Extension for two research training groups

Success for the Research Training Group “Functional Diversity of Cofactors in Enzymes” and the International Research Training Group “Transfer of Culture and 'Cultural Identity'. German-Russian Contacts in the European Context”: the German Research Foundation (DFG) has granted an extension to the two bodies, which have been in existence since 2014, and will fund them with approximately 7.6 million euros over the next four and a half years. The University of Freiburg currently has twelve research training groups, three of which are international. “The DFG’s decision once again underscores the fact that the University of Freiburg offers its young researchers excellent opportunities to start their scientific careers,” said Rector Prof. Dr. Hans-Jochen Schiewer. “Our research training groups are a particularly impressive illustration of how we are bringing our strategy to life under the motto ‘Connecting Creative Minds’. We bring together talents from different disciplines to inspire one another and give their work new impetus.”

Functional Diversity of Cofactors in Enzymes

Enzymes are proteins that initiate, accelerate or control chemical processes. In fulfilling this function, they are often dependent on other molecules or so-called cofactors. These are characterized by a large structural and functional diversity. The Research Training Group hopes to elucidate the dependence of enzymes on cofactors and thus contribute to a deeper understanding of catalytic mechanisms. It is aimed at graduates in chemistry, pharmacy, biology and medicine. In the first funding phase, 23 doctoral students completed their doctoral studies within the Research Training Group. 23 more will be added in the next four and a half years. The Research Training Group's spokesperson is Prof. Dr. Andreas Bechthold from the Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Freiburg.

www.cofactor-diversity.uni-freiburg.de/RTG/RTGstart

“Transfer of Culture and 'Cultural Identity'. German-Russian Contacts in the European Context”

The aim of Germany’s first joint doctoral training program in the humanities between Germany and Russia is to examine the long tradition of national, bilateral and international research on German-Russian cultural contacts and to develop a new concept of interdisciplinary and international cultural transfer research on this basis. In addition, the network will address the question of the extent to which processes of cultural transfer affect the construction of cultural or national identities. The University of Freiburg is cooperating with the Russian State University for the Humanities in Moscow and with universities in St. Petersburg. The participating researchers come from fields such as Slavic studies, German studies, Eastern European history, art history, Romance studies and Scandinavian studies. In the first funding phase, several dissertations were completed within the Research Training Group. In the next four and a half years, an additional 35 will be added. The spokesperson for Germany is Prof. Dr. Elisabeth Cheauré from the Department of Slavic Studies at the University of Freiburg.

www.igk-kulturtransfer.uni-freiburg.de