Objective Structure-function relationships in condensed matter will be unraveled by studying structural dynamics on atomic length and time scales. The most advanced structure-sensitive methods of ultrafast science such as time-resolved x-ray diffraction and multidimensional vibrational spectroscopy with a temporal resolution better than 100 fs will be applied for mapping fluctuating (macro)molecular structures and photoinduced structural transformations of solids in real-time. The following phenomena will be addressed: (i) Interactions between functional units of individual nucleic base pairs and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) oligomers will be determined by multidimensional vibrational spectroscopy. The transfer of excitations in a local geometry and along the double helix, energy dissipation along the helix and into the aqueous environment, as well as the mechanisms of local and global hydration will be studied via the ultrafast response of local vibrations. In this way, hydrogen bonding interactions of water with the DNA backbone and with base pairs are discerned. (ii) Photoinduced structural transformations in prototype hydrogen-bonded solids will be studied by ultrafast x-ray diffraction. The so far unknown dynamics and driving forces of phase transitions in molecular ferroelectrics such as ammonium sulfate and others will be determined by recording transient diffraction patterns after electronic and/or vibrational excitation. A key issue will be the so far unresolved change of the hydrogen bond pattern. This work will include the implementation of new forefront techniques of ultrafast science, e.g. ultrafast x-ray powder diffraction, for a broad range of future applications. Fields of science natural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsDNAnatural sciencesmathematicspure mathematicsgeometrynatural sciencesphysical sciencesopticsspectroscopy Programme(s) FP7-IDEAS-ERC - Specific programme: "Ideas" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) ERC-AG-ID1 - ERC Advanced Grant Interdisciplinary Panel Call for proposal ERC-2009-AdG See other projects for this call Funding Scheme ERC-AG - ERC Advanced Grant Coordinator FORSCHUNGSVERBUND BERLIN EV Address Rudower chaussee 17 12489 Berlin Germany See on map Region Berlin Berlin Berlin Activity type Research Organisations Administrative Contact Friederike Schmidt-Tremmel (Dr.) Principal investigator Hans Thomas Elsaesser (Prof.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window EU contribution € 2 490 500,00 Beneficiaries (1) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all FORSCHUNGSVERBUND BERLIN EV Germany EU contribution € 2 490 500,00 Address Rudower chaussee 17 12489 Berlin See on map Region Berlin Berlin Berlin Activity type Research Organisations Administrative Contact Friederike Schmidt-Tremmel (Dr.) Principal investigator Hans Thomas Elsaesser (Prof.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window
