The Core Research Areas

The first front of RAMSES is adorned with an image of a seated Pharaoh Ramses, signed with the name cartouche “Ramses”: “Whom Re created.” The location of Cologne with Cologne Cathedral and symbols representing the four core research areas that will make significant use of RAMSES float above the depiction: our solar system (astrophysics), an atom (quantum physics), a heart (medicine), a scarab (life sciences).
The research field of astrophysics is represented by a female figure striding and gazing into the universe with a stylized telescope. The hieroglyphic lettering reproduces the Aancient Egyptian word “imit unut”: “That which is in the hours (i.e. stargazing)”. In particular, the significant work of the Cluster of Excellence “Our Dynamic Universe” is significantly carried out on RAMSES.
The research field of life sciences is represented by a female figure looking into a stylized microscope and surrounded by symbols for insects, viruses and plants. The hieroglyphic lettering reproduces the aAncient Egyptian word “sebait nit anch”: “teaching of life”.
The research field of medicine is represented by a male figure holding a pair of scissors. Behind him is a DNA strand, above him a heart and three serum tubes. The hieroglyphic lettering reproduces the Aancient Egyptian word “schesau”: “medicine”. RAMSES is part of the national infrastructure of the German Human Genome Phenome Archive GHGA and the model project Genome Sequencing, in which the ITCC is certified as a genome computing center.
The research field of quantum physics is represented by a male figure holding a scroll and surrounded by symbols for atoms and quantum states. The hieroglyphic lettering reproduces the aAncient Egyptian phrase “irit chet ketet resi”: “That which very small particles do”. The numerical simulation of quantum processors, for example, is a field of application in which RAMSES will advance the research and development of quantum computing at the University of Cologne.
The special aspect of RAMSES' secure data processing adorns the last front of RAMSES with a sphinx in front of a gate surrounded by keys. These symbolize both the encryption techniques implemented in RAMSES and secure system access via SSH keys.

RAMSES has been developed for and with four core research areas that are particularly in focus as part of the University of Cologne's Excellence Strategy and conduct computationally intensive research on the university's infrastructure: Astophysics, Life Sciences, Medicine and Quantum Physics.

Inspired by the tradition of giving Ancient Egyptian names to the university's HPC clusters, these areas have also been depicted on the cladding of the cluster in the ITCC server hall.

In collaboration with the system manufacturer NEC and Dr. Kootz from the University's Institute of African Studies and Egyptology, graphics have been created that illustrate the above-mentioned research areas and reproduce their names in Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs.

Medicine

The innovative RAMSES system concept, developed in collaboration with partners from genome-based research and the Cologne Center for Genomics (CCG), opens new and diverse possibilities for life sciences and genome data analysis in addition to its use in the natural sciences.

The ITCC has had a special profile in this area since July 2024: as one of the few approved genome computing centers in Germany, it will be responsible for processing genome data in the “Genome Sequencing” model project, which will contribute to research into the prospects of cures for hereditary diseases and cancer.

Life Sciences

While the field of medicine mainly conducts research on human subjects, the life sciences broaden the focus and examine humans, animals and plants. What all areas have in common is that ever-larger amounts of data are being obtained using state-of-the-art methods.

HPC enables researchers to process the data obtained or carry out complex simulations. For example, complete genomes of living organisms can be calculated from genetic sequencing data or indications can be obtained as to which genes are particularly active under which circumstances. This is important in cancer research or in the field of ecological genetics of plants, where researchers are trying to understand the relationship between adaptation to environmental changes and genetic change.

Quantum Physics

ML4Q aims to create new computer and network architectures based on the principles of quantum mechanics, for example. Quantum computers promise revolutionary computing power that brings technological applications far beyond the horizon of classical information technology within reach.

Mathematics

At the Center for Data and Simulation Science (CDS) at the UoC, scientists conduct research into application and methodological issues. Parallel scaling algorithms and the processing of large amounts of data are often indispensable for the simulation of the complex models under consideration.

In combination with modern data science methods and machine learning processes, this places very high demands on the hardware required for this.