Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-erc-participations-et-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Projet ERC : Digital Good (Horizon 2020, appel 2018, Starting grants)
Domaine scientifique : Social Sciences and Humanities
Panel : The Social World and Its Diversity
Entité participante : Radboud University Nijmegen — Pays : Pays-Bas — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 1323473.0 €

In the last three years, every major consumer technology company has moved into the health research domain. We are witnessing a digital disruption of health research, or a “Googlization of health research” (GHR). This project will be the first wide-ranging, interdisciplinary study of GHR. Its aim is to develop a normative framework for personal health data governance in this setting, where digital health and digital capitalism, and codes of research ethics and the lawlessness of the Internet economy, intersect. I contend that the most pressing challenge at stake in this new model of research is less the question of individual privacy than the question of collective and societal welfare, and that existing governance frameworks that seek to increase individual control over data are ill-suited to address this. Commons- and solidarity-based approaches, which seek to enhance collective agency and control, are thus promising alternatives. However, these approaches allow for only one conception of the common good, while a plurality of competing conceptions are at work in GHR, including “increased efficiency”, “greater inclusivity”, and “economic growth”. This plurality must be taken seriously to avoid theory-practice discrepancies and to develop viable governance solutions. The project will develop a normative framework that can both foreground collective benefit all the while accounting for this ethical plurality. To do this, my team will first map the different conceptions of the common good – or “moral repertoires” – that motivate actors in several GHR-type collaborations. Using an empirical-philosophical methodology, we will critically evaluate these repertoires and the value trade-offs they involve in practice. Next, we will explore the viability of commons- and solidarity-based approaches in light of this. Finally, these results will be integrated into a novel, empirically-robust normative framework that can offer guidance to research ethicists and policy makers.

Mots-clés : philosophy of technology,critical data studies,big data,health databases,digital health,commons,solidarity,sharing,privacy,moral repertoires,digital capitalism,data driven science
Projet ERC : Behavior-Island (Horizon 2020, appel 2020, Consolidator grants)
Domaine scientifique : Life Science
Panel : Environmental Biology, Ecology and Evolution
Entité participante : Tel Aviv University — Pays : Israël — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : TAU
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 2000000.0 €

In the movie the ‘Truman Show’, Truman Burbank is astonished when discovering that he spent his entire life in a TV show. Monitoring a human’s life is unethical, but many sociologists secretly dream about running such an experiment. Behavior-Island will allow to continuously monitor and manipulate a large population of bats from birth to adulthood. Behavior-Island will be established on Mauritius - the home of P. niger, which is a very interesting bat-model that: (a) lives for decades relying on long-term memory; (b) roosts in large colonies and is highly social; (c) exhibits immense spatio-temporal memory; and (d) is large enough to carry many sensors allowing to track its pups from day one. Even with current state-of-the-art technologies, studying animal behavior in the wild is highly limited because: (1) it is extremely difficult to monitor the same individual over long periods while also monitoring its environment and (2) it is almost impossible to monitor a substantial part of a population and thus we know little about social interactions. We will overcome these limitations by using a new reverse-GPS system (ATLAS) allowing simultaneous tracking of 1000 bats. Notably, because the bats never leave the island, we will monitor individuals from birth to adulthood. ATLAS also provides locations in real-time, allowing to manipulate specific individuals in the wild and to examine their response. We have already tracked bats with a preliminary ATLAS system on Mauritius. Combined with an arsenal of additional technologies, ATLAS will allow studying fundamental aspects of behavior in the wild, for the first time, including: Navigation and its ontogeny; Long-term spatio-temporal memory, Decision making and Sociality. We will examine how experience and personality interact to shape behavior, and we will monitor an entire colony, documenting behavior in the population level. Because, P. niger is endangered and threatened, our work will also contribute to its protection

Mots-clés : animal behavior,tracking,movement,navigation,bats,ecology,decision making,personality,sociality
Projet ERC : DANDIDRONE (Horizon 2020, appel 2020, Consolidator grants)
Domaine scientifique : Physical Sciences and Engineering
Panel : Products and processes engineering
Entité participante : University of Edinburgh — Pays : Royaume-Uni — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 1986428.0 €

In the next decade, distributed sensor network systems made of small flying sensors, from dust-scale to insect-scale, will enable a step change in monitoring natural disasters and remote areas. They will contribute to protecting the environment by providing data on the contamination of physical and biological systems and on the impact of human activities. To date, a key limitation of this technology is that small sensors can remain airborne only for a few tens of minutes. By contrast, some natural flyers such as the dandelion fruit, travel unpowered for days and hundreds of kilometres. Recent work led by Viola and published in Nature1, reveals that the dandelion adopts a highly porous wing to forms a new fluid vortex that has never been observed before, and to increase its aerodynamic efficiency by an order of magnitude. Furthermore, the dandelion’s unique shape enables to exploit horizontal wind gusts to re-gain altitude and remain airborne for days. This latter mechanism has never been studied, nor artificially replicated, and could lead to a ground-breaking discovery on how to sustain the unpowered flight of small manmade flyers. Fundamental bio-inspired fluid mechanics research will be undertaken with high-fidelity computational fluid dynamics (work packages WP1-2) and will inform the design of a dandelion-inspired drone, the DANDIDRONE. This will be the first unpowered insect-scale flyer capable to sustain hover in wind gusts. A steering system to control the swarm dispersal in the atmosphere will be developed in WP3; a prototype will be manufactured in WP4 and it will be demonstrated with wind tunnel tests in WP5. A first-of-its-kind wind tunnel for low Reynolds number gust encounter research will be developed. Finally, the impact of this project will be maximised in WP6 by engaging with key stakeholders and by paving the way to the development of a new class of distributed sensor network systems with unprecedented endurance.

Mots-clés : fluid mechanics,unsteady aerodynamics,gust encounter
Projet ERC : APOLOGY (Horizon 2020, appel 2015, Consolidator grants)
Domaine scientifique : Social Sciences and Humanities
Panel : Institutions, Governance and Legal Systems
Entité participante : Tilburg University — Pays : Pays-Bas — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : TiU
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 1917713.0 €

In the past decades, there has been a considerable rise in the number of apologies offered by states for injustices and human rights violations. Among transitional justice scholars, there is significant debate about how useful such apologies are. Whereas some have applauded these gestures as an important step in peacemaking processes, others have argued that they may not fit in all cultures and may even be a risky tool for peacemaking. Unfortunately, theorizing and research in the field of transitional justice is still in its infancy and has not systematically addressed questions of cross-cultural variability yet. So, at present, we do not know whether political apologies are a universally viable way to restore justice and harmony. My project addresses this challenge. Using an innovative, interdisciplinary, and multi-method approach with in-depth interviews, (experimental) surveys, and content analyses of apologies, I analyze whether there are universals in how political apologies are valued, expressed, and interpreted or whether this varies as a function of cross-cultural differences in key values (collectivism and individualism) and norms (face and honor). Based on these findings, I build a theoretical framework that will fundamentally advance our understanding of the potential value and role of apologies in transitional justice processes. This project breaks new ground because it is the first to take the difficult step to collect cross-cultural data to examine whether key assumptions regarding political apologies hold across cultures. It is also the first in this area to use a multi-method approach, which makes it possible to take into account the complex reality of political apologies. Combining insights from transitional justice, cross-cultural psychology and anthropology, this project places theorizing on transitional justice on a much firmer footing and paves the way to more cross-culturally valid models to restore justice and promote reconciliation.

Mots-clés : political apologies,cross cultural,transitional justice
Projet ERC : BUCKLING BRIDGES (Horizon 2020, appel 2017, Proof of concept grants)
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 : 150000.0 €

In the pursuit for engineering CELL HYBRIDGE regenerative medicine implants able to regenerate skeletal tissues by controlling adult stem cell activity, we have developed an innovative method to successfully improve cell migration into electrospun scaffolds. Whereas this has a direct impact in CELL HYBRIDGE as part of the planned activities, we unexpectedly discovered that the same scaffolds display wavy patterns that have a direct influence on cell differentiation by enhancing their intrinsic capacity to produce growth factors. Driven by these observations, we have optimized the methodology and are able today to control the formation of such wavy patterns at a single fiber as well as multiple fiber scales by controlling the degree of buckling that the fibers are exposed to during processing. In doing so, we can reproduce the same waviness that is observed in several native tissues, among which tendons and ligaments. The aim of BUCKLING BRIDGES is to further investigate these instructive scaffolds as potentially smart implants for the regeneration of anterior cruciate ligaments. This will be done by further confirming our in vitro data and proof our concept by showing successful ligament regeneration in a preclinical animal model. While doing so, we will also explore the market potential of such products and develop a business plan for the creation of a spin-off company: TISSUE BRICKS.

Mots-clés : biofabrication,electrospinning,regenerative medicine,scaffolds,ligament,tendon
Projet ERC : MechanoFate (Horizon 2020, appel 2014, Starting 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 : 1498412.5 €

In the vascular system, cell phenotype and fate are driven by the mechanical environment. Whereas physiological mechanical stress defines and stabilizes normal cell phenotype, aberrant mechanical signals trigger phenotypic alteration, leading to inflammation and vascular remodelling. Despite recent advances, how mechanical cues impact gene expression to specify cell phenotype remains poorly understood. Our hypothesis is that mechanical stresses are transmitted to the nucleus where they activate signaling pathways, which in turn regulate gene expression, but what are these mechanotransduction mechanisms occurring within the nucleus? Besides, while most vascular cells respond to mechanical force, Resident Stem Cells (RSCs) are virtually insensitive and remain undifferentiated despite constant cyclic stretch. What are the molecular mechanisms which protect RSCs from stretch-induced differentiation? To answer these questions, we designed an interdisciplinary proposal which gathers biophysical, biochemical and genetic assays, with the following objectives: I) To determine how nuclear mechanotransduction pathways regulate vascular cell phenotype in response to mechanical cues. By combining proteomic and biophysical assays, we will identify nuclear proteins that are post-translationally modified in response to mechanical stress, then we will determine their contribution to gene expression regulation and vascular cell differentiation. II) To identify the molecular mechanisms which protect RSCs from stretch-induced differentiation. We will identify differentially expressed force-bearing structural elements in RSCs compared to more differentiated vascular cells and we will evaluate their impact on gene expression, stress transmission, RSC differentiation and blood vessel formation.The proposed project will yield new insights in different areas of life science from cell biology to potential identification of new therapeutic targets in cardiovascular and regenerative medicine.

Mots-clés : mechanotransduction,mechanical stress,nucleoskeleton,extracellular matrix,smooth muscle cell
Projet ERC : PhotoMedMet (Horizon 2020, appel 2015, Consolidator grants)
Domaine scientifique : Physical Sciences and Engineering
Panel : Synthetic Chemistry and Materials
Entité participante : École nationale supérieure de chimie de Paris — Pays : France — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : ENS Chimie de Paris
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 2000000.0 €

In this grant application, I propose to investigate in-depth the potential of novel inert Ru(II) polypyridyl complexes as novel anticancer drug candidates. Such compounds were investigated by Dwyer and Shulman in 1950s and 1960s both in vitro and in vivo with relatively promising results. This impressive seminal work was unfortunately not followed-up. This lack of additional studies was recently attributed, at least in part, to the observed neurotoxicity of the complexes. Nonetheless, over the last years, there has been a revival of important in vitro studies of such inert Ru(II) polypyridyl complexes for anticancer purposes. However, without further in vivo studies, it is reasonable to think that similar neurotoxicity to that observed by Dwyer and Shulman could be encountered. In order to tackle these (potential) drawbacks, I propose to use a prodrug approach. Furthermore, I also intend to investigate the potential of inert Ru(II) polypyridyl complexes as photosensitizers (PSs) in photodynamic therapy (PDT). In the search for an alternative approach to chemotherapy, PDT has proven to be a promising, effective and non-invasive treatment modality. Importantly, in order to increase even further the potential of the PSs presented in this project, I propose to also excite them via simultaneous two-photon absorption (TPA) in the so-called two-photon excitation PDT (2 PE-PDT). Importantly, the newly Ru(II)-based PSs will be coupled to cancer cell-specific peptides or antibodies. This double selectivity (targeting vector and photo-activation) should limit the frequently encountered side-effects of (metal-based) anticancer drugs. Another important aim of this second part of this project will be the use of the Ru(II)-based PSs to kill bacteria. Interestingly, PDT has been recently shown to be an interesting alternative to fight bacteria. I therefore intend to couple Ru(II)-based (2PE )PSs to bacteria-specific peptides to bring bacteria specificity.

Mots-clés : ruthenium polypyridyl complexes,medicinal inorganic chemistry,photodynamic therapy
Projet ERC : CUHL (Horizon 2020, appel 2018, Starting grants)
Domaine scientifique : Physical Sciences and Engineering
Panel : Condensed matter physics
Entité participante : Institut Català de Nanociència i Nanotecnologia — Pays : Espagne — Rôle : Partner
Acronyme de l'entité : ICN2;ICN2-CERCA
Type d'entité : Recherche
Financement ERC de l'entité : 1164187.5 €

In this project I propose to take advantage of the enormous potential created by the recent material science revolution based on two-dimensional (2D) layered materials, by bringing it to the arena of nanoscale heat transport, where heat transport occurs on ultrafast timescales. This opens up a new research field of controllable ultrafast heat transport in layered materials. In particular, I will take advantage of the myriad of possibilities for miniature material and device design, with unprecedented controllability and versatility, offered by Van der Waals (VdW) heterostructures – stacks of different layered materials assembled on top of each other – and 1D systems of layered materials. Specifically, I will introduce novel device geometries based on VdW heterostructures for passively and actively controlling phonon modes and thermal transport. This will be measured mainly using time-domain thermoreflectance measurements. I will also develop novel time-resolved measurement techniques to follow heat spreading and coupling between different heat carriers: light, phonons, and electrons. These techniques will be mainly based on time-resolved infrared/Raman spectroscopy and photocurrent scanning microscopy. Moreover, I will study one-dimensional layered materials and assess their thermoelectric properties using electrical measurements. And finally, I will combine these results into hybrid devices with a photoactive layer, in order to demonstrate how phonon control allows for tuning of electrical and optoelectronic properties. The results of this project will have an impact on the major research fields of phononics, electronics and photonics, revealing novel physical phenomena. Additionally, the results are likely to be useful towards applications such as thermal management, thermoelectrics, photovoltaics and photodetection.
Projet ERC : CUHL (Horizon 2020, appel 2018, Starting grants)
Domaine scientifique : Physical Sciences and Engineering
Panel : Condensed matter physics
Entité participante : Eindhoven University of Technology — Pays : Pays-Bas — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : TU/e
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 310812.5 €

In this project I propose to take advantage of the enormous potential created by the recent material science revolution based on two-dimensional (2D) layered materials, by bringing it to the arena of nanoscale heat transport, where heat transport occurs on ultrafast timescales. This opens up a new research field of controllable ultrafast heat transport in layered materials. In particular, I will take advantage of the myriad of possibilities for miniature material and device design, with unprecedented controllability and versatility, offered by Van der Waals (VdW) heterostructures – stacks of different layered materials assembled on top of each other – and 1D systems of layered materials. Specifically, I will introduce novel device geometries based on VdW heterostructures for passively and actively controlling phonon modes and thermal transport. This will be measured mainly using time-domain thermoreflectance measurements. I will also develop novel time-resolved measurement techniques to follow heat spreading and coupling between different heat carriers: light, phonons, and electrons. These techniques will be mainly based on time-resolved infrared/Raman spectroscopy and photocurrent scanning microscopy. Moreover, I will study one-dimensional layered materials and assess their thermoelectric properties using electrical measurements. And finally, I will combine these results into hybrid devices with a photoactive layer, in order to demonstrate how phonon control allows for tuning of electrical and optoelectronic properties. The results of this project will have an impact on the major research fields of phononics, electronics and photonics, revealing novel physical phenomena. Additionally, the results are likely to be useful towards applications such as thermal management, thermoelectrics, photovoltaics and photodetection.
Projet ERC : DermalTherapy (Horizon 2020, appel 2014, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : Leiden University — Pays : Pays-Bas — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 150000.0 €

In this project we aim to develop a new delivery platform for allergy vaccines with a high efficacy and a high safety profile combining membrane fusion-mediated delivery and microneedle-based dermal delivery. Background: Within the ERC Starting Grant “Direct Drug Delivery”, I developed a method for the controlled fusion of liposomes with cells. A set of complementary peptide amphiphiles (coilK and coilE), able to form heterodimeric coiled coils, were shown to induce targeted and efficient fusion between two opposing membranes. More importantly, we have shown that this method of fusion can be applied to liposomes and to live cells. Since liposomes can be used as drug or vaccine carriers, this enables the direct delivery of these compounds into live cells. The Problem: Allergen-specific immunotherapy for treating allergies such as asthma is currently performed via chronic subcutaneous administration of allergen extracts to patients. Unfortunately, it requires monthly injections for several years to achieve the desired long-lasting immunological tolerance. These vaccinations are typically performed by intramuscular or subcutaneous injections, causing pain and stress. Therefore there is a need for a new and more efficient administration platform to achieve shorter, safer and more patient-friendly protocols. Our solution: Dermal delivery of vaccines offers a great potential, due to the large number of immune cells present in the skin. In order to increase the efficacy of current allergen-specific immunotherapy, it is our idea to use the membrane fusion heterodimeric coiled coil peptide pair to induce efficient cellular uptake and processing of a commercially used allergen (rBet v1) encapsulated in liposomes in order to increase its efficacy as an allergy vaccine.

Mots-clés : membrane fusion,drug delivery,allergy,supramolecular chemistry