Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Investigating the TORC1 signaling pathway in the moss Physcomitrella and its application for enhanced production of valuable pharmaceutical compounds (MossTOR)

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: Germany,Denmark
Call: MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2021 (HORIZON-MSCA-2021-PF-01, 2021)
Start date: 2022-08-01
End date: 2025-08-31
Duration (months): 37.0
Total project cost (EUR): 237109.2
EU funding (EUR): 237109.2
Participants: 3
Project status: CLOSED

The Target of Rapamycin Complex 1 (TORC1) signaling pathway, involved in the coordination of cell growth and metabolism, is highly conserved among eukaryotes, including seed plants and algae. Studies have shown that its activity could be tuned to enhance plant growth, yield and resistance to stress, or accumulation of triacylglycerol in algae, thus indicating that its power could be harnessed to improve diverse plant biotechnological applications. In this project, I aim to characterize the TORC1 pathway for the first time in the moss Physcomitrella (Physcomitrium patens), a model organism of non-seed plants, using protonema cells as a study system. This is linked to another important goal, to test whether the activity of TORC1 can be modulated in order to improve moss-based biotechnological applications. Besides the identification of a functional TORC1 in Physcomitrella, I will develop transgenic lines with hyperactive TORC1 signaling, phenotypically and metabolically analyzing them, and in collaboration with Mosspiration Biotech, test if these lines could produce more human recombinant complement proteins or the drug artemisinin, used to treat patients with complement disorders or malaria, respectively. Enhancing this yield will result in a stable, sustainable and eco-friendly production platform. It would also lead to a reduced price, for instance of artemisinin-based treatments, thus allowing poor communities most affected by malaria to contain the disease. Should this project be successful, it will open the door to improve the yield of diverse well-established products from Physcomitrella, valuable metabolites, active pharmaceutical ingredients and biopharmaceutical proteins.

Keywords: physcomitrella,bryophytes,plant tor signaling,torc1 hyperactivation,plant based pharmaceutical production,plant growth,rapamycin,translation control,protein synthesis,stress resistance
Peers and Possible Partners: Exploring the Origins of Population Long-term Equilibria (P3OPLE)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Individuals, Markets and Organisations
Panel description: Economics, finance , management
Countries involved: France
Call: ERC STARTING GRANTS (ERC-2021-STG, 2021)
Start date: 2022-09-01
End date: 2027-08-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1105303.75
EU funding (EUR): 1105303.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

Population dynamics are a crucial driver of the prosperity of nations. Nowadays, fertility is too high in less developed countries, impeding their escape from poverty, and too low in more developed countries, threatening their very existence. Another concern is the global rise of childlessness among men, which correlates with mental health issues and social unrest. P3OPLE contributes to addressing these challenges by studying how social and market interactions shape the dynamics and distribution of fertility. I will introduce and test the empirical relevance of two novel concepts: high/low fertility traps and involuntary male childlessness. The first concept revolves around peer effects in fertility preferences and revisits an unsettled debate: why are some communities trapped in sub-optimally high or low fertility equilibria? I will discuss how information and coordination failures, conformism and competition, as well as immigration, can prevent or facilitate fertility change. The second concept deals with general equilibrium effects on the matching market and raises an unexplored question: can a man be involuntarily childless due to a relative scarcity of female partners on the matching market? I will quantify the importance of unbalanced sex ratios, polygamy and serial monogamy as drivers of reproductive inequalities. Both concepts cross the boundaries of disciplines by integrating insights from demography, sociology and evolutionary biology into economic frameworks. The methodology will combine economic theory and cutting-edge empirical analysis, including experimental, observational and structural methods, to provide quantitative evidence on novel causal links. Finally, I will build databases with information on male fertility and subjective determinants of fertility never consolidated or collected at such a large scale. They will allow researchers to answer open questions and explore novel ideas inspired by hitherto undocumented patterns.
Bioinspired Transmembrane Nanomachines (MembraneMachines)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Condensed Matter Physics
Panel description: Structure, electronic properties, fluids, nanosciences, biological physics
Countries involved: Belgium
Call: ERC STARTING GRANTS (ERC-2024-STG, 2024)
Start date: 2024-11-01
End date: 2029-10-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1812400.0
EU funding (EUR): 1812400.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

A hallmark of life is its ability to utilise local free energy to do work at molecular scales. Such work is done by millions of sophisticated protein complexes that act as nanomachines. Prominent among these are the transmembrane motor proteins. They lie at the centre of life-critical molecular processes such as ATP synthase and bacterial propulsion. Despite the great attention creating artificial molecular machines has received across scientific disciplines, constructing artificial transmembrane nanomachines remains largely unexplored. Such transmembrane artificial nanomachines would give us direct access to one of life’s most universal energy sources, transmembrane electrochemical potentials, and enable us to design novel molecular machines for molecular catalysis, transportation, and cargo propulsion. In MembraneMachines, I aim to realise a breakthrough by designing and building a series of multi-component transmembrane nanomachines that are embedded in lipid bilayers. Using DNA technology, nanopores, and nanofabrication, my team and I will design, build, and test: 1) an electrochemical-gradient powered transmembrane nanoturbine in biocompatible lipid bilayers to generate controlled conformational changes and power synthesis of life-critical molecules such as ATP; 2) an analyte-agnostic artificial nano stepper that can universally thread polymers through nanopores using self-assembled monolayers and DNA technology; 3) an artificial bacterial flagella motor that converts transmembrane ion gradient into translational propulsion, enabling a new direction in constructing and driving active nanovehicles. Harnessing cutting-edge advancements in biophysics and biochemistry, “MembraneMachines” promises not just strides in the fields of nanomotors and nanoengineering but also introduces fresh perspectives on nanoscale synthesis, molecular manipulation, and dynamic nano-vehicle cargo transport.

Keywords: nanopores,dna technology,nanomachines,active matter,nanomotors,soft matter
Development of Microalgae-based novel high added-value products for the Cosmetic and Aquaculture industry (ALGAE4A-B)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: Marie-Sklodowska-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Research and innovation staff exchange
Action type: Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions
Panel: Environment and Geosciences
Countries involved: Spain,Spain,Spain,Greece,Greece,France,Portugal
Call: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Research and Innovation Staff Exchange (RISE) (H2020-MSCA-RISE-2015, 2015)
Start date: 2016-01-01
End date: 2019-12-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 972000.0
EU funding (EUR): 972000.0
Participants: 7
Project status: CLOSED

Microalgae were always an exciting target for Aquaculture and Biotechnology, as they represent a largely untapped reservoir of novel and valuable bioactive compounds. ALGAE4A-B (ALGAE For Aquaculture and Beauty) project seeks to exploit the microalgae diversity, as a source for state-of-the art high-added-value biomolecules in aquaculture and cosmetics. The diversification of microalgae biomass production towards two independent applications will allow the microalgae industry to gain access to alternative markets in an uncertain, highly competitive and fast changing commercial environment. The project will combine both basic and applied multidisciplinary research in the fields of –omics technologies, biochemistry and applied biotechnology in order to: a) Develop and optimize of low input and application-based microalgae culture systems, b) Develop of “-omic” resources for both microalgae and fishes, c) Develop of downstream processing of high value added products from microalgae, with an emphasis in polysaccharides, proteins, enzymes, antioxidants, d) Develop, formulate and in vitro evaluate a new range of cosmetic and nutraceutical products for aquaculture. The implementation of the project will offer the industrial partners the opportunity to translate scientific research into well defined knowledge-based end products and analytical tools. Apart from scientific objectives the ALGAE4A-B will provide a platform for an efficient dissemination, transfer of knowledge and training between academic, commercial partners and society. Overall, ALGAE4A-B aspires to foster both the European capacity building and the strategic objectives of EU Blue Growth and Marine Biotechnology to harness the untapped potential of Europe's seas and coasts for training and sustainable growth.

Keywords: microalgae,cosmeceuticals,aquacutlure,applied biotechnology,downstream processing
Multifunctional polymeric film-based drug delivery system for oral anti-TNF-alpha-based inflammatory bowel disease therapy (ColoFILM)

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: Belgium
Call: Individual Fellowships (H2020-MSCA-IF-2016, 2016)
Start date: 2017-05-01
End date: 2019-04-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 172800.0
EU funding (EUR): 172800.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The prevalence and occurrence of inflammatory bowel diseases have experienced steep increase in Western countries, as well as in populations considered ‘low risks’ before. Nevertheless, currently available therapies, including anti-tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) therapy, have numerous limitations and are often associated with severe adverse effects. Therefore, the research project aims at safer and effective inflammatory bowel disease therapy by proposing development of a novel multifunctional polymeric film based platforms for oral delivery of anti-TNF-α. The drug delivery system comprises of a nanoformulation encapsulating anti-TNF-α which are then entrapped into a mucoadhesive polymeric film. These mucoadhesive polymeric films are composed of second generation highly efficient mucoadhesive S-protected thiolated polymer, which are then loaded inside pH responsive capsules for site-specific delivery. The proposed system would provide enhanced therapeutic outcome by minimizing side effect via reduction of the frequency of dosing and targeted delivery of anti-TNF-α at the site of action, which would be achieved by preventing the degradation of the encapsulated biologics, prolonging the gastrointestinal retention time of the drug delivery system, increasing drug accumulation at target site and minimizing the systemic absorption. Furthermore, additional unique benefits of the proposed systems such as the biocompatibility, biodegradability, sustained drug release at targeted site, mucus penetration of the nanoformulation, and use of accessible and patient friendly oral route, can widen its biomedical applicability and explore its use in clinics and pharmaceutical industries.

Keywords: oral antibody delivery,biomaterials,nanosystems,anti tnf alpha,inflammatory bowel disease
Assessing the Interactive Effects on N Addition and Climate Change on Soil Processes through the Biological Soil Crust in Mediterranean Ecosystems (Med-N-Change)

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: Portugal
Call: Individual Fellowships (H2020-MSCA-IF-2017, 2017)
Start date: 2019-09-01
End date: 2022-05-07
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 160635.6
EU funding (EUR): 160635.6
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Ecosystems located in the Mediterranean Basin are projected to experience important changes in the rainfall dynamics and to increase its nitrogen (N) inputs as a result of the ongoing global change. Despite it is known that multiple environmental changes can interact in their impacts on ecosystem services producing non-additive effects that are unpredictable from single-factor studies, no research has been performed to disentangle the effects of the interactive global change drivers on soil processes in Mediterranean ecosystems to date. What are the synergistic effects of climate change and N inputs on soil processes in Mediterranean ecosystems? What is the role of the soil biological crust and its components in modulating resistance and resilience of soil processes to the synergistic effects of increased N and climate change? How ecosystem services are influenced? Answering those questions will have highly relevant implications on environmental policy and prediction of global change scenarios, with the ultimate societal objective of improving ecosystem management in Mediterranean ecosystems. Med-N-Change also has a clear potential on the economy since recovering damaged ecosystems services is much costlier than increasing their resilience to pressure. The strength of Med-N-Change lies in an innovative approach that couples microcosm manipulative experiments and the exploitation of a network of long-term N-addition experiments in three ecosystems across the Mediterranean basin. This project merges together well established research methods and elements of originality in a multidisciplinary approach combining ecology, biogeochemical processes, physiology and omics technology. Med-N-Change directly addresses two of the cross-cutting priorities established by the H2020 Work Programme – sustainable development and climate action – and thus reinforces the European competitiveness in N deposition and climate change research.

Keywords: biological soil crust,mediterranean ecosystems,n deposition,climate change,lichens
Novel high speed and high resolution microscopy setup for cytoarchitectonic studies of mesoscale sized human brain tissues, healthy and affected by Focal Cortical Dysplasia (MesoBrainMicr)

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: Physics
Countries involved: Italy
Call: Individual Fellowships (H2020-MSCA-IF-2017, 2017)
Start date: 2018-10-01
End date: 2020-09-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 180277.2
EU funding (EUR): 180277.2
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The human brain is a massively complex information processing system with a hierarchy of different yet tightly integrated levels of organization. From such intricate interplay emerge our personality, emotions, memory and decision making capabilities, but unwrapping the mysteries of the brain functioning represents a huge challenge. Recent progress in microscopy, neurobiology and neuroinformatics has stimulated the launch of large research programs such as Human Brain Project and BRAIN. An open problem is how to investigate with both high resolution and high speed the brain structure over mesoscale (millimiters to centimeters) sized regions, which would provide unique insight on the neuroanatonomy across different functional areas. This research project will develop a novel dual-view inverted dual-slit confocal light sheet microscope, capable of resolving sub-cellular morphology over centimeter-sized tissues at beyond state of the art acquisition speed. This instrument will be used to perform a comparative cytoarchitectonic investigation of mesoscale human brain tissues, both healthy and affected by Focal Cortical Dysplasia, leveraging an advanced machine learning image analysis algorithm. Such study will greatly advance the medical and neurobiological understanding of the effects of neuro-degenerative pathologies and the obtained data will be contributed to existing human brain atlases as a foundation for brain models. The applicant’s well-rounded skill set, acquired in cold atom physics and ranging from optics to hardware control, is a perfect match for building the proposed setup and for a fruitful two-way transfer of knowledge with the host, expert in advanced neuro microscopy. This research project will strengthen the competitiveness of European science and shine new light on the human brain anatomy, consequently it will raise the applicant's international recognition, and establish him inside Europe as a leading researcher in this quickly evolving field.

Keywords: microscopy,light sheet microscopy,spim,confocal detection,fluorescence,neuroimaging,neuroanatomy,cytoarchitecture,ex vivo,brain tissue,deconvolution,automated machine learning image analysis
BACTerial detection and CONtrol of urinary tract infection (Bacticon1)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Societal Challenges
Programme: Health, demographic change and wellbeing
Theme: Treating and managing disease
Action type: SME instrument
Countries involved: Denmark
Call: Clinical research for the validation of biomarkers and/or diagnostic medical devices (H2020-SMEINST-1-2014, 2014)
Start date: 2015-03-01
End date: 2015-04-30
Duration (months): 2.0
Total project cost (EUR): 71429.0
EU funding (EUR): 50000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Problem Approx. 50% of all patients with severe blood stream infections die from the infections, while the remaining 50% incur excessive socio-economic expenses from prolonged hospital stays. In fact, the fourth largest cause of death in the western world is hospital and care acquired infections, most often caused by urinary catheters. Present state-of-the-art, measuring the temperature of a patient, indicates if the patient has an infection, but with approx. 2-3 days delay, and with many possibilities for false positives (increasing temperature can mean other things than infection). Solution The innovation, the Bacticon Catheter, is a catheter impregnation technology based on a new biosensor/biomarker principle based on biomarkers, bio-nanoparticles and nano-channels in a new hybrid material, allowing for an immediate detection. The system is an add-on to existing catheters and is therefore cost efficient and face a faster route through approval procedures, providing much more precise and real-time monitoring. Project The project has three objectives: 1: Technological feasibility study: Verify and adjust an integrated prototype 2: User feasibility study: Verify the product need by conducting a market and user study, a product innovation strategy, partner search, feasibility of concept, benchmarking with other products and a go-to-market strategy. 3: Economical feasibility study: Analyse the economical sustainability of the product Business model The innovation is well suited to be commercialised through the sales and marketing channels of a med-tech company, which is already established in the market place, and where the Bacticon Catheter can be integrated in the existing product portfolio of such med-tech company. BioModics is pursuing this option as priority one. Market The dominating markets are the American market with a 547 M€ urological catheter revenue and Europe with 615 M€. Increasing growth rates are expected, especially in Asia, Europe and US.

Keywords: home care,self diagnostics,bacterial resistance,urinary tract infection
Precipitationshed Approach to Changing Extremes (PACE)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: Marie-Sklodowska-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Individual Fellowships (IF)-Reintegration panel
Action type: Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions
Panel: Environment and Geosciences
Countries involved: Netherlands
Call: Individual Fellowships (H2020-MSCA-IF-2020, 2020)
Start date: 2022-11-15
End date: 2024-11-14
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 175572.48
EU funding (EUR): 175572.48
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Characterizing the frequency of future precipitation extremes is a fundamental task in order to understand and mitigate their effects under future climate conditions. However, predicting these changes is a challenging task as intense rainfall is poorly represented in climate models, and extrapolations based on historical data are highly uncertain. The objective of the PACE project is bridging this disconnection by developing an innovative physically-informed statistical model for rainfall extremes. The proposed methodology explicitly accounts for the interannual variability of atmospheric moisture fluxes and their future predicted changes. PACE will achieve this objective by using an innovative precipitationshed perspective. Precipitationsheds - the regions of Earth from which most precipitable water originates before reaching a target site – will be computed using a moisture tracking technique. By including in the statistical representation of rainfall extreme key physical information integrated over a precipitationshed, PACE will provide a novel representation of how dynamic and thermodynamic changing conditions in upwind areas affect the frequency and probability distribution of downwind precipitation. By learning rainfall statistical properties from historical data and relying on climate model predictions only for large scale climate features, the PACE action will improve probabilistic rainfall predictions under future climate scenarios. The Candidate, recently graduated from Duke University (Durham, NC) will join the Host at TU Delft (Delft, The Netherlands) to achieve this research objective, and to continue his postgraduate professional development aimed at creating an independent research program in hydroclimatology.

Keywords: rainfall extremes,precipitationsheds,climate change,frequency analysis