Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-erc-participations-et-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Projet ERC : PREVAIL (Horizon Europe, appel 2024, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : Université de Leyde — Pays : Pays-Bas — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 150000.0 €

The emergence of Gram-negative bacterial resistance against antibiotics, especially the last-line-of-defense polymyxins, presents a societal threat with the potential to inflict higher healthcare costs and life-threatening patient risks. For decades, physicians have relied on polymyxins as a last line of defense to treat resistant Gram-negative bacterial infections that do not respond to standard antibiotic therapies. However, in 2016, a new polymyxin resistance mechanism surfaced: mobilized colistin resistance (MCR-1). The global overuse of antibiotics, including polymyxins, and a persistent lack of novel antibiotics have made us vulnerable to increased bacterial resistance, including the MCR-1 strains, seriously threatening our public health. In Project PREVAIL, our group will validate the effectiveness of a novel drug, Laterocidamide (LATERO), from a new class of antibiotics to deliver an innovative solution that can mitigate the alarming global surge of antibiotic resistance. Our novel synthetic antibiotic, LATERO, has best-in-class potential to address these challenges with (i) minimal antimicrobial resistance, (ii) Gram-negative bacterial efficacy against polymyxin-resistant strains, and (iii) the ability to be produced at low cost. Moreover, our robust synthetic approach will allow us to generate additional analogs in the future. In PREVAIL, we will explore LATERO's technical and commercial potential. Specifically, we will validate LATERO as a novel antibiotic for (multi-drug-resistant) Gram-negative bacterial infections by performing in vitro and in vivo efficacy and preclinical toxicity studies. In parallel, we will: 1. Analyze the IP position and develop an IP rights strategy to protect LATERO and new analogs developed in the project to secure future assets. 2. Evaluate LATERO’s commercial feasibility and construct viable business cases to enter the market to support outreach and procuring future funding opportunities.
Projet ERC : Post-Harvest-Boost (Horizon Europe, appel 2025, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : Université d'Édimbourg — Pays : Royaume-Uni — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 150000.0 €

Food security and nutritious diets for all are major challenges for a rapidly growing global population and for healthy aging. To feed the global population in the coming years, the production of agricultural crops has to sharply increase, yet up to 50% of harvested vegetables are currently wasted along the supply chain from growers to retailers to consumers. Food waste also produces greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change and their diminishing nutrition upon storage compromise healthy diets. Especially leafy vegetable crops have relatively short-shelf lives: after harvest they rapidly lose nutritional value, suffer from dehydration, and often end up rotting as diseases strike. Thus, there are urgent public health, net zero and economic needs to improve the post-harvest shelf-lives of vegetables.  In our ERC-CoG project UbRegulate, we discovered that post-harvest tissues experience extensive changes in their ability to launch immune responses. Further study showed that after harvest, Brassica crops such as cabbage, broccoli and salad rocket, undergo dramatic cellular changes to cope with post-harvest stresses. These findings demonstrate that post-harvest crops respond differently to their environment compared to unharvested crops. Thus, bioengineering harvest-inducible traits – rather than constitutive traits – to improve post-harvest health and longevity is preferable and avoids deleterious side-effects during the on-soil growth phase. Here, we will provide proof-of-concept that synthetic bioengineering approaches can introduce novel traits specifically in harvested tissues. By using synthetic gene circuits, we will specifically express desirable traits only after harvest to extend the healthy shelf-lives of Brassica crops. Improving post-harvest longevity, quality and health of crops will result in large financial gains, food security and dramatically reduce food waste for growers, retailers and consumers.
Projet ERC : BEHAVREG (Horizon Europe, appel 2025, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : Université Bar-Ilan — Pays : Israël — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : BIU
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 150000.0 €

Effective regulatory decision-making is essential for addressing complex societal challenges, yet current approaches often rely on intuition and standardized solutions that fail to account for behavioral, cultural, and contextual factors. BEHAVREG will transform regulatory governance by developing an innovative decision aid tool that integrates machine learning with behavioral science to predict likely compliance outcomes of regulatory choices and enable more effective intervention design. This project leverages comprehensive datasets, including ex-ante impact assessments and post-implementation reviews, to develop sophisticated predictive models that assess intervention effectiveness across diverse contexts. The tool analyzes critical factors such as compliance costs, social control mechanisms, institutional trust, and cultural norms to provide nuanced recommendations that move beyond binary regulatory choices. BEHAVREG's machine learning algorithms, trained on structured historical data, will identify patterns to improve prediction accuracy and evaluate regulatory trade-offs. This will empower regulators to select appropriate interventions—whether mandates, incentives, nudges, or information campaigns—precisely tailored to specific regulatory environments. Importantly, the system can predict potential backfire effects and unintended consequences, enabling regulators to anticipate challenges before implementation. By bridging the gap between theoretical insights and practical implementation, BEHAVREG delivers evidence-based predictions and actionable recommendations. This innovation will optimize regulatory design across sectors and cultures and will improve compliance outcomes, reduce enforcement costs, and enhance public trust—representing a significant advancement in regulatory governance with global implications for policy development and implementation.
Projet ERC : Restore-Fertility (Horizon Europe, appel 2024, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : Université Bar-Ilan — Pays : Israël — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : BIU
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 150000.0 €

Chemotherapy treatments for cancer and haematological disorders can lead to male infertility. While adult males can freeze a sperm biopsy prior to chemotherapy, pre-pubertal children cannot do so, as they do not yet produce sperm. Reaching 88% survival rate for paediatric cancers nowadays, many of these kids will survive to adulthood but remain infertile. There are currently no clinical fertility restoration options available for these kids. Many of them are advised to undergo a testis biopsy procedure for fertility preservation prior to chemotherapy, with the hope that techniques will be developed to allow the use of these samples for future sperm production. Within the ERC StG, we aimed to develop an in vitro system that can closely model the testis. As such, we have recently published the development of testis organoids from both embryonic and prepubertal mouse testis. These organoids can be cultured in vitro for 9 weeks, while preserving all cell types normally present in the testis. These organoids highly recapitulate the in vivo state by creating structures, as well as presenting expression profiles, of in vivo testis. We developed defined media composition for in vitro maturation. Finally, we show indications that meiosis is initiated in vitro within the organoids. In this ERC PoC, building on our development in the mouse, we will generate human testis organoids derived from pre-pubertal testis biopsies that were obtained prior to chemotherapy treatment. We will assess the ability of these testicular cells to create human testis organoids, and analyse the structure, transcriptome, as well as ability to initiate, and potentially complete, meiosis. Within Restore- Fertility, we aim to achieve significant progress with the technology development in human samples, and provide a proof-of-concept for sperm production in vitro. We will also achieve business progression by consolidating IP strategy, market analysis, and develop a comprehensive business strategy.
Projet ERC : smolSUB (Horizon Europe, appel 2023, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : Conseil supérieur de la recherche scientifique — Pays : Espagne — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : CSIC
Type d'entité : Recherche
Financement ERC de l'entité : 150000.0 €

SmolSUB is a key tool in the progress of organic electronic devices (OEs). SmolSUB promotes the creation/discovery of new OEs, basic skeletons in organic field-effect transistors, (bio)sensors, organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), organic solar cells (OSCs), soft-robotics, among others. SmolSUB presents a new, greener, and low-cost vision (in terms of materials, waste and energy required) in the testing of organic electronic materials on substrates of interest, using a simple methodology, applicable at different scales (basic laboratories and industry), inclusive with other existing ones and of fast execution, projecting a profound change in how to create, analyse and apply new OEs (from the combination of materials to their applications). SmolSUB is based on strategically designed sublimation devices, which under mild and eco-friendly conditions, allow the direct deposition of useful organic molecules on substrates of all kinds. The project foresees its usefulness in the creation of wearable electronics, imperceptible electronics, and smart packaging, among other applications, and will enhance the creation of new devices with flexibility and stretchability properties, born from the molecule+substrate synergy. SmolSUB seeks the validation of this methodology and the launch and real projection of commercialisation of the products presented here (through spin-offs or agreements with companies).
Projet ERC : SocialPref (Horizon Europe, appel 2024, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : Conseil supérieur de la recherche scientifique — Pays : Espagne — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : CSIC
Type d'entité : Recherche
Financement ERC de l'entité : 150000.0 €

Patients affected with schizophrenia or social anxiety disorders such as separation anxiety or avoidant personality disorders often exhibit difficulties to socially interact, particularly with novel individuals. Altered social interactions impair their day-to-day life and often prevent them from having families or holding on to their jobs. In addition, the number of individuals living as recluses and suffering from the Hikkimori syndrome has sharply increased since the COVID pandemic. Currently, there is no dedicated medication to treat the crippling introversion associated with these disorders.  We discovered a neuronal circuit regulating social preferences through the activation of the corticotropin-related hormone receptor 1 in the lateral septum (LS). Specifically, we demonstrated through a combination of electrophysiological, chemogenetic, optogenetic, calcium recording and gene silencing techniques that the release of CRH from prefrontal cortex (PFC) neurons into LS suppresses social interaction with familiar mice. This circuit therefore contributes to the social novelty preference exhibited by adult mice. based on these results, we presented a patent titled "CRHR1 agonists for use in the treatment of social anxiety disorders". In addition, preliminary data shows that social novelty preference as well as CRH signaling from the PFC to LS is dysregulated in the Df16(A)+/- mouse model of schizophrenia.  In order to further interest for our patent from pharmaceutical companies, we would like to conduct a pre-clinical study testing whether infusion of CRHR1 agonists in the septum of Df16(A)+/- mice can rescue social novelty preference and improve social interactions in this model. Our overarching goal is to facilitate the development of new treatments for mental health disorder patients suffering from extreme introversion.
Projet ERC : NEWTON (Horizon Europe, appel 2025, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : Conseil supérieur de la recherche scientifique — Pays : Espagne — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : CSIC
Type d'entité : Recherche
Financement ERC de l'entité : 150000.0 €

Computational analysis of experimental measurements is crucial for advancing fields ranging from basic biotechnology to applied biomedicine. However, the rapid generation of increasingly complex data by laboratory equipment has outpaced the development of computational tools, leading to significant loss of valuable information. NEWTON addresses this challenge by developing Digital Twins (DTs) for (i) laboratory equipment and (ii) experimental procedures. These DTs will serve as computational mirrors, replicating the equipment used for sample characterization and the protocols employed in experiments. By capturing the intrinsic features of the equipment, how it derives experimental values from living cells, and the impact of protocols on samples, DTs will unlock unprecedented insights from experimental data. Existing computational tools could be integrated with DTs to enhance their analytical capabilities. Importantly, DTs are not intended to replace existing tools but to augment them, enabling comparisons and predictions that are currently unattainable, thus overcoming current bottlenecks. A preliminary test using a DT of a flow cytometer has already demonstrated its potential within our laboratory, allowing us to investigate bacterial phenotypes in novel ways and revolutionizing our approach to cytometry data analysis. Building on this success, NEWTON will advance initial conceptual studies to practical validation in small- and large-scale setups. Use cases during this validation phase will span biomedical applications, industrial cytometry fabrication, and bioengineering research. Looking ahead, NEWTON will assess the scalability of this technology, with a long-term vision of creating a modular DT of an entire molecular biology laboratory—where NEWTON DTs serve as foundational components. A comprehensive exploitation plan will ensure the project’s impact extends well beyond its lifespan, driving innovation across multiple domains.
Projet ERC : NanoPlastBall (Horizon Europe, appel 2022, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : Université de Twente — Pays : Pays-Bas — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 150000.0 €

In recent years, we have discovered that our environment is extensively polluted with plastic particles in a wide range of sizes, from the largest pieces that we can identify with our bare eyes, to the so called “microplastics” (< 5 mm). As a consequence of the improvement in detection techniques, we now know that, for example, up to trillions of microplastic particles per litre have been found in plastic bottles for infants and in general plastic-based consumer water containers. Plastic debris above the microplastic cut-off can be sampled easily (though tediously) using standard extraction, collection, and purification methods. However, microplastics are typically heavily underestimated when using such basic techniques. In this project, I intend to develop a technique by which we can (1) concentrate diluted pre-filtered solutions by a controlled droplet evaporation process and (2) perform chemical identification of its content beyond the current detection limits using surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy. The technique will be easy, fairly cheap to implement and easily scalable for the identification of micro- and nanoplastics in consumer products.
Projet ERC : LiquidS (Horizon Europe, appel 2022, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : Institute of Science and Technology Austria — Pays : Autriche — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : ISTA
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 150000.0 €

The problem: Electrifying transport and storing electricity from renewable intermittent sources is mandatory for a carbon neutral society. Best in class energy density helped Lithium ion batteries (LIB) to now widespread use, giving a taste of the full promise of electrochemical energy storage (EES). However, they rely on scarce elements with associated major cost and energy input for production. Hence, the required giant scale deployment makes no sense ecologically nor economically. Alternative EES devices – supercapacitors and redox flow batteries – each alleviate some of the weaknesses of LIB such as power, used elements, and safety, but remain critically weak in energy per unit weight and mass. Overall, a carbon neutral society has critical demand for environmentally benign EES, which combines the best features of these technologies. Success and troubles of LIBs stem from the used transition metal compounds (e.g., based on Cobalt). Being solid and dense, they allow for high energy, but processes are slow in solids, restricting power. Further, transition metals are scarce, expensive, and energy hungry in production. Therefore, the ideal redox material was based on main group elements, liquid, and had solid-like redox density. The solution: In the ERC StG project OMICON, we discovered such a class of low molecular weight organic redox materials with exciting features: (i) They are liquid in pure form and dissolve salts, being active material and electrolyte at once. (ii) They are reduced and oxidized with a significant voltage difference, hence can act as anode and cathode material. (iii) they are mixed conducting, allowing for very high volume occupation in the electrode. (iv) being liquid, a redox flow battery with unmatched energy density is possible. (v) Consisting of mainly C, O, and H, the materials are accessible in cheap, scalable synthesis from bulk raw materials.
Projet ERC : PRONTO (Horizon Europe, appel 2022, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : Conseil supérieur de la recherche scientifique — Pays : Espagne — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : CSIC
Type d'entité : Recherche
Financement ERC de l'entité : 150000.0 €

Despite huge progress in prevention and treatment over the past century, infectious diseases still impose a great health burden. For this reason, lab-centralised immunoassays and nucleic acid tests that allow for specific pathogen identification with limits of detection reaching few copies per ml of sample are readily available and supported by both national and private health systems in the developed world. However, these tests are neither affordable nor accessible to patients in low- and medium-income countries. Fortunately, lateral flow antigen-based have proven to be a fast, reliable and affordable tool to detect a wide range of pathogens. However, such tests suffer from cross-reactivity with related bacterial or viral species and more importantly, they often require 10^5 pathogens per mL to yield a positive result. It becomes clear that there is a clinical and technological need to develop rapid tests that combines PCR sensitivity – able to detect one copy per mL - with LF affordability. PRONTO proposes a novel low cost, sustainable and self-powered readout system for nucleic acid detection based on conductimetry. The key component consists on a paper-based and single use self-powered conductimetric sensor developed during ERC Consolidator Grant SUPERCELL. The sensing approach is unique and minimalistic, as it breaks the classic paradigm sensor-electronics-battery as the sensor and the power source are merged into one element while making the detection system energetically autonomous. The simplicity of the approach will enable the deployment of highly sensitive and digital tests for infectious diseases at affordable prices and in a sustainable manner at a global scale.
Projet ERC : GNVISION (Horizon Europe, appel 2022, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : Conseil supérieur de la recherche scientifique — Pays : Espagne — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : CSIC
Type d'entité : Recherche
Financement ERC de l'entité : 150000.0 €

Proton therapy represents one of the most recent and adavanced tools in cancer treatment, especially for complex cases and pediatric patients. Despite its exponential deployment worldwide, hadron therapy still faces two main limitations, which are related to: i) accurate ion-range verification and ii) assessment of the secondary (unwanted) neutron dose. The present proposal presents an innovative tool, that can help to improve this situation and thus increase the potential benefits of hadron therapy. This project focuses on a portable device, that can simultaneously image both gamma-rays and thermal neutrons, which are ineluctably produced during the treatment. On one hand, imaging thermal neutrons may help to quantify more reliably the secondary neutron dose received by the patient during therapy. Complementary gamma-ray imaging is accomplished with the same apparatus by means of electronic collimation, thus enabling real-time assessment of the ion-range. In terms of gamma-vision, the system has been recently tested in pre-clinical conditions at CNA-Seville and HIT-Heidelberg. This POC project aims therefore at demonstrating the additional neutron-vision capability, thereby elevating the full GNVision system to TRL6, and addressing its commercial viability in the health-sector.
Projet ERC : RE-TE (Horizon Europe, appel 2022, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : Conseil supérieur de la recherche scientifique — Pays : Espagne — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : CSIC
Type d'entité : Recherche
Financement ERC de l'entité : 150000.0 €

The assessment of the economic health of economies around the world has historically been based on reports prepared by multiple public and private institutions – from banks to governments. These describe how an economy has evolved in the past, but are lagging and low-resolution pictures of fast evolving systems, and are therefore hill-suited for guiding real decision-making processes under uncertainty. The solution could come from air transport and its demand, as these can provide real-time indicators of the intentions of citizens and companies to travel several months in the future; but are also linked to, and therefore describe, the evolution of the economy in general. By relying on large-scale data sets covering several aspects of air transport, from operational plans to price evolution, this project proposes exploring the societal and commercial value of macro-economic indicators extracted from air transport. From a technical perspective, this will be achieved by deploying an IT infrastructure to support the creation and distribution of reports based on such indicators and their respective evolution. Most importantly, the value of these reports will be tested in three use cases targeting the general public, a large regional government, and a SME. We will thus explore the commercial value of such reports and their suitability for supporting a future business, while also providing a freely given added value for society at large.