Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Dynamics and assemblies of colloidal particles under Magnetic and Optical forces (DYNAMO)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Condensed matter physics
Countries involved: Spain
Call:  (ERC-2013-StG, 2013)
Start date: 2014-01-01
End date: 2019-06-30
Duration (months): 66.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1309320.0
EU funding (EUR): 1309320.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Control of microscale matter through selective manipulation of colloidal building blocks will unveil novel scientific and technological avenues expanding current frontiers of knowledge in Soft Matter systems. I propose to combine state-of-the-art micromanipulation techniques based on magnetic and optical forces to transport, probe and assemble colloidal matter with single particle resolution in real time/space and otherwise unreachable capabilities. In the first part of the project, I will use paramagnetic colloids as externally controllable magnetic inclusions to probe the structural and rheological properties of optically assembled colloid crystals and glasses. In the second part, I will realize a new class of anisotropy patchy magnetic colloids, characterized by selective, directional and reversible interactions and employ these remotely addressable units to realize gels and frustrated crystals (static case), active jamming and synchronization via hydrodynamic coupling (dynamic case). DynaMO project will power a basic experimental research embracing a variety of apparently different systems ranging from deterministic ratchets, viscoelastic crystals, glasses, patchy colloidal gels, frustrated crystals, active jamming, and hydrodynamic waves. The ERC grant will allow me to establish a young and dynamic research group of interdisciplinary nature focused on these issues and aimed at performing high quality research and training/inspiring talented researchers in innovative and challenging scientific projects.

Keywords: ferrite garnet films,superparamagnetic colloids,ratchet effects,jamming,optical tweezers,pinning-depinning transitions
Lattices: algorithms and cryptography (LATTAC)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Computer science and informatics
Countries involved: France
Call:  (ERC-2013-StG, 2013)
Start date: 2014-01-01
End date: 2018-12-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1414401.6
EU funding (EUR): 1414401.6
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Contemporary cryptography, with security relying on the factorisation and discrete logarithm problems, is ill-prepared for the future: It will collapse with the rise of quantum computers, its costly algorithms require growing resources, and it is utterly ill-fitted for the fast-developing trend of externalising computations to the cloud. The emerging field of *lattice-based cryptography* (LBC) addresses these concerns: it resists would-be quantum computers, trades memory for drastic run-time savings, and enables computations on encrypted data, leading to the prospect of a privacy-preserving cloud economy. LBC could supersede contemporary cryptography within a decade. A major goal of this project is to enable this technology switch. I will strengthen the security foundations, improve its performance, and extend the range of its functionalities. A lattice is the set of integer linear combinations of linearly independent real vectors, called lattice basis. The core computational problem on lattices is the Shortest Vector Problem (SVP): Given a basis, find a shortest non-zero point in the spanned lattice. The hardness of SVP is the security foundation of LBC. In fact, SVP and its variants arise in a great variety of areas, including computer algebra, communications (coding and cryptography), computer arithmetic and algorithmic number theory, further motivating the study of lattice algorithms. In the matter of *algorithm design*, the community is quickly nearing the limits of the classical paradigms. The usual approach, lattice reduction, consists in representing a lattice by a basis and steadily improving its quality. I will assess the full potential of this framework and, in the longer term, develop alternative approaches to go beyond the current limitations. This project aims at studying all computational aspects of lattices, with cryptography as the driving motive. The strength of LattAC lies in its theory-to-practice and interdisciplinary methodological approach

Keywords: euclidean lattices,algorithms (analysis,design and implementation),cryptography (public-key,post-quantum,theoretical),algorithmic number theory,computer algebra,coding,complexity theory
INDUSTRIAL RECYCLING OF CFRP BY EMULSIFICATION (IRECE)

Framework: FP7 — Cooperation
Programme: Joint Technology Initiatives (Annex IV-SP1)
Theme: Public-private partnerships
Destination: Clean Sky
Action type: Article 171 of the Treaty
Partnership: CLEAN-SKY (Art-185)
Countries involved: Italy,Italy
Call:  (SP1-JTI-CS-2012-03, 2012)
Start date: 2013-04-01
End date: 2014-03-31
Duration (months): 12.0
Total project cost (EUR): 227350.0
EU funding (EUR): 164450.0
Participants: 2
Project status: CLOSED

The project aim at developing a plant for the sustainable, cost effective, purely physical recycling of thermosetting and thermoplastic carbon fibres reinforced composites typically obtained from the dismantling of End-of-Life Aircrafts. The plant is based on an innovative process of emulsification of grinded and sorted CFRP into a thermoplastic matrix, followed by lamination or pelletization. Potential application of the recycled compounds are automotive, interior and outdoor design, as well as non-structural components in aircraft industry. The latter should have properties comparable to those of virgin materials, but with lower cost. A feasibility plan in the real industrial environment will be obtained, also considering the possibility of adaptation of existing industrial plants. Technical and economical implications will be highlighted, together with their impact on the environment during the production cycle with reference to the healthy human oriented working. A risk assessment plan will be supplied.

Keywords: cfrp,polystyrene,emulsification,thermoplastic composites
Metal transport in the tripartite symbiosis arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi-legume-rhizobia (METALSYM)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Applied life sciences and biotechnology
Countries involved: Spain
Call:  (ERC-2013-StG, 2013)
Start date: 2014-02-01
End date: 2019-12-31
Duration (months): 71.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1499404.8
EU funding (EUR): 1499404.8
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Plant nutrition is essential to understand any physiological process in plant biology, as well as to improve crops, and agricultural practices. The root microbiome plays an important role in plant nutrition. The best characterized microbiome elements are two plant endosymbionts: arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and rhizobia. AMF are responsible for delivering most of the mineral nutrients required by the host plant. Similarly, rhizobia in legume nodules provide the vast majority of the nitrogen requirements. Given their importance for plant nutrition a significant effort in understanding macronutrient exchange among the symbionts has been made. However, very little is known about metal micronutrient exchange. This is in contrast to the role of metals as essential nutrients for life (30-50 % of the proteins are metalloproteins) and to the yield-limiting effect that low soil metal bioavailability has worldwide. AMF are a source of metals, transferring the incorporated metals to the host,. Nitrogen-fixing rhizobia in mature nodules act as metal sinks, since the main enzymes required are highly expressed metalloproteins. We hypothesize that by changing the expression levels of the metal transporters involved, we will increase nitrogen fixation rates and increase plant metal uptake, resulting in higher crop production and fruit metal biofortification. Towards this goal, we will answer: i) How are metals incorporated from the AMF into the plant?, ii) How are metals delivered to the nodule?, iii) How are metals recovered from senescent nodules?, and iv) How does the natural variation of symbiotic-specific metal transporters affect yields and metal content of the fruit? In this project, we will use a multidisciplinary approach that involves metallotranscriptomics, plant physiology and molecular biology, and state-of-the art synchrotron based X-ray fluorescence to study metal distributions.

Keywords: metal homeostasis,metal transport,plant-microbe interaction,mycorrhiza,nodules,legume,plant nutrition,medicago
Molecular Robots Exhibiting Collective Behaviours (MRECB)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Diagnostic tools, therapies and public health
Countries involved: Israel
Call:  (ERC-2013-StG, 2013)
Start date: 2013-10-01
End date: 2018-09-30
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1496063.2
EU funding (EUR): 1496063.2
Participants: 2
Project status: CLOSED

Cells carry out biochemical and physiological functions in the body by intricately controlling the position and activity of matter at the nanoscale. In contrast, our ability to exert equivalent spatiotemporal control over therapeutic molecules is extremely inadequate. That is the reason why although we have very effective therapeutics, their use is often limited by excess toxicity and adverse effects. We have recently described an autonomous, logic-guided DNA origami nanorobot, capable of transporting molecular payloads between selected points of origin and target, and demonstrated its selectivity and efficacy in inducing tumor cell apoptosis. Here, we propose to create nanorobots that can be programmed to exhibit collective behaviours. This will provide unprecedented, nearly absolute spatiotemporal control over many therapeutic molecules simultaneously. Using the molecular equivalents of computer programs, which we describe here, these nanorobots will be able to communicate with each other, coordinate timing of activity, form meta-structures, exhibit quorum-sensing capabilities and emulate logical operations using biological cues as bits. This proposal describes nanorobot design and control, and shows how the nanorobots can be modified to exhibit improved pharmacokinetic performance with negligible immunogenicity and toxicity. This technology could revolutionize therapeutic paradigms and procedures, along with other aspects of current medicine.

Keywords: dna nanotechnology,nanorobotics
Mutational and Functional Analysis of the Melanoma Genome (MELGEN)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Genetics,Genomics,Bioinformatics and Systems Biology
Countries involved: Israel
Call:  (ERC-2013-StG, 2013)
Start date: 2013-10-01
End date: 2018-09-30
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1500000.0
EU funding (EUR): 1500000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Cancer is a genetic disease that involves the accumulation of somatic mutations. Comprehensive understanding of the mutations that cause cancer and their functional effects is a critical step towards: a) global understanding of cancer development and tumor phenotypes, b) sub-classification of cancer based on mutational signatures, and c) developing targeted therapies based on mutations in specific tumors. Recent advances in high-throughput genomic technologies provide an unprecedented opportunity to systematically interrogate the cancer genetic landscape. However, although ample genomic sequences are becoming available, so far these have only provided limited information concerning the complexity of the cancer genome. Furthermore, our understanding of the functional effects of identified mutations is hampered by the difficulty in comprehensively assessing their biological and biochemical effects in a physiological manner. I propose to overcome this major challenge in our understanding of cancer genomics by integrating functional and genetic techniques using melanoma as an example. I propose pioneering high-throughput applications of somatic cell knockout technologies to evaluate newly discovered mutations. The tools developed by this proposal will make it possible to decisively determine the function(s) of proteins that are intimately linked to the pathogenesis of cancer. Funding for this project will enable us to demonstrate the feasibility of initiating a larger scale approach to the ongoing identification of a dynamic and evolving cancer interactome. Furthermore, we will analyze 300 melanoma whole exomes, the largest melanoma dataset to date, to: (i) identify new targetable mutations and (ii) determine the roles of synonymous mutations, which have rarely been studied in cancer. The proposed research will reveal the mechanisms underlying melanoma tumorgenesis, which will in turn generate insights to aid the treatment of melanoma patients.

Keywords: cancer genetics,somatic mutation,sequencing,targeted therapy,signal transduction
Computational design of novel protein function in antibodies (ABDESIGN)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Molecular and Structural Biology and Biochemistry
Countries involved: Israel
Call:  (ERC-2013-StG, 2013)
Start date: 2013-09-01
End date: 2018-08-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1499930.0
EU funding (EUR): 1499930.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

We propose to elucidate the structural design principles of naturally occurring antibody complementarity-determining regions (CDRs) and to computationally design novel antibody functions. Antibodies represent the most versatile known system for molecular recognition. Research has yielded many insights into antibody design principles and promising biotechnological and pharmaceutical applications. Still, our understanding of how CDRs encode specific loop conformations lags far behind our understanding of structure-function relationships in non-immunological scaffolds. Thus, design of antibodies from first principles has not been demonstrated. We propose a computational-experimental strategy to address this challenge. We will: (a) characterize the design principles and sequence elements that rigidify antibody CDRs. Natural antibody loops will be subjected to computational modeling, crystallography, and a combined in vitro evolution and deep-sequencing approach to isolate sequence features that rigidify loop backbones; (b) develop a novel computational-design strategy, which uses the >1000 solved structures of antibodies deposited in structure databases to realistically model CDRs and design them to recognize proteins that have not been co-crystallized with antibodies. For example, we will design novel antibodies targeting insulin, for which clinically useful diagnostics are needed. By accessing much larger sequence/structure spaces than are available to natural immune-system repertoires and experimental methods, computational antibody design could produce higher-specificity and higher-affinity binders, even to challenging targets; and (c) develop new strategies to program conformational change in CDRs, generating, e.g., the first allosteric antibodies. These will allow targeting, in principle, of any molecule, potentially revolutionizing how antibodies are generated for research and medicine, providing new insights on the design principles of protein functional sites.

Keywords: de novo design of function,computational design of antibodies,allostery,rosetta,computational methods development,in vitro evolution,negative design,loop modeling
Controlling Tunneling Charge Transport with Organic Synthesis (MOLECSYNCON)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Physical and Analytical Chemical sciences
Countries involved: Netherlands
Call:  (ERC-2013-StG, 2013)
Start date: 2013-08-01
End date: 2018-07-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1494863.0
EU funding (EUR): 1494863.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

This project pushes Molecular Electronics (ME) beyond simple distant-dependence studies towards controlling tunneling charge transport with organic synthesis by manipulating the intrinsic properties of organic molecules to shape the tunneling barrier. The measurements will be done with two tools that I have developed; Eutectic Ga-In (EGaIn), which is increasingly being used by the ME community as a robust method for measuring charge-transport through self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) and SAM-templated nanogap (STAN) electrodes, which is a newer tool that allows the facile coupling of light and electric fields into SAM-based tunneling junctions. These tools are critical for performing physical-organic studies in practical tunneling junctions in which the molecules themselves define the smallest dimension of the junction; spectroscopic tools that rely on AFM or STM define the junction with a piezo and are not directly applicable to practical devices, which is the underlying motivation for all research in ME. Two sets of molecules, one cross-conjugated and one combining flexible alkane tails with rigid oligophenylene moieties will be synthesized and investigated; more as necessary. Both series of molecules are designed around straightforward physical-organic studies meant to elucidate structure/property relationships empirically by measuring the influence of systematic structural/electronic changes on the electrical properties of tunneling junctions. The molecules will be incorporated into both EGaIn and STAN junctions to unravel the effects of the energies of the frontier orbitals, dipole moments, and other non-length-dependent synthetic handles. In the STAN junctions, the molecules will be gated with electric fields to examine more closely dynamic shifts in orbital energies and the role of polarizability.

Keywords: physical-organic chemistry,nanofabrication,electroactive materials,tunneling junctions,self-assembled monolayers
Quantifying the atmospheric implications of the solid phase and phase transitions of secondary organic aerosols (QAPPA)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Earth system science
Countries involved: Finland
Call:  (ERC-2013-StG, 2013)
Start date: 2014-02-01
End date: 2019-01-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1499612.0
EU funding (EUR): 1499612.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

In our ground-breaking paper published in Nature we showed, that the atmospheric Secondary Organic Aerosol (SOA) particles formed in boreal forest can be amorphous solid in their physical phase. Our result has already re-directed the SOA related research. In the several follow-up studies, it has been shown that SOA particles generated in the laboratory chamber from different pre-cursors and in various conditions are amorphous solid. My ultimate task is to quantify the atmospheric implications of the phase state of SOA particles. Solid phase of the particles implies surface-confined chemistry and kinetic vapour uptake limitations because mass transport (diffusion) of reactants within the aerosol particle bulk becomes the rate limiting step. The diffusivity of the molecules in particle bulk depends on the viscosity of the SOA material. Hence, it would be a scientific break-through, if the kinetic limitations or the viscosity of the SOA particles could be estimated since these factors are a key to quantify the atmospheric implications of amorphous solid phase of the particles. To achieve the final goal of the research, measurement method development is needed as currently there is no method to quantify the viscosity of the SOA particles, or to study the kinetic limitations and surface-confined chemistry caused by the solid phase of nanometer sized SOA particles. The methodology that will be developed in the proposed study, aims ambitiously to quantify the essential factors affecting the atmospheric processes of the SOA particles. The developed methodology will be use in extensive measurement campaigns performed both in SOA chambers and in atmospheric measurement sites in Europe and in US maximising the global significance of the results gained in this study. The project enables two scientific breakthroughs: 1) the new methodology applicable in the field of nanoparticle research and 2) the quantified atmospheric implications of the amorphous solid phase of particles.

Keywords: secondary organic aerosol,amorphous materials,measurement methods,atmospheric processes,nanoaerosols
Rapid parsimonious modelling (RAPID)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Computer science and informatics
Countries involved: Israel
Call:  (ERC-2013-StG, 2013)
Start date: 2013-11-01
End date: 2019-08-31
Duration (months): 70.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1469200.0
EU funding (EUR): 1469200.0
Participants: 2
Project status: CLOSED

Parsimony, manifested as variously structured sparse and low rank representations of data, has been shown as a tremendously successful model in numerous domains of science, including signal and image processing, computer vision, and machine learning problems. Despite this success, parsimonious representation pursuit approaches practiced today face serious limitations stemming from their reliance on iterative optimization. In this project, we propose to develop a novel approach to parsimonious modeling that puts the pursuit process itself at the center, surfacing crucial aspects that are currently lost deep inside the optimization machinery. First, we will study the theoretical performance limitations of pursuit processes constrained by a fixed computational complexity budget, devising bounds on the tradeoff between performance and complexity (in the spirit of the rate-distortion tradeoff). Second, we will develop a principled way to construct families of pursuit processes that approach optimal performance at fixed complexity given a specific input data distribution, and devise tools for learning such processes on real data. Abandoning iterative representation pursuit in favour of a learned fixed-complexity function can lead to a dramatic improvement in performance, enabling previously impossible applications. It will also allow including parsimonious models into higher-level optimization problems, leading to novel modeling capabilities. In lieu of the existing generative parsimonious models, we will develop novel discriminative counterparts for uni- and multi-modal data, and show their utility in large-scale similarity learning. We will also construct efficient parsimonious modeling tools for problems involving unknown data transformation or correspondence. We will apply these methods to several challenging real-world problems in signal processing, computer vision, medical imaging, and multimedia retrieval, which will be developed to the level of prototype systems.

Keywords: sparse and redundant representation,sparse coding,sparse modeling,dictionary learning,compressive sensing,similarity learning,big data,multimedia retrieval,multimodal data,source separation