researchgerman german research 1 / 2016 Magazine of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft Cover: fotolia / chombosan A head-up display with multi-channel 1 / 2016 information. Researchers are looking to improve intelligent sensor technology for everyday life, ranging from smart homes to smart cars.

Commentary Peter Strohschneider With Freedom Comes Responsibility 2 Critical self-reflection as a permanent task in the research system

News Strategies for Research Policy 4 A Welcome Opportunity to Share Knowledge 4 Animal Experiments in Research 5 Discovering the Phenomena of an Era 5

Engineering Sciences Andreas Kolb and Christian Köhler Intelligent, Safe, Respectful 6 How modern sensor technology can improve everyday life in the future

Life Sciences Anita Marchfelder Attack and Resistance 12 Using CRISPR-Cas as a genetic cutting tool

Humanities and Social Sciences Nikolai Grube and Kai Delvendahl In the Wake of the Great 16 The rise and fall of Uxul – a story of political power and the history of a Maya city

Interview Rembert Unterstell A Matter of Taste 23 Sensor Technology for Everyday Life: Intelligent, Safe, Respectful | Research An interview with biochemist and nutrition expert Wolfgang Meyerhof System: With Freedom Comes Responsibility | CRISPR-Cas: Attack and Resistance Natural Sciences Maya City of Uxul: In the Wake of the Great Biochemistry and Nutrition | | Thomas Reiprich Research: A Matter of Taste Dark Energy in the Universe: Measuring the Invisible | Measuring the Invisible 26 The international eROSITA mission on the trail of dark energy 2 Commentary german research 1 / 2016 german research 1 / 2016 3

Peter Strohschneider can be held responsible for these consequences must be revisited frequently. It might well be that the answers to such questions can be harder to find now than they were half a century ago. In many areas of modern science, the With Freedom gap between research carried out at academic institutions and its application in a non-academic context is becom­ ing so narrow as to be indistinguishable. There is a huge Comes Responsibility technological hurdle between the knowledge of atomic physics on the one hand and its application in nuclear It is incumbent on every individual in the research system – as it is on the system as a power plants or atomic bombs on the other that must still be overcome (as demonstrated clearly by the conflict whole – to subject their own capabilities and limitations to critical reflection, particularly with Iran over the last thirty years). However, there is no at times of increasingly rapid change in research and in the circumstances surrounding it. longer a similar situation where digital algorithms and A statement on the occasion of the award of this year’s Leibniz Prizes. genome editing are concerned. Problems with the dual use of research results are becoming increasingly acute: molecular plant genet­ he DFG’s Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize was tures are partially of an intellectual nature. They are also ics might be used to feed the world but it can also be awarded for the first time in April 1986 – 30 years of a financial and an institutional nature, which is where misused for biological warfare; the linguistics of Ara­ T ago. Since then it has developed very rapidly to the makers of science policy and the research funding bic can improve our cultural knowledge yet also help become the most important prize awarded for research organisations, for example, have duties to discharge. with automated monitoring technology; psychology is in Germany. Winners can use the very considerable prize The DFG endeavours to fulfil this responsibility every­ required not only to treat neuroses, but also to perfect money in any way they wish over a period of up to where where excellent research requires funding: by con­ torturing techniques. seven years for research projects which carry no expec­ stantly reviewing its own raft of funding instruments; by As research and non-academic applications come tations other than that they should be of outstanding responding to the changing demands of research; by guar­ closer to each other, responsibilities shift even where

quality. anteeing that review, assessment and decision-making scientific knowledge is used with the best intentions. Illustration: DFG / Lichtenscheidt The Leibniz Prize allows researchers freedom at a level procedures are fair and sound; and by formulating recom­ Computer science and genetics, for example, are chang­ rarely seen today, giving them the opportunity and time mendations for the future development of the research ing our world in such a way that we have barely started them if they wish to fulfil their complex responsibilities. to structure their research as it suits them, with no pres­ system as a whole. Work on the DFG’s funding portfolio thinking through their consequences for the ethics of the Indeed, only a research system which does not disassoci­ sure to submit proposals or supply reviews. The reason is included here, as are its proposals for structuring a new individual and the moral implications for society: What ate itself from these questions but reflects on them, even for this approach lies in the DFG’s firm conviction that initiative between the federal government and the federal is the subject? What about its dignity? What about its when it does not know the answers, is making the right it is impossible to obtain scientific findings of the highest states to develop the Excellence Initiative further. responsibility? How is power limited and distributed? use of its freedoms. quality without such freedom. A second facet of responsibility in research is the relia­ How is society possible? And democracy? And research? What is vital is an organisational structure of publicly It is clear that with special freedom comes special re­ bility of the research processes themselves. Research prac­ financed research which gives research a framework sponsibility. Consequently, each year the award of the tice is and will always have to be prone to error. This is the esponsibility for the consequences of unfet­ through which to understand what it is doing and brings Leibniz Prizes gives rise to a number of questions: not only risk associated with each attempt to move forward into tered research does not begin only beyond its order to research practice without curtailing its freedoms. the question of what this freedom means and what can new, uncharted or even unthinkable territory. A feckless R boundaries. In modern research, the questions However, good role models are no less important: re­ be done with it, but also how it can be used responsibly. approach to or violation of the regulations that are es­ of its responsibilities become part of the research pro­ searchers, like the awardees of the Leibniz Prize, whose sential for good scientific practice is an entirely different cess itself. They are important, open-ended and difficult actions ensure reliable and responsible research because t goes without saying that responsibility in research matter. Too many results of research experiments nowa­ questions. And they are raised again and again. What they understand how to combine a thirst for knowledge has many facets and this responsibility is borne by days appear to be non-reproducible, which has doubtless conditions foster productivity and achievement in the and a passion for discovery with the ability to engage in I as many people as there are facets. In a constantly to do with the enormous refinement and complexity of best research? To what should consideration be given to continuous self-reflection. expanding and increasingly complex research system, modern experimental research. Furthermore, there must ensure that bad research practice and scientific miscon­ one of these facets is responsibility for the research itself. also be a dialogue on mismanagement in research – such duct become as unlikely as they can be? What should This includes opportunity structures that will allow as the preponderance of purely quantitative performance research be permitted to achieve today? Must there be scientific curiosity and the methods leading to scientific parameters – and also on scientific misconduct. limitations to the quest for research findings? And where findings to break new ground. These opportunity struc­ A third facet of responsibility in research is concerned and how might they be drawn? with the direct or indirect consequences that scientific or Questions like these apply to everyone and to the

Abbreviated translation of a welcome address by the DFG President at the scholarly knowledge can have for individuals as well as research system as whole. They are questions which can Professor Dr. Peter Strohschneider Leibniz award ceremony on 1 March 2016 in Berlin. for society. The question of the extent to which research lead to a logical impasse yet researchers must not avoid is the President of the DFG. 4 News german research 1 / 2016 german research 1 / 2016 5

Africa: Strategies for Research Policy Animal Experiments in Research Multinational conference in the Senegalese capital Dakar New edition of the DFG information brochure published

sations and policymakers from he DFG Senate Commission Animal experiments are essen­ every corner of the world. Discus­ T on Animal Protection and tial to progress in basic research in sions were held in a number of Experimentation has published biology and medicine and are used different panels, including a talk a revised version of the “Animal as a basis for the development of on how an African research policy Experiments in Research” infor­ new technology, therapies and might be formulated. DFG Presi­ mation brochure. Over 70 pages medication, for example. How­

Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft Kennedyallee 40 · 53175 Bonn dent Peter Strohschneider (centre) it provides comprehensive and ever, theyPostanschrift: 53170are Bonn also associated with Telefon: + 49 228 885-1 Senatskommission für tierexperimentelle Forschung Telefax: + 49 228 885-2777 der Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft recommended that knowledge- generally comprehensible infor­ [email protected] harm to animals and are www.dfg.de driven basic research should be mation on research and animal therefore controversial. Tierversuche in der Forschung funded and an approach focussing welfare in Germany. It is directed In awareness of this, research­ on more than just the programmes at members of the public with an ers have committed themselves to should be taken. In his view, this interest in the issue, teachers at the 3R principle. This states that meant that each country needed schools and universities, politi­ where possible, animal experi­ Umschlag_final_04_02_16.indd 1 04.02.16 11:31 to take a balanced, science-led ap­ cians, authorities and their repre­ ments should be replaced by al­ fined to reduce the harmful effects

Illustration: DFG / Bastong proach to decision-making. sentatives and also at researchers ternative methods, the number of on the animals. The DFG had organised a work­ who use animal experiments in animals in experiments should be The German version of the brochure is available he next Einstein could come researchers in the MINT subjects shop to bring together African and their work. reduced and the experiments re­ online; the English version will follow soon. T from Africa – this was the un­ from all over Africa came together German mathematicians prior to derlying premise and the motto of in one place to attend the Next the Next Einstein Forum and this a pan-African conference held in Einstein Forum where they met collaboration will be continued Dakar, Senegal. For the first time, representatives of funding organi­ into the future. bb

A Welcome Opportunity to Share Knowledge Collaboration with Latin America – The first Experts’ Day

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s ’ organisations from all A on their experiences S A N over Germany. A lively of founding and estab­ Discovering the phenomena of an era: the topic at the heart of Steffen Martus’ Leibniz Lecture in Bonn was “Discovering Tutelage: m o r f interest was shown by t lishing bilateral collabo­ Philosophical Tastes in the Enlightenment”. At the invitation of the Bonn University Club and the DFG, the Leibniz prizewinner and o sh n research departments e rative ventures. RU professor of literature studies at the Humboldt University of Berlin used the scholar and philosopher Christian Wolff as an example e cr and international relations S to illustrate the emergence of a new culture of argumentation and reasoning in the 18th century. Prof. Martus’ inspiring delivery divisions within individual ww.dfg.de/latinamerica brought to life the way in which “Wolffianism” prompted a new approach to thinking in the philosopher’s contemporaries. 6 Engineering Sciences german research 1 / 2016 german research 1 / 2016 7

Andreas Kolb and Christian Köhler Intelligent, Safe, Respectful A sensor system is adjusted to the colour calibration chart. This is achieved Detecting explosives, making driving safer, assisting with emergency with a microcontroller board with a rescue – sensors are being used in more applications all the time. photosensor mounted on the sensor. Researchers are now developing automated systems that support users without intruding on their privacy. All illustrations and graphics: Kolb Working Group All illustrations and graphics: Kolb Working 8 Engineering Sciences german research 1 / 2016 german research 1 / 2016 9

t happens as she heads towards body and alerted the emergency of new sensors and the process­ a conversation from background I the living room. Every morning operator. Maria Schmidt lives to ing of data are closely interlinked noise and respond appropriately, Maria Schmidt walks from the tell the tale – because her home is and the construction and use of for example by automatically dim­ kitchen to the living room, a mat­ a smart home. sensors are coordinated to one an­ ming the lights to create a pleasant ter of a few metres. But on this At the University of Siegen, the other. The challenge is to develop atmosphere. Sensors can also help particular morning she doesn’t Research Training Group “Imag­ processes that not only function to detect emergencies and initiate make it. A noise from outside star­ ing New Modalities” is develop­ in the lab environment, but also a response. tles her and she loses her balance, ing sensor systems for the smart work in everyday life. Like Maria sways, falls to the ground and home of tomorrow. Based at the Schmidt’s smart home, for exam­ his is made possible by so- hits her head, losing conscious­ Department of Electrical Engineer­ ple. T called multimodal sensors: ness. There is no one else in the ing and Informatics and the NRW A system like this for the home different systems using different house. 84-year-old Maria lives Centre for Sensor Systems (ZESS), can help older people to live inde­ measuring techniques to obtain alone. No one saw her fall and the group has been funded by the pendently for longer – an area of information about an object. Con­ there is no one there to help. Yet DFG since 2009. The application application known as elderly care. ventional cameras provide grey the emergency doctor is already for the research is civil safety and The researchers are working on the scale or colour images, thermal on the way. The camera in the the central research area is sen­ basic technology to make a smart cameras distinguish a human body living room observed the fall and sors. The basic idea is to take an home suitable for everyday life. from other objects, and a terahertz the sensor data processor identi­ integrated approach to sensors and Sensor systems don’t just recog­ system analyses materials. Mate­ Above: The fast, reliable and safe recognition of hazardous substances is one of the fied the falling figure as a human data processing. The development nise people: they can also pick out rial recognition with harmless research objectives of the Research Training Group “Imaging New Modalities”. terahertz radiation, which is be­ Below: Cars and road traffic are preferred areas of use for modern sensor technol- With the aid of modern computer graphics, a 2D photo becomes a 3D model. The model can even “map” missing areas, like the tween the optical and electronic ogy. The image shows the measurement of the distance between vehicles on a eye area of the face as shown here. Teeth are not represented in this model. wavelengths, is suitable for use in highway. day-to-day life. A time-of-flight (TOF) camera also registers spa­ tial depth. This 3D camera meas­ ures distance by sending out light pulses and recording the time it takes to travel to a target and back. The combination of these systems offers great potential, but there are also significant hurdles to be over­ come if the combination of sensors is to obtain useful results. For example, the researchers are developing a process to recog­ nise a person’s face even if it is only partially visible in a photograph with the help of a 3D model. In automatic face recognition based on 2D images the recognition rate depends to a great extent on angle, lighting and facial expression. The adjusted to match a specified pho­ rate and more reliable. It can be 3D morphable model technology tograph. used in all forms of traditional ac­ in the project “Facial Recognition” 2D and 3D data are combined cess control, for example admis­ allows a 3D model of a head to be to allow faces to be automatically sion to a building. One challenge produced, thus enabling much recognised from a wide range of is that it must not be possible to better recognition of individuals. angles and in very different kinds “fool” the system, for example In this model the different param­ of lighting. The process makes with make-up or a mask. Another eters of the 3D face model can be identification easier, more accu­ project focusses on the ageing of a 10 Engineering Sciences german research 1 / 2016 german research 1 / 2016 11

person and the associated change Ethics courses enhance their for direct control while protecting in their appearance. How can a awareness of the conflict be­ privacy. In this example the use of face be recognised when it has tween technical value added and technology is justified because it changed because of wrinkles or personal freedom – because like does not restrict freedom. other signs of ageing years after many everyday objects, new tech­ The aim of developing intelli­ it was first photographed? Again, nologies can also be used against gent sensor systems without re­ the objective is to enable robust, people. A 3D printer, for exam­ stricting freedom was defined by reliable recognition. ple, is an innovative product but the Research Training Group itself. can also be used to copy guns. The Basic researchers have a duty to ighly automated sensor sys­ aim of research and development the public; there is no commercial H tems can also help to detect is to make our lives safer and en­ sponsor and there are no speci­ explosives or hidden objects, but hance quality of life by bringing fied development goals, only the they must satisfy very strict stand­ safety technology into line with primary intention to bring inno­ ards of information security, the basic human needs. Obviously, vation to development processes. protection of privacy and ethical technology delivers value added Researchers are motivated by the considerations. This results in a – but this must not be at the cost desire to develop new ideas, tread dilemma. In the Research Train­ of individual privacy. For exam­ new paths and decide for them­ ing Group, ethical positions are ple, detectors at airports should selves what path to take. Through explicitly considered to raise the only recognise explosives, not methodical linking the group is researchers’ awareness of them. individuals. This avoids the need able to continually initiate new

A terahertz femtosecond laser system generates terahertz (THz) radiation. Here, the system is being adjusted.

The magic of innovation: multispectral sensors with nanoscale structures are being developed to detect hazardous substances.

processes within the individual Various sensors can be used to an important role in the search for research projects. register the spatial environment of new technological solutions for the a car. More recent requirements world of tomorrow. he excitement lies in the chal­ in interior and exterior monitor­ T lenge of developing technol­ ing demand better resolutions, for ogy for the future: for example example to distinguish a harmless in cars. Road signs can be auto­ rubbish bin on the kerb from a matically recognised by cameras child about to run into the road. and the data then compared with In this area researchers are inves­ the navigation system and digi­ tigating the use of time-of-flight tally displayed on the dashboard. cameras, which in future could Stretches of road where overtak­ perform tasks inside the vehicle ing is prohibited or there is a “no like controlling media systems or Prof. Dr.-Ing. Andreas Kolb holds the Chair of Computer Graphics and entry” sign are also recognised optimising airbag systems. Multimedia Systems and is the spokesperson and accompanied by a visual and Intelligent sensor systems help for Research Training Group 1564 “Imaging audible warning to help prevent to make our lives more comforta­ New Modalities”. accidents. Lane assistant, blind ble, but first and foremost to make Dr. Christian Köhler spot alert, adaptive braking sys­ them safer. The researchers devel­ is the coordinator of the Research Training tem, automatic distance control oping these systems must respond Group. or LED light system – these are to very strict requirements, and Contact: Universität Siegen, DFG- just some of the applications, and the potential improvements to our Graduiertenkolleg 1564, Hölder- linstraße 3, 57068 Siegen the list of intelligent safety sys­ everyday lives are far-reaching. tems is long. Sensor research therefore plays www.grk1564.uni-siegen.de/en 12 Life Sciences german research 1 / 2016 german research 1 / 2016 13

Anita Marchfelder

viously attacked the system. In different bacteria and archaea. groups focussing on microbiology, close proximity to the CRISPR lo­ The more of these defensive sys­ bioinformatics, structural biology Attack and Resistance cus are the Cas protein genes (Cas tems are studied, the more natural and mass spectrometry and four stands for “CRISPR-associated”). variants are discovered. The group associated groups, all of which CRISPR-Cas, identified as the defensive system used by single-celled organisms against If a (known) virus attacks the or­ has studied CRISPR-Cas in various work closely together. Structural viruses, is now being used as a genetic cutting tool. But how does this immune system, ganism, the spacers and sequence bacteria, for example cyanobacte­ biology and mass spectrometry repetitions in the DNA are trans­ ria, and also in archaea. In the do­ investigations in the laboratory with its astonishing capacity to learn, actually work? A group of researchers is seeking lated into RNA molecules which, main of the archaea, almost every are essential in the unravelling to understand the fundamental mechanisms involved. together with the Cas proteins, organism has at least one individ­ of the structures and functions of keep the attacker in check. ual CRISPR-Cas system. Archaea, Cas proteins. Not all of the jobs of These remarkable sequences which most people remember from the Cas proteins involved are yet were first noticed by a group of school biology lessons, are single- understood, but it is assumed that Japanese researchers in the late celled organisms (prokaryotes) they have other, currently un­ 1980s. But it would be more than which have many similarities with known functions within the cell. 15 years before their similarity eukaryotes (cells with a nucleus, Using bioinformatics methods it with the attacking virus DNA was like those in the human body) is possible to compare different noticed and researchers began to and were only recently identified CRISPR-RNA sequences and clas­ suspect that this could be a previ­ as possible direct precursors of eu­ sify new CRISPR-Cas systems. ously unknown immune system. karyotes. The research team was This has since been confirmed, able to describe both general and he studies show that basic and the Research Unit has made individual characteristics and also T research is not so very far an important contribution to the unravel the structure of central Cas removed from practical applica­ fundamental understanding of proteins. tions. The story of the discovery CRISPR-Cas. For their investigations the of CRISPR-Cas is continuing to Over the last three years, the researchers use methods from be written in real-life contexts. researchers in the group have com­ molecular biology, genetics and Researchers in the dairy industry pared the CRISPR-Cas variants of biochemistry. There are seven sub­ were looking for a “vaccine” for

Schematic representation of an infection with and without CRISPR-Cas defence. If a virus enters a cell, it can multiply inside the cell and the cell dies (top). But if the cell has the CRISPR-Cas system and is immune to the virus, the attacker can be repelled.

t’s one of the oldest battles for But few would have guessed its own genetic material – a kind of Virus multiplies, cell death I survival on Earth. It is fought in that bacteria and archaea pos­ “wanted poster” of the enemy. If salt lakes, hot springs and perma­ sess an immune system capable the virus approaches the cell or its nent ice: as bacteria and archaea of learning – and one that is in­ offspring a second time, Cas pro­ defend themselves against power­ herited by the next generation. teins step in to counter-attack it ful armies of viruses. To survive, This defensive system, known as and cut it. The unwieldy acronym the single-celled organisms need a CRISPR-Cas, is what interests the CRISPR stands for Clustered Regu­ few tricks up their sleeves. It has DFG Research Unit “Unravelling larly Interspaced Short Palindromic been known for some time that the Prokaryotic Immune System”. Repeats and refers to a particular they have developed a range of But first things first: how does genomic region where repetitions Viral DNA destroyed, cell survives strategies to prevent the docking CRISPR-Cas work? The principle of sequences are followed by vari­ and injection of viral genetic ma­ is a simple one, but the details are able sequences or “spacers”. terial. They can also destroy DNA hard to understand. When a sin­ These spacers are the remnants that has successfully penetrated gle-celled organism has survived of viruses and plasmids (small, usu­ the cell or commit altruistic suicide a first attack by a virus, it incor­ ally ring-shaped, double-stranded

to save the population. porates parts of the viral DNA into DNA molecules) which have pre­ Illustrations: G.Hintze / U Ulm 14 Life Sciences german research 1 / 2016 german research 1 / 2016 15

the bacterial starter cultures that as multi-resistant starter cultures. of DNA. This isn’t just useful in the are used in the production of yo­ Through cell division, they pass on fight against viruses: the cutting ghurt and cheese. A viral infection this immune system with its own tool can also be used to remove in the bacteria can cause immense ‘memory’ to subsequent genera­ disease-causing gene segments damage and destroy entire produc­ tions. What is particularly inter­ from the genetic material, or cre­ tion series. In 2007, researchers at esting for the dairy industry is the ate desirable mutations. Through Danisco (DuPont) turned their at­ fact that products made from these the addition of sgRNA, the desired tention to CRISPR-Cas and ended starter cultures are in no way ge­ genes can be effectively targeted. up launching it on an unprece­ netically modified. This technique, which has already dented career. been used for genome manipula­ The idea is as simple as it is n 2013, another ability of the tion in zebrafish and humans, is effective. When prokaryotes are I prokaryotic immune system cheaper and less time-consuming brought into contact with viruses, caused the US journal Science to than, for example, the use of zinc a proportion of them survive the proclaim a “CRISPR craze”. The finger nucleases to modify plant attack and build the viral DNA into craze was prompted by the ability and animal genomes. U Ulm the CRISPR locus as spacers. These of the Cas9 protein, together with One Cas9 variant can also func­ / bacteria are now immune to the short guide RNA (sgRNA), to rec­ tion as a “road block”, defining which attacking virus and so can be used ognise and cut specific sequences genetic segments are read during Illustration: E. Eberhardt

CRISPR-Cas for yoghurt and biofuel production: Intensive laboratory work: research into the co-discoverer of the cutting tool, can open up whole new avenues starter cultures are rendered immune to the the CRISPR-Cas system soon resulted in worked at the Helmholtz Centre for of investigation. Rarely has an ap­ attacking viruses. the first practical application. Infection Research in Braunschweig plication been developed so quickly (and is currently at the Max Planck from fundamental research as with Institute for Infection Biology in the CRISPR-Cas system. The pos­ transcription. This does not damage Berlin) and will continue to support sibilities of genome editing and its the DNA in any way. The Research and enrich the activities of the unit. modifications discovered over the Unit is now also turning its attention last 18 months offer enormous po­ to genome editing. However, the he career of CRISPR-Cas has tential. And it would seem that the team will continue to carry out ba­ T led from the “primeval soup” applications proposed at the mo­ sic research and plan to study more to the dairy industry and into the ment are only the tip of the iceberg. CRISPR-Cas variants to unravel their genetic laboratories of the world. molecular mechanisms in detail. This Now it looks as though the prokar­ information is essential to the rapid yotic immune system could also improvement of applications. help us to manufacture biofuels. But there is still a long way to go The production of these fuels re­ before CRISPR-Cas can be used in quires starter cultures of cyano­ the human organism. There are con­ bacteria fed from seawater, which cerns about “off-target” mutations: is packed full of attackers. So the undesired follow-on mutations af­ obvious next step is to treat the Prof. Dr. Anita Marchfelder ter the “genetic scissors” have done starter cultures with the method teaches in the Department of Molecular Botany at the University of Ulm and is the their job. This makes it all the more developed by the dairy industry – spokesperson for Research Unit 1680. important to better understand the another of the unit’s projects. Contact: Universität Ulm, Institut für mechanisms of genome editing. For All in all, the CRISPR-Cas field Molekulare Botanik, Albert- this reason, a pioneer of Cas9 re­ of research is a perfect illustration Einstein-Allee 11, 89081 Ulm search has joined the Research Unit. of how important and surprising www.uni-ulm.de/nawi/nawi-

Illustrations: G.Hintze / U Ulm Professor Emmanuelle Charpentier, basic research can be – and how it for1680.html 16 Humanities and Social Sciences german research 1 / 2016 german research 1 / 2016 17

Nikolai Grube and Kai Delvendahl In the Wake of the Great

When the Maya city of Uxul, a small kingdom in the rainforest, came under the rule of the powerful Kaan dynasty, it was the beginning of a blossoming that was later followed by their joint downfall. A team of German and Mexican archaeologists are excavating new evidence of this story of political power and the history of a city.

Looking into the princely grave below the entrance building to the palace in Uxul. All Illustrations and graphics: Archaeological project Uxul 18 Humanities and Social Sciences german research 1 / 2016 german research 1 / 2016 19

ven the all-terrain vehicle with jungle. Hammocks are strung up the University of Bonn has been Top: Reconstruction of the Late Classic E raised wheels can’t make any between the trees with mosquito studying the Maya settlement of entrance building to the palace with the more progress. The rainfall of the nets over them and large plastic tar­ Uxul with the aim of investigating Early Classic temple beneath it. Below: last few weeks has flooded the paulins to act as makeshift roofs for its relationship with the regional Rain god as fisherman, mural from the large area of swamp to such an protection against the rain. Few of “superpower” of Calakmul, 35 passage between the two rooms of the extent that the trucks carrying the the team get any sleep, so loud is the kilometres to the northeast. The temple; can be dated to around 300 AD. German-Mexican excavation team screaming of the howler monkeys key question is how the social, of archaeologists, labourers and and so high are the expectations: economic and political structure of students can go no further. There What will the site look like, having the settlement was changed when Thanks to inscriptions at Uxul, are just 8 kilometres more to go to been undisturbed by human pres­ it was annexed under the rule of we know that the settlement lost the archaeological site of Uxul in ence since the end of the last exca­ Calakmul. As yet, little is known its earlier independence in the the far south of the Mexican state vation campaign nine months ago? about the political and social struc­ first half of the 7th century and of Campeche, but the sun has al­ What can the archaeologists expect tures of the small kingdoms that became a vassal of the great royal ready disappeared behind the trees from this year’s dig season? And fought for power and resources, dynasty of Kaan, which had its of the rainforest. how will it change our picture of waged wars and tried to conquer seat of power in the city of Calak­ We decide to set up camp and the occupation of this ancient city? foreign territories during the hey­ mul. But what did the loss of in­ wait out the night. For many of the For the last seven years, an day of Classic Maya culture (250 dependence and integration into students, it’s their first night in the archaeology project team from AD – 900 AD). a foreign dominion mean for the inhabitants of Uxul? Did they have Excavation of a water reservoir in the settlement, which extended over three adjacent plateaus in an exposed position in a to pay tribute to the Kaan dynasty range of hills. of Calakmul? Did new settlers ar­ rive? And how did the new rulers change the face of the city? The ancient settlement of Uxul is spread over three adjacent pla­ teaus of a hill range that extends from northern Guatemala to east­ ern Campeche in Mexico. To the east and west of these hills are ex­ panses of low-lying land that turn into swamps during the rainy sea­ son. The central area of the city is situated on the highest and broad­ est plateau, approximately 50 me­ tres above two artificial water res­ ervoirs, almost 10,000 m2 in size. The western flank of the hilly ridge falls away steeply and was there­ fore probably strategically impor­ tant as a form of defence. While the extent of the site to the south, west and north can be clearly de­ limited by topographical bounda­ ries and, especially, the transition to the low-lying swamp, the limits of the settlement in the eastern part are harder to define. Here there are smaller hills that could have pro­ vided suitable terrain for the simple 20 Humanities and Social Sciences german research 1 / 2016 german research 1 / 2016 21

huts used by the ordinary inhabit­ tial groups of the settlement. We most glorious epoch of Calakmul, ants, which were made of perish­ are now in a position to recon­ during which three long-lived and able materials – and for which it is struct the chronology of occupa­ charismatic kings reigned. therefore difficult to find archaeo­ tion in detail. We are helped by The dominance of Calakmul logical evidence. a ceramic sequence that stretches is most evident during the reign from around 400 BC to the early of the Uxul king Muyal Chaak ince 2009, 3 km² of the settle­ colonial period. In addition, the (“cloud rain god”; 660 AD – ca. 680 S ment has been topographically inscriptions on more than 30 AD) and the decades after. Excava­ surveyed and approximately 800 stone monuments at the site tell tions show that during this period, buildings and a number of natu­ us about the city’s zenith in the the urban centre was redesigned in ral and artificial landscape features Late Classic Period between 600 imitation of Calakmul. This is very have been discovered and meas­ AD and 750 AD. obvious in the eastern plaza in the ured. We now believe that during This period is of great signifi­ centre of the city, which bears such its heyday Uxul had a population cance in the history of Uxul. Be­ a striking resemblance to the main of around 5000 to 7000 people. tween 630 AD and 640 AD, the city plaza of Calakmul that it could be More than 30 buildings have came under the rule of Calakmul. described as a copy of the city’s been partially or fully uncovered, Whether this was the result of mili­ design. The monuments from this the hydraulic system and the two tary conquest or a political-dynastic period also follow an iconographic large reservoirs have been studied, alliance cannot yet be determined programme and conventions of and more than 150 test trenches from the finds. But it is clear that portrayal known from other sites have been dug in all the residen­ this foreign rule coincided with the ruled by the Kaan dynasty.

A jovial motif on a stone wall tablet: King Yukno’m Yich’ak K’ahk’ of the Kaan dynasty of Calakmul playing ball, 695 AD.

Patience and precision: two ceramic hand drums are reconstructed in the ceramics laboratory of the Mexican antiquities authority.

The impacts of foreign rule in AD. A temple was erected, which is presumably a manifestation of Uxul could be especially accurately may have been dedicated to a wa­ the rain god Chaak, who was of traced from the excavations in the ter deity. It consisted of two adja­ primary importance to the Maya. royal palace carried out between cent small rooms separated by a With its modest dimensions, the 2011 and 2015. Out of the at least central passage. The façade and in­ temple is emblematic of the small eleven buildings, several plat­ terior of the building were painted but independent kingdom of Uxul forms and boundary walls of the in brilliant pink, red and orange. in the Early Classic Period. palace complex, which measures Through the slightly raised floor Around 650 AD the temple was 130 metres x 130 metres, the most of the temple run several partly built over with the large entrance intensive investigation took place open drainage channels, designed building of the newly erected pal­ in the entrance building, an im­ to carry water away during the ace complex. When we uncovered pressive structure 60 metres long rainy season from the higher areas the southern steps of this building and almost 10 metres high. With south of the building to the lower we found a number of hieroglyphic a history spanning around 450 areas north of the temple. tablets, several of which depict the years but only two main phases powerful rulers of the Kaan dynasty of construction, it is representative uring the 2013 excavation engaged in a ritual ball game. This of several historical key moments D campaign, on one side of the indicates the profound influence of in the development of Uxul. passage between the two rooms Calakmul on ritual and political life The first building phase took we discovered a mural depicting in Uxul. In a trench in one of the place during the period of early an unclothed fisherman with a rooms in the entrance building, a settlement and construction on paddle in one hand, a fish in the richly appointed burial chamber the central plateau around 300 other and a basket full of fish. This was discovered. The spectacular 22 Humanities and Social Sciences german research 1 / 2016 Interview german research 1 / 2016 23

Rembert Unterstell palace were built over. The hiero­ glyphic tablets with the images of the Kaan rulers were used back to front in the steps and partially bro­ A Matter of Taste ken up – a dramatic and symbolic expression of their loss of power Biochemist Wolfgang Meyerhof studies the basic mechanisms of the long-neglected and their demise, and ultimately sense of taste. He also seeks to understand the relationship between taste and nutri­ the demise of the city itself. tion. We spoke to him about the world of bitter receptors, eating the abdomens of The discovery of many spear honeybees for sweetness, and taste preferences and aversions. points and lanceheads in the most recent layer of the palace courtyard indicates that Uxul came to a vio­ n my area of research I regularly lent end. The city’s downfall may be I deal with a lot of experts – 80 connected to other violent conflicts million of them in Germany”, says that shook the whole of the Maya Wolfgang Meyerhof by way of in­ lowlands in the 8th century and fi­ troduction. This bodes well for our nally led to the collapse of Classic interview in his office in Potsdam- Maya culture. The city of Uxul is Rehbrücke. therefore an excellent example of For nutrition researchers like a small Maya kingdom that came Meyerhof with an interest in basic under the rule of a large and power­ principles, it’s all a question of taste ful state but was ultimately pulled – and its consequences. In-depth down by the collapse of the domi­ research into the sense of taste nant state and finally abandoned. only began 15 years ago, perhaps because in the hierarchy of human senses, taste (along with smell) ranks as one of the lower senses. Yet taste preferences and aversions determine what we eat and drink and therefore influence our health and wellbeing. The gustatory sense Map showing the settlement of Uxul, a Maya city in the state of Campeche in Mexico. controls individual eating behav­

Prof. Dr. Nikolai Grube iour. The first question comes easily grave goods, particularly the ceram­ it completely changed the face of holds the Chair of Anthropology of the to mind. ics, some of which have relief and the city. Completely new build­ Americas and Ethnology at the Institute of german research: Mr. Meyerhof, for painted decoration, exhibit a strik­ ings appeared, based on groups of Archaeology and Cultural Anthropology at some people the best dish in the world the University of Bonn. ing similarity to those found in Ca­ buildings and main squares in Ca­ is grilled salmon steak with vegetables lakmul. The inscriptions on the ce­ lakmul: pyramid temples, palaces, Dr. Kai Delvendahl and rosemary potatoes, while for oth- is a research assistant in the Department of ramic vessels indicate that the burial ballcourts and open spaces. In this the Anthropology of the Americas at the ers it’s an organic cheese with a mixed belonged to a prince who was not respect, Uxul is a singular example: Institute of Archaeology and Cultural An- salad, or maybe a simple but hearty however in direct line to the throne. there are few other cities where the thropology at the University of Bonn. He has cheese sandwich. What is your favour- The Early Classic temple and new rulers appear to have used ar­ directed excavations in Uxul since 2011. ite food? many other structures from the 4th, chitecture in such a way to express Contact: Proyecto Arqueológico Uxul, Wolfgang Meyerhof: I don’t 5th and 6th centuries AD were built their power. Abteilung für Altamerikanistik und Ethnolo- have one. I like anything my wife gie, Institut für Archäologie und Kultur­ over during a period of positively anthropologie, Universität Bonn, Oxfordstr. 15, and I cook ourselves. It might be bombastic monumentality under he archaeological finds also 53111 Bonn hearty German fare or traditional the powerful influence of the Kaan reveal the story of the end French or lighter Italian food. T www.iae.uni-bonn.de/forschung/ dynasty in Calakmul. This phase of the city’s occupation. Around forschungsprojekte/laufende- What is your main area of interest only lasted for about 80 years, but 740 AD, the steps leading to the projekte/uxul Illustration: Unterstell as a taste researcher? 24 Interview german research 1 / 2016 german research 1 / 2016 25

derstand why people reject certain The sense of taste involves not foods. Also, unlike the sweet taste, just the five different tastes – bit­ Profile there are no caloric effects on in­ ter, salty, sweet, umami and sour Professor Dr. Wolfgang Meyer­ take to take into account. – but also the sense of smell. Many hof, Professor of Molecular Ge­ For a long time you’ve been study- researchers refer to the combina­ netics at the University of Pots­ ing bitter receptors and modulators … tion of odour and taste as “flavour”. dam, has led the department of When we started working on The overall taste experience is then the same name at the German taste 15 years ago, little or noth­ formed in the head. Institute of Human Nutrition ing was known about the under­ What role do our genes play? in Potsdam- lying basic cellular and molecular Genetics make little difference Rehbrücke mechanisms. We started with the to sweet, sour and salty tastes. But (DIfE) since receptors to unravel the physiology with bitter tastes, there are distinct 1994. Hav­ and pharmacology of taste one step differences between individuals ing obtained at a time. We have since identified and varying sensitivities to certain his doctorate 25 bitter receptor genes – and thus bitter substances. in biochem­ discovered the basis for the percep­ And what is the influence of culture Graphic: Meyerhof Working Group Graphic: Meyerhof Working

Illustration: Unterstell istry and his tion of different bitter substances. on taste perception? habilitation in cell biochemis­ What result did you find surprising? Although taste sensitivity is There are five tastes: sweet, sour, above shows a receptor with a try, he initially studied struc­ Perhaps the fact that there is a genetically fixed, the evaluation he sense of taste ture-function relationships of whole squad of bitter receptors but of taste is culturally dependent. bitter, salty and umami (meaty). T bitter substance attached), the G protein-coupled receptors just one single sweet receptor – that Here in Germany, no one would There are special receptors for are embedded in the papilla of receptor sends a signal to the before turning his attention to surprised me. contemplate eating the abdomens each taste. Receptor cells regis­ the tongue. When a substance brain. The sensory impressions the molecular neurobiology Can you briefly summarise the sys- of honeybees as a sugar substitute. ter the taste notes. The cells are docks on the corresponding are “read” and evaluated by the and pharmacology of the sense tematic differences between the percep- The idea of eating insects is not located in the taste buds, which type of receptor cell (the picture gustatory cortex. of taste and thus the biological tion of sweet and bitter? widespread here. foundations of food choices. We are programmed to like sweet So it’s a combination of genetics and ment it is offered; then, from an research is relatively unimportant How will eating habits develop in His extensive research, funded tastes; this serves the physiological cultural environment? evolutionary point of view, young to this. One of the bitter blockers we the Western world? in several cases by the DFG, is purpose of making nourishment Yes, and of course individual ex­ children are fearful of new foods to described is now being marketed. There is a danger that the im­ internationally noted. Meyerhof accessible in the form of carbohy­ perience plays an important role, protect themselves against poison­ But I think the market potential of pacts of malnutrition will increase is a member of the Leopoldina drates. It is also natural, particularly starting in childhood. A child who ing. But when they realise that a these substances is overestimated; further: obesity, heart disease and and the recipient of the Inter­ for young children, to avoid eating eats lots of different foods in the taste is good for them, they become the situation in the sweet sector is metabolic syndrome, to name a few national Flavors and Fragrances bitter-tasting foods. From a physi­ early years will develop different receptive to it – and they quickly very different. of the key ones. The reason for this Award 2013, presented by the ological point of view, this offers eating behaviour from a child who develop preferences. In other What challenges will taste research is our changed lifestyles, particularly Association for Chemoreception protection against potential toxins never had that experience. This words, parents can help to shape face in the future? the hectic pace of everyday life. This Sciences, and the Excellence in food. But the “eureka” moment is where financial circumstances their children’s taste preferences. It starts with simple things. We began much sooner in North Amer­ in Flavor Science Award, pre­ for us was the discovery that not all come into play. If you can’t afford Are your research findings, for ex- still don’t know how the sour taste ica. The danger is that we will follow sented by the Flavor and Extract bitter tastes are universally rejected. caviar, you don’t eat caviar. ample relating to bitter blockers, used works. And we only partially un­ the same pattern in due course. Manufacturers Association. What does this mean? And once preferences have been by the food industry? derstand the processes by which Does the future belong to fast food We eat bitter foods in various learned, what consequences does this It would be more accurate to say information is received, transmit­ or slow food? forms, for example an espresso or have? the flavour industry. There are com­ ted and processed, from the tongue Slow food isn’t accessible to We study the sense of taste with a vegetable like chicory. But over­ It would be a good thing if par­ panies which manufacture flavours to the relevant areas of the brain everyone because not everyone the aim of acquiring basic knowl­ all, and this is a new perspective, ents were informed about the fun­ and supply them to the food indus­ and groups of cells. Researchers can afford it. There is a risk that edge about it. We started by focus­ the bitter taste seems to be more damental principles of taste prefer­ try. Scientifically speaking, bitter studying smell and taste are par­ the future belongs to fast food, but sing on the bitter taste, and later of a regulating sense that enables ence formation. Then they would blockers are interesting because in ticularly interested in the so-called for the individual there are other we continued by investigating the us to approach “suspicious” bitter understand that they can’t offer a an ideal scenario they make it pos­ input-output coupling: Why does options – choosing a varied diet and perception of sweet and fat tastes. substances with caution. toddler five spoonfuls of spinach if sible to determine the contribution a bitter taste make us spit some­ healthy lifestyle. The reason we started with the bit­ We don’t just taste with the tongue, the child has never eaten it before. of an individual receptor to a taste thing out, but a sweet taste make ter taste is that it is aversive, so you but also with the cortex, where the over- Until a child is weaned, it doesn’t experience. Naturally, this is also of us swallow? And why isn’t it the Interview: Dr. Rembert Unterstell, can study taste aversions and un­ all taste impression is formed … have to worry about the nourish­ interest to industry. But our basic other way round? Publishing Executive Editor of german research. 26 Natural Sciences german research 1 / 2016 german research 1 / 2016 27

Thomas Reiprich Measuring the Invisible

Dark energy makes up most of the universe, permeating distant galaxies and our solar system. Yet it remains largely unresearched. The international X-ray telescope consortium eROSITA is promising to deliver some spectacular insights into fundamental aspects of astrophysics.

The Abell 383 galaxy cluster. The X-rays emitted by the hot gas are overlaid on an optical image in purple. Illustration: X-ray: NASA/CXC/Caltech/A.Newman et al/Tel Aviv/A.Morandi & M.Limousin; Optical: NASA/STScI, ESO/VLT, SDSS & M.Limousin; Optical: NASA/STScI, ESO/VLT, Aviv/A.Morandi Illustration: X-ray: NASA/CXC/Caltech/A.Newman et al/Tel 28 Natural Sciences german research 1 / 2016 german research 1 / 2016 29

ark energy has had a chequered Above: Highest tech – eROSITA is made D history. The physicist Albert Ein­ up of seven mirrors, each of which con- stein introduced it as a “cosmological sists of 54 mirror shells. There is an X-ray constant” in his equations almost 100 CCD detector at the focal point of each years ago. He was motivated by a de­ mirror. Below: From the model to the sire to show that the universe could real object – a front view of eROSITA. be, to some extent, static. However, after it became increasingly obvious that the universe could not be static now believe in the existence of dark but was expanding, he withdrew the energy. Observations of galaxy clus­ idea of the cosmological constant; in­ ters and cosmic microwave back­ deed he regretted it. But why? Per­ ground radiation in particular have haps because the universe cannot be played a part in this. Most measure­ static even with the assumption of a ments show that dark energy makes cosmological constant or because he up around 70 percent of all the mat­ could have predicted the expansion ter and energy in the universe. of the universe without it, using only Galaxy clusters are the larg­ his equations. est and most massive components The cosmological constant was of the universe. They have diam­ to become of interest again later on, eters of 10 million light years and to increase the age that had been as much mass as a quadrillion suns. calculated for the universe when it They are collections of hundreds or seemed that globular clusters were thousands of galaxies. Due to the considerably older than the uni­ enormously deep gravitational well verse itself. After the age estimates pull, the gas between these galax­ had been revised, the cosmological ies is heated to a temperature of 10 constant was dispensed with again. to 100 million degrees Celsius and Illustrations: Max-Planck-Institut für extraterrestrische Physik In 1997, observations of superno­ radiates particularly strongly in the vae, explosions of stars, indicated X-ray range. Although it is invisible that the value of the cosmological to optical telescopes, the gas weighs Graphic: Max-Planck-Institut für extraterrestrische Physik constant was close to zero. almost ten times as much as all the In the following two years, this stars in all the galaxies in a cluster. result was again revised and two Measuring the luminosity and tem­ teams came independently to the perature of the gas with X-ray satel­ conclusion that the cosmological lites allows not only the mass of the constant had a value greater than gas to be determined, but also the zero, for which they received the total mass of the cluster. Nobel Prize for Physics in 2011. A key result is that around 85 These initial indications have percent of a galaxy cluster is dark now been confirmed with other matter. The future of our universe is completely independent methods determined by dark energy. For ex­ and as a result, most cosmologists ample, it could cause a “Big Crunch” and the universe could collapse in on itself again. Or, if the dark energy Top: eROSITA hangs from a crane. can be described with the cosmo­ Bottom: the mirror module of the X-ray logical constant, the galaxies could telescope, which is expected to be the main continue to move further and fur­ instrument on board the Russian satellite ther away from us until no more Foto: von den Hoff “Spektrum-Roentgen-Gamma” in 2016. galaxies are visible. Illustration: Herbin 30 Natural Sciences german research 1 / 2016 german research 1 / 2016 31

Another possibility which ob­ X-ray wavelengths and discover more than five billion years ago. The servations have not yet excluded around 100,000 galaxy clusters, in­ method is in principle as follows: is the “Big Rip”. In this scenario, cluding all the massive clusters in the Something invisible – dark matter an increase in the density of dark whole of the observable universe. in galaxy clusters – is measured to energy will cause all objects to be eROSITA follows ROSAT, the suc­ find out more about another invis­ pulled apart until finally even atoms cessful German mission of the 1990s, ible entity – dark energy. To do this are destroyed – another reason why with which around 2000 galaxy clus­ scientists will examine galaxy clus­ it would be interesting to find out ters and a host of other astronomical ters originating from a time before more about the fundamental prop­ sources of X-rays were discovered. the formation of our solar system. erties of dark energy. Structures in the universe are Will this succeed? A team of In 2006, the US Dark Energy created from small objects which researchers from the University of Task Force (DETF) issued an influ­ California Santa Cruz and the Uni­ ential report. It identified promis­ versity of Bonn was able to show ing methods with which to recently that eROSITA will in­ continue investigating dark deed be equal to the demands energy. The procedure of a level IV experiment. was broken down into eROSITA is expected to several stages – from be able to determine I (completed pro­ the equation of state of jects) to IV (the dark energy, the “holy best major future grail”, to within a few projects). While percent. Neverthe­ SPRINGEL(MPA)/IRAP GARCIA NOMBELA-ART-ERES.NET/VOLKER Montage: JAVIER initially conceived less it will require independently considerable effort The Athena X-ray observatory has been selected by the European Space Agency to support its next major scientific mission into space. of the DETF, the to really exploit the German X-ray tel­ full potential. For cosmological parameters. Theoreti­ thing, it can be expected that the galaxy clusters in the deep young escope eROSITA is example, it must be cal considerations indicate that it new findings will throw up new universe. expected to be real­ possible to determine might not be necessary to intro­ problems. For another thing there The astronomers around the ised as the first stage the redshift (a measure duce this mysterious dark energy are already many fundamental world supporting Athena are IV project in the world. of distance) and the mass to explain current observations. As questions being asked in astrophys­ thrilled that the European Space of the galaxy clusters ac­ an alternative, one could assume ics which can only be answered Agency has chosen Athena as its hat is eROSITA curately. This requires data that Einstein’s General Theory with a completely new X-ray tel­ next major scientific mission. W and how will it ad­ from other wavelengths, in­ of Relativity must be extended. escope. This would have to be vance research into dark energy? Gr s cluding optical surveys of the sky. eROSITA is eminently suitable for many times more powerful than aphi ysic c: M l Ph ax P restria eROSITA (extended ROentgen Sur­ lanck Institute for Extrater The team in Bonn was able to distinguishing between these two eROSITA. vey with an Imaging Telescope Ar­ show that eROSITA will be able options (dark energy or modified Meanwhile a team of several ray) is the main instrument on board The logo of the German eROSITA consortium. to determine the redshift and the laws of gravity) because the devel­ hundred astronomers from mainly the Russian satellite “Spektrum- gas temperature (a measure of the opment of galaxy clusters is very European institutions have shown Roentgen-Gamma” which is sched­ over time merge to form ever larger mass) for some of the newly dis­ dependent on gravitation. A better that the proposed new X-ray mis­ uled for launch into an L2 orbit from objects. The largest objects in the covered galaxy clusters directly. understanding of the effects we at­ sion Athena could solve many Baikonur in 2016. Its construction is form of galaxy clusters are therefore The algorithms for finding galaxy tribute to dark energy has the po­ problems in astrophysics – re­ being supervised by the Max Planck still developing now. Whether a gal­ clusters in the X-ray data are highly tential to shake physics to its foun­ search questions which cannot be Prof. Dr. Thomas H. Reiprich Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics axy cluster can develop depends on significant in this process. So there dations. It appears from this point answered with any other research holds a Heisenberg Professorship for Astro- in Garching; it is funded by the Ger­ the presence of dark energy. remains a great deal of scientific in time that eROSITA will play an tool. With many other astronomers, physics at the University of Bonn. man Aerospace Agency (Deutsches To narrow down the properties preparation to be carried out be­ important role here. the team in Bonn has shown that Contact: Argelander-Institut für Astronomie, Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt, of dark energy, the researchers will fore the launch, but the prospects Athena represents a quantum leap Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms- DLR) and the Max Planck Society count and weigh galaxy clusters for eROSITA are excellent. ill all the puzzles of astro­ for understanding the development Universität Bonn, Auf dem Hügel 71, 53121 Bonn plus several German universities. with eROSITA: both current galaxy In the final analysis, it is not W physics and cosmology be of hot matter in galaxy clusters as eROSITA will search all the sky at clusters and others from the past, only about narrowing down a few solved? Certainly not. For one it will penetrate as far as the first www.dark-energy.net 32 Impressum german research 1 / 2016

The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft

The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Founda­ Research Training Groups are university training programmes established tion) is the central self-governing organisation responsible for promoting for a specific time period to support young researchers by actively involv­ research in Germany. According to its statutes, the DFG serves all branches ing them in research work. This focusses on a coherent, topically defined, of science and the humanities. The DFG supports and coordinates research research and study programme. Re­search Training Groups are designed to projects in all scientific disciplines, in particular in the areas of basic and ap­ promote the early independence of doctoral students and intensify inter­ plied research. Particular attention is paid to promoting young researchers. national exchange. They are open to international participants. In Interna- Researchers who work at a university or research institution in Germa­ tional Research Training Groups, a jointly structured doctoral programme is ny are eligible to apply for DFG funding. Proposals will be peer reviewed. offered by German and foreign universities. Other funding opportunities The final assessment will be carried out by review boards, the members of for qualified young researchers are offered by the Heisenberg Programme and which are elected by researchers in Germany in their individual subject the Emmy Noether Programme. In so called Reinhart Koselleck Projects, the DFG areas every four years. supports especially innovative research undertakings by outstanding scien­ The DFG distinguishes between the following programmes for research tists and academics. funding: In the Individual Grants Programme, any researcher can apply for fi­ The Excellence Initiative aims to promote top-level research and improve nancial assistance for an individual research project. 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On an international level, the DFG has assumed to provide scientific and technical services. the role of Scientific Representative to international organisations, coordi­ Collaborative Research Centres are long-term university research centres nates and funds the German contribution towards large-scale international in which scientists and academics pursue ambitious joint interdisciplinary research programmes, and supports international scientific relations. research undertakings. They are generally established for a period of twelve Another important role of the DFG is to provide policy advice to parlia­ years. In addition to the classic Collaborative Research Centres, which are ments and public authorities on scientific issues. A large number of expert concentrated at one location and open to all subject areas, the DFG also of­ commissions and committees provide the scientific background for the pass­ fers several programme variations. CRC/Transregios allow various locations to ing of new legislation, primarily in the areas of environmental protection co­operate on one topical focus. Cultural Studies Research Centres are designed­ and health care. Screenshot: www.twitter.com/dfg_public to support the transition in the humanities to an integrated cultural studies The legal status of the DFG is that of an association under private law. Its paradigm. 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The fields and create temporary, internationally visible research priorities at re­ eral states, as well as an annual contribution from the Donors’ Association first event tweeted about was an evening talk entitled “Proofs, Er- search universities. for the Promotion of Sciences and Humanities in Germany. rors and a Ham Sandwich” by mathematician and Leibniz prizewin- ner Günter M. Ziegler, whose description of a journey of discov- ery through the history of mathematics research delivered some surprising revelations. The talk was well received by an audience of Impressum around 250 in Bonn and didn’t go unnoticed by the channel’s first followers who now, just a couple months later, number more than german research is published by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation); 1,600. Information and debate in 140 characters: the microblogging Publisher: WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, P.O. Box 10 11 61, 69541 Weinheim, Germany; service broadens the range of options for communication. The DFG’s For the annual subscription rate please refer to the Wiley Online Library: Press and Public Relations uses both analogue and digital media to http://olabout.wiley.com/WileyCDA/Section/id-404508.html Address of editorial staff: DFG, Press and Public Relations, Kennedyallee 40, 53175 Bonn, Germany; create a productive environment for interaction. Tried and tested media [email protected]; www.dfg.de formats such as press releases, the DFG magazine german research Editor-in-chief: Marco Finetti (responsible for content) and the content at www.dfg.de/en all boast individual features de- Publishing Executive Editor: Dr. Rembert Unterstell signed to reach different target groups. 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