2026-07-072026-07-07http://salesiana.dossiersoluciones.com/handle/123456789/6505Quantum gravity has matured over the last decade to a theory which can tell in a precise and explicit way how cosmological singularities of general relativity are removed. A branch of the universe "before" the classical big bang is obtained which is connected to ours by quantum evolution through a region around the singularity where the classical space-time dissolves. We discuss the basic mechanism as well as applications ranging to new phenomenological scenarios of the early universe expansion, such as an inflationary period.6 pages, invited talk at the conference "Where Cosmology and Fundamental Physics Meet" at IUFM, Marseille, June 23 - 26, 2003AstrophysicsGeneral Relativity and Quantum CosmologyHigh Energy Physics - Theorytext