Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Upscaling in vitro arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi inoculum production via combinatorial lipid metabolic engineering of host plants (MycUpscaling)

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: Life Sciences
Countries involved: Belgium,United States
Call: Individual Fellowships (H2020-MSCA-IF-2020, 2020)
Start date: 2022-09-01
End date: 2025-08-31
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 248425.92
EU funding (EUR): 248425.92
Participants: 2
Project status: SIGNED

Major scientific challenges nowadays are to preserve the environment, reduce global warming and grow more food to meet the global demand. Mass-producing the right soil microbiota essential to plant health and yield has the potential to be a key part of the next big revolution in the development of sustainable agriculture and food security. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are among the most ancient, widespread and functionally important symbioses on Earth that help feed the world. Yet, mass-production of clean (i.e. in vitro produced), safe and robust inoculum at affordable costs remains a critical challenge. MycUpscaling addresses the challenging question of what are the genes responsible for increasing triacylglycerides (TAGs) accumulation in the symbiotic interface and increasing spore numbers to create a novel generation of high-quality and cost-effective AMF inoculants for application in agroecosystems. The project will include combinatorial lipid metabolic engineering, selection of mycorrhized TAG-accumulating hosts, in vitro and in vivo lipid flux analysis, and in vitro spore domestication. We hypothesize that engineering lipid metabolism in mycorrhized plants will (i) increase TAG-based carbon sources in AMF, with spores accumulating more lipids for a higher root-colonization potential (bio-fortification=best quality), ii) stimulate the asexual reproduction machinery to produce more spores in plates and bioreactors (biomass production=high quantity), decreasing cost-fees of in vitro spore production systems (cost-efficiency=industry profitable). MycUpscaling will employ an inter-disciplinary approach combining expertise of the researcher in cell engineering and his supervisors in plant lipid flux monitoring (WSU, USA) and large-scale AMF production (UCLouvain, Belgium). This project will enable the researcher to interact with key leading experts, re-inforce skills and competences, and forge a mature and outstanding international research carrer.

Keywords: lipid metabolic engineering,plant amf interactions,large scale spore production,mycorrhiza
Tool suite for AUtomatic code generation and validation of model-based critical iteROpeRAble components (AURORA)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Industrial Leadership
Programme: Space
Theme: Enabling European competitiveness, non-dependence and innovation of the European space sector
Action type: Research and Innovation actions
Countries involved: Spain,Spain,Poland,Czechia
Call: Technologies for European non-dependence and competitiveness (H2020-SPACE-2020, 2020)
Start date: 2020-11-01
End date: 2023-04-30
Duration (months): 30.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2158248.75
EU funding (EUR): 2158248.75
Participants: 4
Project status: SIGNED

The AURORA project aims to provide a European tool suite for the process of development and validation of a critical Auto-coded Flight software product in the Space domain and the demonstration of Autocoding technology in an industrially relevant environment. The AURORA solution for a SW tool suite will validate the QGen product capabilities to transform Simulink/Matlab models into source code to be directly integrated into an embedded SW product. The Technology demonstration is carried-out by exercising the automated code in AURORA with the already validated and verified results of Euclid auto-generated code. The ESA?s Euclid Mission, where SENER is the prime contractor, includes Mathworks AOCS/GNC model-based algorithms. The demonstration process will make use of the validation and verification test cases designed for Euclid AOCS/GNC formal campaign with testing performed in the actual Euclid Test environment (MIL, SIL, PIL [open-loop emulator] and HIL [SCOE for open-loop testing]). This approach facilitates the assessment of a higher TRL for this toolset. The solution of the test suite will apply current state-of-art modelling standards and guidelines for the Autocoding generation and validation process. Supported by the certified tool-suite, AURORA will define the Autocoded Flight Software Life-cycle process and methodology for the Specification, Development and Validation of Autocoded-SW. Processes based on QGEN Autocoding will follow Model-Based System Engineering (MBSE) principles including Component-Based, Model-Driven Architecture (MDA) and Model-to-Test transformation. Besides, AURORA will ensure the Interoperability capability of the solution through standard specification of component interfaces or API for the integration of components, both for manual and auto-generated code. AURORA will conclude with the demonstration Viability Assessment of the tool suite and the reduction of non-recurring costs of the Auto-coded SW generation and verification.

Keywords: autocoding,interoperability,flight critical sw,mbse,components model,standard interfaces
Establishment of three-parent crosses in crop plants for commercial exploitation (TriVolve)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Proof of concept grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Cellular, Developmental and Regenerative Biology
Panel description: Structure and function of the cell, cell-cell communication, embryogenesis, tissue differentiation, organogenesis, growth, development, evolution of development, organoids, stem cells, regeneration, therapeutic approaches
Countries involved: Germany
Call: Call for proposals for ERC Proof of Concept Grant (ERC-2020-PoC, 2020)
Start date: 2020-09-01
End date: 2022-02-28
Duration (months): 18.0
Total project cost (EUR): 150000.0
EU funding (EUR): 150000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

There is an urgent need for an agricultural revolution to generate climate-smart cultivars, which combine proven qualities with novel traits that adapt crop plants to extremes, including severe heat and drought periods. Novel breeding technologies can make the difference to enable farmers to achieve high yields with resilient crops and thus secure the nutrition for the world population. In the framework of the ERC Consolidator Grant "Building and bypassing polyspermy barriers" we have discovered that plant egg cells can fuse with two sperm to give rise to offspring with three instead of two parents, one mother and two fathers. Our unprecedented result is a game changer in the field of plant reproduction. It can lead to a new plant breeding strategy with economic benefits expected to positively affect the social welfare of farmers as well as upstream and downstream industries related to the agricultural value chain. Three-parent crosses can transform plant breeding at different levels: First, the inheritance of genetic material from three rather than two parents allows to instantly combine beneficial traits of three cultivars thereby tremendously speeding up breeding processes. Second, three-parent crosses bypass a hybridization barrier (2), which constitutes a major limitation for regular plant breeding approaches. Third, three-parent crosses can be used to increase the number of chromosomes, a process referred to as polyploidization. Natural or technically-induced polyploidizations constitute a major factor for yield increase. The translation of three-parent crosses from the model plant Arabidopsis to crop plants using sugar beet as an experimental prototype at the premises of a breeder, and the transfer of this new breeding technology into commercial exploitation are two goals of the project TriVolve.

Keywords: urgent need for climate adapted crops,plants can have three parents,three parent crosses are an innovative breeding technology,proof of concept for the application of the technology in major crop plants
Fluorescent Molecules to see when and where Molecules Break during Mechanical Fatigue (Fluodamage)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Proof of concept grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Synthetic Chemistry and Materials
Panel description: New materials and new synthetic approaches, structure-properties relations, solid state chemistry, molecular architecture, organic chemistry
Countries involved: France,France
Call: ERC Proof of Concept Grant (ERC-2019-PoC, 2019)
Start date: 2020-04-01
End date: 2023-02-28
Duration (months): 35.0
Total project cost (EUR): 150000.0
EU funding (EUR): 150000.0
Participants: 2
Project status: CLOSED

Although elastomers are widely used in load-bearing engineering applications where lightweight and flexibility is essential, they are typically designed thicker than they need to be, due to a poor prediction of their lifetime in use. The loss of flexibility and extensibility results from individual covalent bond scission in the bulk of the material. When the extent of bond scission increases or localizes in specific spots, the rubber becomes brittle and can break catastrophically, potentially causing an accident. Detecting the early stage progressive molecular scale damage during use is impossible with current techniques using ultrasounds or X-rays. Within the framework of the ERC project CHEMECH we have precisely developed a method to detect, image and quantify bond breakage. This technique is based on tagging model materials with molecular probes (i.e., fluorophores) that become fluorescent when they break in response to a mechanical force. The goal of the current proposal is to incorporate the fluorophores in a variety of elastomers and to develop a novel methodology for non-destructive visualization and quantification of early damage by bond scission occurring in elastomers during cyclic mechanical testing. Compared to existing ultrasound and X-ray solutions, our technology detects degradation occurring at a much smaller scale (10 nm), can localize the damage more precisely and is non-destructive allowing the monitoring of the damage evolution in time. This information can then be used to refine the prediction of lifetime to design parts lighter and with less material, to schedule maintenance and part replacement more accurately, preventing catastrophic failures while saving time and money and finally to find new materials design strategies and expand the use of lightweight polymeric materials into new applications where they could replace metals or ceramics.

Keywords: organic chemistry,polymer physics,fracture mechanics,materials engineering,non destructve testing,fluorescence
Switchable adhesives for the robotics and handling market (SWITCH2MARKET)

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: Germany
Call: ERC-Proof of Concept (ERC-2017-PoC, 2017)
Start date: 2018-02-01
End date: 2019-01-31
Duration (months): 12.0
Total project cost (EUR): 147125.0
EU funding (EUR): 147125.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Despite intense fundamental research, only few biological inspirations have so far made it to real technical solutions. The reason is that the path from an understanding of nature to a successful product has many potential ´show stoppers´. The ERC Advanced Grant SWITCH2STICK addresses the scientific challenges and does not aim at product development and targeted technical optimization towards industrial requirements. Some preliminary industrial contacts, established through bilateral communication, have resulted in extremely promising perspectives for a commercialization of our results. From a technical perspective, our bioinspired concept could revolutionize robotic pick-and-place (handling) operation. The timing appears to be excellent: as new concepts for computerized, virtual fabrication are currently being developed on a worldwide scale, the readiness for implementing new concepts is at an all-time high. When combined with its clear environmental advantages (energy-conserving, noise-free), our invention has overwhelming market potential in the handling of production elements, e.g. electronics, optical components, or in the automotive sector. Preliminary screening suggests that our invention is well IP-protected for future commercialization. The proposed PoC project will tackle the essential issues that remain to be clarified before launching an extensive commercialization activity, including i) competitive analysis, ii) identifying the most promising markets, iii) testing the performance with regard to special requirements lists from industry, iv) developing a well-founded IPR strategy, v) generating a detailed business plan. The results will enable us to enter into targeted bilateral collaborations with leading industrial companies under full protection of our own commercialization potential. The PoC project will be indispensable as a preparatory and accompanying step in establishing a start-up company that markets intelligent micropatterned adhesives.

Keywords: materials engineering,mechanical engineering,shaping,biomaterials,robotics,pick and place,handling in vakuum
Genomics of cave evolution in the European olm (GENEVOLCAV)

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: Life Sciences
Countries involved: Slovenia,China
Call: Individual Fellowships (H2020-MSCA-IF-2019, 2019)
Start date: 2020-10-19
End date: 2023-10-31
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 231619.2
EU funding (EUR): 231619.2
Participants: 2
Project status: SIGNED

Understanding the causes of major changes of form and function of organisms is one of the big goals of evolutionary biology. Dramatic phenotypic changes happen at the transition from the surface to a subterranean life. They involve the loss of eyes and skin pigmentation, and augmentation of non-visual sensory organs. In this project I will investigate the genetic mechanisms involved in this transition, using the olm (Proteus anguinus), the largest obligate cave inhabitant, as a model organism. The olm is famous for its peculiar appearance and as a European flagship species of conservation priority. Underscoring its importance, sir David Attenborough listed it as one of ten species he would take on his personal ark to save it from extinction. The olm represents a famous example of convergent evolution at the transition from surface to caves, as already noted by Charles Darwin in his 'On the origin of species'. My overarching goal is to elucidate the genomic mechanisms involved in this transition. The specific objectives of this project are to i) reconstruct the number of independent transitions from surface to caves across all olm lineages, ii) produce a full chromosome-level assembly of the olm's genome, iii) identify the genetic and selective mechanisms associated with this transition, and iv) reconstruct the demographic history of olm lineages. This research will be made possible by combining the expertise of world-leading institutions in cave biology (University of Ljubljana) and sequencing technology (BGI- Research). Using this expertise and knowledge, I will answer a long-lasting question about the evolutionary mechanisms that drive the loss of characters. In addition, my work will contribute to the largest genome assembled for any animal species. The identification of independent evolutionary lineages will help setting urgently needed international conservation priorities for olms.
Services for enhancing the innovation management capacity of SME’s in the Spanish regions of Asturias, Cantabria, Castilla y León and Galicia (GalacteaPlusKam)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Industrial Leadership
Programme: Innovation in SMEs
Action type: Specific Grant agreement
Countries involved: Spain,Spain,Spain,Spain,Spain
Call: H2020 ENTREPRISE EUROPE NETWORK SGA4 2020-2021 (H2020-EEN-SGA4-2020-2021, 2019)
Start date: 2020-01-01
End date: 2021-12-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 210184.45
EU funding (EUR): 210183.75
Participants: 9
Project status: CLOSED

This action shall provide specialized consulting services addressing innovation management capacity to SMEs with significant innovation activities. Beneficiaries of the Accelerator Pilot and EIC Pilot will receive support to enhance their innovation management and advice about the coaching process. The most innovative SME within the regions of Asturias, Cantabria, Castilla y León and Galicia will receive and advanced innovation assessment based on the Improve tool and an action plan to fulffill the gaps.

Keywords: innovation
Development of neural circuits in the prefrontal cortex (PFCmap)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: Marie-Sklodowska-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Individual Fellowships (IF)-Reintegration panel
Action type: Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions
Panel: Life Sciences
Countries involved: United Kingdom
Call: Individual Fellowships (H2020-MSCA-IF-2019, 2019)
Start date: 2021-01-01
End date: 2022-12-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 212933.76
EU funding (EUR): 212933.76
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is important for a wide range of cognitive behaviours and is impacted in numerous neuropsychiatric disorders. The PFC is thought to function as a key buffer for working memory, allowing us to store and manipulate information across time. The PFC is therefore critical to our ability to link past and future events. To do this the circuitry of the PFC must sustain task relevant neural activity across the delay period, when information is stored in memory. This process is thought to occur through recurrent networks in the superficial layers of the PFC, however the organization of these circuits remains poorly understood. This proposal will apply cutting edge optogenetic methods to produce dense, single-cell connectivity maps to elucidate the circuit architecture of the mouse PFC, providing insight into the circuit mechanisms that support mnemonic coding. It will also explore the development of this circuit, to better understand how refinement of connectivity gives rise to adolescent enhancement in PFC dependent cognition. These findings will also test key computational predictions into the mechanisms that support delay period activity. They will therefore be of broad interest to cellular, systems, computational and cognitive neuroscientists.

Keywords: neural circuits,optogenetics,cortex
Synthesis of Truncated Tirandamycin A-D Derivatives as new Antihelminthic Agents (STTDAA)

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: Sweden
Call: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF-EF) (H2020-MSCA-IF-2014, 2014)
Start date: 2015-06-01
End date: 2017-05-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 173857.2
EU funding (EUR): 173857.2
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

This project entitled “Synthesis of Truncated tirandamycin A-D derivatives as new Antihelminthic Agents (STTDAA)” aims at developing novel asparaginyl tRNA synthetase (AsnRS) inhibitors as potential antihelminthic agents, with new mechanisms of action for potential treatment of lymphatic filariasis (LF). LF is one of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) top 10 neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), This incapacitating disease has infected over 200 million people in 73 tropical and subtropical countries, while more than 1.4 billion people remain at the risk of infection. Thus a top priority of the WHO is to search for new antihelminthic drugs that kill adult worms (macrofilaricides), have new mechanisms of action, and exhibit fewer side effects than currently available medications such as albendazole and ivermectin to which parasite resistance has already been confirmed. To this end, two distinctively different but complimentary synthetic approaches towards tirandamycin A-D (TAMs A-D) derivatives, as AsnRS inhibitors will be developed. This will be followed by intensive structure activity relationship (SAR) studies, which will further promote improvements of the bioactivity and the drug characteristic of the synthesized derivatives. These studies will compose a vital part of a more comprehensive drug development program.
Microbial biogeography of the gastrointestinal tract: Towards a better understanding of the drivers of oral and colorectal cancer development. (TransVivome)

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: Germany
Call: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF-EF) (H2020-MSCA-IF-2014, 2014)
Start date: 2015-04-01
End date: 2017-03-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 171460.8
EU funding (EUR): 171460.8
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The human microbiome plays essential roles in modulating human health and disease. Based on preliminary data as well as previously published work, I hypothesise that 1) the oral cavity acts as a reservoir of microbes which continuously seed the gut and that 2) specific aberrations of the microbiota along the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) are linked to the development of colorectal cancer (CRC) and oral cancer (OC). My aim is to test these hypotheses through an integratation of metagenomic and metatranscriptomic data generated from microbial consortia in the colons/recta as well as oral cavities of patients with CRC or OC, and compare these to healthy individuals. Successful completion of the project objectives would address the questions: which microbial strains survive passage from the oral cavity in to the gut? Does the mouth act as a reservoir for strains driving CRC development? And can a panel of multi-factorial biomarkers outperform current CRC and OC diagnostic standards?

Keywords: metagenomics,metrascriptomics,intergaration,diagnostics,gastrointestinal,colorectal cancer,oral cancer,bioactivity