Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-erc-participations-et-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Projet ERC : AlmaCrypt (Horizon 2020, appel 2014, Advanced grants)
Domaine scientifique : Physical Sciences and Engineering
Panel : Computer science and informatics
Entité participante : Université Grenoble Alpes — Pays : France — Rôle : Partner
Acronyme de l'entité : UGA
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 150000.0 €

Cryptology is a foundation of information security in the digital world. Today's internet is protected by a form of cryptography based on complexity theoretic hardness assumptions. Ideally, they should be strong to ensure security and versatile to offer a wide range of functionalities and allow efficient implementations. However, these assumptions are largely untested and internet security could be built on sand. The main ambition of Almacrypt is to remedy this issue by challenging the assumptions through an advanced algorithmic analysis. In particular, this proposal questions the two pillars of public-key encryption: factoring and discrete logarithms. Recently, the PI contributed to show that in some cases, the discrete logarithm problem is considerably weaker than previously assumed. A main objective is to ponder the security of other cases of the discrete logarithm problem, including elliptic curves, and of factoring. We will study the generalization of the recent techniques and search for new algorithmic options with comparable or better efficiency. We will also study hardness assumptions based on codes and subset-sum, two candidates for post-quantum cryptography. We will consider the applicability of recent algorithmic and mathematical techniques to the resolution of the corresponding putative hard problems, refine the analysis of the algorithms and design new algorithm tools. Cryptology is not limited to the above assumptions: other hard problems have been proposed to aim at post-quantum security and/or to offer extra functionalities. Should the security of these other assumptions become critical, they would be added to Almacrypt's scope. They could also serve to demonstrate other applications of our algorithmic progress. In addition to its scientific goal, Almacrypt also aims at seeding a strengthened research community dedicated to algorithmic and mathematical cryptology. --
Projet ERC : KILLCANCER (Horizon 2020, appel 2015, Starting grants)
Domaine scientifique : Life Science
Panel : Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases
Entité participante : Utrecht University — Pays : Pays-Bas — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 1500000.0 €

Current cancer therapies often fail to cure patients. Ideally, therapy should locally eradicate cancer and should be capable of inducing long term protection, through activation of the immune system. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a treatment approach in which cancer cells are killed with compounds, named photosensitizers that are activated locally through light exposure. Importantly, PDT eradication of cancers commonly involves the immune system. However, current photosensitizers lack cancer specificity, which limits therapeutic efficacy and prolongs photosensitivity in patients. Recently, I have developed an improved version of targeted PDT that uses very small antibodies i.e. nanobodies that distribute homogenously, bind rapidly and specifically to cancer cells, and a photosensitizer that can be traced by optical imaging to guide the application of PDT. The aims of this proposal are to better understand and to advance nanobody-targeted PDT to ensure complete cancer eradication, and to facilitate its clinical translation. This will be achieved by: 1) Exploring the increased accumulation of photosensitizer through development of novel nanobody-photosensitizer conjugates to bind to cancer cells, cancer stem cells, and endothelial cells. These combinations will be evaluated for their efficacy in mice bearing human carcinomas; 2) Investigating the immune system activation to determine if, as other PDT, nanobody-targeted PDT triggers a systemic immune response, or if additional triggers are needed; 3) Studying the effect of nanobody-targeted PDT in dogs entering the veterinary clinic with oral or colorectal cancers. Treatment efficacy will be evaluated by monitoring cancer regression or disappearance. The outcome of this research will scientifically advance the new field of nanobody-targeted PDT, by providing essential information on its mechanism of action and the feasibility of this approach in human cancer patients, to ultimately improve current cancer treatment.

Mots-clés : photodynamic therapy,cancer targeting,nanobodies or vhhs,optical molecular imaging,comparative oncology
Projet ERC : SYST-iMYC (Horizon 2020, appel 2018, Proof of concept grants)
Domaine scientifique : Life Science
Panel : Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases
Entité participante : CERCA Institution — Pays : Espagne — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : CERCA;I-CERCA
Type d'entité : Recherche
Financement ERC de l'entité : 148875.0 €

Current cancer therapies target redundant cellular functions often compensated for by cancer cells, resulting in resistance to treatment. Here we propose an innovative approach to inhibit Myc, a non-redundant and “most-wanted” therapeutic target for human cancer. Targeting Myc has long been considered unfeasible because of the potentially catastrophic side effects in normal tissues. Against this dogma, we showed that Myc inhibition by Omomyc, a Myc mutant designed by Dr. Soucek, has a dramatic therapeutic impact in multiple mouse models of cancer, while causing only limited and reversible side effects. Critically, there is no emergence of resistance. Thanks to the ERC-2013-CoG n° 617473, we discovered the unexpected cell-penetrating properties of the purified Omomyc polypeptide. Moreover, we found that it is anti-tumorigenic after local (intranasal) delivery to mouse models of lung and brain tumors, and could therefore become the first clinically-viable direct Myc inhibitor. With this ERC PoC, we propose to develop a new drug based on an Omomyc variant that enables systemic treatment of several cancer types including lymphoma, breast, and melanoma. In all these cancers Myc contributes to multiple aspects of tumorigenesis including immune suppression. At the end of this project we will have a patent protected therapeutic polypeptide active in vitro and in vivo and ready to enter clinical trials Phase I/II in patients and to continue its commercialization. The forecasted peak revenue for such first-in-class drug in those indications reaches 2.612 M€ annually. With this ERC PoC project we will achieve essential milestones to develop this innovative therapeutic polypeptide by establishing the feasibility, including a commercial data package and cost estimations for the industrial production. Passing these milestones will de-risk the product and increase its value and probability of reaching the market by making it ready to be transferred to a spin-off company.

Mots-clés : cancer,therapeutic polypeptide,myc inhibition,de risking,viability study,ipr strategy,business plan
Projet ERC : SLAMseq (Horizon 2020, appel 2018, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : Austrian Academy of Sciences — Pays : Autriche — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : OAW
Type d'entité : Organismes privés (hors enseignement)
Financement ERC de l'entité : 150000.0 €

Current gene expression profiling by massive parallel RNA sequencing provides insight into relative abundance of RNA molecules but fails to resolve the underlying principles in gene regulation that are reflected in the intracellular kinetics of RNA biogenesis, processing and turnover. In the ERC-StG 'miRLIFE', we have developed a novel technology – SLAMseq – that uncovers a chemically modified nucleoside analog by sequencing. When coupled to metabolic RNA labeling and targeted RNA sequencing, SLAMseq provides unprecedented insights into the intracellular kinetics of gene expression in a rapid, scalable and cost-effective manner. Preliminary data show that the SLAMseq technology can be used to modify other nucleoside analogs and be applied for non-targeted RNA seq protocols. In this PoC, we aim to validate and prove this broader applicability of SLAMseq in order to enable and commercialize genome-wide, time-resolved transcriptomics. In this way, metabolic RNA sequencing will revolutionise biomedical research by providing experimental access to the molecular basis of human malignancies and treatments thereof.

Mots-clés : rna sequencing,metabolic rna labeling,gene expression dynamics,next generation sequencing,transcriptomics,gene regulation,ribonucleotide analogs
Projet ERC : THz-FRaScan-ESR (Horizon 2020, appel 2016, Starting grants)
Domaine scientifique : Physical Sciences and Engineering
Panel : Physical and analytical chemical sciences
Entité participante : Brno University of Technology — Pays : Rép. Tchèque — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : BUT;VUT
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 1999874.0 €

Current high frequency electron spin resonance (HFESR) instruments suffer from the disadvantages of being limited to a single frequency and to tiny sample volumes. The study of spin dynamics at frequencies beyond a few hundred gigahertz is currently prohibitively difficult. These limitations are now preventing progress in dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) and preclude the implementation of zero-field quantum computing. In order to revolutionize sensitivity in nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) by means of DNP techniques allowing to watch in real time molecular interactions or even to monitor how sophisticated systems (ribosomes) work, the HFESR methods have to be substantially improved. I will develop a novel and worldwide unique technique called broadband terahertz frequency rapid scan (FRaScan) ESR. I intend to implement this method into a working prototype, which will seamlessly span the entire frequency range from 100 GHz to 1 THz, and allow spin dynamics investigation of large samples. This revolutionary new concept based on rapid frequency sweeps will remove all the restrictions and limitations of conventional HFESR methods used nowadays. It will enable for the first time multi-frequency studies of quantum coherence also in zero magnetic field. It will lead to substantial increases in sensitivity and concurrent decrease of measurement time, thus allowing more efficient use of resources. Finally, the method will allow identification of novel DNP signal enhancement agents, ultimately leading to a step change improvement of the MRI method. It will drastically shorten MRI scan times in hospitals, greatly enhancing patient comfort together with significantly better and precise diagnoses. The method will lead to zero field quantum computers with computation power which will be never reached with conventional technology. In summary it will lead to impacts far beyond the scientific community.

Mots-clés : electron spin resonance  esr  spectroscopy,spin dynamics,dynamic nuclear polarization
Projet ERC : ECOFEED (Horizon 2020, appel 2018, Consolidator grants)
Domaine scientifique : Life Science
Panel : Environmental Biology, Ecology and Evolution
Entité participante : Centre national de la recherche scientifique — Pays : France — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : CNRS
Type d'entité : Recherche
Financement ERC de l'entité : 1983565.0 €

Current scenarios predict an accelerated biodiversity erosion with climate change. However, uncertainties in predictions remain large because the multitude of climate change effects from genes to ecosystems and their interdependencies are still overlooked. This incomplete vision hampers the development of effective mitigation strategies to sustain biodiversity. Climate change can directly modify the phenotype and performance of individuals through phenotypic plasticity and evolution on contemporary time scales. The microevolution of keystone species can spread throughout the whole ecological network due to changes in species interactions and further translate into an altered ecosystem functioning. Conversely, direct impacts on communities and ecosystems can have ripple effects on the phenotypic distribution and evolution of all species of ecological networks. Climate-driven changes at individual and population levels can shape community composition and ecosystem functioning, and vice versa, altering eco-evolutionary feedbacks, namely the reciprocal interactions between ecological and evolutionary processes. Climate-driven ecological and evolutionary dynamics are yet often investigated separately. The role of eco-evolutionary feedbacks in climate change impacts on biological systems therefore hinges on little concrete empirical evidence contrasting with a profuse theoretical development. ECOFEED will investigate climate-dependent eco-evolutionary feedbacks using a 6 year-long realistic warming experiment reproducing natural conditions and thus allowing for both evolutionary and ecological dynamics to occur under a predicted climate change scenario. Complementary laboratory experiments will quantify reciprocal impacts of climate-dependent evolutionary and ecological changes on each other. ECOFEED will provide unprecedented insights on the eco-evolutionary feedbacks in a future climate and will ultimately help refine predictions on the future of biodiversity.

Mots-clés : climate change,eco evolutionary dynamics,experimental ecology
Projet ERC : REDIM (Horizon 2020, appel 2019, Starting grants)
Domaine scientifique : Social Sciences and Humanities
Panel : The Social World and Its Diversity
Entité participante : Federal Institute for Population Research — Pays : Allemagne — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : BiB
Type d'entité : Recherche
Financement ERC de l'entité : 1423858.0 €

Current socio-epidemiologic theories often perceive mortality (health) inequalities as a given and largely ignore the fundamental questions concerning their origin. Furthermore, the majority of prior studies on international differences in mortality have focused on cross-country differences without taking into account substantial regional variation within national populations. REDIM goes beyond the state of the art through performing a large-scale systematic investigation of the reasons for persisting and emerging spatial disparities in mortality across European countries. The scientific output of the project is crucial for developing and coordinating health policies aimed at reducing geographical inequalities in mortality across and within European countries. The project intends to quantify the degree of convergence/divergence in cause-specific mortality that occurs between subnational entities in Europe, and to identify determinants of these changes. REDIM focuses on two specific research questions: 1) How does the process of the general mortality decline diffuse across space, and what causes of death contribute most to this diffusion? 2) To what extent do national borders determine health borders? REDIM will tackle these research questions through analysing cause-specific mortality patterns and trends at NUTS-3 and NUTS-2 levels across 19 European countries. Mortality indicators will be interpreted in conjunction with contextual variables capturing the effects of local context and national health policies. The proposed research agenda is highly relevant to the context of the integration process within the European Union which strives to enhance coordination of policies to promote more equal access to all benefits and assets in society including health. Apart from expected ground-breaking scientific output, REDIM will provide advanced tools for evaluating the effectiveness of policies within the framework of the European Spatial Development Perspective.
Projet ERC : AMPLIFY (Horizon 2020, appel 2015, Consolidator grants)
Domaine scientifique : Physical Sciences and Engineering
Panel : Computer science and informatics
Entité participante : Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München — Pays : Allemagne — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : LMU
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 1267750.0 €

Current technical sensor systems offer capabilities that are superior to human perception. Cameras can capture a spectrum that is wider than visible light, high-speed cameras can show movements that are invisible to the human eye, and directional microphones can pick up sounds at long distances. The vision of this project is to lay a foundation for the creation of digital technologies that provide novel sensory experiences and new perceptual capabilities for humans that are natural and intuitive to use. In a first step, the project will assess the feasibility of creating artificial human senses that provide new perceptual channels to the human mind, without increasing the experienced cognitive load. A particular focus is on creating intuitive and natural control mechanisms for amplified senses using eye gaze, muscle activity, and brain signals. Through the creation of a prototype that provides mildly unpleasant stimulations in response to perceived information, the feasibility of implementing an artificial reflex will be experimentally explored. The project will quantify the effectiveness of new senses and artificial perceptual aids compared to the baseline of unaugmented perception. The overall objective is to systematically research, explore, and model new means for increasing the human intake of information in order to lay the foundation for new and improved human senses enabled through digital technologies and to enable artificial reflexes. The ground-breaking contributions of this project are (1) to demonstrate the feasibility of reliably implementing amplified senses and new perceptual capabilities, (2) to prove the possibility of creating an artificial reflex, (3) to provide an example implementation of amplified cognition that is empirically validated, and (4) to develop models, concepts, components, and platforms that will enable and ease the creation of interactive systems that measurably increase human perceptual capabilities.

Mots-clés : user experience,augmented senses,user interface technologies
Projet ERC : POWER-PATCH (Horizon 2020, appel 2019, Proof of concept grants)
Domaine scientifique : Physical Sciences and Engineering
Panel : Products and processes engineering
Entité participante : Spanish National Research Council — Pays : Espagne — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : CSIC
Type d'entité : Recherche
Financement ERC de l'entité : 150000.0 €

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic autosomal recessive disease, which induces mutations on a conductance transmembrane regulator protein (CFTR) that controls the exocrine system responsible or producing saliva, sweat, tears and mucus. The protein malfunction affects severely the lungs and digestive system. Patients with CF present also higher chloride contents in sweat than healthy subjects, so chloride testing in sweat has become the gold standard test for CF confirmation after new-born screening blood tests. However, tests on new-borns are not 100% sensitive and not universally stablished along European territory, which leads to patients with a late diagnostic that decreases their life quality and expectancy. The ‘sweat test’ requires either sophisticated analytical procedures or costly commercial analyzers and consumables that restrict the availability of the test to few specialized units scattered along the European territory. POWER-PATCH aims to evolve and promote the value of a novel, market disruptive patch that enables an affordable and easy-to-use sweat test for the screening of cystic fibrosis. The patch has been conceived to be applied on the forearm of the patient and yield a “positive” result in case of an abnormal conductivity level of sweat is detected. It combines the low cost and easy handling of paper that is associated with the filter paper-based diagnosis technique and at the same time allows obtaining a digital response with no further handling or treatment of the sample. Moreover, as it already contains a “battery sensor”, sweat collection and testing does not require additional equipment and can be easily taken to any clinical environment. Within this ERC PoC project, we aim to achieve (i) Technical validation and Clinical testing in a specialized CF unit and (ii) a business proposition in the form of a Business Plan containing strategies for commercialization, fundraising, IP management and future product development.

Mots-clés : diagnostic devices,paper batteries,cystic fibrosis,medical device,self powered sensor,conductivity sensor
Projet ERC : MaintainMeth (Horizon 2020, appel 2016, Consolidator grants)
Domaine scientifique : Life Science
Panel : Integrative Biology: from Genes and Genomes to Systems
Entité participante : UK Research and Innovation — Pays : Royaume-Uni — Rôle : Partner
Acronyme de l'entité : UKRI
Type d'entité : Recherche
Financement ERC de l'entité : 2414470.0 €

Cytosine methylation is a chemical modification that is precisely copied when DNA is replicated. Because methylation can regulate gene expression, accurate reproduction of DNA methylation patterns is essential for plant and animal development and for human health. The enzymes that maintain DNA methylation have to work within chromatin, and particularly to contend with nucleosomes – tight complexes of DNA and histone proteins. How methylation of nucleosomal DNA is maintained remains unknown, and even the simple matter of whether nucleosomes hinder or promote methylation is controversial. My laboratory’s recent work with DDM1 – an ancient protein conserved between plants and animals that can move nucleosomes – and linker histone H1, which binds to nucleosomes and the intervening ‘linker’ DNA, has allowed us to formulate a model wherein movement of nucleosomes by DDM1 dislodges H1 and allows methyltransferases to access the DNA. Furthermore, this work revealed the existence of unknown factors required to maintain DNA methylation. My laboratory also discovered that DNA methylation influences nucleosome placement, thereby demonstrating that the interaction between DNA methylation and nucleosomes is bidirectional. My goal is now to deeply understand the connected processes of maintenance methylation and nucleosome placement. This will be achieved through three interconnected research strands: 1) Elucidation of how DNA methylation is maintained within chromatin. 2) Identification of new DNA methylation maintenance factors. 3) Determination of how DNA methylation influences nucleosomes in vivo. Our ultimate output will be the creation of a mathematical model of DNA methylation maintenance that will incorporate the bidirectional interactions between methylation and nucleosomes. This breakthrough will revolutionize research in the field by permitting the development of precise, quantitative hypotheses about the maintenance and function of DNA methylation within chromatin.