelectric-ferromagnetic bilayers. In the ERC PoC project we will use our results to realise an industrially relevant integrated spin wave computing device.
Summary
Downscaling of Si-based microprocessors has considerably increased the amount of heating in computers and other information and communication technology (ICT) devices. As a result, computer servers in big data centres waste more than 90% of the electricity they pull off the grid. High-density electrical currents in microprocessors and interconnects cause excessive warm-up via an effect known as Joule heating. To fulfil future requirements for data transmission and processing rates with low energy consumption, a paradigm shift away from purely charge-based electronics is needed. Recently, post-Si computing with collective spin wave excitations in tailored magnets has been identified as a promising route. Spin waves are transmitted through a magnetic material without the displacement of electric charges (i.e. currents), thus drastically reducing energy consumption and heating. We recently demonstrated that short-wavelength spin waves can be emitted and manipulated by small voltage pulses in ferroelectric-ferromagnetic bilayers. In the ERC PoC project we will use our results to realise an industrially relevant integrated spin wave computing device.
Max ERC Funding
149 830 €
Duration
Start date: 2018-07-01, End date: 2019-12-31
Project acronym PRECISE-NANO
Project Atomically precise nanoelectronic materials
Researcher (PI) Peter Wilhelm Liljeroth
Host Institution (HI) AALTO KORKEAKOULUSAATIO SR
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE3, ERC-2011-StG_20101014
Summary "The current devices used in electronics have reached nanometre dimensions where the precise nature and location of every atom matters. To further drive the development of existing technologies and to test proposals for next generation nanoelectronics, we need tools that allow structural and electronic characterization of materials down to the atomic scale. We need to be able to measure the position and nature of the atoms, as well as the local density of electronic states at a specific energy, the charge distribution, and atomic scale magnetic properties. In addition, we need methods that allow controlled manipulation of the relevant atomic-scale details of the active region of the material, where we could pick and place atoms or molecules and create vacancies at pre-defined locations.
The goal of this project is to develop such tools and apply them to three different materials systems of enormous current interest: nanostructured graphene, molecular networks and topological insulators. Progress towards using these materials in real life electronic applications is currently limited by the restricted experimental handle of their structure at the atomic scale: for example, edge structure in graphene nanostructures and contacts in molecular devices. I will use scanning probe techniques to fabricate nanoelectronic devices of atomically precise structure and explore the possibilities offered by well-defined nanostructures and spatially controlled charge and spin-doping."
Summary
"The current devices used in electronics have reached nanometre dimensions where the precise nature and location of every atom matters. To further drive the development of existing technologies and to test proposals for next generation nanoelectronics, we need tools that allow structural and electronic characterization of materials down to the atomic scale. We need to be able to measure the position and nature of the atoms, as well as the local density of electronic states at a specific energy, the charge distribution, and atomic scale magnetic properties. In addition, we need methods that allow controlled manipulation of the relevant atomic-scale details of the active region of the material, where we could pick and place atoms or molecules and create vacancies at pre-defined locations.
The goal of this project is to develop such tools and apply them to three different materials systems of enormous current interest: nanostructured graphene, molecular networks and topological insulators. Progress towards using these materials in real life electronic applications is currently limited by the restricted experimental handle of their structure at the atomic scale: for example, edge structure in graphene nanostructures and contacts in molecular devices. I will use scanning probe techniques to fabricate nanoelectronic devices of atomically precise structure and explore the possibilities offered by well-defined nanostructures and spatially controlled charge and spin-doping."
Max ERC Funding
1 494 448 €
Duration
Start date: 2012-02-01, End date: 2017-01-31
Project acronym PRESSBIRTH
Project Arginine vasopressin and ion transporters in the modulation of brain excitability during birth and birth asphyxia seizures
Researcher (PI) Kai Kalervo Kaila
Host Institution (HI) HELSINGIN YLIOPISTO
Call Details Advanced Grant (AdG), LS4, ERC-2013-ADG
Summary A transient period of asphyxia in the newborn is an obligatory part of normal parturition. A more prolonged disturbance in cerebral blood supply is a major cause of neonatal seizures. Current therapies of birth asphyxia seizures are ineffective and the underlying mechanisms are unknown.
Our recent landmark work on a rat model of birth asphyxia showed that asphyxia is followed by brain alkalosis, which triggers seizures. The brain-confined alkalosis is generated by activation of Na/H exchange in the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Both alkalosis and the consequent seizures can be suppressed by graded restoration of the high CO2 level after asphyxia and with blockers of Na/H exchange.
Our pilot data indicate that arginine vasopressin (AVP) triggers the post-asphyxia seizures by activating the BBB-located luminal V1a receptor-coupled Na/H exchanger. Akin to human infants, a very high level of plasma copeptin (a part of pro-AVP) is seen following asphyxia but, notably, the copeptin levels remain low with graded restoration of normocapnia. Moreover, intravenous AVP V1a receptor antagonists, acting on the BBB, block the generation of seizures. In striking contrast, AVP suppresses network excitability when acting on V1aRs in the neonate hippocampus.
Thus, I hypothesize that AVP acts on the BBB to promote neonatal seizures, and that this effect is paralleled by a central anticonvulsant action. Next to nothing is known about AVP actions on ionic regulation in the brain. Our pilot data indicate that AVP inhibits the Na-K-2Cl cotransporter NKCC1 and activates the K-Cl cotransporter KCC2 in a manner consistent with reduction of excitability.
My laboratory has an internationally leading role in work on neuronal pH and Cl- regulation and on functions of the immature brain. Understanding the mechanisms of AVP actions during normal birth and birth asphyxia will provide novel insights on the control of the excitability of the newborn brain. This work has a high translational impact.
Summary
A transient period of asphyxia in the newborn is an obligatory part of normal parturition. A more prolonged disturbance in cerebral blood supply is a major cause of neonatal seizures. Current therapies of birth asphyxia seizures are ineffective and the underlying mechanisms are unknown.
Our recent landmark work on a rat model of birth asphyxia showed that asphyxia is followed by brain alkalosis, which triggers seizures. The brain-confined alkalosis is generated by activation of Na/H exchange in the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Both alkalosis and the consequent seizures can be suppressed by graded restoration of the high CO2 level after asphyxia and with blockers of Na/H exchange.
Our pilot data indicate that arginine vasopressin (AVP) triggers the post-asphyxia seizures by activating the BBB-located luminal V1a receptor-coupled Na/H exchanger. Akin to human infants, a very high level of plasma copeptin (a part of pro-AVP) is seen following asphyxia but, notably, the copeptin levels remain low with graded restoration of normocapnia. Moreover, intravenous AVP V1a receptor antagonists, acting on the BBB, block the generation of seizures. In striking contrast, AVP suppresses network excitability when acting on V1aRs in the neonate hippocampus.
Thus, I hypothesize that AVP acts on the BBB to promote neonatal seizures, and that this effect is paralleled by a central anticonvulsant action. Next to nothing is known about AVP actions on ionic regulation in the brain. Our pilot data indicate that AVP inhibits the Na-K-2Cl cotransporter NKCC1 and activates the K-Cl cotransporter KCC2 in a manner consistent with reduction of excitability.
My laboratory has an internationally leading role in work on neuronal pH and Cl- regulation and on functions of the immature brain. Understanding the mechanisms of AVP actions during normal birth and birth asphyxia will provide novel insights on the control of the excitability of the newborn brain. This work has a high translational impact.
Max ERC Funding
2 497 419 €
Duration
Start date: 2014-02-01, End date: 2019-01-31
Project acronym PRESTISSIMO
Project Plasma Reconnection, Shocks and Turbulence in Solar System Interactions: Modelling and Observations
Researcher (PI) MINNA MARIA EMILIA Palmroth
Host Institution (HI) HELSINGIN YLIOPISTO
Call Details Consolidator Grant (CoG), PE9, ERC-2015-CoG
Summary This project combines the forefront space physics with top-tier high performance computing. Three phenomena are above others in importance in explaining plasma behaviour in the Solar-Terrestrial system, laboratories, fusion devices, and astrophysical domains: 1) magnetic reconnection enabling energy and mass transfer between magnetic domains, 2) collisionless shocks forming due to supersonic relative flow speeds between plasmas, and 3) particle acceleration associated with both. These processes are critical in understanding the scientific foundation of space weather, i.e., harmful effects caused by enhanced radiation and dynamical processes that endanger space- and ground-based technological systems or human life. Space weather forecasts require physics-based models; however, to date only simple plasma descriptions have been used in the global context. We have developed the first 6-dimensional global magnetospheric kinetic simulation in the world, Vlasiator, promising a grand leap both in understanding fundamental space plasma physics, and in improving the accuracy of present space weather models. Combining the unique Vlasiator with newest spacecraft data, local kinetic physics can be interpreted in global context in a ground-breaking fashion. We examine in the global and self-consistent context
1. Near-Earth reconnection,
2. Ion-scale phenomena in the near-Earth shocks,
3. Particle acceleration by shocks and reconnection,
4. Inner magnetospheric wave-particle processes, and the consequent particle precipitation into the ionosphere.
The proposed work is now feasible thanks to increased computational capabilities and Vlasiator. The newest space missions produce high-fidelity multi-point observations that require directly comparable global kinetic simulations offered by Vlasiator. The proposing team has an outstanding record and a leading role in global space physics modelling.
Summary
This project combines the forefront space physics with top-tier high performance computing. Three phenomena are above others in importance in explaining plasma behaviour in the Solar-Terrestrial system, laboratories, fusion devices, and astrophysical domains: 1) magnetic reconnection enabling energy and mass transfer between magnetic domains, 2) collisionless shocks forming due to supersonic relative flow speeds between plasmas, and 3) particle acceleration associated with both. These processes are critical in understanding the scientific foundation of space weather, i.e., harmful effects caused by enhanced radiation and dynamical processes that endanger space- and ground-based technological systems or human life. Space weather forecasts require physics-based models; however, to date only simple plasma descriptions have been used in the global context. We have developed the first 6-dimensional global magnetospheric kinetic simulation in the world, Vlasiator, promising a grand leap both in understanding fundamental space plasma physics, and in improving the accuracy of present space weather models. Combining the unique Vlasiator with newest spacecraft data, local kinetic physics can be interpreted in global context in a ground-breaking fashion. We examine in the global and self-consistent context
1. Near-Earth reconnection,
2. Ion-scale phenomena in the near-Earth shocks,
3. Particle acceleration by shocks and reconnection,
4. Inner magnetospheric wave-particle processes, and the consequent particle precipitation into the ionosphere.
The proposed work is now feasible thanks to increased computational capabilities and Vlasiator. The newest space missions produce high-fidelity multi-point observations that require directly comparable global kinetic simulations offered by Vlasiator. The proposing team has an outstanding record and a leading role in global space physics modelling.
Max ERC Funding
1 998 054 €
Duration
Start date: 2016-06-01, End date: 2021-05-31
Project acronym QAPPA
Project Quantifying the atmospheric implications of the solid phase and phase transitions of secondary organic aerosols
Researcher (PI) Annele Kirsi Katriina Virtanen
Host Institution (HI) ITA-SUOMEN YLIOPISTO
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE10, ERC-2013-StG
Summary In our ground-breaking paper published in Nature we showed, that the atmospheric Secondary Organic Aerosol (SOA) particles formed in boreal forest can be amorphous solid in their physical phase. Our result has already re-directed the SOA related research. In the several follow-up studies, it has been shown that SOA particles generated in the laboratory chamber from different pre-cursors and in various conditions are amorphous solid.
My ultimate task is to quantify the atmospheric implications of the phase state of SOA particles. Solid phase of the particles implies surface-confined chemistry and kinetic vapour uptake limitations because mass transport (diffusion) of reactants within the aerosol particle bulk becomes the rate limiting step. The diffusivity of the molecules in particle bulk depends on the viscosity of the SOA material. Hence, it would be a scientific break-through, if the kinetic limitations or the viscosity of the SOA particles could be estimated since these factors are a key to quantify the atmospheric implications of amorphous solid phase of the particles.
To achieve the final goal of the research, measurement method development is needed as currently there is no method to quantify the viscosity of the SOA particles, or to study the kinetic limitations and surface-confined chemistry caused by the solid phase of nanometer sized SOA particles. The methodology that will be developed in the proposed study, aims ambitiously to quantify the essential factors affecting the atmospheric processes of the SOA particles. The developed methodology will be use in extensive measurement campaigns performed both in SOA chambers and in atmospheric measurement sites in Europe and in US maximising the global significance of the results gained in this study.
The project enables two scientific breakthroughs: 1) the new methodology applicable in the field of nanoparticle research and 2) the quantified atmospheric implications of the amorphous solid phase of particles.
Summary
In our ground-breaking paper published in Nature we showed, that the atmospheric Secondary Organic Aerosol (SOA) particles formed in boreal forest can be amorphous solid in their physical phase. Our result has already re-directed the SOA related research. In the several follow-up studies, it has been shown that SOA particles generated in the laboratory chamber from different pre-cursors and in various conditions are amorphous solid.
My ultimate task is to quantify the atmospheric implications of the phase state of SOA particles. Solid phase of the particles implies surface-confined chemistry and kinetic vapour uptake limitations because mass transport (diffusion) of reactants within the aerosol particle bulk becomes the rate limiting step. The diffusivity of the molecules in particle bulk depends on the viscosity of the SOA material. Hence, it would be a scientific break-through, if the kinetic limitations or the viscosity of the SOA particles could be estimated since these factors are a key to quantify the atmospheric implications of amorphous solid phase of the particles.
To achieve the final goal of the research, measurement method development is needed as currently there is no method to quantify the viscosity of the SOA particles, or to study the kinetic limitations and surface-confined chemistry caused by the solid phase of nanometer sized SOA particles. The methodology that will be developed in the proposed study, aims ambitiously to quantify the essential factors affecting the atmospheric processes of the SOA particles. The developed methodology will be use in extensive measurement campaigns performed both in SOA chambers and in atmospheric measurement sites in Europe and in US maximising the global significance of the results gained in this study.
The project enables two scientific breakthroughs: 1) the new methodology applicable in the field of nanoparticle research and 2) the quantified atmospheric implications of the amorphous solid phase of particles.
Max ERC Funding
1 499 612 €
Duration
Start date: 2014-02-01, End date: 2019-01-31
Project acronym QFPROBA
Project Quantum Fields and Probability
Researcher (PI) Antti KUPIAINEN
Host Institution (HI) HELSINGIN YLIOPISTO
Call Details Advanced Grant (AdG), PE1, ERC-2016-ADG
Summary Quantum Field Theory (QFT) has become a universal framework in physics to study systems with infinite number of degrees of freedom.
It has also had in the past significant interaction with Probability starting with Constructive QFT and rigorous statistical mechanics. The goal of this proposal is to bring QFT methods to probabilistic problems and new ideas from Probability to QFT. It concentrates on two concrete topics:
(1) Renormalization Group study of rough Stochastic Partial Differential Equations, both their path wise solutions and their space-time correlations and stationary states. These equations are ubiquitous in non-equilibrium physics and they are mathematically challenging.
(2) The use of Multiplicative Chaos theory in the rigorous construction and study of the Liouville Conformal Field Theory. Liouville theory is one of the most studied Conformal Field Theories in physics due to its connection to scaling limits of random surfaces and string theory. It has many mathematically puzzling features and its rigorous study is now possible.
Although the physical applications of these theories are far apart on the level of mathematical methods they have a common unity based on renormalization theory that I want to utilize. I think time is ripe for a new fruitful interaction between QFT and Probability.
Summary
Quantum Field Theory (QFT) has become a universal framework in physics to study systems with infinite number of degrees of freedom.
It has also had in the past significant interaction with Probability starting with Constructive QFT and rigorous statistical mechanics. The goal of this proposal is to bring QFT methods to probabilistic problems and new ideas from Probability to QFT. It concentrates on two concrete topics:
(1) Renormalization Group study of rough Stochastic Partial Differential Equations, both their path wise solutions and their space-time correlations and stationary states. These equations are ubiquitous in non-equilibrium physics and they are mathematically challenging.
(2) The use of Multiplicative Chaos theory in the rigorous construction and study of the Liouville Conformal Field Theory. Liouville theory is one of the most studied Conformal Field Theories in physics due to its connection to scaling limits of random surfaces and string theory. It has many mathematically puzzling features and its rigorous study is now possible.
Although the physical applications of these theories are far apart on the level of mathematical methods they have a common unity based on renormalization theory that I want to utilize. I think time is ripe for a new fruitful interaction between QFT and Probability.
Max ERC Funding
2 463 412 €
Duration
Start date: 2017-10-01, End date: 2022-09-30
Project acronym QuDeT
Project Quantum devices in topological matter: carbon nanotubes, graphene, and novel superfluids
Researcher (PI) Pertti Hakonen
Host Institution (HI) AALTO KORKEAKOULUSAATIO SR
Call Details Advanced Grant (AdG), PE3, ERC-2014-ADG
Summary The project addresses quantum devices in hybrid systems formed using carbon nanotubes, graphene, and 3He superfluid, all with particular topological characteristics. Topological properties of these non-trivial materials can be drastically modified by introducing defects or interfaces into them, like single layer graphene into superfluid helium, boron nitride between graphene sheets, carbon nanotubes in 3He superfluid, or misfit dislocation layers into HOPG graphite.
We are particularly interested in graphene/3He systems where graphene acts as an interface/substrate of interacting atomic ensembles. The atomic interactions across graphene are expected to provide novel mesoscopic condensates. By studying the topological phases of thin 3He layers and graphene immersed into superfluid 3He, we will investigate pairing across the graphene interface, deduce the origin of supercurrents, and look for excitonic superfluidity in these systems.
Single walled carbon nanotubes provide high-quality nanomechanical resonators with extraordinary properties. By using proximity-induced superconductivity, these objects will be integrated into circuit optomechanics in a way that facilitates strong coupling between the mechanical motion and the microwave cavity. By using adiabatic nuclear refrigeration, these non-linear quantum objects will be cooled below 1 mK, at the temperature of which the quantum ground state is reached. The cooling relies on immersion of the SWNT into superfluid 3He which, in the limit T -> 0, provides a quantum vacuum with unique topological properties. Intriguingly, the characteristics of this vacuum can be probed by ultrasensitive detectors provided by the suspended SWNTs.
Finally, besides non-classical phonon states, e.g. Fock states in the mechanical resonator, reaching the ground state of such an anharmonic oscillator will allow studies of quantum tunnelling of a macroscopic object from its metastable minimum when biased with a large gate voltage.
Summary
The project addresses quantum devices in hybrid systems formed using carbon nanotubes, graphene, and 3He superfluid, all with particular topological characteristics. Topological properties of these non-trivial materials can be drastically modified by introducing defects or interfaces into them, like single layer graphene into superfluid helium, boron nitride between graphene sheets, carbon nanotubes in 3He superfluid, or misfit dislocation layers into HOPG graphite.
We are particularly interested in graphene/3He systems where graphene acts as an interface/substrate of interacting atomic ensembles. The atomic interactions across graphene are expected to provide novel mesoscopic condensates. By studying the topological phases of thin 3He layers and graphene immersed into superfluid 3He, we will investigate pairing across the graphene interface, deduce the origin of supercurrents, and look for excitonic superfluidity in these systems.
Single walled carbon nanotubes provide high-quality nanomechanical resonators with extraordinary properties. By using proximity-induced superconductivity, these objects will be integrated into circuit optomechanics in a way that facilitates strong coupling between the mechanical motion and the microwave cavity. By using adiabatic nuclear refrigeration, these non-linear quantum objects will be cooled below 1 mK, at the temperature of which the quantum ground state is reached. The cooling relies on immersion of the SWNT into superfluid 3He which, in the limit T -> 0, provides a quantum vacuum with unique topological properties. Intriguingly, the characteristics of this vacuum can be probed by ultrasensitive detectors provided by the suspended SWNTs.
Finally, besides non-classical phonon states, e.g. Fock states in the mechanical resonator, reaching the ground state of such an anharmonic oscillator will allow studies of quantum tunnelling of a macroscopic object from its metastable minimum when biased with a large gate voltage.
Max ERC Funding
2 398 536 €
Duration
Start date: 2016-01-01, End date: 2020-12-31
Project acronym QUESPACE
Project Quantifying Energy Circulation in Space Plasma
Researcher (PI) Minna Maria Emilia Palmroth
Host Institution (HI) ILMATIETEEN LAITOS
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE7, ERC-2007-StG
Summary The project aims to quantify energy circulation in space plasmas. Scientifically, energy transfer is a fundamental plasma physical problem having many applications in a variety of plasma environments ranging from coronal heating on the Sun to electric heating in the ionosphere. Technologically, understanding the plasma and energy transport properties is a step toward predictions of the space environment needed for spacecraft design and operations. The space physics community lacks an accurate and self-consistent numerical model capable of describing the global plasma system in particular in the inner magnetosphere, where major magnetic storms can cause serious damage to space-borne technology. The project has two goals: 1. Novel integration of observations from ESA’s four-spacecraft Cluster mission with simulation results to gain quantitative understanding of global energy transport properties in the near-Earth space; 2. Development of a new self-consistent global plasma simulation that describes multi-component and multi-temperature plasmas to resolve non-MHD processes that currently cannot be self-consistently described by the existing global plasma simulations. The new simulation methods are now feasible due to the increased computational capabilities. Our existing simulation environment and unique analysis methods have brought exciting new results on magnetospheric energy circulation. Seven years after launch, the Cluster database is now large enough to quantitatively assess these effects. The proposing team has a long record in observational research of global energetics and a world-leading role in developing global magnetospheric computer simulations.
Summary
The project aims to quantify energy circulation in space plasmas. Scientifically, energy transfer is a fundamental plasma physical problem having many applications in a variety of plasma environments ranging from coronal heating on the Sun to electric heating in the ionosphere. Technologically, understanding the plasma and energy transport properties is a step toward predictions of the space environment needed for spacecraft design and operations. The space physics community lacks an accurate and self-consistent numerical model capable of describing the global plasma system in particular in the inner magnetosphere, where major magnetic storms can cause serious damage to space-borne technology. The project has two goals: 1. Novel integration of observations from ESA’s four-spacecraft Cluster mission with simulation results to gain quantitative understanding of global energy transport properties in the near-Earth space; 2. Development of a new self-consistent global plasma simulation that describes multi-component and multi-temperature plasmas to resolve non-MHD processes that currently cannot be self-consistently described by the existing global plasma simulations. The new simulation methods are now feasible due to the increased computational capabilities. Our existing simulation environment and unique analysis methods have brought exciting new results on magnetospheric energy circulation. Seven years after launch, the Cluster database is now large enough to quantitatively assess these effects. The proposing team has a long record in observational research of global energetics and a world-leading role in developing global magnetospheric computer simulations.
Max ERC Funding
699 985 €
Duration
Start date: 2008-09-01, End date: 2013-08-31
Project acronym QUESS
Project Quantum Environment Engineering for Steered Systems
Researcher (PI) Mikko Pentti Matias Möttönen
Host Institution (HI) AALTO KORKEAKOULUSAATIO SR
Call Details Consolidator Grant (CoG), PE3, ERC-2015-CoG
Summary The superconducting quantum computer has very recently reached the theoretical thresholds for fault-tolerant universal quantum computing and a quantum annealer based on superconducting quantum bits, qubits, is already commercially available. However, several fundamental questions on the way to efficient large-scale quantum computing have to be answered: qubit initialization, extreme gate accuracy, and quantum-level power consumption.
This project, QUESS, aims for a breakthrough in the realization and control of dissipative environments for quantum devices. Based on novel concepts for normal-metal components integrated with superconducting quantum nanoelectronics, we experimentally realize in-situ-tunable low-temperature environments for superconducting qubits. These environments can be used to precisely reset qubits at will, thus providing an ideal initialization scheme for the quantum computer. The environment can also be well decoupled from the qubit to allow for coherent quantum computing. Utilizing this base technology, we find fundamental quantum-mechanical limitations to the accuracy and power consumption in quantum control, and realize optimal strategies to achieve these limits in practice. Finally, we build a concept of a universal quantum simulator for non-Markovian open quantum systems and experimentally realize its basic building blocks.
This proposal provides key missing ingredients in realizing efficient large-scale quantum computers ultimately leading to a quantum technological revolution, with envisioned practical applications in materials and drug design, energy harvesting, artificial intelligence, telecommunications, and internet of things. Furthermore, this project opens fruitful horizons for tunable environments in quantum technology beyond the superconducting quantum computer, for applications of quantum-limited control, for quantum annealing, and for simulators of non-Markovian open quantum systems.
Summary
The superconducting quantum computer has very recently reached the theoretical thresholds for fault-tolerant universal quantum computing and a quantum annealer based on superconducting quantum bits, qubits, is already commercially available. However, several fundamental questions on the way to efficient large-scale quantum computing have to be answered: qubit initialization, extreme gate accuracy, and quantum-level power consumption.
This project, QUESS, aims for a breakthrough in the realization and control of dissipative environments for quantum devices. Based on novel concepts for normal-metal components integrated with superconducting quantum nanoelectronics, we experimentally realize in-situ-tunable low-temperature environments for superconducting qubits. These environments can be used to precisely reset qubits at will, thus providing an ideal initialization scheme for the quantum computer. The environment can also be well decoupled from the qubit to allow for coherent quantum computing. Utilizing this base technology, we find fundamental quantum-mechanical limitations to the accuracy and power consumption in quantum control, and realize optimal strategies to achieve these limits in practice. Finally, we build a concept of a universal quantum simulator for non-Markovian open quantum systems and experimentally realize its basic building blocks.
This proposal provides key missing ingredients in realizing efficient large-scale quantum computers ultimately leading to a quantum technological revolution, with envisioned practical applications in materials and drug design, energy harvesting, artificial intelligence, telecommunications, and internet of things. Furthermore, this project opens fruitful horizons for tunable environments in quantum technology beyond the superconducting quantum computer, for applications of quantum-limited control, for quantum annealing, and for simulators of non-Markovian open quantum systems.
Max ERC Funding
1 949 570 €
Duration
Start date: 2017-01-01, End date: 2021-12-31
Project acronym RE-FASHIONING
Project Re-fashioning the Renaissance: Popular Groups, Fashion and the Material and Cultural Significance of Clothing in Europe, 1550-1650
Researcher (PI) Paula Sofia Hohti
Host Institution (HI) AALTO KORKEAKOULUSAATIO SR
Call Details Consolidator Grant (CoG), SH5, ERC-2016-COG
Summary This study of Renaissance dress offers a better understanding of how fashion developed at popular levels of
society in Europe, 1550-1650. Drawing on documentary, visual and material evidence, it investigates
fundamental questions relating to the transformation of fashion that will shed light on popular taste,
dissemination, transformation and adaption of fashion, on imitation and meaning, and on changing cultural
attitudes to dress among popular groups. The central goal of the project is to develop a new methodology that
combines my previous experience of empirical research and theoretical models with the tradition of textile
analysis and costume conservation. This involves experimenting with a range of techniques, including
technical analysis of textiles, dye- and fibre analysis, and the reconstruction and visualization of historical
fashions using both 16th-century recipes as well as modern digital tools such as 3D printing and digital
reconstruction. This framework of dress and textile history at both scientific and experimental levels helps me
to provide a more comprehensive interpretation of the value, variations, and material experiences that were
associated with dress and dressing in the Renaissance, and to develop methodologies that allow us to explore
new ways in which narratives from historical documents, books, images, and material objects can be created.
The new historical knowledge and methodologies built during the ERC will lead to the ultimate theoretical
objective of the project –to rethink the scientific foundation and theory of dress studies within the ‘new
materialist’ framework. By creating a material-based approach and methodologies to the study of fashion in the
context of popular groups, my research will not only build new horizons for the study of popular dress and its
material and cultural significance in the Renaissance, but it will also create a theoretical model that challenges
dress historians to go beyond semiotic analysis of dress.
Summary
This study of Renaissance dress offers a better understanding of how fashion developed at popular levels of
society in Europe, 1550-1650. Drawing on documentary, visual and material evidence, it investigates
fundamental questions relating to the transformation of fashion that will shed light on popular taste,
dissemination, transformation and adaption of fashion, on imitation and meaning, and on changing cultural
attitudes to dress among popular groups. The central goal of the project is to develop a new methodology that
combines my previous experience of empirical research and theoretical models with the tradition of textile
analysis and costume conservation. This involves experimenting with a range of techniques, including
technical analysis of textiles, dye- and fibre analysis, and the reconstruction and visualization of historical
fashions using both 16th-century recipes as well as modern digital tools such as 3D printing and digital
reconstruction. This framework of dress and textile history at both scientific and experimental levels helps me
to provide a more comprehensive interpretation of the value, variations, and material experiences that were
associated with dress and dressing in the Renaissance, and to develop methodologies that allow us to explore
new ways in which narratives from historical documents, books, images, and material objects can be created.
The new historical knowledge and methodologies built during the ERC will lead to the ultimate theoretical
objective of the project –to rethink the scientific foundation and theory of dress studies within the ‘new
materialist’ framework. By creating a material-based approach and methodologies to the study of fashion in the
context of popular groups, my research will not only build new horizons for the study of popular dress and its
material and cultural significance in the Renaissance, but it will also create a theoretical model that challenges
dress historians to go beyond semiotic analysis of dress.
Max ERC Funding
1 999 854 €
Duration
Start date: 2017-04-01, End date: 2022-03-31
Project acronym RESISTANCE
Project Resistance evolution in response to spatially variable pathogen communities
Researcher (PI) Anna-Liisa LAINE
Host Institution (HI) HELSINGIN YLIOPISTO
Call Details Consolidator Grant (CoG), LS8, ERC-2016-COG
Summary Pathogens are prevalent across all ecosystems. Given the threats imposed by pathogens on their hosts, the ability to resist infection is one key determinant of an individual’s reproductive success and survival. According to theory, resistance evolution is driven by pathogen-imposed selection and constrained by host life-history trade-offs. However, resistance evolution is traditionally studied within the “one host-one pathogen” framework, although it is becoming increasingly clear that a single host individual is exploited by diverse pathogen communities. Unravelling this diversity is the key to understanding selection for resistance, and the key aim of this proposal is to bridge this gap between theory and data. The specific objectives of this proposal are to: i) Assess spatio-temporal variation in pathogen communities and their determinants through community modeling; ii) Quantify the role of host resistance in shaping its pathogen community; iii) Unravel resistance mechanisms that determine pathogen communities by combining experimental and molecular approaches; iv) Quantify immediate and cross-generational fitness consequences that different pathogen communities inflict on their host, and v) Validate the experimental results by assessing how past disease communities have shaped host resistance in natural populations. This ambitious goal is now attainable for the first time because over the past decade my research group has amassed long-term data on hundreds of Plantago lanceolata populations in the Åland Islands, and an extensive genetic sample and seed collection that allow estimating past disease communities and resistance evolution through time. Jointly the objectives of this proposal will provide an unprecedented synthesis of how resistance functions and evolves under realistic pathogen loads, with far reaching implications for both redefining the conceptual framework for resistance evolution and for tackling real-world health and food security problems.
Summary
Pathogens are prevalent across all ecosystems. Given the threats imposed by pathogens on their hosts, the ability to resist infection is one key determinant of an individual’s reproductive success and survival. According to theory, resistance evolution is driven by pathogen-imposed selection and constrained by host life-history trade-offs. However, resistance evolution is traditionally studied within the “one host-one pathogen” framework, although it is becoming increasingly clear that a single host individual is exploited by diverse pathogen communities. Unravelling this diversity is the key to understanding selection for resistance, and the key aim of this proposal is to bridge this gap between theory and data. The specific objectives of this proposal are to: i) Assess spatio-temporal variation in pathogen communities and their determinants through community modeling; ii) Quantify the role of host resistance in shaping its pathogen community; iii) Unravel resistance mechanisms that determine pathogen communities by combining experimental and molecular approaches; iv) Quantify immediate and cross-generational fitness consequences that different pathogen communities inflict on their host, and v) Validate the experimental results by assessing how past disease communities have shaped host resistance in natural populations. This ambitious goal is now attainable for the first time because over the past decade my research group has amassed long-term data on hundreds of Plantago lanceolata populations in the Åland Islands, and an extensive genetic sample and seed collection that allow estimating past disease communities and resistance evolution through time. Jointly the objectives of this proposal will provide an unprecedented synthesis of how resistance functions and evolves under realistic pathogen loads, with far reaching implications for both redefining the conceptual framework for resistance evolution and for tackling real-world health and food security problems.
Max ERC Funding
1 999 995 €
Duration
Start date: 2017-03-01, End date: 2022-02-28
Project acronym RevMito
Project Deciphering and reversing the consequences of mitochondrial DNA damage
Researcher (PI) Cory Dunn
Host Institution (HI) HELSINGIN YLIOPISTO
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), LS3, ERC-2014-STG
Summary Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) encodes several proteins playing key roles in bioenergetics. Pathological mutations of mtDNA can be inherited or may accumulate following treatment for viral infections or cancer. Furthermore, many organisms, including humans, accumulate significant mtDNA damage during their lifespan, and it is therefore possible that mtDNA mutations can promote the aging process.
There are no effective treatments for most diseases caused by mtDNA mutation. An understanding of the cellular consequences of mtDNA damage is clearly imperative. Toward this goal, we use the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a cellular model of mitochondrial dysfunction. Genetic manipulation and biochemical study of this organism is easily achieved, and many proteins and processes important for mitochondrial biogenesis were first uncovered and best characterized using this experimental system. Importantly, current evidence suggests that processes required for survival of cells lacking a mitochondrial genome are widely conserved between yeast and other organisms, making likely the application of our findings to human health.
We will study the repercussions of mtDNA damage by three different strategies. First, we will investigate the link between a conserved, nutrient-sensitive signalling pathway and the outcome of mtDNA loss, since much recent evidence points to modulation of such pathways as a potential approach to increase the fitness of cells with mtDNA damage. Second, we will explore the possibility that defects in cytosolic proteostasis are precipitated by mtDNA mutation. Third, we will apply the knowledge and concepts gained in S. cerevisiae to both candidate-based and unbiased searches for genes that determine the aftermath of severe mtDNA damage in human cells. Beyond the mechanistic knowledge of mitochondrial dysfunction that will emerge from this project, we expect to identify new avenues toward the treatment of mitochondrial disease.
Summary
Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) encodes several proteins playing key roles in bioenergetics. Pathological mutations of mtDNA can be inherited or may accumulate following treatment for viral infections or cancer. Furthermore, many organisms, including humans, accumulate significant mtDNA damage during their lifespan, and it is therefore possible that mtDNA mutations can promote the aging process.
There are no effective treatments for most diseases caused by mtDNA mutation. An understanding of the cellular consequences of mtDNA damage is clearly imperative. Toward this goal, we use the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a cellular model of mitochondrial dysfunction. Genetic manipulation and biochemical study of this organism is easily achieved, and many proteins and processes important for mitochondrial biogenesis were first uncovered and best characterized using this experimental system. Importantly, current evidence suggests that processes required for survival of cells lacking a mitochondrial genome are widely conserved between yeast and other organisms, making likely the application of our findings to human health.
We will study the repercussions of mtDNA damage by three different strategies. First, we will investigate the link between a conserved, nutrient-sensitive signalling pathway and the outcome of mtDNA loss, since much recent evidence points to modulation of such pathways as a potential approach to increase the fitness of cells with mtDNA damage. Second, we will explore the possibility that defects in cytosolic proteostasis are precipitated by mtDNA mutation. Third, we will apply the knowledge and concepts gained in S. cerevisiae to both candidate-based and unbiased searches for genes that determine the aftermath of severe mtDNA damage in human cells. Beyond the mechanistic knowledge of mitochondrial dysfunction that will emerge from this project, we expect to identify new avenues toward the treatment of mitochondrial disease.
Max ERC Funding
1 497 160 €
Duration
Start date: 2015-04-01, End date: 2020-03-31
Project acronym RiP
Project Rationality in Perception: Transformations of Mind and Cognition 1250-1550
Researcher (PI) José Filipe Pereira da Silva
Host Institution (HI) HELSINGIN YLIOPISTO
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), SH5, ERC-2014-STG
Summary The project RiP aims to provide a groundbreaking new interpretation of late medieval theories of mind and cognition by focusing on the influence higher cognitive (rational) powers exert on lower (sensory) ones in the neglected tradition of Augustinian philosophy of perception.
Due to increasing difficulties in explaining the unity and objectivity of perceptual experience, late medieval authors came to question the dominant Aristotelian theory, with its passive account of perception and emphatic separation between sensory and intellectual functions. This led to a resurfacing of the Augustinian tradition, which is characterized by an emphasis on activity and top-down processing, built around the notions of intentionality and self-awareness.
The project investigates the hypothesis that perception changes from being explained on the basis of a model of the soul that is metaphysically composite of really distinct clusters of functions to a model in which rationality permeates the functions previously attributed to lower cognitive capacities. It is the 'flow of reason', an expression found in a late sixteenth-century textbook.
The project has therefore two main objectives:
(1) to offer the first systematic study of late medieval theories of perception, focusing on the relation between the senses and intellect
(2) to retrace the shift in late medieval philosophy of perception that led to (a) a progressive questioning of direct realism in cognition and (b) the incremental reduction of all psychological functions to the mind.
The results of the project will allow a better understanding of the philosophical assumptions of late medieval theories of cognition, shedding new light on the historical background of early modern and contemporary conceptions of rationality.
Summary
The project RiP aims to provide a groundbreaking new interpretation of late medieval theories of mind and cognition by focusing on the influence higher cognitive (rational) powers exert on lower (sensory) ones in the neglected tradition of Augustinian philosophy of perception.
Due to increasing difficulties in explaining the unity and objectivity of perceptual experience, late medieval authors came to question the dominant Aristotelian theory, with its passive account of perception and emphatic separation between sensory and intellectual functions. This led to a resurfacing of the Augustinian tradition, which is characterized by an emphasis on activity and top-down processing, built around the notions of intentionality and self-awareness.
The project investigates the hypothesis that perception changes from being explained on the basis of a model of the soul that is metaphysically composite of really distinct clusters of functions to a model in which rationality permeates the functions previously attributed to lower cognitive capacities. It is the 'flow of reason', an expression found in a late sixteenth-century textbook.
The project has therefore two main objectives:
(1) to offer the first systematic study of late medieval theories of perception, focusing on the relation between the senses and intellect
(2) to retrace the shift in late medieval philosophy of perception that led to (a) a progressive questioning of direct realism in cognition and (b) the incremental reduction of all psychological functions to the mind.
The results of the project will allow a better understanding of the philosophical assumptions of late medieval theories of cognition, shedding new light on the historical background of early modern and contemporary conceptions of rationality.
Max ERC Funding
1 415 628 €
Duration
Start date: 2015-04-01, End date: 2020-03-31
Project acronym SAEMPL
Project Scattering and absorption of electromagnetic waves in particulate media
Researcher (PI) Karri Olavi Muinonen
Host Institution (HI) HELSINGIN YLIOPISTO
Call Details Advanced Grant (AdG), PE9, ERC-2012-ADG_20120216
Summary "The canonical problem of electromagnetic scattering in complex particulate media is solved numerically using multiple-scattering theory based on the Maxwell equations, with an exact treatment of the leading ladder and cyclical interaction diagrams. The numerical methods are validated using a nanotechnology-based scattering experiment that, simultaneously with the measurement of the full scattering matrix at arbitrary illumination and observation geometries, allows for a detailed physical characterization of the scattering object using Atomic Force Microscopy. The numerical and experimental methods will have a major impact on how knowledge is accrued on objects in our Solar System based on their scattering characteristics, with wavelengths spanning from the ultraviolet to radio, using both space-based and ground-based observing programs. The methods will have immediate applications in Earth observation, including remote sensing of the atmosphere, land, and sea."
Summary
"The canonical problem of electromagnetic scattering in complex particulate media is solved numerically using multiple-scattering theory based on the Maxwell equations, with an exact treatment of the leading ladder and cyclical interaction diagrams. The numerical methods are validated using a nanotechnology-based scattering experiment that, simultaneously with the measurement of the full scattering matrix at arbitrary illumination and observation geometries, allows for a detailed physical characterization of the scattering object using Atomic Force Microscopy. The numerical and experimental methods will have a major impact on how knowledge is accrued on objects in our Solar System based on their scattering characteristics, with wavelengths spanning from the ultraviolet to radio, using both space-based and ground-based observing programs. The methods will have immediate applications in Earth observation, including remote sensing of the atmosphere, land, and sea."
Max ERC Funding
2 749 532 €
Duration
Start date: 2013-04-01, End date: 2018-03-31
Project acronym SaveHER
Project The inhibition of sorting proteins as a therapeutic avenue in HER2 positive breast cancer
Researcher (PI) Mari Johanna IVASKA
Host Institution (HI) TURUN YLIOPISTO
Call Details Proof of Concept (PoC), ERC-2017-PoC
Summary HER2+ breast cancers are an aggressive type of breast cancer and have a poor prognosis. There are many therapies currently on the market to target this type of cancer, however they fail to deliver effective clinical results due to therapy resistance. In our ERC-CoG project, we found that proper endosomal trafficking is required for functional HER2 oncogenic signalling at the plasma membrane. Targeting HER2 endosomal traffic can result in effective treatment of HER2+ cancers, without the risk of therapy resistance. As such, this innovation could deliver the first truly effective cancer treatment for HER2+ breast cancer patients that do not respond to current treatments. In this ERC-PoC, we aim to prove that therapeutic targeting of endosomal traffic is effective in HER2+ cancer models in vivo, as a monotherapy and synergistically with current therapeutic antibodies, and to explore the commercial avenues to exploit this finding.
Summary
HER2+ breast cancers are an aggressive type of breast cancer and have a poor prognosis. There are many therapies currently on the market to target this type of cancer, however they fail to deliver effective clinical results due to therapy resistance. In our ERC-CoG project, we found that proper endosomal trafficking is required for functional HER2 oncogenic signalling at the plasma membrane. Targeting HER2 endosomal traffic can result in effective treatment of HER2+ cancers, without the risk of therapy resistance. As such, this innovation could deliver the first truly effective cancer treatment for HER2+ breast cancer patients that do not respond to current treatments. In this ERC-PoC, we aim to prove that therapeutic targeting of endosomal traffic is effective in HER2+ cancer models in vivo, as a monotherapy and synergistically with current therapeutic antibodies, and to explore the commercial avenues to exploit this finding.
Max ERC Funding
150 000 €
Duration
Start date: 2018-03-01, End date: 2019-08-31
Project acronym SENSOTRA
Project Sensory Transformations and Transgenerational Environmental Relationships in Europe, 1950–2020
Researcher (PI) Helmi Järviluoma-Mäkelä
Host Institution (HI) ITA-SUOMEN YLIOPISTO
Call Details Advanced Grant (AdG), SH5, ERC-2015-AdG
Summary This project aims at producing new understandings of the changes in people’s sensory environmental relationships in three European cities during a particular period in history, 1950–2020. It will offer a focused window on cultural transformations of the sensory by introducing a new transgenerational methodology, ethnographic “sensobiography”. Why now? Firstly, innovative and thoroughly researched information about sensory environmental relationships is in great demand. If the findings are successful, their challenge to several conventional dichotomies will provide results whose interdisciplinary impact extends beyond cultural, sound, and music studies to areas of psychology, human geography, environmental aesthetics, and media history and theory. The research is urgent: at present we are still able to study people ethnographically who were born in the 1930s and 1940s,who therefore lived their early years without digital technologies. The moment is also ideally suited for studying generations born straight into the digital world, where there is a need to enable young and older people to maintain a many-faceted relationship with their environments. The project's three research strands are (1) transformations in mediations of sensory experience, (2) embodied remembering and senses, and (3) sensory commons. These strands will be studied via a research strategy linking individuals and groups to broader social, cultural, and political issues in the medium-sized European cities of Brighton (UK), Ljubljana (Slovenia), and Turku (Finland). Temporally and spatially tightly focused dynamic ethnography makes it possible to examine multiple modes of past and present sensory experiencing. The study of artists as “sensewitnesses” will become one of the pivotal endeavours. The project facilitates a significant step from earlier methodologies toward large-scale, multisensory, transgenerational investigation, providing significant insights into culture with a sustainable future.
Summary
This project aims at producing new understandings of the changes in people’s sensory environmental relationships in three European cities during a particular period in history, 1950–2020. It will offer a focused window on cultural transformations of the sensory by introducing a new transgenerational methodology, ethnographic “sensobiography”. Why now? Firstly, innovative and thoroughly researched information about sensory environmental relationships is in great demand. If the findings are successful, their challenge to several conventional dichotomies will provide results whose interdisciplinary impact extends beyond cultural, sound, and music studies to areas of psychology, human geography, environmental aesthetics, and media history and theory. The research is urgent: at present we are still able to study people ethnographically who were born in the 1930s and 1940s,who therefore lived their early years without digital technologies. The moment is also ideally suited for studying generations born straight into the digital world, where there is a need to enable young and older people to maintain a many-faceted relationship with their environments. The project's three research strands are (1) transformations in mediations of sensory experience, (2) embodied remembering and senses, and (3) sensory commons. These strands will be studied via a research strategy linking individuals and groups to broader social, cultural, and political issues in the medium-sized European cities of Brighton (UK), Ljubljana (Slovenia), and Turku (Finland). Temporally and spatially tightly focused dynamic ethnography makes it possible to examine multiple modes of past and present sensory experiencing. The study of artists as “sensewitnesses” will become one of the pivotal endeavours. The project facilitates a significant step from earlier methodologies toward large-scale, multisensory, transgenerational investigation, providing significant insights into culture with a sustainable future.
Max ERC Funding
1 860 264 €
Duration
Start date: 2016-08-01, End date: 2021-07-31
Project acronym SHESTRUCT
Project Understanding the structure and stability of heavy and superheavy elements
Researcher (PI) Paul Thomas Greenlees
Host Institution (HI) JYVASKYLAN YLIOPISTO
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE2, ERC-2007-StG
Summary "The aim of the project is to further our understanding of the structure and stability of atomic nuclei at the extreme upper end of the chart of the nuclides. One of the major goals of contemporary Nuclear Physics experiments is to locate and chart the fabled superheavy element ""Island of Stability"". Experiments which aim to directly produce the heaviest elements may provide only a limited number of observables, such as decay modes or half-lives. Detailed Nuclear Structure investigations provide extensive data which can be used as a stringent test of modern self-consistent theories. Such theories require input from the study of nuclei with extreme proton-to-neutron ratios. The upper part of the chart of the nuclides is one region in which this data is much sought after. The project will employ state-of-the-art spectrometers at the Accelerator Laboratory of the University of Jyväskylä, Finland (JYFL) to acquire such data. The spectrometers are part of a multi-national collaboration of European institutes. Results obtained in the course of the project will have a direct impact on current nuclear structure theories. The unique nature of the facilities at JYFL means that it will be impossible to obtain data of comparable quality elsewhere in the world. The project should yield a large number of publications and result in the training of several Ph.D students. The students will benefit from the fact that the Accelerator Laboratory is part of a large and well-respected University."
Summary
"The aim of the project is to further our understanding of the structure and stability of atomic nuclei at the extreme upper end of the chart of the nuclides. One of the major goals of contemporary Nuclear Physics experiments is to locate and chart the fabled superheavy element ""Island of Stability"". Experiments which aim to directly produce the heaviest elements may provide only a limited number of observables, such as decay modes or half-lives. Detailed Nuclear Structure investigations provide extensive data which can be used as a stringent test of modern self-consistent theories. Such theories require input from the study of nuclei with extreme proton-to-neutron ratios. The upper part of the chart of the nuclides is one region in which this data is much sought after. The project will employ state-of-the-art spectrometers at the Accelerator Laboratory of the University of Jyväskylä, Finland (JYFL) to acquire such data. The spectrometers are part of a multi-national collaboration of European institutes. Results obtained in the course of the project will have a direct impact on current nuclear structure theories. The unique nature of the facilities at JYFL means that it will be impossible to obtain data of comparable quality elsewhere in the world. The project should yield a large number of publications and result in the training of several Ph.D students. The students will benefit from the fact that the Accelerator Laboratory is part of a large and well-respected University."
Max ERC Funding
1 249 608 €
Duration
Start date: 2008-09-01, End date: 2014-02-28
Project acronym SINGLEOUT
Project Single-Photon Microwave Devices: era of quantum optics outside cavities
Researcher (PI) Mikko Pentti Matias Möttönen
Host Institution (HI) AALTO KORKEAKOULUSAATIO SR
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE3, ERC-2011-StG_20101014
Summary The past couple of years have witnessed the rise of on-chip quantum optics. This has been enabled by the fabrication of high-finesse superconducting resonators made out of coplanar waveguides, and by the coupling of these resonators to superconducting quantum bits, qubits. This so-called circuit quantum electrodynamics (cQED) has proven superior compared with the standard cavity QED with photons coupled to atoms in three-dimensional space. Namely, the coupling of the cavity photons with the qubit has reached strengths completely out of reach with traditional techniques. The energy levels and their populations in the qubits can be controlled in-situ, which has also offered the possibility prepare the quantum mechanical state of the photons in the cavity to arbitrary superpositions of the low-lying photon number states.
Although great focus is put worldwide into cQED in superconducting cavities, the field of manipulation and measurement of single microwave photons outside cavities is essentially missing. This ERC starting grant project, aims to expand the power of microwave photons witnessed in cavities to free photons in waveguides. The cornerstone is the design and implementation of a single-photon click detector for microwaves. The detector will allow for the single-shot measurement of the photon state in the waveguide in a similar fashion as the photon detectors are routinely used in optical quantum computing (OQC). Thus together with the already demonstrated single-photon source, the detector will be a critical step towards quantum information processing with microwave photons. In addition to opening this novel field in physics, the detector can be utilized in the characterization of microwave components and devices at ulra-high sensitivities. In this project, we will implement a platform for such characterization and build several circuit elements to manipulate single microwave photons in the same way as beam splitters are used in OQC.
Summary
The past couple of years have witnessed the rise of on-chip quantum optics. This has been enabled by the fabrication of high-finesse superconducting resonators made out of coplanar waveguides, and by the coupling of these resonators to superconducting quantum bits, qubits. This so-called circuit quantum electrodynamics (cQED) has proven superior compared with the standard cavity QED with photons coupled to atoms in three-dimensional space. Namely, the coupling of the cavity photons with the qubit has reached strengths completely out of reach with traditional techniques. The energy levels and their populations in the qubits can be controlled in-situ, which has also offered the possibility prepare the quantum mechanical state of the photons in the cavity to arbitrary superpositions of the low-lying photon number states.
Although great focus is put worldwide into cQED in superconducting cavities, the field of manipulation and measurement of single microwave photons outside cavities is essentially missing. This ERC starting grant project, aims to expand the power of microwave photons witnessed in cavities to free photons in waveguides. The cornerstone is the design and implementation of a single-photon click detector for microwaves. The detector will allow for the single-shot measurement of the photon state in the waveguide in a similar fashion as the photon detectors are routinely used in optical quantum computing (OQC). Thus together with the already demonstrated single-photon source, the detector will be a critical step towards quantum information processing with microwave photons. In addition to opening this novel field in physics, the detector can be utilized in the characterization of microwave components and devices at ulra-high sensitivities. In this project, we will implement a platform for such characterization and build several circuit elements to manipulate single microwave photons in the same way as beam splitters are used in OQC.
Max ERC Funding
1 499 445 €
Duration
Start date: 2012-01-01, End date: 2016-12-31
Project acronym SMAC-MC
Project Small Molecule Activation by Main-Group Compounds
Researcher (PI) Heikki Markus Tuononen
Host Institution (HI) JYVASKYLAN YLIOPISTO
Call Details Consolidator Grant (CoG), PE5, ERC-2017-COG
Summary Many basic chemical processes involve the activation of small unreactive molecules, such as hydrogen, nitrogen, ammonia, water and carbon dioxide, by transition-metal-based catalysts or by enzymes. This proposal focusses on the interesting and recently observed possibility to perform similar transformations with main-group compounds that consist entirely of cheap earth-abundant elements. The proposed research is split into four work packages of which the first investigates the mechanisms by which different main-group singlet diradicaloids activate small molecules and how their reactivity correlates with their radical character. The second work package focusses on small molecule activation using main-group metalloid clusters, a new emerging field that we have recently pioneered, and compares the reactivity determined for main-group species with that known for related transition-metal clusters. Investigations in the third work package concentrate on the electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide and on the possibility to lower the required overpotential with frustrated Lewis pairs that readily form adducts with small molecules. The fourth work package revolves around activating small molecules by diborenes and, in particular, observing novel reactivity in situ, that is, before the reactive diborene is trapped with a suitable Lewis base. Considered as a whole, the planned initiatives will enable significant breakthroughs in the design of novel main-group element based compounds for the activation of small molecules. The research is not only of fundamental scientific importance but also of potential practical value as many main-group systems, such as frustrated Lewis pairs, are currently being examined as novel catalysts. An ERC consolidator grant would significantly strengthen my position in this interesting subfield of inorganic chemistry and give my research group practical means to continue performing cutting-edge research.
Summary
Many basic chemical processes involve the activation of small unreactive molecules, such as hydrogen, nitrogen, ammonia, water and carbon dioxide, by transition-metal-based catalysts or by enzymes. This proposal focusses on the interesting and recently observed possibility to perform similar transformations with main-group compounds that consist entirely of cheap earth-abundant elements. The proposed research is split into four work packages of which the first investigates the mechanisms by which different main-group singlet diradicaloids activate small molecules and how their reactivity correlates with their radical character. The second work package focusses on small molecule activation using main-group metalloid clusters, a new emerging field that we have recently pioneered, and compares the reactivity determined for main-group species with that known for related transition-metal clusters. Investigations in the third work package concentrate on the electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide and on the possibility to lower the required overpotential with frustrated Lewis pairs that readily form adducts with small molecules. The fourth work package revolves around activating small molecules by diborenes and, in particular, observing novel reactivity in situ, that is, before the reactive diborene is trapped with a suitable Lewis base. Considered as a whole, the planned initiatives will enable significant breakthroughs in the design of novel main-group element based compounds for the activation of small molecules. The research is not only of fundamental scientific importance but also of potential practical value as many main-group systems, such as frustrated Lewis pairs, are currently being examined as novel catalysts. An ERC consolidator grant would significantly strengthen my position in this interesting subfield of inorganic chemistry and give my research group practical means to continue performing cutting-edge research.
Max ERC Funding
1 424 190 €
Duration
Start date: 2018-07-01, End date: 2023-06-30
Project acronym SMARTBAYES
Project Intelligent Stochastic Computation Methods for Complex Statistical Model Learning
Researcher (PI) Jukka Ilmari Corander
Host Institution (HI) HELSINGIN YLIOPISTO
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE1, ERC-2009-StG
Summary Very recently, it has been claimed that the Bayesian paradigm has revolutionized statistical thinking in numerous fields of research, as a considerable amount of novel Bayesian statistical models and estimation algorithms have gained popularity among scientists. Despite of the evident success of the Bayesian approach, there are also many research problems where the computational challenges have so far proven to be too exhaustive to promote wide-spread use of the state-of-the-art Bayesian methodology. In particular, due to significant advances in measurement technologies, e.g. in molecular biology, a constant need for analyzing and modeling very large and complex data sets has emerged on a wide scale during the past decade. Such needs are even anticipated to rapidly increase in near future with the current technological advances. The prevailing situation is therefore somewhat paradoxical, as the theoretical superiority of the Bayesian paradigm as an uncertainty handling framework is widely acknowledged, yet it can be unable to provide practically applicable solutions to complex scientific problems. To resolve this issue, the research project will have a focus on stochastic computational and modeling strategies to develop methods that overcome problems associated with the analysis of highly complex data sets. With these methods we aim to be able to solve a multitude of statistical learning problems for data sets which cannot yet be reliably handled in practice by any of the existing Bayesian tools. Our approaches will build upon recent advances in Bayesian predictive modeling and adaptive stochastic Monte Carlo computation, to create a novel family of parallel interacting learning algorithms. Several significant statistical modeling problems will be considered to demonstrate the potential of the developed methods. Our goal is also to provide implementations of some of the algorithms as freely available software packages to benefit concretely the scientific community.
Summary
Very recently, it has been claimed that the Bayesian paradigm has revolutionized statistical thinking in numerous fields of research, as a considerable amount of novel Bayesian statistical models and estimation algorithms have gained popularity among scientists. Despite of the evident success of the Bayesian approach, there are also many research problems where the computational challenges have so far proven to be too exhaustive to promote wide-spread use of the state-of-the-art Bayesian methodology. In particular, due to significant advances in measurement technologies, e.g. in molecular biology, a constant need for analyzing and modeling very large and complex data sets has emerged on a wide scale during the past decade. Such needs are even anticipated to rapidly increase in near future with the current technological advances. The prevailing situation is therefore somewhat paradoxical, as the theoretical superiority of the Bayesian paradigm as an uncertainty handling framework is widely acknowledged, yet it can be unable to provide practically applicable solutions to complex scientific problems. To resolve this issue, the research project will have a focus on stochastic computational and modeling strategies to develop methods that overcome problems associated with the analysis of highly complex data sets. With these methods we aim to be able to solve a multitude of statistical learning problems for data sets which cannot yet be reliably handled in practice by any of the existing Bayesian tools. Our approaches will build upon recent advances in Bayesian predictive modeling and adaptive stochastic Monte Carlo computation, to create a novel family of parallel interacting learning algorithms. Several significant statistical modeling problems will be considered to demonstrate the potential of the developed methods. Our goal is also to provide implementations of some of the algorithms as freely available software packages to benefit concretely the scientific community.
Max ERC Funding
550 000 €
Duration
Start date: 2009-11-01, End date: 2014-10-31
Project acronym SMARTSOUND
Project Pre-Commercialisation of Sound Recognition for Surveillance Applications
Researcher (PI) Tuomas Oskari VIRTANEN
Host Institution (HI) TTY-SAATIO
Call Details Proof of Concept (PoC), PC1, ERC-2016-PoC
Summary Audio communication is a major tool for businesses to maintain their competitiveness in the global market. This market is expected to treble by 2020 to $2.145 billion and creates a great demand for novel ideas, such as acoustic pattern recognition technologies. Similarly, the explosion in big data is calling for new data classification methods for improved data indexation and real-time monitoring of the data streams.
We have developed acoustic pattern classification methods that are able to detect and recognise a large number of different types of sounds in various everyday contexts. Current acoustic monitoring solutions are able to detect only a small number of very prominent sound events (e.g. baby crying, doorbell), and are not able to operate in realistic environments, where other interfering sounds and reverberation is present. In real life sound recognition recordings, we have recently advanced the deep neural network state-of-the-art by a large margin.
The advancement of the methods has enabled recognition of new types of sounds in realistic environments, which were considered infeasible just a few years ago, allowing development of novel applications of sound analysis. We’d expect our technology find its way to various applications, such as 1) surveillance of homes and other buildings for threat detection, 2) navigation, interaction and self-awareness of robots as well as interconnected smart devices, and 3) data indexation operations in video management, just to name few.
Within this PoC project, we will prove the efficiency of our technology in real life setting. The goals of the PoC project are to establish the technical feasibility of our idea, implement a commercial prototype of the proposed software and establish its commercialisation potential via various activities.
Summary
Audio communication is a major tool for businesses to maintain their competitiveness in the global market. This market is expected to treble by 2020 to $2.145 billion and creates a great demand for novel ideas, such as acoustic pattern recognition technologies. Similarly, the explosion in big data is calling for new data classification methods for improved data indexation and real-time monitoring of the data streams.
We have developed acoustic pattern classification methods that are able to detect and recognise a large number of different types of sounds in various everyday contexts. Current acoustic monitoring solutions are able to detect only a small number of very prominent sound events (e.g. baby crying, doorbell), and are not able to operate in realistic environments, where other interfering sounds and reverberation is present. In real life sound recognition recordings, we have recently advanced the deep neural network state-of-the-art by a large margin.
The advancement of the methods has enabled recognition of new types of sounds in realistic environments, which were considered infeasible just a few years ago, allowing development of novel applications of sound analysis. We’d expect our technology find its way to various applications, such as 1) surveillance of homes and other buildings for threat detection, 2) navigation, interaction and self-awareness of robots as well as interconnected smart devices, and 3) data indexation operations in video management, just to name few.
Within this PoC project, we will prove the efficiency of our technology in real life setting. The goals of the PoC project are to establish the technical feasibility of our idea, implement a commercial prototype of the proposed software and establish its commercialisation potential via various activities.
Max ERC Funding
150 000 €
Duration
Start date: 2017-09-01, End date: 2019-02-28
Project acronym SNABO
Project Self-calibrating nanobolometer based on superconductor–normal-metal hybrids
Researcher (PI) Mikko Pentti Matias Möttönen
Host Institution (HI) AALTO KORKEAKOULUSAATIO SR
Call Details Proof of Concept (PoC), ERC-2016-PoC, ERC-2016-PoC
Summary In this project, we develop a microwave nanobolometer invented in the ERC Starting Grant ”Single-Photon Microwave Devices: era of quantum optics outside cavities (SINGLEOUT)” into a proof of concept and carry out a market analysis and partnering with the relevant industrial players in the field.
For a successful proof of concept, a self-calibrating function will be implemented into the nanobolometer, providing us with an extremely sensitive and easy-to-use detector for microwave radiation. The new device will be designed, fabricated, and measured.
Due to the lack of spectrum analysers operating at cryogenic temperatures, our self-calibrating nanobolometer will provide a must-to-have piece of equipment for R&D facilities working on cryoelectronics and quantum technology. Thus licensing agreements with companies working on cryostats and cryosystems will be pursued.
The key performance indicators of our nanobolometer such as detection bandwidth, dynamics range, and sensitivity will be compared with the existing room-temperature technology and a potential market share for our nanobolometer will be mapped. Especially, the opportunities for commercial systems already utilizing cryogenic components such as superconducting filters at cellular phone base stations will be investigated.
During this ERC PoC project, also other business opportunities will be studied and possibilities for founding a spin-out company will be actively sought for.
Summary
In this project, we develop a microwave nanobolometer invented in the ERC Starting Grant ”Single-Photon Microwave Devices: era of quantum optics outside cavities (SINGLEOUT)” into a proof of concept and carry out a market analysis and partnering with the relevant industrial players in the field.
For a successful proof of concept, a self-calibrating function will be implemented into the nanobolometer, providing us with an extremely sensitive and easy-to-use detector for microwave radiation. The new device will be designed, fabricated, and measured.
Due to the lack of spectrum analysers operating at cryogenic temperatures, our self-calibrating nanobolometer will provide a must-to-have piece of equipment for R&D facilities working on cryoelectronics and quantum technology. Thus licensing agreements with companies working on cryostats and cryosystems will be pursued.
The key performance indicators of our nanobolometer such as detection bandwidth, dynamics range, and sensitivity will be compared with the existing room-temperature technology and a potential market share for our nanobolometer will be mapped. Especially, the opportunities for commercial systems already utilizing cryogenic components such as superconducting filters at cellular phone base stations will be investigated.
During this ERC PoC project, also other business opportunities will be studied and possibilities for founding a spin-out company will be actively sought for.
Max ERC Funding
149 838 €
Duration
Start date: 2016-12-01, End date: 2018-05-31
Project acronym SOCIAL BRAIN
Project Fitting The World to Minds: Brain Basis of Sharing and Transmitting Representations of the Social World
Researcher (PI) Lauri Tapio Nummenmaa
Host Institution (HI) TURUN YLIOPISTO
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), SH4, ERC-2012-StG_20111124
Summary Understanding other peoples’ minds is one of the most fundamental human skills but also the most demanding challenge our brains pose every day: To understand each other, we need to share neural representations of the external world across brains. Studying how social information is represented similarly across individual brains and how it flows from brain to brain poses huge conceptual and technical challenges for neuroscientists, who have consequently resorted to experiments using simplistic and impoverished social stimuli. However, recent advances in brain signal analysis enable us to study the brain basis of social interaction under naturalistic settings with unparalleled accuracy. This neuroimaging project aims to bridge the gap between social psychology and cognitive neuroscience by building a comprehensive neurocognitive model of how individuals maintain and communicate shared neural representations of the dynamic social world. The framework relies on testing the assumption that similarities in sensory and higher-order processing across individuals can be quantified by measuring temporal synchronization of their brain activity. We use novel signal analysis methods, experimental techniques and rapid magnetic resonance image acquisition for testing i) whether selective synchronization of brain circuits during social interaction supports interpersonal understanding, ii) whether similarities in cognitive task sets across individuals are associated with increasingly synchronous brain activity, and iii) whether intense emotional experiences enhance synchronization of brain responses and flow of information from brain to brain. The results will significantly improve our understanding of the brain dynamics of social interaction, and the proposed naturalistic neuroscience approach and will potentially contribute to a significant paradigm shift in social and cognitive neuroscience.
Summary
Understanding other peoples’ minds is one of the most fundamental human skills but also the most demanding challenge our brains pose every day: To understand each other, we need to share neural representations of the external world across brains. Studying how social information is represented similarly across individual brains and how it flows from brain to brain poses huge conceptual and technical challenges for neuroscientists, who have consequently resorted to experiments using simplistic and impoverished social stimuli. However, recent advances in brain signal analysis enable us to study the brain basis of social interaction under naturalistic settings with unparalleled accuracy. This neuroimaging project aims to bridge the gap between social psychology and cognitive neuroscience by building a comprehensive neurocognitive model of how individuals maintain and communicate shared neural representations of the dynamic social world. The framework relies on testing the assumption that similarities in sensory and higher-order processing across individuals can be quantified by measuring temporal synchronization of their brain activity. We use novel signal analysis methods, experimental techniques and rapid magnetic resonance image acquisition for testing i) whether selective synchronization of brain circuits during social interaction supports interpersonal understanding, ii) whether similarities in cognitive task sets across individuals are associated with increasingly synchronous brain activity, and iii) whether intense emotional experiences enhance synchronization of brain responses and flow of information from brain to brain. The results will significantly improve our understanding of the brain dynamics of social interaction, and the proposed naturalistic neuroscience approach and will potentially contribute to a significant paradigm shift in social and cognitive neuroscience.
Max ERC Funding
1 280 479 €
Duration
Start date: 2013-04-01, End date: 2018-12-31
Project acronym SOLARX
Project Riddle of light induced degradation in silicon photovoltaics
Researcher (PI) Hele Irene Savin
Host Institution (HI) AALTO KORKEAKOULUSAATIO SR
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE8, ERC-2012-StG_20111012
Summary The sun provides enough energy in one minute to supply the world's energy needs for one year. The grand challenge is to turn this enormous energy potential into electricity in a cost-efficient way. So far, silicon has been most successful at this – but we are still very far away from what is achievable. One of the major problems, which is currently limiting the state-of-the-art photovoltaic solar cells, is related to the material degradation under sun light. I address this issue from a novel perspective: I study the possibility that the root cause for the degradation is related to the interaction of light with copper ions.
The cornerstone of the proposal is to transfer my special knowhow from microelectronics to photovoltaics related to controlling copper behaviour in silicon. My proposal is against the commonly accepted theory, however, it could unveil many mysteries related to the degradation phenomenon. Moreover, if successful, the approach could lead to a rather simple solution in avoiding power loss: implementing charge on the surface to attract the copper ions. In this project I aim at verifying my hypotheses, formulating a new theory regarding the chemical reactions behind the degradation and finally demonstrating a method that allows fabrication of stable yet cheap silicon solar cells having potential for more than 30% power increase.
Summary
The sun provides enough energy in one minute to supply the world's energy needs for one year. The grand challenge is to turn this enormous energy potential into electricity in a cost-efficient way. So far, silicon has been most successful at this – but we are still very far away from what is achievable. One of the major problems, which is currently limiting the state-of-the-art photovoltaic solar cells, is related to the material degradation under sun light. I address this issue from a novel perspective: I study the possibility that the root cause for the degradation is related to the interaction of light with copper ions.
The cornerstone of the proposal is to transfer my special knowhow from microelectronics to photovoltaics related to controlling copper behaviour in silicon. My proposal is against the commonly accepted theory, however, it could unveil many mysteries related to the degradation phenomenon. Moreover, if successful, the approach could lead to a rather simple solution in avoiding power loss: implementing charge on the surface to attract the copper ions. In this project I aim at verifying my hypotheses, formulating a new theory regarding the chemical reactions behind the degradation and finally demonstrating a method that allows fabrication of stable yet cheap silicon solar cells having potential for more than 30% power increase.
Max ERC Funding
845 770 €
Duration
Start date: 2013-01-01, End date: 2017-12-31
Project acronym SolMAG
Project Unravelling The Structure and Evolution of Solar Magnetic Flux Ropes and Their Magnetosheaths
Researcher (PI) Emilia KILPUA
Host Institution (HI) HELSINGIN YLIOPISTO
Call Details Consolidator Grant (CoG), PE9, ERC-2016-COG
Summary Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) are spectacular stellar eruptions that carry huge amounts of plasma and magnetic flux into the space. The interests in their origin, structure, and dynamics reach from fundamental plasma physics to paramount impact on their parent stars and the surrounding planets. One of the most outstanding problems in the studies of CMEs is the lack of reliable information on their magnetic field properties until observed directly. This severely limits our understanding of many aspects in the lifespan of CMEs and their far-reaching consequences. SolMAG will deliver realistic and detailed information of the magnetic fields in CMEs. We will further use this knowledge to obtain significant breakthroughs in CME research, including unravelling physical processes that control CME initiation and evolution, and characterizing formation and interaction of key CME structures. A unique opportunity is provided by recent advances in data-driven and time-dependent numerical simulations and state-of-the-art high-quality remote-sensing solar observations. We will form an unprecedented synthesis of a revolutionary coupled coronal simulation my group is now developing and innovative cross-scale observational analyses. UH space physics team is exceptionally well-placed to carry out this challenging project: We have an unusually versatile background in CME research and strong experience both in numerical simulations and data analysis covering the whole Sun to Earth chain. SolMAG is also particularly timely now when our society is becoming increasingly dependent on technology that solar eruptions have potential to damage and the role of CMEs influencing planetary and stellar evolution is being emphasized. In addition, this project will be an important contribution to European Space Agency’s activities, including the future Solar Orbiter and BebiColombo missions, which also provides a natural exit strategy for this project.
Summary
Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) are spectacular stellar eruptions that carry huge amounts of plasma and magnetic flux into the space. The interests in their origin, structure, and dynamics reach from fundamental plasma physics to paramount impact on their parent stars and the surrounding planets. One of the most outstanding problems in the studies of CMEs is the lack of reliable information on their magnetic field properties until observed directly. This severely limits our understanding of many aspects in the lifespan of CMEs and their far-reaching consequences. SolMAG will deliver realistic and detailed information of the magnetic fields in CMEs. We will further use this knowledge to obtain significant breakthroughs in CME research, including unravelling physical processes that control CME initiation and evolution, and characterizing formation and interaction of key CME structures. A unique opportunity is provided by recent advances in data-driven and time-dependent numerical simulations and state-of-the-art high-quality remote-sensing solar observations. We will form an unprecedented synthesis of a revolutionary coupled coronal simulation my group is now developing and innovative cross-scale observational analyses. UH space physics team is exceptionally well-placed to carry out this challenging project: We have an unusually versatile background in CME research and strong experience both in numerical simulations and data analysis covering the whole Sun to Earth chain. SolMAG is also particularly timely now when our society is becoming increasingly dependent on technology that solar eruptions have potential to damage and the role of CMEs influencing planetary and stellar evolution is being emphasized. In addition, this project will be an important contribution to European Space Agency’s activities, including the future Solar Orbiter and BebiColombo missions, which also provides a natural exit strategy for this project.
Max ERC Funding
1 934 876 €
Duration
Start date: 2017-06-01, End date: 2022-05-31
Project acronym SpaceLaw
Project Law, Governance and Space: Questioning the Foundations of the Republican Tradition
Researcher (PI) Kaius Tapani TUORI
Host Institution (HI) HELSINGIN YLIOPISTO
Call Details Consolidator Grant (CoG), SH2, ERC-2017-COG
Summary Administrative professionalization is the hallmark of a modern state, but its origins contain a dilemma. Why there were no offices in ancient Rome? How is it possible that it nevertheless formed the model for the Western administrative state? The purpose of this project is to challenge earlier research and to propose a new model of the Roman Republican governance that integrates domestic and private space and to reinterpret its links with the Republican tradition.
The significance of these issues extends much beyond this: the development of administrative space in the European context amounts to nothing less than the emergence of the concept of public. Ever since Weber, the conceptual separation of the office and its holder has defined the European way of governance. The origin of this separation of public and private has often been seen in the Roman Republican state with its strict responsibilities, term limits and defined powers of its magistracies, who operated in open public spaces.
Using unconventional methodological tools to challenge the conventional view, the project explores the social and cultural dimensions of legal and administrative space, transcending modern assumptions of public and private. Two main research questions explore the confrontation of ideas and their contexts from the Roman Republic to modern Republicanism:
1) How the conflict between Republican ideals, political power and administrative practices transformed the spaces of administration?
2) How this conflict changed the social topography of Rome, the public and private spheres of governance?
While much of the earlier research on Republican administration has been constitutional, focused on sovereignty or the individual magistrates, this project advances a radical new interpretation through spatial and topographical analysis. It is a comprehensive re-evaluation of the Roman administrative tradition and its links with the European heritage through the lens of administrative space.
Summary
Administrative professionalization is the hallmark of a modern state, but its origins contain a dilemma. Why there were no offices in ancient Rome? How is it possible that it nevertheless formed the model for the Western administrative state? The purpose of this project is to challenge earlier research and to propose a new model of the Roman Republican governance that integrates domestic and private space and to reinterpret its links with the Republican tradition.
The significance of these issues extends much beyond this: the development of administrative space in the European context amounts to nothing less than the emergence of the concept of public. Ever since Weber, the conceptual separation of the office and its holder has defined the European way of governance. The origin of this separation of public and private has often been seen in the Roman Republican state with its strict responsibilities, term limits and defined powers of its magistracies, who operated in open public spaces.
Using unconventional methodological tools to challenge the conventional view, the project explores the social and cultural dimensions of legal and administrative space, transcending modern assumptions of public and private. Two main research questions explore the confrontation of ideas and their contexts from the Roman Republic to modern Republicanism:
1) How the conflict between Republican ideals, political power and administrative practices transformed the spaces of administration?
2) How this conflict changed the social topography of Rome, the public and private spheres of governance?
While much of the earlier research on Republican administration has been constitutional, focused on sovereignty or the individual magistrates, this project advances a radical new interpretation through spatial and topographical analysis. It is a comprehensive re-evaluation of the Roman administrative tradition and its links with the European heritage through the lens of administrative space.
Max ERC Funding
1 994 326 €
Duration
Start date: 2018-05-01, End date: 2023-04-30
Project acronym SPAECO
Project Spatial ecology: bringing mathematical theory and data together
Researcher (PI) Otso Tapio Ovaskainen
Host Institution (HI) HELSINGIN YLIOPISTO
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), LS5, ERC-2007-StG
Summary The goal of my research plan is to make fundamental progress in the understanding of the ecological and evolutionary dynamics of populations inhabiting the heterogeneous and changing landscapes of the real world. To reach this goal, I will construct general and mathematically rigorous theories and develop novel statistical approaches linking the theories to data. In the mathematical part of the project, I will construct and analyze spatial and stochastic individual-based models formulated as spatiotemporal point processes. I have already made a methodological breakthrough by showing how such models can be analyzed in a mathematically rigorous manner. I plan to use and further develop the mathematical theory to study the interplay among endogenous and exogenous factors in spatial ecology, genetics, and evolution. To link the theory with data, I will develop novel combinations of forward (from process to pattern) and inverse (from pattern to process) approaches in the context of five empirical problems. First, I will build on the strong interaction between empirical studies and modelling in the Glanville fritillary butterfly to develop approaches that integrate genetics with ecology and evolutionary biology in highly fragmented landscapes. Second, I will investigate dead-wood dependent species as a model system of population dynamics in dynamic landscapes, bridging the current gap between data and theory in this system. Third, I will use existing data on butterflies, wolves and bears to study how animal movement depends on the interplay between landscape structure and movement behaviour and on intra- and interspecific interactions. Fourth, I will address fundamental questions in evolutionary quantitative genetics, e.g. the evolution of the matrix of additive genetic variances and covariances. Finally, I will develop Bayesian state-space approaches to root species distribution modelling more deeply in ecological theory.
Summary
The goal of my research plan is to make fundamental progress in the understanding of the ecological and evolutionary dynamics of populations inhabiting the heterogeneous and changing landscapes of the real world. To reach this goal, I will construct general and mathematically rigorous theories and develop novel statistical approaches linking the theories to data. In the mathematical part of the project, I will construct and analyze spatial and stochastic individual-based models formulated as spatiotemporal point processes. I have already made a methodological breakthrough by showing how such models can be analyzed in a mathematically rigorous manner. I plan to use and further develop the mathematical theory to study the interplay among endogenous and exogenous factors in spatial ecology, genetics, and evolution. To link the theory with data, I will develop novel combinations of forward (from process to pattern) and inverse (from pattern to process) approaches in the context of five empirical problems. First, I will build on the strong interaction between empirical studies and modelling in the Glanville fritillary butterfly to develop approaches that integrate genetics with ecology and evolutionary biology in highly fragmented landscapes. Second, I will investigate dead-wood dependent species as a model system of population dynamics in dynamic landscapes, bridging the current gap between data and theory in this system. Third, I will use existing data on butterflies, wolves and bears to study how animal movement depends on the interplay between landscape structure and movement behaviour and on intra- and interspecific interactions. Fourth, I will address fundamental questions in evolutionary quantitative genetics, e.g. the evolution of the matrix of additive genetic variances and covariances. Finally, I will develop Bayesian state-space approaches to root species distribution modelling more deeply in ecological theory.
Max ERC Funding
1 501 421 €
Duration
Start date: 2008-07-01, End date: 2013-06-30
Project acronym SPATIALDYNAMICS
Project Ecological, molecular, and evolutionary spatial dynamics
Researcher (PI) Ilkka Aulis Hanski
Host Institution (HI) HELSINGIN YLIOPISTO
Call Details Advanced Grant (AdG), LS8, ERC-2008-AdG
Summary The study of wild populations will benefit of increasing integration of ecological, molecular, genetic, and evolutionary approaches. The Glanville fritillary butterfly has a classic metapopulation in a network of 4,000 habitat patches in the Åland Islands, Finland, within an area of 50 by 70 km, across which population surveys have been conducted since 1993. Taking advantage of the opportunity to sample a few larvae from full-sib groups of gregarious larvae in hundreds of local populations, this project involves large-scale phenotyping and genotyping of individuals across the large metapopulation. The aim is to advance our general understanding of the genetic basis of variation in individual performance and life-time reproductive success (fitness), and the role of ongoing natural selection in population dynamics of species living in fragmented landscapes. For genotyping, we select ~1,000 SNPs from annotated genes in the recently sequenced transcriptome of this species. The same SNPs will be used to construct a pedigree for the entire metapopulation for 4 years. Two broad questions will be addressed: (1) Genetic basis of variation in dispersal, related life-history traits, and life-time reproductive success. This will be studied with association analyses, correlating individual phenotypes and genotypes to identify molecular variation with consequences for individual performance and fitness; and with pedigree analyses of natural populations, relating life-time reproductive success of individual larval groups to their phenotypic and genotypic composition. (2) Spatio-temporal population dynamics, the role of ongoing natural selection and consequences for regional adaptation. The purpose is to investigate the causes and consequences of spatio-temporal variation in population dynamics, including the role of ongoing natural selection. Mathematical modelling will be used to investigate the coupling of ecological and evolutionary dynamics in the spatial context.
Summary
The study of wild populations will benefit of increasing integration of ecological, molecular, genetic, and evolutionary approaches. The Glanville fritillary butterfly has a classic metapopulation in a network of 4,000 habitat patches in the Åland Islands, Finland, within an area of 50 by 70 km, across which population surveys have been conducted since 1993. Taking advantage of the opportunity to sample a few larvae from full-sib groups of gregarious larvae in hundreds of local populations, this project involves large-scale phenotyping and genotyping of individuals across the large metapopulation. The aim is to advance our general understanding of the genetic basis of variation in individual performance and life-time reproductive success (fitness), and the role of ongoing natural selection in population dynamics of species living in fragmented landscapes. For genotyping, we select ~1,000 SNPs from annotated genes in the recently sequenced transcriptome of this species. The same SNPs will be used to construct a pedigree for the entire metapopulation for 4 years. Two broad questions will be addressed: (1) Genetic basis of variation in dispersal, related life-history traits, and life-time reproductive success. This will be studied with association analyses, correlating individual phenotypes and genotypes to identify molecular variation with consequences for individual performance and fitness; and with pedigree analyses of natural populations, relating life-time reproductive success of individual larval groups to their phenotypic and genotypic composition. (2) Spatio-temporal population dynamics, the role of ongoing natural selection and consequences for regional adaptation. The purpose is to investigate the causes and consequences of spatio-temporal variation in population dynamics, including the role of ongoing natural selection. Mathematical modelling will be used to investigate the coupling of ecological and evolutionary dynamics in the spatial context.
Max ERC Funding
2 478 999 €
Duration
Start date: 2009-01-01, End date: 2013-12-31
Project acronym SQH
Project Superconducting quantum heat engines and refrigerators
Researcher (PI) Jukka Pekka Pekola
Host Institution (HI) AALTO KORKEAKOULUSAATIO SR
Call Details Advanced Grant (AdG), PE3, ERC-2016-ADG
Summary The aim of the proposed work is to realize experimentally the first genuinely quantum mechanical refrigerator/heat engine in the solid state, and test whether one can boost its performance by information/feedback, optimized control, and merely by exploiting the quantum coherences vs the classical dynamics. To achieve this goal, we will investigate experimentally and theoretically the thermodynamics of open quantum systems. For the experimental realization, we will develop calorimetry with superior energy and time resolution and build competitive quantum circuits based on superconducting quantum bits (qubits). In order to achieve the ultimate goal, we will, for the first time, implement a test for quantum fluctuation relations in a truly open quantum system, and demonstrate an implementation of the so-called quantum Maxwell's Demon by controlling a qubit in an optimal way. In our studies we will utilize the state-of-the-art nanofabrication and measurement facilities of the national OtaNano research infrastructure that I coordinate.
This project presents a serious effort to investigate experimentally open quantum systems from the point of view of thermodynamics. It brings the classical field of research, thermodynamics, to the quantum regime, where experiments are in their infancy. Beyond the direct fundamental significance of this endeavor, the outcome of this project will technologically benefit the performance of both current and novel devices that is often limited by our present understanding of fluctuation relations and the characteristics of open quantum systems.
Summary
The aim of the proposed work is to realize experimentally the first genuinely quantum mechanical refrigerator/heat engine in the solid state, and test whether one can boost its performance by information/feedback, optimized control, and merely by exploiting the quantum coherences vs the classical dynamics. To achieve this goal, we will investigate experimentally and theoretically the thermodynamics of open quantum systems. For the experimental realization, we will develop calorimetry with superior energy and time resolution and build competitive quantum circuits based on superconducting quantum bits (qubits). In order to achieve the ultimate goal, we will, for the first time, implement a test for quantum fluctuation relations in a truly open quantum system, and demonstrate an implementation of the so-called quantum Maxwell's Demon by controlling a qubit in an optimal way. In our studies we will utilize the state-of-the-art nanofabrication and measurement facilities of the national OtaNano research infrastructure that I coordinate.
This project presents a serious effort to investigate experimentally open quantum systems from the point of view of thermodynamics. It brings the classical field of research, thermodynamics, to the quantum regime, where experiments are in their infancy. Beyond the direct fundamental significance of this endeavor, the outcome of this project will technologically benefit the performance of both current and novel devices that is often limited by our present understanding of fluctuation relations and the characteristics of open quantum systems.
Max ERC Funding
2 418 002 €
Duration
Start date: 2017-10-01, End date: 2022-09-30
Project acronym SSALT
Project Subjectivity and Selfhood in the Arabic and Latin Traditions
Researcher (PI) Taneli Kukkonen
Host Institution (HI) JYVASKYLAN YLIOPISTO
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), SH3, ERC-2007-StG
Summary The overall aim of the SSALT project is to throw light on the incubation of modern notions of the self and moral agency in the thought of the ancient world, their adoption and adaptation in the European and Arabic middle ages, and finally their transformation in the early modern period. This aim is approached through the twin paths of Arabic and Latin thought, both of which were in equal measure heir to the legacies of Greek rationalism and Hebrew monotheism. While most of the progress made so far in the scholarship has concentrated on Latin scholasticism, a more equally weighted investigation between the Arabic and Latin traditions can not only serve to bring to light much material that is of contemporary philosophical and ethical interest, but will also bring about a deeper understanding and appreciation of the Greek and Hebrew notions of selfhood and moral agency that form the bedrock of our culture. Once we begin to understand the similarities as well as the differences between the various thinkers frequently cited in the discussions (Aristotle and Descartes; Augustine and al-Ghazali; Avicenna and Aquinas), we can begin to discern what the theoretical implications are of committing to a certain philosophical viewpoint regarding human subjectivity and agency. Plainly, the importance of these findings reaches beyond the merely academic.
Summary
The overall aim of the SSALT project is to throw light on the incubation of modern notions of the self and moral agency in the thought of the ancient world, their adoption and adaptation in the European and Arabic middle ages, and finally their transformation in the early modern period. This aim is approached through the twin paths of Arabic and Latin thought, both of which were in equal measure heir to the legacies of Greek rationalism and Hebrew monotheism. While most of the progress made so far in the scholarship has concentrated on Latin scholasticism, a more equally weighted investigation between the Arabic and Latin traditions can not only serve to bring to light much material that is of contemporary philosophical and ethical interest, but will also bring about a deeper understanding and appreciation of the Greek and Hebrew notions of selfhood and moral agency that form the bedrock of our culture. Once we begin to understand the similarities as well as the differences between the various thinkers frequently cited in the discussions (Aristotle and Descartes; Augustine and al-Ghazali; Avicenna and Aquinas), we can begin to discern what the theoretical implications are of committing to a certain philosophical viewpoint regarding human subjectivity and agency. Plainly, the importance of these findings reaches beyond the merely academic.
Max ERC Funding
750 000 €
Duration
Start date: 2009-01-01, End date: 2012-12-31
Project acronym STEMpop
Project Mechanisms of stem cell population dynamics and reprogramming
Researcher (PI) Sara WICKSTRÖM
Host Institution (HI) HELSINGIN YLIOPISTO
Call Details Consolidator Grant (CoG), LS3, ERC-2017-COG
Summary How complex but stereotyped tissues are formed, maintained and regenerated through local growth, differentiation and remodeling is a fundamental open question in biology. Understanding how single cell behaviors are coordinated on the population level and how population-level dynamics is coupled to tissue architecture is required to resolve this question as well as to develop stem cell (SC) therapies and effective treatments against cancers.
As a self-renewing organ maintained by multiple distinct SC populations, the epidermis represents an outstanding, clinically highly relevant research paradigm to address this question. A key epidermal SC population are the hair follicle stem cells (HFSCs) that fuel hair follicle regeneration, repair epidermal injuries and, when deregulated, initiate carcinogenesis. The major obstacle in mechanistic understanding of HFSC regulation has been the lack of an in vitro culture system enabling their precise monitoring and manipulation. We have overcome this barrier by developing a method for long-term maintenance of multipotent HFSCs that recapitulates the complexity of HFSC fate decisions and dynamic crosstalk between HFSCs and their progeny.
This breakthrough invention puts me in the unique position to investigate how HFSCs self-organize into a network of SCs and progenitors through population-level signaling crosstalk and phenotypic plasticity. This project will uncover the spatiotemporal dynamics of HFSCs fate decisions and establish the role of the niche in this process (Aim1), decipher key gene-regulatory networks and epigenetic barriers that control phenotypic plasticity (Aim2), and discover druggable signaling networks that drive bi-directional reprogramming of HFSCs and their progeny (Aim3). By deconstructing complex tissue-level behaviors at an unprecedented spatiotemporal resolution this study has the potential to transform the fundaments of adult SC biology with immediate implications to regenerative medicine.
Summary
How complex but stereotyped tissues are formed, maintained and regenerated through local growth, differentiation and remodeling is a fundamental open question in biology. Understanding how single cell behaviors are coordinated on the population level and how population-level dynamics is coupled to tissue architecture is required to resolve this question as well as to develop stem cell (SC) therapies and effective treatments against cancers.
As a self-renewing organ maintained by multiple distinct SC populations, the epidermis represents an outstanding, clinically highly relevant research paradigm to address this question. A key epidermal SC population are the hair follicle stem cells (HFSCs) that fuel hair follicle regeneration, repair epidermal injuries and, when deregulated, initiate carcinogenesis. The major obstacle in mechanistic understanding of HFSC regulation has been the lack of an in vitro culture system enabling their precise monitoring and manipulation. We have overcome this barrier by developing a method for long-term maintenance of multipotent HFSCs that recapitulates the complexity of HFSC fate decisions and dynamic crosstalk between HFSCs and their progeny.
This breakthrough invention puts me in the unique position to investigate how HFSCs self-organize into a network of SCs and progenitors through population-level signaling crosstalk and phenotypic plasticity. This project will uncover the spatiotemporal dynamics of HFSCs fate decisions and establish the role of the niche in this process (Aim1), decipher key gene-regulatory networks and epigenetic barriers that control phenotypic plasticity (Aim2), and discover druggable signaling networks that drive bi-directional reprogramming of HFSCs and their progeny (Aim3). By deconstructing complex tissue-level behaviors at an unprecedented spatiotemporal resolution this study has the potential to transform the fundaments of adult SC biology with immediate implications to regenerative medicine.
Max ERC Funding
1 999 918 €
Duration
Start date: 2018-05-01, End date: 2023-04-30
Project acronym SuperRepel
Project Superslippery Liquid-Repellent Surfaces
Researcher (PI) Robin Henk A. RAS
Host Institution (HI) AALTO KORKEAKOULUSAATIO SR
Call Details Consolidator Grant (CoG), PE8, ERC-2016-COG
Summary I aim to progress substantially the understanding and applications of extremely non-wetting surfaces, tying together basic research and attractive technological advancements. The first part focuses on robust synthesis methods for superslippery liquid-repellent (SS-LR) surfaces. Furthermore, using new types of ultrasensitive force measurement for droplets, I will investigate in depth the dissipation dynamics of mobile water droplets and adhesion of droplets to surfaces, to promote understanding on low-friction surfaces. The second part aims at applying these SS-LR surfaces in droplet actuation with potential to outperform existing technologies. Additionally, the potential of SS-LR surfaces for anti-icing and for preventing bio-fouling will be investigated. The research results will have a major impact on liquid-repellent technology and will explore the fundamental physical limits of non-wetting.
Summary
I aim to progress substantially the understanding and applications of extremely non-wetting surfaces, tying together basic research and attractive technological advancements. The first part focuses on robust synthesis methods for superslippery liquid-repellent (SS-LR) surfaces. Furthermore, using new types of ultrasensitive force measurement for droplets, I will investigate in depth the dissipation dynamics of mobile water droplets and adhesion of droplets to surfaces, to promote understanding on low-friction surfaces. The second part aims at applying these SS-LR surfaces in droplet actuation with potential to outperform existing technologies. Additionally, the potential of SS-LR surfaces for anti-icing and for preventing bio-fouling will be investigated. The research results will have a major impact on liquid-repellent technology and will explore the fundamental physical limits of non-wetting.
Max ERC Funding
1 999 468 €
Duration
Start date: 2017-06-01, End date: 2022-05-31
Project acronym SURFACE
Project The unexplored world of aerosol surfaces and their impacts.
Researcher (PI) Nonne PRISLE
Host Institution (HI) OULUN YLIOPISTO
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE10, ERC-2016-STG
Summary We are changing the composition of Earth’s atmosphere, with profound consequences for the environment and our wellbeing. Tiny aerosol particles are globally responsible for much of the health effects and mortality related to air pollution and play key roles in regulating Earth’s climate via their critical influence on both radiation balance and cloud formation. Every single cloud droplet has been nucleated on the surface of an aerosol particle. Aerosols and droplets provide the media for condensed-phase chemistry in the atmosphere, but large gaps remain in our understanding of their formation, transformations, and climate interactions. Surface properties may play crucial roles in these processes, but currently next to nothing is known about the surfaces of atmospheric aerosols and cloud droplets and their impacts are almost entirely unconstrained. My recent work strongly suggests that such surfaces are significantly different from their associated bulk material and that these unique properties can impact aerosol processes all the way to the global scale. Very few surface-specific properties are currently considered when evaluating aerosol effects on atmospheric chemistry and global climate. Novel developments of cutting-edge computational and experimental methods, in particular synchrotron-based photoelectron spectroscopy, now for the first time makes direct molecular-level characterizations of atmospheric surfaces feasible. This project will demonstrate and quantify potential surface impacts in the atmosphere, by first directly characterizing realistic atmospheric surfaces, and then trace fingerprints of specific surface properties in a hierarchy of experimental and modelled aerosol processes and atmospheric effects. Successful demonstrations of unique aerosol surface fingerprints will constitute truly novel insights into a currently uncharted area of the atmospheric system and identify an entirely new frontier in aerosol research and atmospheric science.
Summary
We are changing the composition of Earth’s atmosphere, with profound consequences for the environment and our wellbeing. Tiny aerosol particles are globally responsible for much of the health effects and mortality related to air pollution and play key roles in regulating Earth’s climate via their critical influence on both radiation balance and cloud formation. Every single cloud droplet has been nucleated on the surface of an aerosol particle. Aerosols and droplets provide the media for condensed-phase chemistry in the atmosphere, but large gaps remain in our understanding of their formation, transformations, and climate interactions. Surface properties may play crucial roles in these processes, but currently next to nothing is known about the surfaces of atmospheric aerosols and cloud droplets and their impacts are almost entirely unconstrained. My recent work strongly suggests that such surfaces are significantly different from their associated bulk material and that these unique properties can impact aerosol processes all the way to the global scale. Very few surface-specific properties are currently considered when evaluating aerosol effects on atmospheric chemistry and global climate. Novel developments of cutting-edge computational and experimental methods, in particular synchrotron-based photoelectron spectroscopy, now for the first time makes direct molecular-level characterizations of atmospheric surfaces feasible. This project will demonstrate and quantify potential surface impacts in the atmosphere, by first directly characterizing realistic atmospheric surfaces, and then trace fingerprints of specific surface properties in a hierarchy of experimental and modelled aerosol processes and atmospheric effects. Successful demonstrations of unique aerosol surface fingerprints will constitute truly novel insights into a currently uncharted area of the atmospheric system and identify an entirely new frontier in aerosol research and atmospheric science.
Max ERC Funding
1 499 626 €
Duration
Start date: 2017-03-01, End date: 2022-02-28
Project acronym TAPEASE
Project Theory and Practice of Advanced Search and Enumeration
Researcher (PI) Petteri Samuel Kaski
Host Institution (HI) AALTO KORKEAKOULUSAATIO SR
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE6, ERC-2013-StG
Summary Computer science is permeated with canonical hard problems that, a priori, have a fundamentally combinatorial structure, such as the graph coloring problem, the Steiner tree problem, the Hamiltonian cycle problem, the k-clique problem, and so forth. Accordingly, it would perhaps be quite reasonable to expect that currently the asymptotically fastest solution techniques would rely on the canonical combinatorial algorithms toolbox, such as carefully tailored combinatorial (backtrack/branching) search and case-by-case analysis, combined with, say, advanced data structures.
However, this is not the case.
Indeed, currently the fastest known exact/parameterized algorithms for each of the aforementioned problems (and beyond) rely on a mixed bag of advanced _algebraic_ techniques ranging from fast matrix multiplication to sieving e.g. via Möbius inversion and polynomial identity testing. This, in essence, signals that the development of systematic algorithmic principles and tools to cope with exponential-sized combinatorial spaces associated with hard search and enumeration problems is rather in its infancy. The proposed project aims to improve our understanding how such spaces can be systematically transformed and filtered using advanced algebraic and combinatorial techniques.
The results of the project are of foremost interest in fundamental research in improving our understanding of computation, but potential exists also for breakthroughs that affect the computing practice, for example in connection with specific canonical tasks such as matrix multiplication or frontier applications such as motif problems in bioinformatics.
Summary
Computer science is permeated with canonical hard problems that, a priori, have a fundamentally combinatorial structure, such as the graph coloring problem, the Steiner tree problem, the Hamiltonian cycle problem, the k-clique problem, and so forth. Accordingly, it would perhaps be quite reasonable to expect that currently the asymptotically fastest solution techniques would rely on the canonical combinatorial algorithms toolbox, such as carefully tailored combinatorial (backtrack/branching) search and case-by-case analysis, combined with, say, advanced data structures.
However, this is not the case.
Indeed, currently the fastest known exact/parameterized algorithms for each of the aforementioned problems (and beyond) rely on a mixed bag of advanced _algebraic_ techniques ranging from fast matrix multiplication to sieving e.g. via Möbius inversion and polynomial identity testing. This, in essence, signals that the development of systematic algorithmic principles and tools to cope with exponential-sized combinatorial spaces associated with hard search and enumeration problems is rather in its infancy. The proposed project aims to improve our understanding how such spaces can be systematically transformed and filtered using advanced algebraic and combinatorial techniques.
The results of the project are of foremost interest in fundamental research in improving our understanding of computation, but potential exists also for breakthroughs that affect the computing practice, for example in connection with specific canonical tasks such as matrix multiplication or frontier applications such as motif problems in bioinformatics.
Max ERC Funding
1 145 078 €
Duration
Start date: 2014-02-01, End date: 2019-01-31
Project acronym TEPESS
Project Technologies and psychophysics of spatial sound
Researcher (PI) Ville Pulkki
Host Institution (HI) AALTO KORKEAKOULUSAATIO SR
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE7, ERC-2009-StG
Summary Spatial audio is a field, which investigates technologies to capture and reproduce sound in a way that the spatial properties of it are either preserved or modified depending on application. For example, modern surround sound techniques try to reproduce the sound scene perceived by a human listener in the same way than in the original occasion. The principal investigator (PI) has been able to develop a number of technologies in spatial audio field and to transfer them to the industry. The project would have two work packages, one concentrating on development of technology (WP1) and the other on perceptual studies (WP2). The perceptual studies are assumed to help technology development, and new technologies are assumed to reveal new phenomena in perception. The main issue for WP1 is the development of generic audio format. In future all music records and movie audio tracks are targeted to be in this format, which would be suitable for listening with any loudspeaker setup and also with headphones, always with optimal spatial and timbral quality. The development of the format is based on a technique by the PI, which is extended in this work for enhanced playback over loudspeakers and over headphones. Also, new techniques are developed for sound input from different types of microphones and from existing audio formats. The perceptual issues studied in WP2 would be the functioning of spatial hearing with wide sources and complex sound scenarios, together with computational modeling of brain mechanisms devoted to binaural hearing. The crossmodal effects between vision and auditory systems would also be investigated in the anechoic chamber specially equipped for spatial sound research. As the final task, the perceptual quality of developed generic audio format in different listening scenarios would be evaluated with subjective and objective tests.
Summary
Spatial audio is a field, which investigates technologies to capture and reproduce sound in a way that the spatial properties of it are either preserved or modified depending on application. For example, modern surround sound techniques try to reproduce the sound scene perceived by a human listener in the same way than in the original occasion. The principal investigator (PI) has been able to develop a number of technologies in spatial audio field and to transfer them to the industry. The project would have two work packages, one concentrating on development of technology (WP1) and the other on perceptual studies (WP2). The perceptual studies are assumed to help technology development, and new technologies are assumed to reveal new phenomena in perception. The main issue for WP1 is the development of generic audio format. In future all music records and movie audio tracks are targeted to be in this format, which would be suitable for listening with any loudspeaker setup and also with headphones, always with optimal spatial and timbral quality. The development of the format is based on a technique by the PI, which is extended in this work for enhanced playback over loudspeakers and over headphones. Also, new techniques are developed for sound input from different types of microphones and from existing audio formats. The perceptual issues studied in WP2 would be the functioning of spatial hearing with wide sources and complex sound scenarios, together with computational modeling of brain mechanisms devoted to binaural hearing. The crossmodal effects between vision and auditory systems would also be investigated in the anechoic chamber specially equipped for spatial sound research. As the final task, the perceptual quality of developed generic audio format in different listening scenarios would be evaluated with subjective and objective tests.
Max ERC Funding
1 879 458 €
Duration
Start date: 2009-09-01, End date: 2014-08-31
Project acronym TES-FlexThin
Project Novel Thermoelectric Energy Solutions based on Flexible Thin-Film Materials
Researcher (PI) Maarit Johanna Karppinen
Host Institution (HI) AALTO KORKEAKOULUSAATIO SR
Call Details Proof of Concept (PoC), PC1, ERC-2015-PoC
Summary In this Proof-of-Concept project we will create a completely new kind of integrated energy solution platform based on thermoelectric (TE) heat energy harvesting materials that are capable of converting various types of heat flows directly into electricity. The strong basis for the project is the new oxide-based thermoelectric inorganic-organic hybrid materials discovered in the PI's ERC Advanced Grant Project “Molecular-Layer-Engineered Inorganic-Organic Hybrid Materials (LAYERENG-HYBMAT)”. These hybrid thin-film materials are fabricated by the combined atomic/molecular layer deposition (ALD/MLD) technique which uniquely allows for fabrication of highly conformal thin-film coatings on various flexible, sensitive, functional and/or nanostructured surfaces. Within this PoC project we will (1) design and construct a few prototype devices based on the flexible inorganic-organic thin-film thermoelectrics and (2) integrate the devices with novel material platforms (textiles, polymers, coatings). The novel integrated TE energy solutions will enable heat-based energy harvesting for usage scenarios that are not possible with the existing bulky and fragile TE materials/generators. In addition, (3) the market for flexible thermoelectric generators will be analysed and the commercialisation and the IPR strategies will be created for TE generation solutions.
Summary
In this Proof-of-Concept project we will create a completely new kind of integrated energy solution platform based on thermoelectric (TE) heat energy harvesting materials that are capable of converting various types of heat flows directly into electricity. The strong basis for the project is the new oxide-based thermoelectric inorganic-organic hybrid materials discovered in the PI's ERC Advanced Grant Project “Molecular-Layer-Engineered Inorganic-Organic Hybrid Materials (LAYERENG-HYBMAT)”. These hybrid thin-film materials are fabricated by the combined atomic/molecular layer deposition (ALD/MLD) technique which uniquely allows for fabrication of highly conformal thin-film coatings on various flexible, sensitive, functional and/or nanostructured surfaces. Within this PoC project we will (1) design and construct a few prototype devices based on the flexible inorganic-organic thin-film thermoelectrics and (2) integrate the devices with novel material platforms (textiles, polymers, coatings). The novel integrated TE energy solutions will enable heat-based energy harvesting for usage scenarios that are not possible with the existing bulky and fragile TE materials/generators. In addition, (3) the market for flexible thermoelectric generators will be analysed and the commercialisation and the IPR strategies will be created for TE generation solutions.
Max ERC Funding
150 000 €
Duration
Start date: 2016-05-01, End date: 2017-04-30
Project acronym TLIM
Project Talent and Learning in Imperfect Markets
Researcher (PI) Marko Juhani Terviö
Host Institution (HI) AALTO KORKEAKOULUSAATIO SR
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), SH1, ERC-2009-StG
Summary The overall effectiveness at which the underlying talent resources in an economy are utilized is an important determinant of long-run economic growth and well-being. Recent work has shown that the processes through which talent is discovered and revealed in the economy are likely to suffer from market imperfections that are analogous to problems that have been for long been understood in the context of private provision of job training and education, resulting in not just reduced economic efficiency but also contributing to income inequality. The first basic question is what is the role of talent rents in explaining income inequality? In a static world where all information about talent is known, such talent rents would merely be compensation to a scarce factor of production. However, when the discovery of talent is subject to market imperfections then income differences that ostensibly look like talent rents are partly due to inefficient information rents. This raises the second and novel question, about whether and to what extent observed income differences are due to inefficient rents to information about talent that masquerade as talent rents. I also plan to investigate how technological change has impacted the distribution of talent rents via its effect on the discovery/revelation process of talent. The larger goal of the project is to help understand the economy-wide implications of institutions and policies that govern the discovery and allocation of talent in the economy. Better understanding could also point the way towards improved policy interventions.
Summary
The overall effectiveness at which the underlying talent resources in an economy are utilized is an important determinant of long-run economic growth and well-being. Recent work has shown that the processes through which talent is discovered and revealed in the economy are likely to suffer from market imperfections that are analogous to problems that have been for long been understood in the context of private provision of job training and education, resulting in not just reduced economic efficiency but also contributing to income inequality. The first basic question is what is the role of talent rents in explaining income inequality? In a static world where all information about talent is known, such talent rents would merely be compensation to a scarce factor of production. However, when the discovery of talent is subject to market imperfections then income differences that ostensibly look like talent rents are partly due to inefficient information rents. This raises the second and novel question, about whether and to what extent observed income differences are due to inefficient rents to information about talent that masquerade as talent rents. I also plan to investigate how technological change has impacted the distribution of talent rents via its effect on the discovery/revelation process of talent. The larger goal of the project is to help understand the economy-wide implications of institutions and policies that govern the discovery and allocation of talent in the economy. Better understanding could also point the way towards improved policy interventions.
Max ERC Funding
1 003 440 €
Duration
Start date: 2009-10-01, End date: 2015-03-31
Project acronym TOPVAC
Project From Topological Matter to Relativistic Quantum Vacuum
Researcher (PI) Grigory VOLOVIK
Host Institution (HI) AALTO KORKEAKOULUSAATIO SR
Call Details Advanced Grant (AdG), PE3, ERC-2015-AdG
Summary The structure of relativistic quantum vacuum (RQV) in our Universe is one of the main challenges in modern physics. We plan to advance our understanding of the vacuum structure and on this basis treat the most important unsolved problems in physics, such as the cosmological constant problem (why the measured vacuum energy is 120 orders of magnitude smaller than estimates from the zero point motion) and the hierarchy problem (why the masses of the known particles in the Standard Model (SM) of particle physics are much smaller than the Planck energy). The quantum vacuum shares many common properties with topological matter. The goal of the proposal is to concentrate both theoretical and experimental efforts in the investigation of connections between the topological quantum matter and RQV, to enhance understanding of topological condensed-matter systems especially in the ultra-low-temperature regime, and to apply this experience to solution of problems in SM & cosmology. As a condensed-matter system we shall use superfluid phases of liquid 3He – unique topological materials, which are the most close to SM and gravity: Superfluid 3He-A, where the low-energy excitations are topologically protected Weyl fermions, gauge bosons, and gravitons, is similar to the vacuum of SM above the electroweak transition. The fully gapped topological superfluid 3He-B with its Higgs bosons is the counterpart of SM vacuum in its broken symmetry phase. In particular, theory of relaxation of dark energy will be accompanied by experimental study of resonant decay of coherent states of non-equilibrium superfluid vacuum. Determination of the topological classes of the quantum vacua of SM including the vacua with Majorana fermions will be accompanied by experimental studies of Majorana fermions on the boundaries of topological superfluids and in cores of quantized vortices. Theory of extra Higgs bosons in SM will be accompanied by experimental study of light and heavy Higgs modes in 3He-B.
Summary
The structure of relativistic quantum vacuum (RQV) in our Universe is one of the main challenges in modern physics. We plan to advance our understanding of the vacuum structure and on this basis treat the most important unsolved problems in physics, such as the cosmological constant problem (why the measured vacuum energy is 120 orders of magnitude smaller than estimates from the zero point motion) and the hierarchy problem (why the masses of the known particles in the Standard Model (SM) of particle physics are much smaller than the Planck energy). The quantum vacuum shares many common properties with topological matter. The goal of the proposal is to concentrate both theoretical and experimental efforts in the investigation of connections between the topological quantum matter and RQV, to enhance understanding of topological condensed-matter systems especially in the ultra-low-temperature regime, and to apply this experience to solution of problems in SM & cosmology. As a condensed-matter system we shall use superfluid phases of liquid 3He – unique topological materials, which are the most close to SM and gravity: Superfluid 3He-A, where the low-energy excitations are topologically protected Weyl fermions, gauge bosons, and gravitons, is similar to the vacuum of SM above the electroweak transition. The fully gapped topological superfluid 3He-B with its Higgs bosons is the counterpart of SM vacuum in its broken symmetry phase. In particular, theory of relaxation of dark energy will be accompanied by experimental study of resonant decay of coherent states of non-equilibrium superfluid vacuum. Determination of the topological classes of the quantum vacua of SM including the vacua with Majorana fermions will be accompanied by experimental studies of Majorana fermions on the boundaries of topological superfluids and in cores of quantized vortices. Theory of extra Higgs bosons in SM will be accompanied by experimental study of light and heavy Higgs modes in 3He-B.
Max ERC Funding
2 159 191 €
Duration
Start date: 2016-10-01, End date: 2021-09-30
Project acronym TransFlexBattery
Project Transparent and Flexible Li-Organic 3D Thin-Film Microbattery
Researcher (PI) Maarit Johanna Karppinen
Host Institution (HI) AALTO KORKEAKOULUSAATIO SR
Call Details Proof of Concept (PoC), ERC-2017-PoC
Summary In this Proof-of-Concept project we will demonstrate the practical feasibility of a fundamentally novel transparent and
flexible Li-organic thin-film microbattery. The strong basis for the project is the new hybrid Li-organic electrode materials
discovered in the PI's ERC Advanced Grant Project “Molecular-Layer-Engineered Inorganic-Organic Hybrid Materials
(LAYERENG-HYBMAT)”. These hybrid thin-film materials are fabricated by the combined atomic/molecular layer deposition
(ALD/MLD) technique which uniquely allows for fabrication of highly conformal thin-film coatings on various flexible,
sensitive, functional and/or nanostructured surfaces. Within this PoC project we will (1) design and construct an actual
optimized all-ALD/MLD Li-organic battery cell, (2) confirm its optical transparency and mechanical flexibility as expected,
(3) identify the most potential applications for this new type of 3D thin-film microbattery, (4) assess its real-life business
opportunities, and (5) build up a network of academic and industrial collaborators for the further advancement of the novel
technology.
Summary
In this Proof-of-Concept project we will demonstrate the practical feasibility of a fundamentally novel transparent and
flexible Li-organic thin-film microbattery. The strong basis for the project is the new hybrid Li-organic electrode materials
discovered in the PI's ERC Advanced Grant Project “Molecular-Layer-Engineered Inorganic-Organic Hybrid Materials
(LAYERENG-HYBMAT)”. These hybrid thin-film materials are fabricated by the combined atomic/molecular layer deposition
(ALD/MLD) technique which uniquely allows for fabrication of highly conformal thin-film coatings on various flexible,
sensitive, functional and/or nanostructured surfaces. Within this PoC project we will (1) design and construct an actual
optimized all-ALD/MLD Li-organic battery cell, (2) confirm its optical transparency and mechanical flexibility as expected,
(3) identify the most potential applications for this new type of 3D thin-film microbattery, (4) assess its real-life business
opportunities, and (5) build up a network of academic and industrial collaborators for the further advancement of the novel
technology.
Max ERC Funding
150 000 €
Duration
Start date: 2017-09-01, End date: 2018-08-31
Project acronym TransporterPGx
Project Transporter pharmacogenomics – the contribution of transporters to variability in drug response
Researcher (PI) Mikko Olavi Niemi
Host Institution (HI) HELSINGIN YLIOPISTO
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), LS7, ERC-2011-StG_20101109
Summary The response to drug therapy varies widely between individuals. Proteins involved in the absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of drugs play a central role in determining the concentration of a drug at the target site, and thus drug efficacy and toxicity. Transporters are membrane proteins that mediate the translocation of chemicals into and out of cells using active and passive mechanisms. We have identified a single nucleotide variant in the SLCO1B1 gene encoding the organic anion transporting polypeptide 1B1 (OATP1B1), which severely impairs the hepatic uptake of the cholesterol-lowering drug simvastatin leading to an increased systemic exposure to the drug, and a markedly increased risk of simvastatin-induced muscle toxicity. The effects of this variant differ significantly between statins, forming a rational basis for individualized lipid-lowering therapy. In addition to OATP1B1, also OATP1A2, OATP1B3, and OATP2B1 are known to transport several drugs in vitro (e.g., anticancer, cardiovascular and anti-infective drugs). However, the roles of these transporters in the pharmacokinetics of drugs in vivo in humans are unknown. The aim of this project is to systematically search for genetic variants of SLCO1A2, SLCO1B3 and SLCO2B1, which have functional significance in vivo in humans. This project will enable studies to determine the roles of these transporters in the pharmacokinetics of drugs and in the disposition of endogenous compounds in vivo, with implications for drug development and drug safety. Moreover, functionally significant variants in these genes may be used to personalize drug therapies. Overall, the project can significantly facilitate the development of new drugs and can improve the safe and effective use of drugs already in clinical use, thus increasing the health and well-being of mankind and reducing the overall costs of healthcare and drug development.
Summary
The response to drug therapy varies widely between individuals. Proteins involved in the absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of drugs play a central role in determining the concentration of a drug at the target site, and thus drug efficacy and toxicity. Transporters are membrane proteins that mediate the translocation of chemicals into and out of cells using active and passive mechanisms. We have identified a single nucleotide variant in the SLCO1B1 gene encoding the organic anion transporting polypeptide 1B1 (OATP1B1), which severely impairs the hepatic uptake of the cholesterol-lowering drug simvastatin leading to an increased systemic exposure to the drug, and a markedly increased risk of simvastatin-induced muscle toxicity. The effects of this variant differ significantly between statins, forming a rational basis for individualized lipid-lowering therapy. In addition to OATP1B1, also OATP1A2, OATP1B3, and OATP2B1 are known to transport several drugs in vitro (e.g., anticancer, cardiovascular and anti-infective drugs). However, the roles of these transporters in the pharmacokinetics of drugs in vivo in humans are unknown. The aim of this project is to systematically search for genetic variants of SLCO1A2, SLCO1B3 and SLCO2B1, which have functional significance in vivo in humans. This project will enable studies to determine the roles of these transporters in the pharmacokinetics of drugs and in the disposition of endogenous compounds in vivo, with implications for drug development and drug safety. Moreover, functionally significant variants in these genes may be used to personalize drug therapies. Overall, the project can significantly facilitate the development of new drugs and can improve the safe and effective use of drugs already in clinical use, thus increasing the health and well-being of mankind and reducing the overall costs of healthcare and drug development.
Max ERC Funding
1 882 212 €
Duration
Start date: 2012-02-01, End date: 2017-01-31
Project acronym TRASTUZUCRAD
Project Oncolytic adenoviruses expressing monoclonal antibody trastuzumab for treatment of Her-2+ cancer
Researcher (PI) Akseli Eetu Hemminki
Host Institution (HI) HELSINGIN YLIOPISTO
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), LS7, ERC-2007-StG
Summary Metastatic breast, ovarian, gastric and esophageal cancer are currently incurable and therefore require new and innovative treatment approaches. The objective of this project is to construct oncolytic adenoviruses that code for trastuzumab (HerceptinR), a monoclonal antibody against tumor associated receptor Her2. Intravenous trastuzumab is already widely used for treatment of Her2+ breast cancer, and is being actively studied for other tumor types that frequently feature Her2 amplification, including ovarian, gastric and esophageal cancer. We hypothesize that expression of the antibody from a virus will result in production of high, sustained concentrations of functional trastuzumab in situ. In comparison to conventional intravenous delivery, this might results in enhanced anti-tumor activity but reduced systemic exposure and side-effects. Further, a single injection of the virus might result in prolonged production of trastuzumab which might be cost-effective as intravenous trastuzumab is expensive. The viruses will be targeted for effective delivery to tumor cells through viral capsid modifications, and oncolytic cell killing will proceed only in p16/Rb pathway mutant tumor cells. Trastuzumab production will be coupled to virus replication. Further, trastuzumab is secreted into the surrounding tumor tissue for an effective “bystander effect”, ie. killing of neighboring tumor cells. In summary, we hypothesize that this approach will result in tumor cell killing through viral oncolysis, the anti-tumor activity of trastuzumab, and the potential synergy between the approaches. Further, high local concentrations might result in anti-tumor efficacy superior to efficacy seen with intravenous trastuzumab. These developments might eventually result in increased treatment options for patients with currently incurable Her2+ cancers.
Summary
Metastatic breast, ovarian, gastric and esophageal cancer are currently incurable and therefore require new and innovative treatment approaches. The objective of this project is to construct oncolytic adenoviruses that code for trastuzumab (HerceptinR), a monoclonal antibody against tumor associated receptor Her2. Intravenous trastuzumab is already widely used for treatment of Her2+ breast cancer, and is being actively studied for other tumor types that frequently feature Her2 amplification, including ovarian, gastric and esophageal cancer. We hypothesize that expression of the antibody from a virus will result in production of high, sustained concentrations of functional trastuzumab in situ. In comparison to conventional intravenous delivery, this might results in enhanced anti-tumor activity but reduced systemic exposure and side-effects. Further, a single injection of the virus might result in prolonged production of trastuzumab which might be cost-effective as intravenous trastuzumab is expensive. The viruses will be targeted for effective delivery to tumor cells through viral capsid modifications, and oncolytic cell killing will proceed only in p16/Rb pathway mutant tumor cells. Trastuzumab production will be coupled to virus replication. Further, trastuzumab is secreted into the surrounding tumor tissue for an effective “bystander effect”, ie. killing of neighboring tumor cells. In summary, we hypothesize that this approach will result in tumor cell killing through viral oncolysis, the anti-tumor activity of trastuzumab, and the potential synergy between the approaches. Further, high local concentrations might result in anti-tumor efficacy superior to efficacy seen with intravenous trastuzumab. These developments might eventually result in increased treatment options for patients with currently incurable Her2+ cancers.
Max ERC Funding
1 622 360 €
Duration
Start date: 2008-09-01, End date: 2014-08-31
Project acronym TWES
Project Transnational work and the evolution of sovereignty
Researcher (PI) Nathan Alan Lillie
Host Institution (HI) JYVASKYLAN YLIOPISTO
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), SH2, ERC-2010-StG_20091209
Summary Proposal Summary
This is a proposal to study the growth of posted migrant work in the European Union, and the impact of this on industrial relations. Within the European Union, changes in the application of EU law have resulted in the deterritorialization of sovereign regulatory authority. National industrial relations systems have been subordinated to internal market freedoms in four recent European Court of Justice decisions. These constrain the rights of unions and governments to regulate working conditions of foreign service providers operating in their territory, in effect allowing firms to create “spaces of exception” by exploiting enclaves of alternative, deterritorialized sovereignty. For example, a Polish construction worker on a German construction site working for a Polish subcontractor does not, either in practice or in law, have the same rights as a German or Polish worker working for a German subcontractor because the employment relationship in the first instance is in many respects regulated from Poland. Sovereignty has been reconfigured, through EU law and firm practice, so that it is no longer entirely dependent on territory, but also on other contingencies. It is hypothesized that variegated sovereignty is facilitating the segmentation of labor markets, via transnational subcontracting and agency work.
The project will involve fieldwork in Finland, Germany, the Netherlands, the UK, and at the EU level. The study will be based on ethnographic interviews, to record the experiences of posted migrants and 'native' workers who work with them, and 'expert' interviews of managers, union officials, and policy makers. Two industries have been selected for study: construction and metalworking, because of the prevalence of posted workers in those industries. There will also be a series of policy interviews aimed at understanding the political/legal changes taking place in the European Union which facilitate the growth of variegated sovereignty. These will be used to construct a series of comparative case studies of work sites and industries. The research team will include the Principle Investigator and three other researchers under his supervision.
Summary
Proposal Summary
This is a proposal to study the growth of posted migrant work in the European Union, and the impact of this on industrial relations. Within the European Union, changes in the application of EU law have resulted in the deterritorialization of sovereign regulatory authority. National industrial relations systems have been subordinated to internal market freedoms in four recent European Court of Justice decisions. These constrain the rights of unions and governments to regulate working conditions of foreign service providers operating in their territory, in effect allowing firms to create “spaces of exception” by exploiting enclaves of alternative, deterritorialized sovereignty. For example, a Polish construction worker on a German construction site working for a Polish subcontractor does not, either in practice or in law, have the same rights as a German or Polish worker working for a German subcontractor because the employment relationship in the first instance is in many respects regulated from Poland. Sovereignty has been reconfigured, through EU law and firm practice, so that it is no longer entirely dependent on territory, but also on other contingencies. It is hypothesized that variegated sovereignty is facilitating the segmentation of labor markets, via transnational subcontracting and agency work.
The project will involve fieldwork in Finland, Germany, the Netherlands, the UK, and at the EU level. The study will be based on ethnographic interviews, to record the experiences of posted migrants and 'native' workers who work with them, and 'expert' interviews of managers, union officials, and policy makers. Two industries have been selected for study: construction and metalworking, because of the prevalence of posted workers in those industries. There will also be a series of policy interviews aimed at understanding the political/legal changes taking place in the European Union which facilitate the growth of variegated sovereignty. These will be used to construct a series of comparative case studies of work sites and industries. The research team will include the Principle Investigator and three other researchers under his supervision.
Max ERC Funding
913 082 €
Duration
Start date: 2011-01-01, End date: 2014-12-31
Project acronym TX-FACTORS
Project NEW BIOLOGICAL FUNCTIONS AND THERAPEUTIC POTENTIAL OF
VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH FACTORS
Researcher (PI) Kari Kustaa Alitalo
Host Institution (HI) HELSINGIN YLIOPISTO
Call Details Advanced Grant (AdG), LS7, ERC-2010-AdG_20100317
Summary This application promises to provide new treatment options for cancer and cardiovascular diseases that are the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the western world. Current cardiovascular and cancer therapies are often insufficient, unsuccessful or not suitable for all patients. Inhibition of angiogenesis is already used in the clinics, but with limited success. On the other hand, stimulation of the growth of blood vessels, angiogenesis, and of arteriogenesis, the growth of (collateral) arteries, has been unsuccessfully tried for the treatment of tissue ischemia. The aim of this research plan is to reveal new disease-related functions of endothelial growth factors and their signal transduction in cancer and cardiovascular disease and to establish preclinical models of effective therapy based on new knowledge of the biology of vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs), angiopoietins (Ang), angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis. We will embark on new studies based on our novel discoveries on the crosstalk between endothelial growth factor pathways in tumor angiogenesis, the involvement of lymphatic vessels in the development of obesity and associated inflammation, and on the striking effects of VEGF-B on cardiac muscle and vessels. We will develop molecular genetic and iPS cell derived models, and use functional genomics, proteomics and metabolomics, viral gene delivery and blocking reagents from human antibody libraries for our studies that should be of high priority in basic science and medicine. My laboratory is uniquely suited and networked for new discoveries to advance therapies for both cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Some of our work has already been translated to clinical development and we aim to provide additional drug candidates in this project.
Summary
This application promises to provide new treatment options for cancer and cardiovascular diseases that are the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the western world. Current cardiovascular and cancer therapies are often insufficient, unsuccessful or not suitable for all patients. Inhibition of angiogenesis is already used in the clinics, but with limited success. On the other hand, stimulation of the growth of blood vessels, angiogenesis, and of arteriogenesis, the growth of (collateral) arteries, has been unsuccessfully tried for the treatment of tissue ischemia. The aim of this research plan is to reveal new disease-related functions of endothelial growth factors and their signal transduction in cancer and cardiovascular disease and to establish preclinical models of effective therapy based on new knowledge of the biology of vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs), angiopoietins (Ang), angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis. We will embark on new studies based on our novel discoveries on the crosstalk between endothelial growth factor pathways in tumor angiogenesis, the involvement of lymphatic vessels in the development of obesity and associated inflammation, and on the striking effects of VEGF-B on cardiac muscle and vessels. We will develop molecular genetic and iPS cell derived models, and use functional genomics, proteomics and metabolomics, viral gene delivery and blocking reagents from human antibody libraries for our studies that should be of high priority in basic science and medicine. My laboratory is uniquely suited and networked for new discoveries to advance therapies for both cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Some of our work has already been translated to clinical development and we aim to provide additional drug candidates in this project.
Max ERC Funding
2 499 884 €
Duration
Start date: 2011-06-01, End date: 2016-05-31
Project acronym UFLNMR
Project Ultrafast Laplace NMR
Researcher (PI) Ville-Veikko TELKKI
Host Institution (HI) OULUN YLIOPISTO
Call Details Consolidator Grant (CoG), PE4, ERC-2017-COG
Summary Laplace NMR (LNMR), comprising diffusion and relaxation NMR experiments, provides detailed information on the dynamics and chemical resolution of molecular systems, which is complementary to NMR spectra. Similarly to the traditional NMR spectroscopy, the information content of LNMR can be significantly enhanced by a multidimensional approach. The long experiment time and low sensitivity restrict the applicability of the multidimensional method, however. Based on spatial encoding of multidimensional data, we develop a broad range of single-scan LNMR experiments, constituting a new class of NMR experiments called ultrafast multidimensional LNMR. The method shortens the experiment time by one to three orders of magnitude as compared to the conventional method, offering unprecedented opportunity to study fast processes in real time. Furthermore, it enables boosting the sensitivity by several orders of magnitude by using nuclear spin hyperpolarization, which allows investigation of low-concentration samples. Ultrafast LNMR opens paradigm-breaking prospects in chemical, biochemical, geologic, archaeologic and medical analysis. LNMR can, e.g., provide unique information on the intra- and extracellular metabolic processes, including those of cancer cells, which facilitates diagnostics and helps to find efficient treatments, and it can be exploited in the development of new types of biosensors. Furthermore, the method reveals previously unobservable details about the phase behaviour of ionic liquids, gel and polymer formation, as well as catalysis, which are essential in understanding their performance in technological applications. LNMR is also applicable to portable, single-sided magnets, implying potential to raise the sensitivity of low-field NMR to a completely new level. This entails significant impact on mobile chemical and medical analysis. The low cost of the low-field facility renders advanced NMR analysis broadly available, even in developing countries.
Summary
Laplace NMR (LNMR), comprising diffusion and relaxation NMR experiments, provides detailed information on the dynamics and chemical resolution of molecular systems, which is complementary to NMR spectra. Similarly to the traditional NMR spectroscopy, the information content of LNMR can be significantly enhanced by a multidimensional approach. The long experiment time and low sensitivity restrict the applicability of the multidimensional method, however. Based on spatial encoding of multidimensional data, we develop a broad range of single-scan LNMR experiments, constituting a new class of NMR experiments called ultrafast multidimensional LNMR. The method shortens the experiment time by one to three orders of magnitude as compared to the conventional method, offering unprecedented opportunity to study fast processes in real time. Furthermore, it enables boosting the sensitivity by several orders of magnitude by using nuclear spin hyperpolarization, which allows investigation of low-concentration samples. Ultrafast LNMR opens paradigm-breaking prospects in chemical, biochemical, geologic, archaeologic and medical analysis. LNMR can, e.g., provide unique information on the intra- and extracellular metabolic processes, including those of cancer cells, which facilitates diagnostics and helps to find efficient treatments, and it can be exploited in the development of new types of biosensors. Furthermore, the method reveals previously unobservable details about the phase behaviour of ionic liquids, gel and polymer formation, as well as catalysis, which are essential in understanding their performance in technological applications. LNMR is also applicable to portable, single-sided magnets, implying potential to raise the sensitivity of low-field NMR to a completely new level. This entails significant impact on mobile chemical and medical analysis. The low cost of the low-field facility renders advanced NMR analysis broadly available, even in developing countries.
Max ERC Funding
2 625 000 €
Duration
Start date: 2018-04-01, End date: 2023-03-31
Project acronym ULTIMATE CERAMICS
Project Printed Electroceramics with Ultimate Compositions
Researcher (PI) Heli Maarit Jantunen
Host Institution (HI) OULUN YLIOPISTO
Call Details Advanced Grant (AdG), PE8, ERC-2011-ADG_20110209
Summary The ultimate goal of this research is to make extremely advanced leap enabling processing of wide variety of ceramic materials at ultra low temperatures denoted as ULTIMATE CERAMICS(200-500 oC). The project has its risks, but advantages like utilization of pure ceramic materials on challenging substrates like plastic and paper could offer novel scientific results as well as business opportunities to European industry. Key issues based on scientific laws of matters forming the basic research methodology to succeed are • intelligent selection and development of starting materials • utilization of nano technology • management of dense and uniform packaging of powder particles • minimization of required activation energy during sintering • management of type, level and rate of diffusion in sintering • microwave sintering There are several reasons why this kind of ULTIMATE CERAMICS can now be seriously research. The main issues are that ano particle silver pastes sinterable at ~ 200 oC have recently become commercially available, and ceramics with nano particle size have been widely on the market. However, taking the high risk, ground-breaking challenge, ultimate novel materials and processes are available. ULTIMATE CERAMICS offer significance novel business opportunities for European industry not available in any other way since ceramic materials are able to perform e.g. as semiconductors, dielectric, non-linear dielectrics, sensors, and electrically or magnetically tunable devices. In the industrial point of view, the main issue is to enable printable structures on paper compatible with nano particle silver electrodes and printed organic materials. It is also obvious that novel scientific results will be created especially when several techniques like e.g. microwave sintering – nano particles – sintering aids –silver electrodes - are combined.
Summary
The ultimate goal of this research is to make extremely advanced leap enabling processing of wide variety of ceramic materials at ultra low temperatures denoted as ULTIMATE CERAMICS(200-500 oC). The project has its risks, but advantages like utilization of pure ceramic materials on challenging substrates like plastic and paper could offer novel scientific results as well as business opportunities to European industry. Key issues based on scientific laws of matters forming the basic research methodology to succeed are • intelligent selection and development of starting materials • utilization of nano technology • management of dense and uniform packaging of powder particles • minimization of required activation energy during sintering • management of type, level and rate of diffusion in sintering • microwave sintering There are several reasons why this kind of ULTIMATE CERAMICS can now be seriously research. The main issues are that ano particle silver pastes sinterable at ~ 200 oC have recently become commercially available, and ceramics with nano particle size have been widely on the market. However, taking the high risk, ground-breaking challenge, ultimate novel materials and processes are available. ULTIMATE CERAMICS offer significance novel business opportunities for European industry not available in any other way since ceramic materials are able to perform e.g. as semiconductors, dielectric, non-linear dielectrics, sensors, and electrically or magnetically tunable devices. In the industrial point of view, the main issue is to enable printable structures on paper compatible with nano particle silver electrodes and printed organic materials. It is also obvious that novel scientific results will be created especially when several techniques like e.g. microwave sintering – nano particles – sintering aids –silver electrodes - are combined.
Max ERC Funding
1 933 200 €
Duration
Start date: 2012-02-01, End date: 2017-10-31
Project acronym whyBOTher
Project Why does Clostridium botulinum kill? – In search for botulinum neurotoxin regulators
Researcher (PI) Miia Kristina Lindstrom
Host Institution (HI) HELSINGIN YLIOPISTO
Call Details Consolidator Grant (CoG), LS9, ERC-2015-CoG
Summary Bacterial toxins cause devastating diseases in humans and animals, ranging from necrotic enteritis to gas gangrene and tetraplegia. While toxin synthesis probably endows these bacteria with a selective advantage in their natural habitats, toxigenesis is likely to represent a fitness cost. It is thus plausible that mild environments encourage bacteria to give up toxin production, or reduce the number of toxigenic cells in populations. The cellular strategies bacteria use to silence toxin production and to establish stably non-toxigenic subpopulations represent targets for innovative antitoxin and vaccine strategies that can be utilized by the food, feed, medical, and agricultural sectors. I have found the first repressor that blocks the production of the most poisonous substance known to mankind, botulinum neurotoxin (BOT). This toxin, also known as “botox”, kills in nanogram quantities and is produced by the notorious food pathogen, Clostridium botulinum. In whyBOTher, I will extend the knowledge from this single regulator to comprehensive understanding of how C. botulinum cultures coordinate BOT production between single cells and cell subpopulations in response to their physical and social environment, and which genetic and plastic cellular strategies the cells take to attenuate BOT production in short and long term. I will experimentally force evolution of BOT-producing and non-producing cell lines, and explore the genetic, epigenetic, and cellular factors that explain the emergence of the two cell lines. To achieve this goal, I will extend the research on C. botulinum biology in two dimensions: from population level to fluorescent single-cell biology, and from genomic information to functional analysis of regulatory and metabolic networks controlling BOT production. whyBOTher represents an unprecedented research effort into regulation of bacterial toxins, and introduces a shift in paradigm from population-level observations to the life of single bacterial cells.
Summary
Bacterial toxins cause devastating diseases in humans and animals, ranging from necrotic enteritis to gas gangrene and tetraplegia. While toxin synthesis probably endows these bacteria with a selective advantage in their natural habitats, toxigenesis is likely to represent a fitness cost. It is thus plausible that mild environments encourage bacteria to give up toxin production, or reduce the number of toxigenic cells in populations. The cellular strategies bacteria use to silence toxin production and to establish stably non-toxigenic subpopulations represent targets for innovative antitoxin and vaccine strategies that can be utilized by the food, feed, medical, and agricultural sectors. I have found the first repressor that blocks the production of the most poisonous substance known to mankind, botulinum neurotoxin (BOT). This toxin, also known as “botox”, kills in nanogram quantities and is produced by the notorious food pathogen, Clostridium botulinum. In whyBOTher, I will extend the knowledge from this single regulator to comprehensive understanding of how C. botulinum cultures coordinate BOT production between single cells and cell subpopulations in response to their physical and social environment, and which genetic and plastic cellular strategies the cells take to attenuate BOT production in short and long term. I will experimentally force evolution of BOT-producing and non-producing cell lines, and explore the genetic, epigenetic, and cellular factors that explain the emergence of the two cell lines. To achieve this goal, I will extend the research on C. botulinum biology in two dimensions: from population level to fluorescent single-cell biology, and from genomic information to functional analysis of regulatory and metabolic networks controlling BOT production. whyBOTher represents an unprecedented research effort into regulation of bacterial toxins, and introduces a shift in paradigm from population-level observations to the life of single bacterial cells.
Max ERC Funding
2 000 000 €
Duration
Start date: 2017-01-01, End date: 2021-12-31
Project acronym WoCaFi
Project Unlocking the Entire Wood Matrix for the Next Generation of Carbon Fibers
Researcher (PI) Michael Hummel
Host Institution (HI) AALTO KORKEAKOULUSAATIO SR
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), PE8, ERC-2016-STG
Summary WoCaFi envisions a game-changing approach for the production of bio-based carbon fibers in which the drawbacks of traditional cellulose and lignin fibers are entirely bypassed by a new type of hybrid precursor fibers containing simultaneously all wood biopolymers cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin.
These unique fully wood-based multi-component filaments are accessible via a novel ionic liquid-based dry-jet wet spinning technique. The process provides the possibility to orientate lignin and hemicellulose embedded in a cellulose matrix. The special morphology of the resulting composite filaments is envisioned to increase the mechanical properties of thereof derived carbon fibers significantly, targeting 2000 MPa tensile strength and 200 GPa tensile modulus. These bio-based, low cost carbon fibers will reduce the dependency on non-renewable petroleum-based feedstocks and are highly suitable for lightweight applications in the automotive, sports and leisure sectors.
Most distinctively, our technique also enables us to spin wood almost in its native form. Thus, the pretreatment steps and intensity can be reduced drastically and pronounced synergistic effects between the bio-polymers are created. This will lead to higher carbon yields and a significantly enhanced graphitization. In very recent initial trials on a continuous single tow carbonization line we found indicators that the oxidation step, typically accounting for almost 50% of the carbonization heating energy costs, can be reduced or omitted completely depending on the lignin content of the precursor fiber.
This – in combination with activated wood as low cost raw material – would be the absolute game changer in developing low-cost, bio-based carbon fibers.
In this project the PI, who has developed the spinning technique and a strong background in organic chemistry and spinning physics, will lead a group of 2 PhD students and 1 Postdoc. The Postdoc will complement the team with enhanced spectroscopic knowledge.
Summary
WoCaFi envisions a game-changing approach for the production of bio-based carbon fibers in which the drawbacks of traditional cellulose and lignin fibers are entirely bypassed by a new type of hybrid precursor fibers containing simultaneously all wood biopolymers cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin.
These unique fully wood-based multi-component filaments are accessible via a novel ionic liquid-based dry-jet wet spinning technique. The process provides the possibility to orientate lignin and hemicellulose embedded in a cellulose matrix. The special morphology of the resulting composite filaments is envisioned to increase the mechanical properties of thereof derived carbon fibers significantly, targeting 2000 MPa tensile strength and 200 GPa tensile modulus. These bio-based, low cost carbon fibers will reduce the dependency on non-renewable petroleum-based feedstocks and are highly suitable for lightweight applications in the automotive, sports and leisure sectors.
Most distinctively, our technique also enables us to spin wood almost in its native form. Thus, the pretreatment steps and intensity can be reduced drastically and pronounced synergistic effects between the bio-polymers are created. This will lead to higher carbon yields and a significantly enhanced graphitization. In very recent initial trials on a continuous single tow carbonization line we found indicators that the oxidation step, typically accounting for almost 50% of the carbonization heating energy costs, can be reduced or omitted completely depending on the lignin content of the precursor fiber.
This – in combination with activated wood as low cost raw material – would be the absolute game changer in developing low-cost, bio-based carbon fibers.
In this project the PI, who has developed the spinning technique and a strong background in organic chemistry and spinning physics, will lead a group of 2 PhD students and 1 Postdoc. The Postdoc will complement the team with enhanced spectroscopic knowledge.
Max ERC Funding
1 481 008 €
Duration
Start date: 2017-01-01, End date: 2021-12-31
Project acronym ZeroR
Project Resistance-free charge spreading for LEDs and solar cells
Researcher (PI) Jani OKSANEN
Host Institution (HI) AALTO KORKEAKOULUSAATIO SR
Call Details Proof of Concept (PoC), ERC-2018-PoC
Summary Joule heating due to electrical resistance associated with current spreading in semiconductors is a significant loss mechanism in modern state-of-the-art high power light emitting diodes (LEDs) and high concentration solar cells. These losses can account for up to 10-30 % of the device power consumption under high power conditions, and thereby dramatically reduce the efficiency of solar energy harvesting and general lighting, whose efficiencies – apart from the resistive losses – are gradually closing in on their theoretical limits. In ZeroR we make use of a conceptually simple but functionally dramatic modification to the previous buried active region (AR) devices, like LEDs, lasers and solar cells, by relocating the AR to outside the pn-junction, allowing e.g. locating the AR on the device surface – or locating all the contact structures fully on one side of the active region, eventually enabling a fully scalable and essentially resistance free structures. We analyze the commercial prospects of the technology and show that it provides new freedom for high power semiconductor device design. The main goal of ZeroR is to facilitate further commercial development of the concept and to demonstrate the elimination of resistive losses in industrially relevant LED and solar cell prototypes using gallium nitride and gallium arsenide based compound semiconductor material systems. If successful, this approach can substantially increase the device efficiency at selected high power operating conditions and substantially expedite the ongoing solid state lighting revolution and market penetration, also providing more efficient new solutions for solar energy harvesting and selected other applications.
Summary
Joule heating due to electrical resistance associated with current spreading in semiconductors is a significant loss mechanism in modern state-of-the-art high power light emitting diodes (LEDs) and high concentration solar cells. These losses can account for up to 10-30 % of the device power consumption under high power conditions, and thereby dramatically reduce the efficiency of solar energy harvesting and general lighting, whose efficiencies – apart from the resistive losses – are gradually closing in on their theoretical limits. In ZeroR we make use of a conceptually simple but functionally dramatic modification to the previous buried active region (AR) devices, like LEDs, lasers and solar cells, by relocating the AR to outside the pn-junction, allowing e.g. locating the AR on the device surface – or locating all the contact structures fully on one side of the active region, eventually enabling a fully scalable and essentially resistance free structures. We analyze the commercial prospects of the technology and show that it provides new freedom for high power semiconductor device design. The main goal of ZeroR is to facilitate further commercial development of the concept and to demonstrate the elimination of resistive losses in industrially relevant LED and solar cell prototypes using gallium nitride and gallium arsenide based compound semiconductor material systems. If successful, this approach can substantially increase the device efficiency at selected high power operating conditions and substantially expedite the ongoing solid state lighting revolution and market penetration, also providing more efficient new solutions for solar energy harvesting and selected other applications.
Max ERC Funding
150 000 €
Duration
Start date: 2019-01-01, End date: 2020-06-30