ACADEMIA

Klaus Tschira Foundation provides 2.5 million euros for joint project involving Heidelberg research institutions, the University, and the state of Baden-Württemberg -- The first German center for modeling and simulation in the life sciences (BIOMS) opens today in Heidelberg. In international terms, Heidelberg is already an outstanding location for the life sciences and scientific computing. At the new Center, modeling and computer simulation will be used for research on biological systems. With these methods complex biological processes can now be studied not only "in vivo" (on living organisms) or "in vitro" (in the test tube) but also to a greater extent "in silico" (with the help of computer programs). The funds for the new Center will be used exclusively for the promotion of young scientists. This makes the Center a pioneer in the encouragement of upcoming generations engaged in top-flight research. Involved in the project are the German Cancer Research Center, EML Research (the research institute of the Klaus Tschira Foundation), the European Molecular Biology Laboratory, the Max Planck Institute of Medical Research, and the University of Heidelberg (with its Interdisciplinary Center for Scientific Computing and its Center for Molecular Biology). The Klaus Tschira Foundation provides 2.5 million euros to finance one-third of the Center. Another third of the funding comes from the state of Baden-Württemberg, while the remaining monies are contributed by the University and the participating research institutes. Funding is assured for a period of 5 years. In the last few decades, modern techniques developed in the fields of biophysics, biochemistry, and information processing have made it possible to capture and process an overwhelming amount of biological data. But for further progress to be made it will be necessary to develop models on the way complex biosystems function. These models have to be mathematically formulated and simulated on the computer. Models of this kind have long been a staple factor in the design of cars, aircraft, and satellites. The BIOMS project will be using them to extend our knowledge in the life sciences. The latest edition of the scientific journal nature reports that BIOMS and other related activities could make Germany "the destiny of choice" for top-flight international scientists. The funds for the Center for Modeling and Simulation in the Life Sciences will be used exclusively for the promotion of young scientists. Three research groups will be formed under the leadership of outstanding young scientists. In addition, a post-doctoral program will enable about ten scientists who have just completed their doctoral studies to join research groups in the institutes involved in the project. An essential factor in the success of BIOMS will be the link-up between all the scientists involved in Heidelberg. Initially, the young research groups will be located at the German Cancer Research Center, the European Molecular Biology Laboratory, and the Center for Interdisciplinary Scientific Computing. In 2006 the research groups will move to the "Bioquant" building at present under construction and designed to assemble under one roof scientists working together on the quantitative analysis of molecular and cellular biosystems. See also URL: http://projects.villa-bosch.de/bcb/bioms