EU-Projects

ERC Starting Grant

Principal investigator: Prof. David Bommes, Institute of Computer Science

Digital geometry representations are nowadays a fundamental ingredient of many applications, as for instance CAD/CAM, fabrication, shape optimization, bio-medical engineering and numerical simulation. Among volumetric discretizations the “holy grail” are hexahedral meshes, i.e. a decomposition of the domain into conforming cube-like elements. For simulations they offer accuracy and efficiency that cannot be obtained with alternatives like tetrahedral meshes, specifically when dealing with higher-order PDEs. So far, automatic hexahedral meshing of general volumetric domains is a long-standing, notoriously difficult and open problem.

The main goal of the AlgoHex team is to develop algorithms for automatic hexahedral meshing of general volumetric domains that are (i) robust, (ii) scalable and (iii) offer precise control on regularity, approximation error and element sizing/anisotropy. The scientific approach is designed to replicate the success story of recent integer-grid map based algorithms for 2D quadrilateral meshing. The underlying methodology offers the essential global view on the problem that was lacking in previous attempts, mostly failing due to local considerations inducing global inconsistencies. Preliminary results of integer-grid map hexahedral meshing are encouraging and a breakthrough is in reach.

ERC Starting Grant

Principal investigator: Prof. Florian Piegsa, Albert Einstein Center for Fundamental Physics

The  BEAM-EDM project encompasses the research and application of novel precision methods in the field of low energy particle physics. The goal of the program is to lead an independent and highly competitive experiment to search for a CP-symmetry violating neutron electric dipole moment (EDM), as well as for new exotic interactions, employing highly sensitive neutron and proton spin resonance techniques.
The measurement of the neutron EDM is considered to be one of the most important fundamental physics experiments at low energy. It represents a promising route for finding new physics beyond the standard model (SM) and describes an important  mechanism to understand the observed large matter/antimatter asymmetry in our universe. The project will follow a novel concept, which plans to employ a pulsed neutron beam at high intensity, instead of the established use of storable ultracold neutrons. This complementary method provides the possibility to distinguish between the signal due to a neutron EDM and previously limiting systematic effects, and should lead to an improved result compared to the present best neutron EDM beam experiment. The findings of these investigations will form the cornerstone for the success of a full-scale experiment intended for the European Spallation Source in Sweden. 
A second scientific  campaign focusing on the search for exotic short-range interactions and associated light bosons will be addressed by  employing nuclear spin precession techniques.  This is a  burgeoning field of research motivated by various extensions to the SM. The goal of this project, using neutrons and protons, is to search for additional interactions between ordinary particles mediated by new bosons  and for so-called dark-matter axions.
Both topics describe ambitious and unique efforts. They use related techniques, address important questions in fundamental physics, and have the potential of substantial scientific  impact.

ERC Consolidator Grant

Principal investigator: Prof. Kevin Heng, Center for Space and Habitability

Detecting life beyond our Solar System depends on remotely sensing exoplanet atmospheres, and the abundance of small planets around cool red stars now makes studying Earth‑like worlds possible. The EXOKLEIN project will create a holistic climate framework that ties atmospheric observations to geochemistry and biosignatures. It will build a virtual laboratory that models atmospheric dynamics, chemistry, and radiation together; broaden the carbonate‑silicate (long‑term carbon) cycle to include diverse rock types, water acidity, and atmospheric conditions that regulate CO₂; and examine how stable biosignature gases remain within the climate system. By integrating these three themes, EXOKLEIN aims to determine whether rocky exoplanets orbiting red stars have stable, life‑supporting environments and whether their tell‑tale signs of life can be detected.

ERC Consolidator Grant

Principal Investigator: Prof. Mariusz Nowacki, Institute of Cell Biology

The ERC "G-EDIT" project focuses on investigating the role of trans-generational RNA in the elimination of transposable elements.

ERC Advanced Grant

Forschungsleitung: Prof. Stefan Brönnimann, Geographisches Institut

PALAEO-RA combines numerical modelling and mathematical techniques with historical documentary data and measurements, and dynamical analyses to produce a comprehensive reconstruction of global climate of the past six centuries. The "palaeo-reanalysis" will provide globally complete, three dimensional monthly fields of many variables and thus allows dynamical interpretations of past climate events. 

Principal investigator: Prof. Matthias Erb, Institute for Planct Sciences

The capacity to produce and perceive organic chemicals is essential for most cellular organisms. Plants can react to volatiles, but the underlying mechanisms are poorly resolved. PERVOL investigates if and how plants smell danger by detecting certain volatiles with specific receptors. PERVOL will push the field of plant volatile research by elucidating mechanisms of herbivore induced volatile perception, generating new genetic resources for functional investigations of plant volatile signaling and testing new potential biological functions of the perception of herbivore induced volatiles.

ERC Starting Grant

Principal investigator: Pierre Lanari, Institute of Geological Sciences

The ERC project PROMOTING explores how rocks deep inside the Earth change when they are heated and interact with fluids. These processes are key to understanding earthquakes, volcanic activity, the growth of continents, and the cycling of elements on our planet. The project combines state-of-the-art rock imaging with computer simulations to create the first model that links fluid movement to rock transformation. This approach will provide a new window into the hidden dynamics of the Earth’s interior.

ERC Advanced Grant

Principal investigator: Prof. Cris Kuhlemeier, Institute of Plant Sciences

A central aim of contemporary research on the origin of species is to identify the genes that are functionally differentiated between nascent species. Understanding the molecular-genetic basis of speciation will answer important questions that are of broad interest to geneticists, ecologists and evolutionary biologists. The RESPEC project will identify such “speciation genes”, map them onto conventional phylogenies and genetically reconstruct the process of speciation. Pollinator-mediated speciation is an attractive system to achieve these goals. Shifts in pollination syndromes are complex but are composed of distinct traits that can be studied individually. The advertising traits color and scent are known to be encoded by major effect genes, but for morphological traits no such information is available.
The Objectives of RESPEC are:
1.    Substitute the four major-effect mutations for advertising traits in the hawkmoth-pollinated species, thereby creating an artificial mimic of the derived bee-pollinated species
2.    Identify the major-effect genes that specify the morphological differences between a moth- and a hummingbird-pollinated species
3.    Reconstruct the process of speciation during the shift from hawkmoth to hummingbird pollination
The identification and functional analysis of a complete set of major-effect genes will for the first time provide comprehensive molecular information about the process of speciation in a single system. The allele substitution experiments will demonstrate the importance of major-effect genes in speciation as opposed to Darwin’s view of evolution by gradual change. This has never been done before and was long thought to be impossible on theoretical grounds.

ERC Consolidator Grant

Principal investigator: Prof. Adrian Jäggi, Institute of Astronomy

The earth is subject to continuous environmental changes. Satellite observations provide the required data basis for being able to record such changes, to quantify them, to understand the underlying mechanisms and finally, to become aware of the societal challenge presented by the observed environmental changes. The objective of the project SPACE TIE is to develop new paths for the determination of a long-term stable reference frame, which is needed for a best possible recording of climate-relevant changes with amplitudes of 1 to 3mm per year, such as sea level rise. The project SPACE TIE is executed at the Astronomical Institute of the University of Bern (AIUB). The Bernese GNSS Software, which has been under development at the AIUB for many years, will play a key role for the high-precision analysis of the relevant satellite geodetic data.

ERC Consolidator Project

Head of Research: Prof. Dr. Chinwe Ifejika Speranza

Forest patches in the fragmented agricultural landscapes of West Africa provide key Ecosystem Services and are crucial for local populations well-being. However, these forest patches are under heavy pressure and prone to further degradation. Yet, the forest patches have received little research attention. Thus, it is crucial to generate knowledge about their sustainable management. The SUSTAINFORESTS project analyses the interactive roles of forest patches in the agricultural landscapes of the rainforest and forest zones in Togo, Benin, Nigeria, and Cameroon. In addition, it investigate the conditions under which various biophysical, socio-cultural, economic, and institutional factors, including decision-making and land users’ behaviour, interact with and affect forest patches and their sustainable use, management, and governance.

SUSTAINFORESTS

ERC Consolidator Grant

Principal investigator: Prof. Michael Sigl, Climate and Environmental Physics

Project duration: July 1, 2019 - August 31, 2024

ERC Synergy Grant

Principal investigator: Prof. Willy Tinner, Institute for Plant Sciences & Oeschger Center for Climate Change Research/Prof. Albert Hafner, Institute for Archaeological Sciences

Project duration: March 1, 2019 - February 28, 2025

ERC Starting Grant

Principal investigator: Prof. Natalie Banerji, Department for Chemistry and Biochemistry

Project duration: August 1, 2018 - July 31, 2022

ERC Advanced Grant

Principal invesitgator: Prof. Hubertus Fischer, Climate and Environmental Physics

Project duration: October 1, 2015 - March 31, 2021

ERC Consolidator Grant

Principal investigator: Prof. Martin Albrecht, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Project duration: 2015 - 2020