Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Dissecting the role of microtubule motors in the correction of erroneous chromosome-microtubule attachments (MotoCor)

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: Denmark
Call: MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2024 (HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01, 2024)
Start date: 2025-05-01
End date: 2027-04-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 247553.28
EU funding (EUR): 247553.28
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

Accurate chromosome distribution during mitosis requires that each pair of sister chromatids attaches to microtubules from opposite spindle poles via centromere-based kinetochores. However, incorrect kinetochore-microtubule attachments can be formed. These errors must be corrected to prevent chromosome missegregation and the resulting aneuploidy, an abnormal chromosome count characteristic of most human cancers. Error correction relies on the centromere/kinetochore-localised kinase Aurora B, which promotes the depolymerisation of kinetochore-binding microtubules in response to lack of tension within erroneous attachments. Tension locally modulates the accessibility of Aurora B to its substrates, which include the microtubule-depolymerising motor MCAK. Paradoxically, Aurora B suppresses MCAK activity and should, therefore, stabilise erroneous tensionless attachments. This contradiction nurtures the ambiguity of the long-sought error correction mechanism. Findings from the host laboratory provide new insights into this process. Microtubule poleward flux, driven by motor-mediated sliding of interpolar microtubules, suppresses MCAK depolymerising activity, potentially by generating tension within attachments. My goal is to provide a precise and integrative mechanism on how motor proteins modulate the error correction mechanism. I will focus on three key objectives: (1) identifying the flux-generating motors that create tension within attachments, (2) determining the role of tension in MCAK-mediated error correction, and (3) dissecting the tension-related interplay between Aurora B and MCAK during error correction. To achieve this, I will integrate super-resolution live cell imaging with acute protein depletion using the auxin-degron system, delivered at endogenous loci through CRISPR-Cas9. This approach will enable the monitoring of multiple motors in error correction with unprecedented spatiotemporal resolution, providing new insights into how cells prevent aneuploidy.

Keywords: mitosis,genome stability,kinetochore microtubule attachments,error correction mechanism,motor proteins,mcak,aurora b kinase,live cell imaging
Human Subject Research and Medical Ethics in Colonial Southeast Asia (COMET)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: The Study of the Human Past
Panel description: Archaeology and history
Countries involved: Netherlands
Call: ERC STARTING GRANTS (ERC-2022-STG, 2022)
Start date: 2023-06-01
End date: 2028-05-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1500000.0
EU funding (EUR): 1500000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

This project is a comparative study of human subject research in colonial Southeast Asia in the period 1890-1962. While the most (in)famous instances of medical scientists conducting unethical experiments on human beings took place in Nazi Germany and the United States, advances in medicine more broadly relied on research on non-consenting human subjects – often in colonial contexts. Doctors in the Dutch, British and American colonies in Southeast Asia too did medical experiments that discounted the well-being of their research subjects but the region also has some of the earliest examples of informed consent. This project will be the first to study these practices. The key objective of the project is to define and explain the different ethical practices in human subject research in colonial Southeast Asia. To achieve that objective the project aims (1) to understand the nature and reveal the scope of human subject research in Southeast Asia, and (2) to conceptualize the ethical regimes in the colonies in order to explain differences between ethical decisions of doctors in diverse socio-cultural settings. To bring these issues into the present, the project also (3) examines the afterlife of colonial medicine in the postcolonial world to explore how the legacy of medical research could be used ethically today. The project’s hypothesis is that the changing context of colonial politics, research infrastructure, religious beliefs, professional (tacit) codes – what I call the ethical regime – together with local circumstances, explain these changes. The project has a novel, anthropologically grounded approach and a three-way comparative method that includes comparisons between the Dutch East Indies, British Malaya and the (American) Philippines, and between colonies and their metropoles but also traces change over time. As such, we aspire to gain insight in why human subject research has become unethical in some circumstances and less so in others.

Keywords: history of science,history of ethics,history of medicine,history of colonialism,southeast asia
ManipULation of photoinduced processes bY reshaping tranSition StatEs via transient Strong coupling (ULYSSES)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences
Panel description: Analytical chemistry, chemical theory, physical chemistry/chemical physics
Countries involved: Italy
Call: ERC STARTING GRANTS (ERC-2022-STG, 2022)
Start date: 2023-12-01
End date: 2028-11-30
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1497100.0
EU funding (EUR): 1497100.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

Photochemistry deals with the light-assisted transformation of molecules into useful products. These processes are routinely manipulated by chemical modification and external laser driving. Femtosecond coherent control uses ultrashort pulses to initiate and actively modulate a chemical reaction. However successful control of efficiency and specificity of a chemical process is still awaited. ULYSSES proposes a radical departure from the way chemical processes are currently controlled by light. I will introduce an innovative “transient polaritonic control” for manipulation of photoinduced processes, using polaritons (hybrid light-matter states in strong coupling regime) activated on demand in optical nanocavities. I will exploit tunable resonances in metasurfaces (nanostructure arrays) excited by ultrashort pulses for controlling the energy landscape of molecules. Reconfigurable molecular/metasurface “metacavities” will switch on/off strong coupling for real-time selective reshaping of transition states, that I will apply to the proof-of-principle control of a photoisomerization reaction. The project proposes a paradigm-shift in coherent control through three objectives, combining physical chemistry with ultrafast nanophotonics, which perfectly suit my scientific profile. 1) Develop a novel multidimensional “kD Spectroscopy” for characterizing fundamental processes in strongly coupled systems with the unprecedented combination of temporal and momentum resolutions. 2) Design and characterize reconfigurable metasurfaces with ultrafast all-optical tuning of resonances to enable transient strong coupling. 3) Demonstrate the manipulation of the energy landscape of a photoisomerization by reshaping the transition states via transient strong coupling in a metacavity. I foresee my unique approach will transform chemical control by enabling real-time manipulation of the desired reaction pathways with potential for quantum chemistry, remote control, site-selectivity, catalysis.

Keywords: ultrafast spectroscopy strong coupling optical nanostructures
Using cosmic rays for better, more portable and efficient analysis and detection for customs (CosmoPort)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness
Programme: Civil Security for Society
Theme: Civil Security for Society
Destination: Border Management
Action type: Innovation actions
Countries involved: Estonia,Italy,Latvia,Greece,Finland,United Kingdom
Call: Better, more portable and quicker analysis and detection for customs (HORIZON-CL3-2022-BM-01, 2022)
Start date: 2023-10-01
End date: 2026-12-31
Duration (months): 39.0
Total project cost (EUR): 3035260.5
EU funding (EUR): 2480335.5
Participants: 10
Project status: SIGNED

The number of goods and parcels shipped is growing with unstoppable speed. With more individual shipments the means of logistics have changed from central locations to small logistics companies, postal agencies, airports, ports, private vehicles etc. However, the analysis and detection capabilities of such locations are very low, making it an easy target for transporting illicit goods. Currently, there are no effective technologies available that would be able to cope with this growing problem. Despite the widespread use of X-ray technologies, they are still inefficient when it comes to mobile scenarios. In addition, their detection capability is based solely on visual imaging with no way to examine the exact material content of small shipments. We are proposing a completely novel, yet highly effective solution for this. The CosmoPort project will develop the next generation of scanner systems using Atmospheric Ray Tomography (ART). Such systems are equipped with advanced Machine Learning-based risk assessment tool. As muon tomography itself is a technique already in use, then we will develop the first mobile solution combined with AI/ML tools to enhance material and object classification for the first time ever.

Keywords: atmospheric ray tomography,drug detection,mobile scanners,drug analysis,postal services,
Practical magnesium batteries enabled by 2D crystalline polymer-based artificial electrode skins (BattSkin)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Materials Engineering
Panel description: Advanced materials development: performance enhancement, modelling, large -scale preparation, modification, tailoring, optimisation, novel  and combined use of materials, etc.
Countries involved: Germany
Call: ERC STARTING GRANTS (ERC-2023-STG, 2023)
Start date: 2023-12-01
End date: 2028-11-30
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1499900.0
EU funding (EUR): 1499900.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

The intrinsic limitation of Li-ion batteries (i.e., cost, safety, and sustainability) is imposing a strong demand for next-generation battery technologies based on resource-abundant elements. Among the top candidates for this purpose are Mg batteries. However, state-of-the-art Mg batteries still encounter numerous problems (e.g., low Coulombic efficiency, energy efficiency, energy density, and cycle life) and are far from mature to satisfy practical use. The disappointing performance of Mg batteries is dominantly assigned to the problematic interfacial charge transfer governed by the charge-dense Mg2+ at both the anodes and cathodes. Here, I propose the ground-breaking concept of using molecule-customisable 2D crystalline polymers (2DCPs) as artificial electrode ‘skins’ to regulate the interfacial Mg2+ transport and enable practical Mg batteries. Relying on dynamic imine and sp2-carbon linkage reactions, ultrathin 2DCPs with varying porosity, dense nucleophilic groups, and stable polymer skeleton will be synthesised as the artificial electrode skins for Mg batteries. Multifunctional 2DCPs are expected to promote practically useful Mg anode stripping/plating chemistry and high-voltage/high-capacity cathode chemistries by forcing Mg2+ desolvation and Mg2+-anion dissociation, allowing fast and selective interfacial Mg2+ transport, and inhibiting the parasitic reactions associated with the electrolyte. An integrated approach combining atom-level structure investigation, Mg2+-transport study, and electrode chemistry evaluation will establish the molecular design principle for the optimal electrode skins. Ultimately, with artificial electrode skins, the prototype configurations for practical Mg batteries will be formulated, offering intellectual property for future battery products. Besides, the acquired ion-transport knowledge will hold promise in many other applications, such as ion sieving, capacitive deionisation, and salinity gradient energy harvesting.

Keywords: next generation batteries,magnesium batteries,electrode skins,2d crystalline polymers
N2O Budgets in Peatlands - from Process to Ecosystem (PeatlandN2O)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Advanced grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Earth System Science
Panel description: Physical geography, geo logy, geophysics, atmospheric sciences, oceanography, climatology, cryology, ecology, global environmental change, biogeochemical cycles, natural resources management
Countries involved: Estonia
Call: ERC ADVANCED GRANTS (ERC-2022-ADG, 2022)
Start date: 2023-09-01
End date: 2028-08-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 3498875.0
EU funding (EUR): 3498875.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

Nitrous oxide (N2O) is a powerful greenhouse gas and dangerous stratospheric O3 depleting agent. Agriculture and forestry in peatlands are the main sources of N2O emissions. Climate extreme events may boost the emissions but knowledge on their effect is scarce. N2O is a product of a variety of soil processes, including denitrification, nitrification and less studied mechanisms. Partitioning of N2O fluxes between all these different mechanisms is still a major challenge. Microbial processes are of particular importance for N2O budgets. The role of canopy and tree stems in N2O budgets is currently unknown. Novel flux measurement techniques implemented at different levels in combination with remote sensing methods can provide a solid basis for adequate estimation of long-term N2O fluxes in peatlands from local to the global scale. The ground-breaking nature of the proposal lies in integrated use of a combination of innovative methods yielding a pioneering synthesis and modelling of nitrous oxide fluxes at various spatial scales, linked to microbial processes. PeatlandN2O project will: (1) determine the role of rapidly changing environmental factors (soil moisture, freeze–thaw, canopy effects) on N2O emission, particularly in hot spots and hot moments; (2) distinguish between and quantify key N2O production and consumption processes using labelled nitrogen, isotopologues, and microbiome structure; (3) integrate results of experiments and novel measurement techniques (automated chambers, stationary and mobile eddy covariance towers, canopy profile analysis) into the PEATN2O model of N2O fluxes and related environmental factors to enable prediction of hot spots and hot moments of N2O emissions; (4) upgrade IPCC emission factors and suitable land-use strategies to mitigate N2O emissions in peatlands, also considering other greenhouse gases; (5) predict global distribution of N2O emissions according to the land-use and 5 climate change scenarios for 100-year time horizon.

Keywords: climate warming,greenhouse gases,environmental microbiology,micrometeorology,nitrogen cycle,tropical peatlands
FLEXIBLE AMMONIA SYNTHESIS TECHNOLOGY FOR ENERGY STORAGE (FASTER) (FASTER)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness
Programme: Climate, Energy and Mobility
Theme: Energy
Destination: Cross-sectoral solutions for the climate transition
Action type: Research and Innovation actions
Countries involved: Netherlands,United Kingdom,Germany,Italy,Switzerland
Call: Emerging energy technologies for a climate neutral Europe (HORIZON-CL5-2024-D2-01, 2024)
Start date: 2025-01-01
End date: 2028-12-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2933107.5
EU funding (EUR): 2933107.5
Participants: 8
Project status: SIGNED

The increased penetration of variable renewable energy (VRE) in the future will require backup technologies due to intermittency, and long-term energy storage in the form of a chemical vector (such as green ammonia) is increasingly favoured. FASTER will develop and demonstrate the techno-economic feasibility and reliability of a non-noble catalyst based on metal nitrides/ hydrides/amides active at low temperature (< 250 C) and pressure (<50 bar) in combination with a new reactor concept using structured catalysts and temperature swing absorption unit for synthesis and separation at TRL4. The use of highly thermally conductive reactor and absorption scaffolds will increase heat transfer, allowing fast transitions during operation at fluctuating loads (0-100 %). FASTER is a consortium of 5 companies and 3 research universities. The consortium aims to develop (1) novel catalysts highly active at low temperature and pressure for ammonia synthesis, (2) improved heat and mass transport reactor concepts using structured reactors and absorbers, (3) develop and validate a demonstration installation for the FASTER technology, and (4) generating accurate and reliable techno-economic models to identify suitable locations to deploy the concept across Europe and beyond. The innovation tasks will be supported by a dissemination, communication and exploitation strategy focusing on an effective market roll-out by the industrial project partners in the European Union. For this purpose, FASTER gathers a selected group of private and public organizations as Advisory Board Members (ENEL, STEDIN, UPL Mumbay, Fertiberia, Abengoa, TNO, Ammonia Energy Association, Smart Port Systems, and Port of Huelva) to ensure fast-tracking of technology take-up. Ultimately, FASTER will deliver an affordable and clean alternative for hydrogen storage and transport using ammonia as vector in the EU context.

Keywords: ammonia synthesis,absorption enhanced haber bosch,structured catalysts,structured temperature swing absorption,long term hydrogen storage
Institutional Networks for Strengthening Innovation and Growth of Early Research Careers (INSIGHT)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Widening Participation and Strengthening the European Research Area
Programme: Reforming and enhancing the European R&I System
Theme: Reforming and enhancing the European R&I System
Destination: Reforming and enhancing the European R&I System
Action type: Coordination and support actions
Countries involved: Belgium,Austria,Spain,France,Italy,Germany,Greece,Romania,Bulgaria,Bosnia and Herzegovina,Netherlands
Call: Talent ecosystems for attractive early research careers – pilot (HORIZON-WIDERA-2024-ERA-02, 2024)
Start date: 2025-09-01
End date: 2028-08-31
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1992727.5
EU funding (EUR): 1992727.5
Participants: 11
Project status: SIGNED

The INSIGHT project aims to establish and operationalise a network of interconnected talent ecosystems that foster attractive, inclusive, and sustainable research careers for early-stage researchers across academia, industry, and the public sector. It addresses systemic challenges in developing structured talent ecosystems and aims to bridge the gap between the skills acquired in academic settings and those required in the labour market, particularly in areas related to the Green Deal, digital transformation, and deep tech. The project brings together a consortium of 11 European partners, including universities, research institutions, industry representatives, and public authorities, to implement the principles of the new Charter for Researchers. It focuses on creating sustainable organisational change and providing tailored training pathways, mentorship programmes, and career support services that enhance the employability and mobility of early-stage researchers. INSIGHT aims to establish a pilot talent ecosystem, emphasising human factors in technology acceptance within the automotive and manufacturing sectors, thus ensuring that researchers develop practical, market-relevant skills. Through collaboration, capacity building, and policy feedback, INSIGHT will provide actionable recommendations for establishing sustainable talent ecosystems across Europe, supporting career development, and promoting diversity and inclusivity in research careers. The project is expected to create a lasting impact by fostering a dynamic, interconnected European Research Area, where early-stage researchers have access to attractive and meaningful career opportunities.

Keywords: talent ecosystem,early stage researchers,cross sectoral mobility,organisational change,interdisciplinary collaboration
PROPELLING HEALTH AND SUSTAINABILITY THROUGH INNOVATIVE FOOD PRODUCTS AND PROCESSES (Sustain-a-bite)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness
Programme: Food, Bioeconomy Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment
Theme: Bio-Environment
Destination: Fair, healthy and environmentally-friendly food systems from primary production to consumption
Action type: Research and Innovation actions
Countries involved: Finland,Ireland,Netherlands,Romania,Italy,Portugal,Türkiye,United Kingdom,Spain,Poland,France,Switzerland,Denmark
Call: New healthy and sustainable food products and processes (HORIZON-CL6-2024-FARM2FORK-01, 2024)
Start date: 2024-10-01
End date: 2028-03-31
Duration (months): 42.0
Total project cost (EUR): 4996972.25
EU funding (EUR): 4996972.25
Participants: 20
Project status: SIGNED

Sustain-a-bite has the ambition to develop innovative, affordable, energy and water efficient minimal processing solutions for plant-based ingredient and food production. The produced food prototypes will ensure maximal nutritional quality and health benefits, taking into account consumer perspectives. Our approach is to combine bioprocesses and non-thermal treatments that enable reduction of >30% energy and >50% water consumption, compared to highly processed plant-protein isolates. The technology concepts developed will reduce the consumer prices of plant-based foods by 25% compared to the commodity meat and dairy products making them more affordable. This novel co-(bio)processing concept will make a paradigm shift by disrupting the traditional plant ingredient processes, which generate substantial side-streams during production of highly refined isolates or concentrates. Sustain-a-bite food prototypes aim to diversify the use of plant ingredients in various forms, including liquids, semi-solids, and solids. This goes beyond addressing just the "protein challenge," as it utilizes the entire plant matrix to provide not only protein but also dietary fibre, essential minerals, antioxidants, and vitamins. This approach maximizes nutritional quality and offers associated health benefits. The minimal processing solutions developed in Sustain-a-bite will aim at tailoring the structural architecture of the raw materials towards reduced anti-nutritional factors, enhanced satiety, nutrient bio-accessibility, and sensory quality. We will evaluate the effect of processing on macro- and micronutrient bioavailability, protein, and starch digestibility as well as gut microbiome by developing improved realistic predictive in vitro models. Sustainability, health and economic impacts of minimal processing will be assessed both at the product and system scales.

Keywords: non thermal processing,germination,fermentation,nutrient bio accessibility and bio availability,in vitro models,sustainability,consumer science,sensory,cereals,legumes,side stream upcycling