National Centres of Competence in Research

The National Centres of Competence in Research (NCCRs) are an innovative funding instrument provided by the Swiss National Science Foundation. The program supports long-term research projects in areas that are of strategic importance to the future of science, the economy and society in Switzerland. Funding is awarded to research projects of outstanding quality which have a special emphasis on both interdisciplinary and new innovative approaches within disciplines.
The UNIGE leads six NCCRs, four of them as the main leading house and two in collaboration with EPFL and Lausanne University.

Frontiers in Genetics To understand the function and regulation of genes and genetic diseases This NCCR promotes exchanges between the different research groups investigating gene expression, chromosome structure and organism development. It has led to the creation of five biotechnological platform and its genetics postgraduate programme attracts talented individuals from all over the world. Web site Director :

MaNEP - Materials with Novel Electronic Properties The study of materials with outstanding properties for future application The work of the NCCR MaNEP researchers aims at achieving a better understanding of new materials featured in some magnetic, ferroelectric and super conductors. All have a large potential for applications, particularly in energy production and distribution, information technology, sensors and nanotechnology. Academic and industry partners cooperate closely towards this end. Web Site Director :

Affectives Sciences Emotions in Individual Behaviour and Social Processes This NCCR is one of the world’s first interdisciplinary research networks to examine emotions in a comprehensive manner. Psychologists, neuroscientists, philosophers, economists, lawyers and anthropologists work together on research on the psychological, biological and social mechanisms that generate and control emotions. Web site Director :

Chemical Biology Visualisation and Control of Biological Processes Using Chemistry This NCCR uses chemistry tools to obtain a better understanding of life at the molecular level. The NCCR is also engaged in establishing a platform for chemical screening aimed at developing a new generation of molecules with biological effects. Web site Director : Co-director : (EPFL)

LIVES Overcoming Vulnerability: Life Course Perspectives The researchers conduct comparative, longitudinal analysis to examine the impact of socio-structural and personal resources on overcoming vulnerability. Life trajectories of about 25’000 people will be studied across health, family, work, and institutional domains. Web Site Director : (UNIL) Co-director :

Synaptic Bases of Mental Disease This NCCR aims to discover the neurobiological mechanisms of mental and cognitive disorders, since one of the major challenges in psychiatry is to achieve a better understanding of how these illnesses originate. This research focus will help train a new generation of psychiatrists. Web Site Director : (EPFL/UNIL) Co-director :