The ERC Advanced Grant supports projects that push the boundaries of current scientific understanding. In this instance, Prof. Dor and Dr. Klochendler’s grant backs a pioneering investigation into the earliest molecular events that instigate type 1 diabetes (T1D), a chronic autoimmune condition characterized by the immune-mediated destruction of insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells. Their novel approach challenges the conventional paradigm, which attributes disease onset primarily to viral infections as critical immunogenic triggers.

Contrary to long-standing beliefs, their research proposes that intrinsic disruptions in RNA metabolism within the beta cells themselves may serve as the initial catalyst driving autoimmunity. More specifically, the team is focusing on RNA editing—a post-transcriptional modification process that precisely alters nucleotide sequences of RNA molecules, modulating gene expression and maintaining cellular homeostasis. Defects in this sophisticated editing machinery could lead to the production of aberrant proteins, misfolded peptides, or dysregulated signaling pathways that, in turn, precipitate the breakdown of immune tolerance.

The project seeks to elucidate how perturbations in RNA editing mechanisms might generate novel autoantigens or modify immune checkpoint pathways, ultimately triggering misguided immune responses. This mechanistic insight stands to redefine our understanding of beta cell vulnerability and autoimmune initiation in T1D, moving beyond the simplistic infectious trigger hypothesis toward a more intricate cell-intrinsic etiology. By delving into the intricate layers of RNA processing—such as adenosine-to-inosine (A-to-I) editing mediated by the ADAR enzymes—the researchers aim to uncover molecular signatures that precede clinical onset.

Beyond its fundamental scientific contributions, this research holds promise for revolutionary clinical applications. Identifying early biomarkers of disrupted RNA metabolism may enable the development of diagnostic tools capable of detecting T1D risk before overt beta cell destruction occurs. Furthermore, therapeutic strategies designed to restore or modulate RNA editing fidelity could emerge as novel interventions to prevent or attenuate disease progression.

Prof. Dor and Dr. Klochendler’s multidisciplinary approach combines state-of-the-art molecular biology, single-cell transcriptomics, and immunological profiling to meticulously dissect the interplay between beta cell intrinsic defects and immune system dynamics. Their work harnesses cutting-edge sequencing technologies and bioinformatic analyses to characterize RNA editomes and perturbations in patient-derived samples and experimental models.

The significance of this research resonates beyond T1D, as RNA metabolism and editing dysregulation have been implicated in a spectrum of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Therefore, unraveling these fundamental processes has the potential to reshape therapeutic strategies across a broad range of immunopathologies. The ERC Advanced Grant thus acknowledges not only the high scientific caliber of the investigators but also the broad societal impact their findings may yield.

Prof. Oron Shagrir, Rector of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, emphasized the gravity of this achievement, recognizing the awardees’ scientific excellence and visionary research agenda. He highlighted how this project exemplifies the university’s commitment to tackling pressing global health challenges through innovative biomedical science. The university community anticipates that their work will propel the field toward novel modalities of disease interception and enhance quality of life for millions affected by T1D worldwide.

As Prof. Dor and Dr. Klochendler embark on this ambitious research journey, the global scientific community watches eagerly. Their findings promise to expand our grasp of the molecular underpinnings of autoimmunity and illuminate early intervention pathways. The ERC Advanced Grant not only funds the exploration of uncharted scientific territory but also evidences a vital step toward rewriting the narrative of type 1 diabetes pathogenesis.

In summary, this research heralds a paradigm shift by situating RNA editing defects at the heart of autoimmune diabetes initiation. It challenges prevailing dogmas and integrates cutting-edge molecular insights with translational promise. As this project unfolds, it may unlock new vistas in immunology, molecular medicine, and patient care, offering hope to those at risk of or battling type 1 diabetes.

Subject of Research: Early molecular mechanisms underlying type 1 diabetes initiation, with a focus on RNA metabolism and RNA editing dysregulation in pancreatic beta cells.

Article Title: Unveiling RNA Editing Dysregulation as a Novel Trigger of Autoimmune Diabetes: ERC Grant Awarded to Prof. Yuval Dor and Dr. Agnès Klochendler

News Publication Date: Not specified

Web References: Not specified

References: Not specified

Image Credits: Dor Lab

Keywords: Type 1 diabetes, autoimmune disease, RNA metabolism, RNA editing, ERC Advanced Grant, beta cells, pancreatic islets, autoimmune pathogenesis, molecular biology, immunology, ADAR enzymes, Horizon Europe

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.

The Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization in Göttingen, Germany, along with partners at the University of Gothenburg, Delft University of Technology, and Freie Universität Berlin, have embarked on a pioneering investigation of these cloud formations. With generous funding exceeding 13 million euros from the European Research Council, this new six-year research initiative, titled TurPhyCloud, aims to decode the turbulent processes occurring at the upper layers of stratocumulus clouds. These turbulent dynamics are critical for understanding how such cloud formations evolve, sustain themselves, and ultimately influence precipitation patterns and climate feedback mechanisms.

Turbulence, particularly at the cloud tops around one kilometer above ground, governs the interactions between evaporation, radiation from the sun, and the ensuing microphysical changes within the cloud. Yet, scientific knowledge of these dynamic interactions remains limited. The TurPhyCloud project seeks to fill this knowledge gap by deploying advanced observational tools to capture cloud behavior with unprecedented spatial precision. Central to this effort is the CloudKite observatory, a state-of-the-art instrument platform developed at the MPI for Dynamics and Self-Organization. Using a stationary balloon system, weighing some 120 kilograms, the CloudKite observatory ascends two kilometers into the atmosphere to perform in-situ measurements of temperature, humidity, wind velocities, and cloud microstructure.

Alongside the CloudKite, the Delft University of Technology will operate a fleet of research drones to continuously monitor physical parameters both within and around the stratocumulus clouds. This combination of balloon-based and drone-based instrumentation allows comprehensive sampling of the cloud environment, capturing data at different altitudes and spatial scales. This multi-instrumental observational campaign, centered on stratocumulus clouds governed by the marine boundary layer over the Baltic Sea, promises to yield a data set of exceptional detail and breadth—essential for modeling turbulent cloud processes.

The integration of these high-resolution field measurements will enable the interdisciplinary team to develop sophisticated numerical models that simulate stratocumulus cloud dynamics with far greater fidelity than those currently existing in climate science. By applying novel turbulence theories and incorporating the intricate physics of cloud-atmosphere interactions, these models are expected to reveal the mechanisms by which clouds regulate the Earth’s radiative budget and influence atmospheric circulation patterns. Such advancements will be crucial in reducing uncertainties in climate projections and enhancing the reliability of weather forecasts.

One fundamental challenge the researchers confront is the complexity of coupling turbulent flow dynamics with cloud microphysics—a domain where the interactions between small-scale eddies, water droplets, and radiative processes create chaotic and nonlinear effects. Existing parameterizations in global climate models often oversimplify these phenomena, resulting in significant discrepancies between model outputs and observational data. TurPhyCloud’s effort to ground-model parameterizations in observationally-derived physics offers the potential to revolutionize how climate models represent cloud-related processes.

The implications of this research extend beyond academic curiosity. Clouds are a double-edged sword in the climate system: while their albedo effect cools the surface by reflecting sunlight, they also trap infrared radiation, contributing to warming. Stratocumulus clouds, due to their extent and optical properties, are pivotal in determining the net radiative forcing. As climate change accelerates, alterations in cloud cover or cloud dynamics could produce feedbacks that either exacerbate or mitigate warming. Hence, understanding these clouds in exquisite detail is pivotal for robustly predicting future climate trajectories.

Moreover, the multi-national collaboration underpinning TurPhyCloud underscores the necessity of interdisciplinary and transboundary scientific endeavors to tackle climate change. Bringing together expertise in atmospheric physics, fluid dynamics, instrumentation engineering, and computational modeling propels the project beyond traditional disciplinary limits. This collaborative approach epitomizes the spirit of the European Research Council’s Synergy Grant, which funds solutions-oriented research by synergizing distinct research groups tackling complex scientific questions.

The project’s focus on the Baltic Sea as a natural laboratory is strategic, given the region’s climatological and meteorological characteristics that favor persistent stratocumulus formation. Detailed field campaigns planned here will generate datasets over multiple seasons, enabling the investigation of cloud processes under varying atmospheric conditions. These empirical lessons will inform not just localized weather prediction but contribute to global climate assessments by offering scalable insights transferrable to other marine stratocumulus regimes worldwide.

Ultimately, TurPhyCloud aims to produce a state-of-the-art, validated simulation tool seamlessly integrating with existing weather and climate modeling frameworks. Such an advanced tool will empower meteorologists and climate scientists to make more precise predictions regarding cloud feedbacks in climate systems—a pivotal advance towards mitigating the risks posed by ongoing climate change. By unveiling the turbulent physics at the heart of stratocumulus cloud behavior, this research harbors the potential to transform our understanding of one of nature’s most critical yet enigmatic climate regulators.

Professor Eberhard Bodenschatz, director at MPI for Dynamics and Self-Organization and coordinator of the TurPhyCloud project, emphasizes the transformative impact this research might have on climate science. He highlights that breakthroughs in understanding stratocumulus cloud physics are essential to diminishing one of the largest sources of uncertainty in climate models today. This could be a game changer in both climate policy formulation and the development of adaptive strategies for a warming planet.

In summary, the TurPhyCloud project represents a bold stride toward resolving a century-old scientific enigma: how turbulent microphysical interactions govern stratocumulus cloud dynamics and their extensive climate effects. Through blending cutting-edge observational platforms, innovative modeling frameworks, and international scientific collaboration, the project aspires to illuminate a pivotal piece of Earth’s climatic puzzle, setting the stage for revolutionary improvements in how we forecast and respond to changes in our environment.

Subject of Research:
The physics and turbulent dynamics of stratocumulus clouds and their impact on climate and weather modeling.

Article Title:
Decoding the Turbulent Secrets of Stratocumulus Clouds: A Climate Science Frontier

News Publication Date:
October 2025

Web References:
Information derived from the Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization press release and European Research Council announcements.

Image Credits:
© Eberhard Bodenschatz, October 2025 over Central Europe

Keywords:
Stratocumulus clouds, turbulence, climate change, weather prediction, atmospheric physics, cloud microphysics, European Research Council, CloudKite observatory, TurPhyCloud, climate modeling

The ERC Advanced Grant is among the most competitive scientific funding instruments in Europe, awarded exclusively on the merit of scientific excellence and innovation. Researchers who push the boundaries of conventional knowledge and open novel avenues of investigation are eligible for this grant. Each award can provide up to 2.5 million euros over five years, allowing recipients to pursue transformative projects with significant societal and scientific impact. Professor Durante’s receipt of this grant signifies the high regard for his pioneering work and its potential to influence cancer therapy profoundly.

With an internationally acclaimed career spanning over three decades, Professor Durante is recognized as a world authority in radiation biology and medical physics. His remarkable contributions span charged particle therapy — a cancer treatment modality leveraging beams of charged ions — and the complex field of radioprotection in space. Durante’s research portfolio includes significant advancements in biodosimetry of charged particles, optimization of particle therapy techniques, and strategies to shield astronauts from cosmic radiation. His work has consistently driven improvements in treatment precision and effectiveness, with a strong translational focus on enhancing patient outcomes.

This new ERC-funded project, titled “Heavy Ion FLASH” or “HI-FLASH,” seeks to harness very heavy ions delivered in ultra-high intensity bursts to combat brain cancer. The current clinical landscape predominantly employs high-energy protons or carbon ions to treat various solid malignancies, including those in the brain. However, glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), a highly aggressive and treatment-resistant brain tumor, remains a formidable challenge with poor prognosis despite these therapies. HI-FLASH represents a bold effort to expand the therapeutic arsenal against such formidable cancers by exploring the potential of heavier ion species at unprecedented dose rates.

The underlying innovation of HI-FLASH centers on employing ions heavier than carbon, such as neon (^20Ne), to target hypoxic, fast-dividing, and highly resistant tumors like glioblastoma. While these heavier ions promise superior tumor control due to their heightened linear energy transfer (LET) properties, their clinical use is curtailed by significant toxicity to surrounding healthy tissues. Durante’s approach is to mitigate this limitation by exploiting the “FLASH effect”— a phenomenon whereby delivering radiation doses at ultra-high dose rates within sub-second timescales appears to spare normal tissues while preserving tumoricidal efficacy.

Although the precise molecular mechanisms underpinning the FLASH effect remain elusive, it represents a paradigm shift in radiotherapy. Early preclinical and clinical research has demonstrated that ultra-high dose rate irradiation can radically increase the therapeutic window, reducing side effects that typically limit dose intensification. Professor Durante’s group pioneered the first experimental demonstration of the FLASH effect utilizing high-energy carbon ions, a breakthrough that paved the way for considering even heavier ions. The HI-FLASH project aims to extend this paradigm to neon ions, hypothesizing that their increased mass and energy deposition characteristics may offer superior outcomes for tumors traditionally resistant to standard approaches.

A critical part of the research involves comparative studies investigating not only neon ions at conventional versus ultra-high dose rates but also high-energy protons under similar conditions. While protons generally exhibit limited efficacy against glioblastoma, they have shown a remarkable capacity to protect normal brain tissue under FLASH irradiation. By juxtaposing these different ion species and dose delivery regimes, Durante’s team hopes to elucidate novel treatment combinations that maximize tumor eradication while minimizing collateral damage to healthy tissue.

The unique facilities at the GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung campus in Darmstadt provide the ideal infrastructure for this pioneering investigation. The GSI synchrotron stands as the only worldwide accelerator capable of producing and accelerating ion species heavier than carbon at the energies and intensities necessary for FLASH radiotherapy studies. Moreover, the upcoming FAIR (Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research) accelerator center promises to significantly augment these capabilities, offering functionality that could propel HI-FLASH to new frontiers in particle therapy research and clinical translation.

Should HI-FLASH succeed in delineating protocols that safely and effectively employ heavy ions at ultra-high dose rates, it could revolutionize oncological treatment, especially for patients afflicted by highly resistant and lethal tumors. These advances may yield therapy regimens that circumvent the limitations of conventional radiotherapy, notably by widening the therapeutic window to allow higher doses without proportional increases in side effects. This research holds great promise not only for improving survival but also for enhancing quality of life among cancer patients facing dire prognoses.

Expressing his gratitude upon receiving this grant, Professor Durante emphasized the tremendous opportunity that the funding presents to accelerate transformative research in tumor therapy using charged particles. He anticipates fruitful collaboration with his team and experts from the GSI Biophysics and Accelerator departments over the next five years. This endeavor represents an extraordinary chance to transition sophisticated basic research insights into tangible medical innovations and clinical progress.

The recognition of Professor Durante’s work extends beyond the ERC award itself. He has garnered numerous distinguished honors spanning institutions and countries, reflecting his global standing in the field. Notably, he has received the Galileo Galilei Prize from the European Federation of Organizations for Medical Physics, the Warren Sinclair Award from the U.S. National Council on Radiation Protection, and prizes from the European Physical Society and Radiation Research Society. Furthermore, his leadership as president of the Particle Therapy Co-Operative Group (PTCOG), a prominent international consortium of particle therapy centers, underscores his role in steering the future trajectory of charged particle therapy worldwide.

The momentum built upon Durante’s prior ERC Advanced Grant-funded project “BARB” lays a solid foundation for HI-FLASH. The BARB initiative focused primarily on enhancing the precision of tumor therapy with heavy ions and recently submitted impactful findings describing improvements in treatment accuracy and outcomes. The technical insights and experimental experience garnered during BARB are directly informing the design and execution of HI-FLASH, enabling a seamless and highly informed continuation of this cutting-edge research trajectory.

In sum, Professor Marco Durante’s latest ERC-funded research stands poised to tackle one of the most pressing challenges in oncology — improving therapeutic options for glioblastoma and similarly aggressive tumors — by leveraging novel physics and radiobiological concepts rooted in ultra-high dose rate heavy-ion irradiation. The outcomes of HI-FLASH may redefine radiation oncology principles and open unprecedented clinical possibilities, illustrating the powerful intersection of fundamental science, advanced technology, and patient-centered innovation.

Subject of Research:
Advancement of ultra-high dose rate heavy ion radiotherapy for treatment-resistant brain tumors.

Article Title:
Pioneering Ultra-High Dose Rate Heavy Ion Therapy: Professor Marco Durante’s Quest to Revolutionize Tumor Treatment

News Publication Date:
2024

Web References:

• https://erc.europa.eu/news-events/news/erc-2024-advanced-grants-results
• https://www.gsi.de/en/work/research/biophysics

Image Credits:
© G. Otto, GSI/FAIR

Keywords

Health and medicine; Diseases and disorders; Cancer; Biophysics; Life sciences; Physical sciences; Physics; Accelerator physics