Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-erc-participations-et-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Projet ERC : TWISTRONICS (Horizon 2020, appel 2019, Starting grants)
Domaine scientifique : Physical Sciences and Engineering
Panel : Condensed matter physics
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 : 1499543.0 €

The relative angular alignment between the stacked 2D layers of a van der Waals (vdW) heterostructure can dramatically alter its fundamental properties. A striking example is the recent observation of strongly correlated states and intrinsic superconductivity in twisted bilayer graphene. Another remarkable effect of angular layer alignment predicted for certain vdW heterostructures is the emergence of phases of matter with non-trivial topological properties, where charge carriers flow without dissipation, being protected against perturbations. In graphene aligned with boron nitride (BN), such a phase has been predicted, with topological protection linked not to the spin, as commonly observed, but rather to the valley degree of freedom. However, due to the scarcity of experimental tools to demonstrate this topological protection, or tune the transition between topologically trivial and non-trivial phases, the few experimental observations available remain inconclusive. The objective of TWISTRONICS is to contribute, with fundamental concepts, to future advancements of valleytronics, where the control over the valley degree of freedom is used for technological developments including quantum technologies. To reach this goal I propose a novel approach using dynamically rotatable heterostructures, combined with Berry curvature and real-space supercurrents distribution measurements, to tune and investigate the topological phases driven by crystal alignment on graphene/BN structures. This powerful triad will allow a rigorous investigation of the valley electronic states and phase transitions of this system, answering two important questions: i) What are the characteristics, origin and topology of the valley currents previously measured in graphene/BN aligned structures; and ii) how the valley currents and electron topology can be controlled by crystal axes alignment. This will trace a practical route to investigate and design topological phases in other vdW structures.

Mots-clés : graphene,topological currents,angle control in van der waals heterostructures
Projet ERC : CEAD (Horizon 2020, appel 2018, Starting grants)
Domaine scientifique : Social Sciences and Humanities
Panel : The Social World and Its Diversity
Entité participante : Miguel Hernandez University — Pays : Espagne — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : UMH
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 1245634.0 €

The relentless rise in diabetes is one of the greatest global health emergencies of the 21st century. The increase is most pronounced in low and middle income countries where today three quarters of people with diabetes live and over 80% of the deaths attributed to non-communicable diseases occur. In light of the wealth of knowledge already available about how to tackle the problem, most major international organizations call for the adoption healthy public policies and initiatives to strengthening health systems. However, implementation of recommended action remains limited in many settings. Most evidence comes from high-income settings and may generate recommendations that cannot be successfully implemented in other settings without careful consideration and contextualization. I propose here that this “know-do” gap can be reduced by revealing the barriers to implementing evidence-based recommendations, engaging local stakeholders in developing context-led innovations and developing a tool-kit for contextualizing and implementing diabetes recommendations in low-resource settings. I plan the research in two carefully selected settings in Ecuador, with mixed-methods combining quantitative epidemiological research and qualitative methodology to generate the rich and varied knowledge that is required to trigger policy action and/or changes in care models. Furthermore, I will engage patients, community members, health workers and decision makers in the process of knowledge generation, interpretation and use. The overarching objective is hence, to explore the process by which global recommendations can be translated into context-specific, evidence-informed action for diabetes prevention in low-resource settings. The findings will support the global endeavour to bridge the global “know-do” gap, one of the most important public health challenges this century and a great opportunity for strengthening health systems and achieving health equity.

Mots-clés : type 2 diabetes,global health challenges,implementation science,population engagement in knowledge generation
Projet ERC : OCT4IOL (Horizon 2020, appel 2014, Proof of concept grants)
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 €

The replacement of the crystalline lens of the eye by an artificial intraocular lens (IOL) is one of the most frequent procedures worldwide (3 millions/year in Western Europe). The surgery is required to correct for the age-related loss in transparency (cataract), but it is also performed to correct for refractive errors, and may be envisioned to correct for presbyopia in a younger population (>45) with future accommodating IOLs that restore the eye focusing capability. Despite the development of new IOL designs and a steady market growth of IOLs (particularly of Premium IOLs, aiming at delivering optimal vision quality to the patient), the techniques to select the optimal IOL design have not evolved at a similar pace. As cataract surgery moves into new paradigms, access to ocular imaging-based technologies that allow accurate selection of the IOL and evaluation of the surgical outcomes becomes essential. The PRESBYOPIA ERC-Advanced Grant investigates basic mechanisms of the crystalline lens accommodation, to propose nature-inspired IOL designs to correct presbyopia. With this aim, we have developed a laboratory prototype for full 3-D quantitative anterior segment Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) based on our proprietary method to reduce distortion and automatic quantification. We have demonstrated the capabilities of this instrument to provide accurate crystalline lens topography in vivo and full 3-D optical biometry in cataract patients pre- and post- implantation of IOLs. The OCT4IOL ERC-Proof of Concept will evaluate the marketability of this OCT line, generate new IP, developing a product commercialization plan, and reaching a strategic partnership alliance, with the ultimate goal of developing an instrument that brings eye surgery into new paradigms for IOL selection and customization in cataract surgery.

Mots-clés : ocular imaging,cataract surgery,intraocular lenses,biometry,ophthalmology,vision
Projet ERC : CellTrack (Horizon 2020, appel 2016, Consolidator grants)
Domaine scientifique : Life Science
Panel : Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases
Entité participante : Karolinska Institutet — Pays : Suède — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : KI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 1923262.5 €

The research I propose here will provide an enabling technology; spatially resolved transcriptomics, to address important problems in cell- and developmental-biology, in particular: How are stem cells in the skin and gut proliferating without turning into cancers? How are differentiated cells related, in their transcriptome and spatial positions, to their progenitors? To investigate these problems on a molecular level and open up paths to find completely new spatiotemporal interdependencies in complex biological systems, I propose to use our newly developed DNA-origami strategy (Benson et al, Nature, 523 p. 441 (2015) ), combined with a combinatorial cloning technique, to build a new method for deep mRNA sequencing of tissue with single-cell resolution. These new types of origami are stable in physiological salt conditions and opens up their use in in-vivo applications. In DNA-origami we can control the exact spatial position of all nucleotides. By folding the scaffold to display sequences for hybridization of fluorophores conjugated to DNA, we can create optical nano-barcodes. By using structures made out of DNA, the patterns of the optical barcodes will be readable both by imaging and by sequencing, thus enabling the creation of a mapping between cell locations in an organ and the mRNA expression of those cells. We will use the method to perform spatially resolved transcriptomics in small organs: the mouse hair follicle, and small intestine crypt, and also perform the procedure for multiple samples collected at different time points. This will enable a high-dimensional data analysis that most likely will expose previously unknown dependencies that would provide completely new knowledge about how these biological systems work. By studying these systems, we will uncover much more information on how stem cells contribute to regeneration, the issue of de-differentiation that is a common theme in these organs and the effect this might have on the origin of cancer.

Mots-clés : dna nanotechnology,superresolution imaging,spatial transcriptomics,single cell sequencing
Projet ERC : UltraTherMicroscope (Horizon 2020, appel 2014, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : Weizmann Institute of Science — Pays : Israël — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 150000.0 €

The research and commercialization of nanotechnology-based products require continuous development of advanced nanoscale inspection tools that drive the high-resolution microscopy markets. The state-of-the-art (SoA) microscopy provides a broad range of physical, spectroscopic, and materials characterization means, however, one of its key deficient ingredients is nanoscale thermal imaging – an essential tool for failure analysis and characterization of local heating and energy loss sources in high-density electronic nanodevices under operational conditions. The goal of this project is to provide a proof of concept (PoC) for a ground-breaking nanoscale thermal sensor and high-resolution scanning imaging system reaching thermal sensitivity with up to three orders of magnitude improvement over the existing SoA. The PoC aims at determining the technological feasibility and establishing commercialization potential for high sensitivity and high bandwidth nanoscale thermal imaging of operating devices in microelectronics, quantum computing, and novel materials industries. The project comprises benchmark demonstrations, patenting, development of relevant business models, and networking actions for successful commercialization. The novel sensor and microscopy system will serve as cost efficient application in materials research, failure analysis, and process control. It is thus expected to contribute to the competitiveness of Europe’s important Key Enabling Technology sector in Materials Science and Nanoindustries.

Mots-clés : scanning thermal microscopy,cryogenic thermal imaging,magnetic imaging,superconducting quantum interference device,squid,scanning probe microscopy,non invasive inspection,quantum computing
Projet ERC : RAVEN (Horizon 2020, appel 2017, Consolidator grants)
Domaine scientifique : Physical Sciences and Engineering
Panel : Earth system science
Entité participante : Board of the Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology — Pays : Suisse — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : ETH Zurich
Type d'entité : Recherche
Financement ERC de l'entité : 2000000.0 €

The research proposed uses an integrated data-modelling approach to elucidate the role that debris-covered glaciers play in the water cycle of High Mountain Asia (HMA) and establish how future HMA glacier and runoff will evolve. Debris-covered glaciers are of great significance for the hydrology of HMA, with large contributions to headwater streamflow. Despite this, their mass balance, hydrological role and future changes are poorly constrained, challenging model predictions of future water resources. Debris mantles insulate the ice and reduce ablation, but large-scale research indicates that HMA debris-covered glaciers are losing mass at rates similar to debris-free glaciers. This anomalous behaviour has profound implications for future glacier mass balance and runoff, but has not been reproduced with models, a fundamental limitation to a global assessment. I aim to establish that: 1) supraglacial cliffs and ponds are responsible for higher than expected mass losses of HMA debris-covered glaciers, because they act as windows of energy transfer through the debris; and that 2) their inclusion into models of glacier evolution will provide essential new estimates of glacier changes and future water availability in HMA. RAVEN will achieve these aims through combination of high-resolution satellite observations, field data and physically-based models in four sites along the Himalayan arc. This unprecedented setup captures the variety of climate and glaciers across HMA. Using satellite images I will investigate the spatial distribution and temporal evolution of cliffs and ponds; the insights will be used to develop physically-based models of cliff and pond ablation, which will be included in a glacio-hydrological model. Future glacier and runoff response will be projected using downscaled climate scenarios, allowing new estimates of glacier changes and future runoff for a data-starved region where millions of people depend on the water resources from glaciers and snow.

Mots-clés : debris covered glaciers,high mountain asia,headwater catchment water resources,supra glacial cliffs and ponds,future glacier changes and runoff projections,physically based ablation models
Projet ERC : Gels4Bac (Horizon 2020, appel 2020, Starting grants)
Domaine scientifique : Physical Sciences and Engineering
Panel : Synthetic Chemistry and Materials
Entité participante : University of Erlangen-Nuremberg — Pays : Allemagne — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : FAU
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 1499333.0 €

The rise of bacterial resistance against antibiotic drugs is becoming the leading cause for morbidity and mortality worldwide. In Europe alone, up to 33,000 people die each year from infections with resistant bacteria. Current antibiotic therapy often suffers from low selectivity, adverse side effects in other organs and impaired ability to overcome bacterial barriers. These problems limit the efficacy of our antibiotic arsenal. Local and effective eradication of bacterial infections is of utmost importance to avert the formation of new resistances. My research centres on naturally derived vesicles. All living cells and microorganisms produce these nanoparticles and equip them with unique features for transport and targeted delivery of molecules. I have previously discovered a new group of bacteria-derived vesicles with low cytotoxicity and inherent antibiotic activity. Upon contact with culture supernatant from pathogens, bacteria produce higher potent antimicrobial vesicles. Now, I would like to incorporate these vesicles into hydrogels – Gels4Bac – that respond to pathogenic factors in the infection environment. Once the hydrogel encounters these factors, antimicrobial vesicles are selectively and locally released in the presence of specific pathogens. The local application reduces time until treatment, adverse side effects and unspecific killing of beneficial microbiota. Gels4Bac will create new options for selectively treating infectious dispositions. Stimulation of vesicle producing bacteria with pathogen-derived components may open an on-demand customisable, quick and cost-effective approach for treatment. In addition, it creates new avenues for the discovery of novel antimicrobial agents besides current screening and medicinal chemistry. Such platform technology is imperative to equip Europe in its fight against the rise of infections with resistant bacteria, and will boost Europe's scientific competitiveness in infection therapy.

Mots-clés : extracellular vesicles,outer membrane vesicles,stimuli responsive hydrogels
Projet ERC : EPIDEMIC (Horizon 2020, appel 2019, Starting grants)
Domaine scientifique : Life Science
Panel : Environmental Biology, Ecology and Evolution
Entité participante : Board of the Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology — Pays : Suisse — Rôle : Partner
Acronyme de l'entité : ETH Zurich
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 151701.09 €

The risks and impact of disease are exacerbated in social organisms, which live in dense groups wherein pathogens can rapidly propagate. Theoretical epidemiology predicts that disease dynamics will depend in large part on a group's social interaction network, but empirical data are scarce. Experimental epidemiology is currently hampered by a lack of study systems that would enable a rigorous investigation of the causal link between network structure and disease transmission. I will tackle this question using a novel system, the clonal raider ant, a social insect whose unique biology affords unparalleled control over the main aspects of colony composition that are thought to modulate social network structure, and therefore, disease transmission. My approach will combine cutting-edge automated techniques for behavioral tracking with molecular tools, and develop new methods to monitor transmission in real time. In a first step, I will create empirical networks that are theoretically predicted to vary in transmission risk and map individual immune function onto these networks, to measure the prophylactic network properties that might reduce disease transmission. Second, I will test if experimental increases in immune activity induce changes in behavior that are relevant for disease transmission, to measure inducible network properties. Finally, I will inoculate colonies with nematodes and quantify infection propagation in real time. This will allow me to compare various types of social networks (healthy, immune-activated, infected), to probe the link between behavior and immunity, and to experimentally test predictions from theoretical epidemiology. This project takes an integrative approach—from individual immunity to collective behavior—to uncover the properties of social groups that protect them against disease. By linking theoretical epidemiology to real-world disease dynamics, it will push the limits of our ability to predict disease dynamics in social groups.
Projet ERC : BabyVir (Horizon 2020, appel 2016, Starting grants)
Domaine scientifique : Life Science
Panel : Environmental Biology, Ecology and Evolution
Entité participante : University Medical Center Groningen — Pays : Pays-Bas — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : UMCG
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 1499881.0 €

The role of intestinal bacteria in human health and disease has been intensively studied; however the viral composition of the microbiome, the virome, remains largely unknown. As many of the viruses are bacteriophages, they are expected to be a major factor shaping the human microbiome. The dynamics of the virome during early life, its interaction with host and environmental factors, is likely to have profound effects on human physiology. Therefore it is extremely timely to study the virome in depth and on a wide scale. This ERC project aims at understanding how the gut virome develops during the first year of life and how that relates to the composition of the bacterial microbiome. In particular, we will determine which intrinsic and environmental factors, including genetics and the mother’s microbiome and diet, interact with the virome in shaping the early gut microbiome ecosystem. In a longitudinal study of 1,000 newborns followed at 7 time points from birth till age 12 months, I will investigate: (1) the composition and evolution of the virome and bacterial microbiome in the first year of life; (2) the role of factors coming from the mother and from the host genome on virome and bacterial microbiome development and their co-evolution; and (3) the role of environmental factors, like infectious diseases, vaccinations and diet habits, on establishing the virome and overall microbiome composition during the first year of life. This project will provide crucial knowledge about composition and maturation of the virome during the first year of life, and its symbiotic relation with the bacterial microbiome. This longitudinal dataset will be instrumental for identification of microbiome markers of diseases and for the follow up analysis of the long-term effect of microbiota maturation later in life. Knowledge of the role of viruses in shaping the microbiota may promote future directions for manipulating the human gut microbiota in health and disease.

Mots-clés : virome,microbiome,microbiota,newborns,longitudinal study,gut health
Projet ERC : HIDDEN FOODS (Horizon 2020, appel 2014, Starting grants)
Domaine scientifique : Social Sciences and Humanities
Panel : The study of the human past
Entité participante : Sapienza University of Rome — Pays : Italie — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 1372394.93 €

The role of plant foods among prehistoric hunter-gatherer societies remains one of the major issues of World Prehistory. Recovering evidence for the use of plants in ancient forager diets presents many difficulties due to the low rate of survival of organic remains. More recently, developments of various methodological tools and analytical procedures for studying the importance of plant foods in the past have started to provide means for reaching realistic estimates about the role of plant foods in early prehistoric diets. The HIDDEN FOODS project aims to further develop a suite of methodological and experimental approaches in order to (a) obtain systematic and incontrovertible evidence about the importance of plant foods in European early prehistory; (b) study causal links between plant foods processing and technological changes in artefact production; and (c) assess the role of plant foods for prehistoric hunter-gatherers’ health status. The project will take a comparative, novel and integrated approach and investigate the importance of plant foods by studying three different categories of archaeological materials: ground stone tools, macro-botanical remains and human skeletal remains. The main methodological approaches involve (a) use-wear traces analysis; (b) starch identification; (c) parenchyma tissue analysis in macro-botanical remains recovered from archaeological sites; and, (d) study of dental pathologies related to plant foods on ancient human remains. The project will examine direct and indirect evidence of plant foods for Palaeolithic (~40,000–11,600 calibrated [henceforth cal] before present [henceforth BP]) and Mesolithic (~11,600–7900 cal BP) societies of southeast Europe and Italy. The integrated approach proposed by HIDDEN FOODS for identifying the role and consequences of plant foods’ consumption in ancient foragers’ diet, technological change and health status is, to date, unprecedented in the studies of European prehistoric hunter-gatherers.