Research Units

We study how neurons and microcircuits in the brain operate and explore the influences of neuronal morphology and excitability on common neural functions such as synaptic plasticity and learning, and determine how molecular mechanisms enable these functions.

Continuum Physics Unit members carry out theoretical and experimental research in the mechanics of continuous media, including cellular materials, granular materials, and complex fluids with...

The Khusnutdinova Unit is interested in designing transition metal-based catalysts for efficient chemical transformations and in the development of stimuli-responsive materials.

Developmental Neurobiology Unit uses zebrafish retina as a model to study mechanisms that control neuronal differentiation and circuit formation, and neuronal degeneration and regeneration.

We study topics of electron correlation in physics and materials science, such as emergent phenomena at quantum phase transitions, spin frustration and excitation, and Fermi surface evolution.

We are developing theoretical and experimental projects in cognitive science, guided by the hypothesis that agent-environment interaction is an essential part of mental activity.

The ECBS unit studies the effects of symbiotic interactions on the origin and evolution of cellular life.

The Evolutionary Genomics Unit studies the evolution of insects and their associated symbionts.

Research projects of the Evolutionary Neurobiology Unit include (1) anatomical and physiological dissections of the nervous systems of basal metazoans, mainly on diffused and regionally cond...

The Evolutionary and Synthetic Biology Unit focuses on understanding how living things evolved using computation, theory, experiments and field work. Combining the understanding of evolutionary mechanisms with evolutionary theory, computational and synthetic biology approaches we design novel biological objects and further penetrate the mysteries of the evolution of life.

The Experimental Quantum Information Physics Unit carries out experimental studies on highly controllable quantum systems. A particular research emphasis is put on the development of ion tra...

Utilizing cutting-edge time-resolved techniques, including ultrafast PEEM and ARPES, the Femtosecond Spectroscopy Unit explores extreme light-matter interaction on the nanometer and femtosecond scale.

The Fluid Mechanics Unit uses theory, experiments, and simulations to seek simple insights into complex flows in nature and engineering.

The Future-Proof Cryptography Unit studies Multi-Party Computation, Fully Homomorphic Encryption, Verifiable Computation and Cryptanalysis and how these are affected by quantum computers.

To function normally, organisms must ensure that genes are switched on and off at the right times and locations. Gene expression control is a complex process that requires the coordinated ac...

As an important branch of mathematics, partial differential equations and geometric analysis are widely applied to various fields of science including material sciences, image processing, control theory and so on. The Geometric Partial Differential Equations Unit focuses on establishing new analytic approaches to understand behavior and properties of solutions to nonlinear partial differential equations arising in geometry and related areas. The unit aims to solve real-world problems by developing the theory of methematical analysis.

The Gravity, Quantum Geometry and Field Theory Unit’s research interest lies in revealing the quantum nature of spacetime. Geometrical aspects of gravity, manifested in General Relativity, h...

The Human Developmental Neurobiology Unit investigates the nature and causes of ADHD, including reward sensitivity, translating this information into empirically supported treatments.