Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-erc-participations-et-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Projet ERC : THOR (Horizon 2020, appel 2017, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : Chalmers University of Technology — Pays : Suède — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 122500.0 €

Remote sensing and monitoring in various environments solves many scientific and societal problems. Examples are: industrial air pollution control, global atmosphere surveillance, our planet system and the universe exploration, process controls in industry, and material research in laboratories. Molecular absorption/emission feature, combined with a high penetration depth of THz waves through dust, short wavelength allowing for high pointing directivity, all these factors determine the uniqueness of the THz range of electro-magnetic wave spectrum (0.1-10THz) in the mentioned applications. High radiometric sensitivity of THz wave detectors is a vital selection criterion for a THz system to become attractive. Uncooled THz detectors/mixers show adequate sensitivity only for frequencies below 1THz, whereas “supra-THz” (>1THz) detectors require cooling down to 4K. This limitation hinders exploitation of THz spectroscopy for such important application as atmosphere monitoring, local and global pollution surveillance, security, as well as universal sciences, in full. Small-scale satellites, balloons, portable sensors, can’t afford LHe cooling or power thirsty 4K cryo-coolers. For large-scale space missions, 4K cooling has already been utilized (e.g. Herschel and Planck Space observatories, COBE, etc), however it limited the missions lifetime significantly. In the frame of ERC StG grant Teramix, we developed technology, where high sensitivity and large bandwidth THz detection can be achieved at 20-40K temperature range, which can be accessed with compact and low power consumption coolers. The THOR project will lead the new technology through pre-commercial prototyping, a real-world application in an existing (representative) system, and explore marketing opportunities in both commercial and research areas.

Mots-clés : terahertz detector,electronics,space industry
Projet ERC : AdLibYeast (Horizon 2020, appel 2014, Consolidator grants)
Domaine scientifique : Life Science
Panel : Biotechnology and Biosystems Engineering
Entité participante : Delft University of Technology — Pays : Pays-Bas — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : TU Delft
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 2149717.5 €

Replacement of petrochemistry by bio-based processes is key to sustainable development and requires microbes equipped with novel-to-nature capabilities. The efficiency of such engineered microbes strongly depends on their native metabolic networks. However, aeons of evolution have optimized these networks for fitness in nature rather than for industrial performance. As a result, central metabolic networks are complex and encoded by mosaic microbial genomes in which genes, irrespective of their function, are scattered over the genome and chromosomes. This absence of a modular organization tremendously restricts genetic accessibility and presents a major hurdle for fundamental understanding and rational engineering of central metabolism. To conquer this limitation, I introduce the concept of ‘pathway swapping’, which will enable experimenters to remodel the core machinery of microbes at will. Using the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, an industrial biotechnology work horse and model eukaryotic cell, I propose to design and construct a microbial chassis in which all genes encoding enzymes in central carbon metabolism are relocated to a specialized synthetic chromosome, from which they can be easily swapped by any – homologous or heterologous – synthetic pathway. This challenging and innovative project paves the way for a modular approach to engineering of central metabolism. Beyond providing a ground-breaking enabling technology, the ultimate goal of the pathway swapping technology is to address hitherto unanswered fundamental questions. Access to a sheer endless variety of configurations of central metabolism offers unique, new possibilities to study the fundamental design of metabolic pathways, the constraints that have shaped them and unifying principles for their structure and regulation. Moreover, this technology enables fast, combinatorial optimization studies on central metabolism to optimize its performance in biotechnological purposes.
Projet ERC : ELOXY (Horizon 2020, appel 2015, Advanced grants)
Domaine scientifique : Life Science
Panel : Biotechnology and Biosystems Engineering
Entité participante : Delft University of Technology — Pays : Pays-Bas — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : TU Delft
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 2498150.0 €

Replacement of petrochemistry-based transport fuels and bulk chemicals by industrial biotechnology requires cost-efficient microbial processes, whose feedstock-to-product conversion efficiencies approach theoretical maxima. For many products, such high efficiencies require anaerobic processes and, consequently, industrial microorganisms capable of robust anaerobic growth. Yeasts are robust micro-organisms but, with the notable exception of Saccharomyces species, they share an important limitation with most other eukaryotes: they cannot grow anaerobically. Even Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the yeast responsible for industrial fuel ethanol production in large-scale anaerobic processes, requires sterols and unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs) for anaerobic growth. Depletion of these anaerobic growth factors deteriorates its fermentation performance. Several ethanol-producing, non-Saccharomyces species have highly attractive properties for industrial application, including a much higher thermotolerance and broader substrate range than S. cerevisiae. However, in addition to sterol and UFA synthesis, these yeasts have other, unidentified oxygen requirements. Unless the molecular basis for these oxygen requirements is elucidated, their huge potential for sustainable production of biofuels and chemicals cannot be accessed by industry. This proposal addresses the fundamental scientific question why so many yeasts that can ferment sugars to ethanol are nevertheless unable to grow anaerobically. Moreover, by enabling anaerobic growth of non-Saccharomyces yeasts, it aims to build yeast platforms with unprecedented advantages for industrial biotechnology. The proposed innovative approach to these challenges integrates cutting-edge experimental techniques in quantitative physiology and comparative genomics of yeasts and anaerobic fungi, computational modelling, and synthetic-biology-assisted metabolic engineering of different yeast species.

Mots-clés : microbial physiology,metabolic engineering,biofuels,yeast,anaerobic processes
Projet ERC : DynaGrow (Horizon 2020, appel 2019, Starting grants)
Domaine scientifique : Physical Sciences and Engineering
Panel : Physical and analytical chemical sciences
Entité participante : Radboud University Nijmegen — Pays : Pays-Bas — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 1500000.0 €

Replication and division are two of the most fundamental properties of living systems. Without replication, Darwinian evolution would not be possible, and life could never have reached the degree of complexity we see today. However, exactly how mixtures of non-living molecules developed the ability to replicate and divide, remains one of the biggest mysteries in modern science. Various molecular replicators have been investigated previously, but they are all destined to become extinct by dilution, since they lack a surrounding compartment that divides spontaneously during replication. In this proposal, we aim at developing a new class of coacervate-based protocells that are capable of active growth and template-directed replication. The coacervates we propose here are condensed liquid droplets with a unique dual role: they act as a compartment that holds together and concentrates the template molecules and the building blocks, and they provide the right chemical environment for the replication reactions to take place at an appreciable rate. The coacervate-based protocells are composed of oligopeptides with low complexity sequences, inspired by the intrinsically disordered proteins found in membrane-free organelles inside cells. Active growth is achieved through fuel-driven reactions, either by elongation of existing peptides or by specific chemical modifications at the peptide side chains that enhance their coacervation potential. Longer peptides can also act as templates for conjugation of end-functionalized peptide fragments with sequence patterns complementary to the template. Protocells with sufficiently high growth or replication rates are not only stable against Ostwald ripening, but are also predicted to undergo spontaneous division through a shape instability. This would mark a key step in the emergence of minimal cells and open the way for the evolution of more complex life-like systems.

Mots-clés : protocells,self assembly,origin of life
Projet ERC : REPLISTRESS (Horizon 2020, appel 2017, Advanced grants)
Domaine scientifique : Life Science
Panel : Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions
Entité participante : University of Geneva — Pays : Suisse — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : UNIGE
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 2231378.0 €

Replication of the genome is of critical importance for cell proliferation and organismal development. To ensure accurate and complete replication of their genome, eukaryotes have hundreds to thousands of replication origins. In budding yeast, the genomic positions of all the origins are known, as is the order in which they fire. In contrast, in human cells, the mapping of origins is controversial and origin firing may be stochastic and plastic. Furthermore, while normal cells replicate their genomes with high fidelity; in cancer cells, the presence of activated oncogenes leads to collapse of DNA replication forks (DNA replication stress), DNA damage and genomic instability. My laboratory has recently elucidated key differences in DNA replication after oncogene induction. We mapped replication origins on the human genome and found that, in addition to the origins present before oncogene induction, a new class of “oncogene-induced” origins was observed upon activation of the CCNE1 (Cyclin E) or MYC (c-Myc) genes. Only forks from the oncogene-induced origins were prone to collapse, leading to the genomic instability patterns observed in the common human cancers. In this proposal, we aim to map with high precision the human replication origins, determine if their firing is stochastic or deterministic and identify sequence motifs that are important for origin firing (Aim 1). We further aim to explore how transcription in the G1 phase of the cell cycle regulates origin firing (Aim 2). This endeavour is motivated by our observation that transcription in G1 inactivates intragenic origins. Finally, we aim to understand how transcription, replication and repair are coordinated to avoid DNA replication stress in normal cells (Aim 3). The proposed experiments will help us understand how normal cells replicate their genome with high fidelity and how oncogenes interfere with this process.

Mots-clés : dna replication origins,break induced replication,fork collapse,fork repair
Projet ERC : REPRODAMH (Horizon 2020, appel 2016, Consolidator 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 : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : Inserm
Type d'entité : Recherche
Financement ERC de l'entité : 1891980.0 €

Reproduction in mammals is dependent on specific neurons secreting the Gonadotropin Hormone-Releasing Hormone (GnRH). Many reproductive disorders in humans are associated with abnormal or deficient GnRH secretion. Among reproductive dysfunctions, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common form of female infertility with a prevalence of up to 10%, characterized by increased ovarian androgen biosynthesis, oligo-anovulation and frequent metabolic morbidities. Because women with PCOS have increased luteinizing hormone (LH) pulse frequency, it has been inferred that the pulse frequency of GnRH must be accelerated as well. However, so far PCOS has been considered mainly as a gonadal pathology and possible regulations from the central nervous system or interactions with it remain elusive. In patients with PCOS, ovarian levels of Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) are also elevated, indicating the potential relevance of AMH for PCOS diagnosis and management. Recently, we showed that AMH acts directly on GnRH neurons to increase neuropeptide secretion, raising the intriguing hypothesis that AMH-dependent regulation of GnRH release could be involved in the neuroendocrine control of fertility and pathophysiology of PCOS. By providing integrative, functional and mechanistic in vivo strategies, combined with clinical human investigations, REPRODAMH will represent a major step forward into the understanding of PCOS with the final goal of developing new therapeutic strategies. To achieve these goals we will: 1: Determine whether developmental or postnatal AMH excess leads to PCOS endocrine disturbances by hyperactivation of GnRH neurons. 2: Study whether inhibition of GnRH neuronal activity rescues the neuroendocrine reproductive phenotype in PCOS-mouse models. 3: Study whether modifications of the hypothalamic structural plasticity occur in PCOS and contribute to alterations of GnRH release. 4: Design and test new preclinical therapeutic strategies in PCOS animal models.

Mots-clés : fertility,gnrh,pcos,hypothalamus
Projet ERC : LeMo (Horizon 2020, appel 2019, Starting 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 : 1496370.0 €

Research and applications in legged robotics has made significant progress over the last decade, driven by more advanced actuation systems, better on-board computation, and significantly improved sensors for perceiving the environment. State-of-the-art model-based planning and control algorithms can plan for contact points and body motions to move legged systems over complex environments. However, these methods have shown clear performance limits when it comes to behaviours and situations that are more complex, and it is unclear if and how these limits can be overcome with classical control methods. On the other hand, recent advances in reinforcement learning has put forward unprecedented capabilities to learn control policies for complex behaviours. With our preliminary findings, we were the first group to present methods that allow directly transferring learned behaviours from simulation to reality to create advanced motion skills for complex legged robots. This breakthrough has the potential to revolutionize the field of legged locomotion control. In this ERC project, we want to research this highly promising area and investigate the use of machine learning tools to make legged robots autonomously move in realistic outdoor scenarios. In three parallel research streams, we will learn how to accurately model the system dynamics from experience, how to abstractify, generate and coordinate different complex behaviours that involve multi-contact situations, and how to combine these with perception to enable autonomous navigation in complex environments. The proposed methods have the potential to overcome the limitations of commonly used optimization-based methods such as limited model accuracy, local minima, conservative performance, computational load and execution time, and it will help us to better understand the fundamentals of locomotion in robots and biology.

Mots-clés : legged robotics,locomotion control,learning locomotion,machine learning
Projet ERC : NEWORLDatA (Horizon 2020, appel 2020, Advanced grants)
Domaine scientifique : Social Sciences and Humanities
Panel : The study of the human past
Entité participante : Czech Academy of Sciences — Pays : Rép. Tchèque — Rôle : Partner
Acronyme de l'entité : AVČR;CAS
Type d'entité : Recherche
Financement ERC de l'entité : 144187.5 €

Research data are vital components of any scientific enterprise and the introduction of more inclusive world data exchange practices is a decisive factor, locally and globally, in strengthening capacity for research and innovation and tackling societal challenges. Yet we now comparatively little about what international negotiations have paved the way to the current global system of research data circulation and exchange. NEWORLD@A aims to provide the first comprehensive survey about the sets of science diplomacy exercises that have contributed to shape the current world data exchange system. This study will pioneer transnational research collaborations in order to successfully reconstruct these key historical transitions, also enmeshing non-Western narratives in the study of research data negotiations. Through an original combination of quantitative and qualitative methods, the study will first map existing networking patterns of data circulation and reveal existing imbalances in the world distribution of research data centres. It will then chart the international legal infrastructure that supports this distribution. It will also identify the historical determinants for the shape of world data exchange networks through an investigation of relevant archival documents across the world discussing the relevant negotiations and decision-making processes. They study will focus in particular on interactions between: non-governmental and governmental transnational organizations such as those under the aegis of ICSU and UNESCO; Western and Eastern blocs in the context of the Cold War science race; and Global North and South nations in the uses of research data for development purposes. Shedding new light on how these interactions have shaped the current research data circulation system will finally provide the analysis needed to inform current policy provisions on how to make these systems more inclusive and responsive to global challenges.

Mots-clés : data,globalisation,science diplomacy,transnational,history of science,global history,cold war,international data management,non governmental,inter governmental,global north,global south,scientometrics
Projet ERC : NEWORLDatA (Horizon 2020, appel 2020, Advanced grants)
Domaine scientifique : Social Sciences and Humanities
Panel : The study of the human past
Entité participante : University of Southampton — Pays : Royaume-Uni — Rôle : Partner
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 140750.0 €

Research data are vital components of any scientific enterprise and the introduction of more inclusive world data exchange practices is a decisive factor, locally and globally, in strengthening capacity for research and innovation and tackling societal challenges. Yet we now comparatively little about what international negotiations have paved the way to the current global system of research data circulation and exchange. NEWORLD@A aims to provide the first comprehensive survey about the sets of science diplomacy exercises that have contributed to shape the current world data exchange system. This study will pioneer transnational research collaborations in order to successfully reconstruct these key historical transitions, also enmeshing non-Western narratives in the study of research data negotiations. Through an original combination of quantitative and qualitative methods, the study will first map existing networking patterns of data circulation and reveal existing imbalances in the world distribution of research data centres. It will then chart the international legal infrastructure that supports this distribution. It will also identify the historical determinants for the shape of world data exchange networks through an investigation of relevant archival documents across the world discussing the relevant negotiations and decision-making processes. They study will focus in particular on interactions between: non-governmental and governmental transnational organizations such as those under the aegis of ICSU and UNESCO; Western and Eastern blocs in the context of the Cold War science race; and Global North and South nations in the uses of research data for development purposes. Shedding new light on how these interactions have shaped the current research data circulation system will finally provide the analysis needed to inform current policy provisions on how to make these systems more inclusive and responsive to global challenges.

Mots-clés : data,globalisation,science diplomacy,transnational,history of science,global history,cold war,international data management,non governmental,inter governmental,global north,global south,scientometrics
Projet ERC : LATO (Horizon 2020, appel 2016, Consolidator grants)
Domaine scientifique : Physical Sciences and Engineering
Panel : Synthetic Chemistry and Materials
Entité participante : University of Oxford — Pays : Royaume-Uni — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 1999318.0 €

Research in 2D materials has increased dramatically since the first isolation of graphene in 2004, with diverse interdisciplinary studies. In the last few years, 2D material research expanded beyond graphene by the development of other 2D materials, such as monolayered transition metal dichalcogenides, black phosphorous, and Boron Nitride. There are hundreds of possible 2D crystals that can be isolated, with properties ranging from metallic, semi-metallic, semiconducting to insulating, depending on the material composition. Semiconducting 2D materials have attracting interest in next-generation electronics/opto-electronics such as transistors, photo-gated transistors, photo-detectors, solar cells, and light emitting devices (LEDs), molecular sensors and optical imaging sensors. The unique structural form of 2D materials provides several benefits over other existing materials: ultrathin, flexible, highly transparent, large surface to volume ratio, and 2D quantum confinement. High transparency LEDs are required for applications in transparent displays on glass panels. Many 2D based opto-electronic devices have used mechanical exfoliation from bulk crystals, but this is limited to small areas. Recent work on chemical vapour deposition (CVD) to grow wafer-scale 2D materials has opened up exciting opportunities for commercial exploitation and has accelerated the intensity of research in this field towards real applications. The vision of this proposal is to realize a new class of ultra-thin, flexible, large-area, transparent, high-sensitivity opto-electronic device arrays based on all 2D materials, with a focus on imaging sensors and LEDs. This will involve wafer-scale CVD synthesis of 2D materials including novel blue and green 2D semiconductors, optical spectroscopy to probe the interlayer interactions, atomic level structure-property correlations using advanced electron microscopy, and the nanoscale fabrication and testing of high efficiency devices.

Mots-clés : 2d materials,opto electronics,graphene,electron microscopy