Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-erc-participations-et-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Projet ERC : MONOCHROME (Horizon 2020, appel 2019, Advanced grants)
Domaine scientifique : Life Science
Panel : Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions
Entité participante : Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam — Pays : Pays-Bas — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : VU
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 1997284.0 €

Chromosomes assume their most compact state during metaphase just before they are separated. In this process of cell division the chromosomes experience high forces and genomic defects can occur then. Many techniques have built considerable understanding of metaphase chromosome structure and a multitude of models have been put forward how cells organize their chromosomes during metaphase. Yet, given the complexity of the process and limitations of the methods to study them, it is far from being fully understood. The breakthrough opportunity in this regard is the development of tools that allow real-time, 3D, super-resolution imaging and manipulation of entire non-fixed metaphase chromosomes under nearphysiological conditions. Here I propose to quantitatively image the proteins that establish the architecture of metaphase chromosomes and disentangle the connection between its architecture, internal protein dynamics and mechanics at the multi-protein as well as the single-molecule level. For this project I plan to expand the combination of optical manipulation and fluorescent microscopy by introducing force-induced expansion microscopy together with advanced labeling and imaging techniques that ultimately will permit real-time, 3D, super-resolution quantitative analysis of complex (protein) structures within native non-fixed metaphase chromosomes. With this kind of instrument it becomes possible to validate and/or challenge the current models of metaphase organization as well as explore the physical properties of chromosomes but also study chromosome separation dynamics. My extensive experience handling biological systems and pushing instrumental boundaries gives me an excellent starting point to address key research questions with regards to metaphase chromosomes. In doing so I can improve our understanding of chromosome organization which is important because chromosome defects can have devastating consequences leading to for example cancer or fragile X syndrome.

Mots-clés : metaphase chromosomes,optical tweezers,super resolution microscopy,expansion,microscopy,micro fluidics,chromosome structure,chromosome mechanics
Projet ERC : CondStruct (Horizon 2020, appel 2015, Consolidator grants)
Domaine scientifique : Life Science
Panel : Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions
Entité participante : University of Würzburg — Pays : Allemagne — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 125000.0 €

Chromosomes undergo dramatic changes in their three-dimensional organisation during all aspects of genome function, ranging from the regulation of gene expression during cellular differentiation to chromosome duplication and partitioning over the course of a cell division cycle. The multi-subunit condensin protein complex plays major roles for these changes in DNA topology. Despite its fundamental importance, the mechanisms of condensin’s action are not understood. Here, I propose a comprehensive research program that aims to reveal the elusive mechanisms behind the functions of the condensin complex. We intend to unravel how the condensin complex engages DNA, how this interaction activates large-scale ATPase-dependent conformational rearrangements within the complex, and how condensin eventually encircles chromatin fibres within its ring-shaped architecture. Insights from these mechanistic studies will be invaluable for understanding how networks of condensin-mediated linkages can shape linear DNA helices into higher-order chromosome structures. To achieve this ambitious and timely goal, we will combine an integrative structural biology approach with biochemical and cell biological methods. By applying complementary technologies, including X-ray protein crystallography, electron microscopy, cross-linking mass spectrometry, single molecule fluorescence microscopy and reconstitution experiments, we anticipate to build the first model of the entire condensin complex at near-atomic resolution and explain how dynamic conformational changes confer function. The insights gained from this research program will provide an in-depth mechanistic comprehension of the core molecular machinery that determines the architecture of our genomes and will have major implications for understanding how genomic integrity is affected in various disease conditions.

Mots-clés : chromosome biology
Projet ERC : ESCAPE_COPD (Horizon 2020, appel 2016, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : Weizmann Institute of Science — Pays : Israël — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 150000.0 €

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is estimated to affect up to 600 million people worldwide and by 2020 it will become the third most frequent cause of death. In Europe alone, COPD affects up to 10% of people (i.e. more people than breast cancer and diabetes) and it takes the life of around 300,000 Europeans each year. Current therapies are associated with a variety of side effects some of which can be acute and even life threatening. Moreover, none of the existing medications for COPD has been shown conclusively to modify the long-term decline in lung function thus, COPD remains a disease with a significant unmet medical need. Our approach is focusing on the pharmacological elimination of senescent cells (i.e. cells that have stopped dividing, but do affect their microenvironment) which accumulate in tissues with age and contribute to multiple age-related diseases, including COPD. In particular, we recently discovered that with the use of a particular molecule, we could efficiently target the molecular mechanisms that are responsible for the viability of senescent cells, leading to specific elimination of these cells from tissues. In turn, the goal of the PoC project is two-fold. (1) The first goal is to establish the technical feasibility of our idea by testing the effect of the identified molecule on the disease development and progression using the COPD mouse model we developed. (2) The second goal is to establish the business feasibility of our revolutionary approach by taking the necessary steps towards its commercialization, focusing on the creation of strategic alliances with key private sector companies.

Mots-clés : cellular senescence,lung,copd
Projet ERC : HEPCIR (Horizon 2020, appel 2014, Advanced grants)
Domaine scientifique : Life Science
Panel : Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases
Entité participante : Université de Strasbourg — Pays : France — Rôle : Partner
Acronyme de l'entité : UNISTRA
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 0.0 €

Chronic liver diseases such as liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are major challenges for global health. HCC is the second leading and fastest rising cause of cancer death worldwide. The limited availability of therapeutic options reflects our poor understanding of the molecular and clinical mechanisms involved in progression of liver disease. Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a main risk factor for HCC. Although HCC may be avoided by addressing the underlying cause in early stage disease, strategies to prevent HCC in patients with established cirrhosis and advanced fibrosis, in which the risk of HCC persists despite treatment of the underlying cause are lacking. Indeed, even HCV cure does not eliminate the risk of HCC development when advanced fibrosis is already present. Since fibrosis/cirrhosis-driven carcinogenesis is the mechanism of HCC development common to all major etiologies, we propose to use HCV-induced liver disease as a model to decipher the pan-etiology sequence of molecular events underlying disease progression and HCC. Our own data provide solid evidence that HCV infection alters pathways implicated in liver disease progression, including cirrhosis deterioration, HCC development, and overall and liver-specific death. Thus, the molecular investigation of these pathways will identify key cell circuits for the understanding of the pathogenesis of liver disease and HCC in general, and as broadly applicable pan-etiology diagnostic and therapeutic targets. Using a novel patient-derived cell culture model system for liver disease biology combined with advanced functional genomics, novel animal models and clinical investigation, we aim to uncover the cell circuits that are of clinical relevance for liver disease progression and cancer. By providing novel targets and biomarkers for liver disease and HCC prevention, this proposal will have a marked impact on the management and prognosis of patients with liver disease and HCC.

Mots-clés : liver disease,liver cancer,hepatitis c,hepatocellular carcinoma,cellular pathways,kinases,phosphatases,viral hepatitis,drug target,biomarker,cell circuits
Projet ERC : HEPCIR (Horizon 2020, appel 2014, Advanced grants)
Domaine scientifique : Life Science
Panel : Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases
Entité participante : Mount Sinai Health System — Pays : Etats-Unis — Rôle : Partner
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 116429.11 €

Chronic liver diseases such as liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are major challenges for global health. HCC is the second leading and fastest rising cause of cancer death worldwide. The limited availability of therapeutic options reflects our poor understanding of the molecular and clinical mechanisms involved in progression of liver disease. Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a main risk factor for HCC. Although HCC may be avoided by addressing the underlying cause in early stage disease, strategies to prevent HCC in patients with established cirrhosis and advanced fibrosis, in which the risk of HCC persists despite treatment of the underlying cause are lacking. Indeed, even HCV cure does not eliminate the risk of HCC development when advanced fibrosis is already present. Since fibrosis/cirrhosis-driven carcinogenesis is the mechanism of HCC development common to all major etiologies, we propose to use HCV-induced liver disease as a model to decipher the pan-etiology sequence of molecular events underlying disease progression and HCC. Our own data provide solid evidence that HCV infection alters pathways implicated in liver disease progression, including cirrhosis deterioration, HCC development, and overall and liver-specific death. Thus, the molecular investigation of these pathways will identify key cell circuits for the understanding of the pathogenesis of liver disease and HCC in general, and as broadly applicable pan-etiology diagnostic and therapeutic targets. Using a novel patient-derived cell culture model system for liver disease biology combined with advanced functional genomics, novel animal models and clinical investigation, we aim to uncover the cell circuits that are of clinical relevance for liver disease progression and cancer. By providing novel targets and biomarkers for liver disease and HCC prevention, this proposal will have a marked impact on the management and prognosis of patients with liver disease and HCC.

Mots-clés : liver disease,liver cancer,hepatitis c,hepatocellular carcinoma,cellular pathways,kinases,phosphatases,viral hepatitis,drug target,biomarker,cell circuits
Projet ERC : PHOTODEMOS (Horizon 2020, appel 2015, Advanced grants)
Domaine scientifique : Social Sciences and Humanities
Panel : Cultures and cultural production
Entité participante : University of London — Pays : Royaume-Uni — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : U. London
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 2449086.0 €

Citizens of photography: the camera and the political imagination will study a set of questions which recent transformations in political and photographic theory have made possible and which the current ‘war of images’ makes urgent and necessary. Recent conceptual work suggests that photography makes available a form of citizenry, a form of civil imagination that may be available in advance of conventional political citizenship. This argument has been made chiefly with respect to photojournalism and the ‘photography of atrocity’. This project will investigate this hypothesis with respect to everyday photographic practices of self-representation. It asks whether arguments about the “distribution of the visible” (Rancière) and the way in which political possibility is related to “a certain field of perceptible reality” (Butler) can be illuminated through the study of quotidian practices of photography. This question of the literal ‘visibility’ of the citizen has emerged through the PI’s ethnographic and historical work in India where democratic protocols are fundamentally embedded. The PI’s work has proposed that photography’s ‘egalitarianism’ and ‘seriality’, its ‘individuating’ propensity, and its subjunctive ‘as if’ quality all work to constitute citizens as potential co-equals, able to consciously chose idioms of self-representation. Historically informed ethnographies of vernacular photographic practices in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Greece, Cambodia, Nicaragua, Sri Lanka, and Nigeria will generate data that will permit the rigorous testing of these formulations. Photographs clearly have the power to crystalize and precipitate political sentiment. This project involves the relocation of a set of insights about photography and politics from one domain (photojournalism) to another domain (self-representation), where those questions are rarely asked, but may be more consequential.

Mots-clés : visual anthropology,photography,political imagination,social transformation
Projet ERC : SmartTap (Horizon 2020, appel 2014, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : Aqualligence limited — Pays : Chypre — Rôle : Partner
Acronyme de l'entité : Aqualligence
Type d'entité : Organismes privés (hors enseignement)
Financement ERC de l'entité : 72750.0 €

Clean drinking water is a critical resource, important for the health and well-being of all humans. Uninterrupted supply of clean drinking water is considered a human right, thus water utilities must monitor and control the water quality following strict European and national regulations. A water contamination event can have a dramatic effect on everyday life, as well as on the local economy. Unfortunately, due to the large-scale and complex nature of water distribution systems, water quality monitoring is sporadic, while contamination events may take days before they are detected. The situation is especially severe in developing countries, where water contamination problems commonly result in hospitalizations, or even deaths, and have a major impact on the quality of life. The idea of the proposed proof of concept is to develop the SmartTap system, an intelligent water quality monitoring system that uses spatial and temporal data processing techniques for monitoring the quality of water and detecting any contamination events. The SmartTap is a cyber-physical system comprised of low-cost wireless sensory devices (physical) and smart software (cyber) that are seamlessly integrated so that the software is able to compensate for any inaccuracies in the hardware. The system is suitable for large or small scale deployments, enabling a sensor network approach for providing effective water quality monitoring to consumers (homes, schools, hospitals, hotels, etc.) and water utilities. The goal is to provide real-time water quality monitoring information to consumers and utilities and to reliably detect any contamination events within 1-2 hours, compared to the current state of several days.

Mots-clés : computational intelligence,water distribution networks,fault diagnosis,event detection,cyber physical systems,water quality,contamination of drinking water,embedded systems
Projet ERC : TITANICA (Horizon 2020, appel 2020, Consolidator grants)
Domaine scientifique : Physical Sciences and Engineering
Panel : Earth system science
Entité participante : Board of the Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology — Pays : Suisse — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : ETH Zurich
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 2330078.0 €

Climate change is triggering profound changes in the marine environment, especially in the Arctic Ocean (AO) and subpolar North Atlantic (SPNA), two key areas playing a crucial role in feeding the main engine of the global oceans: the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC). Despite the utmost importance of AMOC for the climate system, there are still many open fundamental questions regarding its physical mechanisms, water mass pathways, and transport or ventilation timescales. TITANICA aims to improve our understanding of AMOC on the basis of a new set of transient radionuclide tracers (129I, 236U, 39Ar and 14C), a quartet that will allow to study and constrain oceanographic processes on timescales of years to millennia. While the combination of the two nuclear reprocessing-derived 129I and 236U will investigate the shorter transport mechanisms (<100 y) of Atlantic waters in the AO and deep-water convection in the SPNA, the natural 39Ar and 14C will provide answers for the ventilation of intermediate and deep waters (>100 y). Newly available techniques will allow the implementation of 39Ar to unprecedented possibilities, closing the time gap between the artificial transient tracers (CFCs, SF6, 129I, 236U) and natural 14C. TITANICA goes beyond the state-of-the art as it combines cutting-edge analytical techniques (Accelerator Mass Spectrometry and Atom Trap Trace Analysis) with novel data analysis methods pioneered by the PI and supported by binary mixing models, transit time distributions, and regional ocean modeling. During the 5 years journey of TITANICA, two PhD students and two postdocs will join the PI embarking in a suit of ocean expeditions covering the Arctic Ocean, the SPNA and the subtropical Atlantic Ocean. The new data generated and the strong collaboration with European and International partners will combine with the PI unique expertise in this field, triggering a new era of transient tracers in the Arctic and Atlantic oceans.

Mots-clés : transient tracers,atta,arctic,subpolar north atlantic,deep water formation,circulation
Projet ERC : MESMER-X (Horizon 2020, appel 2020, Proof of concept grants)
Domaine scientifique : Physical Sciences and Engineering
Panel : Earth system science
Entité participante : Board of the Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology — Pays : Suisse — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : ETH Zurich
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 150000.0 €

Climate extremes count among the most impactful consequences of climate change, also under low-emissions scenarios consistent with the aims of the Paris agreement. However, they are not factored in the derivation of emissions scenarios informing international policy options in reports from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Indeed, the Integrated Assessment Models (IAMs) underlying the development of these emissions scenarios only consider changes in mean climate when evaluating options for e.g. changes in agricultural production, biofuel production, afforestation or other land use changes. In the MESMER-X project, we will address this shortcoming by developing an operational Earth System Model (ESM) emulator providing climate extremes projections under different emissions and land use scenarios at negligible computational cost. This will allow for the first time a full interactive coupling between IAMs and climate scenarios. The MESMER-X emulator will be made open source and broadly available to scientists, policy-makers and society. The MESMER-X project will provide a disruptive innovation enabling the identification of realistic and resilient options for regional land use development consistent with a net-zero CO2 emissions future, with a focus on the European continent. The results of the MESMER-X project will be of high societal benefit for informing policy development consistent with the Paris agreement on European and global scale, including the European Green Deal

Mots-clés : climate extremes,climate change,earth system models,emulators,droughts,heatwaves,mitigation scenarios,impacts
Projet ERC : AWACA (Horizon 2020, appel 2020, Synergy grants)
Entité participante : Sorbonne Université — Pays : France — Rôle : Partner
Acronyme de l'entité : Sorbonne U
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 133920.0 €

Climate models predict that precipitation will increase in Antarctica, which will moderate global sea-level rise. Meanwhile, the isotopic composition of snowfall records climate parameters which can be recovered in ice cores. However, there are still major gaps in our understanding of the atmospheric water cycle over Antarctica. For the first time, the AWACA project will provide a consistent and comprehensive combined observation and modeling framework to understand and predict the fate of atmospheric water all along the tropospheric column. Specifically adapted/designed instruments will be combined to form observation platforms deployed at 5 sites along a 1100 km coast-to-plateau transect aligned with the typical moisture-carrying air mass trajectories. The challenges of working in full autonomy in Antarctica, never addressed to such an extent before, will be tackled by collaborating with experts in polar technology and logistics. The resulting data set will make possible the study of the processes driving the water fluxes and composition to an unprecedented level, and the gained insights will be a strong basis to develop new physics parameterizations for regional and climate models. Once validated along the transect but also in other regions of Antarctica thanks to satellite observations and past campaigns, those models will enable us to decipher the past and future variability of the atmospheric water cycle over Antarctica.

Mots-clés : remote sensing,paleoclimatology,climate projection,cloud and precipitation observation and microphysics,water vapor,antarctica,surface flux,blowing snow