Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-erc-participations-et-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Projet ERC : CloudStore (Horizon Europe, appel 2025, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : Université technique de Munich — Pays : Allemagne — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 150000.0 €

Today's cloud market is dominated by three US hyperscalers, resulting in lock-in, high prices, and limited innovation. The BtrBlocks vision aims to tackle this technological weakness by developing low-level, cloud-independent infrastructure services that can be deployed on any cloud platform. Its first building block, CloudStore, is a next-generation storage service designed from the ground up for modern, high-performance SSDs. Unlike existing solutions, our design will drastically reduce the complexity of building cloud-native applications. By being cloud-independent, CloudStore will foster innovation and reduce reliance on hyperscalers. In the long term, CloudStore will serve as the foundation for a broader suite of BtrBlocks services, designed to simplify development of cloud services. This decoupling of hardware infrastructure from high-level services will significantly lower overall cloud costs, spur new development, and strengthen Europe's strategic autonomy.
Projet ERC : SUITEX (Horizon Europe, appel 2024, Proof of concept grants)
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 : 150000.0 €

Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI) is a major medical issue affecting 1 in 5 women. Implantation of synthetic slings, made of knitted plastic monofilament, is the gold standard surgical treatment. They provide mechanical support to the urethra avoiding involuntary loss of urine on effort. However, they are associated with serious complications and some countries have already suspended their use. Hence, there is a strong medical and societal need for breakthrough innovations. The two fundamental problems of synthetic slings are the excessive hardness of the material and the foreign body reaction it creates. We propose a new paradigm by providing a non-living tissue-engineered sling that is soft, yet strong, as well as completely biological and human. Our strategy is based on a unique material: the Cell-Assembled extracellular Matrix (CAM) produced by fibroblasts in vitro. We can produce robust CAM sheets from human or ovine cells with similar properties. They are cut to produce threads subsequently woven into CAM slings.  The potential of CAM slings to treat SUI will be demonstrated through 2 main tasks: 1) Development of human and ovine CAM slings with mechanical properties justifying a preclinical study. 2) In vivo validation of allogenic CAM slings in a female sheep model at 2 and 6 months.  This PoC will: 1) Prove that human CAM slings can have clinically relevant mechanical properties; 2) Demonstrate that equivalent ovine CAM slings can be successfully implanted in a clinically relevant, allogenic, large animal model; 3) Show a superior integration of ovine CAM slings compared to synthetic slings (reduced immune response and positive remodeling).  Overall, this PoC will increase the technology readiness level of our product from 1-2 to 3-4. These outcomes will justify an expanded in vivo analysis and support a commercial endeavor targeting clinical application.
Projet ERC : NITA (Horizon Europe, appel 2022, Proof of concept grants)
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 : 150000.0 €

Anemia, defined as a decreased quantity of circulating red blood cells, is a major source of morbidity and mortality affecting a-third of the worldwide population. As a functional component of erythrocytes hemoglobin, iron is essential for oxygen storage and transport. The liver-derived peptide hepcidin is the master regulator of iron homeostasis. During anemia, the erythroid hormone erythroferrone regulates hepcidin synthesis to ensure the proper supply of iron to the bone marrow for red blood cells synthesis. However, we provided evidence that another factor may exert a similar function. We identified a previously undescribed suppressor of hepcidin that is highly induced in the liver in response to hypoxia during the recovery from anemia and in thalassemic mice. We demonstrated that this hepatokine is a potent suppressor of hepcidin in vitro and in vivo. Our aims is to investigate the therapeutic potential of its manipulation in murine models of anemia. Successful completion of this project will lead to the development of new therapeutic strategies for the treatment of various forms of anemias for which current treatments remain largely ineffective.
Projet ERC : INTERRUPT (Horizon Europe, appel 2024, Proof of concept grants)
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 : 150000.0 €

In the European Union, an estimated 15 million individuals harbour unruptured intracranial aneurysms (IAs), each at constant risk of rupture and subsequent subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH). The imminent threat of IA rupture remains a significant clinical challenge, further exacerbated by the absence of safe and efficacious non-invasive treatments, mainly due to gaps in understanding the underlying mechanisms. Notably, intrasaccular clot formation is a prevalent feature of both ruptured and unruptured IAs, with activated platelets facilitating leukocyte recruitment. We hypothesize that platelets play a pivotal role in the development and rupture of IAs. We have identified a platelet receptor as a critical factor in IA rupture, based on compelling data from a preclinical mouse model. The goal of our ERC-POC project is to investigate and establish pharmacological inhibition of this platelet receptor as a groundbreaking therapeutic strategy for preventing IA rupture. To achieve this, we have designed a comprehensive, interdisciplinary approach encompassing a preclinical model and computational fluid dynamics applied to 3D aneurysm-like vessels. Our objectives are to validate the efficacy of inhibiting this platelet receptor in preventing IA rupture in mice and to thoroughly examine the impact of a receptor inhibitor on platelet function under dynamic conditions that mimic aneurysmal environments. Ultimately, our project aims to establish the clinical proof of targeting this platelet receptor with a leading compound to prevent IA rupture and significantly reduce the risk of SAH. By doing so, we aspire to alleviate the societal burden of intracranial aneurysms, offering a pioneering therapeutic framework for the management of unruptured IA.
Projet ERC : CELLULO-EPI-BASE (Horizon Europe, appel 2023, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : Université d'Anvers — Pays : Belgique — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 150000.0 €

T-cells are increasingly recognized to be pivotal actors in the development of vaccine-induced immune responses. Through their T-cell receptor (TCR) on their cell surface, T-cells can recognize antigens derived from pathogens or vaccines. The strength of the interaction between the TCRs and the vaccine antigens will direct the T-cell dynamics after vaccination. In this project, we will analyse the TCR repertoires from participants from three distinct vaccination cohorts prior to vaccination and after vaccination. We will develop a computational tool (later to be transformed into a software package) that will allow us to accurately predict, by using the baseline TCR data alone, which vaccinees will develop a robust immune response after vaccination. This tool holds the potential to have an important impact on different aspects and actors of vaccinology ranging from the vaccine industry to public health researchers.
Projet ERC : PREPARE (Horizon Europe, appel 2022, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : Université d'Anvers — Pays : Belgique — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 150000.0 €

My project aims to demonstrate the proof of concept of new plasma reactors for sustainable and energy-efficient NOx production from air, as basis for green fertilizer production. Plasma is created by applying electricity, it is quickly switched on/off and has no economy of scale, so it is ideal in combination with renewable (intermittent) electricity, and thus, of interest for electrification of fertilizer production. This project originates from my ERC SyG, where we obtained record values in plasma-based NOx production and energy cost (EC). Now it is time to bring this into real application through optimization of the reactor design and its performance.We will build three different plasma reactor designs, based on innovative computer model predictions, and test the optimal matching to the power supply for maximum efficiency. We will also test the effect of quenching, heat recovery, pre-heating, gas recirculation and sorption materials, to further improve the performance in terms of NOx yields and EC. Subsequently, we will test the reactors in real world context, i.e., air with varying humidity and exploring the reactor robustness for both continuous long-term and intermittent operation. In the last two months, we plan demos for interested stakeholders, serving as real-life market analysis. Finally, we will perform a SWOT analysis, comparing the three reactors in terms of overall performance in real world context, to decide which reactor will be selected for up-scaling and potential commercialization. PREPARE aims to drive innovation for the application of HNO3 and NH4NO3 production, that is now mainly relying on non-sustainable resources. In addition, it can provide a solution to curb NH3 emissions from livestock and poultry farming, by letting the plasma-produced NOx react with the emitted NH3 to form NH4NO3. Hence, PREPARE provides an innovative route for greening up (1) the chemical/fertilizer-production industry and (2) the livestock and poultry farming sector.
Projet ERC : HYPERGRAPH (Horizon Europe, appel 2022, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : Université d'Anvers — Pays : Belgique — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 150000.0 €

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is a powerful technique to fully characterise the local structure of a broad range of materials. Due to many recent hardware advances, the quality of TEM measurements is nowadays ultimately determined by the sample supports. Surprisingly though, their importance has been majorly overlooked so far. The many benefits of graphene layers as a support have been well-recognised by the community, but commercial “graphene grids” show poor coverage and are dominated by unwanted residues and Cu nanoparticles from the preparation process. Consequently, commercial graphene grids currently correspond to merely 1% of the grids used. A solution to this problem is a novel protocol to produce high-quality graphene grids, developed within my ongoing ERC Consolidator grant “REALNANO”. A head-to-head comparison with the state-of-the-art demonstrates the superior quality of the HYPERGRAPH grids. Moreover, our ongoing market survey with leading groups in both materials and life science indicates a very strong need for graphene grids that yield high and constant quality. Therefore, the overall aim of this PoC is to deliver our HYPERGRAPH supports to the TEM community, our beachhead market. To reach this goal, our methodology is based on further product development (reproducibility, cost-efficiency and shelf-life), exploration of other possible applications and business planning. In this manner, we aim to increase the Technology Readiness Level for HYPERGRAPH from 4 to 7 and the and Commercial Readiness Level from 4 to 6. Feeling the “pain” related to the poor quality of TEM supports as an end user every day, I am convinced that valorisation of our technology can fill a crucial void in the TEM value chain. In this manner, HYPERGRAPH will enable characterisation and further development of new generations of nano- and biomaterials, with applications in fields as broad as catalysis, medicine, protein research, viral infections and energy.
Projet ERC : SUSTEG (Horizon Europe, appel 2025, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : Emickers ab — Pays : Suède — Rôle : Partner
Type d'entité : Organismes privés (hors enseignement)
Financement ERC de l'entité : 15000.0 €

The Internet of Things (IoT), where everyday objects sense their environment and communicate with each other, is a key drive of digitalization expected to make our society safer, more sustainable, and more competitive. The full deployment of the IoT requires sustainable and long-lasting energy solutions to minimize e-waste. Thermoelectrics (TEs) can convert the ubiquitous waste heat into electricity and could complement or even replace batteries to meet the renewable energy needs of IoT nodes. However, commercially available TEs are expensive, rely on raw critical materials, and present a limiting form factor (small, rigid, and flat) preventing their application on curved and dynamic surfaces. This research proposes the development of cost-effective and sustainable flexible TEs to power IoT devices. The devices will involve exclusively environmentally friendly materials, namely conducting polymers dissolved in non-toxic solvents, along with a compostable substrate to minimize e-waste. Fabrication will be carried out using brush and inkjet printing, performed at ambient conditions and temperatures below 150 °C. The process flow will be limited to 5-6 simple steps, avoiding post-treatment with harmful chemicals or energy-intensive procedures. Despite their minimalistic processing, the devices performance will be comparable to the state-of-the-art organic TE generators. They will generate a ~ 100 nW/cm^2 from a temperature difference of 20 K, a condition easily met in daily life scenarios such as contact with a wall heater, proximity to a motor, or mounted on human or pets skin. This power density over surface areas of a few cm^2 is sufficient to operate low-power IoT edge devices like low-sense rate accelerometers, pacemakers, RFID tags, thermometers, or light sensors.
Projet ERC : FLAMINCO (Horizon Europe, appel 2023, Proof of concept grants)
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 : 150000.0 €

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) – a major cause of colorectal cancer (CRC) and a huge socioeconomic burden in Europe and beyond. IBD comprises diseases that are characterized by chronic inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract and includes ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD). These diseases are lifelong, causing debilitating symptoms and can be life-threatening. IBD is caused by an interplay between the patient’s genetic predisposition, immune responses and environmental factors. Chronic inflammation with fibrosis is the key driver of disease complications such as stenosis, abscess formation and colon cancer. IBD affects about 3.2 million people in Europe. IBD patients have an increased risk of CRC caused mainly by chronic intestinal inflammation leading to pro-neoplastic effects. In fact, IBD patients have an alarming 2- to 5- fold increased risk of developing CRC compared to the general population. Despite many treatment options, there is no cure for IBD. The IBD health economic burden in Europe is high and estimated at over 5B €/year. It is widely accepted that to overcome the challenges and to break through the “therapeutic ceiling” combination therapies or completely novel approaches will be needed. Due to the increasing incidence and prevalence and associated burden of IBD, the lack of effective long-term treatment options and the associated risks including CRC; IBD remains an important unmet medical need with an urgent need for novel therapies that can improve patient outcome. Here we will explore the use of a completely novel class of molecules exploiting a unique first-in-class mechanism-of-action and validate their efficacy as a therapeutic for IBD. Proof-of-concept studies will be performed in state-of-the-art mouse models. The data obtained will represent a robust data package towards IND for this indication. We propose a novel therapeutic option for IBD that has the potential to address this important unmet medical need.
Projet ERC : BEARLIV (Horizon Europe, appel 2024, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : Université de Lisbonne — Pays : Portugal — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 68001.16 €

Despite their high hopes and aspirations, people crossing borders in search of a ‘better life’ are frequently led to reassess and pare down their ambitions and expectations, and to realign them towards what this project conceptualises as a ‘bearable life’. This is a key finding of the ERC StG on which the present PoC builds. To put the notion of ‘bearable life’ to the test, explore its value, and operationalize its social innovation potential, the PoC develops a ground-breaking applied anthropology framework involving different stakeholders and protagonists of cross-border migratory flows in Ecuador. Participatory action research will proceed in close collaboration with local associations working with different mobile populations –characterised as ‘returnees’, ‘migrants’, and ‘asylum seekers’– and rely on a unique and experimental combination of research techniques, among which focus groups, participatory video, walking interviews, and digital storytelling. Our first ambition is to identify concrete problems, lines of conflict, and needs related to different cross-border mobilities, exploring how they converge, diverge, and relate to one another by putting them into effective dialogue. Secondly, based on the participatory analysis of such needs, we aim to collaborate with NGOs, governmental organisations, and IOs to convene public debates and fora (on- and offline) and produce complementary outputs. The latter include recommendations, academic publications, and multimedia content (such as podcasts, videos, and articles) elaborated collaboratively with the project’s stakeholders both for their own benefit and to the attention of local, regional, national, and international institutions. The ultimate goal of BEARLIV is to propel societal innovation by co-producing, informing, and influencing advocacy efforts and policymaking on cross-border mobilities, and to generate transferrable insights and strategies for applied research in other world contexts
Projet ERC : TargetBRCA (Horizon Europe, appel 2022, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : Institut Curie — Pays : France — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Recherche
Financement ERC de l'entité : 150000.0 €

Breast and ovarian carcinomas are aggressive tumors with few treatment options and high recurrence rates. About half of these tumors shows defects in homologous recombination (HR) repair. Defect in HR (HRD) causes genomic instability and dependence on poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP)-mediated DNA repair. As a result, PARP inhibitors (PARPi) are now widely used for the treatment of these tumors. However, resistance to PARPi is emerging as the major obstacle to clinical effectiveness. Consequently, many patients run out of treatment options and succumb to the disease. This prompts the development of novel therapeutics. Beyond its well-known functions in regulating metabolic processes, we discovered that enzyme X maintains genomic stability in HRD cells. Enzyme X inhibition kills HRD cells without affecting HR-proficient cell survival pointing to a synthetic lethal interaction between enzyme X and HR genes. Moreover, we showed that enzyme X functions independently of PARP in the survival of HRD cells. As a result, enzyme X inhibition kills naive and PARPi-resistant HRD cells. Thus, targeting this enzyme has the potential to provide a new cure for HRD tumors. No inhibitors nor patents on enzyme X exist. HRD tumors being a major economic burden worldwide, developing enzyme X inhibitors has high innovation and financial reward potentials. By screening chemical libraries, we identified a top hit inhibitor of enzyme X. Our TargetBRCA project aims at improving potency and specificity of our molecule inhibitor and provides a proof-of-concept on its use as a cure for HRD tumors. TargetBRCA relies on complementary teams of crystallographers, chemists and specialists of HRD tumor biology and associates structure-aided drug design with the use of preclinical in vivo models. Our ultimate goal is to foster the development of a clinical-grade inhibitor to be used for the treatment of HRD tumors either by licensing and co-development partnerships, or by the creation of a start-up.
Projet ERC : H2Microcomb (Horizon Europe, appel 2022, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : École polytechnique Chalmers — Pays : Suède — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 150000.0 €

Frequency combs are remarkable photonic devices for precision frequency synthesis and metrology. The core technology behind conventional frequency combs is a mode-locked laser. Today, so-called microcombs constitute an alternative for the generation of a frequency comb on a chip-scale microresonator. Microcombs have a frequency separation between lines that is orders of magnitude larger than standard mode-locked lasers. The combination of small footprint and large line spacing is opening up entirely new scientific and technological opportunities, one of the most prominent ones being optical communications. However, one outstanding problem with microcombs is their fundamentally limited power conversion efficiency, which hampers the potential applications of this otherwise promising technology. In my ERC CoG DarkComb, we have overcome this issue by developing an innovative arrangement of linearly coupled microresonators implemented with an original silicon nitride fabrication process that features ultra-low optical losses. The aim of this ERC PoC is to conduct a yield analysis of our technology, investigate the freedom to operate and pursue a rigorous market evaluation. These results will form the basis for the development of a sound business strategy upon the conclusion of the project.
Projet ERC : deepHelix (Horizon Europe, appel 2024, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : Centro de Regulación Genómica — Pays : Espagne — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : CRG
Type d'entité : Recherche
Financement ERC de l'entité : 150000.0 €

Peptide drugs potentially address limitations of both small molecules and antibodies. Small molecules struggle to target protein-protein interactions (PPIs), while antibodies cannot access intracellular proteins. In this project we will develop an AI-driven experimental platform to produce cell-permeable therapeutic peptides made entirely of natural amino acids. The platform will allow the rapid discovery of cost-effective, stable, cell-permeable, and high-affinity peptide binders for use as research tools, in diagnostics, and as therapeutics against intracellular proteins previously considered undruggable targets.