Projects

Formation of new synapses, and alteration of the strength and stability of existing synapses are regarded as the main cellular basis for memory and long-term behavioral adaptations. Neuronal activity-regulated gene expression plays a crucial role in synaptic development and function, and its deregulation gives rise to various nervous system disorders. Knowledge about the regulatory mechanisms of activity-dependent gene expression is important both for understanding of nervous system function and for finding new drug targets. The aim of this project is to study the molecular mechanisms of neuronal activity-regulated gene expression, including transcription, translation and posttranslational modifications, in the nervous system health and disease. The studies are focused on two genes, the neurotrophin BDNF and the basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor TCF4.

Autonomous driving is no longer just an idea of technology vision, instead a real technical trend all over the world. The continuing development to a further level of autonomy requires more from energy optimization. The optimization of electric propulsion drive systems of self-driving electric vehicles by using autonomous and monitoring sensors are not often discussed. The goal of the proposal is to develop a specialized unsupervised prognosis and control platform for such energy system performance estimation. This goal requires the development of several test platforms and digital twins. A digital twin is composed of three components – the physical entities in the real world, their virtual models, and the connected data/view that ties the two worlds together.

Project Goal - Sustainable aquaculture​ feed based on novel biomass from wood by-products

Smart Industry Centre (SmartIC) was created at Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech) and Estonian University of Life Sciences (Institute of Technology) in 2017 to improve collaboration in research and development and use of distributed infrastructure in the field of Industry 4.0 - robotics, mechatronics, additive manufacturing, product quality control and related fields of IT (especially artificial intelligence). In 2018, Institute of Technology of University of Tartu joined in collaboration (mainly in the field of robotics). In 2017-2020 several new labs were opened (FMS and Robotics Lab, Industrial Virtual and Augmented Reality Lab, Additive Manufacturing Lab/ ProtoLab, Computer Tomography Lab for quality control, etc). Several new ERF and H2020 funded projects were initiated and launched in 2017-2020.

Due to an increase in the consumption of food, feed, fuel and to meet global food security needs, there is a necessity to breed for high yielding crops that can adapt to future climate changes. Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) is the dominant forage grass species in Europe due to its high regrowth capacity, rapid establishment, tolerance to frequent cutting and grazing, and high nutritive value for ruminant livestock. However, perennial ryegrass exhibits poor performance under unfavourable environmental conditions compared to other cool season forage grass species, thus the changing climate pose a substantial challenge to perennial ryegrass cultivation in the Nordic/Baltic region. In this project, we intend to utilize unique pre-breeding material, developed by the members of our consortium in the ongoing Nordic/Baltic Public-Private Partnership project on pre-breeding of perennial ryegrass and CRISPR-based editing to validate candidate genes involved in northern adaptation of perennial ryegrass. We will focus on genes involved in the mechanisms of freezing tolerance and biomass growth under water deficit. Moreover, we will investigate changes during abiotic stress periods at the transcriptome level to reveal gene regulatory pathways and networks. This project aims at improving perennial ryegrass for winter hardiness, persistence and biomass formation under water-limited conditions. This will enable us to utilize the gained information in future genomic selection programs to develop ryegrass cultivars with improved freezing and drought tolerance and persistence. It will also help breeders and agriculture in general in the Nordic/Baltic region to prepare for meeting new demands due to climate change and changing societal demands. Importantly, by improving forage production, dairy and meat industries will directly benefit and therefore this project contributes to safe and sustainable food systems.

Software modeling

The main research field of the project is implementation of Smart-contract Blockchain Technology.

The Project aims at improving the enforcement of European Small Claims Procedure (ESCP) judgments by creating a roadmap of EU Member States’ (MSs) enforcement rules and simplify and digitalize the enforcement procedures.

Project goals Taking into account the relatively low automation and robotization of the traditional fossil fuels industry, a significant retraining is necessary for the workforce in transition to modern technological industrial sectors. This has to be done, in order for the potentially available workforce to meet the needs and requirements set by the modern mechatronics oriented industry, which actively implements the Industry 4.0 ideology. To meet those requirements, the project proposes retraining courses for the soon-to-be-available workforce. The topics covered by the retraining are electrical drives, automation, robotics, power electronics, and condition monitoring of industrial systems. These separate fields are strongly interconnected and overlapping, and together with the connection point of IT technologies, they can be considered the main technological pillars of modern mechatronics oriented industry.

The project will focus on establishing and describing the long-term in vitro culture of primary human ovarian somatic cells for the future use in the fields of reproductive biotechnology, toxicology and functional studies for the better understanding of the ovarian etiologies of female infertility.

"The project directly addresses digital transformation through development of digital readiness of participating HE institutions and their current and future students by provision and absorption of digital tools for delivery of digital educational content in the area of rapid application development (RAD) thereby enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of the educational experiences of the students with tech and business backgrounds. The increased capacity to use RAD platforms (e.g. ORACLE APEX) will ensure preparation of a higher number of resilient students with business and/or tech background across at least 5 European countries. The project aims at the joint development of courses for Rapid application development (RAD) at European universities in Ireland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Croatia, with a focus on ORACLE APPEX, a concept that emphasizes rapid development of web and mobile applications. In an ever-competitive market, RAD is replacing traditional methods and off-the-shelf products. RAD allows business and IT to collaborate effectively, acting as a catalyst in innovation and streamlining workflows. The project will ultimately increase the quality in the educational work, activities and practices through digital transformation of at least 5 European HE institutions, opening up to different business sectors massively requiring IT talents."

"Pitt-Hopkins syndrome is a cognitive functional disorder, caused by a de novo genetic mutation of one allele of the transcription factor 4 (TCF4) gene. It has been reported that postnatal restoration of TCF functions in Pitt-Hopkins syndrome animal model (partially) rescues the phenotype, indicating that therapeutic approaches increasing TCF4 levels or activity might also help patients. It has also been reported that inhibiting histone deacetylase activity increases TCF4 transcriptional activity and rescues memory deficiencies associated with TCF4 haploinsufficiency in a mouse model. These effects are likely conveyed by some TCF4 co-repressor, such as ETO/RUNX1T1 recruiting HDACs. However, HDAC inhibitors have a very broad effect on the cellular transcription and can cause various side-effects. Here, we hypothesize that by modulating the activity of specific TCF4 co-activators or co-repressors or their interaction with TCF4 could increase TCF4-dependent transcription, thus alleviating the symptoms of Pitt-Hopkins syndrome and have less side effects for the patients. To this end, we pursue to thoroughly identify the co-regulators participating in TCF4-dependent transcription, and to find means to modulate their activity. The specific aims are as follows: (1) Identify the co-regulatory proteins of different TCF4 protein isoforms. (2) Determine the mechanism of action and the interacting regions between TCF4 and co-regulatory proteins. (3) Develop means to modulate the transcriptional activity or binding of the TCF4 co-regulatory proteins."

High Performance Bio-based Functional Coatings for Wood and Decorative Applications

The aim of the Project “Development of universal data model and continuity of care processes based on international standards for new generation health information systems” is to find appropriate model for digital health care data that could be used for data collection and storage in new generation TIS with the feasibility to implement the same model in other large scale Electronic Health Records (EHR). This data model will be foundation for health care professionals to use digital decision support systems in context of Electronic Medical Record. The definition of data model would lead to the development of EHR processes where minimal set of health status summaries are defined for each specialty/health issue to make evidence-based decision possible. In turn, defined health status summaries are needed for development of continuity of care processes and training of artificial intelligence and development of intuitive Electronic Medical Records.