Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Provable Privacy for Metadata (ProPriM)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Excellent Science
Programme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Postdoctoral Fellowships
Action type: Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions
Panel: Information Science and Engineering
Countries involved: Denmark
Call: MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2021 (HORIZON-MSCA-2021-PF-01, 2021)
Start date: 2023-08-01
End date: 2025-07-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 214934.4
EU funding (EUR): 214934.4
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Protecting user’s online behaviour is a challenging privacy problem. In this project, we will develop communication protocols for metadata privacy. Metadata is implicit information, such as when and how many messages are sent, and can therefore not be protected using standard encryption. Unlike encryption, metadata privacy is not currently available in instant messaging services, due to the impracticality of current protocols. To protect users, developing new, practical protocols for metadata privacy is therefore essential. Moreover, metadata privacy is a EU priority, which will be regulated by the ePrivacy Regulation that is currently being drafted. Consequently protocols that guarantee metadata privacy for instant messaging needs to be designed to meet EU's needs. We propose a holistic project to address metadata privacy, ranging from conceptual design to implementations of protocols in software. By combining Nelson’s background in privacy, and Askarov’s expertise in formal methods, we expect to be able to tackle metadata privacy from a new perspective. Specifically, we will design protocols that are provably private. That is, we will guarantee that our protocols are free from unintentional leakages. In addition, our protocols will be designed to be feasible to use on battery constrained devices such as phones.

Keywords: anonymous communication,deniability,metadata privacy,online privacy,privacy enhancing technologies
Unravelling the impact of Radiofrequency in liver surgery: the key to decrease local recurrence? (LIVERATION)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness
Programme: Mission
Theme: Cancer
Destination: Cancer
Action type: Research and Innovation actions
Countries involved: Spain,Portugal,Belgium,Greece,France
Call: Pragmatic clinical trials to optimise treatments for patients with refractory cancers (HORIZON-MISS-2022-CANCER-01, 2022)
Start date: 2023-06-01
End date: 2028-05-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 6578064.0
EU funding (EUR): 6578064.0
Participants: 12
Project status: SIGNED

Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks fourth in cancer deaths worldwide. Between 20% and 30% of patients with advanced CRC have liver metastases (CRLM). Liver cancer ranks second in cancer deaths worldwide, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Despite recent advances, liver resection offers the only chance of cure for patients with liver metastases. However, the recurrence rate of these tumours is high even after post-resection. The presence of positive margins in the remaining liver after resection correlates with increased local recurrence and decreased overall survival, the only factor where prognosis could be influenced by the performance of surgery. However, at present, the extent of an R-negative status remains debatable and varies widely from one publication to another. Currently, there are radiofrequency ablation studies that, based on preliminary retrospective human clinical trials, are able to correlate an additional coagulation of tumor margins with a reduction on local recurrence. However, there is no prospective and pragmatic controlled study that accurately measures this additional margin and its impact on oncological outcomes. The aim of LIVERATION is to conduct an ambitious, pragmatic multicenter clinical trial with 720 patients with CRLM and HCC at 24 clinical centres in 6 different countries to determine whether additional ablated margin produced by radiofrequency can decrease the recurrence rate and improve patient survival. We will also evaluate the patient-centredness of the intervention and its comparativeness with other therapeutic alternatives in terms of quality of life and patient experience in real-world settings. To this end, the consortium has been formed by highly experienced, highly qualified and multidisciplinary entities to carry out the project successfully. The results will not only have a major impact on a social and scientific level but also on an economic level for the EU. This action is part of the Cancer Mission cluster of projects on ‘Diagnosis and treatment’.

Keywords: liver cancer,colorectal cancer liver metastases,hepatocarcinoma,additional margin coagulation,
Uncovering the Role of X Chromsome Inactivation Escapees in T Cell Function (X-CITE)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Excellent Science
Programme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Postdoctoral Fellowships
Action type: Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions
Panel: Life Sciences
Countries involved: Netherlands
Call: MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2024 (HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01, 2024)
Start date: 2026-09-01
End date: 2028-08-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 232916.16
EU funding (EUR): 232916.16
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

Sex differences play a significant role in immune function, with women generally mounting stronger immune responses than men. A key factor behind these differences is the X chromosome, which contains many genes that are important for immune function. In females, who have two X chromosomes, one of the X chromosomes is usually inactivated in each cell to prevent an overdose of X-linked gene expression. This process is known as X-chromosome inactivation (XCI). However, some genes can escape this inactivation and are expressed from both X chromosomes. These “escapee” genes are often expressed at higher levels in females than in males, who only have one X chromosome. The X-CITE (X-Chromosome Inactivation and T cell Escape) project aims to elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which these XCI escapee genes influence T cell responses. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial, as T cells are central to the success of cancer immunotherapy, where sex-based differences in T cell function may impact treatment outcomes. By exploring the sex-biased expression of XCI escapee genes, this project will advance our understanding of sex differences in immune responses and provide new insights into how T cells can be manipulated to improve the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy. The research will be conducted at the Landsteiner Laboratory Amsterdam UMC-Sanquin (The Netherlands), under the supervision of Dr. Monika Wolkers, whose lab specializes in T cell biology and the enhancement of T cell functions in immunotherapy settings.

Keywords: x chromosome inactivation xci,t cells,immunotherapy,sex,single cell sequencing,gene regulatory networks grn
Computational Microscopy of Cells (COMP-O-CELL)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Advanced grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences
Panel description: Analytical chemistry, chemical theory, physical chemistry/chemical physics
Countries involved: Netherlands
Call: ERC ADVANCED GRANTS (ERC-2021-ADG, 2021)
Start date: 2022-09-01
End date: 2027-08-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2498148.0
EU funding (EUR): 2498148.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

As an integral part of cell architecture, cell membranes are central to cell functioning. Comprising a heterogeneous mixture of proteins and lipids, cell membranes are constantly adapting their structural organization to regulate cellular processes. Malfunction at the level of lipid-protein interaction is implicated in numerous diseases , and hence, understanding cell membrane organization at the molecular level is of critical importance. Unfortunately, our current understanding is limited, which is due to the lack of methods for studying these fluctuating nanoscale assemblies in vivo at the required spatiotemporal resolution. An important tool for studying cellular processes is through molecular simulation, denoted computational microscopy. Computational microscopy has been used to study small membrane patches in isolation, but until now, cell membranes have not been simulated in their ‘natural’ context. I intend to apply computational microscopy at the whole-cell level, to study complex membrane structures and their function within the cellular environment. This requires challenging methodological innovations at the crossroads of biology, life sciences, physics, and chemistry. In this project, I will use advanced computational microscopy to study the interplay of membranes with their surroundings in a realistic cellular environment. The main goal is to establish a framework for the simulation, at molecular resolution, of entire cells and cell organelles.

Keywords: molecular dynamics coarse grain models cell membranes martini force field protein lipid interplay
MultiscalE dynamics on high-order NeTworks applied to Epilepsy (MENTE)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Excellent Science
Programme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Postdoctoral Fellowships
Action type: Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions
Panel: Physics
Countries involved: France,Spain
Call: MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2021 (HORIZON-MSCA-2021-PF-01, 2021)
Start date: 2023-01-01
End date: 2024-12-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 195914.88
EU funding (EUR): 195914.88
Participants: 2
Project status: CLOSED

Neurological disorders such as epilepsy (affecting about 5 MILL people worldwide) are associated with deviations from the optimal network structure and dynamics. Epilepsy surgery (costing 1000-3000 EUR per surgery in EU countries) consists in the removal of the minimum amount of tissue needed to stop seizure propagation, but it is only successful in aprox. 2/3 of the cases. Analyses of brain network structure, and computational studies simulating seizure dynamics over it, have related aspects of the patients' brain network (e.g. hub distribution, excitability) with surgery outcome. However, results are not always replicable, and have not been able to surpass the current clinical standard. In the MENTE (which stands for "mind" in Spanish) project, I will explicitly consider the previously neglected effect of high-order (HO) brain structure on seizure dynamics and epilepsy surgery. I will characterize the HO brain structure of epilepsy patients (via Topological Data Analysis), in relation to surgery outcome. I will then create a HO computational model of seizure dynamics, by extending pairwise multiscale (MS) neuronal models of ictal activity. I will study the emergent behavior of the system via theoretico-computational analysis to characterize the healthy-to-ictal transition. Finally, I will fit the model to intracranial EEG data of ictal activity, and use it to model epilepsy surgery, with the goal of predicting surgery outcome and finding alternative resection strategies (smaller of with better outcome), to reduce the societal and economical burden of epilepsy. MENTE will validate the role of HO coupling on brain activity and promote the theoretico-computational modeling, analysis and application to neuroscience of network dynamics including HO and MS coupling. The fellowship will strengthen mine and the host's expertise these topics, and allow me develop my academic career to the point of scientific maturity.

Keywords: complex networks,brain networks,high order coupling,multiscale dynamics,seizure dynamics,epilepsy surgery,topological data analysis,neural excitability,neural network dynamics
A quantum hybrid of atoms and milligram-scale pendulums: towards gravitational quantum mechanics (QuHAMP)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Consolidator grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Fundamental Constituents of Matter
Panel description: Particle, nuclear, plasma, atomic, molecular, gas, and optical physics
Countries involved: Austria
Call: ERC CONSOLIDATOR GRANTS (ERC-2022-COG, 2022)
Start date: 2023-06-01
End date: 2028-05-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2000000.0
EU funding (EUR): 2000000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

Does gravity obey the laws of quantum mechanics? Can gravitational fields exist in superposition states or mediate entanglement? These questions lie at the frontier of physics and have crucial implications –affirmation would constitute a union of the gravitational and quantum realms, while negative results would demand a revision of fundamental physical laws. Only recently have we identified potential paths to entertain experiments to address these questions. Daunting technical challenges nevertheless remain. The objective of this proposal is to enable the observation of quantum signatures in gravitational interactions by developing interacting systems of cold atoms and milligram-scale pendulums. This objective will be addressed with three concrete goals: –Goal A: Gain unparalleled control over quantum behavior of massive objects by pioneering light-mediated artificial interactions between atoms and milligram-scale masses –Goal B: Observe for the first time the gravitationally driven dynamics of a pair of masses that behave quantum mechanically –Goal C: Demonstrate the basic tenets of entanglement mediated by force fields of macroscopic objects utilizing electrostatic interactions The key to achieving the objective is to induce unprecedented levels of quantum delocalization for a massive object. The core novelty of this project is to use an atomic ensemble as a quantum regulator of radiation pressure acting on a massive object. With interactions of two copies of such a system, the project will set the stage for gravitationally mediated entanglement – archetypal quantum signature. This approach builds on techniques to control atomic ensembles in optical cavities, where the PI has demonstrated world-leading results. Though inherently high risk, this proposal lays out a conceivable path toward shedding light on some of the most fundamental questions in contemporary physics.

Keywords: quantum metrology,quantum sensing with atoms,optomechanics,hybrid quantum systems,quantum control,small scale gravity,gravitational entanglement
Numerical Experiments in Particle oceanic TUrbulence based on NEw computational and analytical perspectives (NEPTUNE)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Excellent Science
Programme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Postdoctoral Fellowships
Action type: Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions
Panel: Information Science and Engineering
Countries involved: Spain,United States
Call: MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2023 (HORIZON-MSCA-2023-PF-01, 2023)
Start date: 2024-12-01
End date: 2026-11-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 165312.96
EU funding (EUR): 165312.96
Participants: 2
Project status: SIGNED

Marine microplastic pollution has emerged as a global environmental problem in recent years, presenting numerous challenges to ecosystems and human health. Microplastics originate from a variety of sources posing a threat to marine organisms and, ultimately, the food chain. In recent times, there has been a significant increase of research related to this topic from multiple angles. However, the fluid mechanics understanding of this problem in terms of distribution and aggregation of microplastics in ocean turbulence is still a topic in its infancy. The NEPTUNE project, thus, aims to provide new theoretical insights and computational tools with the final goal to better understand the problem and contribute to the European Mission “Restore our Oceans and Waters”. The project is designed to be very ambitious and highly interdisciplinary. Indeed, from a scientific perspective, the foundation upon which it is constructed consists of computational science, fundamentals of fluid mechanics and turbulence, physics-based modeling, and data science harnessed through advanced machine learning techniques. Each of these elements is designed to be pushed beyond the boundaries of the current state-of-the-art to yield novel scientific and technological insights that will drive socio-economic advancements. The project's primary goals encompass: (i) the extension of an advanced computational solver to simulate microparticles within ocean turbulence, in conjunction with various biophysical models, (ii) the better understanding of the distribution and aggregation of microparticles in turbulence, and (iii) pioneering the utilization of data-driven techniques to obtain reduced order models and unravel the intricate nonlinear behavior of microparticles in turbulent environments. In this regard, the candidate, through this fellowship, plans to boost his academic career by integrating top-tier research with training, dissemination and network-creation activities.

Keywords: marine microplastics particle laden flows direct numerical simulations parallel computing machine learning
Evolution and merger of dynamical assembly black holes in AGN disks (AGNBlackHoles)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Excellent Science
Programme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Postdoctoral Fellowships
Action type: Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions
Panel: Physics
Countries involved: Denmark
Call: MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2021 (HORIZON-MSCA-2021-PF-01, 2021)
Start date: 2022-08-01
End date: 2024-07-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 230774.4
EU funding (EUR): 230774.4
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The growing list of binary black hole (BBH) mergers detected in gravitational waves (GWs) by LIGO/Virgo, have been used to put tight constraints on Einstein's Theory of Gravity. However, their astrophysical origin still remains a major open question. Recently, active galactic nuclei (AGN) disks have been suggested to be a promising location for forming BBH mergers. In such environments, black holes (BHs) either form in the disk or are captured through gas-drag from the surrounding nuclear star cluster. Exactly how the BHs pair up, and eventually merge, is likely a product of dynamical interactions taking place while the BHs migrate through the disk; however, no leading groups have so far been able to deliver a consistent description of this extremely important part. As a Marie Curie Fellow, I will for the first time present a full numerical and analytical framework for describing the dynamical formation of BBH mergers in AGN-disks. This will, in particular, include both post-Newtonian (PN) corrections, and gas-friction effects, for describing the following key dynamical processes: BH-BH binary formation through GW emission and gas-friction; BBH-BH interactions both in the strong (resonating) and weak (secular) regime; and the secular evolution of two and/or more BHs in hierarchical configurations. The goal of this study will be to provide the community with testable predictions that can be used to constrain this channel using GW data from LIGO/Virgo, especially including the distribution of BBH mass ratio, BBH orbital eccentricity, and BH spin-orbit misalignment angles. The project will be carried out at the Niels Bohr International Academy (NBIA) under the supervision of Prof. M. Pessah. The interdisciplinary environment, vibrant atmosphere, and exceptional scientists make the NBIA not only the ideal host for this project, but further ensure that I will mature into a prominent scientist in my field during the time of the Marie Curie Fellowship.

Keywords: origin of gravitational wave sources,kinematics and dynamics,black hole mergers,n body simulations
Photo Stability of Ice-bound Complex Organic Molecules (PSI-COM)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Excellent Science
Programme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Postdoctoral Fellowships
Action type: Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions
Panel: Physics
Countries involved: Netherlands
Call: MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2022 (HORIZON-MSCA-2022-PF-01, 2022)
Start date: 2024-02-01
End date: 2026-01-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 187624.32
EU funding (EUR): 187624.32
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The universality of life – i.e. the likelihood that life can form in extra-terrestrial environments – hinges upon the availability of certain molecular building blocks. Whether the biomolecules of which we are made form before or after planet formation is an open question in astrochemistry; answering this question requires an understanding of the life cycle of biomolecular precursors (BPs) in various circum- and interstellar environments. Numerous complex organic molecules (COMs) with biological significance have been identified in star- and planet-forming regions through astronomical observations, motivating laboratory studies aiming to uncover the mechanisms by which prebiotic molecules are born during the early stages of planetary evolution. However, formation of BPs can only partially answer questions regarding the likelihood of life evolving elsewhere in the universe. It is also critical to understand the stability of such species in the harsh environment of the interstellar medium (ISM). Whether small BPs would have sufficient lifetimes in the ISM to eventually coalesce into larger COMs is the central question of this research proposal, which concerns the Photo-Stability of Ice-bound Complex Organic Molecules (PSI-COM). Laboratory experiments on interstellar ice analogues containing selected BPs will be performed using a fully operational and highly-specialized ultra-high vacuum apparatus. Ices will be bombarded with ultraviolet radiation characteristic of that produced in dense interstellar clouds as well as in the diffuse ISM, and the chemical evolution will be tracked to yield kinetic and mechanistic information useful to astronomical models of star and planet formation. The results will be compared with or used to steer observational studies, such as the James Webb Space Telescope.