Marie Curie Doctoral NetworksRecently Granted Doctoral Networks
AIPHY: Challenging AI with Challenges from Physics: How to solve fundamental problems in Physics by AI and vice versa
Project duration: 01.10.2024 – 30.09.2028
The potential for using artificial intelligence to answer open questions in elementary particle physics is the topic of the doctoral network “Challenging AI with Challenges from Physics: How to solve fundamental problems in Physics by AI and vice versa” (AIPHY). The goal is to develop optimum methods for the AI-supported analysis of complex physical data that has been collected with the Large Hadron Collider at the European research center CERN (Switzerland). Conversely, the research aims to gain novel insights into AI-based predictions. The doctoral network will be coordinated by Dr Anja Butter, a group leader at the Institute for Theoretical Physics at Heidelberg University and at the Laboratoire de physique nucléaire et des hautes énergies (LPNHE), which belongs to the Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS) and Sorbonne University (France). Participating on the Heidelberg side are also Prof. Dr Tilman Plehn (Theoretical Physics) and Prof. Dr Jürgen Hesser, a scientist at the Mannheim Institute for Intelligent Systems in Medicine, which is located at the Medical Faulty Mannheim of Heidelberg University. Partners at the European level are, besides the CNRS and the Sorbonne, the universities of Milan (Italy), Geneva (Switzerland) and Copenhagen (Denmark). All five universities are members of the 4EU+ European University Alliance.
Coordination: University Heidelberg
Head (Heidelberg): Dr Anja Butter
Institution (Heidelberg): Institute for Theorethical Phyisics
CILIA-AI: European Training Program for Deconvolution of Multi-scale Cilia Function in Health and Disease by Integrating Machine Learning-AI Approaches
Project duration: 01.01.2025 – 31.12.2028
The question of how the activity of cellular cilia impacts on health and illness of organisms is the focus of the doctoral network “European Training Program for Deconvolution of Multi-scale Cilia Function in Health and Disease by Integrating Machine Learning-AI Approaches” (CILIA-AI). The primary cilia – microtubule projections of the cell membrane that resemble microscopic hairs – are of special significance for cellular signal transmission and for physiological functions such as hearing, smell, respiration or reproduction. The aim of the research studies is to achieve a better understanding of the organization and regulation of cilia in health and disease. Accordingly, super-resolution datasets are to be gained with advanced imaging techniques, then analyzed and combined with machine-learning approaches. The doctoral network CILIA-AI is being coordinated at the Stichting Radboud Universitair Medisch Centrum in Nijmegen (Netherlands). Directing the studies on the Heidelberg side is Prof. Dr Robert Russell, who investigates the evolution of proteins with his research group at Heidelberg University’s BioQuant and at the Heidelberg University Biochemistry Center.
Coordination: Stichting Radboud Universitair Medisch Centrum, Niederlande
Head (Heidelberg): Prof. Dr Robert Russell
Institution (Heidelberg): BioQuant
RESCO4NoPain: Frontier RESearch COmpetences for Neuro-modulation and Oscillations in Pain
Project duration: 01.02.2025 – 31.01.2029
Testing a mechanistic approach to non-medicinal treatment of chronic pain is the topic of the doctoral network “FRESCO4NoPain – Frontier RESearch COmpetences for Neuro-modulation and Oscillations in Pain”. Its focus is neuronal oscillations generated by the human brain that also influence perception. The researchers hypothesize that many types of persistent pain are due to maladaptive brain oscillatory activity. In the interplay between basic research, experimental tests and clinical studies, the study aims to discover whether non-invasive neuromodulation is suited to treating pain. The coordinating institution for the MSCA doctoral network is Aalborg Universitet (Denmark). Leading the work at Heidelberg University is Prof. Dr Rohini Kuner, Executive Director of the Institute of Pharmacology, which is located at the Medical Faculty Heidelberg of Heidelberg University.
Coordination: Aalborg University, Dänemark
Head (Heidelberg): Prof. Dr Rohini Kuner
Institution (Heidelberg): Medical Faculty Heidelberg
GREENS: A Training Programme on 5R’s implementation in the design, manufacturing and application of micro and nanorobotic platforms
Project duration: 01.02.2025 – 31.01.2029
Making the product cycle of micro- and nanorobots more sustainable is the goal of the doctoral network “A Training Programme on 5R’s implementation in the design, manufacturing and application of micro and nanorobotic platforms” (GREENS). To date, research on such micro- and nano-scale robots has concentrated on techniques to produce and deploy as many of them as possible in a cost-efficient manner, for example to be able, in future, to transport active substances in the human body. The GREENS doctoral network aims to investigate how the whole process – from manufacture and production to application, right up to the disposal of micro and nano robots – can be designed sustainably and minimize their impact on the environment. The network is coordinated at the University of Barcelona (Spain). The Heidelberg project is led by Prof. Dr Eva Blasco. Her group does research at the interface of macromolecular chemistry, materials science and nanofabrication at the Institute for Molecular Systems Engineering and Advanced Materials of Heidelberg University.
Coordination: University of Barcelona, Spanien
Head (Heidelberg): Prof. Dr Eva Blasco
Institution (Heidelberg): IMSEAM
Editor's note: The contract negotiations have not yet been concluded.
PICKED: PersonalIzed medicine in Chronic KidnEy Disease
Project duration: 01.10.2024 – 30.09.2028
Personalized medical approaches to treating chronic kidney diseases are the focus of the doctoral network “PersonalIzed medicine in Chronic KidnEy Disease” (PICKED). Despite the vast number of people worldwide with chronic kidney disease, the socio-economic impacts of this condition have so far been largely overlooked, which is leading to shortfalls in the development of personalized medical options. The doctoral candidates of the PICKED network will work in an interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral way to develop individualized strategies to meet patients’ needs in the fields of detection, progression and treatment. The institution coordinating the PICKED doctoral network is the Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale in Paris (France). The lead supervisor on the Heidelberg side is Prof. Dr Franz Schaefer, head of the division for Pediatric Nephrology at the Center for Child and Adolescent Medicine of Heidelberg University Hospital.
Coordination: Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale, Frankreich
Head (Heidelberg): Prof. Dr Franz Schaefer
Institution (Heidelberg): Medical Faculty Heidelberg