Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-erc-participations-et-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Projet ERC : RELAX (Horizon 2020, appel 2014, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : Sorbonne Université — Pays : France — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : Sorbonne U
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 150000.0 €

Micro-manufacturing is a key sector for the EU industry. Enabling flexible, cost efficient, and compact production is essential to gain competitive edge and leadership in the manufacturing of high value-added miniatur- ized products. The manual, high-precision assembly or manipulation of micro-parts required for miniaturized assemblies is required by several markets. Companies using micro-mechanical processes, such in horology, or miniature devices employed in the aerospace and defense industries, are in great need of semi-automated manufacturing solutions to increase their productivity and lower the costs. This constraint follows naturally from the nature of their products which are manufactured in moderate quantities and in many variations. The manufacturing of such goods would be greatly aided by the availability of semi-automated robotized workstations that are flexible and capable of moderate to high production volumes. Semi-automation means that human intervention plays a key part in a manufacturing process even if some sub-tasks, such as axle insertion in micro-assembly, can be automated. Recent advances achieved under “Computational Theory of Haptic Perception” led by V. Hayward (Advanced Grant 247300) have elucidated a completely new role for afferent, sensory information during movement that mirrors the role of movement during the elaboration of haptic (tactile) percepts. The technology that we have developed, and patented, eliminates the sensory interference from the interaction between the user and a task. The user is in a position to interact with the micro-parts as if they were scaled by a very large factor, with the consequence of letting the sensorimotor system of the user operate in optimal conditions. The project is motivated by the combination of a basic finding about the human somatosensory system and an interfacing technology leading to an ergonomically optimized highly transparent interface applicable to the assembly of micro-parts.

Mots-clés : haptic interfaces,high performance mechatronics,micro manufacturing
Projet ERC : COLOR-UP (Horizon 2020, appel 2020, Starting grants)
Domaine scientifique : Physical Sciences and Engineering
Panel : Systems and communication engineering
Entité participante : Vrije Universiteit Brussel — Pays : Belgique — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : VUB
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 1499371.0 €

MicroWave Photonics (MWP) has been delivering on-chip devices with outstanding performances to answer the demand of Information and Communication Technologies for always faster, more efficient and more compact systems. Yet, some stringent limitations form a roadblock for disruptive specifications: for instance, on-chip MWP frequency filters hardly perform beyond 60 GHz, whereas the technology and applications require frequencies in the sub-THz range from 100 GHz to several THz. This frequency band will directly support future ultra-fast telecom systems, but also sensing techniques such as THz spectroscopy e.g. for food contaminant detection or mm-precision RADARs for robotic systems. With COLOR'UP, my goal is to remove this frequency roadblock by exploring and implementing on-chip a radically new concept exploiting the nonlinear dynamics of multi-colour lasers. These lasers naturally generate a set of sharp beat-notes in the sub-THz range corresponding to the frequency separation between the different wavelengths. Injecting an optical beam in a multi-colour laser with a modulation at well-chosen frequencies can lead to injection-locking of all wavelengths simultaneously. Spectral components that are not matching the beat-notes will however not be picked up and will be filtered out in the laser output. In this project, I will demonstrate that this effect can be exploited to create all-optical on-chip MWP bandpass filters with the capability to cover the entire sub-THz range from tens of GHz, up to a few THz. My goals are four-fold: (1) design and realize multi-colour lasers with tailored spectra to achieve filtering at precise frequencies (2) study the underlying filtering mechanism to optimize the filter performances (3) develop on-chip control techniques based on optical feedback to control the filter properties (4) make a Proof-of-Concept demonstration of the filter on an InP photonic integrated circuit emitting in the telecom band, around the 1.55 um wavelength

Mots-clés : laser dynamics,photonic integration,semiconductor lasers,nonlinear dynamics,optical injection,optical feedback,microwave photonics,generic foundry platforms
Projet ERC : REMEMBER (Horizon 2020, appel 2014, Starting grants)
Domaine scientifique : Life Science
Panel : Immunity, Infection and Immunotherapy
Entité participante : Wageningen University & Research — Pays : Pays-Bas — Rôle : Partner
Acronyme de l'entité : WUR
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 125886.91 €

Microbes in natural ecosystems are under constant evolutionary pressure from viruses. To survive in this hostile environment microbes have evolved an adaptive immune system called CRISPR-Cas. The immune system is based on incorporation of invader DNA sequences in a memory locus (CRISPR), the formation of guide RNAs from this locus, and the degradation of invading target DNA using CRISPR RNA-guided protein complexes. Invaders escape immunity by making point mutations in the targeted region of their DNA, but hosts quickly restore immunity by integrating new memory sequences against the same invader in a process called priming. Recently, I have made the remarkable discovery that hosts mount a primed immune response even when facing heavily mutated invaders. This implies that the memory of the CRISPR-Cas system not only functions in the short term against relatively recent threats, but also remembers a range of revisiting old foes in the long term, providing a huge evolutionary benefit for the host in the arms race with their invaders. This proposal sets out to determine the mechanism of the enigmatic process of primed memory formation against heavily mutated invaders. Using a combination of genetic, biochemical and structural approaches, including state-of-the-art single molecule imaging of CRISPR immunity in living Escherichia coli cells, I will investigate the driving hypothesis that perfectly matching and degenerate targets are differentially recognized, and trigger either target DNA degradation or priming. Moreover, I will test the supposition that degenerate priming is a universal phenomenon among different CRISPR-Cas types. If this is the case, degenerate priming will impair the use of viruses as therapeutic agents to treat antibiotic resistant bacterial infections. To prevent CRISPR resistance I propose to screen for organic molecules that inhibit the formation of CRISPR resistance. These molecules can be co-administered with viruses to potentiate treatments.

Mots-clés : crispr,bacteria,viruses,immunity,small rnas
Projet ERC : DEUSBIO (Horizon 2020, appel 2020, Starting grants)
Domaine scientifique : Life Science
Panel : Biotechnology and Biosystems Engineering
Entité participante : Imperial College London — Pays : Royaume-Uni — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 1499998.0 €

Microbial bioproduction, despite being considered a paradigmatic sustainable alternative to petroleum-based chemistry, is often limited by low yields and productivities, which prevents commercialisation. It is generally known for all types of cells that genetically identical populations can form metabolically distinct subpopulations. This diversity strongly impairs bioproduction as the presence of low-producer or slow-grower cells reduces overall yields. However, the universal phenomenon of subpopulations emergence has been largely overlooked, especially in biotechnology, due to technical difficulties. Now, thanks to recent developments in single cell technologies, in molecular understanding of microbial communities and in synthetic biology tools, we can begin to address this widespread and impactful biological feature. I propose to explore the emergence of subpopulations in yeast and understand their implications in metabolism and bioproduction using and developing cutting edge synthetic biology tools. I aim to use that knowledge to develop novel engineered strains that lack the presence of undesired subpopulations and then use such homogeneous populations for bioproduction. The homogenised production will be investigated in both, monocultures and microbial communities. In DEUSBIO, I will set up an innovative framework to maximise the biosynthesis of high value molecules, with high potential to overcome current limitations. This project will shed light on the phenomenon of subpopulations, whose relevance goes beyond bioproduction, as for example, it has been associated with the origin of multicellularity. Increasing our knowledge about this matter will also have implications in biomedicine, as cell subpopulations are extremely important in the appearance of antimicrobial resistant, in cancer heterogeneity, and in microbiome complexity.

Mots-clés : synthetic biology,metabolic engineering,microbial bioproduction,microbial biotechnology,microbial cell factories
Projet ERC : Antiseptic-Wax (Horizon 2020, appel 2018, Proof of concept grants)
Domaine scientifique : Physical Sciences and Engineering
Panel : Synthetic Chemistry and Materials
Entité participante : Technion – Israel Institute of Technology — Pays : Israël — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 150000.0 €

Microbial food spoilage leads to food-borne illnesses and food wastage. It is estimated that food borne disease cause 23 million illnesses and 5,000 deaths only in the European region and around 88 million tonnes of food are wasted annually. Contamination of food by biofilms can occur at any stage of the food production process or consumption. In this PoC we propose to address this problem taking inspiration from nature. We have shown that we can emulate various plant leaf surfaces by synthetic paraffin waxes which exhibit superhydrophobic and pronounced passive anti-microbial properties. These waxes are FDA approved for the use in food products. We plan to develop easy to apply waxed surfaces via spray and dip coating techniques, which can be easily implemented into the food industry at various stages of production. We believe this will allow to significantly reduce food spoilage and waste.

Mots-clés : antimicrobial surfaces,bio inspired,biofilm prevention,food shelf life
Projet ERC : ICEBERG (Horizon 2020, appel 2017, Consolidator grants)
Domaine scientifique : Life Science
Panel : Cellular, Developmental and Regenerative Biology
Entité participante : Commissariat à l’énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives — Pays : France — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : CEA
Type d'entité : Recherche
Financement ERC de l'entité : 1998227.0 €

Microtubules (MTs) are dynamic cytoskeleton filaments. They permanently transit between growth and shrinkage. This famous “dynamic instability” is governed by the addition and loss of tubulin dimers at their tips. In contrast to the tip, the MT lattice was considered to be a passive structure supporting intracellular transport. However, we recently found that MT lattice is dynamic and active! Actually, tubulin dimers can be exchanged with the cytoplasmic pool along the entire length of the MT. These incorporations can repair sites on the lattice that have been mechanically damaged. These repair sites protect the MTs from depolymerisation and increase the MT’s life span. This discovery opens up a new vista for understanding MT biology. First, we will investigate the biochemical consequences of MT-lattice turnover. We hypothesise that tubulin turnover affects the recruitment of MAPs, motors and tubulin-modifying enzymes. These recruitments may feedback on lattice turnover and further regulate MT life span and functions. Second, we will investigate the mechanical impact of the MT-lattice plasticity. Tubulin removal is likely to be associated with a local reduction of MT stiffness that can impact MT shape and the propagation of forces along the lattice. We anticipate that such effects will require us to reformulate the biophysical rules directing network architecture. To achieve this, we will use reconstituted MT networks in vitro to investigate the molecular mechanism regulating MT-lattice plasticity, and cultured cells to test the physiological relevance of these mechanisms. In both approaches, microfabricated devices will be used to control the spatial boundary conditions directing MT self-organisation. By exploring the hidden 90% of MT iceberg we aim to show that the MT lattice is a dynamic mechano-sensory structure which regulates interphase MT-network architectures and possibly confers them unexpected functions.

Mots-clés : microtubules,actin,cell mechanics,cell polarity,hematopoietic stem cell
Projet ERC : ProtectedDairy (Horizon 2020, appel 2018, Proof of concept grants)
Domaine scientifique : Life Science
Panel : Integrative Biology: from Genes and Genomes to Systems
Entité participante : Weizmann Institute of Science — Pays : Israël — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 150000.0 €

Milk and its fermentation derivatives, yogurt and cheese, are globally consumed at rates of >750 million tonnes annually, and are responsible for ~10% of the protein consumption worldwide. In the process of yogurt and cheese production, starter cultures of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are added to milk, leading to fermentative production of the end product. Optimal growth of the lactic acid bacteria within the milk is critical for high-quality fermentation in the manufacturing of such dairy products. During fermentation, growth of starter culture bacteria is frequently impaired by viruses (phages) that infect these bacteria. Phage infection of lactic acid bacteria fermentative cultures is the main cause for incomplete or delayed fermentation processes in the dairy industry, and it is estimated that 10% of dairy fermentation processes fail due to culture infection by phage. This puts an extensive financial burden on the yogurt and cheese industries, a market estimated at >$80B annually. There is therefore a strong need for tools that would protect lactic acid bacteria from phage infection during the fermentation process. In our ERC-funded project we discovered novel defense systems that confer strong resistance against multiple types of phages. We showed that our systems do not impair normal growth of bacteria, and provide efficient phage-resistance features, conferring protection against a broad range of phages. Within the current PoC project we will harness our discoveries to develop non-GMO prototype lactic acid bacteria that are strongly protected against phage infection. This prototype is expected to demonstrate highly resilient, enhanced starter culture bacteria that will have superior durability and resistance over currently available starter culture bacteria used in the market.

Mots-clés : dairy,phage,starter culture
Projet ERC : HOM (Horizon 2020, appel 2016, Starting grants)
Domaine scientifique : Social Sciences and Humanities
Panel : Cultures and cultural production
Entité participante : University of Bern — Pays : Suisse — Rôle : Partner
Acronyme de l'entité : UB
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 106375.0 €

Mimesis is one of the most influential concepts in Western thought. Originally invoked to define humans as the “most imitative” creatures in classical antiquity, mimesis (imitation) has recently been at the centre of theoretical debates in the humanities, social sciences, and the neurosciences concerning the role of “mimicry,” “identification,” “contagion,” and “mirror neurons” in the formation of subjectivity. And yet, despite the growing confirmations that imitation is constitutive of human behaviour, mimesis still tends to be confined to the sphere of realistic representation. The HOM project combines approaches that are usually split in different areas of disciplinary specialization to provide a correction to this tendency. Conceived as a trilogy situated at the crossroads between literary criticism, cinema studies, and critical theory, HOM’s outcomes will result in two monographs and accompanying articles that explore the aesthetic, affective, and conceptual implications of the mimetic faculty. The first, radically reframes a major proponent of anti-mimetic aesthetics in modern literature, Oscar Wilde, by looking back to the classical foundations of theatrical mimesis that inform his corpus; the second considers the material effects of virtual simulation by looking ahead to new digital media via contemporary science-fiction films; and the third establishes an interdisciplinary dialogue between philosophical accounts of mimesis and recent discoveries in the neurosciences. Together, these new perspectives on homo mimeticus reconsider the aesthetic foundations of a major literary author, open up a new line of inquiry in film studies, and steer philosophical debates on mimesis in new interdisciplinary directions.

Mots-clés : mimesis,english literature,theories of imitation and contagion,critical theory
Projet ERC : HOM (Horizon 2020, appel 2016, Starting grants)
Domaine scientifique : Social Sciences and Humanities
Panel : Cultures and cultural production
Entité participante : KU Leuven — Pays : Belgique — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : KUL
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 937625.0 €

Mimesis is one of the most influential concepts in Western thought. Originally invoked to define humans as the “most imitative” creatures in classical antiquity, mimesis (imitation) has recently been at the centre of theoretical debates in the humanities, social sciences, and the neurosciences concerning the role of “mimicry,” “identification,” “contagion,” and “mirror neurons” in the formation of subjectivity. And yet, despite the growing confirmations that imitation is constitutive of human behaviour, mimesis still tends to be confined to the sphere of realistic representation. The HOM project combines approaches that are usually split in different areas of disciplinary specialization to provide a correction to this tendency. Conceived as a trilogy situated at the crossroads between literary criticism, cinema studies, and critical theory, HOM’s outcomes will result in two monographs and accompanying articles that explore the aesthetic, affective, and conceptual implications of the mimetic faculty. The first, radically reframes a major proponent of anti-mimetic aesthetics in modern literature, Oscar Wilde, by looking back to the classical foundations of theatrical mimesis that inform his corpus; the second considers the material effects of virtual simulation by looking ahead to new digital media via contemporary science-fiction films; and the third establishes an interdisciplinary dialogue between philosophical accounts of mimesis and recent discoveries in the neurosciences. Together, these new perspectives on homo mimeticus reconsider the aesthetic foundations of a major literary author, open up a new line of inquiry in film studies, and steer philosophical debates on mimesis in new interdisciplinary directions.

Mots-clés : mimesis,english literature,theories of imitation and contagion,critical theory
Projet ERC : MagFlow (Horizon 2020, appel 2019, Proof of concept grants)
Domaine scientifique : Physical Sciences and Engineering
Panel : Systems and communication engineering
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 €

Minimally invasive medical procedures, such as endovascular catheterization, have drastically reduced procedure-associated risks for patients and costs for hospitals. However, practitioners still cannot quickly and safely reach deep body tissues due to the miniaturization issues associated with the existing manufacturing paradigm and the tedious process of navigating commercially available catheters. MagFlow introduces an innovative approach towards minimally invasive surgery that realizes the delivery of ultra-lightweight and ultra-flexible microscopic probes by taking full advantage of the existing viscous flow inside blood vessels. With this technique, the microengineered devices are transported through vascular networks with arbitrary complexity almost effortlessly. We developed an endovascular microrobotic toolkit with cross-sectional area that is approximately three orders of magnitude smaller than the smallest microcatheter currently available for chemical, mechanical, and electrical interrogation. Our technology will improve the state-of-the-art practices as it enhances the reachability, reduces the risk of iatrogenic damage, drastically increases the speed of robot-assisted interventions, and enables the deployment of multiple leads simultaneously through a standard needle injection. As a result, several invasive surgeries can shift to endovascular interventions, knowledge on neuronal electrophysiology can grow significantly, and a novel type of brain-machine interface can be established. The goal of the MagFlow project is to both explore the commercial viability of our unique technology and take the first steps towards the clinical trial phase by adapting the platform for in vivo experimentation.

Mots-clés : robotics,microtechnology,minimally invasive interventions,endovascular microcatheters,fluid structure interactions