The National Centres of Competence in Research NCCR
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Swiss National Science Foundation Wildhainweg 3 The National Centres of Competence PO Box 8232 CH - 3001 Berne in Research NCCR Phone: +41 (0)31 308 22 22 Cutting Edge Research Made in Switzerland Fax: +41 (0)31 301 30 09 E-mail: [email protected] www.snsf.ch Content 2 Introduction 4 | 5 NCCR “Nanoscale Science” NCCR “FINRISK” NCCR “Neuro” NCCR “Structural Biology” 6 NCCR “CO-ME” Special care thanks to ultrasound robots 9 | 10 NCCR “Climate” NCCR “North-South” NCCR “MICS” NCCR “Molecular Oncology” 11 NCCR “Genetics” International laurels for a genetics lab 14 | 15 NCCR “MaNEP” NCCR “Iconic Criticism” NCCR “IM2” NCCR “Mediality” 16 Research in networks – the NCCR recipe for success 18 NCCR “Quantum Photonics” Fertile ground for young firms 21 | 22 NCCR “Trade Regulation” NCCR “Affective Sciences” NCCR “QSIT” NCCR “MUST” 23 NCCR “Plant Survival” Odour explorers in a cornfield 26 | 27 NCCR “Kidney.CH” NCCR “TransCure” NCCR “Robotics” NCCR “SYNAPSY” 28 NCCR “Democracy” The quality of democracies put to the scientific test 31 NCCR “LIVES” NCCR “Chemical Biology” 32 Imprint submitted for the eight NCCRs, indicating the areas that otherwise would require individual high level of interest in the NCCRs. Yet the sci- measures: entific selection is stringent and is carried out in – They leave a lasting mark that far outstrips several stages with recommendations from pan- the period for which they run. By focusing their els composed of international experts. content, the NCCRs have permanently changed There are many reasons why researchers join structures in the research landscape. This was together in consortia and compete to be awarded how, for example, the Centre for Democracy in a NCCR. For example, the instrument promises a Aarau was set up, and the Oeschger Centre for comparatively wide range of funding on a time- Climate Research was formed at the University scale that is unprecedented in Switzerland. A of Bern; 12-year perspective is invaluable to the research – They operate as a network in which a large sector because it allows new research fields to body of scientific partners are active. The work in The National Centres of Competence be developed and research approaches to be these networks has proved to be fertile ground in adopted on a trial and error basis. which original and innovative research approaches in Research: Secrets of a Swiss Success It is not only the researchers, but also the uni- can flourish; versities that benefit from being involved in – They have proven to be a successful means Story a NCCR. Being the host institution of a NCCR of knowledge and technology transfer. The way brings the promise of prestige and recogni- they are structured helps ensure that the results tion. Moreover, the universities use the NCCRs of basic research are channelled as directly as The National Centres of Competence in Research (NCCRs) are an innovative fund- to press ahead with structural change in their possible into society. Between the years 2001 ing instrument for promoting Swiss cutting-edge research. Working together institutions. NCCRs help them to reflect on their and 2008, the NCCRs entered into 580 partner- own strengths. “On the one hand, NCCRs give ships with companies and founded or supported in networks, researchers focus on more than two dozen topics ranging from the host institutions the opportunity to define 46 start-up enterprises. The expertise of the medical technology, research into emotions and chemical biology to framework strategic centres of competence, on the other, NCCRs has aroused the interest of corporate conditions for international trade. they place them under a financial obligation”, global players. explains René Schwarzenbach of the Swiss – They are a hotbed of talent. The NCCRs When the federal council decided to promote a in areas in which there is already a great deal of National Science Foundation, “which is what have created 63 assistant professorships, in new, targeted funding instrument for leading- knowledge and outstanding research achieve- makes the continuing interest in the NCCR fund- addition 972 junior researchers have completed edge research at the end of the 1990s, the aim ments. To do so, a network of partner institu- ing instrument all the more remarkable.” their doctorates in the NCCR doctorate pro- was clear: research must remain a trump card tions in which researchers collaborate closely gramme. Specific advancement of newcomers for Switzerland in the competition between sci- on an interdisciplinary basis, is established Background to a success story has allowed young researchers to fast-track their entific communities for new discoveries and around a centre of competence at a university academic careers and has helped other NCCR brilliant minds. Research is being increasingly or other higher-education research institution. The National Centres of Competence in Research doctoral students to succeed in business and acknowledged as the real driving force of a Synergies are created within this network while have therefore proven their worth for the indi- administration. country’s future development, where value cre- the interfaces between the various disciplines vidual research teams as well as for the Swiss ation relies to a growing extent on knowledge frequently give rise to new insights and innova- academic landscape. Above all, however, the It is undeniable that the NCCRs are a success, and innovation. tion. In a sense, the NCCRs generate a certain NCCRs are a scientific success. Their reputation and, what is more, they represent a particularly Switzerland is well on the way to becoming critical mass of expertise and state-of-the-art has attracted talented scientists from all over exciting chapter in the history of Swiss research a knowledge-based society and the National knowledge which enables Switzerland to keep the world, reinforcing Switzerland’s status as funding. This brochure is intended to provide an Centres of Competence in Research have con- pace with major research nations and to directly a centre of research. A progress report by the overview of the content and scope of the 27 tributed in no small way to this. “The NCCRs reinforce its scientific competitiveness. Swiss National Science Foundation shows that National Centres of Competence in Research. have achieved a great deal”, explains René between 2001 and 2008, approximately 10,000 Using facts and figures we will show what the Schwarzenbach, President of Division IV of the Attractive long term perspectives scientific publications were generated by the 20 NCCRs do, and with selected examples we will Swiss National Science Foundation, “thanks to NCCRs from the first and second round. (Further provide a closer look at the work of the research- their outstanding work, they have made lead- In the meantime, the long-term centres of com- details are contained in the centre part of this ers. In other words, we shall reveal the secrets ing-edge Swiss research more visible at national petence are leaving a lasting mark on the Swiss brochure.) of the making of a Swiss success story. and international level.” This view is also shared research landscape. The first series of NCCRs by foreign experts assessing the NCCRs from a will come to an end in 2013, while those of Thanks to the specific approach to their work, scientific perspective. the second round are in full swing, and a third in the form of intensive inter-institutional and In specific terms, the current 27 NCCRs are inten- round is currently being established for launch cross-disciplinary collaboration, the NCCRs ded to strengthen the Swiss research community in 2010. For this third series, 54 proposals were enable added value to be achieved in various 2 3 Fig. 4.1 Fig. 4.2 Fig. 3.1 Fig. 1.1–4 The nanosciences Fig. 4.1/4.2 The NCCR “Structural Biol- continue in their race to the ogy” studies, most notably, the structure of infinitely small. For this they rely Fig. 2.1 The NCCR “FINRISK” membrane proteins. Proteins are much too on new instruments such as tun- makes the results of its re- small to be observed by optic microscopy. nel microscopes. The maximum search available to the finan- Only processes such as electron microscopy, magnification obtained with these cial economy. At the annual nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, or instruments reveals the atoms in meeting of the Swiss Finance the analysis of the structure through X-rays the graphite tip of a pencil, magni- Institute, researcher Olivier The NCCR “Neuro” seeks specifically to develop new therapies to fight make it possible to obtain an image of crys- fied once, 300 times, 90,000 times, Scaillet presents a study on tallized proteins. 27 million times. how the element of chance against diseases of the nervous influences the performance system. Tissue samples of mice of investment funds. (Fig. 3.1) are analysed to study how the protein Flotillin (in green) is associated with Alzheimer’s disease (amyloid peptides, in blue). Combined with targeted training, therapy using the antibody blocking protein Nogo, allows rats with spinal cord lesions to recover their mobility (Fig. 3.2). Early clinical studies are Fig. 1.1 Fig. 1.2 Fig. 1.3 Fig. 1.4 already being conducted on human subjects. Fig. 3.2 1. NCCR “Nanoscale 4. NCCR “Structural Science” 2. NCCR “FINRISK” 3. NCCR “Neuro” Biology” The NCCR “Nanoscale Science – Impact on Life The NCCR “FINRISK – Financial Valuation and The NCCR “Neuro – Neural Plasticity and Repair” The NCCR “Structural Biology – Molecular Life Sciences, Sustainability, Information and Com- Risk Management” is devoted to understanding is working on restoring the functions of the Sciences: Three Dimensional Structure, Fold- munication Technologies” focuses on an area of risks associated with financial decision-making nervous system following injury or sickness. It ing and Interactions” investigates the structure research with great significance for the future.