CECs - Centro de Estudios Científicos

QUANTUM DRESSES FOR NAKED SINGULARITIES

Researchers from the CECs’ Theoretical Physics Lab have recently demonstrated that quantum effects can explain why there are no naked singularities in nature. These results confirm – in a particular case – the “cosmic censorship” conjecture, proposed by R. Penrose almost 50 years ago.

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Cristián Martínez and Jorge Zanelli, CECs researchers, along with Marc Casals and Alessandro Fabbri, in Brazil and France respectively, investigated one of the rarest objects predicted by Einstein’s general relativity: Naked singularities.

Not Just Neurology.

A NEW DIRECTION TOWARDS UNDERSTANDING RETT SYNDROME.

Researchers from the CECs Biology Lab have published the results of a study in the Molecular and Cellular Pediatrics Journal, which points to unraveling changes in the intestinal epithelium present in Rett Syndrome, a severe disorder of the central nervous system.

To conduct the research, they decided to study phenotypical intestinal levels in mice with Mecp2-null gene and diarrhea present. The results show that silencing the Mecp2 gene significantly affects the colon. The changes in length and epithelial histology are similar to those seen in colitis, and the changes in protein localization that participate in the absorption of fluids could explain the diarrhea, but exclusive deletion of Mecp2 from the intestine did not reproduce colon changes observed in the MECP2-null mice, which suggests the participation of other cells in these phenotypes, indicating a more complex mechanism that just silencing the gene.

Not as specific as we supposed

A CECs new discovery compels us to rethink the fundamental mechanisms of mammalian airways’ hydration.

AG et al 2016 Fig

Carlos Flores, CECs Biology Lab researcher, along with Ambra Gianotti, a Doctoral student of Medical Genetics at the University of Genoa (Italy), who completed a residency funded by EMBO (European Molecular Biology Organization), developed a study about electrolyte transport in the trachea using new molecules that inhibit Calcium-activated (TMEM16A) chloride channels. This unexpected discovery revealed that one of these molecules (CaCC-inhA01) also inhibits the CFTR chloride channel. This discovery was later verified and replicated in human cells at the Gianinna Gaslini Molecular Genetics Institute in Genoa, where Ambra developed her Doctoral Thesis work. The result of this work was recently published by the European Journal of Pharmacology.

"QUANTUM MECHANICS OF FUNDAMENTAL SYSTEMS X: BLACK HOLE ENTROPY, 43 YEARS LATER"

The conference attended by renowned theoretical physicists from different countries and institutions, was held from December 12 to 16 in the conference room of the CECs Martha Muse Building, it was co-organized by the Center for Scientific Studies and the Balseiro Institute, sponsored by CONICYT and It from Qubit of the Simons Foundation.

BlackHole2016

Among the speakers, there were representatives from the University Libre de Bruxelles, Stanford University, Harvard University, the Princeton Institute for Advanced Studies, the Balseiros Institute and the Center for Scientific Studies.

These conferences have become a tradition for the CECs’ Theoretical Physics Lab, they are held regularly since the founding of the Center for Scientific Studies, more than 32 years ago.

“Bon Appétit?” The hidden role of our genes and the environment in the control of appetite and body weight.

Biologists at CECs publish a comprehensive study that demonstrates the major role of a correct interpretation of the modifications induced by the environment on our DNA to command a proper balance of body weight and prevent obesity.

To improve our understanding of the relationship between our DNA and how much we eat, we need to know which cells are important in the regulation of energy homeostasis. Our brain possesses neurons that are in charge of regulating the amount of food we eat and it is interesting to note that even artificial activation of these neurons pushes us to eat more than we need to.

Bredo2

Figure: Immunofluorescence in hypothalamus neurons. Expression of MeCP2 is seen in red and a POMC neuron is marked in green. We can see how a neuron that is positive for POMC expresses the MeCP2 protein. To its left, two neurons that do not express POMC are seen. These probably correspond to neurons that express AgRP.

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El Centro de Estudios Científicos (CECs) es una corporación de derecho privado, sin fines de lucro, dedicada al desarrollo, fomento y difusión de la investigación científica. El CECs fue fundado en 1984 como el Centro de Estudios Científicos de Santiago donde funcionó en una casa arrendada hasta el año 2000, momento en el que se mudó a Valdivia donde evolucionó para llegar a ser lo que es hoy. Desde su fundación el CECs ha sido dirigido por el físico Claudio Bunster. Luego de treinta y seis años de existencia, el CECs ha decidido renovar su sitio web, el cual se encuentra actualmente en construcción. En el intertanto las consultas pueden ser dirigidas a info@cecs.cl. Lo que sigue es un extracto de un folleto que fue producido justo después de que el centro se trasladara a Valdivia. Sentimos que estas palabras aún reflejan su espíritu:

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Una pequeña banda de investigadores del Centro de Estudios Científicos (CECs) en Valdivia, Chile, comparte un sueño audaz, anticuado en esta era de la Gran Ciencia – la búsqueda irrestricta del conocimiento, en un pequeño instituto independiente de investigación de primera calidad. Sus miembros se han reunido durante un lapso de tiempo que abarca ya, más de un cuarto de siglo, para emprender una aventura intelectual que es riesgosa, estimulante y tremendamente productiva.

Ubicado entre los Andes y el Pacífico, en esta pequeña ciudad del sur, el CECs es uno de los pocos institutos en el mundo que trabajan en investigación de vanguardia en múltiples disciplinas, sin recibir recursos o estar afiliada a ninguna institución anfitriona. Sus investigadores son libres para desarrollar su mejor ciencia con independencia de las modas y sin restricciones burocráticas, en una atmósfera de colaboración y apoyo mutuo. El fruto de este esfuerzo se traduce en un flujo permanente de ideas innovadoras, con estudiantes altamente capacitados y resultados que son publicados en revistas especializadas. El Centro ha demostrado lo errado de los prejuicios y escepticismo relacionados con su pequeño tamaño, al ubicar a Chile, con la capacidad de sus integrantes y audaz estrategia, en el mapa mundial de la ciencia, revolucionando de paso el modelo tradicional de estructurar la ciencia en Chile y mostrando – con su ejemplo – cómo “lograr más con menos”. Sus investigadores hablan en tono de curiosidad, maravilla y ocasionalmente orgullo al describir su emocionante viaje por aguas inexploradas.

La estrategia del CECs es sustentar un entorno científicamente rico donde la ciencia y los científicos son lo primordial – atrayendo a las mejores personas, apoyándolos adecuadamente y ofreciéndoles libertad para perseguir sus sueños.

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La actual tripulación del centro es la siguiente: