Freiburg-based female Physicist and Molecular Medicine Specialist receive funding from Baden-Württemberg Stiftung

The Freiburg physicist Dr. Valerie Lang and the Molecular Medicine Specialist Dr. Jana Naue have been accepted into the Baden-Württemberg Foundation's elite program for postdocs. The program supports young scientists on their way to becoming professors by providing them with a financial contribution enabling them to realize their own projects, for which they are responsible for attracting funding. Valerie Lang from the Institute of Physics researches τ-lepton particles, Jana Naue researches epigenetic markers in DNA profiles. She is a member of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Freiburg and heads the Forensic Epigenetics Research Unit of the Institute of Forensic Medicine at the University Medical Center Freiburg. The projects will be funded for three years, receiving 135,000 euros and 125,000 euros respectively. Fourteen applicants were selected from 52 applications in the 2021 round. Together, all the successful applications will receive 1.85 million euros.

Valerie Lang, Institute of Physics: “Determining the anomalous magnetic and the electric dipole moments of the τ lepton with the ATLAS experiment”

Period: June 2022 to May 2025, Funding: 135,000 euros

The measurement of elementary particles and their interactions has a significant influence on our understanding of the universe and the history of its origins. While the Standard Model of particle physics unites existing knowledge, it still leaves some essential questions unanswered, such as the nature of dark matter or the reason for the asymmetry of matter and anti-matter in the universe. The measurement of the τ lepton, a heavy sibling particle of the electron, offers a fascinating insight into potential new phenomena. Two magnetic and electric properties of particular interest are the anomalous magnetic moment and the electric dipole moment. Freiburg-based physicist Valerie Lang is using an innovative method to measure these properties at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) particle accelerator at CERN in Geneva, Switzerland. Near-collisions of two lead nuclei give rise to pairs of τ-leptons that are measured in the ATLAS experiment. This new measurement approach allows for a more precise determination of the properties of the τ lepton than ever before.

Jana Naue, Institute of Forensic Medicine at the Faculty of Medicine: “Finding the missing link: Identification and integration of epigenetic markers for simultaneous cell type determination and genetic individualization”

Period: May 2022 to April 2025, Funding: 125,000 euros

The analysis of DNA plays an enormous part in forensic casework, and is indispensable in the attribution of biological traces to the contributors. Simultaneous detection of the individual DNA profile and the tissue origins are highly relevant because of the frequency of mixed traces as skin debris and saliva. In these cases, direct attribution of trace elements to their respective originators remains a problem, as the markers that are studied are located in different locations in the genome. In the funded project, Freiburg-based molecular medicine specialist Jana Naue and her team are investigating the direct assignment of traces by simultaneously detecting the origin of the tissue and individual-specific markers on the same DNA molecule. To do this she is developing an analytical assay with the aid of Next Generation Sequencing. This method also enables direct attribution of the cell type to the DNA profile in single trace material and helps to verify the biological origin of the preserved DNA profile. Consequently, besides the scientific progress and methodical development that it represents, the research project is also very important to the evidentiary value of a trace, and as a result the incrimination or exoneration of a defendant in criminal proceedings.

About the Baden-Württemberg Stiftung

The Baden-Württemberg Stiftung is dedicated to promoting the vibrancy and liveability of Baden-Württemberg. It paves the way for cutting-edge research, diverse educational measures and responsible interaction with fellow humans. The Baden-Württemberg Stiftung is one of the largest operating foundations in Germany, and the only one that invests exclusively and impartially in the future of Baden-Württemberg. For more information: https://www.bwstiftung.de

More information about the elite program of the Baden-Württemberg Stiftung

For a list of all funded postdocs

Pressphoto for Download:
Dr. Valerie Lang. Photo: privat
Dr. Jana Naue. Photo: privat