5. Content
National Centres of Competence in Research (NCCRs)
Goals and Implementation 5
The NCCRs at a glance 6
Life Sciences
• NCCR Molecular Oncology - From Basic Research to Therapeutic Approaches 8
• NCCR Frontiers in Genetics - Genes, Chromosomes and Development 12
• NCCR Molecular Life Sciences: Three Dimensional Structure, 16
Folding and Interactions
• NCCR Neural Plasticity and Repair 20
Environment and Sustainability
• NCCR North-South: Research Partnership for Mitigating Syndromes 25
of Global Change
• NCCR Plant Survival in Natural and Agricultural Ecosystems 30
• NCCR Climate Variability, Predictability and Climate Risks 34
Technology
• NCCR Materials with Novel Electronic Properties 38
• NCCR Nanoscale Science - Impact on Life Sciences, Sustainability, 42
Information and Communication Technologies
• NCCR Quantum Photonics 46
Information and Communication Technology
• NCCR Interactive Multimodal Information Management 49
• NCCR Computer Aided and Image Guided Medical Interventions 53
• NCCR Mobile Information and Communication Systems 58
Social Sciences and Humanities
• NCCR Financial Valuation and Risk Management 62
• NCCR The Power and Meaning of Images 65
• NCCR International Trade Regulation: From Fragmentation to Coherence 68
• NCCR Mediality – Historical Perspectives 71
• NCCR Challenges to Democracy in the 21st Century 74
• NCCR Swiss Etiological Study of Adjustment and Mental Health 77
• NCCR Affective Sciences: Emotion in Individual Behaviour and Social Processes 80
6.
7. National Centres of Competence
in Research (NCCRs)
Goals and Implementation
In the year 2001 the Swiss National Science NCCRs are funded by the Swiss National
Foundation launched the National Centres of Science Foundation (SNSF), participating in-
Competence in Research (NCCR). The main stitutions - in particular the home institution
goal of the currently 20 NCCRs is the promo- - and third parties. The 20 existing NCCRs
tion of scientific excellence in areas of major receive a total of CHF 250 million in SNSF
strategic importance for the future of Swiss funding for 2005 - 2008.
research, economy and society. NCCRs are
Calls for submissions to set up NCCRs were
managed by leading houses institutionally
first made in January 1999. Priority was given
linked to universities or other distinguished
to four areas of research: life sciences, social
research institutions (home institutions). In
sciences and humanities, sustainable devel-
addition to the research teams at the home
opment and environment, and information
institution, an NCCR sets up a network of
and communication technologies. A share of
other research teams across Switzerland.The
the overall budget was also made available to
maximum duration of an NCCR is 12 years.
projects involving promising topics from out-
The three underlying principles of NCCRs
side these priority areas. The SNSF assessed
are:
the projects in two stages: a pre-proposal
• Research: NCCRs carry out research of stage, with 82 projects submitted, and a
excellent quality, spanning basic research to full-proposal stage, with 34 submissions.
applications. There is a number of individual The SNSF presented 18 full proposals of out-
projects doing the actual research work in standing merit to the Federal Department of
each NCCR. The NCCR director ensures the Home Affairs, which made the final selection
coherence and integration of the individual of 14 NCCRs according to federal research
projects. policy in December 2000.
• Knowledge and technology transfer: A second call for NCCRs in the field of Social
NCCRs develop links with the potential users Sciences and Humanities was launched in
of their results, and involve them in project October 2003. After a thorough evaluation of
planning from the outset. 44 pre-proposals and 17 full proposals 6 new
NCCRs started in autumn 2005.
• Training and promotion of women: NCCRs
create the necessary structures and imple- Within the SNSF, Division IV of the National
ment measures required to train young sci- Research Council is responsible for NCCRs.
entists (doctoral and postdoctoral students). An international Review Panel is set up for
Particular attention is paid to the advance- each NCCR to assess its progress regularly.
ment of women in research.
From a research policy point of view, NCCRs
should contribute to a better structuring
of the Swiss research environment, and to
optimised task assignment between research
institutions.
Guide 2008 | 5
8. The NCCRs
at a glance
1st Call of NCCRs
Short Name NCCR-Director Home Institution Web Address
Climate Prof. Stocker Thomas University of Berne www.nccr-climate.unibe.ch
CO-ME Prof. Székely Gábor ETH Zurich co-me.ch
FINRISK Prof. Gibson Rajna University of Zurich www.nccr-finrisk.unizh.ch
Genetics Prof. Duboule Denis University of Geneva www.frontiers-in-genetics.org
IM2 Prof. Bourlard Hervé IDIAP Martigny www.im2.ch
MaNEP Prof. Fischer Øystein University of Geneva www.manep.ch
MICS Prof. Aberer Karl EPF Lausanne www.mics.org
Molecular Oncology Prof. Aguet Michel ISREC Epalinges www.nccr-oncology.ch
Prof. Schönenberger
Nanoscale Science Christian University of Basel www.nccr-nano.org
Neuro Prof. Schwab Martin University of Zurich www.nccr-neuro.unizh.ch
North-South Prof. Hurni Hans University of Berne www.north-south.unibe.ch
Plant Survival Prof. Rahier Martine University of Neuchâtel www.unine.ch/plantsurvival
Prof. Devaud-Plédran
Quantum Photonics EPF Lausanne nccr-qp.epfl.ch
Benoît
Structural Biology Prof. Grütter Markus University of Zurich www.structuralbiology.unizh.ch
2nd Call of NCCRs
Short Name NCCR-Director Home Institution Web Address
www.affective-sciences.org
Affective Sciences Prof. Scherer Klaus University of Geneva www.sciences-affectives.ch
Democracy Prof. Kriesi Hanspeter University of Zurich www.nccr-democracy.unizh.ch
Iconic Criticism Prof. Boehm Gottfried University of Basel www.eikones.ch
Mediality Prof. Kiening Christian University of Zurich www.mediality.ch
SESAM Prof. Margraf Jürgen University of Basel www.sesamswiss.ch
Trade Regulation Prof. Cottier Thomas University of Berne www.nccr-trade.ch
Output in 2001 - 2004
(1st Call of NCCRs)
Type Number
Scientific papers 7 100
Presentations at congresses and fairs 6 700
Patents/licences 126
Start up companies1 17
Prototypes, demonstrators, processes 131
Cooperations with private and public sector 338
CTI projects2 283
1
Built up or encouraged by the NCCRs
2
CTI: Innovation Promotion Agency of the Swiss Government funding cooperation projects with industry
3
The total amount of the 28 projects is about CHF 31.7 Mio.
Total of funds in 2001 - 2004
(1st Call of NCCRs)
Funding source (CHF) 2001 2002 2003 2004 Total %
SNSF funding 51 034 237 57 303 066 58 114 035 57 607 320 224 058 658 37
Self-funding from home 18 685 602 20 762 660 19 157 137 19 722 980 78 328 379 13
institutions1
Self-funding from project 39 364 540 51 884 528 64 851 723 69 156 289 225 257 080 37
participants
Third-party funding2 8 861 639 16 620 401 27 986 869 29 546 417 83 015 326 13
Total 117 946 018 146 570 655 170 109 764 176 033 006 610 659 443 100
1
Personnel costs, equipment and consumables, not included infrastructure and basic equipment
2
Not included is CTI funding (cf. above)
6 | Guide 2008
9. Total of persons involved in 2001 - 2004
(1st Call of NCCRs)
Personnel Total Female % Male % Swiss Other
of Persons Nations
Management 501 86 44 111 56 141 80
Master students 172 83 48 89 52 80 98
Doctoral students 1 310 359 27 951 73 523 829
Postdoctoral students 654 161 25 493 75 161 505
Research associates 97 29 30 68 70 49 49
Senior researchers2 1 172 199 17 973 83 523 704
Other staff 758 398 53 360 47 471 297
Total 4 213 1 315 30 3 045 70 1 948 2 562
1
Fulltime equivalent, including all NCCR-Directors, and persons in charge of knowledge and technology transfer,
and education and training
2
Including leaders of the individual projects and other organisational units of the NCCRs
Total of funds in 2005 - 2008
(1st and 2nd Call of NCCRs)
Funding source (CHF) 2005 2006 2007 2008 Total %
SNSF funding 66 955 000 65 567 000 63 341 000 61 537 000 257 400 000 36
Self-funding from home 20 645 686 22 315 172 24 626 480 21 624 492 89 211 830 13
institutions1
Self-funding from other 3 030 395 3 220 676 3 117 275 3 017 275 12 385 621 2
institutions2
Self-funding from project
participants 72 023 884 66 522 313 62 134 002 58 551 095 259 231 294 36
3
Third-party funding 30 212 890 20 263 539 23 115 372 21 809 350 95 401 151 13
Total 192 867 855 177 888 700 176 334 129 166 539 212 713 629 896 100
1
Personnel costs, equipment and consumables, not included infrastructure and basic equipment
2
See the NCCRs Molecular Oncology, Neuro and Structural Biology
3
Not included is CTI funding (cf. page 6 and some NCCRs)
Total of persons involved in the NCCRs in the last reporting period (12 months)
(1st and 2nd Call of NCCRs)
Personnel Total Female % Male % Swiss Other
of Persons Nations
Management 921 104 41 151 59 163 128
Master students 127 68 54 59 46 71 55
Doctoral students 1279 434 34 845 66 511 821
Postdoctoral students 520 144 28 376 72 121 425
Research associates 219 87 40 132 60 94 125
Senior researchers2 1139 202 18 937 82 518 714
Other staff 518 278 54 240 46 351 182
Total 3894 1 317 32 2 740 68 1 829 2450
1
Full-time equivalent, including NCCR-Director and persons in charge of knowledge and technology transfer,
and education and training
2
Including leaders of the individual projects and other organisational units of the NCCRs
Guide 2008 | 7
10. Molecular Oncology – From Basic
Research to Therapeutic Approaches
NCCR Molecular Oncology
Home Institution
EPFL, Lausanne
Start of the NCCR
May 1, 2001
NCCR Management
Director Tumor Host Gene expression profiling Molecular analysis
Aguet Michel, Prof. Interactions - Research of microdissected pigmented of T cell immune responses
skin lesions and primary H: Rufer N.
Associate Director Cell Signaling in Tumor
melanoma
Deka Jürgen, Dr. Development and Metastasis Structural design
H: Piguet V.
phone: +41 (0)21 692 58 41 Signaling pathways important of peptide/MHC and T cell >
jurgen.deka@epfl.ch in breast cancer and breast Microarray analysis of receptor interactions
Office development breast cancer H: Michielin O.
Rossier Geneviève, Mrs. Head: Brisken C. H: Iggo R.
phone: +41 (0)21 692 58 40 Technology Develop-
Mechanisms controlling tissue Tumor Angiogenesis ment and Support
genevieve.rossier@epfl.ch
homeostasis and their role in Role of COX-2 and inflamma-
Public Relations cancerogenesis Bioinformatics core facility
tory cells in tumor angiogene- H: Delorenzi M.
Rossier Geneviève, Mrs. H: Hülsken J. sis and tumor progression
Knowledge and The role of the tumor stroma H: Rüegg C. Mouse facility
Technology Transfer H: Beermann F.
H: Stamenkovic I. Unraveling the molecular
Aguet Michel, Prof.
Apoptosis-inducing MegaFasL regulation of tumor Microscopy, imaging &
Education and Training morphology facility
as novel anti-tumor agent lymphangiogenesis and
Deka Jürgen, Dr. H: Garin N.
H: Tschopp J. lymph node metastasis
Advancement of Women H: Christofori G. Clinical tumor proteome
Brisken Cathrin, Dr. Study of gene networks
implied in cancer biology Tumor Immunity and Cancer analysis facility
Address H: Naef F. Immunotherapy H: Servis C.
NCCR Molecular Oncology Coordinator H: Romero P.
Gene Expression Education
Institut Suisse Antigen discovery and
de Recherche Expérimentale Signatures in Tumors Oncology Online:
validation
sur le Cancer, EPFL Gene expression signatures in Development of a web-based
H: Lévy F
Chemin des Boveresses 155 human glioblastoma and their oncology teaching program
Case postale implications for tumor biology T cell vaccination of cancer H: Kraehenbuhl J.-P.
1066 Epalinges sur Lausanne and treatment of cancer patients and cellular analysis
phone: + 41 (0)21 692 58 58 H: Hegi M. of T cell responses
nccr.oncology@epfl.ch H: Speiser D.
Web Address Combining T cell vaccination
www.nccr-oncology.ch with adoptive-cell-transfer
(ACT) immunotherapy
Public Relations H: Leyvraz S.
• Newsletter NCCR
• News and press coverage
Heads of Individual Research Projects
on website
• Press releases Aguet Michel, Prof. Institut Suisse de Recherche Expérimentale sur le Cancer,
EPFL, Epalinges
Beermann Friedrich, Dr. Institut Suisse de Recherche Expérimentale sur le Cancer,
EPFL, Epalinges
Brisken Cathrin, Prof. Institut Suisse de Recherche Expérimentale sur le Cancer,
EPFL, Epalinges
Christofori Gerhard, Prof. Dept. of Clinical-Biological Sciences, University of Basel
Delorenzi Mauro, Dr. Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne
Garin Nathalie, Dr. EPFL, Epalinges
Hegi Monika, Dr. Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Lausanne
Hülsken Jörg, Prof. Institut Suisse de Recherche Expérimentale sur le Cancer,
EPFL, Epalinges
Iggo Richard, Prof. University of St Andrews, Scotland
Kraehenbuhl Jean-Pierre, Prof. Health Sciences eTraining, Epalinges
Lévy Frédéric, Prof. Ludwig Institut for Cancer Research, Epalinges
Leyvraz Serge, Prof. Centre Pluridisciplinaire d’oncologie, Lausanne
Michielin Olivier, Prof. Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne
8 | Guide 2008
11. Third Party Cooperation
Topics (in progress)
Cancer cells are defective of basic tumor biology and the research portfolio of
in basic processes con- the host response to can- this cancer research pro- Programmes
trolling cell differentiation cer. Work at ISREC centers gram. • ACGT (FP6)
and proliferation, genome on the discovery of genes The projects carried out in • EORTC
stability and programmed that play important roles in Epalinges form a basis for • EORTC + RTOG
cell death. They acquire tumorigenesis, using ge- the design of novel ap- • TRANS-BIG (FP6)
capacities to invade tissues, netic approaches in unicel- proaches to cancer therapy, • TRANS-BIG (FP6)
• Vital - IT
to stimulate angiogenesis, lular and multicellular or- and the NCCR program
and to elicit innate and in ganisms. A major project at provides us with the means Research Institutions
some instances specific im- the Department of Bio- to explore such prospects, • Bute Medical School,
mune responses.The Swiss chemistry of the University through cooperation with University of St Andrews,
Institute for Experimental of Lausanne investigates our partners in different Edinburgh, GB
Cancer Research (ISREC) the ways that permit tumor University hospitals. The • Cancer Research Inst., New
forms together with several cells to evade programmed NCCR is also essential York, US
partner institutes (Ludwig cell death. Other groups in for supporting technology • Centre Médical Universitaire
Institute for Cancer Re- the ISREC and the Ludwig development and core fa- de Genève, CH
search, Department of Bio- Institute for Cancer Re- cilities necessary for such • Dept. of Biochemistry, Uni-
versity of North Carolina, US
chemistry of the University search elucidate the mech- clinically oriented re-
• Dept. of Diagnostic Radiology,
of Lausanne, Swiss Insti- anisms that control im- search. Finally, the pro-
CHUV, Lausanne, CH
tute of Bioinformatics) part mune responses to cancer. gram provides training op-
• Dept. of Growth Control,
of a biomedical research Research projects in exter- portunities for MD/PhDs to Friedrich Mischer Inst., Basel,
center in Epalinges near nal institutes and clinics, foster the development of CH
Lausanne. The research fo- also in other parts of translational oncology in • Dept. of Immunology
cuses on different aspects Switzerland, complement Switzerland. and Oncology, University
of Madrid, ES
• Dept. of Neurosurgery,
Naef Felix, Prof. Institut Suisse de Recherche Expérimentale sur le Cancer, Anderson Cancer Center, Uni-
EPFL, Epalinges versity of Texas, Houston, US
Piguet Vincent, Prof. Hôpitaux Universitaires de Genève • Dept. of Signal Processing,
Romero Pedro, Prof. Ludwig Institut for Cancer Research, Epalinges EPF Lausanne, CH
Rüegg Curzio, Prof. Centre pluridisciplinaire d’oncologie, Lausanne • Dept. of Surgical Oncology,
Rufer Nathalie, Dr. Centre pluridisciplinaire d'oncologie, Lausanne Erasmus University Hospital,
Servis Catherine, Dr. Department of Biochemistry, University of Lausanne Rotterdam, NL
Speiser Daniel, Prof. Ludwig Institut de Recherches sur le Cancer, Epalinges • Inst. de Investigaciones
Stamenkovic Ivan, Prof. Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, CHUV, Lausanne Biomedicas, CSIC-UAM,
Tschopp Jürg, Prof. Department of Biochemistry, University of Lausanne Madrid, ES
• Lab. of Physical Chemistry,
Partner Institutions ETHZ, Zürich, CH
Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research LICR, Lausanne Branch • Molecular Cancer Biology
Department of Biochemistry of the University of Lausanne DB, UNIL Lab., University of Helsinki, FI
Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics SIB, Lausanne Branch • Service de dermatologie
Centre Pluridisciplinaire d’Oncologie CePO et vénéréologie, Centre Hos-
Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois CHUV pitalier Universitaire Vaudois
Hôpitaux Universitaires de Genève HUG (CHUV), Lausanne, CH
Members of the Advisory Board Economy / Industry
• Agilent Technologies, Inc.,
Tumor-Host Interaction and Apoptosis
Palo Alto, US
Ashkenazi Avi, Prof. Genentech Inc., San Francisco, US • Animatrics GmbH, Basel, CH
Carmeliet Peter, Prof. Catholic University of Leuven, BE • Apoxis SA, Lausanne, CH
Rommelaere Jean, Prof. Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum DKFZ, Heidelberg, DE • AstraZeneca (UK) Ltd,
DNA-Microarrays, Bioinformatics and Tumor Specific Gene Expression London, GB
• Bracco Research SA,
Ansorge Wilhelm, Prof. European Molecular Biology Laboratory EMBL, Heidelberg, DE
Geneva, CH
Collins Peter, Prof. University of Cambridge, GB
• BTG International Ltd.,
Guha Abhijit, Prof. University of Toronto, CA
London, GB
Liu Edison, Prof. Genome Institute of Singapore, SG
Van't Veer Laura, Dr. Netherlands Cancer Institute NKI, Amsterdam, NL
Immunotherapy
Greenberg Philip, Prof. University of Seattle & Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research
Center, US
Lanzavecchia Antonio, Prof. Istituto di Ricerca in Biomedicina IRB, Bellinzona, CH
Melief Cees J. M., Prof. Leiden University, NL
Guide 2008 | 9
12. Molecular Oncology – From Basic
Research to Therapeutic Approaches
NCCR Molecular Oncology
• Diagnoplex Sàrl, Epalinges, CH
• Eli Lilly and Company,
Indianapolis, US
• Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, DE
• Novartis AG, Basel, CH
• OncoMethylome Sciences,
Inc., Durham, US
• Pfizer AG, Zurich, CH
• Pfizer, Inc., New London, US
• Serono S.A., Geneva, CH Achievements
• Smart Nose Ltd, Neuchâtel, CH New spirit underway to assess the ef- New technologies
The NCCR has created a ficacy of anti-angiogenic The NCCR Molecular On-
Others
new spirit of greater mu- therapy in patients with cology allowed to establish
• Association pour la
tual interest across the bor- head and neck tumours. or strengthen important
recherche sur le Cancer
ders between basic and Novel strategies have been technology platforms. The
(ARC), Villejuif, FR
clinical research. Several developed to direct the animal facility allowed the
• Fond'Action contre le Cancer,
Lausanne, CH collaborative projects in- patient’s immune system development of novel can-
• Fondation Barletta, volving scientists at ISREC against the tumour. Immu- cer mouse models, which
Lausanne, CH and more clinically ori- nisation of melanoma pa- mimic the genetic alter-
• Fondation Widmer ented research groups at tients with tumour derived ations and the behavior of
c/o Dept. Médecine Interne, the University Hospital antigens proved to be suc- human tumours and are in-
Hôpital Universitaire Lausanne (CHUV) and cessful in eliciting a strong dispensable for the valida-
de Genève, Genève, CH other Swiss university clin- tumour specific immune tion of new therapeutic tar-
• Fonds de neurochirurgie, ics have been started. Some response. gets. The DNA array and
Geneva, CH of these projects include A vaccine against papillo- bioinformatics core faci-
• Gebert Rüf Stiftung, Basel, CH partnerships with pharma- maviruses has been devel- lities supported several
• Ligue Suisse contre le Cancer, ceutical companies (e.g. oped as treatment against novel cancer relevant proj-
Bern, CH Pfizer). cervix carcinomas, which ects at the interface to the
• Medic Foundation, Geneva, CH in a vast majority are asso- clinic.
• OncoSuisse, Bern, CH New insights ciated with papillomavirus
Novel molecular events infections. The vaccine has Training
underlying the develop- been proven to be safe and The NCCR Molecular On-
ment of certain tumour is currently being tested in cology provides education
types have been eluci- patients. and training in cancer re-
dated. Cell types from The pattern of differen- search at several levels. It
which these tumours arise tially regulated genes has participates and strength-
have been identified. been analysed in several ens the ISREC Interna-
Mechanisms, which control human tumour types tional PhD Programme and
cell division and the degree (breast, brain, skin). Re- the MD/PhD programme of
of specialization of normal sults from such studies al- the University of Lau-
cells have been unravelled lowed identifying new tu- sanne, providing medical
and may prove relevant for mour subtypes and in some doctors with an opportu-
malignant tumour progres- cases new prognostic nity to carry out a PhD the-
sion. New models to in- markers. They may eventu- sis in molecular oncology.
vestigate the development ally lead to the identifica- The NCCR presently sup-
of tumour metastases in tion of gene profiles, which ports the training of ap-
distant organs have been are predictive of a response proximately 30 PhD stu-
established. These discov- to therapy. dents and 30 postdoctoral
eries provide a basis for fellows. NCCR advanced
the identification and vali- New research groups courses in microscopy, im-
dation of novel therapeutic Five new positions for jun- aging and morphology
approaches. ior research group leaders have been carried out by
equivalent to assistant the NCCR imaging facility
New therapeutic professorships have been (MIM) for users including
developments created to strengthen ad- students from the Univer-
A clinical study has been vanced biocomputing and sity of Lausanne and the
completed to investigate research that is directly EPFL.
how tumours control their cancer relevant.
blood supply. A further Further information see
clinical trial is currently www.nccr-oncology.ch
10 | Guide 2008
13. Statistical Input – Output Data
Funding source (CHF) Year 5 Year 6 Year 7 Year 8 Total %
SNSF funding 3 750 000 3 750 000 3 750 000 3 750 000 15 000 000 35
Self-funding from home
institution1 1 570 852 1 519 229 1 216 995 1 173 064 5 480 140 13
Self-funding from EPF
Lausanne 550 000 670 000 670 000 670 000 2 560 000 6
Self-funding from project
participants 3 614 847 3 051 601 2 883 447 2 810 585 12 360 480 29
Third-party funding2 1 609 891 2 037 927 1 862 520 1 777 507 7 287 845 17
Total 11 095 590 11 028 757 10 382 962 10 181 156 42 688 465 100
Personnel3 Total of Female % Male % CH Most Represented Nations Other
Persons FR IT DE BE US Nations
Management 4.064 1 9 10 91 7 0 0 1 2 1 2
Master students 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Doctoral students 31 15 48 16 52 14 5 2 1 0 0 10
Postdoctoral students 28 12 43 16 57 8 8 6 1 0 0 6
Research associates 3 1 33 2 67 1 1 0 1 0 0 0
Senior researchers5 50 14 28 36 72 32 4 5 4 1 3 9
Other staff 43 29 67 14 33 27 7 2 0 2 1 5
Total 159.06 72 43 94 57 89 25 15 8 5 5 32
1
Personnel costs, equipment and consumables, not included infrastructure and basic equipment
2
Not included is CTI funding (cf. page 6). Since the start of the NCCR 1 project has been funded by CTI at a total amount of 1.1 mil-
lion CHF .
3
Persons involved in the NCCR in the last reporting period (12 months)
4
Full-time equivalent, including NCCR-Director and persons in charge of knowledge and technology transfer,
and education and training
5
Including leaders of the individual projects and other organisational units of the NCCR
Evaluation and Monitoring by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF)
Members of the Review Panel
Meier Jürg, Dr. (Chair) Swiss National Science Foundation, Berne, CH
Ben-Ze’ev Avri, Prof. Department of Molecular Cell Biology, The Weizmann Institute
of Science, IL
Cavalli Franco, Prof. Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland,
Ospedale San Giovanni, Bellinzona, CH
Cerundolo Vincenzo, Prof. Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, GB
Dalla-Favera Riccardo, Prof. Institute of Cancer Genetics, Columbia University,
New York, US
Huber Christoph, Prof. Department of Hematology and Oncology, Johannes-Gutenberg-
University Medical School, Mainz, DE
Kléber André, Prof. Swiss National Science Foundation, Berne, CH
Müller Hans-Joachim, Prof. Pharma Research Penzberg, Roche Diagnostics GmbH, Penzberg, DE
Polyak Kornelia, Prof. Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute,
Harvard Medical School, Boston, US
Werner Sabine, Prof. Swiss National Science Foundation, Berne, CH
Yaniv Moshe, Prof. Institut Pasteur, Unité des Virus Oncogènes, Paris, FR
NCCR Office SNSF
Christ Urs, Dr. Schweiz. Nationalfonds, Wildhainweg 3, 3001 Bern
phone: + 41 (0)31 308 23 50, fax: + 41 (0)31 305 29 71
uchrist@snf.ch
Guide 2008 | 11
14. Frontiers in Genetics – Genes,
Chromosomes and Development
NCCR Genetics
Home Institution
University of Geneva
Start of the NCCR
July 1, 2001
NCCR Management
Director Research Chromosome structure, Technological
Duboule Denis, Prof. chromatin function/dynamics, Platforms, Programs etc.
phone: + 41 (0)22 379 67 71 Work Packages and nuclear-cytoplasmic
Genomics platform
denis.duboule@frontiers-in- Novel approaches to study interactions
(Genotyping and
genetics.org mammalian genetics Coordinator: Shore D., Gasser S.
transcriptome profiling)
Deputy Director and develop animal models Members: Gasser S., Laemmli Manager: Descombes P.
Trono Didier, Prof. of human diseases U., Lingner J., Shore D., Stutz F.
phone: + 41 (0)21 693 17 51 Coordinator: Trono D. Bioimaging platform
Genetic and viral mapping (Image analysis)
didier.trono@frontiers-in- Members: Antonarakis S., of neural circuits Manager: Bauer C.
genetics.org Duboule D., Schibler U.,
Coordinators:
NCCR Executive Officer Trono D., Vassalli J.-D., Wahli W., Mammalian genetics platform
Arber S., Rodriguez I.
Laemmli Caroline, Dr. Nef S., Ruiz I Altaba A. H: Duboule D.
phone: + 41 (0)22 379 67 82 Members: Arber S., Gasser S.,
Functional genomics based Rodriguez I., Gomez M., Doctoral School
caroline.laemmli@frontiers-in- on PhiC31 integrase;
genetics.org Roska B. Supervisors: Laemmli C.,
Integrase-mediated germ-line Rodriguez I.
Office Secretary transformation of drosophila Energy homeostasis and
Krebs Bérénice, Mrs. and design of shuttle systems size control: from physiology
in the mouse to pathology
Knowledge and Technology
Coordinator: Basler K. Coordinator: Wahli W.
Transfer
Hartmann Reto, Dr. Members: Basler K., Hafen E., Members: Duboule D.,
Karch F. Hafen E., Schibler U., Wahli W.,
Education and Training
Herrera P Nef S., Thorens B.
.,
Rodriguez Ivan, Prof.
Advancement of Women
Gasser Susanne, Prof.
Communication
Pizurki Lara, Dr.
Webmaster
Thièvent Alain, Dr.
Address
NCCR Frontiers in Genetics
Sciences III
Université de Genève
Quai Ernest-Ansermet, 30
1211 Genève 4
phone: + 41 (0)22 379 67 82
fax: + 41 (0)22 379 61 50
management@frontiers-in-
genetics.org
Web Address
www.frontiers-in-genetics.org
Public Relations
• Pole Position Newsletter
• Leaflets (English, French or
German)
• Press releases, news and
adverts on website
• Public events (open doors,
teaching, training, exhibitions)
• Meetings
12 | Guide 2008
15. Third Party Cooperation
(in progress)
Programmes
• CELLS INTO ORGANS
• CONSERT
• CRESCENDO
• EUCLOCK
• EUMODIC
Topics • EuroDYNA
The general goal of the these levels. The NCCR the context of our techno- • NEURONE
NCCR Frontiers in Genet- Genetics contributes to di- logical platforms. These Research Institutions
ics – Genes, Chromosomes minish these gaps by creat- platforms are shared com- • Biomedical Imaging Group,
and Development is to un- ing a network of scientist, mon facilities in which the EPF Lausanne, CH
derstand the function and which work together on latest technologies in Ge- • Brain Research Institute,
regulation of genes during common projects (organ- nomics and Bioimaging are ETH, Zürich, CH
cellular and organisimal ized as Work-Packages, available for the regional • Cell Biology Division,
development. These fun- WP). These WPs provide scientific community. New York University School
damental problems are an ideal forum for the in- Another major goal is to of Medicine, US
tackled at four different depth discussion of scien- offer the best graduate • Center for Functional
levels, namely at the level tific issues by all interested school in genetics. We be- Genomics, Northwestern
of genes, of chromosomes, persons (including post- lieve that to pursue top sci- University, Evanston, US
of the whole cell and of the doctoral fellows and stu- ence, we need to attract the • Center for Integrative
entire organism. In order to dents). worldwide best students Genomics, University of
reach excellence in this do- Some projects directly re- and “create” the next gen- Lausanne, CH
• Center of Genome Regulation,
main, it is neccessary to lated to technological de- eration of top scientists by
University of Barcelona, ES
bridge the gaps between velopment are pursued in teaching.
• Centre Medicale
Universitaire, University of
Geneva, CH
Heads of Individual Research Projects • Department of Biochemistry
and Molecular Biophysics,
Antonarakis Stylianos E., Prof. Division de Génétique Médicale, Université de Genève Columbia University,
Arber Silvia, Prof. Departement für Zellbiologie, Universität Basel New York, US
Basler Konrad, Prof. Institut für Molekularbiologie, Universität Zürich • Department of Biochemistry,
Duboule Denis, Prof. Département de Zoologie et Biologie Animale, University of Fribourg, CH
Université de Genève • Department of Cell Biology,
Gasser Susan M., Prof. Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel Albert Einstein College
Gomez Marie, Dr. Département de Zoologie et Biologie Animale, of Medicine, New York, US
Université de Genève • Department of Computer
Hafen Ernst, Prof. Institut für Zoologie, Universität Zürich Science, Washington
Herrera Pedro, Dr. Département de Morphologie, Université de Genève University, St-Louis, US
Karch François, Dr. Département de Zoologie et Biologie Animale, • Department of Genetic
Université de Genève Medicine and Development,
Laemmli Ulrich K., Prof. Départements de Biologie Moléculaire et Biochimie, University of Geneva, CH
Université de Genève • Department of Neurobiology,
Lingner Joachim, Dr. ISREC, Epalinges Friedrich Miescher Institute,
Nef Serge, Dr. Département de Morphologie, Université de Genève Basel, CH
Rodriguez Ivan, Prof. Département de Zoologie et Biologie Animale, • Department of Pharmacology
Université de Genève and Therapeutic Chemistry,
Roska Botond, Dr. Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel University of Barcelona, ES
Ruiz i Altaba Ariel, Prof. Département de Génétique Médicale, Université de Genève
Schibler Ueli, Prof. Département de Biologie Moléculaire, Université de Genève
Shore David M., Prof. Département de Biologie Moléculaire, Université de Genève
Spierer Pierre, Prof. Département de Zoologie et Biologie Animale,
Université de Genève
Stutz Françoise, Dr. Département de Biologie Cellulaire, Université de Genève
Thorens Bernard, Prof. Centre Intégratif de Génomique, Université de Lausanne
Trono Didier, Prof. Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
Vassalli Jean-Dominique, Prof. Département de Morphologie, Université de Genève
Wahli Walter, Prof. Centre Intégratif de Génomique, Université de Lausanne
Guide 2008 | 13
16. Frontiers in Genetics – Genes,
Chromosomes and Development
NCCR Genetics
• Ecole Nationale Supérieure
de Biologie Appliquée à la
Nutrition et à l'Alimentation
(ENSBANA), Université de
Bourgogne, Dijon, FR
• Faculty of Applied Biological
Science, Hiroshima University,
Higashi-Hiroshima, JP
• Genome Sequencing Center,
Washington University, Achievements
St-Louis, US Research and technology workstation, as well as Illu- out which features are ap-
• Growth control, Friedrich mina a new technology for preciated and which need
Miescher Institute, Basel, CH
The 23 different laborato-
ries are organized in five genotyping and gene ex- to be altered. In this way,
• Institut clinique de la
„Work-Packages“(WPs). pression. the school stays dynamic
Souris - Institut de Génétique
The WPs prove to be an and fulfills the top needs.
et de Biologie Moléculaire Education
et Cellulaire, Illkirch, FR ideal forum for discussion Public relations
The International Doctoral
• Institut de Génétique of scientific issues and
School developed by the In October 2007 we have
Humaine, Université de collaborations. As result of
NCCR Genetics has gained hired a new responsible
Montpellier, FR a common development,
three new students in 2007, for communication Lara
• Institut Jacques Monod, 100% NCCR, a site-specific
we count to date in total 35 Pizurki to replace Pierre-
Université Paris Diderot, FR integration system for
students of various nation- Yves Frei who left the
• Institut national de la santé et high-throughput germline
de la recherche médicale,
alities. The biggest success NCCR in April 2007. The
transformation of Droso-
Université de Lille, FR of 2007 is the graduation of main goals of Lara will be
phila was developed (Proc
• Instituto de Bioquimica the first four students of to develop a concept for the
Natl Acad Sci USA.
Vegetal y Fotointesis, the program.We expect an- Newsletter and give birth
104,:3312-7)in Zürich. Two
Universidad de Sevilla, ES other five to graduate in to it. She will as well take
further platforms have
• Ludwig Institute for Cancer 2008. The different profes- care of updating the
been developed through
Research, Lausanne, CH sors are all very fond of website, developing it and
collaborations: the lenti-
• Max Planck Institute for their NCCR students, making it more accessible
virus and the mouse meta-
Experimental Endocrinology, which prove to be excellent for the public. The NCCR
bolic evaluation (MEF)
Hannover, DE and highly motivated sci- Genetics continues to be
• Max Planck Institute for
platform (in Lausanne).
entist. These statements concerned by the need to
Molecular Biology, Munich, The two technological plat-
prove that the recruitment make science accessible to
DE forms in genomics and
procedure is of high stan- the public. We will there-
• National institutes of Health bioimaging located in
dard and the program at- fore again in 2008 partici-
(NIH), Washington DC, US Geneva continue to be very
tractive for competitive pate in events such as la
• Neurodegenerative Studies well attended by members
students.With regard to the nuit de la science, les
Laboratory, EPF Lausanne, CH of the NCCR as well as
futur of research, an excel- journées de la génétique, la
• Neuroscience Center, by other regional scientists
lent training program is in science appelle les jeunes
University of North Carolina, in research of excellent
our opinion of major im- and la cité des métiers.
Chapel Hill, US expertise and a low
portance. Therefore, a
• Nutrition, Metabolism „cost/quality“ ratio. The at- Further information see
and Genomics group,
dominant goal for the
tractiveness is mainly due www.frontiers-in-genetics.org
Wageningen University, NL NCCR Genetics is to de-
to the top quality techno-
• School of Life Sciences, velop tomorrow’s top sci-
logies proposed, which we
ISREC-EPF Lausanne, CH entists. We keep our eyes
constantly update. New
• Southwestern Medical and ears open to stu-
acquisitions are a second
Center, University of Texas, dents/professors opinions
widefield live cell micro-
Dallas, US and wishes, in order to find
scope, a Bioluminescence
• Telethon Institute of Genetics
and Medicine, Naples, IT
• Vanderbilt University,
Nashville, US
• Walter and Eliza Hall Institute
for Research, Melbourne, AU
• Whitehead Institute, MIT
Center for Genome Research,
Boston, US
14 | Guide 2008
17. Economy / Industry
• Bitplane, Zürich, CH
• Evolva, Allschwil, CH
• Leica Microsystems,
Glattbrugg, CH
• Nestlé Research Center,
Vevey, CH
• Serono international SA,
Statistical Input – Output Data Genève, CH
• The Genetics Company, Inc.,
Funding source (CHF) Year 5 Year 6 Year 7 Year 8 Total % Zürich, CH
• Zydus Research Centre,
SNSF funding 4 100 000 4 100 000 4 000 000 3 800 000 16 000 000 36
Ahmedabad, IN
Self-funding from home 479 274 486 612 534 114 500 000 2 000 000 5 Others
institution1
Self-funding from project • Policies for Research
5 274 801 5 119 682 6 084 646 4 413 147 20 892 276 47
participants
and Innovation in the Move
Third-party funding 1 369 893 1 329 059 1 319 903 1 202 363 5 221 218 12 (PRIME), Switzerland, CH
Total 11 223 968 11 035 353 11 938 663 9 915 510 44 113 494 100
Personnel2 Total of Female % Male % CH Most Represented Nations Other
Persons FR US IT DE GR Nations
Management 4.473 2 29 5 71 7 2 6 0 0 0 0
Master students 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Doctoral students 64 22 34 42 66 25 7 3 8 6 3 24
Postdoctoral students 44 13 30 31 70 3 15 4 2 1 1 17
Research associates 2 2 100 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0
Senior researchers4 31 7 23 24 77 21 8 2 0 2 4 5
Other staff 46 34 74 12 26 26 12 0 2 1 0 5
Total 191.47 80 41 114 59 82 46 15 12 10 8 51
1
Personnel costs, equipment and consumables, not included infrastructure and basic equipment
2
Persons involved in the NCCR in the last reporting period (12 months)
3
Full-time equivalent, including NCCR-Director and persons in charge of knowledge and technology transfer,
and education and training
4
Including leaders of the individual projects and other organisational units of the NCCR
Evaluation and Monitoring by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF)
Members of the Review Panel
Kléber André, Prof. (Chair) Swiss National Science Foundation, Berne, CH
Almouzni Geneviève, Dr. Laboratoire de dynamique nucléaire et plasticité du génome,
Institut Curie, Paris, FR
Hoeijmakers Jan H.J., Prof. Dept. of Cell Biology and Genetics, Erasmus University,
Rotterdam, NL
Lindpaintner Klaus, Prof. Roche Genetics and Roche Center for Medical Genomics,
F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Basel, CH
McMahon Andrew, Prof. Dept. of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University,
Cambridge, US
Meier Jürg, Dr. Swiss National Science Foundation, Berne, CH
Rosbash Michael, Prof. Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Brandeis University,
Waltham, US
Schaffner Walter, Prof. Swiss National Science Foundation, Berne, CH
NCCR Office SNSF
Christ Urs, Dr. Schweiz. Nationalfonds, Wildhainweg 3, 3001 Bern
phone: + 41 (0)31 308 23 50, fax: + 41 (0)31 305 29 71
uchrist@snf.ch
Guide 2008 | 15
18. Molecular Life Sciences –
Three Dimensional Structure,
Folding and Interactions
NCCR Structural Biology
Home Institution
University of Zurich
Start of the NCCR
May 1, 2001
NCCR Management
Director Research Solution NMR with soluble New isotope labeling
Grütter Markus Gerhard, Prof. and membrane proteins, strategies of protein and
Areas
phone: + 41 (0)1 635 55 80 including supramolecular RNA for NMR spectroscopy
gruetter@bioc.uzh.ch Structural biology structures investigations
of membrane proteins H: Wüthrich K. H: Wüthrich K.
Deputy Director
Coordinator: Engel A.
Richmond Timothy J., Prof. Computer simulation of Calorimetric and biophysical
phone: + 41 (0)1 633 24 70 Supramolecular membrane proteins, analysis of protein-ligand
richmond@mol.biol.ethz.ch assemblies/molecular supramolecular complexes binding and protein folding
Coordinator interactions and macromolecular folding H: Jelezarov I.
Sticher Patrick, Dr. Coordinator: Richmond T. J. H: van Gunsteren W. F.
Technical development for
phone: + 41 (0)1 635 54 84 Technologies X-ray crystallography and automated and high-through-
sticher@bioc.uzh.ch Coordinator: Plückthun A. electron microscopy of put data collection and 3D
Administrative Assistant supramolecular systems reconstruction in electron
Schmid Brigitte, Mrs. Projects H: Ban N. microscopy
phone: + 41 (0)1 635 55 82
Folding and function H: Ishikawa T.
brigitte.schmid@bioc.uzh.ch Structure determination of
of supramolecular systems protein-RNA complexes in-
Communication and membrane proteins Programmes
Sticher Patrick, Dr. volved in alternative-splicing
Head: Glockshuber R. by NMR spectroscopy PhD program Biomolecular
Knowledge and
Synthetic protein libraries H: Allain F. structure and mechanism
Technology Transfer
Plückthun Andreas, Prof. H: Plückthun A. Mechanisms of ion transport Supervisor: Glockshuber R.
Education and Training Assessing the structure across membranes: Annual practical course
Glockshuber Rudolf, Prof. and dynamics of membrane The structural biology of ion in structural biology
Advancement of Women proteins by electron channels and ion transporters Supervisor: Glockshuber R.
van Gunsteren Wilfred, Prof. and atomic force microscopy H: Dutzler R.
Annual symposium on new
H: Engel A. Structure and mechanism trends in structural biology
Address of bacterial drug and
X-ray crystallography of Supervisor: Glockshuber R.
NCCR Bureau antibiotic transporters
Structural Biology
supramolecular systems and
membrane transporters H: Locher K.
Patrick Sticher
Institute of Biochemistry H: Grütter M. Single molecule spectroscopy
University of Zurich Supramolecular assemblies: of cotranslational protein fold-
Winterthurerstrasse 190 structures of chromatin ing, structure, and dynamics
8057 Zurich and associated multiprotein H: Schuler B.
phone: + 41 (0)1 635 54 84 complexes Associated Groups
fax: + 41 (0)1 635 68 34 H: Richmond T. J. Automation of protein
sticher@bioc.uzh.ch
Signalling and transport crystallography beamlines
Web Address through biological mem- for challenging projects
www.structuralbiology.uzh.ch branes at the swiss light source
H: Winkler F. H: Schulze-Briese C.
Public Relations
• Leaflet
• Homepage / eNewsletter
• Newspaper articles
• Appearance on radio
and national TV
16 | Guide 2008
19. Third Party Cooperation
Research Institutions
• Astbury Centre for
Structural Molecular Biology,
University of Leeds, GB
• Biochemiezentrum der
Univ. Heidelberg (BZH), DE
• Biotechnologisches Zentrum
Topics der Technischen Universität
Dresden (BIOTEC), DE
Today, knowledge about products, a quantitative specialists in experimental
• Chemical Biology and Nuclear
biological processes is understanding of the 3D- structure determination by
Science Division (CBND),
obtained from functional structure of proteins, their X-ray crystallography, NMR Lawrence Livermore
experiments on a limited folding, and their inter- spectroscopy and electron National Lab., Livermore, US
number of biochemical actions with other mole- microscopy / crystallogra- • Dept. Biologie, Ludwig-
systems, and from a rap- cules is required. Such phy, in protein biophysical Maximilians-Universität,
idly increasing amount of understanding is the key chemistry, modern molecu- Munich, DE
DNA sequence informa- to develop innovative me- lar biology, and computa- • Dept. of Biochemistry and
tion, generated in several dicines, such as new anti- tional biology will meet the Molecular Biology, Colorado
genome projects. To bridge biotics and vaccines, as challenge to link the ever State Univ., Fort Collins, US
the widening gap between well as drugs against increasing biological data • Dept. of Biochemistry and
rapidly increasing infor- cancer and diseases of generated in the genomics Molecular Biology,
mation on genome sequen- the central nervous, im- field with related structural University of Barcelona, ES
ces and limited knowledge mune, and cardiovascular and functional informa- • Dept. of Biochemistry, Duke
on the function of gene systems. In this NCCR tion. University, Chapel Hill, US
• Dept. of Biology,
University of Konstanz, DE
• Dept. of Biology, University
Heads of Individual Research Projects and Associated Groups of Science and Technology
Allain Frédéric, Prof. Institut für Molekularbiologie und Biophysik, ETH Zürich of China, Hefei, CN
Ban Nenad, Prof. Institut für Molekularbiologie und Biophysik, ETH Zürich • Dept. of Biophysical
Dutzler Raimund, Prof. Institut für Biochemie, Universität Zürich Structural Chemistry, Leiden
Engel Andreas, Prof. M.E. Müller Institut, Biozentrum, Universität Basel Inst. of Chemistry, Leiden
Glockshuber Rudolf, Prof. Institut für Molekularbiologie und Biophysik, ETH Zürich University, NL
Grütter Markus, Prof. Institut für Biochemie, Universität Zürich • Dept. of Biophysics
Ishikawa Takashi, Dr. Institut für Molekularbiologie und Biophysik, Universität Zürich and Biochemistry,
Jelezarov Ilian, Dr. Institut für Biochemie, Universität Zürich University of Tokyo, JP
Locher Kaspar, Prof. Institut für Molekularbiologie und Biophysik, ETH Zürich • Dept. of Cell Biology,
Plückthun Andreas, Prof. Institut für Biochemie, Universität Zürich The Scripps Research Inst.,
Richmond Timothy J., Prof. Institut für Molekularbiologie und Biophysik, ETH Zürich La Jolla, US
Schuler Ben, Prof. Institut für Biochemie, Universität Zürich • Dept. of Chemistry &
Schulze-Briese Clemens, Dr. Paul Scherrer Institut,Villigen PSI Biochemistry, University
van Gunsteren Wilfred F., Prof. Laboratorium für physikalische Chemie, ETH Zürich of California Los Angeles, US
Winkler Fritz, Prof. Paul Scherrer Institut, Villigen PSI • Dept. of Microbiology,
Wüthrich Kurt, Prof. Institut für Molekularbiologie und Biophysik, ETH Zürich University of Regensburg, DE
• Dept. of Microbiology,
University of Utrecht, NL
• Dept. of Molecular Biology &
Biotechnology, University
of Sheffield, Firth Court, GB
• Dept. of Molecular Biophysics
and Biochemistry, Yale
University, New Haven, US
• Dept. of Molecular
Microbiology, John Innes
Centre, Norwich, GB
• Dept. of Neurobiology, Max
Planck Inst. for Biophysical
Chemistry, Göttingen, DE
• Dept. of NMR Spectroscopy,
University of Utrecht, NL
• Dept. of Pharmacochemistry,
Free University
of Amsterdam, NL
Guide 2008 | 17
20. • Dept. of Pharmacology, Molecular Life Sciences –
School of Medicine,
Case Western Reserve Three Dimensional Structure,
University, Cleveland, US Folding and Interactions
• Dept. of Plant Biochemistry,
Lund University, SE
NCCR Structural Biology
• Dept. of Structural Biology,
Architecture et Fonction des
Macromolécules Biologiques,
Centre National de la
Recherche Scientifique
(CNRS), Marseille, FR
• Dept. of Transfusion
Medicine, University
Hospital Ulm, DE
• Division of Chemistry
and Chemical Engineering,
California Inst. of Technology
(Caltech), Pasadena, US Achievements
• Division of Clinical Sciences,
Key biology areas sation of proteins for NMR large eukargotic multipro-
Medicine, Imperial College
London, GB This NCCR focuses on the or X-ray studies have been tein complexes.
• Division of Molecular structural biology of established and are today a
Education
and Health Technologies, membrane proteins and major tool for effective
structure determination A post-graduate program
Commonwealth Scientific supramolecular complexes
used by many research in structural biology was
and Industrial Research and interactions. In both
groups within or outside established and embedded
Organisation (CSIRO), areas, major advances
Melbourne, AU this NCCR. A successful in the PhD Program Mole-
could be reported since
• Fachbereich Biologie, collaboration with the SLS- cular Life Sciences Zurich.
the start of this NCCR.
Universität Konstanz, DE synchrotron for high- Thanks to the synergies
Methods for cloning,
• Faculty of Biochemistry, throughput crystal analysis within this NCCR, a very
expression, purification,
University of Gdansk, PL and protein structure de- broad and in-depth edu-
crystallisation and analysis
• Faculty of Sciences, termination complements cation of students in
of membrane proteins
Dept. of Organic Chemistry these technology plat- structural biology became
could be advanced and suc-
and Biochemistry, forms. possible.
cesses in the structure de-
University of Zagreb, HR This NCCR established a
termination of membrane
• Groningen Biomolecular Technology Transfer series of well-recognized
proteins were achieved. A
Sciences and Biotechnology Project leaders of this structural biology events,
Inst., Dept. of Molecular
recent breakthrough in
NCCR have various indi- namely a yearly sympo-
Microbiology, University of this field is the structure
vidual collaborations with sium and practical courses
Groningen, Haren, NL determination of a mul-
industry partners. An um- that are well attended by
• Howard Hughes Lab. and tidrug ABC transporter.
brella-type agreement for scientists from within
State University of New York, The structures of several
long-term collaboration the NCCR and from other
Albany, US supramolecular complexes
between Novartis and the research institutes.
• Howard Hughes Medical Inst., were determined. Impor-
Dept. of Biochemistry, Brandeis tant research fields in this NCCR has been realized, Structural Effects
University, Waltham, US area include the chromatin so far leading to two
This NCCR offers an ex-
• Inst. de Génétique structure, the ribosome, collaborations.
cellent opportunity for in-
et de Biologie Moléculaire RNA-protein interactions The spin-off company
terdisciplinary and high-
et Cellulaire, Illkirch, FR and falty acid syntheses. Molecular Partners re-
standard structural biology
• Inst. für Biophysik und sulted partly from the
research in Switzerland
Strahlenbiologie, Technology platforms NCCR research project on
which allowed to attract
Universität Freiburg, DE Shared infrastructure units ‘ankyrin repeats’ which are
several outstanding young
• Inst. of Biophysical Chemistry for recombinant protein an alternative to antibodies
scientists to Switzerland.
Resonance, Johann production, stable isotope- as selective binders. An-
Wolfgang Goethe-University labelling of proteins and other spin-off, REDbiotec, Further information see
of Frankfurt, DE high-throughput crystalli- commercialites MultiBac, a www.structuralbiology.uzh.ch
• Inst. of Medical Chemistry, novel expression tool for
Medical University
of Vienna, AT
• Inst. of Molecular Biology
and Biotechnology, University
of Crete, Heraklio, GR
• Inst. of Molecular Biology,
Slovak Academy of Sciences,
Bratislava, SK
• Inst. of Molecular Pediatric
Science, University of
Chicago, US
• Kobe Advanced ICT Research
Center, National Inst. of
Information and Communi-
cations Technology, Kobe, JP
18 | Guide 2008
