DFG extends ELCH Collaborative Research Center

The consortium, led by the University of Kassel, is dedicated to researching molecular chirality, i.e. the "handedness" of molecules. The consortium focuses on developing a microscopic and quantum mechanical understanding of individual chiral molecules in the gas phase and on developing world-leading methods for determining molecular chirality. The aim is to control and direct chirality at the single-molecule level using extreme light (light in a wide range of wavelengths, polarization, intensity and pulse lengths).

"The extension strengthens one of the profile-forming areas of our university," commented Prof. Dr. Michael Wachendorf, Vice President Research at the University of Kassel. "The decision is a great confirmation of the researchers' work to date and proof that cutting-edge research is at home at the University of Kassel. I congratulate everyone involved."

The Collaborative Research Center ELCH has been operating since January 1, 2018 and its research questions are important for basic physical and chemical research, but also for medicine and life sciences. The fact that many biomolecular reactions depend on the handedness of the reactants involved and that chirality therefore plays a major role in the efficacy of drugs plays a role here.

Prof. Dr. Arno Ehresmann (Department of Experimental Physics IV) is the spokesperson for the consortium. The consortium is led by the University of Kassel, with partner groups at the GoetheUniversity in Frankfurt am Main, the Philipps University in Marburg, the Free University of Berlin and the German Electron Synchrotron DESY in Hamburg.

The funding volume amounts to approx. 10 million euros for a period of four years (subject to funding approval).

Link to the project website: https://www.uni-kassel.de/forschung/sfb/sfb-1319-elch.html

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