Lichtenberg-Professuren / Lichtenberg Professorships

Bewilligungen / Grants 2008

New physics at and a novel pixel detector for the international linear collider

Bewilligung: 29.10.2008  Laufzeit:  5 Jahre

The professorship is committed to the preparation of experimentation and data analysis at the future International Linear Collider (ILC); the scope is twofold: the preparation for the study of new physics at the ILC and the development of a silicon pixel vertex detector for instrumentation based on DEPFET (DEPleted Field Effect Transistor) technology. The advantage is the small amount of noise due to the integration of the first amplifying stage on the device. This leads to excellent signal-to-noise ratios, thus allowing the use of very thin devices, mandatory for the deployment at ILC. The analysis goals comprise the search for the Higgs boson and the determination of its properties at the ILC. The Higgs boson is the last missing piece of the Standard model and provides the mechanism by which all particles aquire mass. If the Higgs Boson exists, it will undoubtedly be discovered at the LHC. The group will participate in the Higgs data analysis in the area of b-quark identification where the vertex detector plays the main role, as this is the main focus of the ILC activities and hence provides ideal transfer of knowledge. Supersymmetry, an extension of the Standard Model, is the second area of interest for ILC physics preparation as it provides a very plausible candidate for the dark matter in our universe.

Universität Göttingen
II. Physikalisches Institut
Prof. Dr. Ariane Frey
Friedrich-Hund-Platz 1
37077 Göttingen
Tel.: +49 551 39 14153
Fax: +49 551 39 4493
Homepage: http://physik2.uni-goettingen.de/research/high-energy/people/people

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Neuro-endocrine-immune interactions: The molecular basis of chemical communication

Bewilligung: 02.07.2008  Laufzeit:  5 Jahre

The project is directed towards a better understanding of the molecular and cellular events that mediate mammalian chemical communication, specifically those events underlying complex social behaviors such as aggression, parent-offspring interactions, and mating. The overall goal is to integrate investigations aimed at understanding molecular membrane mechanisms underlying the recognition of specific signaling molecules in the peripheral olfactory system - such as pheromones and hormones - with endocrine and immune function. Recent insights have revolutionized the understanding of the importance of chemical signals influencing mammalian behavior, but relatively little is still known about the receptor molecules that recognize these chemosignals. A long-term goal is to utilize genetic tracing of specific receptor systems to define brain circuits that integrate molecular sensing in the periphery with endocrine function. This research employs a highly interdisciplinary approach involving gene-targeting methodology, analysis of cellular activity using sophisticated electrophysiological and imaging methods, and behavioral analysis in wildtype and mutant mice. The relevance of this research lies in the fact that it provides a genetic, molecular and cellular basis for complex social behaviors in mice.

Universität des Saarlandes, Homburg
Medizinische Fakultät
Physiologisches Institut
Gebäude 58
Prof. Dr. Trese Leinders-Zufall
Kirrberger Straße
66421 Homburg
Tel.: 06841 16-26455
Fax: 06841 16-26655
Homepage: http://physiology.uni-saarland.de/Trese_Leinders-Zufall/Leinders-Zufall_Research.html

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Educational natural language processing (e-NLP)

Bewilligung: 23.05.2008  Laufzeit:  5 Jahre

The professorship will be established at the interface of Natural Language Processing (NLP), Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science and eLearning. A special emphasis will be placed on the research and investigation of NLP techniques in eLearning 2.0. The potential of Educational Natural Language Processing as a research field is twofold. It will give decisive impulses both to Natural Language Processing and eLearning. The main innovation for NLP will be a new paradigm for mining lexical semantic and world knowledge from eLearning 2.0 information repositories and employing this knowledge to enable advanced information management capabilities for new types of discourse. The main innovation for eLearning will be the introduction of automated means to support and facilitate learning processes of individuals in user friendly, flexible, intuitive, integrated and intelligent learning environments based on NLP technologies.

Technische Universität Darmstadt
Center of Research Excellence "E-Learning"
Computer Science Department
Lichtenberg-Professur "Ubiquitäre Wissensverarbeitung"
Prof. Dr. Iryna Gurevych
Hochschulstraße 10
64289 Darmstadt
Tel.: 06151 165411
Fax: 06151 163052

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Stem cell pathologies

Bewilligung: 14.02.2008  Laufzeit:  5 Jahre

An emerging body of evidence suggests that many types of cancer contain a relatively rare subpopulation of cells that exhibit stem cell characteristics, and that this popultaion would represent the exclusive source for disease initiation and maintenance. However, the immediate mechanisms of stem cell-derived tumorigenesis remain mostly elusive. It is the long-term goal to combine the studies of tumor-initiating stem cells from a variety of human organs, e.g. the hematopoietic and neural systems, breast, prostate, or colon, to establish new therapeutic strategies targeting potentially commmon roots of proliferative malignancies. Entry route into this unique concept shall be the evaluation of human brain tumors, based on established insights and model systems for neural stem cell (NSC) analysis in the developing and adult central nervous system.

Universität Bonn
Medical Center
Institute of Reconstructive
Neurobiology LIFE & BRAIN
Prof. Dr. Björn Scheffler
Sigmund-Freud-Str. 25
53105 Bonn
Tel.: 0228 6885-473
Fax: 0228 6885-443

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