Atomistic Processes during Quantum Dot Formation -- Quantum Dots in the InAs/GaAs System -- First-Principles Study of InAs/GaAs(001) Heteroepitaxy -- Formation of Two-Dimensional Si/Ge Nanostructures Observed by STM -- Diffusion, Nucleation and Growth on Metal Surfaces -- The Stranski-Krastanov Transition -- The Mechanism of the Stranski-Krastanov Transition -- Off-Lattice KMC Simulations of Stranski-Krastanov-Like Growth -- Temperature Regimes of Strain-Induced InAs Quantum Dot Formation -- Kinetic Modelling of Strained Films: Effects of Wetting and Facetting -- Ge/Si Nanostructures with Quantum Dots Grown by Ion-Beam-Assisted Heteroepitaxy -- Self-Assembly of Quantum Dot Arrays -- Lateral Organization of Quantum Dots on a Patterned Substrate -- Some Thermodynamic Aspects of Self-Assembly of Quantum Dot Arrays -- The Search for Materials with Self-Assembling Properties: The Case of Si-Based Nanostructures -- Structure and Composition of Quantum Dots -- X-Ray Scattering Methods for the Study of Epitaxial Self-Assembled Quantum Dots -- Carbon-Induced Ge Dots On Si(100): Interplay of Strain and Chemical Effects -- Growth Information Carried by Reflection High-Energy Electron Diffraction -- Electrons and Holes in Quantum Dots -- Efficient Calculation of Electron States in Self-Assembled Quantum Dots: Application to Auger Relaxation -- Quantum Dot Molecules and Chains -- Collective Properties of Electrons and Holes in Coupled Quantum Dots -- Phase Transitions in Wigner Molecules -- Fast Control of Quantum States in Quantum Dots: Limits due to Decoherence -- Optical Properties of Quantum Dots -- Real SpaceAb Initio Calculations of Excitation Energies in Small Silicon Quantum Dots -- GeSi/Si(001) Structures with Self-Assembled Islands: Growth and Optical Properties -- Quantum Dots in High Electric Fields: Field and Photofield Emission from Ge Nanoclusters on Si(100) -- Optical Emission Behavior of Si Quantum Dots -- Strain-Driven Phenomena upon Overgrowth of Quantum Dots: Activated Spinodal Decomposition and Defect Reduction.