Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-erc-participations-et-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Projet ERC : FEMFRONTIER (Horizon Europe, appel 2024, Advanced grants)
Domaine scientifique : Social Sciences and Humanities
Panel : Individuals, Markets and Organisations
Entité participante : London School of Economics and Political Science — Pays : Royaume-Uni — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : LSE
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 2482322.0 €

Women’s economic flourishing is not only an equity concern: growing evidence shows significant efficiency gains from women entering male-dominated fields and collaborating with male colleagues. However, there is little work on the process through which these gains towards the efficient frontier can be realized, and how the benefits can be shared by all. This proposal, comprised of 7 projects, will shed light on how to spur inter-gender collaboration and trust, through 3 distinct channels: 1) Interpersonal skills, 2) Community-based career paths and role models and 3) Institutional support and protection. On interpersonal skills, I will study the long-term effects of negotiation skills training on professional and educational outcomes for women in Zambia, as well as partner with the Italian Ministry of Education to research how these skills enable collaboration in middle school coding clubs. On community career paths, I will collaborate with the Zambian Ministries of Education and Health to investigate whether professionalized community health workers inspire girls in rural areas to pursue further education and enter male dominated fields. On institutional support, I will work with the Small Claims Court in Zambia to research whether contract-enforcing institutions spur collaboration between male and female entrepreneurs and improve business outcomes. This proposal makes four novel contributions to the literature. First, it focuses on how to resolve frictions in inter-gender collaboration beyond the household, to create economic gains while protecting the more vulnerable partner. Second, it exploits novel panel data and RCT interventions to study long-term impacts of empowerment interventions. Third, it looks at how interventions affect welfare outcomes and expand the economic frontier by measuring spillovers on men, communities, and marketplaces. Fourth, it explores collaboration throughout a woman’s life-cycle, comparing returns of early and later investment.

Mots-clés : gender
Projet ERC : PRFI (Horizon Europe, appel 2024, Advanced grants)
Domaine scientifique : Social Sciences and Humanities
Panel : Individuals, Markets and Organisations
Entité participante : London School of Economics and Political Science — Pays : Royaume-Uni — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : LSE
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 1587328.0 €

Innovation is the key driver of competitiveness and growth. It supplants existing technologies and erodes the market position of firms. This creative destruction lies at the heart of endogenous growth models. This proposal studies how patent rights shape innovation incentives and the micro-dynamics of technological competition in Europe and the U.S. Patent rights are a key policy instrument to enhance incentives, and it is critically important that patent-granting agencies function effectively. These incentives influence the dynamics of technological competition, and the extent to which small firms compete effectively with large firms. This proposal exploits patents as a window onto the dynamics of technological competition. Creative destruction operates through innovation and patents reflect the dynamics at this level. Patents are more informative when granting agencies effectively screen to ensure that inventions meet an appropriate patentability standard. Thus, screening is integrally linked to the broader study of innovation competition and creative destruction. This proposal fills critical gaps in the literature, using frontier methodological and empirical tools, and contributes to evidence-based policymaking in science and technology. There are four thematically linked research strands, all of which break new ground. The first strand develops an economic model of screening by the European Patent Office, which incorporates its unique institutional features and enables us to quantify its effectiveness. The second empirically analyses key administrative mechanisms in the European and U.S. patent offices designed to correct screening errors. The third develops a methodology to assess whether the patentability standard is set at the efficient level for society. The fourth strand empirically studies the landscape and dynamics of technological competition and measures the impact of creative destruction on the gains from innovation.

Mots-clés : property rights,innovation,patent screening,institutional design and evaluation,incentives,creative destruction,technological competition
Projet ERC : UNROPO (Horizon Europe, appel 2021, Advanced grants)
Domaine scientifique : Life Science
Panel : Biotechnology and Biosystems E ngineering
Entité participante : Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie — Pays : Belgique — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : VIB
Type d'entité : Recherche
Financement ERC de l'entité : 2499055.0 €

Plants display an unparalleled regenerative capacity that is widely exploited in modern agriculture, where elite genotypes are asexually multiplied through stem cuttings. A critical point for this successful propagation entails the development of new roots. Unfortunately, the regenerative potential of plants is not universal as many economically and ecologically important species display poor de novo rooting. In my lab we demonstrated that the regenerative potential of plants is the result of a synergistic reaction of two independent wound responses: (1) the accumulation of the phytohormone auxin and (2) the transcriptional activation of stem cell-inducing transcription factors. Follow-up work showed that the latter are specifically activated by pectin-dependent cell wall changes, driving de novo root formation. In UNROPO, we will elucidate this process to UNlock the ROoting POtential of poorly regenerating trees to broaden the spectrum of plant species that can be propagated through cuttings. Through a systematic knockout of pectin modifying and degrading enzymes, combined with metabolic profiling, we aim to identify wound-induced, pectin-derived oligogalacturonides (OGs) that trigger a regeneration response. Downstream OG signal-transducing proteins will be identified through forward genetics experiments and an innovative in-house developed epitope-based single-cell sequencing method. Independently, we will link the regenerative potential of a collection of 250 poplar trees with their pectin metabolome and use genome-wide association studies to pinpoint the underlying pectin modifying, degrading and signaling genes. Ultimately, the obtained results will be used to modify in poorly regenerating tree species the genes involved in the production of regeneration-competent pectin variants, their derived wound-induced OG, and signaling molecules, to unlock the de novo rooting potential, in such manner contributing to the biodiversity of commercial plantations.

Mots-clés : poplar,stem cells,rooting
Projet ERC : Allosteris (Horizon Europe, appel 2023, Advanced grants)
Domaine scientifique : Life Science
Panel : Immunity, Infection and I mmunotherapy
Entité participante : Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie — Pays : Belgique — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : VIB
Type d'entité : Recherche
Financement ERC de l'entité : 2499674.0 €

The fastidious balance of our immune system to fight infections or cancer while avoiding autoimmune reactions is regulated by coinhibitory and co-stimulatory immune checkpoint complexes (ICCs), which have become major drug targets. We witness the skyrocketing progression in cancer immunotherapy with antibodies that block inhibitory ICCs whereas Abs that block stimulatory ICCs are in clinical trials for treating autoimmune diseases. Surprisingly, but likely fuelled by the most obvious focus on IC inhibitors, the field largely ignored that ICCs are genuine transmembrane receptors that transmit signals upon binding of an extracellular protein ligand. This leaves unexplored modes of therapeutic intervention that I will uncover by validating Nanobodies (Nbs) as first-in-class modulators of signaling pathways associated with immune receptors in a unique, previously unexplored fashion. By applying innovative immunization and bio-selection techniques and building on POC data, I will deliver Nbs for representative ICCs to demonstrate the efficacy and selectivity of these Nbs in preclinical models of various inflammatory conditions, focusing on cancer and autoimmune diseases. We will deliver novel therapeutics agents which may outperform current inhibitor-based immunotherapies that trigger a magnitude of side effects. In this regard, the Nbs will exert their therapeutic effect through a distinctive mode of action that will ensure patient safety, even in the event of an overdose.

Mots-clés : nanobody technology,immune checkpoint complexes
Projet ERC : IN and OUT (Horizon Europe, appel 2024, Advanced grants)
Domaine scientifique : Life Science
Panel : Molecules of Life: B iological  Mechanisms , Structures  and Functions
Entité participante : Université de Newcastle upon Tyne — Pays : Royaume-Uni — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : Université de Newcastle
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 2883565.0 €

The human gut microbiome can be considered a virtual organ that has a profound influence on many aspects of human health. While very diverse at the species level, the human gut microbiome is dominated by just two bacterial phyla, the Gram-positive Firmicutes and the Gram-negative Bacteroidetes. The Bacteroides genus belongs to the Bacteroidetes phylum and is the most abundant genus within the gut of western world populations. Due to their abundance and their well-characterised ability to break down dietary glycans that are inaccessible to the host, Bacteroides are keystone species that shape the human gut microbiome. However, to thrive within the gut, Bacteroides need to take up many small molecules besides glycans (INFLUX), and noxious compounds such as bile acids and antibiotics need to be removed from the cell (EFFLUX). Both processes are crucial for fitness within the highly competitive environment of the human gut, and depend critically on lipoproteins, channels and transporters residing in the bacterial outer membrane (OM). In this proposal we will identify and characterise OM influx and efflux processes in gut Bacteroides via a pioneering approach including structural biology, proteomics, and metabolomics. Compared to Proteobacteria in which these processes have been studied in detail, OM influx and efflux in the phylogenetically distant Bacteroides is largely terra incognita. However, based on what we do know, it is clear that the OM and OM proteins of Bacteroides are very different from those of well-studied bacterial model systems. By delivering a step-change in our understanding, this project will not only result in groundbreaking new knowledge of the "ins and outs" of arguably the most important microbial genus in the gut but should also inform approaches for gut microbiota manipulation to improve human health.

Mots-clés : gram negative bacteria outer membrane transport bacteroidetes gut microbiome nutrient uptake small molecule efflux x ray crystallography cryo em
Projet ERC : IGN (Horizon Europe, appel 2022, Advanced grants)
Domaine scientifique : Life Science
Panel : Physiology in Health, Disease and Ageing
Entité participante : Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale — Pays : France — Rôle : Partner
Acronyme de l'entité : Inserm
Type d'entité : Recherche
Financement ERC de l'entité : 238750.0 €

Obesity and type 2 diabetes continuously progress worldwide, compromising healthy aging. Deregulated endogenous glucose production (EGP) is involved in hyperglycemia and its complications. Among the 3 organs (liver, kidney, intestine) contributing to EGP, I uncovered with my team that intestinal gluconeogenesis (IGN) has the capacity to interfere in the control of energy homeostasis. Indeed, intestinal glucose initiates a gut-brain circuit controlling both body weight and glucose production by the liver, the strongest quantitative contributor to EGP. Intestinal gluconeogenesis is, thus, a novel target to control obesity and diabetes. The IGN project has 3 objectives: Understand: is dedicated to elucidating the neural mechanisms by which IGN is sensed and send its signals to the brain. Our data suggested that glucose receptor sodium-glucose co-transporter 3 (SGLT3) could be the peripheral sensor of IGN. Moreover, we showed that the neuromediator calcitonin gene-related peptide alpha (CGRPa) is mandatory for the IGN signal. I will use original mouse models to map the SGLT3-neuron connection to the brain and define the role of CGRPa. Explore: aims at expanding the scope of IGN to the networking of hypothalamus during the neonatal period. I will assess whether the surge of IGN occurring during the neonatal period may control the development of neuronal connections between the hypothalamic nuclei, to ensure an optimal control of energy homeostasis in adult, as previously observed for the neonatal surge of the hormone leptin. Take advantage: aims at identifying novel metabolites able to activate IGN and test them as beneficial modulators of energy homeostasis under unbalanced nutrition. This will pave the way to novel therapeutic approaches of metabolic diseases based on IGN.  Thus, the IGN project should lead to a better understanding of metabolic control and offer new perspectives for preventing metabolic diseases and maintaining healthy ageing.

Mots-clés : gut brain axis,glucose and energy homeostasis
Projet ERC : PLUMAGE (Horizon Europe, appel 2023, Advanced grants)
Domaine scientifique : Life Science
Panel : Cell Biology, Development, Stem Cells and R egeneration
Entité participante : Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale — Pays : France — Rôle : Partner
Acronyme de l'entité : Inserm
Type d'entité : Recherche
Financement ERC de l'entité : 144787.61 €

Most animals display striking patterns (i.e., spatial arrangement of characters in typical geometries). Natural patterns vary extensively, but also display trends within given taxa. A major biological challenge is to identify the pattern-forming events that shape this typical phenotypic landscape. Here, we propose to study the mechanisms responsible for the formation and evolution of the avian colour pattern (i.e., the spatial distribution of colour across the plumage). We test the provocative idea that despite enormous apparent diversity, variation in avian colour patterns is in fact very limited due to early developmental constraints, most variation resulting from colour choice changes in a common template. To test this hypothesis, we designed a step-wise approach organised in 4 specific research objectives: first, we will identify broadly shared and group-specific colour domains in the avian plumage by performing a quantitative survey across the entire bird phylogeny. Second, we will pinpoint the embryonic origin of these colour domains by constructing a lineage map of the developing skin. Third, we will identify positional cues controlling the establishment of embryonic blueprints of the future colour pattern by performing comparative expression analyses and functional tests in species displaying relevant pattern variation. Fourth, we will uncover changes in mechanisms through which embryonic blueprints implement the pattern in the late skin by pinpointing genetic loci co-evolving with pattern changes and testing their effect in an ex vivo system. In each objective, our methodology opportunistically uses non-model species of birds and robust functional testing performed in multiple species. Together, this proposal represents the largest comparative study of developmental processes undertaken in natural populations of birds. Results will provide a comprehensive understanding of the developmental mechanisms underlying trends and variation in natural patterns.

Mots-clés : colour pattern,developmental constraints,phenotypic survey,cell lineage,functional tests,bird embryos,non model species
Projet ERC : MFA (Horizon Europe, appel 2024, Advanced grants)
Domaine scientifique : Social Sciences and Humanities
Panel : Studies of Cultures and Arts
Entité participante : Université du Cap — Pays : Afrique du Sud — Rôle : Partner
Acronyme de l'entité : UCT
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 309518.75 €

Many young African lives are paused in ‘waithood’ (Honwana 2012): no longer children but unable to become independent adults. Many manage this situation through sport, religion, or both. The question at the heart of MFA is how sport and religion in tandem provide a way out of ‘waithood’.  Sport and religion alternately reference each other as performance enhancers. Both have been posited as catalysts for development and integration, however, their interplay remains under-theorised. Social science views sport through a secular lens, while religious studies have been slow to recognise the ‘religious’ elements of sport. If they do, studies are limited to a Western, Christian context. MFA will span existing academic siloes by taking a multidisciplinary approach, considering the interplay between sport and religion from a non-Western, non-Christian perspective.  Africa is known as the ‘sporting continent’ and Africans as the ‘most religious people’, making it a unique setting to investigate i) the ‘sport-religion nexus’ – how each appropriates the other’s values and practices and how they affect each other; and ii) how this nexus enables meaning and purpose. MFA will 1) deepen understanding of the sport-religion nexus; 2) innovate an Afrocentric, actor-oriented approach focused on lived experience; 3) centre Africa’s global sporting prowess, redressing misconceptions of Africa as peripheral; and 4) assess the potential of the sport-religion nexus as a catalyst for youth development. This will be achieved through case studies that document sports appropriating elements from different religions (Christianity, Islam, and African Endogenous Religions): boxing in Nigeria; soccer in South Africa; karate in Egypt; long-distance running in Kenya.  MFA’s dissemination and open-access academic, creative, and policy outputs will contribute to decolonising knowledge production about Africa, fostering South-North collaborations, and enhancing capacity development in Africa.

Mots-clés : sport,religion,youth,gender,faith based development,africa,ethnography
Projet ERC : DESTOP (Horizon Europe, appel 2022, Advanced grants)
Domaine scientifique : Life Science
Panel : Immunity, Infection and I mmunotherapy
Entité participante : Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale — Pays : France — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : Inserm
Type d'entité : Recherche
Financement ERC de l'entité : 1507250.0 €

Before the antibiotic era chances of survival to bacterial meningitis were minimal. Nevertheless, nearly 100 years later, surprisingly little progress has been made and mortality rates currently remain unacceptably high (10-25%). Supported by clinical and experimental data, the central concept of the Destop project is that bacteria rapidly become insensitive to antibiotics during infection, which leads to treatment failure. We hypothesize that the emergence of such antibiotic insensitivity results from vascular colonization by Neisseria meningitidis i.e. when the bacteria adhere to the surface of the endothelium, proliferate and progressively occlude the vessel lumen. We propose to explore the mechanisms underlying four steps of vascular colonization that potentially alter bacterial sensitivity to antibiotics: (i) bacterial adhesion to the endothelium and auto-aggregation; (ii) colonization dependent changes in bacterial physiology, (iii) bacteria-induced plasma membrane deformation shielding adhering bacteria, and (iv) bacteria-triggered intravascular coagulation. For this, we will develop a multidisciplinary approach that involves: an in vivo humanized mouse model and innovative microfluidic devices - vessel-on-a-chip model and a bacterial confinement chamber. The Destop project will not only provide novel mechanistic insights in the meningitis pathogenesis process and allow to develop novel strategies to combat bacterial meningitis but also have broader impact by providing a better understanding of how tissues, as a context for infections, reduce the efficiency of treatment of numerous other bacterial pathogens.

Mots-clés : this project is highly multidisciplinary and is related to several fields,immunology,microbiology,structural biology,physiology and biophysics
Projet ERC : BONEREPAIR (Horizon Europe, appel 2024, Advanced grants)
Domaine scientifique : Physical Sciences and Engineering
Panel : Products and Processes Engineering
Entité participante : Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne — Pays : France — Rôle : Partner
Acronyme de l'entité : URCA
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 333625.0 €

Osteoporosis is a major concern in Europe, resulting in 4.3 million fragility fractures and health care costs in excess of €56 billion annually. Bone, a smart material, can detect microcracks or microdamages and to repair these microdefects due to its growth and remodeling capabilities in the presence of electro-mechanical stimuli. Dry and wet bone involve matrix piezoelectricity, namely a coupling between deformation and polarization. Flexoelectricity, the phenomenon coupling deformation gradients and polarization, still presents experimental and theoretical challenges. Bone biomechanics has been resistant to progress due to the complexity of the propagation of information across the scales of the bone hierarchical microstructure and the multidisciplinary nature of bone biomechanics. BONEREPAIR has the potential to provide a global vision of the effects of electro-mechanical signals on bone remodeling and healing, from the cellular to tissue level, by: 1) Characterizing the response of bone to electro-mechanical stimuli, from cellular to tissue level, via dedicated experiments on biomaterials and bone explants based on novel Bone-on-Chip systems, 2) Modelling the bone cells' response to electro-mechanical stimuli and their gradients, and incorporate them into a unified field theory of bone remodeling and healing, and 3) Designing adequate electro-mechanical stimuli promoting bone healing more efficiently. We hypothesize it is possible to heal bone by applying well-calibrated electro-mechanical stimuli, from the cellular level up to the tissue level, by using multiscale methods to upscale electro-chemo-mechanical phenomena – including piezoelectricity, flexoelectricity, and damage – from microcrack scale up to the tissue level. BONEREPAIR will moreover largely contribute to the development of novel homogenization methods towards generalized continua for composite materials showing multiphysical behavior like piezoelectricity and flexoelectricity.

Mots-clés : bone remodeling electrical stimulation piezoelectricity flexoelectricity bone healibg damage repair multiscale models multiphysical models measurements bone on chip