Guide2009 National Centres of Competence in Research - Kooperation International
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Guide2009 National Centres of Competence in Research
Guide2009 National Centres of Competence in Research
The NCCR brochure “Guide” is updated every year. It can be ordered at the Swiss National Science Foundation (see address below). Publishing details Published and produced by Swiss National Science Foundation NCCR Office Wildhainweg 3 CH-3001 Berne phone: +41 (0)31 308 23 52 nccr@snf.ch www.snf.ch Production Stefan Bachmann Urs Christ Thomas Griessen Nuria Sturm Matthias Wenker Design, layout, typesetting Beat Schenk, Werbeatelier, Berne www.werbeatelierschenk.ch Printing Mastra Druck AG, Schönbühl © January 2009 SNSF (The statistical data is based on the latest progress reports of the NCCRs.)
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 72 • NCCR Challenges to Democracy in the 21st Century 75 • NCCR Swiss Etiological Study of Adjustment and Mental Health 79 • NCCR Affective Sciences: Emotion in Individual Behaviour and Social Processes 83
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 2009 | 5The 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 Research Institute, 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. Turlings Ted University of Neuchâtel www.unine.ch/plantsurvival
Quantum Photonics Prof. Devaud-Plédran 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 2009Total 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 35
Self-funding from home 21 117 710 23 852 187 22 725 242 26 198 486 93 893 625 13
institutions1
Self-funding from other 6 095 240 5 677 322 5 153 897 4 729 639 21 656 098 3
institutions2
Self-funding from project
participants 68 003 946 72 138 404 65 352 264 60 880 145 266 374 759 36
3
Third-party funding 30 212 890 20 912 240 22 998 884 19 017 270 93 141 284 13
Total 192 384 786 188 147 153 179 571 287 172 362 540 732 465 766 100
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 941 113 43 150 57 161 140
Master students 148 83 56 65 44 89 57
Doctoral students 1264 436 34 828 66 464 846
Postdoctoral students 569 163 29 406 71 117 470
Research associates 223 95 43 128 57 97 131
Senior researchers2 1175 215 18 960 82 522 782
Other staff 590 324 55 266 45 391 209
Total 4063 1429 34 2803 66 1841 2635
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 2009 | 7Molecular 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 Tumor Angiogenesis Technology Develop-
Aguet Michel, Prof. Interactions - Research Role of COX-2 and inflamma- ment and Support
Cell Signaling in Tumor tory cells in tumor angiogene- Bioinformatics core facility
Associate Director
Deka Jürgen, Dr. Development and Metastasis sis and tumor progression
H: Delorenzi M.
phone: +41 (0)21 692 58 41 H: Rüegg C.
Signaling pathways important Mouse facility
jurgen.deka@epfl.ch in breast cancer and breast Unraveling the molecular
H: Beermann F.
Office development regulation of tumor
Vania Sergy, Mrs. Head: Brisken C. lymphangiogenesis and Microscopy, imaging &
phone: +41 (0)21 692 58 40 lymph node metastasis morphology facility
Mechanisms controlling tissue
vania.sergy@epfl.ch H: Christofori G. H: Garin N.
homeostasis and their role in
Public Relations cancerogenesis Tumor Immunity and Cancer Clinical tumor proteome
Vania Sergy, Mrs. H: Hülsken J. Immunotherapy analysis facility
Knowledge and Coordinator: Romero P. H: Servis C.
The role of the tumor stroma
Technology Transfer T cell vaccination of cancer
Aguet Michel, Prof.
H: Stamenkovic I. Education
patients and cellular analysis
Apoptosis-inducing MegaFasL Oncology Online:
Education and Training of T cell responses
Deka Jürgen, Dr. as novel anti-tumor agent Development of a web-based
H: Speiser D.
H: Tschopp J. oncology teaching program
Advancement of Women Combining T cell vaccination
Study of gene networks H: Kraehenbuhl J.-P.
Brisken Cathrin, Dr. with adoptive-cell-transfer
implied in cancer biology
(ACT) immunotherapy
Address H: Naef F.
H: Leyvraz S.
NCCR Molecular Oncology
Institut Suisse Gene Expression Molecular analysis
de Recherche Expérimentale Signatures in Tumors of T cell immune responses
sur le Cancer, EPFL Gene expression signatures in H: Rufer N.
Chemin des Boveresses 155 human glioblastoma and their
Case postale
Structural design
implications for tumor biology of peptide/MHC and T cell >
1066 Epalinges sur Lausanne and treatment of cancer
phone: + 41 (0)21 692 58 58 receptor interactions
H: Hegi M.
nccr.oncology@epfl.ch H: Michielin O.
Microarray analysis of
Web Address breast cancer
www.nccr-oncology.ch H: Iggo R.
Public Relations
• Newsletter NCCR Heads of Individual Research Projects
• News and press coverage Aguet Michel, Prof. Institut Suisse de Recherche Expérimentale sur le Cancer,
on website EPFL, Epalinges
• Press releases 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
Leyvraz Serge, Prof. Centre Pluridisciplinaire d’oncologie, Lausanne
Michielin Olivier, Prof. Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne
8 | Guide 2009Third Party Cooperation
Topics (in progress)
Cancer cells are defective of basic tumor biology and the research portfolio of Programmes
in basic processes con- the host response to can- this cancer research pro- • Vital – IT
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 + RTOG
stability and programmed that play important roles in Epalinges form a basis for • EORTC
• TRANS-BIG (FP6)
cell death. They acquire tumorigenesis, using ge- the design of novel ap- • TuMIC (FP7)
capacities to invade tissues, netic approaches in unicel- proaches to cancer therapy,
to stimulate angiogenesis, lular and multicellular or- and the NCCR program Research Institutions
and to elicit innate and in ganisms. A major project at provides us with the means • Bute Medical School, University
of St Andrews, Edinburgh, GB
some instances specific im- the Department of Bio- to explore such prospects, • Cancer Research Institute,
mune responses.The Swiss chemistry of the University through cooperation with New York, US
Institute for Experimental of Lausanne investigates our partners in different • Centre Médical Universitaire
Cancer Research (ISREC) the ways that permit tumor University hospitals. The de Genève, CH
• Department of Biochemistry,
forms together with several cells to evade programmed NCCR is also essential University of North Carolina, US
partner institutes (Ludwig cell death. Other groups in for supporting technology • Department of Diagnostic
Institute for Cancer Re- the ISREC and the Ludwig development and core fa- Radiology, CHUV, Lausanne, CH
search, Department of Bio- Institute for Cancer Re- cilities necessary for such • Department of Growth Control,
Friedrich Mischer Institute,
chemistry of the University search elucidate the mech- clinically oriented re- Basel, CH
of Lausanne, Swiss Insti- anisms that control im- search. Finally, the pro- • Department of Immunology and
tute of Bioinformatics) part mune responses to cancer. gram provides training op- Oncology, University of Madrid, ES
of a biomedical research Research projects in exter- portunities for MD/PhDs to • Department of Neurosurgery,
Anderson Cancer Center,
center in Epalinges near nal institutes and clinics, foster the development of
University of Texas, Houston, US
Lausanne. The research fo- also in other parts of translational oncology in • Department of Signal Processing,
cuses on different aspects Switzerland, complement Switzerland. EPFL, Lausanne, CH
• Department of Surgical
Oncology, Erasmus University
Hospital, Rotterdam, NL
Naef Felix, Prof. Institut Suisse de Recherche Expérimentale sur le Cancer, • ETH-IMSB, Zürich, CH
EPFL, Epalinges • Instituto de Investigaciones Bio-
Romero Pedro, Prof. Ludwig Institut for Cancer Research, Epalinges medicas, CSIC-UAM, Madrid, ES
Rüegg Curzio, Prof. Centre pluridisciplinaire d’oncologie, Lausanne • Laboratory of Physical
Rufer Nathalie, Dr. Centre pluridisciplinaire d'oncologie, Lausanne Chemistry, ETHZ, Zürich, CH
• Molecular Cancer Biology Labo-
Servis Catherine, Dr. Department of Biochemistry, University of Lausanne ratory, University of Helsinki, FI
Speiser Daniel, Prof. Ludwig Institut de Recherches sur le Cancer, Epalinges • National Institute of Allergy
Stamenkovic Ivan, Prof. Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, CHUV, Lausanne and Infectious Diseases (NIAID),
Tschopp Jürg, Prof. Department of Biochemistry, University of Lausanne National Institutes of Health
(NIH), Bethesda, US
Partner Institutions • Oncology Institute of Southern
Switzerland, Bellinzona, CH
Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research LICR, Lausanne Branch • San Francisco Department of
Department of Biochemistry of the University of Lausanne DB, UNIL Public Health, University of Cali-
Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics SIB, Lausanne Branch fornia, San Francisco (UCSF), US
Centre Pluridisciplinaire d’Oncologie CePO • Service de dermatologie et
Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois CHUV vénéréologie, Centre Hospitalier
Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV),
Lausanne, CH
Members of the Advisory Board
Tumor-Host Interaction and Apoptosis
Ashkenazi Avi, Prof. Genentech Inc., San Francisco, US
Carmeliet Peter, Prof. Catholic University of Leuven, BE
Rommelaere Jean, Prof. Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum DKFZ, Heidelberg, DE
DNA-Microarrays, Bioinformatics and Tumor Specific Gene Expression
Ansorge Wilhelm, Prof. European Molecular Biology Laboratory EMBL, Heidelberg, DE
Collins Peter, Prof. University of Cambridge, GB
Guha Abhijit, Prof. University of Toronto, CA
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 2009 | 9Molecular Oncology – From Basic
Research to Therapeutic Approaches
NCCR Molecular Oncology
Economy / Industry
• Agilent Technologies, Inc.,
Palo Alto, US
• Animatrics GmbH, Basel, CH
• Apoxis SA, Lausanne, CH
• AstraZeneca (UK) Ltd,
London, GB
• Bracco Research SA, Geneva, CH
• BTG International Ltd.,
London, GB
• Diagnoplex Sàrl, Epalinges, CH Achievements
• Eli Lilly and Company,
Indianapolis, US
New spirit underway to assess the ef- New technologies
• Ipsogen SAS, Marseille, FR The NCCR has created a ficacy of anti-angiogenic The NCCR Molecular On-
• Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, DE new spirit of greater mu- therapy in patients with cology allowed to establish
• Novartis AG, Basel, CH tual interest across the bor- head and neck tumours. or strengthen important
• Novartis Pharma AG, Basel, CH
ders between basic and Novel strategies have been technology platforms. The
• OncoMethylome Sciences, Inc.,
Durham, US clinical research. Several developed to direct the animal facility allowed the
• Pfizer AG, Zurich, CH collaborative projects in- patient’s immune system development of novel can-
• Pfizer, Inc., New London, US volving scientists at ISREC against the tumour. Immu- cer mouse models, which
• Roche AG, Basel, CH nisation of melanoma pa-
• Smart Nose Ltd, Neuchâtel, CH
and more clinically ori- mimic the genetic alter-
• Xigen SA, Lausanne, CH ented research groups at tients with tumour derived ations and the behavior of
the University Hospital antigens proved to be suc- human tumours and are in-
Others cessful in eliciting a strong
Lausanne (CHUV) and dispensable for the valida-
• Association pour la recherche
sur le Cancer (ARC), Villejuif, FR other Swiss university clin- tumour specific immune tion of new therapeutic tar-
• European School of Oncology, ics have been started. Some response. gets. The DNA array and
Milan, IT of these projects include A vaccine against papillo- bioinformatics core faci-
• Fond'Action contre le Cancer, partnerships with pharma- maviruses has been devel- lities supported several
Lausanne, CH
ceutical companies (e.g. oped as treatment against novel cancer relevant proj-
• Fondation Barletta, Lausanne, CH
• Fondation Widmer c/o Dept. Pfizer). cervix carcinomas, which ects at the interface to the
Médecine Interne, Hôpital in a vast majority are asso- clinic.
Universitaire de Genève, CH New insights ciated with papillomavirus
• Fonds de neurochirurgie, Novel molecular events infections. The vaccine has Training
Geneva, CH underlying the develop- The NCCR Molecular On-
• Gebert Rüf Stiftung, Basel, CH been proven to be safe and
• HIV Vaccine Trials Network, ment of certain tumour is currently being tested in cology provides education
Seattle, US types have been eluci- patients. and training in cancer re-
• Ligue Suisse contre le Cancer, dated. Cell types from The pattern of differen- search at several levels. It
Bern, CH which these tumours arise participates and strength-
• Medic Foundation, Geneva, CH
tially regulated genes has
• OncoSuisse, Bern, CH
have been identified. been analysed in several ens the ISREC Interna-
• Swiss Group for Clinical Mechanisms, which control human tumour types tional PhD Programme and
Cancer Research (SAKK), cell division and the degree (breast, brain, skin). Re- the MD/PhD programme of
Berne, CH of specialization of normal the University of Lau-
sults from such studies al-
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 2009Statistical 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 36
Self-funding from home
institution1 2 120 852 2 226 935 1 491 686 1 058 319 6 897 792 17
Self-funding from project
participants 3 614 847 3 012 917 2 651 382 2 362 364 11 641 510 28
2
Third-party funding 1 609 891 2 168 496 2 316 519 2 137 793 8 232 699 20
Total 11 095 590 11 158 348 10 209 587 9 308 476 41 772 001 100
Personnel3 Total of Female % Male % CH Most Represented Nations Other
Persons FR IT DE CA BE Nations
Management 3.81 1 8 11 92 7 0 0 1 0 2 4
Master students 3 2 67 1 33 3 0 1 0 0 0 0
Doctoral students 30 14 47 16 53 14 3 2 1 2 0 10
Postdoctoral students 32 16 50 16 50 6 11 4 2 2 0 8
Research associates 4 3 75 1 25 0 1 1 1 0 0 1
Senior researchers5 48 14 29 34 71 29 5 4 4 1 1 11
Other staff 35 21 60 14 40 23 3 1 0 0 1 8
Total 155.81 71 43 93 57 82 23 13 9 5 4 42
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
Kléber André, Prof. (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
Varone Frédéric, Prof. Swiss National Science Foundation, Berne, CH
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 2009 | 11Frontiers 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. and nuclear dynamics Platforms, Programs etc.
phone: + 41 (0)22 379 67 71 Work Packages Coordinator: Shore D.
Genomics platform
denis.duboule@frontiers-in- Novel approaches to study Members: Gasser S., Laemmli (Genotyping and
genetics.org mammalian genetics U., Lingner J., Shore D., Stutz F. transcriptome profiling)
Deputy Director and develop animal models
Genetic and viral mapping Manager: Descombes P.
Trono Didier, Prof. of human diseases
Coordinator: Trono D. of neural circuits Bioimaging platform
phone: + 41 (0)21 693 17 51
Coordinators: (Image analysis)
didier.trono@frontiers-in- Members: Antonarakis S., Arber S., Rodriguez I. Manager: Bauer C.
genetics.org Duboule D., Schibler U.,
Trono D., Wahli W. Members: Arber S., Mammalian genetics platform
NCCR Executive Officer
Rodriguez I., Roska B.
Suarez Mougli, Dr. Functional genomics based H: Duboule D.
phone: + 41 (0)22 379 67 82 on PhiC31 integrase; Energy homeostasis and
Doctoral School
mougli.suarez@frontiers-in- Integrase-mediated germ-line size control: from physiology
genetics.org Supervisors: Suarez Mougli, Dr.
transformation of drosophila to pathology
Rodriguez I.
Office Secretary and design of shuttle systems Coordinator: Wahli W.
Krebs Bérénice, Mrs. in the mouse Members: Hafen E., Schibler U.,
Knowledge and Technology Coordinator: Basler K. Wahli W., Herrera P., Nef S.,
Transfer Members: Basler K., Hafen E., Thorens B.
Hartmann Reto, Dr. Karch F. Pilot project
Education and Training Stem cells and regeneration
Rodriguez Ivan, Prof. Coordinator: Herrera P.
Advancement of Women Members: Grapin-Botton A.,
Gasser Susanne, Prof. Nef S., Ruiz i Altaba A.,
Communication Gaillot B.
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 2009Third Party Cooperation
(in progress)
Programmes
• EuroDYNA
• NEURONE
Research Institutions
• Biological Sciences -Neurobiology,
Columbia University, New York, US
Topics • Biomolecular Screening Facility,
EPFL, Lausanne, CH
The general goal of the these levels. The NCCR the context of our techno- • Brain Research Institute,
NCCR Frontiers in Genet- Genetics contributes to di- logical platforms. These ETHZ, Zurich, CH
• Clinic of Endocrinology
ics – Genes, Chromosomes minish these gaps by creat- platforms are shared com-
and Diabetes, Dept. of Medicine,
and Development is to un- ing a network of scientist, mon facilities in which the University Hospital Zurich, CH
derstand the function and which work together on latest technologies in Ge- • Dép. de Physiologie Cellulaire
regulation of genes during common projects (organ- nomics and Bioimaging are et Métabolisme, Fac. Médécine,
the development of cells ized as Work-Packages, available for the regional University of Geneva, CH
• Dép. Médecine Interne,
and organisms. These fun- WP). These WPs provide scientific community. Université de Genève, CH
damental problems are an ideal forum for the in- Another major goal is to • Dept. Head of Developmental
tackled at four different depth discussion of scien- offer the best graduate Biology, Hagedorn Research
levels, namely at the level tific issues by all interested school in genetics. We be- Institute, Gentolfte, DK
• Dept. of Biochemistry and
of genes, of chromosomes, persons (including post- lieve that to pursue top sci- Molecular Biology, University
of the whole cell and of the doctoral fellows and stu- ence, we need to attract the of Georgia, Athens, GR
entire organism. In order to dents). best students worldwide • Dept. of Biochemistry, Erasmus
reach excellence in this do- Some projects directly re- and “create” the next gen- Euniversity Medical Center,
Rotterdam, NL
main, it is neccessary to lated to technological de- eration of top scientists by • Dept. of Cell Biology,
bridge the gaps between velopment are pursued in teaching. Nara Institute of Science
and Technology, Nara, JP
• Dept. of Cell Physiology
and Metabolism, University
Heads of Individual Research Projects Medical Center, Geneva, CH
• Dept. of Developmental Biology,
Antonarakis Stylianos E., Prof. Division de Génétique Médicale, Université de Genève University of Texas Southwestern,
Arber Silvia, Prof. Departement für Zellbiologie, Universität Basel Dallas, US
Basler Konrad, Prof. Institut für Molekularbiologie, Universität Zürich • Dept. of Genetic Medicine
Duboule Denis, Prof. Département de Zoologie et Biologie Animale, and Development, University
Medical Center Geneva, CH
Université de Genève • Dept. of Genetics and Micro-
Galliot Brigitte, MER Département de Zoologie et Biologie Animale, Université de Genève biology, University of Pavia, IT
Gasser Susan M., Prof. Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel • Dept. of Physiology,
Grapin-Botton Anne ISREC, Epalinges University of Lausanne, CH
Hafen Ernst, Prof. Institut für Zoologie, Universität Zürich • Diabetes Research Center,
Free University, Brussels, BE
Herrera Pedro, Dr. Département de Morphologie, Université de Genève
• EMBL, Developmental Biology
Karch François, Dr. Département de Zoologie et Biologie Animale, Unit, Heidelberg, DE
Université de Genève • Gene Expression and Regulation
Laemmli Ulrich K., Prof. Départements de Biologie Moléculaire et Biochimie, Program, Wistar Institute,
Université de Genève Philadelphia, US
Lingner Joachim, Dr. ISREC, Epalinges • Hadassah Med. School,
Hebrew University, Jerusalem, IL
Nef Serge, Dr. Département de Morphologie, Université de Genève
• INSERM, Unité Inserm 625,
Rodriguez Ivan, Prof. Département de Zoologie et Biologie Animale, Rennens, FR
Université de Genève
Roska Botond, Dr. Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel
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
Wahli Walter, Prof. Centre Intégratif de Génomique, Université de Lausanne
Guide 2009 | 13Frontiers in Genetics – Genes,
Chromosomes and Development
NCCR Genetics
• Inst. of Biochemistry, ETHZ,
Zurich, CH
• Inst. of Veterinary Biochemistry
and Molecular Biology,
University of Zurich, CH
• Ludwig Institute
of Cancer Research,
University of Lausanne, CH
• Max Planck Institute
for Biophysical Chemistry,
Gottingen, DE Achievements
• Max Planck Institute for
Molecular Biology, Munich, DE Research and technology sulting from collaboration One of the major goals of
• Molecular Physiology
& Biophysics, Vanderbilt In addition to the five re- between the Science and Frontiers in Genetics,
University, Nashville, US search programs (Work Medical Faculties of the which is to recruit and form
• Muséum National d'Histoire Packages) already imple- University of Geneva, will tomorrow's top scientists,
Naturelle, Paris, FR mented, a pilot project en- allow completing the continues to be sustained
• Neurodegenerative Studies
titled “stem cells and re- process of Frontiers in Ge- through an excellent train-
Laboratory, EPFL, Lausanne, CH
• Oncologie et biologie du generation” has been de- netics' integration within ing program. A constant di-
développement, ISREC-EPFL, veloped this past year. The an institutional context. alogue with the professors
Lausanne, CH knowledge resulting from and students ensures that
• Pathologies nutritionnelles The five platforms set up
this multidisciplinary proj- the School features are
et métaboliques. Centre de during the past years con-
recherche des Cordeliers, IFR58, ect will be useful for devis- adapted to their needs.
tinue to be very well at-
Paris, FR ing cell-based replacement tended by the academic Public relations
• School of Life Sciences, therapies and will con-
ISREC-EPFL, Lausanne, CH community and private One of our main objectives
tribute to unravelling the sector, due to excellent
• Southwestern Medical Center, is to communicate with the
University of Texas, Dallas, US mechanisms of tumour cell expertise and a low public. A new section, «Ge-
• Technical Research Centre spreading. “cost/quality“ ratio. This
of Finland (VTT), Helsinki, FI netics for All», has been
• The Jackson Laboratory, The research carried out by concerns the genomics and created on our web site. Lay
University of Massachusetts, the 20 laboratories and or- bioimaging platforms, lo- summaries of all of the
Bar Harbour, US ganised into Work Pack- cated in Geneva, the Work Packages were in-
• Unité d'Endocrinologie et lentivirus and the mouse
Métabolisme, Catholic University ages has resulted in main- serted on the site and sci-
of Louvain, Brussels, BE taining, or even increasing, metabolic evaluation (MEF) entific publications of in-
the leading position of platforms in Lausanne, as terest have been translated
Economy / Industry well as the site-specific
Switzerland in genetics at into lay terms and posted in
• Debiopharm S.A., Lausanne, CH
• Evolva AG, Allschwil, CH the international level. integration system for an attractive form.
• Leica Microsystems, During this past year, 20 of high-throughput germ
Glattbrugg, CH line transformation of Emphasis was put on the
the scientific articles pro-
• Nestlé Research Center, Vevey, CH Drosophila, in Zurich. NCCR's participation to
duced were published in
• Novartis S.A., Basel, CH public manifestations such
• Sanofi-Aventis SA, Paris, FR the top “high impact” jour- Education as La Nuit de la Science,
nals and four prizes were
Other The International Doctoral Les Journées de la Géné-
awarded to Frontiers in
• NCCR FG members, School developed by our tique, La Science appelle
Genetics members. The
Geneva, CH NCCR, which has gained les jeunes. Interviews re-
cutting edge research done
four new students in 2008, lated to these events were
within the NCCR has had
comprises to date 32 stu- broadcasted on various
an unprecedented impact
dents of different national- radio channels.
on our University, which
ities.
has declared genetics a pri- Frontiers in Genetics has
ority domain. The first four students of also resumed its collabora-
the program have gradu- tion with the TV channel
NCCR members are the
ated in 2007 and another TSR by leading the forum
key players in the creation
five are expected to achieve 300 questions à un biolo-
of a new institute named
the same feat in 2008. The giste.
IGe3 (Institut de Géné-
NCCR students all prove to
tique et Génomique de Further information see
be excellent and highly
Genève).This structure, re- www.frontiers-in-genetics.org
motivated scientist.
14 | Guide 2009Statistical Input – Output Data
Funding source (CHF) Year 5 Year 6 Year 7 Year 8 Total %
SNSF funding 4 100 000 4 100 000 4 000 000 3 800 000 16 000 000 36
Self-funding from home 479 274 558 178 500 000 500 000 2 037 452 5
institution1
Self-funding from project 5 274 801 5 122 966 5 264 281 4 892 205 20 554 253 47
participants
Third-party funding 1 369 893 1 032 422 1 508 327 1 642 403 5 553 045 13
Total 11 223 968 10 813 566 11 272 608 10 834 608 44 144 750 100
Personnel2 Total of Female % Male % CH Most Represented Nations Other
Persons FR IT US DE GB Nations
Management 4.84 4 40 6 60 10 2 0 7 0 0 0
Master students 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Doctoral students 66 24 36 42 64 25 9 9 2 7 5 19
Postdoctoral students 49 15 31 34 69 5 11 4 2 2 2 24
Research associates 2 2 100 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0
Senior researchers4 32 8 25 24 75 21 9 0 2 2 0 9
Other staff 50 37 74 13 26 27 12 3 0 1 0 6
Total 203.84 90 43 119 57 88 45 16 13 12 7 58
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
Dehio Christoph, Prof. Swiss National Science Foundation, Berne, CH
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
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 2009 | 15Molecular 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 Signalling and transport Associated Groups
Grütter Markus Gerhard, Prof. through biological mem- Automation of protein
Areas
phone: + 41 (0)1 635 55 80 branes crystallography beamlines
gruetter@bioc.uzh.ch Structural biology H: Winkler F. for challenging projects
of membrane proteins at the swiss light source
Deputy Director Solution NMR with soluble
Coordinator: Engel A. H: Schulze-Briese C.
Richmond Timothy J., Prof. and membrane proteins,
phone: + 41 (0)1 633 24 70 Supramolecular including supramolecular New isotope labeling
richmond@mol.biol.ethz.ch assemblies/molecular structures strategies of protein and
Coordinator interactions H: Wüthrich K. RNA for NMR spectroscopy
Sticher Patrick, Dr. Coordinator: Richmond T. J. investigations
Computer simulation of
phone: + 41 (0)1 635 54 84 Technologies membrane proteins, H: Wüthrich K.
sticher@bioc.uzh.ch Coordinator: Plückthun A. supramolecular complexes Calorimetric and biophysical
Administrative Assistant and macromolecular folding analysis of protein-ligand
Schmid Brigitte, Mrs. Projects H: van Gunsteren W. F. binding and protein folding
phone: + 41 (0)1 635 55 82
brigitte.schmid@bioc.uzh.ch
Folding and function X-ray crystallography and H: Jelezarov I.
of supramolecular systems electron microscopy of Technical development for
Communication and membrane proteins
Sticher Patrick, Dr. supramolecular systems automated and high-through-
Head: Glockshuber R. H: Ban N. put data collection and 3D
Knowledge and
Technology Transfer Synthetic protein libraries Structure determination of reconstruction in electron
Plückthun Andreas, Prof. H: Plückthun A. protein-RNA complexes in- microscopy
volved in alternative-splicing H: Ishikawa T.
Education and Training Assessing the structure
Glockshuber Rudolf, Prof. and dynamics of membrane by NMR spectroscopy
proteins by electron H: Allain F. Programmes
Advancement of Women
van Gunsteren Wilfred, Prof. and atomic force microscopy Mechanisms of ion transport PhD program Biomolecular
H: Engel A. across membranes: structure and mechanism
Address The structural biology of ion Supervisor: Allain F.
X-ray crystallography of
NCCR Bureau channels and ion transporters
supramolecular systems and Annual practical course
Structural Biology
membrane transporters H: Dutzler R. in structural biology
Patrick Sticher
Institute of Biochemistry H: Grütter M. Structure and mechanism Supervisor: Glockshuber R.
University of Zurich Supramolecular assemblies: of bacterial drug and Annual symposium on new
Winterthurerstrasse 190 structures of chromatin antibiotic transporters trends in structural biology
8057 Zurich and associated multiprotein H: Locher K. Supervisor: Glockshuber R.
phone: + 41 (0)1 635 54 84 complexes Single molecule spectroscopy
fax: + 41 (0)1 635 68 34 H: Richmond T. J. of cotranslational protein fold-
sticher@bioc.uzh.ch
ing, structure, and dynamics
Web Address H: Schuler B.
www.structuralbiology.uzh.ch
Public Relations
• Leaflet
• Homepage / eNewsletter
• Newspaper articles
• Appearance on radio
and national TV
16 | Guide 2009Third Party Cooperation
Research Institutions
• Biotechnologisches Zentrum der
Technischen Universität Dresden
(BIOTEC), Dresden, DE
• Center for Structural Biology,
Vanderbilt University,
Nashville, US
• Chemical Biology and Nuclear
Science Division (CBND),
Topics Lawrence Livermore National
Today, knowledge about products, a quantitative specialists in experimental Laboratory, Livermore, US
• Dép. de microbiologie
biological processes is understanding of the 3D- structure determination by
fondamentale, Université de
obtained from functional structure of proteins, their X-ray crystallography, NMR Lausanne, CH
experiments on a limited folding, and their inter- spectroscopy and electron • Dept. of Biochemistry, Duke
number of biochemical actions with other mole- microscopy / crystallogra- University, Chapel Hill, US
systems, and from a rap- cules is required. Such phy, in protein biophysical • Dept. of Biochemistry,
University of Groningen, NL
idly increasing amount of understanding is the key chemistry, modern molecu- • Dept. of Biochemistry, University
DNA sequence informa- to develop innovative me- lar biology, and computa- of Washington, Seattle, US
tion, generated in several dicines, such as new anti- tional biology will meet the • Dept. of Biology, University of
genome projects. To bridge biotics and vaccines, as challenge to link the ever Science and Technology of China,
Hefei, CN
the widening gap between well as drugs against increasing biological data • Dept. of Biophysical Chemistry,
rapidly increasing infor- cancer and diseases of generated in the genomics Biozentrum at the University
mation on genome sequen- the central nervous, im- field with related structural of Basel, CH
ces and limited knowledge mune, and cardiovascular and functional informa- • Dept. of Biophysical Chemistry,
University of Groningen, NL
on the function of gene systems. In this NCCR tion. • Dept. of Biophysical Structural
Chemistry, Leiden Inst. of
Chemistry, Leiden University, NL
• Dept. of Biophysics,
Heads of Individual Research Projects and Associated Groups Kyoto University, JP
Allain Frédéric, Prof. Institut für Molekularbiologie und Biophysik, ETH Zürich • Dept. of Microbiology,
University of Regensburg, DE
Ban Nenad, Prof. Institut für Molekularbiologie und Biophysik, ETH Zürich • Dept. of Molecular Biology
Dutzler Raimund, Prof. Institut für Biochemie, Universität Zürich & Biotechnology, University
Engel Andreas, Prof. M.E. Müller Institut, Biozentrum, Universität Basel of Sheffield, Firth Court, GB
Glockshuber Rudolf, Prof. Institut für Molekularbiologie und Biophysik, ETH Zürich • Dept. of Molecular Biophysics
Grütter Markus, Prof. Institut für Biochemie, Universität Zürich and Biochemistry, Yale University,
New Haven, US
Ishikawa Takashi, Dr. Institut für Molekularbiologie und Biophysik, Universität Zürich
• Dept. of Molecular Microbiology,
Jelezarov Ilian, Dr. Institut für Biochemie, Universität Zürich John Innes Centre, Norwich, GB
Locher Kaspar, Prof. Institut für Molekularbiologie und Biophysik, ETH Zürich • Dept. of Pharmacochemistry,
Plückthun Andreas, Prof. Institut für Biochemie, Universität Zürich Free University of Amsterdam, NL
Richmond Timothy J., Prof. Institut für Molekularbiologie und Biophysik, ETH Zürich • Dept. of Pharmacology,
Schuler Ben, Prof. Institut für Biochemie, Universität Zürich School of Medicine, Case Western
Reserve University, Cleveland, US
Schulze-Briese Clemens, Dr. Paul Scherrer Institut,Villigen PSI
• Dept. of Physics,
van Gunsteren Wilfred F., Prof. Laboratorium für physikalische Chemie, ETH Zürich University of California (UCLA),
Winkler Fritz, Prof. Paul Scherrer Institut, Villigen PSI Santa Barbara, US
Wüthrich Kurt, Prof. Institut für Molekularbiologie und Biophysik, ETH Zürich • Dept. of Plant Biochemistry,
Lund University, Lund, SE
• Dept. of Structural Biology,
Max Planck Inst. of Bio-
physics (MPI), Frankfurt, DE
• Division of Chemistry and
Chemical Engineering,
California Inst. of Technology
(Caltech), Pasadena, US
• Division of Microbiology, Bio-
zentrum, University of Basel, CH
• Division of Molecular
and Health Technologies,
Commonwealth Scientific
and Industrial Research Org.,
Melbourne, AU
• Fachhochschule beider Basel
(FHBB), Basel, CH
• Fachhochschule Zürich,
Wädenswil Winterthur, CH
Guide 2009 | 17Molecular Life Sciences –
Three Dimensional Structure,
Folding and Interactions
NCCR Structural Biology
• Faculté de biologie et de médecine,
Université de Lausanne, CH
• Faculty of Sciences,
Dept. of Organic Chemistry
and Biochemistry,
University of Zagreb, HR
• Howard Hughes Medical Inst.,
University of California Los
Angeles, Los Angeles, US
• lnst. de Biologie Moléculaire et
Cellulaire (IBMC), CNRS, Achievements
Strasbourg, FR
• Inst. de Génétique et de Biologie Key biology areas Technology platforms as selective binders. An-
Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IGBMC), other spin-off, REDbiotec,
Dép. de Neurobiologie
This NCCR focuses on the Shared infrastructure units
et Génétique, Illkirch, FR structural biology of for recombinant protein commercialites MultiBac, a
• Inst. für Biochemie und membrane proteins and production, stable isotope- novel expression tool for
Medizinische Molekularbiologie, supramolecular complexes labelling of proteins and large eukargotic multipro-
Friedrich-Alexander-Universität tein complexes.
and interactions. In both high-throughput crystalli-
Erlangen-Nürnberg, DE
• Inst. for Biotechnology, areas, major advances sation of proteins for NMR Education
ETH Zurich, CH could be reported since or X-ray studies have been
• Inst. for Microbiology,
A post-graduate program
the start of this NCCR. established and are today a
ETH Zurich, CH in structural biology was
Methods for cloning, major tool for effective
• Inst. for Molecular Bioscience, established and embedded
University of Queensland, expression, purification, structure determination
in the Life Science Zurich
Brisbane, AU crystallisation and analysis used by many research
Graduate School.Thanks to
• Inst. of Biophysical Chemistry of membrane proteins groups within or outside
Resonance, Johann Wolfgang the synergies within this
could be advanced and suc- this NCCR. A successful
Goethe-University of Frankfurt, DE NCCR, a very broad and in-
• Inst. of Biotechnology cesses in the structure de- collaboration with the SLS-
depth education of stu-
and Biomedicine, University termination of membrane synchrotron for high-
dents in structural biology
of Barcelona, ES proteins were achieved. throughput crystal analysis
• Inst. of Botany, Darmstadt became possible.
A recent breakthrough in and protein structure de-
University of Technology, This NCCR established a
this field is the structure termination complements
Darmstadt, DE series of well-recognized
• Inst. of Cellular and Molecular determination of three these technology plat-
structural biology events,
Medicine, University of ABC transporters. Another forms.
Copenhagen, DK namely a yearly sympo-
highlight was the structure
• Inst. of Medical Chemistry, Technology Transfer sium and practical courses
determination of a pro-
Me-dical University of Vienna, AT
Project leaders of this that are well attended by
• Inst. of Membrane and Systems karyotic pentameric ligand
NCCR have various indi- scientists from within
Biology, University of Leeds, GB gated ion channel that
• Inst. of Microbiology, vidual collaborations with the NCCR and from other
serves as a bacterial homo-
ETH Zurich, CH industry partners. An um- research institutes.
logue to the eukaryotic
• Inst. of Molecular Pediatric
Science, University of Chicago, US nicotinic acetylcholine re- brella-type agreement for Structural Effects
• Inst. of Organic Chemistry, ETH ceptors. The structures long-term collaboration This NCCR offers an ex-
Zurich, CH of several supramolecular between Novartis and the cellent opportunity for in-
• Inst. of Physiology, complexes were deter- NCCR has been realized,
University of Zurich, CH
terdisciplinary and high-
mined. Important research so far leading to two standard structural biology
• Laboratoire de Maturation des
ARN et Enzymologie Moléculaire, fields in this area include collaborations. research in Switzerland
Vandoeuvre-les-Nancy, FR the chromatin structure, The spin-off company which allowed to attract
• Laboratory for Surface Science the ribosome, RNA-protein Molecular Partners re- several outstanding young
and Technology, sulted partly from the
ETH Zurich, CH
interactions and falty acid scientists to Switzerland.
• Laboratory of Food Microbiology, syntheses. NCCR research project on
ETH Zurich, CH ‘ankyrin repeats’ which are Further information see
• Laboratory of Molecular Biology, an alternative to antibodies www.structuralbiology.uzh.ch
National Inst. of Health (NIH),
Bethesda, US
• M. D. Anderson Cancer Center,
University of Texas, Houston, US
• Max Planck Inst. for
Polymer Research, Mainz, DE
• Max Planck Inst. of Coal Research,
Mühlheim, DE
• Max-Planck-Inst. for Biophysical
Chemisty, Goettingen, DE
18 | Guide 2009• Medizinische Biochemie und
Molekularbiologie der Universität
des Saarlandes, Homburg, DE
• Molecular and Structural
Biochemistry,
University of Rennes, FR
• Organic Chemistry,
ETH Zurich, CH
• San Diego Joint Center
for Structural Genomics, US
Statistical Input – Output Data • School of Medical Sciences,
University of Aberdeen, GB
Funding source (CHF) Year 5 Year 6 Year 7 Year 8 Total % • Swiss Light Source (SLS),
Paul Scherrer Inst., Villigen, CH
SNSF funding 3 900 000 3 800 000 3 400 000 3 300 000 14 400 000 34 • The Scripps Research Inst.,
La Jolla, US
Self-funding from home
institution1 955 801 1 368 021 1 700 235 3 477 004 7 501 061 18 • Theoretical Molecular Biophysics
Group, Max Planck Inst. for Bio-
Self-funding from ETH
Zurich 980 393 1 164 405 1 002 515 867 275 4 014 588 9 physical Chemistry, Göttingen, DE
• Unité de Génétique moléculaire,
Self-funding from project
participants 4 820 225 4 729 873 4 941 086 1 080 880 15 572 064 37 Inst. Pasteur, Paris, FR
• Zentrum für Molekular-biologie
Third-party funding2 800 000 250 260 50 000 50 000 1 150 260 3 der Pflanzen (ZMBP),
Universität Tuebingen, DE
Total 11 456 419 11 312 559 11 093 836 8 775 159 42 637 973 100 • Zentrum für Molekulare
Biologie (ZMBH),
Universität Heidelberg, DE
Personnel3 Total of Female % Male % CH Most Represented Nations Other
Persons Nations Economy / Industry
DE FR NL IT HR
• Actelion Pharmaceuticals Ltd.,
Management 2.93 2 20 8 80 5 2 1 1 0 0 1 Allschwil, CH
Master students 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 • Apotech Corporation, Lausen, CH
• BioXtal, Epalinges, CH
Doctoral students 76 26 34 50 66 27 24 2 1 2 3 18
• Bruker AXS GmbH, Karlsruhe, DE
Postdoctoral students 56 13 23 43 77 16 10 5 5 3 2 17 • Cambridge Antibody Technology,
Research associates 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Cambridge, GB
• F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd.,
Senior researchers5 46 8 17 38 83 12 12 5 2 1 1 14 Basel, CH
Other staff 25 17 68 8 32 14 2 1 0 1 0 10 • Greiner Bio-One GmbH,
Frickenhausen, DE
Total 205.93 66 31 147 69 74 50 14 9 7 6 60
• Molecular Partners AG, Zurich, CH
1
• MorphoSys AG, Martinsried, DE
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 • NEXUS Biosystems, Inc.,
of 1.7 million CHF. San Diego, US
3
Persons involved in the NCCR in the last reporting period (12 months) • Novartis Pharma AG, Basel, CH
4
Full-time equivalent, including NCCR-Director and persons in charge of knowledge and technology transfer, • Novartis Pharma AG, Boston, US
and education and training
5
Including leaders of the individual projects and other organisational units of the NCCR
• Polyphor Ltd., Allschwil, CH
• Roche Pharma (Schweiz) AG,
Basel, CH
• SIKA AG, Zürich, CH
Evaluation and Monitoring by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) • Speedel Experimenta AG,
Allschwil, CH
Members of the Review Panel
Kléber André, Prof. (Chair) Swiss National Science Foundation, Berne, CH
Eisenberg David, Prof. UCLA-DOE Institute for Genomics and Proteomics, US
Hall Mike, Prof. Swiss National Science Foundation, Berne, CH
Michel Hartmut, Prof. Max-Planck Institut für Biophysik, Frankfurt am Main, DE
Roditi Isabel, Prof. Swiss National Science Foundation, Berne, CH
Schmid Franz Xaver, Prof. Laboratorium für Biochemie, Universität Bayreuth, DE
Widmer Hans, Dr. Novartis Pharma AG, Basel, CH
Wright Ernest M., Prof. UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, US
Wright Peter E., Prof. Department of Molecular Biology, The Scripps Research
Institute, La Jolla, US
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 2009 | 19You can also read
