Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-erc-participations-et-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Projet ERC : CreativeBrain (Horizon Europe, appel 2022, Consolidator grants)
Domaine scientifique : Social Sciences and Humanities
Panel : The Human Mind and Its Compl exity
Entité participante : Université hébraïque de Jérusalem — Pays : Israël — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : HUJI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 1998000.0 €

The human brain efficiently searches enormous mental spaces of thought for solutions to a given question. How is this done? The growing importance of creative search has sparked a surge of interest in mapping the relations between people’s creative search strategies and the structure, activity, and connectivity of their brain. Yet to date there are no coherent computational principles to bind behavioral, computational, and neurobiological findings together into a mechanistic understanding of creative search. CreativeBrain uses two such computational principles: scale-invariant sensing and Pareto optimality. Scale-invariant sensing is essential for a robust search in environments with signals that span many orders of magnitude like in creative search. Pareto optimality asserts that individual differences stem from different balancing between competing tasks that need to be optimized and thus explains the utility of these individual differences. CreativeBrain will employ state-of-the-art computational and analysis methods from systems biology to infer the neural mechanism of creative search on the levels of function, computations and neural implementation. This will be the first comprehensive research effort that ties these findings to a mechanistic theory of creative search that also explains the utility of neural individual differences. The project will result in a breakthrough in our understanding of how the human brain can efficiently search in vast spaces of thought. On a broader scale, CreativeBrain will open a new front in the interdisciplinary studies of the mind and brain, offering a principled way to unite neurobiological, behavioral, and computational aspects into one holistic and mechanistic view. By doing so it will contribute significantly to the promise of computational modeling for connecting different levels of inquiry of a higher cognitive function in the brain and can thus be extended to other cognitive processes and systems.

Mots-clés : computational cognitive science,foraging in the mind,exploration exploitation search,pareto analysis,scale invariant sensing,fold change detection,creative search,network neuroscience
Projet ERC : CNS Hidden Door (Horizon Europe, appel 2022, Consolidator grants)
Domaine scientifique : Life Science
Panel : Neuroscience and Disorders of the Nervous System
Entité participante : Université hébraïque de Jérusalem — Pays : Israël — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : HUJI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 2412448.0 €

Immune cells continuously traverse our body, crossing vascular and epithelial barriers; from lymphatic organs into the blood, and from the blood into various tissues for surveillance or to fight infection. However, the brain has long been considered an immune-privileged organ. Barriers protecting the brain against infection or harmful toxic agents were also thought to block entry of immune cells, leaving immune functions to brain-resident microglia cells. This dogma was recently overturned when it became clear that immune cells cross, mainly for surveillance, especially at the Blood-CSF barrier. Furthermore, while harmful immune cell trafficking is a hallmark of brain autoimmunity, e.g. Multiple Sclerosis and Neuro-Lupus, enhanced trafficking might help to fight brain tumours, and even to resolve neurodegenerative conditions, e.g. Alzheimer’s Disease. Yet the study of immune cell trafficking across the Blood-CSF barrier is severely hampered by a shortage of suitable methodologies. We investigated Blood-CSF barrier dysfunction in Lupus and discovered a brain lymphoid structure with enhanced immune cell trafficking. Dominant transepithelial leukocyte migration (through, rather than in between, cells) will enable us to catch the trafficking events ‘red-handed’ and to identify molecular and cellular trafficking mechanisms. Harnessing innovative methodologies involving single-cell RNAseq, Super-Resolution microscopy, Imaging cytometry, and genetic/pharmacological interventions, we aim to decipher the fundamental question of how leukocytes enter the brain. We will classify specialized immune and epithelial barrier cell types, identify trafficking molecular pathways, and develop approaches to regulate the process. We will also assess this barrier involvement in the pathobiology of human Neuro-Lupus disease. Understanding immune trafficking mechanisms may be the key to a specialized brain portal, leading to therapeutics that can modulate brain-immune interactions.

Mots-clés : blood csf barrier,choroid plexus,transcellular migration,diapedesis,lupus,npsle,terthiery lymphoid structure
Projet ERC : AlgChrom (Horizon Europe, appel 2022, Consolidator grants)
Domaine scientifique : Physical Sciences and Engineering
Panel : Mathematics
Entité participante : Université hébraïque de Jérusalem — Pays : Israël — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : HUJI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 2000000.0 €

Stable homotopy theory provides a powerful framework for the study of algebra in the homotopy coherent setting. Its central notion is that of a spectrum, which is the homotopical generalization of an abelian group. Spectra appear naturally in a wide range of mathematical fields from number theory to differential topology, as they encode in a highly structured fashion various fundamental invariants, such as the algebraic K-theory groups of a ring and the cobordism classes of manifolds. The tools of stable homotopy theory have thus found remarkable applications in both algebra and topology, as well as in symplectic geometry, mathematical physics and more.  The prevailing, and highly successful, paradigm in stable homotopy theory is the chromatic approach, which gives rise to an infinite family of “intermediate” characteristics interpolating between 0 and p, allowing one to implement local-to-global methods in homotopical settings. In this proposal, I shall describe several interrelated projects, with two unifying themes: The study of the intermediate characteristics using higher semiadditivity, and the import of ideas and tools from algebraic geometry to study both the local and global aspects of the chromatic approach.  The preliminary results already provide significant advances on some of the central problems in stable homotopy theory, such as the chromatic redshift conjecture in algebraic K-theory, the construction of E∞-orientations, and the chromatic splitting conjecture. Furthermore, they facilitate partial computations of the Galois, Picard and Brauer groups in the intermediate characteristics.

Mots-clés : chromatic homotopy theory,stable homotopy theory
Projet ERC : BeValue (Horizon Europe, appel 2022, Consolidator grants)
Domaine scientifique : Social Sciences and Humanities
Panel : The Soci al World and Its Interactions
Entité participante : Université hébraïque de Jérusalem — Pays : Israël — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : HUJI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 2000000.0 €

Given their role as powerful motivators of behavior, values are a key focus of educational programs, but are difficult to remold once set. Our and other’s recent longitudinal studies of youth indicate that changes in behavior may lead to changes in values—and may be a more efficient way to alter values than seeking to directly modify them. This behavior-value link opens a new theoretical avenue for studying value changes. In BeValue, I propose to conduct the first-ever systematic assessment of the bahavior-value link. I will build a novel, comprehensive theoretical model for understanding and testing how behavioral changes affect values. The theoretical model will answer three fundamental questions: What is the impact of behaviors on values? What are the mechanisms that explain this process? What conditions or factors allow or prevent this process?  BeValue will focus primarily on adolescents, address multiple levels (individuals, peers, parents, cultural characteristics) and combine the following diverse methodologies: natural field experiments to assess how presocial/environmental behavioral change leads to value change (WP1); app-based and virtual reality experiments to examine the cognitive and emotional mechanisms of the behavior-value link (WP2); longitudinal survey to trace construct development (WP3); school-based intervention designed to enhance proenvironmental behavior as a means to examine how behavioral change predicts value change and the role of self-consciousness in this process (WP4); diary study to assess micro behavior-value longitudinal relations and the contribution of parental attribution (WP5); large-scale state-of-the-art Natural Language Process analysis of how behavior in social media platforms relates to future values in a broad population across various cultures (WP6). The behavioral change model will potentially serve as a practical tool for educators, parents and policy makers to advance prosocial, pro-environmental and other values.

Mots-clés : values,values change,adolescence,values and social behavior
Projet ERC : MAJOR (Horizon Europe, appel 2023, Consolidator grants)
Domaine scientifique : Physical Sciences and Engineering
Panel : Condensed Matter Physics
Entité participante : Université hébraïque de Jérusalem — Pays : Israël — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : HUJI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 1997500.0 €

The non-abelian state of matter has not been experimentally confirmed and remains an important field of research. Its detection and manipulation are critical in order to develop a coherent quantum computer in the future. The overarching goal of this proposal is to build a working topological qbit based on the braiding of Majorana zero modes (MZMs). But there are two main challenges. The first is to create a 2D environment where such states can be adiabatically spatially exchanged, while the second is to detect the presence and the evolution of such a state. To overcome these challenges, I will combine two novel techniques that are currently not widely available: (a) the SQUID-on-tip (SOT) magnetic and thermal microscopy and (b) a platform to manipulate vortices at the nanoscale that was developed by my research group. The research will focus on the MZM, which is one of the candidates for a non-abelian state. In particular, I will consider MZMs predicted to be localized at the center of vortices or skyrmion-vortex pairs (SVP). The project has three work packages: (1) develop a novel platform for vortex and skyrmion manipulation, including the integration of a charge detector to detect the vortex charge in trivial vortices. (2) Investigate different materials and their related heterostructures that could host MZMs at the center of vortices or SVP. These materials include FeTeSe and heterostructures, such as strong spin-orbit semiconductor/superconductor, ferromagnets/superconductors. (3) Combine the results from WP1 and WP2 to detect the presence of MZMs. This includes gapless edge state and fractional vortices detection using the SOT, and charge sensing developed in WP1. This ambitious project has the potential to revolutionize quantum computing and quantum materials physics. By enabling new experiments, it will establish a new field where 2D exchange statistics can be directly controlled and observed.

Mots-clés : superconducting vortex,topological superconductor,squid on tip microscopy,majorana zero modes
Projet ERC : TIDALWAVE (Horizon Europe, appel 2023, Consolidator grants)
Domaine scientifique : Physical Sciences and Engineering
Panel : Universe Sciences
Entité participante : Université hébraïque de Jérusalem — Pays : Israël — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : HUJI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 1998750.0 €

Massive black holes (MBHs) are key players in high energy astrophysics, galaxy formation and evolution, and astroparticle physics. Despite their centrality to astronomy, we still cannot answer basic questions about MBHs. What are their origins? How have they grown over cosmic time? What are their current demographics? To answer these questions, the project will turn tidal disruption events (TDEs) from curiosities into reliable probes of MBH parameters. A TDE occurs when an unlucky star passes too close to a MBH and is ripped apart by tidal forces. The ensuing fallback of debris powers a highly luminous, potentially multimessenger flare. TDEs are, in principle, ideal probes of MBH properties. Unlike standard techniques for measuring MBHs, TDEs (i) happen in all galaxies, (ii) are visible to cosmological distances, and (iii) involve very few free parameters. But the theoretical picture of TDEs remains confused, as the large dynamic range of TDEs has prevented ab initio simulations to determine how tidal debris evolves and radiates. At present, there is no consensus on the geometry or even the power source of observed TDE flares, making robust parameter estimation impossible. I will solve these open theoretical questions, capitalizing on my recent pilot study that for the first time ever simulated a typical, first-principles TDE. This project will deliver (a) first-principles simulations of the evolution and emission of TDEs; (b) idealized but accurate models of TDE light curves and spectra suitable for parameter estimation; (c) a first-ever sample of MBH parameters derived from fitting ab initio models to TDE observations. I will use these results to sidestep the limitations of other MBH measurement techniques and to place unique constraints on the formation and growth history of the smallest MBHs. This work is urgently needed in light of upcoming all-sky surveys such as ULTRASAT and LSST, which will expand the TDE sample from dozens to thousands in the mid-2020s.

Mots-clés : black holes,transients,accretion,tidal disruption,numerical hydrodynamics
Projet ERC : AgriRedox (Horizon Europe, appel 2022, Consolidator grants)
Domaine scientifique : Life Science
Panel : Biotechnology and Biosystems E ngineering
Entité participante : Université hébraïque de Jérusalem — Pays : Israël — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : HUJI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 2811238.0 €

While the global demand for crop production is constantly increasing and a significant increase in agricultural yields is required, we have witnessed stagnation in yield improvement of major crops. Hence, there is an urgent need for new strategies to ensure food security in a sustainable manner. It is becoming appreciated that improving photosynthetic efficiency is one of the most important ways to increase yield. While the dependence of photosynthesis on the reductive activation of the Calvin–Benson cycle enzymes is well established, the role of oxidative signals in counterbalancing the reductive activity is just beginning to be explored. By developing genetically encoded 2-Cys peroxiredoxin-based biosensors, we identified the simultaneous activation of reductive and oxidative signals during the photosynthesis induction phase and showed that 2-Cys peroxiredoxin activity attenuates carbon assimilation rates. These results demonstrated the restrictions imposed on photosynthesis performance by oxidative signals, thus laying the foundation for developing new approaches for increasing photosynthesis efficiency through redox modulations. The central goal of this proposal is to extend our mechanistic understanding of oxidative signal generation and perception and to develop new strategies to improve photosynthesis in crop plants by relieving the inhibitory effect of oxidative signals under fluctuating light conditions. We suggest applying advanced redox biology methodologies to discover the molecular components involved in regulating the oxidative pathway and to decipher the oxidation-sensitive proteome. Moreover, we suggest translating the gained knowledge into technologies that improve photosynthesis in potato plants, one of the world's most important crops. This project aims to provide the necessary knowledge to enhance photosynthesis through redox modification in crops and to produce new potato lines with higher productivity and adaptability to modern agriculture.

Mots-clés : crop yield,photosynthesis,redox signals,potato,genetically encoded biosensors,redox imaging
Projet ERC : ProduSemy (Horizon Europe, appel 2021, Consolidator grants)
Domaine scientifique : Social Sciences and Humanities
Panel : The Human Mind and Its Compl exity
Entité participante : Université de Passau — Pays : Allemagne — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 2000000.0 €

All human languages have simple and complex words. Simple words refer to meanings regardless of their form, while complex words are formed from other words, and their formation can be semantically motivated. Since words can share lexical material, we can group them into families. Word families can vary greatly in size, ranging from small ones – comprising only a few members –, to large ones – spanning several hundred words –, but it is still unclear why some words are more productive than others in forming new words. Lexical compositionality has received some attention in historical linguistics, linguistic typology, and cognitive linguistics, but so far studies have mostly concentrated on the morphological complexity of individual words and languages, while the fact that words form families which interact during language change and language use has been typically ignored. As a result, many questions regarding word family formation remain unresolved, and we do not know 1) how word families evolve along language phylogenies, 2) which semantic processes underlying word family formation are universal, and 3) to what extent human cognition influences the productivity of lexical roots to form families. The project will tackle these three target questions by unifying evolutionary, typological, and cognitive insights into lexical compositionality. Building on a computer-assisted framework that reconciles classical and computational approaches in historical linguistics and linguistic typology, the project will design new models to standardize cross-linguistic data on word families, apply them to integrate data from historical linguistics, linguistic typology, and cognitive linguistics, and develop new methods for the computer-assisted inference of word families, their underlying motivation patterns, and their evolutionary histories in large datasets. In this way, the project will deepen the integration of cross-linguistic studies in cognitive and psychological sciences.

Mots-clés : computer assisted language comparison computational comparative linguistics historical linguistics linguistic typology cognitive linguistics
Projet ERC : QuickBlitz (Horizon Europe, appel 2024, Consolidator grants)
Domaine scientifique : Physical Sciences and Engineering
Panel : Universe Sciences
Entité participante : Nederlandse organisatie voor wetenschappelijk onderzoek — Pays : Pays-Bas — Rôle : Partner
Acronyme de l'entité : NWO
Type d'entité : Recherche
Financement ERC de l'entité : 1539648.75 €

Neutron stars are the densest objects in the Universe, but an ongoing mystery is how massive can they get? By examining what happens when two neutron stars merge, we can help unravel this mystery. Some mergers will leave behind a black hole, while others instead make an even more massive neutron star. This massive neutron star will be spinning exceptionally fast and have a huge magnetic field (known as a magnetar). How long this magnetar lives completely depends on its mass, its spin energy and its magnetism. By studying this magnetar, we can learn about the maximum mass of neutron stars and emission mechanisms in extreme environments. By studying emission in X-rays and optical wavelengths following these mergers, we have seen observational features associated with magnetars, but these features are not conclusive. Newly formed magnetars are predicted to give bright, short duration, flashes of coherent radio emission. If the magnetar is too massive, it will collapse to a black hole with its magnetic energy being released as a burst of radio emission – these sources are called Blitzars. Excitingly, I have made a first candidate detection of a radio flash following the likely merger of two neutron stars. The goal of QuickBlitz is to search for coherent radio emission following the merger of two neutron stars, advancing our fundamental understanding of neutron star behaviour at extreme masses and magnetic fields. Neutron star mergers power gravitational wave emission and a short burst of gamma-rays. By automatically triggering on these, QuickBlitz will obtain radio observations that will be used to study the origin and emission mechanism of coherent radio flashes. Many of these mergers are poorly localised, so it is essential to know the underlying population of radio transients to confirm associations between radio transients and neutron star mergers. Thus, QuickBlitz will also conduct a deep legacy survey for radio transients, with durations of seconds to minutes.

Mots-clés : radio astronomy
Projet ERC : MalChemAtlas (Horizon Europe, appel 2022, Consolidator grants)
Domaine scientifique : Life Science
Panel : Immunity, Infection and I mmunotherapy
Entité participante : Institut Weizmann — Pays : Israël — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : WIS
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 2000000.0 €

Malaria is the most life-threatening parasitic disease in humans. Invasion of the malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum (Pf), into the blood circulation rewires the harmonious networking between the resident cells. Until recently, Pf was not thought to be able to communicate when nested within infected human red blood cells (RBCs). However, we and others have laid the foundations of Pf communication via extracellular vesicles. We now hypothesize that in order to survive in the hostile host environment, Pf secretes chemical inducers (e.g., metabolites, peptides) to actively coordinate life decisions as a group and to control the surrounding host cells. Remarkably, we obtained proof-of-principle preliminary results in the form of an isolated, active chemical fraction that inhibits Pf population growth in a density-dependent manner.  Our overarching goal in MalChemAtlas is to expose this yet-to-be-revealed mode of communication in malaria: cell-to-cell chemical signaling. We will combine analytic chemical, biophysical and omics technologies with machine-learning approaches to comprehensively reveal and characterize the functional chemicals that: I) facilitate parasite density, growth and sexual development (parasite-parasite signaling), II) dictate parasite crosstalk with circulating host immune cells and naïve RBCs (parasite-host communication), and III) affect downstream signaling cascades between the host’s innate and adaptive immunity (host-host communication). In this effort, we will leverage our extensive (HPLC-based) analytical fractionation pipeline, combined with NMR and metabolomics analyses, for identifying malaria-secreted autoinducers.  Our preliminary findings demonstrate the potential of our basic research to be applied to the translational level of intervention. Identifying “natural chemical killers” offers a previously unexplored direct strategy to fight malaria - the highest gain we can ask for when researching this deadly disease.

Mots-clés : cell cell chemical communication,pathogen host interaction,microbiology,quorum sensing,extracellular vesicles