Genes and electrons receive millions in EU funding
Two associate professors at NTNU have been awarded roughly NOK 43 million from the European Research Council to study molecular models and gene variations that can affect animal survival.
Ida-Marie Høyvik and Stefanie Muff have each received an ERC Consolidator grant from the European Research Council. This type of grant is awarded to outstanding individual researchers.
Høyvik is affiliated with the Department of Chemistry, while Muff is at the Department of Mathematical Sciences.
Molecules with a variable number of electrons
Høyvik’s research project is called “Molecules as electronically open quantum systems” or simply OpenQuantum. She has been awarded EUR 2 million, around NOK 23 million, to study what are called wave function models for molecules where the number of electrons varies.
Ida-Marie Høyvik has previously been named to NTNU’s Outstanding Academic Fellows Programme. Photo: NTNU
“Traditionally, these models describe molecules that have a fixed number of electrons. For an isolated molecule, electrons can neither disappear nor be added. But in reality, molecules are rarely alone, and then the molecules can exchange or share their electrons. This changes the properties of the molecules,” Høyvik says.
There are otherwise promising experiments in which other researchers show how molecules can be manipulated and examined by sending a stream of electrons through them.
“The wave function models that we will develop in OpenQuantum make it possible to create an overall framework for the situations where molecules must be treated as if they are open to electron exchange,” Høyvik said.
This theoretical framework can then perhaps be used to find new ways in which we can manipulate and catalyse chemical reactions.
The money will be used to employ PhD fellows and postdocs. She will also use a small part of the money to buy computing power on large computers.
- You might also like: How do objects shape our language?
Will predict animal genes
Stefanie Muff is a statistician. She was awarded EUR 1.7 million, almost NOK 20 million kroner, for a project called Prediction of genetic values and adaptive potential in the wild. Muff is working on predicting genotypes based on available genetic material. This can be used in efforts to preserve species, such as to find the animals that are best suited to survive in the wild.
“I work closely with evolutionary biologists,” Muff said.
Stefanie Muff. Photo: NTNU
Animal populations around the world have declined sharply in recent decades, primarily because humans are destroying their habitats, but also because we are driving species to the brink of extinction, through activities such as hunting and fishing. Other threats include climate change, pollution and alien species that outcompete local species.
Muff wants to find statistical methods that can help to better understand evolution, but also to better understand robustness of wild animal populations. That means, for example, determining whether a group of animals can adapt to changes in the environment and climate quickly enough to avoid extinction. Greater genetic variation can make a species more adaptable.
“These methods are useful for researchers who are trying to find out how likely it is that a species will survive in a constantly changing world. The method can also be useful for those who need to select individuals for breeding,” Muff said.
- You might also like: Darwin had Galapagos finches. Norway has…house sparrows?
Leadership enthusiastic about the awards
“We at the Faculty of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering are proud and happy that Stefanie Muff has been awarded the ERC consolidator grant,” said Ingelin Steinsland. She is vice-dean for research at the faculty.
It is fabulous to have the opportunity to study mathematics and the use of data to understand nature, she says. Stefanie Muff is leading the way and using mathematical methods to solve one of the biggest problems we have in modern society, namely the loss of biodiversity.
“We congratulate both researchers and hope that it inspires more researcher to apply for the ERC, ” Steinsland said.
Magnus Rønning, vice-dean for research at the Faculty of Natural Sciences, is equally enthusiastic.
“We congratulate Ida-Marie Høyvik. We are proud that she has been awarded the ERC consolidator grant in strong international competition,” he said.
“Her project is in an exciting and rapidly developing field. Ida-Marie’s research on wave function models will bring new knowledge that extends far beyond her own field of expertise,” he said.
“Our congratulations also go to Stefanie Muff and her studies. The awards are an inspiration to us all, and we look forward to following the projects further,” he said.
