Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-erc-participations-et-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Projet ERC : WEB DATA OPP (Horizon 2020, appel 2019, Starting grants)
Domaine scientifique : Social Sciences and Humanities
Panel : The Social World and Its Diversity
Entité participante : Pompeu Fabra University — Pays : Espagne — Rôle : Partner
Acronyme de l'entité : UPF
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 1263772.5 €

The expansion of the Internet and the development of a range of new active and passive measurement tools, particularly on mobile devices, present exciting opportunities for survey researchers, such as visual or geolocation data capture. Using these new measurement opportunities could reduce respondent burden, improve data quality, and extend measurement into new domains, allowing to answer questions that could not be answered so far and to improve the decisions of key actors (e.g. government). This could open the door to a whole range of completely groundbreaking research, providing new knowledge, and affecting key aspects of our societies. While many people speak about these ideas, very little research has implemented such possibilities, and even less has assessed the data quality associated with such approaches. Thus, there is a huge need for further research in this area. The main goal of this project is to investigate how some of these new measurement opportunities that the growing presence of mobile devices made possible can help scientists and practitioners to get more accurate and/or more complete insights, by addressing three crucial research questions: 1. Can we improve (mobile) web survey data quality by using new measurement opportunities? 2. Can we replace part of the (mobile) web survey data by using new measurement opportunities? 3. Can we achieve a more complete picture of the reality by combining new measurement opportunities with (mobile) web survey data? This project will focus on four new measurement opportunities: voice input, visual data, metered data, and in-the-moment surveys. It will present theoretical and practical outputs, developing the technical tools for making these measurements possible and easy to implement in (mobile) web surveys, as well as a general framework that can be used by practitioners and researchers. The methods developed will be illustrated by answering key applied questions in different areas (e.g. health or politics).

Mots-clés : web data,passive data,mobile devices,smartphones,surveys,measurement,data quality,accuracy of results,voice recording,visual data,in the moment  surveys,metered data,framework
Projet ERC : NEO-NAT (Horizon 2020, appel 2014, Advanced grants)
Domaine scientifique : Physical Sciences and Engineering
Panel : Fundamental constituents of matter
Entité participante : University of Pisa — Pays : Italie — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : UniPi
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 839179.05 €

The experimental results of the first run of the Large Hadron Collider lead to the discovery of the Higgs boson but have not confirmed the dominant theoretical paradigm about the naturalness of the electro-weak scale, according to which the Higgs boson should have been accompanied by supersymmetric particles or by some other new physics able of protecting the Higgs boson mass from quadratically divergent quantum corrections. While the second LHC run is going to explore physics at higher energies in the next years, it is now the right moment to explore and develop new non conventional ideas about the origin of mass scales in nature and in particular of the electro-weak scale. Indeed, new theoretical ideas prompted by the fact that the standard paradigm is challenged by experiments, have been emerging in the past 1-2 years and are acquiring interest. Furthermore, in view of the large backgrounds unavoidably present at the Large Hadron Collider, unexpected discoveries could be delayed or even missed if experimentalists are not searching in the right direction. The experimental signatures of the new non-conventional models need to be identified now. Research performed by the PI and by the senior team members shows that concrete progress can be achieved in developing new non-conventional ideas about how the electroweak scale and the gravitational Planck scale can be dynamically generated with a vastly different ratio, as observed in nature. However, dedicated funding is needed for younger researches that want to explore such directions outside the mainstream. The main goal of this project is developing such new ideas and identifying their experimental signals.
Projet ERC : EXPERIENTIA (Horizon 2020, appel 2019, Advanced grants)
Domaine scientifique : Life Science
Panel : Neuroscience and Disorders of the Nervous System
Entité participante : University of London — Pays : Royaume-Uni — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : U. London
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 2499990.0 €

The extraordinary diversity of animal behaviors relies on the precise assembly and fine-tuning of synapses in neuronal circuits that adapt to an ever-changing environment. Hence, mature networks are the final expression of experiences accumulated throughout our life. Importantly, young brains are more amenable to learning that older brains, but the neural mechanisms underlying these differences remain largely unknown. In the cerebral cortex, for example, there are two main classes of neurons, excitatory projection neurons (pyramidal cells) and inhibitory neurons (interneurons). Interneurons have a remarkable capability to sense changes in sensory experience and therefore occupy a unique position to orchestrate circuit remodeling. The goal of this project is to understand the mechanisms through which enhanced sensory experience during development sculpts cortical circuitries to improve behavioral performance in mice. To this end, we will use: (1) a synaptic connectivity mapping strategy (e-GRASP) and an activity-dependent promoter to explore specific cell- and synaptic-specific reorganizations driven by sensory experience; (2) sensory discrimination tasks and two-photon microscopy to explore the emergence of cortical functional properties, cell ensembles and behavioral performance; (3) unbiased screenings in cell populations and specific synapses together with single-cell RNA sequencing to identify genes that regulate cell-type specific modifications; and (4) loss of function approaches (shRNA and CRISPR/Cas9) to analyze the role of the identified candidate genes. Our research will shed light on the mechanisms shaping the assembly and function of cortical circuitries during early sensory experience.

Mots-clés : interneurons,synapse formation,development,cortical circuitries
Projet ERC : PoreDetect (Horizon 2020, appel 2019, Proof of concept grants)
Domaine scientifique : Physical Sciences and Engineering
Panel : Condensed matter physics
Entité participante : University of Cambridge — Pays : Royaume-Uni — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : U. Cambridge
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 150000.0 €

The fast and reliable detection of single molecules holds the promise of revolutionising diagnostics, disease prevention as well as biological research by offering unprecedented resolution compared to bulk approaches. Based on work done as part of the ‘DesignerPore’ ERC consolidator grant (Nature Nanotechnology 2016) we will develop a benchtop device capable of detecting hundreds of molecular targets within tens of minutes. We will combine our recent development in nanopore sensing technology (JACS 2015) with machine-learning (Nano Letters 2018) and advanced statistics (arxiv 2019) to create a new versatile single molecule technique. Ultimately, our PoreDetect technology has the potential to become an integral part of handheld or wearable devices allowing real time tracking of disease markers for personalised medicine, bacterial infections or environmental contaminants. While the technique is not limited to the detection of certain molecules, for this proof-of-concept we aim to focus on sensing short oligonucleotides tens of base pairs in length, with immediate applications in the quantification of cell-free (cfRNA) and microRNA (miRNA) as cancer biomarkers.

Mots-clés : nanopore sensing,single molecules,nanotechnology,bionanotechnology
Projet ERC : 2O2ACTIVATION (Horizon 2020, appel 2016, Starting grants)
Domaine scientifique : Physical Sciences and Engineering
Panel : Synthetic Chemistry and Materials
Entité participante : Rheinland-Pfälzische Technische Universität Kaiserslautern-Landau — Pays : Allemagne — Rôle : Partner
Acronyme de l'entité : RPTU
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 408989.74 €

The field of C-H bond activation has evolved at an exponential pace in the last 15 years. What appeals most in those novel synthetic techniques is clear: they bypass the pre-activation steps usually required in traditional cross-coupling chemistry by directly metalating C-H bonds. Many C-H bond functionalizations today however, rely on poorly atom and step efficient oxidants, leading to significant and costly chemical waste, thereby seriously undermining the overall sustainability of those methods. As restrictions in sustainability regulations will further increase, and the cost of certain chemical commodities will rise, atom efficiency in organic synthesis remains a top priority for research. The aim of 2O2ACTIVATION is to develop novel technologies utilizing O2 as sole terminal oxidant in order to allow useful, extremely sustainable, thermodynamically challenging, dehydrogenative C-N and C-O bond forming coupling reactions. However, the moderate reactivity of O2 towards many catalysts constitutes a major challenge. 2O2ACTIVATION will pioneer the design of new catalysts based on the ultra-simple propene motive, capable of direct activation of O2 for C-H activation based cross-couplings. The project is divided into 3 major lines: O2 activation using propene and its analogues (propenoids), 1) without metal or halide, 2) with hypervalent halide catalysis, 3) with metal catalyzed C-H activation. The philosophy of 2O2ACTIVATION is to focus C-H functionalization method development on the oxidative event. Consequently, 2O2ACTIVATION breakthroughs will dramatically shortcut synthetic routes through the use of inactivated, unprotected, and readily available building blocks; and thus should be easily scalable. This will lead to a strong decrease in the costs related to the production of many essential chemicals, while preserving the environment (water as terminal by-product). The resulting novels coupling methods will thus have a lasting impact on the chemical industry.

Mots-clés : radical coupling reaction,c h activation,cross dehydrogenative coupling,o2 activation,c n bond formation,oxidative amination
Projet ERC : 2O2ACTIVATION (Horizon 2020, appel 2016, Starting grants)
Domaine scientifique : Physical Sciences and Engineering
Panel : Synthetic Chemistry and Materials
Entité participante : RWTH Aachen University — Pays : Allemagne — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : RWTH
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 1080832.76 €

The field of C-H bond activation has evolved at an exponential pace in the last 15 years. What appeals most in those novel synthetic techniques is clear: they bypass the pre-activation steps usually required in traditional cross-coupling chemistry by directly metalating C-H bonds. Many C-H bond functionalizations today however, rely on poorly atom and step efficient oxidants, leading to significant and costly chemical waste, thereby seriously undermining the overall sustainability of those methods. As restrictions in sustainability regulations will further increase, and the cost of certain chemical commodities will rise, atom efficiency in organic synthesis remains a top priority for research. The aim of 2O2ACTIVATION is to develop novel technologies utilizing O2 as sole terminal oxidant in order to allow useful, extremely sustainable, thermodynamically challenging, dehydrogenative C-N and C-O bond forming coupling reactions. However, the moderate reactivity of O2 towards many catalysts constitutes a major challenge. 2O2ACTIVATION will pioneer the design of new catalysts based on the ultra-simple propene motive, capable of direct activation of O2 for C-H activation based cross-couplings. The project is divided into 3 major lines: O2 activation using propene and its analogues (propenoids), 1) without metal or halide, 2) with hypervalent halide catalysis, 3) with metal catalyzed C-H activation. The philosophy of 2O2ACTIVATION is to focus C-H functionalization method development on the oxidative event. Consequently, 2O2ACTIVATION breakthroughs will dramatically shortcut synthetic routes through the use of inactivated, unprotected, and readily available building blocks; and thus should be easily scalable. This will lead to a strong decrease in the costs related to the production of many essential chemicals, while preserving the environment (water as terminal by-product). The resulting novels coupling methods will thus have a lasting impact on the chemical industry.

Mots-clés : radical coupling reaction,c h activation,cross dehydrogenative coupling,o2 activation,c n bond formation,oxidative amination
Projet ERC : SOMBOT (Horizon 2020, appel 2016, Advanced grants)
Domaine scientifique : Physical Sciences and Engineering
Panel : Systems and communication engineering
Entité participante : Board of the Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology — Pays : Suisse — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : ETH Zurich
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 2500000.0 €

The field of Micro and Nano Robotics has made impressive strides over the past decade as researchers have created a variety of small devices capable of locomotion within liquid environments. Robust fabrication techniques have been developed, some devices have been functionalized for potential applications, and therapies are being actively considered. While excitement remains high for this field, we are facing a number of significant challenges that must be addressed head-on if continued progress towards clinical relevance is to be made. This project will address what we consider to be primary roadblocks to be overcome. This includes the development of bioerodable and non-cytotoxic microrobots, development of autonomous devices capable of self-directed targeting, catheter-based delivery of microrobots near the target, tracking and control of swarms of devices in vivo, and the pursuit of clinically relevant therapies. As we consider these advances, it becomes clear that the field of micro and nanorobotics is moving away from hard microfabricated structures and towards soft, polymeric structures capable of shape modification induced by environmental conditions and other “smart” behaviors. Just as the field of robotics witnessed the emergence of “soft robotics” in which soft and deformable materials are used as primary structural components, the field of microrobotics is beginning to experience a move towards “soft microrobots.” Soft microrobots are made of soft, deformable materials capable of sensing and actuation and have the potential to exhibit behavioral response. As we develop more complex soft microrobots, we are poised to realize intelligent microrobots that autonomously respond to their environment to perform more complex tasks. This project will develop a number of fundamental technologies required for the fabrication of intelligent soft microrobots suitable for in vivo applications. Animal trials and preclinical studies will be performed.
Projet ERC : Spontaneous ZeBrain (Horizon 2020, appel 2016, Consolidator grants)
Domaine scientifique : Life Science
Panel : Neuroscience and Disorders of the Nervous System
Entité participante : École normale supérieure PSL — Pays : France — Rôle : Partner
Acronyme de l'entité : ENS PSL
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 75000.0 €

The first behavioural theories conceived the organism as primarily driven by external sensory stimuli. However, the energy associated with momentary demands of the environment represent ~1% of the brain's total energy budget, implying that the intrinsic activity represents a major aspect of the brain's function. Indeed, more recent theories such as cognitivism and embodiment describe the organisms as capable of generating complex behaviours emerging from the brain's intrinsic dynamics. Past and current studies that investigated the neuronal basis self-generated behaviours mainly focus on the readiness potential (RP) signal, a build-up ramping activity in the premotor cortex, occurring ~ 2 sec before the movement's onset. However, the neuronal mechanisms underlying the generation of self-generated behaviours (how RPs are generated), the involvement of other regions, and how the brain codes the impending movements (activity predictive of the onset and type of movement), still remain poorly understood. The combination of light-sheet microscopy, optogenetics, and the zebrafish larva model enables monitoring whole-brain dynamics in an intact behaving vertebrate. Moreover, the diverse yet limited and well described repertoire of motor behaviours will enable to perform experiments in more natural unconstrained conditions, in comparison to previous studies, which were structured in trials and limited to one or two behavioural choices. These advantages will allow us to go beyond the current state-of-the-art in the field. More specifically, we propose to investigate the following specific aims: 1) Whole-brain dynamics basis and mechanisms underlying self-generated behaviours. 2) A comparison between the neuronal pathways underlying the initiation of self-generated and sensory induced behaviours. 3) The internal and external modulation of self-generated behaviours.

Mots-clés : neuronal circuit dynamics,spim,zebrafish,optogenetics,behaviour,internal decisions,computational neuroscience,calcium imaging
Projet ERC : DEMOBLACK (Horizon 2020, appel 2017, Consolidator grants)
Domaine scientifique : Physical Sciences and Engineering
Panel : Universe sciences
Entité participante : Heidelberg University — Pays : Allemagne — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 188405.7 €

The first direct detection of gravitational waves demonstrated that double black hole (BH) binaries exist, and can host surprisingly massive objects (> 20 solar masses). Most theoretical models do not predict the existence of such massive BHs, and the formation channels of BH binaries are essentially unconstrained. Dynamically formed BH binaries are the most elusive ones: current models either neglect them or study them in idealized systems. With DEMOBLACK, I will draw the first satisfactory picture of BH binary demography, by modeling realistic BH dynamics in a well-motivated cosmological context. I propose a novel approach for the study of BH dynamics: I will simulate the formation of BH binaries in star clusters self-consistently, starting from the hydrodynamics of the parent molecular cloud and accounting for the impact of stellar evolution, feedback, and dynamics on BH binaries. The key tool of DEMOBLACK is SEVN, my new population-synthesis code. With SEVN, I predicted the formation of massive BHs from metal-poor stars, before the first direct detection of gravitational waves. I will interface SEVN with a hydrodynamical code and with an N-body code, to study the formation of BH binaries self-consistently. I will then model the history of BH binaries across cosmic time, accounting for the evolution of metallicity. This novel approach is decisive to break degeneracies between dynamically formed and primordial BH binaries, and to make predictions for future observations by ground-based and space-borne gravitational wave interferometers.

Mots-clés : stellar dynamics,star clusters,black hole binaries,population synthesis codes,n body codes,stellar mass black holes and intermediate mass black holes,gravitational wave sources
Projet ERC : EarlyModernCosmology (Horizon 2020, appel 2016, Consolidator grants)
Domaine scientifique : Social Sciences and Humanities
Panel : The study of the human past
Entité participante : Ca' Foscari University of Venice — Pays : Italie — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 1999976.0 €

The focus of this project is the competing confessional discourses on cosmology of the seventeenth century, an epoch in which religious conflicts originated opposing ‘epistemic cultures’, which were embodied in scholarly institutions and networks such as the Protestant web of northern European universities or the global web of Jesuit colleges. In the Early Modern Period cosmological controversies (over issues such as heliocentrism, plurality of worlds, space, infinity, cometary theory, celestial matter and fluidity) were heated and amplified by increasing political and confessional fragmentation. The Roman prohibition of the Copernican system (1616) and the extraordinary condemnation of Galileo (1633) accelerated the formation of competing cosmological cultures along confessional and political lines of alliance and opposition. This research project addresses the interrelations between [1.] cosmological debates in the northern European Protestant institutional networks of scholars and institutions and [2.] cosmological debates in Jesuit institutional networks aiming at [3.] a comparative assessment of early formations and transformations of epistemic webs. It considers parallelisms and contrasts, negotiations and intersections of seventeenth-century cosmological discourses between scholars, institutions and scientific communities belonging to different epistemic cultures. This endeavor brings into focus the political-confessional dimension of early-modern cosmology and shows how science is embedded in struggles for cultural hegemony, struggles which were at once institutional and ideological. While there is a great deal of in-depth study on the history of science in various early-modern confessional contexts, a comparative study bringing together the history of knowledge institutions and their metaphysical legitimation is still a desideratum.