Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Genetic paths underlying the convergent evolution of pigmented spots on fly wings (Spotifly)

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-2015, 2015)
Start date: 2016-05-01
End date: 2018-04-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 159460.8
EU funding (EUR): 159460.8
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

When a phenotype evolves twice in independent lineages, are the underlying molecular mechanisms similar? In the case of similar pigmentation patterns that have arisen independently in two fruit fly species, Drosophila tristis and Drosophila biarmipes, the question, becomes: is there a unique genetic path to gain a pigmentation spot on the wing? Each pigmentation pattern is prefigured by the developmental expression of yellow, a gene necessary for the production of black pigments. In each case, yellow expression results from a novel enhancer, both enhancers sharing no homology. To understand how these new regulatory activities have independently emerged, we will first perform an RNAi screen to identify transcription factors controlling each enhancer. We will then characterize the candidate transcription factors identified, assess their genetic sufficiency and the directness of the regulatory link. We will evaluate the degree of convergence in the control of the activity of the two enhancers by closely comparing the relationship between their structure and their function. We will compare sequences between species that carry the regulatory activity and species that do not. We will identify in which context binding sites that convey the activity evolved (position, spacing, orientation). Moreover, we will distinguish among sites contributing permissive or instructive (spatio-temporal) input. This project tackles the open question of how a new regulatory activity emerges. The contribution of each input is key element to enhancer activity, and is hardly understood in any system. The model we use may represent a rare case where the evolution of a regulatory activity can be deciphered functionally. Our work will also address the question of the repeated evolution of complex traits, often associated to regulatory changes. We will assess the level of functional constraint that may channel the emergence of the same regulatory activity to the same molecular mechanisms.

Keywords: pigmentation,evolution,cis regulation,pattern,convergence,fruit fly
Tuneable Catalyst Surfaces for Heterogeneous Catalysis – Electrochemical Switching of Selectivity and Activity (TUCAS)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — 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: Austria,Austria
Call: ERC Starting Grant (ERC-2017-STG, 2017)
Start date: 2018-01-01
End date: 2023-06-30
Duration (months): 66.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1997202.49
EU funding (EUR): 112734.45
Participants: 2
Project status: SIGNED

In heterogeneous catalysis surfaces decorated with uniformly dispersed, catalytically highly active particles are a key requirement for excellent performance. One of the main tasks in catalysis research is the continuous improvement or development of catalytically active materials. An emerging concept in catalyst design, and the aim of this project, is to selectively and reversibly tune and modify the surface chemistry by electrochemical polarisation. Perovskite-type catalysts raise the opportunity to incorporate guest elements as dopants. Upon electrochemical polarisation these dopants emerge from the oxide lattice to form catalytically active clusters or nanoparticles on the surface (by exsolution). In consequence this leads to a strong modification or enhancement of catalytic selectivity and activity. Electrochemical polarisation offers the possibility to adjust the surface chemistry in response to an external signal (here the applied voltage). Studies in a realistic catalytic reaction environment (in-situ) will enable a direct correlation of surface structure with catalytic activity, selectivity and the electrochemical stimulation. The unique combination of surface science, heterogeneous catalysis and electrochemistry will take this research to a new ground-breaking level. No research group has yet tried to tackle this topic on a fundamental mechanistic level by this multidisciplinary approach. The proposed project opens unprecedented possibilities for catalyst design and in-situ control due to the versatility of perovskite-type catalyst materials and dopant elements. Nanoparticle exsolution is a highly time- and cost-efficient way of catalyst preparation and it will offer solutions to major problems in heterogeneous catalysis, such as ageing (sintering) or catalyst deactivation (coking). Tuneable catalyst surfaces will facilitate tackling a major concern of the 21st century, the utilisation of CO2 and its conversion to renewable fuel.

Keywords: in situ,exsolution,tunning catalytic activity,perovskite,dopant
The First Industrial-Scale Commercially Viable & Environmentally Sensitive System For Empty Fruit Bunch Waste Disposal (MATE)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Industrial Leadership
Programme: Innovation in SMEs
Action type: SME instrument
Countries involved: Germany
Call: SME instrument (H2020-SMEInst-2018-2020-1, 2019)
Start date: 2019-08-01
End date: 2019-11-30
Duration (months): 4.0
Total project cost (EUR): 71429.0
EU funding (EUR): 50000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

AutoDisplay GmbH is a German SME that is using its designer enzyme technology MATE to combat the environmental crisis caused by empty fruit basket (EFB) dumping within the palm oil production sector. By allowing the design of re-usable enzyme blends for specific biomasses allows palm oil biorefinery operators to comply with environmental regulations, as well as the demand for environmentally sustainable products from their clients. 60M tonnes of EFB waste is generated annually by the growing palm oil production sector. EFB disposal through incineration has been banned since 1996 as it was emitting 500M tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere each year, contributing 1.4% of global net CO2 emissions. This increased land dumping of EFB whose decomposition causes high levels of methane emissions and water table pollution. Due to the lack of commercial and political incentives, R&D of biomass industrial enzyme technologies has been directed to starchy biomass feedstocks. Thus, no specific enzyme technology has been developed for the treatment of the specific fibrous structure and high lignin content of EFB, which makes it recalcitrant to currently available enzyme treatments at an industrial scale. With our MATE technology we have a unique advantage within the growing €58B palm oil market that is supplied from 782 palm oil mills globally. By incorporating the MATE technology within a full Engineering-Procurement-Construction (EPC) package we can offer a turn-key product for palm mills owners seeking to re-engineer, or build from scratch, a self-sufficient and environmentally friendly palm oil biorefinery. The MATE system allows (i) savings upward of 60% of enzyme costs for EFB processing, (ii) compliance with environmental legislations and consumer sensitivities regarding EFB waste treatment, as well as (iii) opening up a new revenue channel for the sale of the 2nd generation sugars produced by the MATE saccharification of EFB worth potentially €5.5B globally.

Keywords: enzyme technology,palm oil production,empty fruit bunch,palm oil bio refinery,2nd generation biomass
Next Generation Lab-On-a-Chip For Advanced Diagnostics (PiLOC)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: Future and Emerging Technologies (FET)
Theme: EIC Pathfinder
Destination: Novel ideas for radically new technologies
Action type: Coordination and support actions
Countries involved: Italy,Switzerland
Call: FET Innovation Launchpad (H2020-FETOPEN-2018-2019-2020-4, 2020)
Start date: 2021-04-01
End date: 2022-03-31
Duration (months): 12.0
Total project cost (EUR): 142857.14
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 2
Project status: CLOSED

Microfluidics technology has revolutionised key applications like drug development, stem cell research, microbiological analysis, medical diagnosis, personalised medicine and chemical biology, just to name but a few. The progress of microfluidics technology has opened a completely new market for Lab-On-Chip systems (LOC), which are miniaturised devices intended to replicate what happens in a real lab, drastically improving cost efficiency, parallelization, ergonomics, diagnostic speed and sensitivity. Considering that the largest majority of microfluidic chips is made of glass or silicon due to the mature manufacturing process and excellent optical properties, surface stability, solvent compatibility, one question is puzzling the LOC industry: how to deal with the increased complexity of systems required by the biotech industry? At Piemacs, a high tech startup company stemming from the pioneering research activities carried out at the EPFL’s Muralt’s lab, we propose a novel technology for the seamless integration of valves, pumps, injectors made with piezoelectric thin films onto polymer microfluidic chips, thus leading to the next generation low-cost and high performance LOC. This will allow monolithic fabrication of LOC using MEMS technology, benefiting from the advancements in MEMS manufacturing. This project will allow us to validate that the technological and business conditions exist to integrate piezoelectric thin films in polymers instead of glass, paving the way to a completely new and revolutionary application, which can potentially reduce the manufacturing cost of advanced microfluidic chips by two orders of magnitude, moving from hundreds of €/chip of most advanced Si-glass chips to few € of fully integrated polymer chips. This would further boost the adoption of LOC devices in research and clinical practice, also favouring the roll-out in regions of the world where fast and reliable microfluidic diagnostic tests are still not economically viable.

Keywords: piezoelectric thin film,lab on a chip,medical diagnostic
Advancing knowledge and acquiring expertise in shellfish research by investigating environmental, neuroendocrine and endocrine control of key stages in oyster aquaculture, using a rhythmic approach (NEUROSHELL)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: Marie-Sklodowska-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Individual Fellowships (IF)-Career Restart panel
Action type: Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions
Panel: Life Sciences
Countries involved: United Kingdom
Call: Individual Fellowships (H2020-MSCA-IF-2018, 2018)
Start date: 2019-09-02
End date: 2023-06-05
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 337400.64
EU funding (EUR): 337400.64
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The rapid worldwide expansion of marine bivalve aquaculture has lead to a growing demand for hatchery production of seed. Increase in this production has however been hampered by a lack of physiological synchrony of individuals, with difficulties in 1) conditioning of broodstock and predicting when they will spawn, 2) metamorphosis of larvae into spat. The overall research objective of Neuroshell is to advance knowledge on the environmental, neuroendocrine and endocrine control of these key stages in bivalves. This will be done through a daily rhythms approach, by investigating the effect of daily environmental cycles on reproduction (sub-project 1) and metamorphosis (sub-project 2), and generating a profile of target neuroendocrine/endocrine factors at given stages under these conditions. Then determining whether these factors too exhibit daily rhythmicity. Work will be performed on the European oyster, Ostrea edulis, through in vivo experiments. Neuroshell is multidisciplinary and intersectoral, combining physiological, biochemical and molecular techniques with shellfish aquaculture and industry integration. It also includes a secondment in Spain. Transfer of knowledge and comprehensive training of the researcher are key elements of the action. The core focus of the researcher to date has been on reproductive neuroendocrinology and physiology in fish species for commercial aquaculture. To broaden her research scope dramatically, the project has been developed with the Scottish Association of Marine Science UK (host), to enable her to gain knowledge, skills, competencies, experience and contacts in an entirely new group of species of major commercial importance. Overall, results have the potential capacity to advance hatchery production of marine bivalves and fundamental science, and promote the researcher to a level of professional maturity and independence. Ultimately contributing to the excellence and competitiveness of EU aquaculture research and industry.

Keywords: neuroendocrinology,bivalve mollusc,light,temperature,reproduction
A light weight, recyclable, tracking support system, for solar photovoltaic modules based on inflatable polymer membranes (POLYSOLAR)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Societal Challenges
Programme: Secure, clean and efficient energy
Action type: SME instrument
Countries involved: Germany
Call: Stimulating the innovation potential of SMEs for a low carbon energy system (H2020-SMEINST-1-2014, 2014)
Start date: 2014-10-01
End date: 2015-03-31
Duration (months): 6.0
Total project cost (EUR): 71429.0
EU funding (EUR): 50000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

POLYSOLAR Short Summary Established in 2009 in Berlin, Germany, Solardynamik provides renewable energy consulting services, conducts researches and develops innovative solutions for the solar PV sector. We have developed, patented and demonstrated an innovative, light-weight, tracking support system for solar PV modules based on a recyclable, inflatable polymer membrane. Support systems are used to hold solar modules in place and may be either fixed-tilt or tracking types. Tracking types orient PV modules toward the sun to improve efficiency. The main advantages of the system are: Up to 68% less cost than SoA and 70% lighter; Up to 30% more annual energy production than fixed-axis solutions; Compact and light weight - cost effective transport and installation, can be used on wider range of light weight structures; Can fully deflate under wind loads – suitable for use in hurricane prone regions; Up to 44% less CO2 emission in manufacture; Transparent body provides architectual advantages, allows light penetration when mounted as a lattice or when used with semi-transparent solar cells, lighting applications; 100% recyclable, and future polymers from renewable sources; Dual use of land with exisiting agricultual or other activity (eg carport). We expect to enter the market in 2017, after securing external funding of around €2.2 million. and predict a total net income in the range of €4.29 million over a 5-year period. Additionally we create 38 new positions in our company over that period. In Phase 1 our objectives are: 1.) to analyse the results of the prototype demonstration to identify potential improvements; 2.) to identify potential manufacturers of the system components; 3.) to further assess and protect our intellectual property; 4.) to perform a detailed study of the target markets; 5.) to identify and assess potential distribution partners in Europe and abroad.

Keywords: solar,photovoltaic,support system,polymer membrane,tracking,renewable energy,rooftop,building integrated
100% recovery and RECYCLing of construction vehicle crAwler TRACKs into constituent rubber and steel for sustainable raw material supply (Recyclatrack)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Societal Challenges
Programme: Climate action, environment,  resource efficiency and raw materials
Action type: SME instrument
Countries involved: United Kingdom
Call: Boosting the potential of small businesses for eco-innovation and a sustainable supply of raw materials (H2020-SMEINST-1-2015, 2015)
Start date: 2016-03-01
End date: 2016-05-31
Duration (months): 3.0
Total project cost (EUR): 71429.0
EU funding (EUR): 50000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Aquablast Limited, www.aquablast.co.uk, are pioneers of Ultra High Pressure (UHP) waterjet technology with operating pressures up to 60,000 psi, which is now an industry standard for steel and concrete surface preparation and cutting. We are now introducing UHP water techniques to the recycling industry through Recyclatrack- a process that recovers and recycles end-of-life rubber crawler tracks using UHP water-jets. Recyclatrack has been developed so that construction equipment Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEMs), Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MROs) and plant hire companies can dispose of growing numbers of decommissioned steel/rubber composite crawler tracks safely and cost-effectively with a sustainable and environmentally compliant process. Recyclatrack is a patent-pending ‘green’ solution for this problematic waste stream , achieving 100% recycling of scrap crawler tracks to recover high grade ferrous scrap and rubber crumb, both of which are readily integrated back into the market.

Keywords: uhp water,recycling,rubber,steel,raw material recovery,commercialisation,europe
PHOTONICS QUANTUM SAMPLING MACHINE (PHOQUSING)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: Future and Emerging Technologies (FET)
Theme: EIC Pathfinder
Destination: Novel ideas for radically new technologies
Action type: Research and Innovation actions
Countries involved: Italy,France,France,Netherlands,Portugal
Call: FET-Open Challenging Current Thinking (H2020-FETOPEN-2018-2019-2020-01, 2019)
Start date: 2020-09-01
End date: 2024-08-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 3305955.0
EU funding (EUR): 3305955.0
Participants: 7
Project status: SIGNED

Randomness is a resource that enables applications such as efficient probabilistic algorithms, numerical integration, simulation, and optimization. In the last few years it was realized that quantum devices can generate probability distributions that are inaccessible with classical means. Hybrid Quantum Computational models combine classical processing with these quantum sampling machines to obtain computational advantage in some tasks. Moreover, NISQ (Noisy, Intermediate-Scale Quantum) technology may suffice to obtain this advantage in the near term, long before we can build large-scale, universal quantum computers. PHOQUSING aims to implement PHOtonic Quantum SamplING machines based on large, reconfigurable interferometers with active feedback, and state-of-the-art photon sources based both on quantum dots and parametric down-conversion. We will overview the different architectures enabling the generation of these hard-to-sample distributions using integrated photonics, optimizing the designs and studying the tolerance to errors. We will build two quantum sampling machines with different technologies, as a way to do cross-checks while exploiting all advantages of each platform. These machines will establish a new state-of-the-art in photonic reconfigurability, system complexity, and integration. Finally, we plan to perform first, proof-of-principle demonstrations of Hybrid Quantum Computation applications in optimization, machine learning, and graph theory. The PHOQUSING team includes long-term scientific collaborators who were among the first to demonstrate quantum photonic samplers; two of the leading European start-ups in the relevant quantum technologies; and theoretical experts in photonics and quantum information science. This project will help establish photonics as a leading new quantum computational technology in Europe, addressing the science-to-technology transition towards a new industrial sector with a large foreseeable economic impact.

Keywords: hybrid quantum computing,photonics quantum hardware,integrated quantum photonics
Multi-layered integration of motivated actions and their outcomes in basal ganglia circuits (GONOGO)

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: Netherlands
Call: Individual Fellowships (H2020-MSCA-IF-2019, 2019)
Start date: 2020-10-01
End date: 2022-09-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 187572.48
EU funding (EUR): 187572.48
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

We cross the street when the traffic light is green (action initiation), and we wait if it is red (action suppression), both in order to reach a goal across the street, such as getting an ice cream (rewarding) or insect-repellant to avoid a mosquito bite (aversive). Such action control is dysfunctional in several psychiatric disorders. For example, action initiation and suppression are impaired in patients suffering from depression and impulsivity, respectively. Thus, improving our incomplete understanding of the neural basis of action control has translational value, specifically how action outcome valence (rewarding or aversive) interacts with brain mechanisms of action control (i.e., initiation or suppression). The direct and indirect output pathways of the basal ganglia are strongly implicated in action initiation and suppression, respectively, and receive modulating input from dopamine and serotonin neurons, which are implicated in processing rewarding and aversive stimuli, respectively. I hypothesize that the anatomical and functional integration of these opposing systems supports action control as well as constitutes a neural interface for the interaction of action control and outcome valence. I propose to use a set of innovative and inter-disciplinary approaches that include monitoring neuronal ensemble activity with calcium imaging using implantable, miniaturized fluorescence microscopes and simultaneous optogenetic manipulation in novel transgenic rats performing in a tailor-made behavioral paradigm. I aim to understand the neural mechanisms in the basal ganglia that crucially govern the control over actions with different outcome valences. My anticipated results will inform future research and potentially treatment of psychiatric disorders such as depression and impulsivity disorders. Further, this fellowship will strengthen my position as an independent researcher and increase my chances for a tenure-track position at a European research institution.

Keywords: calcium imaging,striatum,dopamine,serotonin,optogenetics,dimensionality reduction,neural manifolds