In an illustrious acknowledgment of groundbreaking interdisciplinary research, four distinguished scholars from the University of Freiburg have been awarded the prestigious European Research Council (ERC) Synergy Grants. These grants are highly competitive, granted only to exceptional international collaborations that combine diverse scientific expertise to address complex, high-impact challenges. This year, from a pool of 712 proposals, only 66 projects were selected for funding, underscoring the merit and significance of the Freiburg-led initiatives.
Among the laureates, Prof. Dr. Stefan Glunz stands out with his visionary project “UltimatePV – Ultimate Photovoltaics,” which aspires to revolutionize solar cell technology. Glunz proposes the development of ultrathin photovoltaic devices using novel photonic structures that markedly enhance optical absorption while drastically reducing material use by an order of magnitude. This innovative approach exploits energy-selective contacts to harness photoexcited charge carriers before they dissipate energy thermally—pushing solar cell efficiency beyond current limits. Such advancements promise to accelerate the energy transition by producing cost-effective, sustainable, and ultra-efficient solar cells.
Prof. Glunz’s dual affiliation with the University of Freiburg’s Department of Sustainable Systems Engineering (INATECH) and the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE facilitates a powerful research synergy. The project also unites European collaborators including EPFL in Switzerland and France’s CNRS, supported further by leading research institutions like CSEM and IPVF. The ERC grant allocated nearly €10 million to this project, with €3.35 million directed to the University of Freiburg.
In another compelling biological challenge, Prof. Dr. Claudine Kraft spearheads the “DegrAbility” project, which dives into the intricacies of autophagy—the cellular process responsible for degrading and recycling protein aggregates. Protein aggregation and clearance are central to cellular health and understanding these pathways holds the key to tackling age-related and neurodegenerative diseases. Kraft’s team interrogates how the interaction between protein aggregates and autophagic machinery determines the fate of these potentially toxic structures, using high-resolution structural biology combined with biochemical reconstitution and cell biology. Their integrative approach is poised to uncover previously unknown regulatory mechanisms that could lead to novel therapeutic strategies to reinstate cellular quality control mechanisms impaired in disease.
Kraft’s research is conducted at the intersection of biochemistry and molecular biology, bolstered by her role as CIBSS spokesperson. International partners bring complementary expertise, creating a formidable team spanning the University of Vienna and the University of California, Berkeley. The project is funded with just under €10 million, of which €3.33 million supports Freiburg’s contribution.
Addressing one of the most aggressive and elusive cancers, junior professor Dr. Çağlar Ataman embarks on the “Zee-Zoom-Zap” project, which devises a cutting-edge theranostic platform for pancreatic cancer. By integrating early diagnostics, non-invasive biopsies, and localized therapies into a single optical endoscopic intervention, this project aspires to transform clinical workflows dramatically. The emphasis is on creating multifunctional optical catheters capable of high-resolution fluorescence imaging and 3D tomographic microscopy inside the pancreatic duct—a previously unattained feat. Utilizing pioneering 3D micro- and nanoprinting methods, Ataman’s team aims to develop clinical-grade, monolithically manufactured endoscopic microscopes, revolutionizing how pancreatic cancer is detected and treated.
Situated within the Department of Microsystems Engineering (IMTEK) at Freiburg, Ataman’s collaboration bridges European expertise from Denmark and Spain, integrating optical engineering with clinical ambitions. The ERC has awarded this initiative €10 million, with Freiburg receiving over €2 million.
The ERC’s support also extends to archaeological sciences through Dr. Susanne Brather-Walter’s involvement in the “CoCo – Connected Communities in Early Medieval Europe” consortium. Challenging the traditional viewpoint that Europe fragmented into isolated ethnic kingdoms after Rome’s fall, this project employs archaeological, anthropological, and genomic methodologies to reconstruct networks of connection across early medieval Europe. Focusing on the extensive distribution of bead artifacts and burial customs, Brather-Walter’s team argues that social ties among ordinary people played a pivotal role in maintaining continental connectivity. This approach rewrites early European history by highlighting grassroots continuity rather than solely focusing on elite narratives.
Brather-Walter, based at Freiburg’s Institute of Archaeology, collaborates with universities from the Netherlands, Italy, the Czech Republic, and Belgium. This expansive consortium has attracted around €11.1 million in ERC funding, with Freiburg’s share being nearly €0.5 million.
Complementing these projects is Prof. Dr. Rüdiger Quay’s “DISRUPT” project at the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Solid State Physics IAF, which pioneers high-frequency semiconductor technologies designed to slash the energy consumption of future mobile phone networks by half. This research is critical at a time when digital infrastructures underpin global connectivity but contribute substantially to energy demand. Quay’s innovative approach integrates scalable semiconductor device engineering with sustainable systems design, potentially redefining the efficiency of next-generation telecommunications.
Quay holds dual roles at Fraunhofer IAF and the University of Freiburg’s Department of Sustainable Systems Engineering. Collaborations with the Delft University of Technology and University College Dublin strengthen this European research alliance. The project benefits from a €10 million ERC grant, facilitating development towards energy-efficient wireless communication hardware.
Collectively, these four ERC Synergy Grants epitomize the University of Freiburg’s vibrant research ecosystem and its integration into European research networks. With more than €41 million in funding earmarked for these pioneering endeavors and Freiburg receiving a sizeable portion, the university is poised to make transformative contributions to renewable energy, molecular biomedicine, biomedical engineering, early medieval history, and energy-efficient technology.
Prof. Dr. Stefan Rensing, Vice Rector for Research and Innovation, notes that these projects address pressing societal challenges through excellence and interdisciplinarity. Whether it’s combating climate change through solar innovation, unraveling cellular mechanisms to combat neurodegeneration, innovating cancer diagnostics, decoding early European social networks, or enhancing digital sustainability, each project embodies cutting-edge science with global impact.
The wealth of knowledge generated from these initiatives promises not only scientific breakthroughs but also novel technological applications and methodologies, propelling Freiburg and its partners to the forefront of their respective disciplines. This convergence of fundamental inquiry and applied innovation heralds a new era where interdisciplinary synergy catalyzes solutions vital for humanity’s future.
Subject of Research: Renewable energy, molecular biology, biomedical engineering, archaeology, semiconductor technology.
Article Title: University of Freiburg Researchers Secure ERC Synergy Grants for Breakthroughs in Solar Energy, Cellular Biology, Cancer Theranostics, and Early Medieval Europe.
News Publication Date: Not specified.
Web References:
- https://erc.europa.eu/news-events/news/erc-2025-synergy-grants-results
- https://www.iaf.fraunhofer.de/en/media-library/press-releases/erc-synergy-grant.html
- https://www.cibss.uni-freiburg.de/news/erc-synergy-grant-for-prof-dr-claudine-kraft
Image Credits: Photos by Jürgen Gocke / University of Freiburg; photo of Claudine Kraft by CIBSS / University of Freiburg.
Keywords: Alternative energy, Biochemistry, Cancer, Communications.
