Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Linking plant-soil feedbacks to aboveground-belowground interactions for noxious weed control (SOIL-4-CONTROL)

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: Environment and Geosciences
Countries involved: Netherlands
Call: Individual Fellowships (H2020-MSCA-IF-2017, 2017)
Start date: 2019-04-01
End date: 2021-03-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 165598.8
EU funding (EUR): 165598.8
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Recent research has proven that plant-soil feedbacks (PSF) can shape plant community composition, and that soil inoculation can be used to steer this. This provides the yet unexplored potential to target PSF for the control of noxious weeds, which are among the major threats to native plant diversity and forage yield. Recent studies showed that PSF-induced changes in plant chemistry can consecutively affect aboveground herbivory, a driver of plant performance that is used in weed biocontrol. I have a solid background in biocontrol and plant population dynamics. In my project SOIL-4-CONTROL I aim to provide a proof-of-principle that integrates effects of PSF and aboveground herbivory to control common ragwort, a worldwide toxic weed of grasslands rapidly expanding in Europe. The project will also yield fundamental knowledge on the (chemical) interplay between PSF and herbivores. Hosted by Leiden University, I will join an ongoing experiment of my supervisor Prof. Bezemer, who manipulated PSF at large scale in the field by soil inoculation. By combining analysis of unpublished data, experimentation in this field, a mesocosm experiment, and chemical analysis of the plants used, I will 1) examine soil-mediated effects on ragwort establishment in the field; 2) quantify the role of soil-mediated and herbivore community effects on ragwort performance in the field; 3) disentangle effects of PSF, specialist and generalist herbivores, and plant competition on ragwort performance. I will involve nature managers for future use of our expected results in grassland restoration. With my secondment host CABI, an environmental management organisation, I will explore wider applications of PSF in invasive plant management, as urged by the EU Regulation 1143/2014. I will engage the public following my strong record in science communication. The excellent scientific environment and the training programme allow me to develop the professional maturity for a future PI position in Europe.

Keywords: plant soil feedbacks,plant insect interactions,biological control,plant chemistry,community ecology,weed control
One Step Modification of Space-Integrated Systems (OSMOSIS)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Industrial Leadership
Programme: Space
Action type: SME instrument
Countries involved: Ireland
Call: Engaging SMEs in space research and development (H2020-SMEINST-2-2016-2017, 2016)
Start date: 2017-04-01
End date: 2019-07-31
Duration (months): 28.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2170900.0
EU funding (EUR): 1519630.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The European Space Sector is facing an imminent crisis. Metal adhesive bonding is a critical process for fabricating satellites and it relies heavily on a toxic metal priming process called chromate conversion coating. Environmental legislation (REACH) will prevent the use of the commonly used chromate conversion coatings due to their hazardous nature with sunset dates in 2017 and 2019 for corrosion and primer treatments respectively. Potential replacements may only give a short reprieve from regulation restriction as they are all based on a wet-chemistry approach that is fundamentally tied to the use of aggressive chemicals. Although not currently under REACH regulation, these chemicals are listed as substances of very high concern (SVHC). The OSMOSIS project aims to utilise the ENBIO patented CoBlast process as a new surface adhesion primer solution. It uses no hazardous chemicals and meets or exceeds existing industry standard performance. CoBlast is already used by ENBIO to apply a qualified thermal control coating for the European Space Agency for spacecraft. The process is highly flexible and can be altered to apply an adhesive primer to replace chromate conversion. The CoBlast adhesive priming process has already passed testing in the automotive sector and is at TRL 6. The key goal of this project, OSMOSIS, is to bring this adhesive primer solution through full commercialisation within the European Space Sector. Utilising the SME Instrument Phase 2 program enables ENBIO to accelerate their route to market within the 2 year project duration, which would be projected to take up to 5 years without this support. Space Sector adhesion applications have a relatively low process throughput time requirement and very defined part geometries. Once the process has been scaled for the Space sector, it can then be further scaled as a proven technology into the Aerospace and Automotive sectors where they have an identical problem but require faster processing times.

Keywords: reach,cleanspace,adhesive primer,conversion coating replacement
Prevalence and Influence of Sexual Antagonism on Genome Evolution (SexAntag)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Environmental Biology, Ecology and Evolution
Panel description: Ecology, biodiversity, environmental change, evolutionary biology, behavioural ecology, microbial ecology, marine biology, ecophysiology, theoretical developments and modelling
Countries involved: Austria
Call: ERC Starting Grant (ERC-2016-STG, 2016)
Start date: 2017-03-01
End date: 2022-02-28
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1444394.0
EU funding (EUR): 1444394.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Males and females display profound differences in phenotype, physiology and behavior, and understanding the evolutionary forces driving this diversity is a long-standing goal in evolutionary biology. Sexually antagonistic conflict, resulting from traits and/or mutations that are beneficial to one sex but harmful to the other, can in theory lead to strong dimorphism, and has been invoked to explain many evolutionary features, including the large number of genes that acquire sex-biased expression. Quantifying it, however, has proved difficult, and only a few experimental studies have attempted to systematically identify genes under sexual conflict. Species groups with both sexual and asexual populations offer a promising approach to tackle this question, as they allow for a direct comparison of gene expression when selection occurs ½ of the time in females and ½ of the time in males (in sexual species), versus a female-only selective regime (asexual species). Here, we will test the hypothesis that widespread sexual conflict maintains sex-biased gene expression, using the brine shrimp Artemia as a model. Specifically, we will: 1. Compare gene expression levels of closely related Artemia sexual and asexual species, to test if the absence of selection on males (in the female-only species) leads to general shifts in expression, and if these changes are consistent with predictions made under sexual antagonism. 2. Characterize the Z (sex) chromosome of the sexual and asexual species, to test if this chromosome is particularly prone to maintaining genes under sexual conflict, as predicted by theory. 3. Investigate the population genomics profile of genes under sexual conflict, to find signatures of sexual conflict that may be diagnostic for sexually antagonistic genes in other systems. Together, these analyses will provide us with a global overview of the prevalence of sexual antagonism, and of its influence on gene expression and genome evolution.

Keywords: sexual conflict,genomics,population genetics,transcriptomics
THE EUROPEAN ALLIANCE FOR GLOBAL HEALTH – TRANSFORMATION THROUGH JOINT RESEARCH AND INNOVATION ACTION (EUGLOHRIA)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Science with and for Society
Action type: Coordination and support actions
Countries involved: Germany,Hungary,Sweden,France,Portugal
Call: Support for the Research and Innovation Dimension of European Universities (Part I) (H2020-IBA-SwafS-Support-1-2020, 2020)
Start date: 2021-01-01
End date: 2023-12-31
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1999601.25
EU funding (EUR): 1999601.25
Participants: 11
Project status: SIGNED

As one of 17 selected pilot “European Universities”, the “European Alliance for Global Health” (EUGLOH) and its five partner institutions (UPSaclay, LU, USZ, UPORTO, LMU) are pursuing the long-term goal of creating a European campus to train future generations of European innovators, practitioners, experts and leaders in global health and well-being. Building on its education dimension, the Alliance’s proposal “The European Alliance for Global Health – Transformation through Joint Research and Innovation Action” (EUGLOHRIA), sets out an ambitious agenda of institutional transformation in the areas of research and innovation as part of which the Alliance will pursue the integrated mission of developing into a world-class higher education, research and innovation alliance addressing global health challenges ranging from public health and environmental protection to food security. This mission focuses on the urgent need to step up international and cross-sectoral collaboration in research and innovation in tackling global health crises, especially in light of the current COVID19-pandemic. Based on the excellence and the breadth of interdisciplinary expertise of the partners, the Alliance will respond to this need by developing a joint action plan in research on pandemics with a focus on COVID19 and its ramifications, building capacity as part of sharing access to “Excellence Core Facilities” in global health and stimulating sustainable innovation and academia-business cooperation across its local ecosystems, thereby promoting the translation of research into health-related innovations and the next generation of global health experts.

Keywords: global health,european university alliance,pandemics,covid 19,core facilities,business academia cooperation,knowledge transfer
Electric Scalable Axle Module for e-Mobility (ESKAM)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Industrial Leadership
Programme: Innovation in SMEs
Action type: SME instrument
Countries involved: Germany
Call: SME instrument (H2020-SMEInst-2018-2020-1, 2018)
Start date: 2018-05-01
End date: 2018-10-31
Duration (months): 6.0
Total project cost (EUR): 71429.0
EU funding (EUR): 50000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

An increasing trend toward electrically powered vehicles can now be discerned worldwide. However, battery electric vehicles are still contending with the problems of high procurement costs and low range, and are therefore penetrating the market only very slowly. Groschopp (electrical drive technology) teamed up with the SMEs REFU (high-performance electronics and battery storage systems), Vogel (gearbox manufacturing) and EcoEnGines (demonstration, sales and partners for electric vehicle conversion in Netherlands) to develop, manufacture and commercialise ESKAM, the Electrical Scalable Axle Module. The innovative concept is to combine to high-speed rotating electric motors and a dual transmission with a therefore optimised power electronics as an axle module. The lightweight design technology is suitable for large-series production. The result is a scalable, cost- and energy-efficient solution. Initially we will introduce ESKAM in a demonstration project on a Dutch island with focus on electric vehicle conversion of the very popular vehicle models Land Rover Defender, Renault Espace and Toyota Land Cruiser. The consortium will provide ESKAM, complete kits including battery and auxiliary systems, as well as training and service to car workshop. With the change in the automotive segment towards e-mobility, we have the chance to enter the profitable automotive market. Our ambition is to strengthen our businesses by this new pillar. With ESKAM we expect to reach a turnover of about 34 M€ in 2023 and to create 72 new jobs. In the feasibility study, a detailed analysis of the best-fitting market segments within the used vehicles market will be conducted, including the involvement of pilot customers for the validation of the business idea, as well as the elaboration of a thorough business plan for commercialisation. The findings of the feasibility study will be integrated into the subsequent SME Phase 2 project to perfectly facilitate the market introduction.

Keywords: electric vehicle conversion,electric axle,battery electric vehicle,retrofit,e mobility
The Digital Insurance Assistant for European consumers (BRAIN)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Industrial Leadership
Programme: Innovation in SMEs
Action type: SME instrument
Countries involved: Denmark
Call: SME instrument (H2020-SMEInst-2018-2020-1, 2018)
Start date: 2018-07-01
End date: 2018-09-30
Duration (months): 3.0
Total project cost (EUR): 71429.0
EU funding (EUR): 50000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Consumers are vastly uninformed when it comes to contracting insurance and using their coverages. Although the average insurance cost per capita in the EU is 2,670€ per year, European users do NOT have the tools to easily compare, select and buy the best insurance policies; those that provide the best insurance coverage at the best price. Furthermore, insurance policies are usually difficult to understand and cumbersome to manage. Our new product COMPARO BRAIN employs state-of-the-art Machine-Learning algorithms to offer an app-based personal insurance assistant that will help European consumers get customised information about the best insurance policies, obtain recommendations and contract with the best providers. BRAIN offers comprehensive data on coverages included in the insurance policies of the user and adapts to their needs by implementing the most advanced context-aware technologies that adapt accordingly to create a more relevant and interactive user experience. BRAIN saves 10 hours (35% reduction) of annoying research and bureaucracy in the contracting process. Users obtain optimal insurance policies, avoid paying for redundant insurance coverages, saving on average 20% on their insurance costs annually and avoid paying for everyday services already included in their coverages. Thanks to this project we expect to internationalise our customer base entering Norway, Denmark and Sweden in a first phase. We plan to serve more than 400 thousand households in Europe after 5 years of commercialization.
Modifying Institution by Developing Gender Equality Plans (MINDtheGEPs)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Science with and for Society
Programme: Promote gender equality in particular by supporting structural change in the organisation of research institutions and in the content and design of research activities
Action type: Coordination and support actions
Countries involved: Ireland,Spain,Italy,Italy,Serbia,Poland,Poland,Sweden,Netherlands
Call: Supporting research organisations to implement gender equality plans (H2020-SwafS-2020-1, 2020)
Start date: 2021-02-01
End date: 2025-07-31
Duration (months): 54.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2936022.5
EU funding (EUR): 2936022.5
Participants: 11
Project status: SIGNED

MINDtheGEPs takes a multidisciplinary multidimensional approach to challenging gender unbalances across five different countries with still traditional gender regimes (Italy, Spain, Serbia, Ireland, Poland) and across various types of Research Performing Organisations: 4 public universities (Turin, Tralee, Gdansk, Jagiellonian) and 1 public non-academic research institute (CNR); 1 academic (Belgrade) and 1 private technological institute center (Galicia). The consortium, led by the University of Turin’s CIRSDe, comprises also three non-implementing organizations bringing complementary expertise in monitoring and evaluation (Knowledge and Innovation), research communication (Uppsala University) and scientific publishing (Elsevier). In order to promote systemic institutional change and following the “no data-no policy” principle, the project will map the existing data and, building on the tools developed within an ongoing research project of the project coordinator, will produce new quali-quantitative evidence. On this basis, both structural and cultural actions can be effectively designed. At cultural level, the project will organize a virtuous chain of trainings, starting from across-partners "train the trainers" workshops to within-partners laboratories addressed to young women, but, endorsing the approach of "fixing the system not the women", also to men and senior researchers. At structural level, the project will introduce work-family measures addressed also to men, equality targets in decision-making boards and gender-sensitive research. The establishment of proper figures and bodies creates conditions for the endurance of GEPs beyond the project’s life. A multidisciplinary team (also including key-persons in middle or top management), coupled with a multi-skilled Advisory Board (including relevant national authorities), and 4 professional associations both in STEMM and SSH, will contribute to a successful change in RPOs and in society at large.

Keywords: gender gaps,gender equality plans,research performing organisations,systemic institutional change,cultural and structural actions
Divide and conquer: using patient-derived tumour organoids to dissect intra-tumour immune heterogeneity of non-small cell lung cancer (TxImmuneOrganoids)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: Marie-Sklodowska-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Individual Fellowships (IF)-Standard European Fellowships
Action type: Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions
Panel: Life Sciences
Countries involved: United Kingdom
Call: Individual Fellowships (H2020-MSCA-IF-2020, 2020)
Start date: 2021-08-01
End date: 2023-07-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 224933.76
EU funding (EUR): 224933.76
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) has revolutionised treatment of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but is effective in only ~20% of patients. Anti-tumour immunity is highly heterogeneous within tumours, and intra-tumour heterogeneity (ITH) is a major driver for treatment resistance. However, the mechanistic basis of intra-tumour immune heterogeneity (ITIH) is unclear, largely due to the absence of appropriate functional models. Here, I aim to identify the genetic or transcriptomic drivers of ITIH, and their impact on immune surveillance and control. I have recently developed an organoid – T-cell co-culture system that I will use to generate personalised models of ITIH. Leveraging the TRACERx lung cancer evolution study, I will establish multiple clonal organoid lines from the same tumour from NSCLC multi-region biopsies. Each organoid subline will be co-cultured with autologous T-cells to evaluate how they differ in sensitivity to T-cells. For each patient, the 6 most sensitive and 6 most resistant sublines will be used for DNA and RNA sequencing to identify mutations (including neo-antigens), copy number alterations and differentially expressed genes associated with resistance to T-cells. Candidate subclonal immune evasion factors will be validated in organoids by CRISPR-Cas9. I will prioritise genes by cross-referencing with genes associated with immune-cold regions in the TRACERx cohort. I will also perform pooled enrichment screens as a less biased approach. The integration of novel organoid technology with ‘big data’ from TRACERx allows moving beyond merely descriptive studies of ITIH. This will result in the most fine-grained mechanistic study of ITIH to date.

Keywords: organoids,non small cell lung cancer,tumour heterogeneity,tracerx,cancer evolution,immunotherapy,immune checkpoint blockade
NUCLEAR DYNAMICS OF AUTOPHAGY IN PLANT IMMUNITY (NUCLAGY)

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: Sweden
Call: Individual Fellowships (H2020-MSCA-IF-2019, 2019)
Start date: 2020-11-01
End date: 2023-04-25
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 203852.16
EU funding (EUR): 203852.16
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

Autophagy is a major degradation and renewal system that controls cellular homeostasis and stress adaptation in eukaryotes. Emerging evidence indicates that autophagy is an integral part of the plant’s defence against pathogens and thus, a promising target to improve disease resistance in crops. Research on plant autophagy has primarily focused on cytoplasmic targets and mechanisms, yet the degradation of nuclear components (nucleophagy) and the epigenetic regulation of autophagy have recently received growing attention in yeast and mammalian systems. Whether nuclear events are of similar importance for plant autophagy is unknown and therefore, the major question to be addressed in this project. The proposed research builds on my key finding that several isoforms of the Arabidopsis core autophagy protein 8 (ATG8) localize to distinct nuclear compartments. I aim to identify the nuclear ATG8 interactomes at normal and virus-induced conditions by affinity-immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry analysis. Candidate interactors will be functionally analysed for their potential role as transcriptional/epigenetic regulators, cargo receptors, and nucleophagic substrates in response to Cauliflower mosaic virus and Cabbage leaf curl virus. I will also investigate how these pathogens intersect with nuclear functions to manipulate cytoplasmic events of autophagy during infection. The proposed project will be carried out at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences under supervision of Prof. Daniel Hofius, a leading scientist and expert in plant autophagy and immunity. Hence, the project provides an excellent opportunity to expand my knowledge and experience to autophagy, while the host lab will benefit from my strong expertise in plant virology and epigenetics. Together, this synergistic effort will reveal fundamental insights into the nuclear dynamics of autophagy in plant immunity, and uncover novel autophagic mechanisms for crop improvement.

Keywords: autophagy,nucleophagy,epigenetic,virus