Nachwuchsgruppen an Universitäten

Bewilligungen / Grants 2004

Kinematic evolution of Galaxies

Bewilligung: 02.11.2004 Laufzeit: 1 Jahr

The main goal of our research is to quantitatively explore the light and mass evolution of galaxies over cosmological timescales and in different environments. We observationally test and put strong constraints on the current theory of a hierarchical formation of galaxies dominated by cold dark matter. With the powerful new detectors at the largest telescopes (like VLT, HET, SALT), we are for the first time able to obtain spectra of very dim and faint galaxies at cosmological distances. These spectra reveal the internal kinematics of the galaxies (i.e. the global motion of all the stars within a galaxy), from which their mass can be determined. The derived mass evolution directly traces the growth of galaxies. From the spectra, we also deduce the star formation history and chemical enrichment. Together with a structural analysis based on HST images, our results point to a gradual assembly of galaxies but with a complex history of their stellar populations that depends on the host galaxy mass.

Universität Göttingen
Universitäts-Sternwarte
Abt. II
Dr. Bodo Ziegler
Geismarlandstraße 11
37083 Göttingen
Tel.: 0551/39-9988
Fax: 0551/3950-43
Homepage: http://www.uni-sw.gwdg.de/~bziegler

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Learning invariances from sensory data: biological principles and technical applications

Bewilligung: 02.11.2004 Laufzeit: 1 Jahr

Perceiving and recognizing objects around us independently of their size and location is an important ability of our visual system and requires to build invariant representations. The goal of this research group is to investigate how invariances can be learned in a biologically plausible way based on visual experience. The learning principle we have been working on is 'slowness', with the idea that a representation that varies slowly with the input stimuli is necessarily a representation that is at least partially invariant. We have shown that a hierarchical network can indeed learn translation, size, and other invariances based on the slowness principle and that units early in the hierarchy develop properties that match closely those of physiological neurons in primary visual cortex. We use analytical considerations as well as extensive computer simulations.

Humboldt-Universität Berlin
Innovationskolleg Theoretische Biologie
Dr. Laurenz Wiskott
Invalidenstraße 43
10115 Berlin
Tel.: 030/2093-8408
Fax: 030/2093-8801
Homepage: http://itb.biologie.hu-berlin.de/~wiskott/

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Maturation of tRNA molecules in the halophilic archaeon Haloferax volcanii

Bewilligung: 29.09.2004 Laufzeit: 1 Jahr

To date archaea are established as the third domain of life next to the other two domains, bacteria and eukarya. Archaea are not only very interesting subjects for the biotechnology industry but also for basic research, since they live under extreme environmental conditions, such as high pressure, high temperature and high salt concentrations. This project is aimed to investigate how these organisms adapt to live under extreme conditions. We will isolate the tRNA processing enzymes from the halophilic archaeon Haloferax volcanii and analyse whether tRNA processing in archaea is more prokaryotic- or more eukaryotic-like. In addition we will investigate how the proteins become tolerant against the high salt concentration (up tpo 3-4 M KCl) present inside Haloferax volcanii cells. The genes for the tRNA processing enzymes will be replaced with marker genes in the genome of H. volcanii. Using these mutants we will analyse the effect of the depletion of tRNA processing enzymes on the cell.

Universität Ulm
Molekulare Botanik
Priv.-Doz. Dr. Anita Marchfelder
Albert-Einstein-Allee 11
89069 Ulm
Tel.: 0731/50-22658
Fax: 0731/50-22626

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What the eye sees, where it looks, and what the brain makes of it - neural mechanisms of visual perception

Bewilligung: 15.09.2004 Laufzeit: 1 Jahr

Visual perception involves active selection and interpretation of information contained in the sensory input. These processes are guided by current and previous cognitive sets and experiences and in themselves guide orienting behavior such as eye movements. The research unit seeks to identify neural activity that is associated with these constructive brain processes over and above the activity that is associated with the sensorimotor aspects of vision. We combine functional neuroimaging to record brain activity with perceptual paradigms that dissociate visual cognition from sensory representation. Our focus has been on bistable percepts but we have also addressed classical problems in visual neuroscience such as correspondence or invariance. We have recently expanded our scope to supra-modal cognitive categories (e.g. quantity) as well as to the structure of 'spontaneous' brain activity by combining functional neuroimaging with simultaneous electroencephalography. Our long-term goal is to study brain activity in free viewing of natural scenes.

Institut National de la Santé et de la
Recherche Médical (INSERM)
Sercive Hospitalier Frederic Joliot CEA
Professor Dr. Andreas Kleinschmidt
4, pl. du General Leclerc
F 91401 Orsay

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The characterization of information exchange between brain areas is essential for the understanding of brain function in health and disease

Bewilligung: 10.08.2004 Laufzeit: 1 Jahr

fMRI amongst other functional imaging techniques has revolutionized the study of the human brain by making the mind "visible". Initially functional imaging has concentrated on a mapping approach, but recently the technique has also proven to be able to help revealing mechanisms of brain function. Although functional neuroimaging data has mainly been analysed on a voxel-by-voxel basis, we will also investigate the role of interregional interactions (effective connectivity) in attention, learning and perception. Effective connectivity is based on anatomical connections that form the white matter of the brain. The ultrastructure of white matter, i.e. the connectivity between cortical and subcortical areas can now be assessed with Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI). This additional technique will be used to link anatomical and activity dependent connectivity estimates.

Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf
Neurologische Universitätsklinik
Abt. Neurologie
Labor für Kognitive Neurowissenschaften
Dr. Christian Büchel
Martinistraße 52
20246 Hamburg
Tel.: 040/42 803-47 26
Fax: 040/42 803-5086
Homepage: www.uke.uni-hamburg.de

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Palaeozoic Palaeogeography of Gondwana: Palaeomagnetic Research in Australia and South America
 

Bewilligung: 13.07.2004 Laufzeit: 1 Jahr

For Palaeozoic times, the palaeogeographic position of the ancient continent Gondwana, and its Permian amalgamation with Laurasia to form Pangaea remains one of the most enigmatic problems. From the existing palaeomagnetic data set two widely contrasting models for the apparent polar wander (APW) path for Gondwana have been proposed. These models involve either rapid north and southward movement of this continent with repeated collision between Gondwana (N Africa) and Laurasia (Europe), or gradual northward drift throughout the Palaeozoic. The reasons for this discrepancy are the paucity of reliable palaeomagnetic data for Gondwana, and differences of opinion regarding the geological interpreation of the existing data. Through detailed palaeomagnetic studies in S America and SE Australia, the aims of this research group are to obtain high quality palaeomagnetic data to determine the APW path for Gondwana, its Palaeozoic palaeogeography, and the Permian configuration of Pangaea.

Universität München
Department für Geo- und Umweltwissenschaften
Sektion Geophysik
Priv.-Doz. Dr. Jennifer Tait
Theresienstraße 41
80333 München
Tel.: 089/2180-4238
Fax: 089/2180-4205
Homepage: http://www.geophysik.uni-muenchen.de

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Bedienermodelle in dynamischen Mensch-Maschine-Systemen

Bewilligung: 04.05.2004 Laufzeit: 1 Jahr

The Research Group works on quantitative models of operators' behaviour to predict overall human-machine-system performance. Current theories and methods of cognitive science are enhanced to explain behaviour in multi goal tasks as well as for working under high time pressure, which are typical for human-machine-environments. To ensure explanatory power and long-term sustainability, modelling takes place in cognitive architectures and is supported by empirical data that is attained in psychological experiments. Models, enhancements of architecture and algorithms are verified on industrial scale problems in a process control simulator and a vibro accustic driving simulator.

Technische Universität Berlin
Zentrum Mensch-Maschine-Systeme (Sekr. J2-2)
Dr.-Ing. Leon Urbas
Jebensstr. 1
10623 Berlin
Tel.: 030/314-72007
Fax: 030/314-72581
Homepage: www.zmms.tu-berlin.de/modys/index.html

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Directed evolution of artificial enzymatic replication systems with new functions and properties

Bewilligung: 24.02.2004 Laufzeit: 3 Jahre 3 Monate

Das Vorhaben wurde am 28.06.2002 bewilligt und zu dem oben angegebenen Zeitpunkt von Bonn nach Konstanz umgesetzt.

One essential prerequisite of any organism is to keep its genome intact and to accurately duplicate it before cell division. All DNA synthesis depends on the ability of DNA polymerases to recognize the template and insert the correct nucleotide. Extending the repertoire of DNA polymerase properties towards innovative and artificial functions would result in highly valuable new tools for a variety of applications ranging from (nano)biotechnology to diagnostics and therapeutics. It is the aim of the junior research group to put forward the generation of new DNA polymerase functions employing interdisciplinary approaches. Highly selective DNA replication systems should simplify the detection of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in genes without need for further analytical procedures as applied to date. Here, the generation of such replication systems employing a chemicalgenetic approach is envisaged. The second topic concerns the understanding of how nature has chosen and retained chirality of DNA biosynthesis during evolution. The interplay of DNA polymerase with both stereoisomers will be studied by chemical and biochemical means. Starting from these results a directed evolution approach will be employed to obtain DNA polymerases that faithfully replicate DNA entirely composed out the unnatural building blocks.

Universität Konstanz
FB Chemie
Lehrstuhl für Organische Chemie / Zelluläre Chemie
Prof. Dr. Andreas Marx
Fach M 726
78457 Konstanz
Tel.: 07531/885139
Fax: 07531/5140
Homepage: www.chemie.uni-konstanz.de/~agmarx

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