ERC FUNDED PROJECTS

The description of high pressure phases or polymorphism of molecular solids represents a significant scientific challenge both for experiment and theory. Theoretical methods that are currently used struggle to describe the tiny energy differences between different phases. It is the aim of this project to develop a scheme that would allow accurate and reliable predictions of the binding energies of molecular solids and of the energy differences between different phases. To reach the required accuracy, we will combine the coupled cluster approach, widely used for reference quality calculations for molecules, with the random phase approximation (RPA) within periodic boundary conditions. As I have recently shown, RPA-based approaches are already some of the most accurate and practically usable methods for the description of extended systems. However, reliability is not only a question of accuracy. Reliable data need to be precise, that is, converged with the numerical parameters so that they are reproducible by other researchers. Reproducibility is already a growing concern in the field. It is likely to become a considerable issue for highly accurate methods as the calculated energies have a stronger dependence on the simulation parameters such as the basis set size. Two main approaches will be explored to assure precision. First, we will develop the so-called asymptotic correction scheme to speed-up the convergence of the correlation energies with the basis set size. Second, we will directly compare the lattice energies from periodic and finite cluster based calculations. Both should yield identical answers, but if and how the agreement can be reached for general system is currently far from being understood for methods such as coupled cluster. Reliable data will allow us to answer some of the open questions regarding the stability of polymorphs and high pressure phases, such as the possibility of existence of high pressure ionic phases of water and ammonia.

924 375 €

Start date: 2018-01-01, End date: 2022-12-31

Viral infection or retrotransposon expansion in the genome often result in production of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA). dsRNA can be intercepted by RNase III Dicer acting in the RNA interference (RNAi) pathway, an ancient eukaryotic defense mechanism. Notably, endogenous mammalian RNAi appears dormant while its common and unique physiological roles remain poorly understood. A factor underlying mammalian RNAi dormancy is inefficient processing of dsRNA by the full-length Dicer. Yet, a simple truncation of Dicer leads to hyperactive RNAi, which is naturally present in mouse oocytes. The D-FENS project will use genetic animal models to define common, cell-specific and species-specific roles of mammalian RNAi. D-FENS has three complementary and synergizing objectives: (1) Explore consequences of hyperactive RNAi in vivo. A mouse expressing a truncated Dicer will reveal at the organismal level any negative effect of hyperactive RNAi, the relationship between RNAi and mammalian immune system, and potential of RNAi to suppress viral infections in mammals. (2) Define common and species-specific features of RNAi in the oocyte. Functional and bioinformatics analyses in mouse, bovine, and hamster oocytes will define rules and exceptions concerning endogenous RNAi roles, including RNAi contribution to maternal mRNA degradation and co-existence with the miRNA pathway. (3) Uncover relationship between RNAi and piRNA pathways in suppression of retrotransposons. We hypothesize that hyperactive RNAi in mouse oocytes functionally complements the piRNA pathway, a Dicer-independent pathway suppressing retrotransposons in the germline. Using genetic models, we will explore unique and redundant roles of both pathways in the germline. D-FENS will uncover physiological significance of the N-terminal part of Dicer, fundamentally improve understanding RNAi function in the germline, and provide a critical in vivo assessment of antiviral activity of RNAi with implications for human therapy.

1 950 000 €

Start date: 2015-07-01, End date: 2020-06-30

Modern chemistry experiences a fast development of new reactions with dominance in organometallics and recently also organocatalysis. The massive synthetic progress however greatly foreruns mechanistic studies and the deeper insight is often rather limited. This large unexplored area accordingly challenges pioneering research and formulation of new concepts in chemistry. The present research project uses the most powerful tools of several research disciplines and aims towards the investigation of the elementary steps in organic reactions by means of mass spectrometry (MS) in combination with electrospray ionization (ESI) and quantum chemistry with a particular focus on ion spectroscopy. The research will concentrate on elementary reactions in catalysis, e.g. the interaction of catalysts with substrates or bimolecular reactions of reactant/catalyst complexes. A major innovative contribution consists in applying ion spectroscopy for the structural characterization of reaction intermediates using a newly proposed tandem mass spectrometer with a cooled linear ion trap, which will allow two-photon experiments with IR and UV tunable lasers. The experiments will provide specific information about various intermediates and will help to disentangle even complicated mixtures or isomeric ions. In addition, an innovative experiment is designed, in which bimolecular reactivity of isobaric ions will be studied individually. Kinetics of selected reactions in solution will also be followed by ESI/MS. The combined efforts of these different approaches will provide a comprehensive understanding of the reaction mechanisms and will lead to the formulation of new general concepts in organic and organometallic reactivity.

1 294 800 €

Start date: 2011-01-01, End date: 2015-12-31

A close functional and molecular integration between metabolic and immune systems is crucial for systemic homeostasis and its’ deregulation is causally linked to obesity and associated diseases including insulin resistance, diabetes and atherosclerosis and known as cardiometabolic syndrome (CMS). Metabolic overload initiates a chronic inflammatory and stress response known as metaflammation and promotes the complications of CMS. The precise molecular mechanisms linking metabolic stress to immune activation and stress responses, however, remain elusive. Earlier studies demonstrated metabolic overload stresses the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and activates the unfolded protein response (UPR). ER is a critical intracellular metabolic hub orchestrating protein, lipid and calcium metabolism. These vital functions of ER are maintained by a conserved, adaptive stress response or UPR that emanates from its membranes. ER stress has emerged as a central paradigm in the pathogenesis of CMS and its reduction prevents atherosclerosis and promotes insulin sensitivity. However, a clear understanding of how metabolic stress is sensed and communicated by the ER is fundamental in designing specific and targeted therapy to ER stress in CMS. This application will investigate the ER stress response that can sense excess lipids and couple to inflammatory and stress responses, and whether its unique operation under metabolic stress can be suitable for therapeutic exploitation in CMS. This proposal tackles the unique modes of operation of two important players in the ER stress response that are coupled by metabolic stress, inositol-requiring enzyme-1 (IRE-1) and double-stranded RNA-activated kinase (PKR), by taking advantage of chemical-genetics to specifically modify their activities. When completed the proposed studies will have shed light on a little explored but central question in the field of immunometabolism regarding how nutrients engage inflammatory and stress pathways.

1 362 921 €

Start date: 2014-01-01, End date: 2018-06-30