NCCR Chemical Biology
2010 series
Home institutions: University of Geneva, EPFL
The National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) "Chemical Biology - Visualisation and Control of Biological Processes Using Chemistry" uses chemistry tools to obtain a better understanding of life at the molecular level.
Until now, few technologies could characterise in detail the countless biochemical activities that constitute a living cell. In the NCCR Chemical Biology, chemists, biochemists, physicists and cell biologists develop innovative techniques based on small molecules and proteins to obtain new information about cellular processes and control them in-situ. The new tools will be applicable to various biological phenomena like visualising the activity of selected proteins during cell division and investigating how membranes control the activity of proteins in them. The NCCR is also engaged in establishing a platform for chemical screening aimed at developing a new generation of molecules with biological effects.
Further information on the NCCR:
Contact details
NCCR Management
NCCR Director
Prof. Robbie Loewith
Director, NCCR Chemical Biology University of Geneva
Department of Molecular Biology
30, quai Ernest-Ansermet
CH-1211 Genève 4
Phone: +41 (0) 22 379 61 16
Email: Robbie.Loewith@unige.chCo-Director
Prof. Christian Heinis
EPFL
Institut des sciences et ingénierie chimiques
EPFL SB ISIC LPPT
BCH 5305 (Bâtochime)
CH-1015 Lausanne
Phone: +41 (0) 21 693 93 50
Email: christian.heinis@epfl.chManagement / Coordination
Dr. Phaedra Simitsek
Université de Genève
Sciences II, bureau 3-308
30 quai Ernest Ansermet
CH-1211 Genève 4
Phone: +41 (0) 22 379 64 07
Email: Phaedra.Simitsek@unige.chFunding
NCCRs are financed through grants awarded by the SNSF, but also from other sources. The home institution involved in the NCCR also contributes a substantial amount of money. The available overall budget of the NCCR is further increased by monetary contributions from the project participants and third-party funds, which are generally invested by industrial companies.
The SNSF is financing the NCCR Chemical Biology in its third funding period.
Financing 2010 – 2021 (Swiss francs)
Funding source
2010-2013
2014-2017
2018-2021
SNSF grant*
13'300'000
14’630’000
10'670'000
Funds of Geneva University*
3’150’000
4’267’880
3'488'383
Funds of EPFL*
6’000’000
6’000’000
5'020'000
Group funds of the project participants
3‘631‘371
7'839'172
2'414'277
External funds
130‘596
18‘400
0
Evaluation / Review Panel
For each NCCR, the SNSF appoints a Review Panel composed of renowned experts whose task it is to evaluate scientific quality and the progress made in NCCR projects. The Review Panel of the NCCR Chemical Biology consists of the following experts:
Contact person at the SNSF:
Dr. Anaëlle Foucault-Dumas
NCCR Team
Swiss National Science Foundation
Wildhainweg 3
3001 Berne
Phone: +41 (0) 31 308 22 92
Email: anaelle.foucault@snf.chResearch structures
National Centres of Competence in Research leave their mark on the research landscape well beyond the SNSF funding period. They help to define key topics and sustainably change Swiss research structures. Thus NCCRs can lead to the creation of new professorships and courses of study as well as new infrastructures or platforms at the universities involved.
NCCRs operate as a network in which a large number of scientific partners are active. Working within these networks has borne fruit in the form of new research approaches and excellent scientific contributions.
Structures created by this NCCR until now:
Contributions to society and the economy
The National Centres of Competence in Research not only engage in cutting-edge research, they also play an important role in transferring knowledge and new technologies to the economy and to society at large. They lead to the formation of start-ups, and the new insights have the potential to awaken the interest of politicians, globally active companies and the public at large.
Communication and knowledge transfer of the NCCR Chemical Biology:
Promotion of academic careers and equal opportunities
The National Centres of Competence in Research consciously promote promising young researchers and are committed to equal opportunities for men and women in research.
Measures taken by the NCCR Chemical Biology to promote young researchers and gender equality.