Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Macrocyclic receptors for selective anion extraction (MAREXT)

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: Spain
Call: Individual Fellowships (H2020-MSCA-IF-2016, 2016)
Start date: 2018-05-02
End date: 2020-05-01
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 170121.6
EU funding (EUR): 170121.6
Participants: 1
Project status: TERMINATED

Developing selective receptor molecules for biologically relevant anions will enable major technological advances for rapid sensing, and extraction and removal of toxic components from waste waters. However, selective binding in water with synthetic receptors is difficult to achieve since water effectively competes with receptor-anion interactions. MAREXT aims to offer pioneering solutions for the selective binding of targeted anions in water by novel calixpyrrole assemblies: micelles with hydrophilic polyethylene glycol tails for the selective recognition of anti-inflammatory drugs with carboxylate groups. The project focuses on advanced synthesis of the calixpyrrole receptors, preparation and characterization of the micellar assemblies, and extraction of target anions from water. MAREXT combines the expertise of the experienced researcher and Prof. Ballester’s group promoting multidisciplinarity and knowledge transfer in fields of colloids and molecular recognition. The fellowship provides training for the candidate in advanced synthesis, chromatography and DOSY NMR, and transferable skills such as research project management, grant writing and scientific communication. The results of the high-impact project will improve the capacity of the candidate to achieve her next career stage and improve the competitiveness of Europe in extraction technologies.

Keywords: micelle,calixpyrrole,anion binding,cloud point extraction,organic synthesis
Remote strategies for fossil finding: multispectral images and species distributional modelling applications for large-scale palaeontological surveys. (REFIND)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: Marie-Sklodowska-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Individual Fellowships (IF)-Global Fellowships
Action type: Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions
Panel: Environment and Geosciences
Countries involved: Italy,United States
Call: Individual Fellowships (H2020-MSCA-IF-2017, 2017)
Start date: 2018-09-01
End date: 2023-01-18
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 262269.0
EU funding (EUR): 262269.0
Participants: 2
Project status: CLOSED

The REFIND project aims to create a standardized methodology for large-scale palaeontological surveys. The protocol will be applied to the recovery of single exposed fossils, by comparing high-resolution multispectral images with the response of fossils to laboratory-light wavelengths. Where fossils cannot be directly detectable, my method applies the use of GIS spatial analyses to the palaeogeographical distribution of species, filtered with biotic and abiotic data, to recognize suitable areas for new fossil localities. Images will be acquired by multispectral sensors placed on satellites and drones, and predictions will be computed using softwares for spatial raster analyses. Results will consist of thematic maps predicting the location of new exposed fossils and sites, and coordinates will be partially verified through field expeditions. The proposed software tools are available to the large public only since recent years, and their application is now crucially important for preventing the destruction of undiscovered palaeontological heritage by humans and climate changes. The REFIND project will allow researchers to minimize costs and risks related to field research, and to access the first Fossil Endmember Library and to the largest database for Late Pleistocene fossil evidence. The implementation of my results will change the approach of European researchers to palaeontological field work and add to the importance of the European historical fossil collections. I have previous experience in both fields developed in the REFIND project, being developed in the project, allowing me to achieve of all the proposed results. The acquisition of new skills during the fellowship will significantly upgrade my career potential, because multispectral and raster analyses, cutting-edge studies in Europe, have never been applied to palaeontology for such innovative goals. For the same reason, high interest is expected from the research community.

Keywords: multispectral analyses,paleofauna mapping,giscience,database managing,fossil recovery
Microsystems for Cryomicroscopy (MICROCRYO)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Consolidator grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Systems and communication engineering
Panel description: Electrical, electronic, communication, optical and systems engineering
Countries involved: Germany,Germany
Call: ERC Consolidator Grant (ERC-2017-COG, 2017)
Start date: 2019-02-01
End date: 2024-01-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1994562.0
EU funding (EUR): 1994562.0
Participants: 2
Project status: SIGNED

This proposal aims to revolutionize time-resolved light and electron cryo-microscopy of fast cellular dynamics using a new class of cryogenic microsystems for the reversible cryofixation of cells and small model organisms by ultra-rapid cooling. This will contribute to our understanding of biological structure and function by revealing the dynamics of specific proteins in the ultrastructural context of a cell at nanometer spatial and millisecond temporal resolution. Despite rapid progress in the field, much of the potential of microscopy at cryogenic temperature today is still untapped due to limitations in methods and instrumentation for sample preparation. First, vitrification technologies for cryo-microscopy have evolved only incrementally since the 1960s and cannot be combined with many of the sophisticated live imaging methods that have emerged over the past decade. Second, while the synergy of light and electron cryo-microscopy is extremely powerful, cryo-microscopy with light is still in its infancy. Finally, new technologies for ultra-rapid heating and cooling of single cells are needed to systematically advance our understanding of reversibility in the cryopreservation of e.g. stem cells, oocytes, or sperm cells. Here I propose to create a microfluidic technology for the direct vitrification of cells in the light microscope by ultra-rapid cooling with millisecond time resolution. The cells will then be imaged at high resolution using electron microscopy and advanced modes of light microscopy combined with new optics adapted to cryogenic conditions. Ultimately, we will elucidate if and under which conditions cryofixation can be reversed by ultra-rapid warming such that dynamic cellular processes resume unperturbed. We expect that the research proposed here will enable breakthroughs in understanding the structural and molecular basis of fast cellular events including transport, membrane trafficking, cell division, and synaptic transmission.

Keywords: correlative microscopy,light microscopy,electron microscopy,cryo microscopy,sample preparation,methods and instrumentation development for cell and structural biology
Fostering Energy Efficiency and BehAvioural Change through ICT (FEEdBACk)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Societal Challenges
Programme: Secure, clean and efficient energy
Theme: Reducing energy consumption and carbon foorpint by smart and sustainable use
Action type: Innovation actions
Countries involved: Germany,Spain,Switzerland,Netherlands,Denmark,United Kingdom,Portugal
Call: Behavioural change toward energy efficiency through ICT (H2020-EE-2017-RIA-IA, 2017)
Start date: 2017-11-01
End date: 2021-04-30
Duration (months): 42.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2392840.0
EU funding (EUR): 1997459.13
Participants: 8
Project status: CLOSED

The objectives of the FEEdBACk project are to develop, integrate and trial a wide range of energy focused ICT and behaviour modification applications, that will be used to engage energy users and permit them to understand and change their energy consumption related behaviour in three different built environments (Office/Research Labs, Schools, Domestic smart homes) in three climatic settings (northern Portugal, Mediterranean Spain, and northern Germany). The consortium, from seven EU countries, that has been assembled to deliver FEEdBACk consists of highly experienced research organisations in the energy area; three SMEs that specialise in e-learning digital communication applications targeted at behaviour change and in building energy data gathering and representation to managers and users; and three organisations that own and manage buildings, schools and public and private dwellings, who are committed to lowering and making more sustainable their energy use. The development of this broad spectrum of energy related applications and the utilisation of next generation gamification techniques, tested in such a wide range of built environments has not been attempted before. The outputs from the project will enable accelerated commercialisation, by a wide range of innovative SMEs, within and outside the project consortium, of the tools that will help building owners and stakeholders to understand and reduce their energy consumption. The demonstration of the results of the FEEdBACK project will be valuable for Technical & Market planning for the EU energy industry. The FEEdBACK’s ambition is to enable a wide range of companies to incorporate or integrate elements of the applications and the behaviour change components, thereby making their products more competitive and successful in the EU and on a global scale. This will contribute significantly to achieving important sustainable energy EU objectives.

Keywords: energy efficiency,behavioural change,gamification,consumer engagement and empowerment
Targeted intracellular delivery of antitubercular agents by functionalized nanocapsules (TBNANO)

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: Spain
Call: Individual Fellowships (H2020-MSCA-IF-2018, 2018)
Start date: 2019-07-01
End date: 2021-06-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 172932.48
EU funding (EUR): 172932.48
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Tuberculosis (TB) is still a major public health problem worldwide. It is estimated that more than one-quarter of the world's population is infected with this airborne infectious disease. Moreover, the increase of multidrug- and extensively drug-resistant TB is alarming. TB is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, an intracellular pathogen that can survive in host cells, mainly in macrophages. The uptake of the antitubercular drugs by infected host cells is limited. The orally or intravenously administered drugs are distributed throughout the body causing side effects and the majority of the drug molecules do not reach their targets. The elimination of the intracellular bacteria could be more efficient with host cell directed delivery. The TBNANO project aims to develop and in vitro evaluate antitubercular agent-loaded nanocapsules decorated with host cell targeting molecules. For this purpose, naturally occurring, biocompatible and biodegradable polysaccharide nanocapsules loaded with a recently approved anti-TB drug (bedaquiline) and antimicrobial peptides will be used. The surface of the nanocapsules will be functionalized with macrophage targeting ligands, such as peptides and mannose derivatives. With such nanotechnology-based drug delivery system, enhanced cellular uptake can be achieved by the host cell macrophages, therefore, the anti-TB agent can reach the intracellular bacteria as site of action. This approach leads to increased bioavailability and selectivity of the drugs while reducing their undesirable side effects. The proposed project could provide a breakthrough step in nanotechnology-based TB treatment to get closer to a world free of TB. Furthermore, this multidisciplinary project provide valuable transfer of knowledge to the host institution, as well as advanced training of the young researcher in the field of nanomaterial science to broaden her expertise in drug delivery systems.

Keywords: peptide chemistry,biological chemistry,biochemistry
Photonic Quantum Network with an Ultrafast Frequency Comb (PIQUANT)

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: Physics
Countries involved: France
Call: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF-EF) (H2020-MSCA-IF-2015, 2015)
Start date: 2016-04-01
End date: 2018-03-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 185076.0
EU funding (EUR): 185076.0
Participants: 2
Project status: CLOSED

Over the last decades, application of photonic technologies to quantum information science has been very successful, which establishes light as a promising quantum system to carry quantum information. The next stage for advancing photonic technology along with quantum information science is to scale-up the capacity of a quantum system to encode quantum information. In this action, we will develop photonic quantum network, which consists of highly correlated large-scale quantum network involving both aspects of non-classical light: squeezed light and single photon, for scalable quantum information processing. By exploiting the intrinsic multimode structure of an ultrafast frequency comb, a quantum network supporting multiple quantum systems will be generated, and quantum correlations in the network will be optimized to readily conduct a given quantum information task. To benefit from genuine speedup of quantum information processing, single-photon control will be incorporated: single-photon subtraction and single-photon addition is applied on the quantum network. Importantly, the single photon control will be engineered to affect only specific modes of interest out of multiple frequency modes in the quantum network. The resultant light field becomes PhotonIc QUAtum NeTwork with an ultrafast frequency comb (PIQUANT), and its distinctive features will be characterized and exploited for quantum computing.

Keywords: quantum optics,quantum information,ultrafast optics
Soft Micro Robotics (SOMBOT)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — 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: 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): 2500000.0
EU funding (EUR): 2500000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

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.
Innovative production system for work boat catamarans (INCAT)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Societal Challenges
Programme: Smart, green and integrated transport
Action type: SME instrument
Countries involved: Italy
Call: Small business innovation research for Transport and Smart Cities Mobility (H2020-SMEINST-1-2016-2017, 2016)
Start date: 2016-12-01
End date: 2017-05-31
Duration (months): 6.0
Total project cost (EUR): 71429.0
EU funding (EUR): 50000.0
Participants: 2
Project status: CLOSED

Catmarine Production System (CPS) delivers to the market work-boat catamaran conceived to fit several work-boats target markets, focusing on building flexibility and a high quality/price ratio. CPS combines together different construction technology; Motherboard Production System (MPS), Modular Moulding System (MMS) and work boat catamarans are assembled utilising the LEGO methodology. With a single set of modular mould CPS is able to built an entire family of work boat catamarans allowing changes in dimension, dynamics characteristics and on-board equipment thus fulfilling the customisation needs of professional end users and create a series of products which are more convenient of current fibreglass mass production boats and with less time to market than direct competitors. The INCAT innovation project intends to improve the production line enhancing the modularity techniques, reduce production time and to adapt CPS modular production technique to aluminium moulds to allow polypropylene (PP) work boat production. PP is a harder wearing and more corrosion resistant material for which, unlike the fibreglass, is virtually free from maintenance; in addition, it is 100% recyclable. A preliminary poll with potential partners has aroused remarkable interest for CPS technology: namely 8 expression of interest have been received from 5 European countries. The Phase 1 is intended to assess technical and commercial feasibility to adapt CPS technology in PP work boat building while Phase 2 is intended to support INCAT consortium to test production line and prototype and the launch of the new product on the markets. INCAT consortium intend to commercialise a work-boat catamaran family fitted to be employed in different market segment and different sea basins such as Mediterranean, North Sea and Baltic, thus enhancing European leadership in eco-innovation boat building and will foster SMEs collaboration among different European sea basins in the nautical supply chains.

Keywords: modular moulding system,eco innovation boat building,reduced environmental impact,nautical supply chains,gfrp products disposal,recyclable boat,multi purpose catamaran
Unravelling the effect of origin number on the success of genome replication (ORI NUMBER)

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: United Kingdom
Call: Individual Fellowships (H2020-MSCA-IF-2016, 2016)
Start date: 2017-12-01
End date: 2019-11-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 195454.8
EU funding (EUR): 195454.8
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

DNA replication must be regulated in eukaryotic cells to ensure that the genome is precisely duplicated. The process is split into two non-overlapping stages: origin “licensing” and origin “firing”. During licensing in G1, ORC loads MCM2-7 onto DNA, and during the firing stage in S phase MCM2-7 is activated to drive replication forks. To prevent re-replication of DNA no new origins must be licensed once S phase begins. Since replication forks can irreversibly stall, it is crucial that sufficient origins are licensed before S phase entry. The “licensing checkpoint” prevents cells in G1 with too few licensed origins from entering S phase. A number of different MCM and ORC mutations have been identified, leading to cancer susceptibility, proliferation defects and/or developmental abnormalities. However, it is hard to explain the spectrum of defects caused by specific mutations, such as in Meier-Gorlin Syndrome. In this project, I will use genome editing to engineer iPS cells with specific mutations in MCM and ORC proteins to determine the effects on origin licensing, licensing checkpoint activation and genome stability. I will use state-of-the-art quantitative proteomics, next generation sequencing and flow cytometry to unravel the molecular mechanisms underpinning the licensing checkpoint and to define the core molecular pathways that coordinate DNA replication and the cell cycle. A comparison of the effect of ORC and MCM mutations in clinically-relevant cells derived from iPSCs and in cancer cell lines will allow me to understand cell-type specific differences in regulation of DNA replication and explain the effects of these mutations on human patients. These new results will open new possibilities to develop specific anti-cancer drugs against selected components of the licensing checkpoint system. Moreover, it will allow me to merge neurodevelopment, DNA replication, stem cell biology and cancer research, laying the foundations upon which to build my future career.

Keywords: licensing,developmental disorders,chromatin,replication origins