Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-erc-participations-et-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Projet ERC : DerSympApp (Horizon 2020, appel 2017, Consolidator grants)
Domaine scientifique : Physical Sciences and Engineering
Panel : Mathematics
Entité participante : Université de Montpellier — Pays : France — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : UM
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 1385247.0 €

We propose a program that aims at providing new developments and new applications of shifted symplectic and Poisson structures. It is formulated in the language and framework of derived algebraic geometry after Toën–Vezzosi and Lurie. On the foundational side, we will introduce the new notion of shifted symplectic groupoids and prove that they provide an alternative approach to shifted Poisson structures (as they were defined by the PI together with Tony Pantev, Bertrand Toën, Michel Vaquié and Gabriele Vezzosi). Along the way, we shall be able to prove several conjectures that have recently been formulated by the PI and other people. Applications are related to mathematical physics. For instance: - we will provide an interpretation of the Batalin–Vilkovisky formalism in terms of derived symplectic reduction. - we will show that the semi-classical topological field theories with values in derived Lagrangian correspondences that were previously introduced by the PI are actually fully extended topological field theories in the sense of Baez–Dolan and Lurie. - we will explain how one may use this formalism to rigorously construct a 2D topological field theory that has been discovered by Moore and Tachikawa. Quantization problems will also be discussed at the end of the proposal. This project proposal lies at the crossroads of algebraic geometry, mathematical physics (in its algebraic and geometric aspects) and higher algebra.

Mots-clés : derived algebraic geometry,higher and homotopical algebra
Projet ERC : SPRAYNERGY (Horizon 2020, appel 2015, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : University of Glasgow — Pays : Royaume-Uni — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 148783.0 €

We propose a robust polymer-based system that allows a safer delivery of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP2) for bone tissue engineering. We have teamed up with a surgeon (Dr. Meek) and an SME (Taragenyx Ltd.) in the planning stages, for the appraisal of the proposal from a translational standpoint. Later, Taragenyx will also be involved with scaling-up and commercialisation. We filed a patent covering the technology, and licensed Taragenyx its exploitation. rhBMP2 is a powerful human growth factor (GF) essential in tissue morphogenesis and used to promote bone growth in clinical applications. Current clinical delivery has encountered serious complications associated with the high doses used. We have developed a system that allows the effective presentation of GFs in combination with the integrin binding domain of fibronectin (FN), promoting simultaneous and co-localised signalling between GF receptors and integrins. We have shown the ability of Poly(ethyl acrylate) PEA to organise FN and sequester rhBMP2 in synergy with the integrin binding region to direct stem cell differentiation. This technology enhances bone regeneration and vascularisation with lower rhBMP-2 doses. With this understanding we have engineered a system to regenerate a bone critical size defect in a murine model. Results were comparable to the higher doses used in the clinic, which makes the system safe, effective and more competitive than current commercial products. PEA is however a non-degradable material, a major hurdle to be overcome for many potential applications. We will fabricate a degradable construct spray-coated with a nanometric layer of this functional material to induce and direct bone growth – as already shown for the bulk polymer in our ERC Grant, and investigate in vivo the engineered systems. Overall, we will develop a safe and versatile bone system for clinical use in patients with non-union bone defects, and set a route towards commercialisation.

Mots-clés : scaffolds,bmp 2,fibronectin,stem cells,bone,coating,fabrication
Projet ERC : REALISM (Horizon 2020, appel 2015, Consolidator grants)
Domaine scientifique : Physical Sciences and Engineering
Panel : Earth system science
Entité participante : Centre national de la recherche scientifique — Pays : France — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : CNRS
Type d'entité : Recherche
Financement ERC de l'entité : 2623188.0 €

We propose a simple idea: to reproduce earthquakes in the laboratory. Because earthquakes are spectacular examples of uncontrollable catastrophes, the opportunity to study them under controlled conditions in the laboratory is unique and is, in fact, the only way to understand the details of the earthquake source physics. The aim of the project is interdisciplinary, at the frontiers between Rock Fracture Mechanics, Seismology, and Mineralogy. Its ultimate goal is to improve, on the basis of integrated experimental data, our understanding of the earthquake source physics. We have already shown that both deep and shallow laboratory earthquakes are not mere `analogs’ of earthquakes, but are real events – though very small [Passelègue et al. 2013, Schubnel et al. 2013]. During laboratory earthquakes, by measuring all of the physical quantities related to the rupturing process, we will unravel what controls the rupture speed, rupture arrest, the earthquake rupture energy budget, as well as the common role played by mineralogy in both shallow and deep earthquakes. We will also perform some experiments on rock samples drilled from actual active fault zones. Our work will provide insights for earthquake hazard mitigation, constrain ubiquitously observed seismological statistical laws (Omori, Gutenberg-Richter) and produce unprecedented data sets on rock fracture dynamics at in-situ conditions to test seismic slip inversion and dynamic rupture modelling techniques. The new infrastructure we plan to install will reproduce the temperatures and pressures at depths where earthquakes occur in the crust as well as in the upper mantle of the Earth, with never achieved spatio-temporal imaging resolution to this day. This will be a valuable research asset for the European community, as it will eventually open the door to a better understanding of all the processes happening under stress within the first hundreds of kilometres of the Earth.

Mots-clés : earthquake physics,faults,fault gouge,mechanical and physical rock properties,thermo hydro chemo mechanical couplings,pore pressure,mineral dehydration,phase,transitions,nucleation,friction
Projet ERC : VAMOS (Horizon 2020, appel 2020, Advanced grants)
Domaine scientifique : Physical Sciences and Engineering
Panel : Computer science and informatics
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 : 2451281.0 €

We propose a theoretical basis and systems support needed to turn algorithmic monitoring from a runtime tool in the arsenal of formal methods into a pervasive and trusted engineering paradigm for the deployment of software. The ever-growing number of computational resources (many-core processors, data centers) allows software algorithms–decision makers–to be paired up with software monitors–decision checkers–where each monitor watches an algorithm in real time and provides warnings or intervenes when anything undesirable is observed. In order to be trusted, monitors are designed and linked independently of the monitored software. Monitoring is fundamentally a “best-effort” endeavor: it does not require complete specifications, nor perfect accuracy, but its widespread adoption requires a theory for the analysis of cost-precision trade-offs. Compared to the mature theories of computability and complexity (what can be computed? at what cost?), the theory of monitorability (what can be monitored, at what precision and cost?) is underdeveloped. We develop a quantitative, fine-grained resource and approximation theory for monitoring which supports the synthesis of monitors with desired cost-precision profiles. Our monitors can track the safety of systems as well as the fairness of algorithms (i.e., the absence of bias), security policies, and statistical properties of software. In addition, we facilitate the engineering paradigm of algorithmic monitoring by implementing systems support for the automated monitoring of software that is difficult to verify, such as algorithms that rely on neural networks, computations that happen in the cloud, and electronic systems that interface with the physical world (e.g., software for controlling medical and transportation devices). In all of these domains, the systematic and independent monitoring of critical requirements and sensitive statistics will significantly enhance trust in algorithmic decisions and digital systems.

Mots-clés : runtime verification
Projet ERC : CepBin (Horizon 2020, appel 2015, Advanced grants)
Domaine scientifique : Physical Sciences and Engineering
Panel : Universe sciences
Entité participante : Observatoire de Paris — Pays : France — Rôle : Partner
Acronyme de l'entité : Observatoire Paris
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 122850.0 €

We propose to carry out a project which will produce a decisive step towards improving the accuracy of the Hubble constant as determined from the Cepheid-SN Ia method to 1%, by using 28 extremely rare eclipsing binary systems in the LMC which offer the potential to determine their distances to 1%. To achieve this accuracy we will reduce the main error in the binary method by interferometric angular diameter measurements of a sample of red clump stars which resemble the stars in our binary systems. We will check on our calibration with similar binary systems close enough to determine their orbits from interferometry. We already showed the feasibility of our method which yielded the best-ever distance determination to the LMC of 2.2% from 8 such binary systems. With 28 systems and the improved angular diameter calibration we will push the LMC distance uncertainty down to 1% which will allow to set the zero point of the Cepheid PL relation with the same accuracy using the large available LMC Cepheid sample. We will determine the metallicity effect on Cepheid luminosities by a) determining a 2% distance to the more metal-poor SMC with our binary method, and by b) measuring the distances to LMC and SMC with an improved Baade-Wesselink (BW) method. We will achieve this improvement by analyzing 9 unique Cepheids in eclipsing binaries in the LMC our group has discovered which allow factor- of-ten improvements in the determination of all basic physical parameters of Cepheids. These studies will also increase our confidence in the Cepheid-based H0 determination. Our project bears strong synergy to the Gaia mission by providing the best checks on possible systematic uncertainties on Gaia parallaxes with 200 binary systems whose distances we will measure to 1-2%. We will provide two unique tools for 1-3 % distance determinations to individual objects in a volume of 1 Mpc, being competitive to Gaia already at a distance of 1 kpc from the Sun.

Mots-clés : eclipsing binaries,cepheids,distance scale
Projet ERC : HelixMold (Horizon 2020, appel 2018, Starting grants)
Domaine scientifique : Life Science
Panel : Biotechnology and Biosystems Engineering
Entité participante : Graz University of Technology — Pays : Autriche — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 1499414.0 €

We propose to computationally design novel ligand binding and catalytically active proteins by harnessing the high thermodynamic stability of de novo helical proteins. Tremendous progress has been made in protein design. However, the ability to robustly introduce function into genetically encodable de novo proteins is an unsolved problem. We will follow a highly interdisciplinary computational-experimental approach to address this challenge and aim to: -Characterize to which extent we can harness the stability of parametrically designed helical bundles to introduce deviations from ideal geometry. Ensembles of idealized de novo helix bundle backbones will be generated using our established parametric design code and designed with constraints accounting for an envisioned functional site. This will be followed by detailed computational, biophysical, crystallographic and site-saturation mutagenesis analysis to isolate critical design features. -Develop a new computational design strategy, which expands on the Crick coiled-coil parametrization and allows to rationally build non-ideal helical protein backbones at specified regions in the desired structure. This will enable us to model backbones around binding/active sites. We will design sites to bind glyphosate, for which remediation is highly needed. By using non-ideal geometries and not relying on classic heptad repeating units, we will be able to access a much larger sequence to structure space than is usually available to nature, enabling us to build more specific and more stable binding/catalytically active proteins. -Investigate new strategies to design the first cascade reactions into de novo designs. This research will allow functionalization of de novo designed proteins with high thermostability, extraordinary resistance to harsh chemical environments and high tolerance for organic solvents and has the potential to revolutionize how proteins for biotechnological and biomedical applications are generated.

Mots-clés : computational protein design,rosetta,protein structures,protein folding,structural biology,biocatalysis
Projet ERC : TOPCL (Horizon 2020, appel 2018, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : Dutch Research Council — Pays : Pays-Bas — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : NWO
Type d'entité : Recherche
Financement ERC de l'entité : 137500.0 €

We propose to develop a turnkey table-top cathodoluminescence (CL) microscope demonstrator that combines electron microscopy and optical spectroscopy to make optical images with a spatial resolution as small as 20 nm. The instrument design builds on expertise on CL microscopy that I have built up during my ERC Advanced research that has led to a highly successful and highly rewarded CL research program. The new microscope design is fully user-friendly, has a footprint of only 60×60 cm, enables high sample throughput, does not need dedicated infrastructure or support, and has a projected sales price below 200 k€. This new design can serve as a unique inspection tool for nano-characterization in a broad range of technical fields, with a projected sales of 100 systems (total 20 sales price M€) per year. The new design will integrate a table-top electron microscope with a newly designed light collection and analysis system designed together with the company Delmic. The CL microscope demonstrator system will be used to perform test measurements for industrial customers in two beachhead markets to explore the market need for the new instrument and to create strong feedback of initial users on the demonstrator design. Knock-on benefits in the academic market are also expected. If successful, the project can be taken to full commercialization through the company Delmic.

Mots-clés : cathodoluminescence,table top electron microscopy,optical nanoscopy
Projet ERC : DUALITY (Horizon 2020, appel 2016, Consolidator grants)
Domaine scientifique : Physical Sciences and Engineering
Panel : Systems and communication engineering
Entité participante : EURECOM — Pays : France — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 1978777.83 €

We propose to develop the theoretical foundations of transforming memory into data rates, and to explore their practical ramifications in wireless communication networks. Motivated by the long-lasting open challenge to invent a communication technology that scales with the network size, we have recently discovered early indications of how preemptive use of distributed data-storage at the receiving communication nodes (well before transmission), can offer unprecedented throughput gains by surprisingly bypassing the dreaded bottleneck of real-time channel-feedback. For an exploratory downlink configuration, we unearthed a hidden duality between feedback and preemptive use of memory, which managed to doubly-exponentially reduce the needed memory size, and consequently offered unbounded throughput gains compared to all existing solutions with the same resources. This was surprising because feedback and memory were thought to be mostly disconnected; one is used on the wireless PHY layer, the other on the wired MAC. This development prompts our key scientific challenge which is to pursue the mathematical convergence between feedback-information-theory and preemptive distributed data-storage, and to then design ultra-fast memory-aided communication algorithms that pass real-life testing. This is a structurally new approach, which promises to reveal deep links between feedback information theory and memory, for a variety of envisioned wireless-network architectures of exceptional promise. In doing so, our new proposed theory stands to identify the basic principles of how a splash of memory can surgically alter the informational-structure of these networks, rendering them faster, simpler and more efficient. In the end, this study has the potential to directly translate the continuously increasing data-storage capabilities, into gains of wireless network capacity, and to ultimately avert the looming network-overload caused by these same indefinite increases of data volumes.

Mots-clés : information theory,coding theory,wireless networks,distributed data storage,coded caching,multiuser interference,feedback
Projet ERC : BeyondA1 (Horizon 2020, appel 2018, Starting grants)
Domaine scientifique : Physical Sciences and Engineering
Panel : Mathematics
Entité participante : Bar-Ilan University — Pays : Israël — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : BIU
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 1362500.0 €

We propose to establish a research group that will unveil the combinatorial nature of the second uncountable cardinal. This includes its Ramsey-theoretic, order-theoretic, graph-theoretic and topological features. Among others, we will be directly addressing fundamental problems due to Erdos, Rado, Galvin, and Shelah. While some of these problems are old and well-known, an unexpected series of breakthroughs from the last three years suggest that now is a promising point in time to carry out such a project. Indeed, through a short period, four previously unattainable problems concerning the second uncountable cardinal were successfully tackled: Aspero on a club-guessing problem of Shelah, Krueger on the club-isomorphism problem for Aronszajn trees, Neeman on the isomorphism problem for dense sets of reals, and the PI on the Souslin problem. Each of these results was obtained through the development of a completely new technical framework, and these frameworks could now pave the way for the solution of some major open questions. A goal of the highest risk in this project is the discovery of a consistent (possibly, parameterized) forcing axiom that will (preferably, simultaneously) provide structure theorems for stationary sets, linearly ordered sets, trees, graphs, and partition relations, as well as the refutation of various forms of club-guessing principles, all at the level of the second uncountable cardinal. In comparison, at the level of the first uncountable cardinal, a forcing axiom due to Foreman, Magidor and Shelah achieves exactly that. To approach our goals, the proposed project is divided into four core areas: Uncountable trees, Ramsey theory on ordinals, Club-guessing principles, and Forcing Axioms. There is a rich bilateral interaction between any pair of the four different cores, but the proposed division will allow an efficient allocation of manpower, and will increase the chances of parallel success.

Mots-clés : msc2010  03e05 combinatorial set theory,03e02 partition relations,03e35 consistency and independence results,03e57 forcing axioms
Projet ERC : IndiGene (Horizon 2020, appel 2018, Synergy grants)
Entité participante : European Molecular Biology Laboratory — Pays : Allemagne — Rôle : CO-PI
Acronyme de l'entité : EMBL
Type d'entité : Recherche
Financement ERC de l'entité : 837261.0 €

We propose to thoroughly investigate and characterise the sources of variation that results in varying phenotypes in a complex vertebrate. As well as characterising the genetic and environmental sources of variation, we will also investigate individual stochastic variation present even in fixed settings (both genetically and environmentally). To achieve this we will exploit the unique properties of Medaka fish, which can be fully inbred from the wild. We have already inbred and performed whole genome sequencing of a panel of 111 diverse Medaka fish from a single location; we propose to phenotype these fish in depth with high replication structure, ranging from organismal to molecular phenotypes. We will also phenotype entirely wild fish from the same source population as the panel with a subset of the phenotypes. We will analyse the data using state of the art methods to partition variation between genetic, environmental and stochastic components, and their interactions. We will integrate across both the different levels of phenotypic information across the cardiovascular system, and also across vertebrate phenotypes, in particular the extensive human phenotypes. By using genetic crosses and CRISPR-Cas9 techniques we will definitively prove specific interactions. We will host a “Research Hotel” for other phenotyping schemes to be applied to this panel, in particular from the Zebrafish community. This comprehensive and carefully replicated study will allow us to understand the opportunities and limitations of genetic stratification and personalised medicine in humans.
Projet ERC : RULLIVER (Horizon 2020, appel 2015, Advanced grants)
Domaine scientifique : Life Science
Panel : Cellular, Developmental and Regenerative Biology
Entité participante : Max Planck Society — Pays : Allemagne — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : MPG
Type d'entité : Recherche
Financement ERC de l'entité : 2498013.0 €

We want to understand the rules of self-organization underlying tissue structure and function. To address this problem, we have chosen the mouse liver with its complex apico-basal polarity of hepatocytes and its unique 3D tissue organization. We aim at identifying the rules of self-organization of liver tissue and their implementation at the molecular level. Our ultimate goal is to demonstrate that it is possible to reengineer liver tissue structure. The first aim will be to develop a digital geometrical model of liver tissue, i.e. an accurate 3D digital representation of the cells, forming the tissue and their sub-cellular components, in the developing, adult and regenerating liver, and unravel the principles for how the cells are organized to generate liver cell architecture. In aims 2 and 3, we will identify the molecular mechanisms underlying such geometrical rules. In particular, the second aim will be to characterize the molecular mechanisms responsible for hepatocyte cell polarity and predictably modify cell organization in vitro. The third aim will consist of introducing genetic perturbations to alter hepatocyte cell organization (cell polarity) and cell-cell interactions to predictably modify the structure and function of liver tissue. The fourth aim will be to develop a physical model of liver tissue self-assembly and organization. The project is ambitious as it aims to understand the rules of tissue organization in 3D in a mammalian organ to such an extent that it is possible to make predictions of tissue response to genetic perturbations and reengineer it to modify its structural and functional properties.