Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Design of metal-stabilized DNA and RNA nanoconstructs potentially applicable in medicine (DNANOMETAL)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Excellent Science
Programme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Postdoctoral Fellowships
Action type: Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions
Panel: Chemistry
Countries involved: Denmark
Call: MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2023 (HORIZON-MSCA-2023-PF-01, 2023)
Start date: 2024-09-01
End date: 2026-08-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 214934.4
EU funding (EUR): 214934.4
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

DNA nanotechnology can provide breakthroughs in various fields such as catalysis, nanofabrication, computation, bioimaging, drug delivery or cancer treatment. This approach is based on the idea that if single-stranded DNA sequences are not perfectly complementary, branched-stranded DNAs can be formed, from which complex 2D or 3D structures can be constructed with near-atomic precision by proper sequence design. Although DNA nanomaterials seem to be promising, the biomedical application is significantly challenged by the fact that current DNA - and especially RNA - nanostructures are unstable under physiological conditions, sensitive towards nucleases and oxidative damage as well. Therefore my main goal is to develop more stable DNA nanostructures that can later be used to stabilize vaccines or drug carriers. For this purpose I will use metal-mediated base pairing in addition to the classical Watson-Crick hydrogen base pairing. During the project I will design, purify and analyse oligonucleotides that stabilize silver nanoclusters (AgNCs) in the small size regime with mixed Ag0/AgI composition in order to achieve AgNC-oligonucleotide systems (nanoconstructs), that can remain stable even in the conditions of the human plasma, thus can be used later as vaccines or drug carriers. This approach is beyond state of the art since it was not even mentioned as a possible application of metal-incorporated DNA nanoconstructs in the most recent reviews of the field, although already existing data combined suggests, it could eliminate many of the issues of previous concepts. I will use modern separation, spectroscopy and structure quantification methods, as well as cellular studies, to design and characterise the system that best meets the criteria.

Keywords: dna origami,mass spectrometry,spectroscopic and spectrometric techniques,molecular biology
Smart Maritime and Underwater Guardian (SMAUG)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness
Programme: Civil Security for Society
Theme: Civil Security for Society
Destination: Border Management
Action type: Research and Innovation actions
Countries involved: Spain,Greece,Norway,France,Italy,Estonia,Germany
Call: Improved underwater detection and control capabilities to protect maritime areas and sea harbours (HORIZON-CL3-2022-BM-01, 2022)
Start date: 2023-10-01
End date: 2026-09-30
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 5998864.19
EU funding (EUR): 5998864.19
Participants: 26
Project status: SIGNED

The primary goal of SMAUG is to improve the underwater detection of threats in ports and their entrance routes, by means of a integrated system capable of providing data concerning threat analysis between 3 main elements: ports security infrastructure, advanced underwater detection systems and surveillance vessels. Underwater detection and location will be performed by four primary methods: i) acoustic detection, where a series of hydrophones will listen for sounds emitted by small underwater vehicles and will be processed by artificial intelligence methods, ii) rapid sonar hull scan, used to scan ships hulls and perform harbour floor scanning, iii) high resolution sonar inspection, to inspect objects in water with poor visibility and iv) collective autonomous location, where a swarm of autonomous underwater vehicles will act cooperatively. This will provide information to Artificial Intelligence modules which will improve the way detecting illicit and dangerous goods and/or of threats hidden below the water surface is currently done, taking into account sources such as Unmanned Surface Vehicle Systems, (USV), underswater remote operation vehicle (ROV), UAV (Aerial autonomous vehicle) and Port current information sources. The combination of these tools will allow SMAUG to prompt solutions capable of detecting possible threats to infrastructure or vessels, as well as identify vessels with concealed goods.
Analog Photonic Computation (ANBIT)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Advanced grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Systems and Communication Engineering
Panel description: Electrical, electronic, communication, optical and systems engineering
Countries involved: Spain
Call: ERC ADVANCED GRANTS (ERC-2022-ADG, 2022)
Start date: 2023-09-01
End date: 2028-08-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2491250.0
EU funding (EUR): 2491250.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

For over 5 decades, digital electronics has covered the increasing demand for computing power thanks to a periodic doubling of transistor density in integrated circuits. Currently, such scaling law is reaching its fundamental limit, leading to the emergence of a large gamut of applications that cannot be supported by digital electronics, specifically, those that involve real-time analog multi-data processing, e.g., medical diagnostic imaging, drug design and robotic control, among others. Here, an analog computing approach implemented in a reconfigurable non-electronic technology such as programmable integrated photonics (PIP) can be more efficient than digital electronics to perform these emerging applications. However, actual computing models were not conceived to extract the benefits of PIP. The aim of ANBIT is to develop an entirely new class of computation theory – termed Analog Photonic Computation (APC) – specifically designed to unleash the full potential of PIP technology. The core concept revolves around the idea of performing analog operations on a new unit of information, the analog bit or anbit, conceived as a two-dimensional analog function and matched to the building block of PIP circuits. ANBIT will reach its objectives by: 1) developing the theory of APC based on operations (gates) of anbits, 2) translating the principles of APC to the design of PIP circuits by concatenating single- and multi-anbit gates, 3) fabricating, packaging, testing and validating silicon PIP chips capable of implementing complex APC architectures, 4) designing, coordinating, setting and performing experiments that will prove the unique potential of APC in computational and signal processing applications with huge takeover. ANBIT will deliver a new computing paradigm that extracts the full potential of PIP technology, which in turn will have a crucial impact on fundamental and applied research and on our information society.

Keywords: integrated photonics,photonic computing,signal processing,programmable photonics
Deciphering Antigen-Specific Circuits Orchestrating Tolerance. (pTreg circuit)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Immunity, Infection and I mmunotherapy
Panel description: The immune system , related disorders  and their mechanisms , biology of infectious agents and infection, biological basis of prevention and treatment of infectious diseases , innovative imm unological tools and approaches , including  therapies
Countries involved: Israel
Call: ERC STARTING GRANTS (ERC-2024-STG, 2024)
Start date: 2024-08-01
End date: 2029-07-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2175000.0
EU funding (EUR): 2175000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

Peripheral regulatory T cell (pTreg) responses are critical in inhibiting inflammation to external harmless antigens. Studying their regulation and function is crucial for developing treatments to conditions like allergies and inflammatory bowel disease. Antigen-presenting cells (APCs) play a pivotal role in governing tolerance: they induce pTreg, support their terminal differentiation and maintenance and are also modulated by pTreg cells in their antigen-specific tasks. However, unclear findings regarding which cells initiate the pTreg response, coupled with the perception that APC subsets may play a redundant role, have made it challenging to fully understand and explore these critical cellular interactions. Therefore, a major gap existed in our ability to decipher the information exchange within the antigen-specific circuit orchestrating tolerance. We and two other groups recently identified ROR(gamma)t+ APCs as the exclusive initiators of the pTreg response to gut microbes. This discovery, and our newly developed methodological approaches, now provide a unique opportunity to delve into the cellular interactions utilized by pTreg. Building on our previous findings and experimental strategies, we will adopt a reductionist approach to uncover which APCs, beyond RORγt+ cells, shape and maintain the pTreg response (Aim 1). We will combine the chimeric mice method with mouse genetics to devise a new approach that will allow us to conduct functional studies of the pTreg response without inducing inflammation and subsequent indirect effects. With this, we will explore the different instructions pTreg communicates to APC subsets (Aim 2). Lastly, drawing on my expertise in technology development, we will create a toolbox that allows, for the first time, detection and profiling of specific antigen presenters using single-cell sequencing (Aim 3). By unraveling antigen-specific circuits, we strive for a novel understanding of tolerance mechanisms.

Keywords: treg,tolerance,antigen presentation
A completely biological and human tissue-engineered sling produced from Cell-Assembled extracellular Matrix (CAM) in vitro for the treatment of Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI) (SUITEX)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Proof of concept grants
Action type: ERC actions
Countries involved: France
Call: ERC PROOF OF CONCEPT GRANTS (ERC-2024-POC, 2024)
Start date: 2025-01-01
End date: 2026-06-30
Duration (months): 18.0
Total project cost (EUR): 150000.0
EU funding (EUR): 150000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI) is a major medical issue affecting 1 in 5 women. Implantation of synthetic slings, made of knitted plastic monofilament, is the gold standard surgical treatment. They provide mechanical support to the urethra avoiding involuntary loss of urine on effort. However, they are associated with serious complications and some countries have already suspended their use. Hence, there is a strong medical and societal need for breakthrough innovations. The two fundamental problems of synthetic slings are the excessive hardness of the material and the foreign body reaction it creates. We propose a new paradigm by providing a non-living tissue-engineered sling that is soft, yet strong, as well as completely biological and human. Our strategy is based on a unique material: the Cell-Assembled extracellular Matrix (CAM) produced by fibroblasts in vitro. We can produce robust CAM sheets from human or ovine cells with similar properties. They are cut to produce threads subsequently woven into CAM slings. The potential of CAM slings to treat SUI will be demonstrated through 2 main tasks: 1) Development of human and ovine CAM slings with mechanical properties justifying a preclinical study. 2) In vivo validation of allogenic CAM slings in a female sheep model at 2 and 6 months. This PoC will: 1) Prove that human CAM slings can have clinically relevant mechanical properties; 2) Demonstrate that equivalent ovine CAM slings can be successfully implanted in a clinically relevant, allogenic, large animal model; 3) Show a superior integration of ovine CAM slings compared to synthetic slings (reduced immune response and positive remodeling). Overall, this PoC will increase the technology readiness level of our product from 1-2 to 3-4. These outcomes will justify an expanded in vivo analysis and support a commercial endeavor targeting clinical application.
(W)Initiative for womeN and GirlS affected by Female Genital Schistosomiasis (WINGS-4-FGS)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness
Programme: Health
Theme: Public-private partnerships
Destination: Global Health EDCTP3
Action type: Research and Innovation actions
Partnership: EDCTP3 (JU-JTI)
Countries involved: United Kingdom,Ghana,Germany,Congo, The Democratic Republic of the,Switzerland,Madagascar,Rwanda,Côte d'Ivoire,Malawi
Call: Accelerating development and integration of therapeutics against Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in sub-Saharan Africa (HORIZON-JU-GH-EDCTP3-2024-01-two-stage, 2024)
Start date: 2025-07-01
End date: 2029-06-30
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 5036364.69
EU funding (EUR): 5036364.69
Participants: 11
Project status: SIGNED

WINGS-4-FGS addresses pressing needs for tackling Female Genital Schistosomiasis (FGS) in Africa, with the objective of improving case management and therapeutic access while integrating care into sexual and reproductive health strategies. FGS, a consequence of schistosomiasis caused by the parasite Schistosoma haematobium, affects millions of women and girls in sub-Saharan Africa, leading to significant morbidity and reproductive health issues. Current treatment barriers include limited knowledge, associated stigma, a lack of effective treatment, and inadequate diagnostic tools. WINGS-4-FGS proposes a multifaceted, holistic approach and aims to: i) investigate the efficacy of anti-inflammatory medications as add-ons to praziquantel; ii) implement training programs to increase awareness and medical care competency; iii) implement a community-based, two-step, self-sampling diagnostic strategy; iv) assess barriers and facilitators for integrating FGS into existing health services. WINGS-4-FGS aims to generate evidence-based recommendations, enhance local capacity, and engage stakeholders and policymakers to integrate FGS care into African countries’ healthcare systems effectively. Success will lead to improved treatment guidelines and practices that will enable patients and healthcare workers to recognize, diagnose, and treat the disease before symptoms spread, as well as foster affordable local access to treatment and reduce associated stigma. The transdisciplinary consortium brings together 11 renowned partners with expertise in tropical disease research, coming from 3 European (Germany, Switzerland and United Kingdom) and 6 African countries: Democratic Republic of Congo, Côte d’Ivoire and Malawi, where the clinical trials will be conducted, as well as Ghana, Madagascar and Rwanda. WINGS-4-FGS will forge sustainable solutions for future generations of women and girls so they can feel empowered to manage their own reproductive health and overall well-being.

Keywords: female genital schistosomiasis sexual and reproductive health women and girls health evidence based treatment recommendations community engagement national guidelines resource limited settings
Quantum Ptychography: Single-Shot High-Resolution Imaging of 1-100 nm using Coherent EUV - X-ray Light with Quantum Properties (QUANTHOGRAPHY)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Excellent Science
Programme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Postdoctoral Fellowships
Action type: Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions
Panel: Physics
Countries involved: Netherlands,United States
Call: MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2024 (HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01, 2024)
Start date: 2025-07-01
End date: 2028-06-30
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 432467.52
EU funding (EUR): 432467.52
Participants: 2
Project status: SIGNED

The extreme nonlinear upconversion process of high harmonic generation produces bright, fully coherent EUV and X-ray beams at 1-100 nm wavelengths. Numerous theoretical and experimental breakthroughs have led to exquisite attosecond control of various classical and quantum properties of the light - excelling what is possible for visible and infrared lasers. However, a full understanding of the limits of the quantum nonlinear interactions in high harmonic generation is still lacking. In academia and industry, tabletop EUV technology based on high harmonic generation is already addressing grand challenges in nanomaterials science and metrology. Specifically, EUV ptychography - a lensless imaging technique - has demonstrated high-fidelity phase characterization of the high harmonic light, as well as achieved near-diffraction-limited imaging of complex systems, reaching record near-wavelength 10-20 nm spatial resolution. However, ptychography’s scanning modality and use of long-wavelength EUV light limit the tabletop high-resolution real-time applications. In this project, we address fundamental physics questions and technological challenges by performing ptychography in novel quantum regimes of X-ray generation. First, ptychography can enable reconstruction of the quantum phase of harmonics which will allow to quantify strong correlations of electrons and attosecond dynamics in multiply-charged plasmas. Experimental access to the phase space paves a way to attosecond electron correlation spectroscopy and may result in brighter X-ray generation, possibly extending the emission into the multi-keV regime. Second, using state-of-the-art EUV – X-ray sources driven by UV lasers, we aim to overcome the 10 nm resolution barrier in 2D - 3D imaging and enhance the phase contrast using structured quantum light. Finally, non-scanning ptychography will be developed with drastic speed improvement for nanoimaging, biomedical microscopy, and advanced semiconductor metrology.

Keywords: coherent diffractive imaging,high harmonic generation,ptychography,coherent extreme uv light,coherent xrays,attosecond dynamics,orbital angular momentum,ultrafast lasers,lensless imaging
The Tsar's Famines: Economic policy and famine in late Imperial Russia, 1891-1911 (TsarsFAMINE)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Excellent Science
Programme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Postdoctoral Fellowships
Action type: Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions
Panel: Social Sciences and Humanities
Countries involved: Italy
Call: MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2021 (HORIZON-MSCA-2021-PF-01, 2021)
Start date: 2023-09-01
End date: 2025-08-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 188590.08
EU funding (EUR): 188590.08
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The turn of the nineteenth and twentieth century witnessed transformational changes in the Russian economy, marked by rapid integration into global markets and state-led industrialization. In the same period, Russian society faced dramatic crises, the most devastating of which were a series of famines that cost millions of lives. Both dimensions of development have been subject to extensive study, but the fundamental disconnect between these historiographies leaves a yawning knowledge gap. TsarsFAMINE will conduct a systematic examination of famine intensity and famine relief strategies in regions of the Russian Empire between 1891 and 1911, constructing the first comprehensive database of demographic and agricultural statistics at the county level. Using this novel and unique database, a multi-variate analysis will identify the causes of famine including the potentially significant role of trade policy. The project will then combine quantitative and qualitative sources and analytical methods to examine the effectiveness of different famine-relief strategies adopted in different provinces of Russia over the twenty-year period. TsarsFAMINE advance the state-of-the-art in several ways. It will improve our understanding of the deeper socio-economic outcomes of the state policies that propelled the industrialization of late imperial Russia. It will contribute to the broader literature on the effectiveness of famine relief exploiting a richly documented historical case study with significant variation in famine intensity and famine relief policies. The project promises important insights for development experts and international institutions that engage in the study of modern famines and engage in global famine relief. TsarsFAMINE will be a major accelerator in the career of the researcher, who will benefit from relevant expertise and training opportunities at the host institutions, expand her international network, and advance her research agenda.

Keywords: tsarist russia,trade policy,famine,famine relief
Lysine Acetylation: The Scope and Function in Gene Activation (ACT-SIGNAL)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Advanced grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Integrative B iology : from Genes and Genomes to S ystems
Panel description: For all organis ms: Genetics, epigenetics, genomics  and other ‘omics studies , bioinformatics, systems biology , genetic diseases , gene editing, innovative methods and modelling,  ‘omics for personalised  medicine
Countries involved: Denmark
Call: ERC ADVANCED GRANTS (ERC-2023-ADG, 2023)
Start date: 2024-10-01
End date: 2029-09-30
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2500000.0
EU funding (EUR): 2500000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

Transcription, the first and most crucial step in decoding the genome, is orchestrated by an extensive repertoire of transcription factors (TFs). These TFs transmit diverse signals to the nucleus, directing precise temporal and spatial gene activation programs. They employ a diverse array of transcription coactivators to impact transcription, including lysine acetyltransferases (KATs), an evolutionarily conserved group of coactivators found in all eukaryotes. Lysine acetylation serves as a hallmark of active promoters and enhancers, with the level of acetylation correlating with gene expression. Despite a strong correlation between acetylation and gene activation, the causal role of acetylation in transcription activation remains debated. Our recent research has revealed that inhibiting the catalytic activity of CBP/p300 acetyltransferase halts the transcription of numerous genes without impacting DNA accessibility or TF binding. A fundamental question that remains unanswered is whether acetylation is directly involved in gene activation, what the nature of acetylation sites involved is, and what are the underlying mechanisms by which acetylation regulates transcription activation. In ACT-SIGNAL, we will take an integrated approach, combining CRISPR-based gene editing, quantitative proteomics, and genomics to investigate the function of lysine acetyltransferases in proteome-scale acetylation and explore the mechanisms by which acetylation promotes gene activation. Ultimately, ACT-SIGNAL aims to establish an integrated model for acetylation-dependent dynamic gene regulation. This endeavor has the potential to provide a major conceptual advance in our understanding of how transcription factors and acetyltransferases collaborate to promote transcription activation – the crucial first step in genetic information decoding.