Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
InteGRated systems for Effective ENvironmEntal Remediation (GREENER)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Industrial Leadership
Programme: Nanotechnologies, Advanced Materials, Advanced Manufacturing and Processing, and Biotechnology
Theme: Biotechnology
Action type: Research and Innovation actions
Countries involved: Spain,Ireland,Italy,Germany,Spain,Germany,Spain,China,Belgium,Belgium,Slovenia,Greece,France,Czechia,United Kingdom,United Kingdom,United Kingdom
Call: New biotechnologies for environmental remediation (RIA) (H2020-NMBP-BIO-CN-2018, 2018)
Start date: 2019-03-01
End date: 2023-08-31
Duration (months): 54.0
Total project cost (EUR): 5558061.5
EU funding (EUR): 4964168.24
Participants: 26
Project status: SIGNED

Increasing chemical pollution seriously compromises the health of ecosystems and humans worldwide. Hazardous compounds, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, heavy metals and emerging pollutants contaminate soils/sediments, ground and surface waters. To prevent/minimise the risks associated with the accumulations of these chemicals in the environment it is key to establish low-cost/green methodologies for the treatment and redevelopment of contaminated areas. Several physico-chemical methods have been explored to remove pollutants in the environment, but these are complex, energy consuming or expensive. The exploitation of the capability of bacteria, fungi and phototrophs to transform toxic contaminants into harmless end-products, can lead instead to cheap and sustainable bioremediation alternatives. GREENER proposes the development of innovative, efficient and low-cost hybrid solutions that integrate bioremediation technologies with bio-electrochemical systems (BES). BES, such as microbial fuel cells, break down organic contaminants through the action of electroactive bacteria while generating electrical current. We will investigate the synergetic effect of different bioremediation strategies and demonstrate effective pollutants removal in water and soil/sediments, while generating side products of interest, such as bioelectricity. The type and entity of contamination, along with the specific physico-chemical/microbial characteristics of the environment to be depolluted, will feed into a decision-making toolbox. The latter will allow the establishment of ad hoc integrated solutions, which will take into account effectiveness of biodegradation, costs, environmental risks and social aspects. Fundamental research will be performed at lab-scale, while pilot-tests will be used to proof the scaling-up feasibility for field applications. Environmental benefits and risks, compared to standard remediation approaches, including energy efficiency, will be investigated.

Keywords: bioremediation,water,soil,bio electrochemical systems,mixed cultures,biopile,ecopile,phytoremediation,hybrid systems,hydrocarbons,heavy metals,emerging contaminants,validation,scale up
CRYSTAL CLEAR: determining the impact of charge on crystal nucleation (CRYSTAL CLEAR)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Consolidator grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Earth system science
Panel description: Physical geography, geology, geophysics, atmospheric sciences, oceanography, climatology, cryology, ecology, global environmental change, biogeochemical cycles, natural resources management
Countries involved: Netherlands
Call: ERC Consolidator Grant (ERC-2018-COG, 2018)
Start date: 2019-04-01
End date: 2024-09-30
Duration (months): 66.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2000000.0
EU funding (EUR): 2000000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

All of the crystals that form in water on Earth are formed through reaction between oppositely charged ions. In these crystals, the ions are present in an ideal, charge-balanced ionic ratio. In contrast, the natural solutions in which they form, contain widely diverging ionic ratios. When crystals nucleate from natural solutions, they will be charged, and charge has a massive impact on the behaviour of small new crystals. Most nucleation experiments have been conducted in solutions with charge-balanced ionic ratios. This leads to uncharged crystal formation, which can be described with nucleation theories based on uncharged gas condensation into droplets. My pilot data show that this does not apply when ionic ratios diverge. New crystals then form and grow much slower than expected. Similarly, in natural solutions, crystals are often expected to form, but they do not, and vice versa. Clearly, we still have no idea how, why and how fast crystals nucleate in Earth surface environments. In this project, I will test the hypothesis that ionic ratio has a dramatic impact on nucleation: crystals will be charged, and this charge will determine their size, how and how fast they grow, aggregate, and transform. I will conduct state-of-the-art experiments and analyses that will provide in situ knowledge of the impact of ionic ratio on the charge, size, growth, aggregation and transformation of nuclei. Experiments will be complemented with advanced modelling to derive charged-nuclei stability and surrounding water properties. The results will be assimilated in a new crystal nucleation theory. CRYSTAL CLEAR will focus on barite, calcite and pyrite as examples of highly relevant Earth Materials. The outcome will be improved geoengineering options such as drinking water production and CO2 sequestration. My project will bring a new vision on crystal formation in nature, with radically improved predictions of rates and mechanisms, and a paradigm shift in nucleation theory.

Keywords: nucleation,growth,mineral transformations,colloids
Direct detection of cancer-causing mutations in tumour specimens (INSITUMUT)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Proof of concept grants
Action type: ERC actions
Countries involved: United Kingdom
Call: ERC-Proof of Concept-2016 (ERC-2016-PoC, 2016)
Start date: 2018-03-01
End date: 2019-08-31
Duration (months): 18.0
Total project cost (EUR): 149688.0
EU funding (EUR): 149688.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Cancers develop because they acquire changes (mutations) in a specific set of genes that promote their growth. Different mutations are associated with cancer aggressiveness, patient prognosis and/or the response to treatment. Although these mutations can usually be detected by extracting DNA from tumour specimens, this provides incomplete information because it is common for mutations not to occur in every cell that makes up the cancer. In a number of research and clinical settings, it is of great use to learn which regions or cells within a cancer carry a particular mutation. To do this, we need to detect mutations in space by examining sections of tissue. There are several potential benefits, including sensitive detection of cancer cells that have been left behind after operation or that will cause relapse after treatment. Here, we shall develop a method to detect mutations in situ in cancer specimens. The INSITUMUT technique uses molecular probes that are specific to mutations in cancer genes and bind to RNA expressed from those genes. We have piloted the method successfully in collaboration with Advanced Cellular Diagnostics Inc., sensitively identifying cancer cells that have acquired specific mutations in the oncogene KRAS and specifically distinguishing them from cells and cancers with normal KRAS. Before making the method available, our workplan in this proposal involves determining probe sensitivity and specificity more accurately, expanding the range of cancer-causing mutations that are detected, developing methods for simultaneous detection of multiple mutations, extending the technique as far as possible to detection of mutations in DNA, and automating the mutation detection process. Subject to technical feasibility and commercial assessments, we shall disseminate the INSITUMUT method to non-profit sectors on a cost recovery basis, and make it generally available as a commercial service in partnership with SME partner Oxford Cancer Biomarkers.

Keywords: in situ mutation detection,cancer,histological sections,tumour clonality
MAXIMISING SUNLIGHT RESOURCES FOR COST, ENERGY AND YIELD EFFICIENT GREENHOUSES (SUN4GREEN)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Societal Challenges
Programme: Food security, sustainable agriculture and forestry, marine and maritime and inland water research and the bioeconomy
Theme: Sustainable agriculture and forestry
Action type: SME instrument
Countries involved: Israel,Spain
Call: Stimulating the innovation potential of SMEs for sustainable and competitive agriculture, forestry, agri-food and bio-based sectors (H2020-SMEINST-2-2016-2017, 2016)
Start date: 2017-04-01
End date: 2019-09-30
Duration (months): 30.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1830796.25
EU funding (EUR): 1281557.38
Participants: 2
Project status: CLOSED

Greenhouse agriculture has allowed converting unproductive lands into modern agriculture exploitations, providing an active control tool for moderating the exposure to climate fluctuations and environmental risks, leading to a dramatic increase of crop yields and elongation of the growing seasons. Globally, GHs are concentrated in Asia and the Mediterranean Basin. Excluding China, the world GH coverage can be estimated in more than 450,000 hectares from which not less than 200,000 hectares are located in Europe, mainly in the Mediterranean Basin. However, European GHs are facing a challenge, due to a 40% reduction of food production subsidies in the last 40 years while non-European competitors with lower operational costs are increasing. RUFEPA and SUNBOOST are developing SUN4GREEN with the aim of delivering to GH farmers a dual revenue solution with integrated photovoltaics and crop harvesting to reduce energy costs while targeting high crop yields. This will turn GHs to a stable livelihood by generating a new and reliable electricity income stream in addition to their principal agriculture business. SUN4GREEN will also maximize land use and its productivity by integrating PV systems with GHs in the same land footprint. Greenhouse market is growing at a stable 10% CAGR. Within this market, Smart GH segment is the one presenting major growth, being positioned as a reliable option to increase crop production through LED lighting, HVAC and automatized irrigation systems among other high-tech equipment. In fact, Smart GH market is expected to reach more than €1,060 million with CAGR of 14.18% from 2015 to 2020, having Europe the largest market share among all regions. Furthermore significant number of PV installations have demonstrated its potential to drive economic growth in rural areas. SUN4GREEN will support also the market growth of solar PV (€74 billion in 2013 to €311 billion by 2020) in the agricultural sector without compromising productive space for crops

Keywords: horticulture,solar,photovoltaic,greenhouse,crop,dual harvesting
Connectivity, plasticity and function of an olfactory memory circuit (MCircuits)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Advanced grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Neuroscience and Disorders of the Nervous System
Panel description: Nervous system development, homeostasis and ageing, nervous system function and dysfunction, systems neuroscience and modelling, biological basis of cognitive processes and of behaviour, neurological and mental disorders
Countries involved: Switzerland
Call: ERC Advanced Grant (ERC-2016-ADG, 2016)
Start date: 2017-10-01
End date: 2023-09-30
Duration (months): 72.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2495838.75
EU funding (EUR): 2495838.75
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

The brain accumulates knowledge by experience-driven modifications of neuronal connectivity and creates models of the world that enable intelligent behavior. It is thought that these processes are based on autoassociative mechanisms of circuit plasticity. However, direct tests of these fundamental concepts are difficult because they require dense reconstructions of neuronal wiring diagrams. We will dissect structural and functional mechanisms of autoassociative memory in telencephalic area Dp of adult zebrafish, the homologue of olfactory cortex. The small size of the zebrafish brain provides essential advantages for exhaustive measurements of neuronal activity and connectivity patterns. Key predictions of theoretical models will be examined by analyzing effects of odor discrimination learning on the dynamics and stability of odor representations in Dp. The underlying structural circuit modifications will be examined in the same brains by circuit reconstruction using serial block face scanning electron microscopy (SBEM). The dense reconstruction of neuronal ensembles responding to learned and novel odors will allow for advanced analyses of structure-function relationships that have not been possible so far. Odor stimulation in a virtual environment will be combined with optogenetic activation or silencing of neuromodulatory inputs to write and disrupt specific olfactory memories and to analyze the effects on behavior and connectivity. The underlying cellular mechanisms of synaptic plasticity and metaplasticity will be examined by electrophysiology, imaging and optogenetic approaches. Mutants will be used to assess effects of disease-related mutations on circuit structure, function and plasticity. These mechanistic analyses are guided by theoretical models, expected to generate direct insights into elementary computations underlying higher brain functions, and likely to uncover causal links between circuit connectivity, circuit function and behavior.

Keywords: connectomics,optogenetics,zebrafish,olfaction,neural circuit,memory,plasticity,electron microscopy
Microcircuitry of the Drosophila visual system (MicroCyFly)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Neuroscience and Disorders of the Nervous System
Panel description: Nervous system development, homeostasis and ageing, nervous system function and dysfunction, systems neuroscience and modelling, biological basis of cognitive processes and of behaviour, neurological and mental disorders
Countries involved: Germany,Germany
Call: ERC Starting Grant (ERC-2016-STG, 2016)
Start date: 2017-07-01
End date: 2023-03-31
Duration (months): 69.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1497712.0
EU funding (EUR): 1196163.64
Participants: 2
Project status: SIGNED

Neural networks process sensory inputs into outputs that guide behavioral responses. The computations that take place can be complex, suggesting intricate circuit architecture. While we are starting to unravel the circuit components of a specific neural computation, the extraction of visual motion cues, we realize that the circuits are more complex than anticipated. Here, we aim to reveal the full microcircuitry of behaviorally relevant motion-detecting pathways with complex physiological properties. To understand the network implementation of a critical computation, we are studying motion detection in Drosophila. A hallmark is the extraction of direction-selective (DS) signals, which is achieved by spatiotemporal correlations of inputs. Neurons that are sufficient to set up DS signals have been identified, but are often not behaviorally necessary, suggesting redundant circuits at minimum. We have isolated a core visual pathway that is required for behavioral responses to motion cues, but displays physiological properties that are not in line with current models of motion detection. Recent data also show that DS neurons have complex receptive fields. Further, single neuronal inputs feed into both ON and OFF pathways, which later converge to control the behavioral output. What are the microcircuits that shape such receptive fields? And how do individual neurons, or individual synaptic connections contribute to one specific pathway and what is their specific computational role? We will dissect how complex receptive field properties and behavior are shaped by individual neurons. Further, we will develop a new tool to conditionally inactivate specific synaptic connection, Flp-TEV. This will allow to determine how individual synapses contribute to distinct downstream circuit properties, and behavior. We are thus proposing to map the circuit architecture of a behaviorally relevant visual pathway and understand how complex microcircuits perform relevant computation

Keywords: visual system circuitry,subcellular microcircuit dissection,motion vision,drosophila,synapse
New-generation database capacity planning optimization (GOVERNOR)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Industrial Leadership
Programme: Information and Communication Technologies
Action type: SME instrument
Countries involved: Finland
Call: Open Disruptive Innovation Scheme (H2020-SMEINST-1-2016-2017, 2017)
Start date: 2017-08-01
End date: 2017-11-30
Duration (months): 4.0
Total project cost (EUR): 71429.0
EU funding (EUR): 50000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Megatrends of outsourcing, virtualization and migration of data to the cloud lead companies to invest massively in IT infrastructure. This is due to current capacity planning techniques being based on manual estimations with very limited automatization to anticipate necessary growth. Based on their estimates, they invest in excess resources, leading to an over dimensioned infrastructure in which 30 to 50% of capacity is not used. DB PRO have developed a unique and patented new-generation solution that allows capacity optimisation of large scale data platforms achieving savings above 50% from traditional approaches: Governor. Our tool is based on server consolidation, an approach to the efficient use of computer server resources to reduce the total number of servers than an organisation requires. Governor® software enables companies to save in licensing and services fees by giving an accurate system’s capacity optimization without compromising databases’ performance. Since 2015, we have been able to test a Beta version of our technology at a real company client. In 2016 we developed Governor®5.0, a version with new features applicable to physical environments, which has also been tested at another company. In both cases the companies achieved savings of 50%. We have since also signed a partnership with Crayon, one of the largest Software Asset Management (SAM) and licence reseller of Microsoft licenses companies in Norther Europe. With our next GOVERNOR generation, we will adapt our technology to target virtual environments (75% of current servers) and expand toward other database platforms. We will also further develop our successfully proven business model, based on establishing distribution agreements with SAM and licence reseller companies, aiming to eventually reach all European companies with sizeable server platforms.

Keywords: data centers,capacity optimization,capacity planning,data migration,european smes
Behavioural Individuality in C. elegans (BICE)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: Marie-Sklodowska-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Individual Fellowships (IF)-Standard European Fellowships
Action type: Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions
Panel: Life Sciences
Countries involved: Spain
Call: Individual Fellowships (H2020-MSCA-IF-2018, 2018)
Start date: 2020-09-01
End date: 2023-05-14
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 172932.48
EU funding (EUR): 172932.48
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Animal behaviour is shaped by genetic traits, memories of past experiences and current internal states. Even in isogenic animal populations in a controlled environment, individual behaviour can be found. I obtained evidence that unexpectedly, the behaviour of adult C. elegans nematodes is influenced by the age of their mother. Progeny from young mothers explore less and dwell more in the same spot. I will exploit the model to characterise how the physiology of one generation determines the behaviour of the next generation. Second, I will determine additional environmental factors that imprint on C. elegans during development and thus modulate behaviour later in life. To examine the mechanism of maternal-age induced and environmentally induced behavioural variation, I will combine innovative genetic and pharmacological tools with state-of-the animal tracking and quantitative behavioural data analysis. I aim to determine the molecules and cells that sense and transmit the signals during development, and characterise the changes in neuronal wiring affecting behaviour in adult animals. Funding for this project will allow me to describe how 1) transgenerational effects such as maternal age and 2) environmental stimuli modulate behaviour later in life, in an amenable model organism such as C. elegans. Both parts of the project will partially overlap in time to complete the action within a 2-year time frame. As components of the nervous system are largely conserved between the nematodes and mammals, findings are likely to be extrapolated to higher animals.

Keywords: behaviour,imprinting,c elegans,maternal age,environmental stimuli
CoaBC from the Coenzyme A pathway of Mycobacterium tuberculosis as an antimicrobial drug target (Mtb CoaBC)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: Marie-Sklodowska-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Individual Fellowships (IF)-Standard European Fellowships
Action type: Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions
Panel: Chemistry
Countries involved: United Kingdom
Call: Individual Fellowships (H2020-MSCA-IF-2017, 2017)
Start date: 2018-04-19
End date: 2021-08-24
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 183454.8
EU funding (EUR): 183454.8
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The increasing prevalence of drug-resistant microorganisms worldwide and the shortage of novel antimicrobial chemotherapeutics in the pipeline places our capacity to treat infectious diseases under serious threat. Antimicrobial chemotherapies with novel modes of action are desperately needed. However, the development of such therapies is a formidable task associated with a high failure rate. This has been partly attributed to the limited diversity of high-throughput screening libraries and difficulties converting potent inhibitors of targets into cell-active leads. We intend to use a novel, unified and efficient approach to target, in multiple pathogenic microorganisms, the conserved biosynthesis pathway of Coenzyme A (CoA), an essential enzyme cofactor. Using powerful “fragment-based” approaches, pioneered in Cambridge, we have developed a series of highly potent inhibitors of the most vulnerable enzyme target in the bacterial CoA biosynthesis pathway of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), Mtb CoaBC, a target which has recently been validated in experiments using conditional knockdown mutants in CoA pathway genes. We will focus our initial efforts in confirming that tuberculosis (TB) can be combatted with small molecule CoaBC inhibitors. In addition, we propose to assess the cross-species activity of these inhibitors on a panel of other pathogenic microorganisms, leveraging this research and potentially generating leads for antibiotics against these other pathogens.

Keywords: coenzyme a,tuberculosis,coabc,target validation,durggability,antibiotics