Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Molecular Details of Membrane Protein Receptor Dynamics (GPCR-MS)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: Marie-Sklodowska-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Individual Fellowships (IF)-Standard European Fellowships
Action type: Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions
Panel: Chemistry
Countries involved: United Kingdom
Call: Individual Fellowships (H2020-MSCA-IF-2018, 2018)
Start date: 2019-08-01
End date: 2021-07-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 224933.76
EU funding (EUR): 224933.76
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the largest family of membrane proteins. They are involved in transducing stimuli and are implicated in many diseases including cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. As a result, they are the target of ~40% of drugs on the market. Despite an extensive library of known binding partners, dynamics related to GPCR activation (and inactivation) are not fully understood. The proposal uses a hypothesis driven approach to address three interrelated objectives. Objective 1 aims to reveal the propensities for lipids to modulate ligand binding to GPCRs. Objective 2 seeks to understand the intra-molecular factors regulating GPCR and G-protein assembly and their connection with the lipid environment. Objective 3 targets GPCR assembly and binding in the context of a native membrane. This project will use fuse knowledge and tools from molecular biology (e.g. protein expression and mutation) and analytical chemistry (mass spectrometry (MS)) to facilitate a comprehensive understanding of the molecular environment governing GPCR dynamics and assembly. The results of this project will contribute to our understanding of the influence of lipids on conformational dynamics to inform efforts to better understand off-target drug effects and drug tolerance. This information could in turn reveal novel GPCR conformations that facilitate state-selective structure-based drug discovery, with great implications for human health and quality of life. This proposal aligns with goals of the Marie Skłowdowska-Curie Fellowship: I will diversify my professional profile, which has focused on fundamental MS in the US, by gaining new competences in molecular and structural biology in Europe and thereby expand my personal and professional network through international mobility. The host laboratory is at the forefront of MS in structural biology and provides an excellent multidisciplinary training environment.

Keywords: membrane proteins
Sustainable and carbon-efficient mono-Ethylene Glycol generation in demonstration PLANT (EGgPLANT)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Industrial Leadership
Programme: Innovation in SMEs
Action type: SME instrument
Countries involved: Netherlands
Call: SME instrument (H2020-SMEInst-2018-2020-2, 2018)
Start date: 2018-07-01
End date: 2020-12-31
Duration (months): 30.0
Total project cost (EUR): 5351125.0
EU funding (EUR): 2499999.0
Participants: 2
Project status: CLOSED

The EGgPLANT project will scale up in a demonstration plant a novel method to produce monoethylene glycol (MEG) from renewable carbohydrates using a highly carbon efficient catalytic process. The global MEG market demand is growing from a current base of 30 Mton/year to over 50 Mton by 2035, requiring more than a million tons of additional supply every year for the next twenty years. Today, almost all of the MEG produced globally is from fossil sources despite a stated need from forward-looking brand owners, packaging and textile companies to source MEG from renewable sources. There is one provider of bio-based MEG on the market which is using an inefficient and expensive process compared to lower cost oil, shale gas, and coal-based alternatives. This high cost position is hampering the widespread use of bio-based MEG. To address this issue, Avantium has developed a one-step ‘Mekong’ process for producing bio-MEG from renewable sources which can compete with the incumbent fossil-based product on both cost and quality, making the product competitive in the global marketplace and poised to be a sustainable supply solution to address the increasing demand. The demonstration plant (11 ton/year) built and operated in this project allows for techno-economic scale-up and evaluation of the process, in addition to producing relevant sample quantities of product to support downstream validation in at least three applications, collecting of data to conduct a third-party environmental life-cycle assessment (LCA) and preparation for scale-up to industrial size plants. The next phase after this project is to deploy a 200 kton/year Mekong flagship plant with a strategic partner in Europe. Target customers of this flagship plant will primarily be European polyethylene terephthalate (PET) producers. Avantium and the strategic partner will deploy subsequent industrial scale plants in Europe, and will license out the technology to parties in geographies other than Europe.

Keywords: mono ethylene glycol,plant bottle,de icing,circular economy,biobased,green house gas emissions
Institutional Activism in Corporate Governance: Qualified Foreign Institutional Investors in China (IACG-QFIIs)

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: Social Sciences and Humanities
Countries involved: United Kingdom
Call: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF-EF) (H2020-MSCA-IF-2015, 2015)
Start date: 2016-10-04
End date: 2018-10-03
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 183454.8
EU funding (EUR): 183454.8
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Qualified Foreign Institutional Investors (QFIIs) potentially import practices of shareholder activism that can improve corporate governance in emerging economies’ stock markets. This proposal will scrutinize this proposition in the context of China. To do this, it explores the impact of QFIIs’ institutional activism, especially European QFIIs, on corporate governance in Chinese listed companies both in theory and in practice using the interdisciplinary methods of an economic analysis of law and quantitative analysis. The first objective is to conduct a theoretical analysis on the motivations behind QFIIs’ investments and their behavior as shareholders, supported by an analysis of data on companies targeted by QFIIs between 2003 and 2015. The aim is to find out whether QFIIs engage in shareholder activism in corporate China, especially following Chinese policy changes in relation to the regulation of QFIIs in 2006 and 2012. The Second objective is to conduct an empirical study by way of event study and multiple regression on the correlation between QFIIs stock-targeting/stockholding and the performance of Chinese listed companies over the same period, in order to identify the effectiveness of QFIIs’ institutional activism in improving corporate governance in Chinese listed companies. The working hypothesis of this proposal is that QFIIs may not engage in activism because of the speculative nature of institutional investors, and therefore that policy changes of 2006 and 2012 may not have enhanced QFIIs’ activism in corporate China. This suggests that further policy changes may be required, both in China and in Europe, if QFIIs are to engage in activism which benefits both China and their end beneficiaries. An appropriate set of policy recommendations will be identified and addressed to policymakers and investors in both China and EU.

Keywords: qfiis,corporate governance,institutional investor activism,chinese listed companies,chinese stock market,emerging economies,free movement of capital and global governance
Entrepreneurial skills for young social innovators in an open digital world. A European Initiative (DOIT)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Societal Challenges
Programme: Europe in a changing world - inclusive, innovative and reflective societies
Theme: Inclusive societies
Action type: Innovation actions
Countries involved: Germany,Austria,Spain,Austria,Belgium,Belgium,Lithuania,Slovenia,Finland,Croatia,Serbia,Netherlands,Denmark
Call: Education and skills: empowering Europe’s young innovators (H2020-SC6-CO-CREATION-2017, 2017)
Start date: 2017-10-01
End date: 2020-09-30
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2524008.91
EU funding (EUR): 2479422.5
Participants: 14
Project status: CLOSED

DOIT contributes to youth employment and to create new jobs in the social economy by nurturing in young pupils seeds for active social innovation: entrepreneurial mind-sets, knowhow and skills. The project empowers primary and secondary school pupils (6-16 years) alongside educators to apply open innovation methods, digital maker tools and collaboration skills to tackle societal problems. It will develop ground-breaking DOIT toolboxes for children as well facilitators, which provide complementary knowhow and support. They are designed for experiencing being a social innovator in mobile and fixed child-friendly makerspaces and are easily accessible at the interactive DOIT webplatform. Co-created with help of the Children’s Advisory Committee, DOIT novel resources cover inspirational experimentation, design, prototyping and basic business modelling knowhow needed for sustainable product and service innovation. The DOIT children’s social innovation and entrepreneurship programme is piloted and evaluated across 10 European countries (AT, BE, DE, DK, ES, FI, HR, NL, RS und SI), reaching 42.000 children and 20.000 facilitators in schools, innovation labs, maker spaces and social enterprises. It offers intergenerational workshops and training events targeted at different learner needs and learning settings. DOIT showcases how its child-friendly, intergenerational maker approach enables young people to acquire the manual, technological, intellectual and social skills they need to be active and initiate social good. DOIT’s online idea competition, open to all children in Europe, will inspire them to pursue an entrepreneurial career path. The project consortium comprises experienced actors across the social innovation value chain with links to related European initiatives fostering young entrepreneurship education. DOIT’s ambassador Network (currently more than 80 supporting institutions) and open educational resources will drive DOIT’s long-term sustainability and impact.

Keywords: entrepreneurship,education,social innovation,maker education,maker movement,youth entrepreneurship
Suppression of Organelle Defects in Human Disease (SOLID)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Integrative Biology: from Genes and Genomes to Systems
Panel description: Genetics, epigenetics, genomics and other ‘omics studies, bioinformatics, systems biology, genetic diseases, gene editing, innovative methods and modelling, ‘omics for personalised medicine
Countries involved: Germany
Call: ERC Starting Grant (ERC-2018-STG, 2018)
Start date: 2019-07-01
End date: 2025-04-30
Duration (months): 70.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1498400.0
EU funding (EUR): 1498400.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

The goal of SOLID is the systematic mapping of genetic suppression for important organelles with impaired fidelity in human disease to uncover new strategies to correct the perturbed state. Functioning of the eukaryotic cell relies on the concerted activity of biological machines, defects in which can cause incurable human disease, including metabolic disorders and neurodegeneration. This is exemplified by malfunctioning mitochondria or lysosomes, for which (alongside environmental triggers) hundreds of causative genes have been identified, but cures are mostly lacking. This is mainly due to the difficulty of drugging loss-of-function mutations, which uniquely alter or entirely remove the gene product. Extensive studies in yeast and initial work in the human system show that cellular modules contain a substantial amount of hidden genetic suppression. Revealing suppressors of disease-defining features of organelle perturbation and targeting those instead of the query mutations, will address the frustrations of drugging an absent factor and etiological diversity. Until now, mutation-based genome-wide suppressor surveys were mostly limited to model organisms and phenotypes yielding growth defects, due to technical hurdles associated with recessive genetics in the human system. However, with the development of a groundbreaking new forward genetics platform that combines genome engineering, ultradeep haploid mutagenesis and direct stratification of fixed mutants, we can now, for the first time, interrogate genetic suppression of human organelle defects independent of cellular fitness. SOLID will also develop new technology to study organelle fidelity in an exhaustive fashion that departs from a gene-centric view point and captures complex phenotypes. Altogether, this will create a new paradigm of 'studying cell biology via genetics' widely applicable to many different biological questions, and reveal urgently needed novel therapeutic possibilities for incurable diseases.

Keywords: human haploid mutagenesis,genetic suppression,genetic interactions,facs based profiling,non fitness phenotypes
Regulation of extreme plasticity in planarian stem cells by mRNA modifications (PLANMod)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Integrative Biology: from Genes and Genomes to Systems
Panel description: Genetics, epigenetics, genomics and other ‘omics studies, bioinformatics, systems biology, genetic diseases, gene editing, innovative methods and modelling, ‘omics for personalised medicine
Countries involved: Israel
Call: ERC Starting Grant (ERC-2019-STG, 2019)
Start date: 2019-11-01
End date: 2024-10-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1487500.0
EU funding (EUR): 1487500.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

Planarians are freshwater flatworms that can regenerate any part of their body including an entire head. A single transplanted planarian pluripotent stem cell can rescue a lethally irradiated animal. Hence, the extreme plasticity of planarian stem cells (neoblasts) is critical for regeneration. Despite intensive research, we still do not understand how cellular mechanisms that regulate neoblast homeostasis are integrated to facilitate regeneration. In a preliminary study, I discovered that chemical modifications of nucleic acids are critical for normal neoblast function, and that animals lacking this activity fail to regenerate. This extreme neoblast phenotype suggests that these highly conserved base modifications are crucial regulators of stem cell homeostasis. In this project, I will dissect the functions of nucleic acid base modifications in vivo using high-throughput gene function screening, single cell RNA sequencing, and molecular biology methods. I will establish a mechanistic foundation for understanding the regulation of stem cell plasticity and regeneration. In particular, we will (1) analyze the functions of genes encoding nucleic acid modifiers and use planarians as a platform for discovery of unknown players, (2) elucidate the regulatory roles of the base modification machinery on stem cell function, (3) investigate the dynamics of nucleic acid base modification landscape in planarian stem cell physiology and injury. My approach will generate a systems level understanding of nucleic acid modification-based regulation on stem cell homeostasis, an emerging theme in stem cell research. The impact of these findings are far reaching and would become the basis for a deeper understanding of fundamental stem cell biology, including mammalian physiology and pathology.

Keywords: model organism,planarians,regeneration,mrna modifications
EXTREME ENVIRONMENT RESISTANT NANOPHOTONICS (EXTREMELIGHT)

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: Information Science and Engineering
Countries involved: Italy
Call: Individual Fellowships (H2020-MSCA-IF-2016, 2016)
Start date: 2017-05-02
End date: 2019-05-01
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 180277.2
EU funding (EUR): 180277.2
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Nanophotonic extreme environment sensors are expected to lead to revolutionary advancements in aerospace, nuclear, wellbore exploration and environmental bio-chemical sciences. Extreme environments are those where the physico-chemical conditions render standard materials completely unusable; including strongly ionizing radiation, high erosion, high corrosion, or temperatures beyond 1600°C in aircraft and aerospace applications. Recently, yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) crystals have been identified as harsh environment resistant optical material thanks to its unique combination of outstanding optical properties and high melting temperature (1970°C), chemical inertness and hardness. It´s use for developing extreme environment nanophotonic on-chip instruments is therefore of high interest. However, micro/nanostructuring YAG crystalline components is currently impossible due to its capability to withstand corrosion in plasma etching chambers, its hardness, and its fracturing under high micro-stress loading machining or milling industrial processes. The central question that this project aims to solve is: Is it possible to fabricate three-dimensional (3D) nanophotonic circuits inside YAG crystals so as to open a research road towards future monolithic nanophotonic sensors for industrial application in extreme-environments? By combining a unique method for 3D laser nanostructuring YAG crystals recently developed by the experienced researcher, with the recognized expertise of the academic Host in lab-on-chip photonics and ultra-short pulse laser spectroscopy, and the expertise of the Industrial Partner in high-performance integrated spectrometers, the EXTREMELIGHT project aims at demonstrating in a unique training-based multidisciplinary 2-year work-plan, the first proof-of-concept YAG nanophotonics technology, which could lead to a novel generation of high-performance integrated optical sensors capable of withstanding the most extreme environments.
The complete thermochemical recycling of sewage sludge (FlashPhos)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Societal Challenges
Programme: Climate action, environment,  resource efficiency and raw materials
Theme: Ensuring the sustainable supply of non-energy and non-agricultural raw materials
Action type: Innovation actions
Countries involved: Austria,Austria,Austria,Germany,Germany,Germany,Spain,Italy,Germany,Austria,Austria,Austria,Germany,Belgium
Call: Raw materials innovation for the circular economy: sustainable processing, reuse, recycling and recovery schemes (H2020-LCCI-2020-EASME-twostage, 2020)
Start date: 2021-05-01
End date: 2025-04-30
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 15226965.71
EU funding (EUR): 11897102.28
Participants: 18
Project status: SIGNED

FlashPhos is a demand-driven industrial innovation action following a circular economy approach aiming to design, construct, test and optimise an industrial test facility at an average TRL of 6-7 to recover the CRM white phosphorus, a climate-friendly alternative cement and other valuable materials from sewage sludge and other problematic wastes. The FlashPhos consortium is a multi-disciplinary European team of renowned partners from 3 large industrial companies, 9 SMEs, 2 NGOs and 2 universities, with all necessary know-how to fulfil the afore-mentioned tasks. The consortium has contact with relevant EU industries (e.g. phosphorus, metal, chemical, waste management and technique) and authorities. FlashPhos will contribute to all six EIP on raw materials objectives by developing an innovative process in a pilot action to recycle industrial wastes, producing a CRM and alternative raw materials, reducing CO2 emissions and turning even contaminants into useful products. Thus the process will foster circular economy and reduce the burden on the environment and society. Assuming growing sludge amounts in Europe and the EU’s commitment to P-recovery, FlashPhos will be able to recycle 1.5 Mt/a of sewage sludge dry matter by 2050, corresponding to 15% of the current sludge amount. Subsequently FlashPhos will generate enough white phosphorus to cover 50% of the European demand. The production of alternative cement and the use of renewable energy in cement production will save the emission of 1.8 Mt CO2 per year. Additional CO2-savings are achieved by rerouting sewage sludge from land use, landfill or inefficient incineration to FlashPhos. All FlashPhos partners will use their knowledge gained in the project to participate in the exploitation of FlashPhos by marked launch, planning, consulting, providing plant technology and hardware as well as product sales, thus strengthening their own position on the market and Europe's independence from external suppliers.

Keywords: white phosphorus,alternative cement,climate friendly,zero waste,resource efficiency,energy efficient industry,secondary resources,circular economy
Characterising the Gene Regulatory Networks Governing Photosynthesis: From Basic Understanding to Targeted Engineering (PHOTONET-C4)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Integrative Biology: from Genes and Genomes to Systems
Panel description: Genetics, epigenetics, genomics and other ‘omics studies, bioinformatics, systems biology, genetic diseases, gene editing, innovative methods and modelling, ‘omics for personalised medicine
Countries involved: United Kingdom
Call: ERC Starting Grant (ERC-2014-STG, 2014)
Start date: 2015-11-01
End date: 2021-10-31
Duration (months): 72.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1482363.0
EU funding (EUR): 1482363.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Photosynthesis underpins life on earth. Despite its fundamental importance, our knowledge of the molecular regulators that control the expression of photosynthetic genes is limited, and only four transcription factors are known to regulate the expression of cohorts of photosynthetic genes in plants. This project aims to address this knowledge gap by identifying and characterising the molecular regulators that control the expression of photosynthetic genes. This aim will be achieved through an innovative high-throughput strategy that exploits a naturally occurring cellular subdivision of photosynthesis, known as C4 photosynthesis, that has evolved independently in over 60 different plant lineages. Using two species that represent independent origins of C4 (Setaria italica and Sorghum bicolor) and two related C3 species (Oryza sativa and Dichanthelium oligosanthes) the aims of this project will be achieved through the following objectives: 1) In each of the four species, characterise the DNA binding motifs of 100 (orthologous) transcription factors that are differentially regulated in the C4 species. 2) Identify candidate transcription factors whose targets are photosynthetic genes through comparative bioinformatic approaches. 3) Overexpress candidate transcription factors in rice (C3) and validate the downstream targets using transcriptomic approaches. My combined expertise in molecular biology and bioinformatics puts me in an excellent position to deliver this project and identify the transcription factors that regulate photosynthesis in plants. By focusing on C4 photosynthesis, this project will provide fundamental insight into both plant evolution and the regulation of photosynthesis. Moreover, it will accelerate international efforts that aim to introduce C4 traits into globally important C3 crops such as rice and wheat.

Keywords: transcription factors,gene regulatory networks,high throughput characterisation,photosynthetic control