Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-erc-participations-et-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Projet ERC : UniverScale (Horizon 2020, appel 2020, Synergy grants)
Entité participante : Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies — Pays : Allemagne — Rôle : Partner
Acronyme de l'entité : HITS
Type d'entité : Recherche
Financement ERC de l'entité : 739389.5 €

After detection of the accelerated expansion of the Universe (Nobel prize 2011) and the existence of an enigmatic “dark energy” component of the matter-energy content of the Universe the physical explanation of the nature of dark energy has become a major challenge for astronomers and physicists in recent years. The recent empirical determinations of H0 complicated even more our understanding of the Universe since they differ by about 4σ from the value obtained from Planck data and the ΛCDM model, which suggest that new physics might be required in the models. We will calibrate two geometrical methods which will yield 1% distances a thousand times further out than Gaia parallaxes. The great advantage of our approach is the full control on all potential errors affecting the distance determinations, including systematic errors elusive in most other methods. In addition, we will provide mutual crosschecks at the sub-percent accuracy level with three completely independent geometrical methods. This will allow for the first time to verify the accuracy (and not only precision) at this unprecedented level of precision. Applying these methods we will calibrate the extragalactic distance scale with an unprecedented precision and accuracy. This will allow for a 1% H0 determination with Cepheids and SN Ia. Novel reverberation studies of AGN continua will allow us to determine H0 completely independently, and provide direct insight into the larger redshift Universe, including the H(z) dependence which will constrain other cosmological parameters. Our results will have strong impact on many fields of modern astrophysics. In particular they will definitively answer the question if new physics beyond the standard cosmological model is required. They will also be central to understand the physical nature of dark energy which constitutes about 72% of the matter-energy of the Universe.

Mots-clés : cepheids,eclipsing binaries,binary systems,hubble constant
Projet ERC : Aftermath (Horizon 2020, appel 2017, Starting grants)
Domaine scientifique : Social Sciences and Humanities
Panel : The study of the human past
Entité participante : University of Oxford — Pays : Royaume-Uni — Rôle : Partner
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 18178.76 €

Aftermath seeks to understand the legacy of the East Asian War of 1592-1598. This conflict involved over 500,000 combatants from Japan, China, and Korea; up to 100,000 Korean civilians were abducted to Japan. The war caused momentous demographic upheaval and widespread destruction, but also had long-lasting cultural impact as a result of the removal to Japan of Korean technology and skilled labourers. The conflict and its aftermath bear striking parallels to events in East Asia during World War 2, and memories of the 16th century war remain deeply resonant in the region. However, the war and its immediate aftermath are also significant because they occurred at the juncture of periods often characterized as “medieval” and “early modern” in the East Asian case. What were the implications for the social, economic, and cultural contours of early modern East Asia? What can this conflict tell us about war “aftermath” across historical periods and about such periodization itself? There is little Western scholarship on the war and few studies in any language cross linguistic, disciplinary, and national boundaries to achieve a regional perspective that reflects the interconnected history of East Asia. Aftermath will radically alter our understanding of the region’s history by providing the first analysis of the state of East Asia as a result of the war. The focus will be on the period up to the middle of the 17th century, but not precluding ongoing effects. The team, with expertise covering Japan, Korea, and China, will investigate three themes: the movement of people and demographic change, the impact on the natural environment, and technological diffusion. The project will be the first large scale investigation to use Japanese, Korean, and Chinese sources to understand the war’s aftermath. It will broaden understandings of the early modern world, and push the boundaries of war legacy studies by exploring the meanings of “aftermath” in the early modern East Asian context.

Mots-clés : japan,korea,china,east asian history
Projet ERC : OpMaEye (Horizon 2020, appel 2020, Proof of concept grants)
Domaine scientifique : Life Science
Panel : Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases
Entité participante : University of Murcia — Pays : Espagne — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 150000.0 €

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of blindness in Europe. Since there is a lack of effective treatment modalities, prevention is of signficant importance. There are some evidences that nutritional counseling or intervention might reduce AMD incidence or slow down its progression. In particular, dietary modification or supplement intake may facilitate the increase of the retinal carotenoids lutein (L) and zeaxanthin (Z) that form the macular pigment (MP) and prevent neovascular age-related macular degeneration. In such supplement treatments and follow-ups, regular MP density (MPD) measurements should be essential. Until today, instruments capable of measuring MPD are either psychophysical requiring the subjective responses of the patients (operating on variants of heterochromatic flicker photometry) or are advanced imaging devices that record hyperspectral images of the macula and surrounding areas of the retina. In these instruments, MPD is derived by the relative absorption of the blue part of the spectrum that is characteristic to the absorption spectrum of MP. These instruments are either difficult to use or very expensive. Within the SeeCat-ERC Advanced Grant project, we developed a completely new optical approach to measure and map the MPD. It is practical, compact, cost effective, and can be operated without extensive training and maintenance. In this PoC project (OpMaEye), we aim to further develop the instrument by designing a working compact prototype and performing initial validations.

Mots-clés : optics,ophthalmic instruments,age related macular degeneration,macular pigment
Projet ERC : MetAGEn (Horizon 2020, appel 2014, Starting grants)
Domaine scientifique : Life Science
Panel : Physiology in Health, Disease and Ageing
Entité participante : Max Planck Society — Pays : Allemagne — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : MPG
Type d'entité : Recherche
Financement ERC de l'entité : 1500000.0 €

Ageing is a complex physiological process that affects almost all species, including humans. Despite its importance for all of us, the biology of ageing is insufficiently understood. To uncover the molecular underpinnings of ageing, I propose an interdisciplinary research program that will identify and investigate metabolic and genetic regulators of ageing. Progressive loss of cellular homeostasis causes ageing and an age-associated decline in protein quality control has been implicated in numerous diseases, including neurodegeneration. Seeking for ways to improve protein quality, I have identified a novel longevity pathway in Caenorhabditis elegans. In a forward genetic screen, I found a link between metabolites in the hexosamine pathway and cellular protein quality control. Hexosamine pathway activation extends C. elegans lifespan, suggesting modulation of ageing by endogenous molecules. In a first step, I will explore the mechanism by which hexosamine metabolites improve protein quality control in mammals, using cultured mammalian cells and a mouse model for neurodegeneration. Preliminary data show that hexosamine pathway metabolites enhance proteolytic capacity in cells and reduce protein aggregation, suggesting conservation. Second, I will investigate molecular mechanisms that activate the hexosamine pathway to promote protein homeostasis and counter ageing. Third, I will perform a direct forward genetic screen for modulators of ageing in C. elegans. For the first time, mutagenesis and next generation sequencing can be paired in forward genetic screens to interrogate the whole genome for lifespan-extending mutations in a truly unbiased manner. This innovative approach has the potential to reveal novel modulators of the ageing process. Taken together, this work aims to understand molecular mechanisms that maintain cellular homeostasis to slow the ageing process, and to develop a new technology to identify yet unknown genetic modulators of ageing.

Mots-clés : mouse models of neurodegeneration,protein homeostasis,hexosamine pathway,forward genetic screens,longevity,c  elegans
Projet ERC : AgingTimer (Horizon 2020, appel 2019, Synergy grants)
Entité participante : Weizmann Institute of Science — Pays : Israël — Rôle : CO-PI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 8687500.0 €

Aging is the biggest risk factor for frailty and death. However, we lack basic understanding of a fundamental question: Why do genetically identical organisms raised in the same conditions get sick and die at different times? If we understood the stochastic timer that drives aging in each individual, we could devise ways to turn back the timer and treat age-related diseases, extending the healthy lifespan. This requires addressing both molecular and social factors that vary between individuals, such as socioeconomic status in humans and social ranking in mice, which impact every aspect of aging. This synergy program aims to identify the stochastic timer of aging and develop methods to read the timer and turn it back. We use mice as a tractable organism relevant to human aging, and combine three disciplines: 1) systems biology to mathematically define the stochastic timer of aging and the basic concepts needed to understand its production, removal and noise processes; 2) neurobiology of behavioral individuality; and 3) biology of cellular senescence, which studies the most promising candidate for the timer: senescent cells that accumulate with age, causing chronic inflammation and whose removal delays age-related decline. To pinpoint the timer, we will follow the natural variability of large cohorts of genetically identical mice, tracked across the lifespan by video and RFID tags. We will measure a battery of behavioral, physiological and molecular parameters, as well as senescent cells in multiple organs throughout life. We will use new mouse models that allow us to visualize, pull down and ablate senescent cells, to provide full molecular profiles of senescent cells in different organs and to characterize their immune-surveillance mechanisms. This study will provide basic understanding of the timer of aging and provide ways to read the timer. Moreover, we will offer new ways to set back the timer in order to address age-related diseases and functional decline.

Mots-clés : mathematical modeling,automated behavior tracking,behavioral phenotype,age related disease,longitudinal study,gompertz law
Projet ERC : CELL HYBRIDGE (Horizon 2020, appel 2014, Starting grants)
Domaine scientifique : Physical Sciences and Engineering
Panel : Products and processes engineering
Entité participante : Maastricht University — Pays : Pays-Bas — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : UM
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 1500000.0 €

Aging worldwide population demands new solutions to permanently restore damaged tissues, thus reducing healthcare costs. Regenerative medicine offers alternative therapies for tissue repair. Although first clinical trials revealed excellent initial response after implantation of these engineered tissues, long-term follow-ups demonstrated that degeneration and lack of integration with the surrounding tissues occur. Causes are related to insufficient cell-material interactions and loss of cell potency when cultured in two-dimensional substrates, among others. Stem cells are a promising alternative due to their differentiation potential into multiple lineages. Yet, better control over cell-material interactions is necessary to maintain tissue engineered constructs in time. It is crucial to control stem cell quiescence, proliferation and differentiation in three-dimensional scaffolds while maintaining cells viable in situ. Stem cell activity is controlled by a complex cascade of signals called “niche”, where the extra-cellular matrix (ECM) surrounding the cells play a major role. Designing scaffolds inspired by this cellular niche and its ECM may lead to engineered tissues with instructive properties characterized by enhanced homeostasis, stability and integration with the surrounding milieu. This research proposal aims at engineering constructs where scaffolds work as stem cell delivery systems actively controlling cell quiescence, proliferation, and differentiation. This challenge will be approached through a biomimetic design inspired by the mesenchymal stem cell niche. Three different scaffolds will be combined to achieve this purpose: (i) a scaffold designed to maintain cell quiescence; (ii) a scaffold designed to promote cell proliferation; and (iii) a scaffold designed to control cell differentiation. To prove the design criteria the evaluation of stem cell quiescence, proliferation, and differentiation will be assessed for musculoskeletal regenerative therapies.

Mots-clés : scaffolds,additive manufacturing,stem cells,regenerative medicine
Projet ERC : IMMUNE (Horizon 2020, appel 2020, Consolidator grants)
Domaine scientifique : Social Sciences and Humanities
Panel : The Social World and Its Diversity
Entité participante : Bocconi University — Pays : Italie — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 1986437.0 €

Aim: The IMMUNE project will provide a ground-breaking interdisciplinary modelling framework that will explore the dynamics of human behavior on infections’ spread, through the lens of social sciences, integrating risk perceptions on diseases and vaccines, (mis)information campaigns, social peers influence and digitalisation. Background: Vaccines represent one of the most significant, cost-effective and safe public health interventions ever introduced. However, vaccine hesitancy has become alarmingly widespread over the last two decades, especially in Europe where vaccine refusal has steadily increased and serious outbreaks of vaccine preventable diseases have re-emerged. Method: A combination of quantitative approaches and research methodologies will be used to extend the current state-of-the-art epidemiological models. Digital records on individuals’ use of the Internet and social media will be analysed to study the interplay between health communications, risk perception and vaccine uptake in different contexts. Experimental and field surveys will be conducted in three selected EU countries to generate data on individuals’ social interactions, both physical and virtual. Agent-Based and mechanistic compartmental models will be developed to unravel the complex relationship between the determinants of human behaviour, vaccination decision and infection spread. Impact: The IMMUNE project provides a step forward in the understanding of the relationship between human behaviour and the demand for vaccines, and how these two aspects are intertwined with the way infections spread in our communities. The proposed activities will integrate different perspectives and strategies in a novel and comprehensive framework where human contagion is at the centre of a multidimensional approach that stands at the intersection of epidemiology, demography, sociology, social psychology and public health.

Mots-clés : infection,infectious disease,vaccines,vaccination,vaccine hesitancy,vaccine refusal,immunisation,human behaviour,population dynamics,health,epidemiology,demography,modelling,agent based model,digitalisation,social media,computational epidemiology,digital demography
Projet ERC : FORCE-OF-GOSSIP (Horizon 2020, appel 2017, Consolidator grants)
Domaine scientifique : Social Sciences and Humanities
Panel : The Social World and Its Diversity
Entité participante : Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam — Pays : Pays-Bas — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : VU
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 1999693.0 €

Aim: To radically change the field of gossip research, this project builds theory that connects divergent perspectives on the effects of gossip on work group outcomes. Background: Gossip, informal evaluative talk about absent third parties, is omnipresent in organizational groups. However, for scientists and practitioners alike, it is still an "unknown force" in organizations, because research findings about its effects on group functioning and performance are inconsistent. Whereas some studies point to the disruptive aspects of gossip, others claim it enhances group cooperation. Innovation: I present the Gossip Origins, Subsequent Social Information Processing, and Performance (GOSSIPP)-framework, a new paradigm that views gossip in groups as a multi-level phenomenon: It, for the first time, systematically connects individual gossipers' intentions to group-level outcomes via social information processing by gossip recipients. Propositions: Group members may gossip to benefit themselves or their group (proself vs. prosocial intentions, or motives). Receivers' reactions to gossip are affected by how they perceive senders' motives. These reactions in turn affect group-level processes. How these processes affect group performance depends on the type of group task. Methodology: Four subprojects test the framework, applying a cross-disciplinary multi-method approach. Subprojects 1 and 2 employ laboratory experiments to assess causal effects of gossipers' motives and recipients' reactions on group processes and performance. Subproject 3 examines effects of different group compositions and feedback loops between performance and gossip, employing self-organizing computer modelling. Finally, to assess external validity, Subproject 4 examines work teams. Results will lead to long-sought understanding of when and why gossip is a functional or dysfunctional force and will enable evidence-based advice to organizations about the meaning and functionality of gossip for groups.

Mots-clés : informal information exchange in organizations,gossip,prosocial motivation,proself motivation,attributions,group performance,cooperation,divergent and convergent group processes
Projet ERC : VERA (Horizon 2020, appel 2017, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : University of Milan — Pays : Italie — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : UNIMI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 149939.0 €

Air pollution exposure, in particular the particulate matter (PM) component, has been consistently linked to an increased risk of developing acute and chronic cardiovascular diseases (CVD). The SPHERE ("Susceptibility to Particle Health Effects, miRNAs and Exosomes") project was granted by ERC-2011-StG 282413 and hosted by the “Università degli Studi”, Milan, Italy, to examine possible molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of PM exposure in relation to health outcomes. In this project, in particular, we investigated the role exerted by extracellular vesicles (EV) and their miRNA cargo in mediating the cardiovascular effects of PM exposure. EVs might be the ideal candidate to mediate the effects of PM, since they could be potentially produced by the respiratory system, reach the systemic circulation and lead to the development of cardiovascular effects. In the SPHERE study, we confirmed in a population of obese subjects that PM is able to stimulate EV release in plasma and we were able to identify a EV-specific miRNA signature, responsive to PM exposure. One of the most important gaps in our current knowledge regarding PM-related cardiovascular health effects is the identification of susceptible subjects. This identification would provide the groundwork for the development of prevention strategies and of targeted treatments. The Proof of Concept project VERA (Extracellular VEsicles, miRNAs and particulate Air pollution: developing a new tool to identify subjects with high exposure-associated cardiovascular risk) aims to confirm the commercial and technological feasibility of a tool for testing EV-specific miRNA expression, in order to identify subjects with an higher susceptibility to PM. We propose scientific activities which will validate the project SPHERE findings, extend them to the general population, will use in -vitro experiments and will support the development of a commercial kit aimed at evaluating the cardiovascular risk related to PM exposure.

Mots-clés : air pollution,susceptibility,cardiovascular disease,extracellular vesicles,micrornas
Projet ERC : iMAC-FUN (Horizon 2020, appel 2019, Consolidator grants)
Domaine scientifique : Life Science
Panel : Immunity, Infection and Immunotherapy
Entité participante : Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas — Pays : Grèce — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : FORTH;ΙΤΕ
Type d'entité : Recherche
Financement ERC de l'entité : 2000000.0 €

Airborne filamentous fungi (molds) are major causes of respiratory diseases in an expanding population of patients with complex immune and metabolic defects. Invasive mold infections (IMI) are associated with substantial mortality and enormous economic impact. Understanding pathogenesis of IMI is an unmet need for design of better therapies. We have put forward a novel mechanism for the pathogenesis of IMI, according to which development of IMI requires two discrete mechanisms (a) phagosome maturation arrest via inhibition of LC3-associated phagocytosis (LAP), which allows intracellular persistence of fungal conidia (spores), and (b) alteration in iron homeostasis, resulting in invasive fungal growth and lysis of the macrophage. On the pathogen site, fungal melanin targets LAP and affects macrophage metal homeostasis. On the macrophage site, iron distribution in subcellular compartments of all eukaryotic cells is controlled by ferric reductases and divalent cation transporters, in a process that remains molecularly unexplored. During mold infection a group of ferric reductases represent the most prominently transcriptionally modulated iron regulatory genes in macrophages. Thus, iron regulation is the critical determinant of macrophage-fungal interplay and is the focus of this project. We will use molds as model pathogens to (i) dissect the role of selected ferric reductases in infection, (ii) identify novel iron transporters implicated in host defense (iii) and explore mechanisms of melanin interference with iron regulation in macrophages. To this end, we will employ a robust, unbiased, approach combining transcriptomics, metalloproteomics, in vivo RNAi screening in Drosophila model of IMI, and validation studies in transgenic mice and eventually in human patients ex vivo. Dissecting the function of novel iron regulators in the macrophage will have profound impact on iron biology and is likely to have direct therapeutic implications for the management of IMI.

Mots-clés : macrophages,fungi,lc3 associated phagocytosis  lap,phagosome,nutritional immunity,iron homeostasis,aspergillus,mucorales,invasive molds infections