Projects

Protecting underwater infrastructure and ensuring marine environmental safety in the Baltic Sea are crucial due to rising threats such as subsea cable damage, anchor incidents, and shipwreck-related pollution. This research integrates autonomous underwater sensor networks, advanced acoustic sensing, and artificial intelligence for enhanced maritime security and environmental monitoring. Acoustic arrays assess shipwreck conditions, including hull integrity, corrosion, and fuel presence, using advanced signal processing. Sensor nodes equipped with hydrophones continuously monitor underwater acoustic signals, detecting and classifying anthropogenic and natural sources. Machine learning-driven signal processing enables real-time risk assessment, anomaly detection, and communication with surface units. Expected outcomes include improved hazard detection, more efficient pollution monitoring, and autonomous decision-making, strengthening marine conservation and security in the Baltic Sea.

This project aims to investigate how epigenetic mechanisms, specifically histone modifications, control gene expression during neuronal development and maturation. We recently discovered that histone bivalency, the simultaneous presence of two histone modifications with opposing functions, controls the timing of gene expression during the maturation of cerebellar neurons. In the proposed studies, we will examine the mechanisms and function of histone bivalency in the adult brain, as well as the species-specific differences in bivalency during mouse and human neuronal development. The research also aims to uncover the molecular mechanisms underlying neurodevelopmental diseases associated with mutations in EZH1, a key enzyme involved in the regulation of bivalent domains. This project will provide fundamental insights into the chromatin mechanisms of brain development and function, with potential implications for understanding and treating neurodevelopmental disorders.

TAIM brings together plant biology expertise and infrastructure in Estonian R&D institutions, serving as a platform for fundamental and applied plant science and offering services in the fields of plant biology and plant valorization. TAIM supports research-based knowledge generation for plant breeding and growth practices, contributing to sustainable agriculture, plant valorization and food production. TAIM supports adoption of new breeding techniques and food quality analyses. The aims of TAIM are to 1) support local smart food production from soil and seeds to food by creating opportunities for modern plant breeding and analyses of plants, plant-related microbes and food quality; and 2) improve research-based knowledge generation for plant breeding and growth via adoption of modern phenotyping and digital analysis techniques, allowing to assess the effect of climate change on food production and contributing to smart sustainable agriculture.

The research infrastructure on experimental studies and applications of cellular processes aims at gathering national know-how in the field of cell and molecular biology, and aims at setting up an instrumental capability to develop competence and services in the fields of microbial and mammalian cell processes and their applications. The infrastructure will be built up jointly by the University of Tartu, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn University, Estonian University of Life Sciences and the Institute of Chemical Physics and Biophysics. The vision is to become a know-how and service centre to partner health, biotechnology and environment-focused public sector organisations, medical institutions, biotechnology and pharmacological companies. The focus will be on acquiring and setting up relevant instrumental complexes, development and offering of services, popularisation and dissemination of the field in order to ensure sustainability of researchers and future activities.

The project focuses on developing technologies for the separation of valuable components from intermediate products of ore enrichment and used magnets that are supplied to Estonia or potentially supplied. The emphasis is on characterizing the best possible raw materials, intermediates, and products during the development of separation technologies. This includes favoring liquid-assisted mechanochemical processes through the selective formation of metal-organic complexes and adhering to the principles of circular and green chemistry. The objectives of the project are: a) analysis of samples generated from the recycling of ores and their enriched intermediate products, as well as magnets containing metals; b) development and valorization of separation technologies for rare earth metals, utilizing mechanochemical methods and metal-organic complexes; c) evaluating the sustainability of the developed processes using the metrics of green chemistry

The infrastructure brings together the capabilities in chemical synthesis, chemical and biotechnology in Estonia. Its primary goal is the development and technologization of new sustainable and environmentally friendly synthesis methods, such as mechanosynthesis, flow chemistry, electrochemistry, photochemistry, and organocatalysis. New chemical methods (using enzymes, ionic liquids, and metal-organic frameworks) creates new opportunities for obtaining complex natural compounds. To ensure the sustainability of methods and materials, safety studies are conducted. The shared use of the infrastructure initiates new interdisciplinary projects and creates prerequisites for innovation and collaboration with research-intensive companies. Involving the use of infrastructure at all levels of higher education and in micro-degree programs ensures continuity in science and a qualified personnel for entrepreneurship.

Neural plasticity is the ability of nervous system to change its activity in response to stimuli by reorganizing its structure, functions, or connections and this is the main cellular basis for memory. Activity-regulated genes play crucial roles in the formation of neuronal plasticity, and dysregulation of this process gives rise to various nervous system disorders. The neurotrophin BDNF is among the best-studied activity-regulated genes, and its polymorphisms are associated with impairments in human cognition. Our results also place the basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor TCF4, that is implicated in a variety of psychiatric and autism spectrum disorders, to the group of activity-regulated transcription factors. The aim of this project is to study gene regulation in intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorders with emphasis on disease-associated transcription factors TCF4, SATB2, FOXP1, and neurotrophin BDNF for finding new drug targets.

Easy2reUse project will develop an intelligent reusable mask for healthcare workers, critical working groups and citizens. The mask will be sustainable, easy-to-breath, comfortable to wear long working hours, low lifetime cost, easy to clean, meeting the universal fit and standard requirements. User experiences of the mask will be closely studied in Finland and Spain. Cleaning and maintaining in the hospital environment and other environments are the essential part to make the mask reusable, fulfilling the cleanliness requirements. The market readiness research for reusable facemasks focuses on designing manufacturing processes that emphasize material sourcing, cost efficiency, and sustainability. A comprehensive understanding of economic feasibility, usability, and manufacturing efficiency is achieved by combining quantitative and qualitative analyses throughout the prototype development and testing phases. During these tests, facemask prototypes with integrated electronics are evaluated for functionality, durability, and compliance with current regulations and standards. Additionally, documentation for EU type-examination is prepared, and an internal quality control system is established and verified. The project explores best practices and challenges in production, regulatory compliance, and market entry by drawing insights from similar industries. Comparative case studies, life cycle costing (LCC), and assessments of market and technology readiness (MRL and TRL) guide the creation of scalable production plans. A preparedness plan is also developed for stockpiling, scale-up, and adoption by healthcare workers and the public during pandemics, applicable across European countries. The manufacturing process is designed to ensure production takes place in Europe, supporting regional supply chain resilience. Market readiness and cost-effectiveness are evaluated to create a comprehensive plan for rapid production and widespread market adoption.

Wood is Estonia's most important bio-based raw material, the skilful processing of which creates high added value, carbon binding products. Today, Estonian universities do not have a unified action plan and infrastructure for coordinated research and development (R&D) and for offering industrial solutions throughout the entire value chain. Therefore, the infrastructure is created for linking 14 structural units of 8 institutes of 3 universities. This synergy enables to carry out interdisciplinary, high quality R&D activities of wood valorisation. The infrastructure creates new opportunities for training young researchers and provides a strong base for international cooperation. An integrated contact point will be created for effective marketing of services of the infrastructure. R&D of the infrastructure covers mechanical, chemical, biochemical and thermochemical valorisation of primary and secondary wood and can take the Estonian wood science and industry to a new development level.

The research project focuses on Industry 4.0/5.0 digital production technologies, which enable the development of new products also considering their production readiness to be significantly accelerated. The whole life cycle of the product is under consideration, from the creation of digital product models using 3D scanning, digital twins, and simulation technologies; rapid product prototyping through additive manufacturing technologies to integrate both mechanics and electronics; production based on the principles of lean manufacturing, quality control and product and production monitoring. As a result of the project, a prototyping development and demo centre/ experimental lab will be created in Virumaa College, which enables the development and production of complex and smart mechatronic products.