Statute

1 Objectives of the NCCR "Plant Survival"

Research within the NCCR may be grouped in three parts: plant physiology, ecosystems and applications.

The main research goal of the plant physiology projects is to elucidate the physiological and molecular mechanisms that allow our chosen model plants (mainly Arabidopsis, Vitis and Petunia) to survive pathogen infestation and to tolerate flooding. Research will include the identification of genes and proteins involved in resistance of grapevine to downy mildew (Plasmopara viticola) and (secondarily) grey mould (Botrytis cinerea), the two main pathogens of grapevine in Switzerland, thereby providing a basis for the understanding of the plant's own defence reactions against pathogens. New technical developments allow the analysis of the expression pattern of many genes potentially involved in successful resistance to a pathogen. The model plant Arabidopsis will be used to identify signalling pathways and key regulators of induced resistance of plants to pathogens, aiming for a fundamental understanding of the natural plant defence mechanisms. Furthermore we will study the physiological basis of flooding tolerance in Petunia. Petunia belongs to the family of the Solanaceae and can serve as a model species for the important crop species tomato and potato, which are widely cultivated in Switzerland. In the course of this research we will develop standard laboratory Petunia strains and their wild relatives as a genetic model system, in which we will identify genes involved in flooding-tolerance, other water stresses, plant-insect interactions, pathogen-resistance and biotic-toxin-detoxification. In a third project we will study mechanisms of plant defence against biotic toxins. Successful plant defence against biotic toxins can induce durable resistance against diseases. We will identify and purify several biotic toxins from pathogens. By using the purified toxins we will be able to investigate whether plants or microorganisms are able to metabolise the toxins to non-toxic products, and we will identify enzymes involved in the detoxification processes.

Ecosystem projects will study multi-trophic interactions within agricultural and natural ecosystems, focussing on the effects of long-term selective pressures from nutrient deficiencies, pesticides, microorganisms, disturbance, and insect herbivores on adaptations in economically and ecologically important plants to cope with environmental stresses. In one project, we will study the combined role of nutrients, soil organic matter and root secretions on plant nutrition under stress conditions. This will be an integrated study on the character and efficiency of transfer mechanisms of nutrients and toxic metals from different types of rock substrates to the soil and plants under semi-controlled conditions. In another project, we will study the microbial diversity in grapevine monocultures as ancient as 2000 years. This project will use the grapevine model to characterise microbial diversity in the rhizosphere and soil. We will (i) characterise the quantity and quality of microbial diversity in grapevine, relative to other land uses, (ii) elucidate how monoculture, copper-fungicide use and other environmental factors influence microbial diversity, and (iii) lay the groundwork for understanding how microbial diversity affects crop production, sustainability, fruit quality, pest and pathogen interactions. A third project will study the pattern and long-term changes in pasture-woodlands and elucidate the complex plant-herbivore interactions in a traditional type of agro-forestry. This project will focus on the evolution of a typical landscape of the Jura Mountains: the pasture woodlands (pâturages-boisés). We aim to understand how long-term traditional agro-forestry activities influence ecological resilience, functional diversity, sustainability, and the conservation value of the pasture woodland ecosystem. A fourth project will focus on the role of plants in the interactions between insect herbivores and their natural enemies. Here we will study how natural enemies that attack herbivores have contributed to the evolutionary pressures from which plant chemical defence traits have evolved, and how herbivorous insects may take counter-measures against these defences. We will also study how changes in plant defensive traits due to plant domestication have affected the interactions between herbivores and their natural enemies. A good understanding of these interactions may allow us to exploit plant defence strategies to enhance crop protection.

Application projects will be based on a close collaboration with our partners at various Federal Research Institutes and will ensure that fundamental research with relevance to application will find its way into agriculture and environmental protection. Projects in risk assessment and modelling will aid in the decision making process. Our first project will investigate the conditions for survival of plant populations in agro-ecosystems. Here we will analyse the role of local adaptation (provenance of seed source) of selected plant species used in ecological compensation areas, for survival and fitness, and for subsequent species composition and community stability. We will assess the feasibility of alternative control measures of weeds, especially by using native natural antagonists, to reduce the survival and persistence of established weeds, thereby promoting biodiversity. Our second project is dedicated to the use of pheromones for the control of insect pests in vineyards. This project will further develop an established pest control technique (pheromone baiting and trapping) by including the effects of plant volatiles. The project will also exemplify the essential steps for establishing a successful (insect) pest control system and will therefore have model character for other pest control attempts. In our third project we will investigate the biochemistry of resistance of grape to grey mould (Botrytis cinerea) and downy mildew (Plasmopara viticola), including the characterisation of disease development. This project will establish some histological, biochemical and molecular criteria useful in grape breeding for an early selection of plant resistance to diseases. Whereas the plant physiology project on disease resistance will study the genes and proteins involved in resistance processes and a possible systemic acquired resistance, we will study the final products (metabolites) involved in these phenomena. We will also collaborate with the producers of the monitoring systems LUFT and ADCOM focusing on the epidemiological study of disease development in order to achieve better management of fungicides based on meteorological measurements and modelling. Our fourth project will assess risks of introducing genetically modified (GM) plants into agro-ecosystems. Here we aim to develop methods and protocols to facilitate evaluation of the potential and perceived environmental concerns about GM crops in relation to the environment in which they are grown. Using mainly two crops of major interest to Switzerland (maize and wheat) we will determine (i) whether gene-transfer occurs between GM crops and wild relatives in the field; (ii) whether there are effects of GM crops or their residues on agriculturally important microorganisms; (iii) whether cultivation of GM plants is compatible with the use of beneficial insects in biological control; and (iv) whether there are ecological effects of GM crops on non-target insects. Our fifth application project will be dedicated to statistical and dynamic modelling of plant survival in ecosystems. We intend to develop and implement statistical and simulation tools for the analysis of data and the synthesis of models from other projects in a meta-model. We intend to provide multi-model, multi-scale simulation tools for both understanding the complex interactions within ecosystems and predicting their consequences upon plant survival at different levels of organisation. One goal of this project is to effect the transfer of knowledge by adapting modern statistical and simulation approaches to complex modelling in the context of plant biology and ecology.

Our goals in knowledge and technology transfer are to provide the basis for recommendations and assistance to plant growers for developing further high quality products, as well as to provide recommendations for decision-makers that will help to preserve the natural and agricultural landscape and in particular its biodiversity. Four sets of measures are foreseen to reach these objectives: (i) a strong emphasis on applied research within our project network, (ii) a novel educational program for graduate students, (iii) a new assistant professor in plant biotechnology, and (iv) an intense collaboration with our partners in agriculture, viticulture, communication and mobility.

Education and training is given special attention within this NCCR. With the establishment of a new graduate school we aim at providing formal education to PhD students, which ranges from various research techniques to skills which are easily transferable to a commercial environment. Scientific communication and mobility will be an essential part of the training of doctoral students, which will also include aspects of public understanding of science. Specific measures are planned to enhance the advancement of women, which includes facilitating the compatibility of family and career planning for all partners involved.

The complete description of the objectives is available.

2 Bodies and assemblies

2.1 Executive bodies of the NCCR

2.1.1 NCCR Director

2.1.2 NCCR directorial committee

1. The director of the NCCR, who is a professor of the University of Neuchâtel and will also be the chairman of the committee
2. The 1st Vice-Director from the University Neuchâtel
3. A 2nd Vice-Director from the University of Fribourg
4. A 2nd Vice-Director from the University of Bern
5. The project co-ordinator, employed by the University of Neuchâtel

With the agreement of a majority of the permanent members, the committee can be extended with temporary members, usually heads of other bodies or assemblies of the NCCR.

The list of the current members is annexed to this document.

2.1.3 Individual research project

2.2 Consulting bodies of the NCCR

2.2.1 Scientific co-ordination committee

1. All Heads of individual projects (HIPs)
2. Heads of individual sub-projects (HISPs)
3. NCCR directorial committee
4. Invited partners of the NCCR and invited guests

HI(S)Ps can be accompanied or represented by participants of their individual project.

2.2.2 Graduate school committee

1. The education representative of the University of Neuchâtel and academic head of the graduate program
2. The NCCR education officer of University of Neuchâtel
3. One education representative of University of Bern
4. One education representative of University of Fribourg
5. One representative of postdoctoral associates
6. One representative of graduate students
7. The NCCR co-ordinator or his/her assistant

The graduate school committee can invite guests.

2.3. Assemblies of the NCCR

2.3.1 Assembly of NCCR participants

2.3.2. Assembly of graduates & post-graduates

2.3.3 General assembly

2.4 Management & Co-ordination office

1. The scientific co-ordinator (head of the unit) employed by the University of Neuchâtel
2. The co-ordinator of external affairs
3. The secretary
4. The education officer
5. The finance officer
6. The communication officer
7. The equal opportunity officer

The scientific co-ordinator also acts as independent ombudsman in case of conflicts within the Management and Co-ordination office.

3 Organisation of the NCCR

3.1 Structure of the NCCR

3.2 Description of the functioning of bodies and assemblies

3.2.1. NCCR Director

In case of a long-term inability of the director to execute her directorial duties, the 1st Vice-Director will fill the position of the director. In case of a long-term inability to execute his duties the director's function will be undertaken by one of the 2nd Vice-Directors.

The director represents the participants in all transactions with the University of Neuchâtel and with the SNSF.

3.2.2 NCCR directorial committee

The committee decides on all educational matters and recommends decisions on scientific matters to the director. Decisions taken must not be in conflict with the decision competence of the director as stated in the NCCR contract.

The committee meets after invitation by the director. Two members of the committee can request a meeting. The committee meets as often as necessary, but at least twice a year. The invitation is sent out at least 10 days before the meeting and contains the agenda of the meeting. Each member can request to set an item on the agenda.

The committee can only decide on items that are on the agenda. In urgent and unforeseen cases the committee can also decide on items not on the agenda, if all members agree to do so.

The committee can decide on items on the agenda if at least three of its members are present. Decisions are taken by simple majority voting. In case of a parity of votes the vote of the director is decisive. Temporary members are allowed to vote if they have been accepted as temporary members beforehand.

The committee will organise the yearly NCCR conference.

The committee will appoint an international advisory board including at least 3 scientific experts. The advisory board will also include partners and users.

The committee can initiate theme-oriented workgroups with themes that are relevant for the success of the NCCR.

The director can ask the members to keep strict confidentiality on items of the agenda.

3.2.3 Individual research project

Within the limit of their own institutionnal regulations heads of individual (sub-) projects are entitled to sign every contracts, including non-disclosure agreement, related to their individual (sub-) projects with third parties that are not members of the NCCR. According to art. 4.4.3, those contracts have to be countersigned by the director acting as such, in order to make the information full and clear within the NCCR.

Heads are responsible for the measures necessary to reach their postulated goals and milestones (see also article 5 of the NCCR contract).

They are responsible for timely delivery of yearly progress reports for their (sub-) projects.

The director can request changes in both the composition of members of the individual research project and in its scientific objectives, the procedure being outlined in the NCCR contract article 4.

As outlined in the NCCR contract article 4, the director can terminate an individual (sub-) project.

As outlined in the NCCR contract article 4, the director can initiate new (sub-) projects.

3.2.4 Scientific co-ordination committee

The director (or another member of the directorial committee) issues invitations to the assembly meetings, which are held at least three times per year. Guests and partners are invited by the director.

Recommendations to the directorial committee are given by a majority vote and can be accompanied by minority statements.

3.2.5 Graduate school committee

The committee sets guidelines for the structuring and functioning of the NCCR graduate school according to the concept outline of the full NCCR proposal. Concepts are discussed and worked out with special attention to the implementation of equal opportunity measures. The concept is presented to the directorial committee for approval before implementation.

The committee meets as often as necessary after invitation by the chairman. Two members of the committee can request a meeting. Decisions are taken by simple majority voting. In case of a parity of votes the vote of the chairman is decisive.

3.2.6 Assembly of NCCR participants

The co-ordinator organises the meetings and issues invitations to them. They take place at least 6 times per year.

A minimum of five NCCR participants or NCCR partners can request the scientific co-ordination assembly to discuss a specific issue.

3.2.7 Assembly of graduates & post-graduates

3.2.8 General assembly

It is an informative assembly. The director presents a report on the progress of the NCCR to the general assembly and allows all participating persons to bring matters concerning the NCCR to the attention of the audience. Partners and users will be especially encouraged to voice their perspectives on the progress of the project.

3.2.9 Management & Co-ordination office

Responsibilities and competencies of the members of the unit are described in individual position descriptions.
The task of the ombudsman is to investigate complaints about possible injustices suffered by any member of the NCCR due to the action (or inaction) of any organ of the NCCR and which has not been put right. The ombudsman acts independently of any other member of the NCCR and all members are obliged to supply information requested by the ombudsman during the course of his/her investigation. The ombudsman reports the results of the investigation to the directorial committee. The ombudsman cannot help when a complaint is a simple disagreement with a decision taken by a body of the NCCR during the course of its stated duties.

4 Processes within the NCCR

4.1 Changes in the NCCR regulations

4.2 Quality assurance

Controlling of progress in knowledge and technology transfer will be through the yearly reports. Individual participants are required to report on their contacts with partners and users to the director, who will compile the reports to a section within the yearly report.

Controlling of progress in education and training of individual students is done by the education office. Requirements and procedures are specified in the guidelines for graduate education.

4.3 Finances

The director will decide on the use of the reserve funds, the transfer of resources between individual projects and the transfer of resources between categories within individual projects in accordance with relevant articles of the NCCR contract.

Accounting for the NCCR will be centralised in Neuchâtel. HIPs and HISPs send all bills concerning consumables and equipment to the project secretary. Employment costs will be covered by regular payments from the finance officer to the employing institution after having received an invoice. Details are subject to negotiations between the financial officer and individual institutions.

4.4 Knowledge and technology transfer

4.4.1 General regulations

4.4.2 Legal competencies and responsibilities (according to article 22 of the NCCR contract)

The leading house is responsible for undertaking the necessary steps to enhance added value (= valorisation) and for the exploitation of the IP rights and research results. The employees and heads of individual projects (HIPs) have the obligation to inform the leading house on items of special interest for transfer of knowledge and technology. If the leading house does not initiate the "valorisation" within the following two years, employees can recover the rights on the results. In case of a successful exploitation of the IP rights and research results, and after deduction of the costs associated with the protection and the "valorisation", the benefits will be shared between the host institution and the NCCR members involved in the project. The shares of the benefits will correspond to the proportion of funds provided by the SNSF, the University and third parties to each NCCR project. The relevant reference will be reported in the annual report in the year of the generation of results.

The heads of individual (sub-) projects who are not employed by the University of Neuchâtel are responsible to take the necessary steps to exploit the IP rights and research results obtained within their projects, according to the regulation of their respective institution. In doing so, they may call on the assistance of their institution’s or the the leading house’s technology transfer office.

In case of a successful exploitation of the IP rights and research results, the benefits should be split according to the model provided by the leading house (see above).

In application of the aforesaid principles, the director will arbitrate and settle every disputes arising between NCCR members about the generated innovation and its exploitation.

4.4.3 Contracts with third parties (according to article 23 of the NCCR contract)

The participants agree to submit each research contract or technology transfer or IP rights contracts with third parties to the NCCR director for approval. The director will countersigne the submitted contract unless it is not in accordance with the NCCR regulations or with existing contracts with other third parties (that is to avoid participants granting identical or overlapping exclusive access rights to different third parties).

The institutions involved in the NCCR according to article 10.1 of the contract with SNSF have a right of first refusal, according to article 23.2 of the contract with the SNSF, on the results obtained within the project(s) they are supporting which is (are) totally or mainly founded by SNSF, in case of their exploitation / valorisation with or by third parties. The right of first refusal shall be exerted under the same conditions as foreseen for contracts with third parties. In no case, will a technology transfer or exploitation/valorisation of IP rigths take place for free. If an institution exercises its right of first refusal, the amount of the counter-prestation owed by this institution will, according to article 23.2 of the contract with the SNSF, have to take consideration of its contribution to the results obtained under the NCCR and to the NCCR itself.

In case of conflict of interests between two or more participants/institutions with respect to the exploitation of results obtained within the NCCR, the director will arbitrate and settle any dispute.

In case of commercial exploitation of IP rights, research results or software rights after the right of first refusal was exercised, the home institution should receive a share of the benefits. The benefits will be attributed according to art. 4.4.2 above.

4.4.4 Intellectual property and technology transfer / Mutual access to results and/or to background technology

Each home institution shall take all steps and measures to obtain sufficient access rights to IPR generated by its employees and/or students. Each home institution shall be solely responsible for the retribution of their inventors, authors and developers who created foreground rights and shall hold the other participants free and harmless against any claims of such inventors, authors and developers.

Same rights and obligations do apply to professors heads of individual (sub) projects or participants to the NCCR who employes researchers involved in NCCR projects, under contracts submitted to private law (swiss obligation code) which should be adaptated to reflect these rights and obligations.

Results obtained in common by two or more members of the NCCR shall be jointly owned by said members. The proportion of ownership relates to the amount of funds contributed by the NCCR, the home institution and third parties to each of the partners as stated in the annual report.

Each participant agrees to give to other member(s) all reasonable assistance for obtaining patent protection, and for preparing and prosecuting any patent application filed by another member on joint results, and will cause all appropriate assignments and other instruments or documents to be executed.

The members shall use their best efforts to agree on a case by case basis with respect to patent applications and/or patents covering joint results in particular on the ownership ratio of the involved members as defined hereover, a possible transfer of results, the industrial exploitation of them, either by other members or by third parties, and the conditions thereof, the allocation of internal and/or external expenses as well as on the accounting mode of said costs.

The director will arbitrate and settle any dispute arising amoung members/participants in relation with joint results.

Each patent application, covering individual or joint results, as the case may be, shall be filed by the member(s) owner of the rights, without the possibility for a non filing member to rise an objection regarding the patent filing. If there are written evidences, that the patent application interfers with patent protection seeking activities of other members and/or commercial exploitation of their own results, the director will arbitrate and settle the different, in order to avoid conflict of interests. The director will initiate a discussion in order to determine acceptable modifications to resolve the issue and allow filing without conflict of interests. Those modifications should be adopted within 20 working days after the date a dispute arised. In case where no mutually acceptable agreement can be achieved between the participants/members, the director will decide to the best of her knowledge and judgement.

Each member agrees to licence to other NCCR members free of charge its background and foreground (obtained within the framework of the NCCR) rights for research purposes only (in-house research), as far as this is necessary to carry out research projects within the NCCR and as far as the member is free to do so. However, licensing of background rights for internal research purposes is not compulsory, in particulary in case of commitments of the member(s) which may limit and/or prevent the right to use the background technology by other members for research purposes and which preexist to the 1st of April 2001. The background technology shall remain the property of the participant having generated it.

The license granted for in-house research is a non exclusive and royalty free, and does not imply the right to grant sublicenses to third parties.

The in-house license granted on background and foreground rights shall remain in full force and effect even if the member(s) which is/are owner(s) of such rights leave(s) the NCCR.

In case a member needs the access right to background technology of another member(s) to permit commercial exploitation of own results obtained within the framework of the NCCR, prior written approval of the owner of the background technology is required. Such approval shall be subject to the payment of compensation to said owner and subject to the owner being free to grant such rights. If those conditions are fulfiled, then may the approval not be denied. For the avoidance of doubt, a member who is not owner of background rights is not entitled to commercially exploit nor grant rights of exploitation on any background rights without the prior writtent consent of the owner of such background rights.

The member(s) agrees that commercial access right granted to third parties shall whenever possible and commercially sensible be non exclusive or else in a narrowly defined field of use to enable efficient technology transfer to different third parties.

Article 4.4.4 shall remain effective for 30 months after termination of the projects taking place within the framework of the NCCR.

4.4.5 Confidentiality

HIPs must report to the director 30 working days in advance about the publication of results of research done in the context of the NCCR and leading to a possible exploitation. If necessary the director can stop premature publication and ask for an amendment, allowing the “valorisation” to take place. The director or her deputy has to react within 10 working days after the paper having been submitted to her. Failure to respond within 10 working days is considered as an approval. If a modification is considered necessary by the director, a discussion must be organised to determine acceptable modifications that will allow submission of the paper within 20 working days after the date of the director’s objection. However, publications may be postponed by a maximum of three months after receipt of the manuscript in order to apply for possible protection.

Article 4.4.5 shall remain effective for one year after the termination of the projects taking place within the framework of the NCCR.

4.5 Education and equal opportunity

5 Duration