Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-erc-participations-et-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Projet ERC : GREENLIGHT_REDCAT (Horizon 2020, appel 2014, Consolidator grants)
Domaine scientifique : Physical Sciences and Engineering
Panel : Synthetic Chemistry and Materials
Entité participante : Institut Català d'Investigació Química — Pays : Espagne — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : ICIQ;ICIQ-CERCA
Type d'entité : Recherche
Financement ERC de l'entité : 1999063.0 €

The development of alternative greener synthetic methods to transform renewable feedstocks into elaborated chemical structures mediated by solar light is a prerequisite for a future sustainable society. In this regard, this project entails the use of visible light as driving force and water as a source of hydrides for the synthesis of high-value chemicals. The project merges photoredox catalysis with 1st row transition coordination complexes catalysis to open a new avenue for greener selective catalytic reduction processes for organic substrates. The ground-breaking nature of the project is: A) Develop light-driven region- and/or enantioselective catalytic reductions using well-defined cobalt coordination complexes with aminopyridine ligands, initially developed for water reduction. Sterics, electronics and supramolecular interactions (apolar cavities and chiral pockets) will be studied to proper control of the selectivity in the reduction of i) C=E and C=C bonds and ii) in the C-C inter- and intramolecular reductive homo- or heterocouplings. B) Fundamental understanding of the light-driven cobalt catalysed reductions characterizing intermediates that are involved in the reactivity, kinetics and labelling studies as well as performing computational modelling of reaction mechanisms. The basic understanding of operative mechanisms will expedite a new methodology for electrophile-electrophile umpolung couplings. C) Enhance catalytic performance of the light-driven cobalt catalysed reductions by self-assembling of catalyst-photosensitizer into carbon based pi-conjugated materials through noncovalent supramolecular interactions. Likewise, it will allow electrode immobilization for electrocatalysed reductions using water as a source of protons and electrons. As a proof of concept, cobalt catalysts based on aminopyridine ligands have been shown highly active in the light-driven reduction of ketones and aldehydes to alcohols, using water as the source of hydrogen atom.

Mots-clés : 1st row transition metals,photoredox catalysis,catalysts design,mechanism studies
Projet ERC : GLIOVACC (Horizon 2020, appel 2018, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : University of Rijeka — Pays : Croatie — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 149968.0 €

The development of an effective vaccine against human cancers is of tremendous importance. Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most malignant form of brain tumor with extremely poor survival. The human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is involved in GBM pathogenesis suggesting that viral proteins might provide therapeutic targets. We propose a vaccination strategy against GBM based on a genetically modified HCMV that could target HCMV, as well as tumor specific antigens. The proposal builds on the successful implementation of the ERC-AdG StAdvInn, which investigates a murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) expressing the NKG2D ligand RAE-1γ (RAE-1γMCMV), which has tremendous potential for strengthening the CD8 T cell response to a vectored antigen (Trsan et al, PNAS 2013). We have shown the strong potential of such vector to act as a CD8 T cell-based vaccine against malignant tumors (Trsan et al, Eur J Immunol 2017). Moreover, the efficiency of this vector can be enhanced by blocking immune checkpoints. We have constructed HCMV expressing the human NKG2D ligand ULBP2 (HCMV/ULBP2) and confirmed its efficacy in vitro and in humanized mice (Tomic et al, PLoS Pathog 2016). Here we propose to determine the capacity of the HCMV/ULBP2 vector in the immune control of GBM. In short, immune cells from GBM patients will be transferred to NSG mice that will be grafted with GBM from the same patients. Mice will be vaccinated with HCMV/ULBP2 vector expressing GBM associated neoantigens. Based on results with the RAE-1γMCMV in the melanoma model and with HCMV/ULBP2 in NSG humanized mice, we expect a strong effector CD8 T cell response to be generated in these mice resulting in the control of tumor in the NSG host. The proposed project activities include: development and validity testing of the prototype of the integrated vaccine vector, implementation of IPR protection and exploitation strategy. The results of this project will be used to establish the first in man trial in GBM bearing patients.

Mots-clés : therapeutic vaccination,glioblastoma multiforme,hcmv,nkg2d,cd8 lymphocytes
Projet ERC : RENOS (Horizon 2020, appel 2014, Consolidator grants)
Domaine scientifique : Physical Sciences and Engineering
Panel : Systems and communication engineering
Entité participante : University of Twente — Pays : Pays-Bas — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 2000000.0 €

The development of compact, low cost, power efficient, tunable lasers and frequency combs spanning large bandwidths, exhibiting excellent output beam characteristics, such as the ones achieved in solid-state sources, and expanding the wavelength ranges of by typical solid-state materials, will greatly benefit application fields such as optical sensing, spectroscopy, metrology and telecommunications. In this research program, I propose to study the generation of novel frequencies and frequency combs by stimulated Raman scattering and four-wave mixing in high-contrast waveguides in rare-earth-doped potassium double tungstates materials (RE:KYW) by exploiting both their excellent optical gain properties as well as their large non-linear index of refraction. We have recently demonstrated an enormous modal gain in an Yb3+:KYW waveguide amplifier (i.e., ~1000 dB/cm) as well as very efficient (>80%) high power (~1.6 W) laser generation in a Tm3+:KYW waveguide, with broad tunability. However, the low-contrast waveguides utilized have a large modal area (>25 um2) and high bend losses. High-contrast waveguides in RE:KYW have negligible bend losses for radii over 5 um. The introduction of a thin metal layer underneath the dielectric core reduces the total bend losses for very sharp bends. The higher field intensity together with the use of resonant structures (i.e., microrings), makes this waveguide platform ideal to study non-linear phenomena. The great technological challenges lie on the development of very low-loss microring resonators with highly controlled vertical coupling to passive bus waveguides, with the correct chromatic dispersion and very confined modal field and their combination with plasmonics. A successful development of this technology will pave the road to great scientific advancements as well as a new generation of compact on-chip solid-state laser sources that will open new horizons in the aforementioned application fields.
Projet ERC : SPQRel (Horizon 2020, appel 2015, Starting grants)
Domaine scientifique : Physical Sciences and Engineering
Panel : Condensed matter physics
Entité participante : Johannes Kepler University of Linz — Pays : Autriche — Rôle : Partner
Acronyme de l'entité : JKU
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 502799.68 €

The development of scalable quantum devices that generate and distribute quantum entanglement over distant parties will bring about a revolution in communication science and technology. Epitaxial quantum dots (QDs) embedded in conventional diodes are arguably the most attractive quantum devices, since they combine the capability of QDs to deliver triggered and high-quality entangled photons with the tools of the mature semiconductor technology. However, it is at present impossible to use remote QDs for the distribution of entangled photons over large distances, mainly due to the lack of control over their electronic structure. Recently, the PI has grasped that the solution to this problem resides in hybrid technologies. He has conceived and developed a novel class of semiconductor-piezoelectric quantum devices where different external fields are combined to reshape the electronic structure of any arbitrary QD so that single and polarization-entangled photons can be generated with unprecedented quality, efficiency, and speed, a major breakthrough for solid-state-based quantum communication. In this project the PI will make the next pioneering step and develop the hybrid technology to the limit where advanced quantum communication protocols previously inaccessible to QDs can now be performed. The objective of the proposal is mainly to i) develop the first electrically-controlled wavelength-tunable source of indistinguishable and entangled photons, which can be exploited to ii) teleport entanglement over two distant QD-based qubits (the quantum relay) and to iii) attempt the construction of a quantum network where entangled photons from remote quantum relays are interconnected using warm atomic vapours. The new hybrid technology that will be developed in this project to achieve i) will open new grounds in research fields well beyond quantum optics and quantum communication, and in particular the whole research area of strain-engineering of semiconductor thin-films.
Projet ERC : SPQRel (Horizon 2020, appel 2015, Starting grants)
Domaine scientifique : Physical Sciences and Engineering
Panel : Condensed matter physics
Entité participante : Sapienza University of Rome — Pays : Italie — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 997162.82 €

The development of scalable quantum devices that generate and distribute quantum entanglement over distant parties will bring about a revolution in communication science and technology. Epitaxial quantum dots (QDs) embedded in conventional diodes are arguably the most attractive quantum devices, since they combine the capability of QDs to deliver triggered and high-quality entangled photons with the tools of the mature semiconductor technology. However, it is at present impossible to use remote QDs for the distribution of entangled photons over large distances, mainly due to the lack of control over their electronic structure. Recently, the PI has grasped that the solution to this problem resides in hybrid technologies. He has conceived and developed a novel class of semiconductor-piezoelectric quantum devices where different external fields are combined to reshape the electronic structure of any arbitrary QD so that single and polarization-entangled photons can be generated with unprecedented quality, efficiency, and speed, a major breakthrough for solid-state-based quantum communication. In this project the PI will make the next pioneering step and develop the hybrid technology to the limit where advanced quantum communication protocols previously inaccessible to QDs can now be performed. The objective of the proposal is mainly to i) develop the first electrically-controlled wavelength-tunable source of indistinguishable and entangled photons, which can be exploited to ii) teleport entanglement over two distant QD-based qubits (the quantum relay) and to iii) attempt the construction of a quantum network where entangled photons from remote quantum relays are interconnected using warm atomic vapours. The new hybrid technology that will be developed in this project to achieve i) will open new grounds in research fields well beyond quantum optics and quantum communication, and in particular the whole research area of strain-engineering of semiconductor thin-films.
Projet ERC : MaCDAC (Horizon 2020, appel 2019, Proof of concept grants)
Domaine scientifique : Physical Sciences and Engineering
Panel : Condensed matter physics
Entité participante : University of Edinburgh — Pays : Royaume-Uni — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 150000.0 €

The diamond anvil cell (DAC), a simple but versatile device, is the standard method of experimentally producing static high pressures. It consists of two movable parts containing opposing diamond "anvils" with a sample compressed between the polished culets (tips) and held by a metal gasket. We are able to build DACs in the Mechanical Workshop at our institution. During the ERC-Hecate project we have developed many new innovations on making and using DACs. Several groups around the world have expressed interest in using DACs made in Edinburgh. The PoC grant will examine whether this presents a viable commercial opportunity. We will manufacture demonstration DACs which can be trialled by our collaborators for acceptable cost, ease of use, reliability and performance. Different designs are optimised for different purposes, and we need to know more about other groups' usage patterns. Feedback from this process, particularly of failure rates and modes, will enable us to refine and tailor the designs. We anticipate a worldwide growth in the use of high pressure science as it moves from the specialism of a handful of leading labs to a standard method of chemical analysis and materials synthesis. The DACs required for such routine use may be different from those we use to reach the highest pressures with highly reactive materials. Moreover, new experimental applications like high temperature, NMR and magnetic measurements may require additional innovations. The PoC grant will allow us to assess this future market, both for size and specification. We have no experience of commercialisation and marketing, so another essential aspect will be to bring these skills into the Hecate research team. We have identified China as the largest potential market where scientists lack the design and machining skill to make their own, and are currently looking to buy high-specfication DACs.

Mots-clés : pressure,machining
Projet ERC : BIOELECPRO (Horizon 2020, appel 2014, Starting grants)
Domaine scientifique : Life Science
Panel : Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases
Entité participante : National University of Ireland — Pays : Irlande — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : NUI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 1499329.0 €

The dielectric properties of biological tissues are of fundamental importance to the understanding of the interaction of electromagnetic fields with the human body. These properties are used to determine the safety of electronic devices, and in the design, development and refinement of electromagnetic medical imaging and therapeutic devices. Many historical studies have aimed to establish the dielectric properties of a broad range of tissues. A growing number of recent studies have sought to more accurately estimate these dielectric properties by standardising measurement procedures, and in some cases, measuring the dielectric properties in-vivo. However, these studies have often produced results in direct conflict with historical studies, casting doubt on the accuracy of the currently utilised dielectric properties. At best, this uncertainty could significantly delay the development of electromagnetic imaging or therapeutic medical devices. At worst, the health dangers of electromagnetic radiation could be under-estimated. The applicant will embark upon frontier research to develop improved methods and standards for the measurement of the dielectric properties of biological tissue. The research programme will accelerate the design and development of electromagnetic imaging and therapeutic devices, at a time when the technology is gaining significant momentum. The primary objective of the research is to develop a deep understanding of the fundamental factors which contribute to errors in dielectric property measurement. These factors will include in-vivo/ex-vivo measurements and dielectric measurement method used, amongst many others. Secondly, a new open-access repository of dielectric measurements will be created based on a greatly enhanced understanding of the mechanisms underlying dielectric property measurement. Finally, new electromagnetic-based imaging and therapeutic medical devices will be investigated, based on the solid foundation of dielectric data.

Mots-clés : dielectric properties,biological tissue,electromagnetics
Projet ERC : EXMOLS (Horizon 2020, appel 2014, Advanced grants)
Domaine scientifique : Physical Sciences and Engineering
Panel : Physical and analytical chemical sciences
Entité participante : University of Cambridge — Pays : Royaume-Uni — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : U. Cambridge
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 2499836.0 €

The directed movement of electronic excitations in molecular materials lies at the heart of photosynthesis and also in nanoscale synthetic materials systems used for electronic applications. Efficient materials systems must span many length scales; from nm molecular dimensions, to the 10 nm length scale of Coulomb interactions at 300 K in molecular systems, to the macroscopic dimensions of biological structures and of synthetic electronic devices. There is now tantalising evidence that efficient biological and synthetic systems use ultrafast coherent electronic state evolution to couple molecular and macroscopic length scales, which requires special structural arrangements over intermediate length scales of 10 nm and more. EXMOLS will develop a new platform to study and control electronic excitations in extended molecular systems using DNA assembly methods to construct functional molecular semiconductor stacks. DNA-assembly takes the place here of the protein structure assembly of chromophores within photosynthetic systems. In contrast to current synthetic molecular systems that have little control beyond simple heterojunctions, these DNA-assembled structures will allow for the precise placement of molecules within stack-structures of dimension 5 nm or more, which will allow for the definition of precise electronic couplings and energetic landscapes, within extended artificial molecular systems. New transient optical spectroscopy will track wavefunction evolution from 10fs. These will allow for the study of a range of emergent electronic phenomena on the 5-100nm length scale including, charge delocalisation, coherent electron-hole separation, singlet exciton fission, resonant energy transfer across the organic-inorganic interface and topologically protected electronic excitations. EXMOLS is a fundamental science project, but will also deliver real design rules for practical molecular-scale devices, from solar cells, to LEDs, to spintronics, to solar fuels.
Projet ERC : LEAP-EXTREME (Horizon 2020, appel 2017, Advanced grants)
Domaine scientifique : Life Science
Panel : Environmental Biology, Ecology and Evolution
Entité participante : Ruhr University Bochum — Pays : Allemagne — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : RUB
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 2498675.0 €

The discontinuous mosaic of soil compositions on the Earth’s changeable surface intermittently requires the adaptation of plants as crucial mediators for ecosystems with the inorganic lithosphere harbouring all nutrient, but also toxic minerals. Only few gene variants have been implicated in local soil adaptation. There is a general lack of information about their relation with soil composition in the field, the manner in which such adaptations function and evolve, and why they arise in some taxa but never in others. To answer these questions, we will take advantage of the repeated evolution and the unusually large phenotypic ranges for multiple edaphic traits in Arabidopsis halleri. This species has undergone uniquely divergent natural selection for increased hyperaccumulation in leaves of the toxic metals zinc and cadmium as well as metal hypertolerance on ordinary soils, and for enhanced hypertolerance involving attenuated metal hyperaccumulation on heavy metal-contaminated soils. Capitalizing on the most comprehensive collection ever established of a wild extremophile, and with a pioneering approach recording critical field data for each genotype, we will conduct large-scale genome resequencing and identify multi-trait multi-gene associations, complemented by genetic linkage mapping based on crosses. Local edaphic adaptation causal variants will be placed into the context of metal homeostasis network architecture and plasticity using transcriptomics, and we will comparatively evaluate mutation rates in A. halleri under ecologically relevant edaphic conditions. Implementing state-of-the-art genome-enabled and novel phenotyping methodologies in this wild and biologically complex species will require continuous pioneering developments. Our work will deliver novel fundamental insights into local adaptation in plants and identify large-effect gene variants with potential for applications in environmental restoration, biotechnology and crop breeding.

Mots-clés : microevolution,extremophile,heavy metal tolerance,metal hyperaccumulation
Projet ERC : VIREVOL (Horizon 2020, appel 2018, Advanced grants)
Domaine scientifique : Life Science
Panel : Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions
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 : 2246453.0 €

The discovery of Mimivirus, the first icosahedral virus visible by light microscopy, was followed by the characterization of many other relatives. Its aquatic relative Megavirus chilensis, has a 1.2 Mb genome and encodes more than 1000 proteins, 2/3 unique to the Mimiviridae. Their infectious cycle is cytoplasmic. During the last 10 years, my laboratory discovered three other giant virus families: -the pandoraviridae, with their unique amphora-shaped 1µm long virion morphologies, genome sizes reaching 3Mb and encoding thousands of proteins, most of which without homologues in the cellular or the viral world – the mollivirus, which was isolated from a 30,000 years old Siberian permafrost sample, presents common features with the pandoraviruses. They share 60 unique genes and the roughly spherical (0.6µm) mollivirions present an external tegument resembling the pandoravirions. Both viruses have an early nuclear phase – the pithovirus, despite its amphora-shaped virions, has a fully cytoplasmic cycle. Our work raised questions on the origin of these intriguing viral families and their position in the tree of life. My project is unique as it will address the coevolution of these viruses and their amoebal hosts by focusing on specific features of the virions in two overall aims. 1) Promising preliminary results led us to hypothesize that a progressive transition from the rigid icosahedral virions to the more plastic amphora-shaped particles was made possible through hijacking of the host cellulose synthesis pathway by the ancestor of pandoraviruses. 2) The icosahedral mimivirus package its genome in a complex rod-shaped structure. My team will investigate this structure to unveil possible evolutionary links with the genome packaging systems in the cellular world. We will characterize the machinery responsible for such organization. These two high-risk/high-gain aims will continue to revisit the concept of virus and their evolutionary trajectory in the living world.

Mots-clés : giant virus,virion structure,virion assembly,molecular nanomachine