Projects

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a clinically established cancer treatment but remains limited by the lack of precise control over singlet oxygen (¹O₂) generation, leading to off-target toxicity and prolonged photosensitivity. This project, Programmable Molecular Systems for Oxygen Control (PMSOC), proposes a dual-gated PDT platform integrating a porphyrin photosensitizer with a light-driven molecular motor and a pH-responsive linker. The system enables controlled singlet oxygen generation via triplet–triplet energy transfer and includes an endoperoxide trap for delayed oxygen release. By requiring both light and an acidic tumor environment, PMSOC introduces a molecular logic-gated approach to PDT. The project will develop and evaluate these systems, establishing a framework for spatiotemporally controlled photomedicine with improved precision, reduced side effects, and potential applications in catalysis.

This project aims to develop an AI/DFT/ML (artificial intelligence, density functional theory and machine learning)-guided workflow for designing short peptide–metal complexes as sustainable bio catalysts. The work combines AI-based peptide generation, molecular modelling, quantum-chemical and machine-learning-based catalytic screening, and experimental validation of selected candidates. By computationally prioritizing promising designs before laboratory testing, the project aims to reduce experimental trial-and-error, reagent use, waste generation, energy cost and development time in greener catalytic process development.

The project is aimed at changing the current paradigm of using oil shale by direct transformation of its valuable structural components into high-value chemicals, with the goal of developing an environmentally friendly chemical industry. The focus is set on expanding advanced methods for obtaining base chemicals through the chemical transformation of kerogens from various sources, as well as developing environmentally friendly holistic solutions. These efforts aim to enhance the efficiency of using other geological resources and allow for the utilization of already generated waste. The objective is to develop innovative uses for raw materials that create added value, find applications for residual oil shale in waste rock piles, and align with green transition strategies. The focus is on Estonian mineral resources, but the project also envisions the utilization of other difficult-to-transform organic materials for obtaining chemicals.

Light-driven electrophotocatalysis for advanced functionalized electro-organic synthesis (LEAF-eOS) develops a “synthetic photosynthesis” platform that combines light and electricity for sustainable and scalable chemical manufacturing. It enables the conversion of renewable feedstocks (CO2/biomass) into pharmaceuticals, fine chemicals, and materials under mild and safe conditions, offering a greener alternative to conventional energy-intensive processes. The modular integration of electrochemistry and photocatalysis opens new reactions, improves efficiency and selectivity, and reduces waste and energy demand. The project develops multifunctional hybrid catalysts (CN–COF/MOF–PNs) and optimized catalyst–light–electrode systems, coupled with flow reactors and real-time monitoring, to ensure scalable synthesis with a low environmental footprint, aligned with SDG-7 and SDG-13.

TIRAMISU “Training and Innovation in Reliable and Efficient Chip Design for Edge AI” is a European HORIZON MSCA Doctoral Network project. The general research objective of TIRAMISU is a practical methodology for reliable and energy-efficient Edge AI hardware backbone design and innovation management. The action will provide strong interdisciplinary training for future European engineers and researchers driving the innovation for reliable and energy-efficient Edge AI chips. The consortium is strategically designed to foster cross-disciplinary synergies, by seamlessly integrating innovation management research with the technical aspects of Edge AI design. The non-academic sector is represented by a European flagship R&D hub for nanoelectronics - IMEC, a global leader in industrial electronics and the largest semiconductor manufacturer in Germany - Infineon, a trusted automotive solutions provider - Dumarey, the worldwide leader in EDA tools development - Cadence. The academic excellence is established by the top ICT and Technology Innovation engineering universities and Europe's largest application-oriented research organisation - Fraunhofer.

Falls and frailty are major concerns for the aging population, with ~30% of people over the age of 65 falling each year. Current risk assessments mainly rely on self-reports and subjective scales, failing to account for the interplay between mobility, behavior, and environment. As a result, early signs of declining health often go unnoticed. The SAFE project aims to develop a sensor-based framework for real-world fall-risk profiling. SAFE focuses on balance losses that do not lead to actual falls, which are underestimated risk factors, using wearable sensors. The project (1) identifies risk factors and sensor-based metrics of instability, (2) validates the technology's performance with older adults living in the community, and (3) investigates the impact of behavior and context on fall risk. SAFE moves from detecting consequences to a fall-prevention system, enabling a personalized approach to fall-risk assessment and supporting healthier aging among the European population.

PIPEON will deliver a step change in the ability of robots that navigate, inspect, and perform essential, but non-repetitive tasks of blockage removal and sensor installation in the wide range of dynamic and hazardous environments found in Europe’s sewer systems. The autonomous inspections permits data collection an order of magnitude faster and facilitates a paradigm shift in sewer management: moving from reactive to predictive asset maintenance. We also estimate that it will also be possible to reduce sewage spills by 30%. It would allow reach Europes’ 2050 goal of its zero pollution action plan even if all other pollution sources remained unchanged (e.g. from agricultural fertilisers, etc.).

Modern society depends on new molecules to advance medicine, agriculture, and materials, but developing safe and sustainable synthetic strategies remains a challenge. Nitrogen heterocycles are especially important due to their presence in many pharmaceuticals and natural products. Haloaziridines are powerful intermediates for constructing diverse nitrogen heterocycles, thanks to their unique reactivity in ring-opening and transition-metal-catalyzed reactions. The FlowHalAzi project addresses this by developing scalable strategies for synthesizing halogen-functionalized aziridines. It will employ zinc-mediated, photochemical, and electrochemical methods to generate halocarben(oid) species from CHX₃ or CRX₃ precursors and directly incorporate them into multicomponent reactions. Continuous-flow conditions will be used to allow precise control and facilitate scale-up.

MARTA addresses agronomically and economically important traits in plant breeding to support sustainable and self-sufficient food production in Estonia. We will create novel breeding knowledge together with a toolbox of modern breeding tools (including novel genetic markers, genomic selection and genome editing). Target traits for breeding include climate-resilience, disease resistance, product quality, production sustainability and high yield. We have chosen 7 strategically important crop species for Estonia as prime targets for application of modern breeding tools. Wheat, barley and potato are important in ensuring energy and protein supply as food crops. Nitrogen fixing capability and high protein content (29% of seed dry matter) of faba bean make it a strategically important crop in Estonia’s protein self-sufficiency. Apple and blackcurrant are important horticultural crops ensuring a healthy diet and providing a local supply of vitamin- and antioxidant-rich resources for the industry. Bridging the gap between fundamental and applied plant biology will allow faster translation of research results into breeding. The research questions (Q) addressed in the project range from broad phenotypic and genotypic screening to application of precision breeding and creation of novel genetic markers. The establishment of a pipeline for using genomics and transcriptomics results will speed up and create new possibilities for breeding climate-resilient future crops. Q1 aims to create specific scientific knowledge, data and results for input to Q2 and Q3, which serve to develop modern tools for breeding (e.g. novel genetic markers for disease resistance, pre-breeding material from precision breeding). MARTA will generate and validate a modern breeding toolbox for flexible and sustainable plant breeding in Estonia to ensure food security.

In heart muscle cells, calcium regulates cells' contraction and mitochondria energy production needed to perform mechanical work and maintain ion balance. The primary calcium source in adult mammalian cells is the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). Recently, it has been shown that SR and mitochondria are physically linked and regulate mitochondrial respiration. The precise interaction between them is essential for maintaining energy balance in the heart, yet many aspects of this regulatory pathway are still poorly understood. This project aims to unravel mechanistic aspects of SR-mitochondria interaction by taking advantage of structural and functional changes in heart muscle cells during development and in disease. We expect this knowledge to be applicable at the other end of the heart physiology spectrum – disease, as failing hearts resemble in many ways the hearts from early stages of development.

Asymmetric catalysis plays one of the most important roles in the modern organic chemistry providing methods for the synthesis biologically active compounds and pharmaceuticals. Merging well-developed organocatalysis with electrochemistry opens new horizons for asymmetric transformation beyond the classical thermochemical activation. This approach is sustainable, since it employs harmless organocatalysts to induce chirality and electrons as traceless and green reagents to generate highly reactive radical species under mild reaction conditions avoiding the utilization of highly toxic and expensive RedOx chemicals. The efficiency and reliability of such transformations can be enhanced by performing the reaction in continuous-flow mode. The project is an example of cutting-edge science combining different research areas of organic synthesis and chemical engineering that can be potentially applied for discovery of new and potent life-saving drugs.