Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Targeting human kallikreins involved in ovarian cancer pathogenesis: novel activity based probes and kallikrein-based therapeutic strategies. (KLKs4OvCa)

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-2020, 2020)
Start date: 2021-10-04
End date: 2024-01-12
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 212933.76
EU funding (EUR): 212933.76
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

Ovarian cancer (OvCa) is one of the most fatal female gynaecological malignancies, resulting in 180,000 deaths annually. The majority of patients have metastatic disease at time of diagnosis, thus, early diagnosis of OvCa remains a challenge to our society. In addition, the low survival rates over the past decades have remained largely unchanged, evidencing the need of new therapies for OvCa. Kallikrein-related peptidases (KLKs) are a family of 14 serine proteases which form a cross activation network known as the KLK activome. KLKs show diverse tissue expression and physiological function, and aberrant KLK expression and activity has been related to several pathological conditions including skin diseases, neurodegenerative disorders and cancer. In OvCa, KLKs4,5,6 & 7 levels are upregulated and associated with its unfavourable prognosis, therefore, KLKs4,5,6 & 7 are considered potential drug targets and biomarkers for OvCa. However, KLK activity is decoupled from simple abundance, and the contribution of each KLK activity in OvCa progression remain poorly understood. In this project, I will develop selective (quenched)-Activity Based Probes ((q)-ABPs) for KLKs4,5,6 & 7 and quantify the active enzyme fraction of each KLK to determine their contribution to OvCa. Additionally, I will develop proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) which can be selectively activated by specific KLKs to unlock their potential as therapeutic targets for OvCa. This proposal aims to deliver a versatile platform to interrogate the application of KLKs4,5,6 & 7 as biomarkers and therapeutic targets for OvCa, with potential application to other KLK- and serine protease-related disorders. My participation in this proposal will allow to bring key knowledge to face the challenging objectives and receive high-quality training that will provide me with a solid and diversified groundwork to become and independent researcher in the drug discovery field.

Keywords: quenched activity based probes,protacs,cell based assays,secreted proteases,ovarian cancer
Russia's strategic narrative of the West: A study of influence in Ukraine (STRATNARRA)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: Marie-Sklodowska-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Individual Fellowships (IF)-Global Fellowships
Action type: Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions
Panel: Social Sciences and Humanities
Countries involved: Ukraine,United Kingdom
Call: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF-GF) (H2020-MSCA-IF-2014, 2014)
Start date: 2015-09-01
End date: 2018-08-31
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 243934.2
EU funding (EUR): 243934.2
Participants: 2
Project status: CLOSED

This project investigates the relationship between mass communication and influence in 21st Century international relations. It does so through a study of Russia’s official and media narratives about the West and their reception in Ukraine. Success in today’s information age is said to depend on ‘whose story wins’. Emerging powers such as Russia have developed various policies and instruments under the banner of ‘soft power’ to challenge Western hegemony in global media discourse. The projection of counter-hegemonic narratives has been documented extensively, yet we still understand little about their reception and the extent of their influence among target audiences. Anti-Western narratives have been a distinguishing feature of the Russian public sphere during Vladimir Putin’s third presidential term. The narratives of Russian politicians and state media characterize ‘the West’ as a destabilizing force which backs, even orchestrates, illegitimate regime change. Russian narratives are easily accessible among some audiences in Ukraine for reasons of language and overlapping media environments. This project employs a survey, focus groups and interviews to study the assimilation or otherwise of negative narratives about the West among Ukrainians. It concentrates on three groups as case studies: MPs, a regional business community and students from a regional university. The project’s principal goal is to identify factors which condition assimilation of anti-Western ideas from Russian strategic narratives, in order to explain when and why they are accepted or eschewed. A second goal is to advance research on power and communication in international affairs by applying the new conceptual framework of ‘strategic narrative’ in a detailed empirical study. Thirdly, the project aims to generate practical insights to help improve the effectiveness of EU engagement with Ukraine. A secondment to the UK Foreign Office is incorporated to facilitate knowledge exchange.

Keywords: russia,ukraine,strategic narrative,media,audiences
Forecasting and Monitoring Economic Indicators (MONITOR)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Proof of concept grants
Action type: ERC actions
Countries involved: Cyprus
Call: ERC Proof of Concept Grant (ERC-2014-PoC, 2014)
Start date: 2015-10-01
End date: 2017-03-31
Duration (months): 18.0
Total project cost (EUR): 150000.0
EU funding (EUR): 150000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Forecasting and monitoring key economic variables is one of the main activities of financial and government institutions, forecasting agencies, and investment companies. In the ERC-funded starting grant (ERC-2007-StG: Change-Point Tests) we developed novel models and tests for forecasting key economic indicators (such as economic activity, financial volatility and others) as well as evaluating the reliability of model predictions. In many cases our methods improve upon the current-state-of-art. The idea of this ERC Proof of Concept (PoC) grant is to use these novel models and tests to develop a software/toolbox that forecasts and monitors economic indicators. Most available forecasting software lack real-time monitoring and predictive breakdown tests which are important for reliable forecasts especially in periods of instability. Our forecasting and monitoring toolbox can improve the reliability of forecasts as follows: (1) using a novel family of models and high frequency information (2) monitoring forecasts in real-time (3) using new predictive tests of potential breakdowns. Such economic forecasts are at the heart of economic decision making made by governments, Central Banks, and firms that are potential users of our toolbox. In this ERC PoC we will initially work with a forecasting agency and a Central Bank, given contacts have already been established, in order to examine various aspects of the development of this toolbox such as: building a user-friendly software, developing a three-dimensional graphical representation of the monitoring and predictive breakdown tests, and generally making our new methods accessible to decision makers. The overall objective of this ERC PoC grant is to provide a software with innovative techniques that can improve economic forecasts and thereby economic decision making. Reliable economic forecasts can lead to prudent economic policy making and affect the growth, economic and social welfare of countries, firms and individuals.

Keywords: forecasting,sequential tests,on line testing,predictive tests,structural breaks,time series models,financial volatility models,high frequency information
Scalable inference algorithms for Bayesian evolutionary epidemiology (SCARABEE)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Advanced grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Immunity, Infection and Immunotherapy
Panel description: The immune system, related disorders and their mechanisms, biology of infectious agents and infection, biological basis of prevention and treatment of infectious diseases, innovative immunological tools and approaches, including therapies
Countries involved: Norway
Call: ERC Advanced Grant (ERC-2016-ADG, 2016)
Start date: 2017-08-01
End date: 2022-07-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2499961.0
EU funding (EUR): 2499961.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Advances in sequencing technologies are currently providing an unprecedented opportunity to a detailed discovery of the mechanisms involved in the evolution and spread of microbes causing human infectious disease. Simultaneously the developers of statistical methods face an enormous challenge to cope with the wealth of data brought by this opportunity. We have very recently demonstrated the ability of our advanced computational approaches to deliver breakthroughs in understanding pathogen evolution and transmission in numerous highlight results published in Science, PNAS and top-ranking Nature journals. The rise of microbial Big Data gives a promise of a giant leap in making causal discoveries, however, the existing statistical methods are neither able to cope with the size and complexity of the emerging data sets nor designed to answer the novel biological questions they enable. To fulfil the promise of giant leaps SCARABEE will leverage scalable inference methods by a unique combination of machine learning algorithms and Bayesian statistical models for evolutionary epidemiology. We focus on central biological questions about adaptation, epistasis, genome evolution and transmission of microbes causing infectious disease. The Big Data combined with the novel inference methods will make it possible to answer a multitude of important questions that remain currently intractable. Through our close collaboration with the leading research centres in infectious disease epidemiology and genomics we expect the SCARABEE project to considerably advance understanding of the evolution and transmission of numerous pathogens that pose a major threat to human health, which will be important for reducing their disease burden in the future. Large-scale biological data will be used to benchmark the developed methods, which will be made publicly available as free software packages to benefit the wide community of microbiologists and infectious disease epidemiologists.
Physics informed algorithms for sensing and navigating turbulent environments (RIDING)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Consolidator grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Products and processes engineering
Panel description: Product and process design, chemical, civil, environmental, mechanical, vehicle engineering, energy processes and relevant computational methods
Countries involved: Italy
Call: ERC CONSOLIDATOR GRANTS (ERC-2020-COG, 2020)
Start date: 2021-08-01
End date: 2026-07-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1973485.0
EU funding (EUR): 1973485.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

Living systems developed dramatically efficient strategies to sense and navigate turbulent environments. Understanding these strategies is key to many real world applications required to function in the presence of turbulence: from search and rescue to demining and patrolling. While much is known on navigation in smooth environments, these approaches fail in the presence of turbulence. RIDING aims at elucidating the computations organisms use to extract useful information from turbulent stimuli and navigate to a target. A key observation is that organisms rely on multiple sensory cues, despite the distortions due to turbulence. Explaining this puzzle requires blending fluid dynamics with biological behavior. I will achieve this goal by developing physics-based algorithms elucidating the computations that support three fundamental pillars of biological behavior: 1) combine navigation with sensing, 2) balance multiple senses, 3) adapt to different environments. The result will be a comprehensive theory integrating biological behavior in a computational framework based on fluid dynamics. Predictions will be tested via experiments on fishes, known to routinely perform turbulent navigation combining multiple senses across distinct sensory environments. This multidisciplinary project leverages methods from physics, computer science and biology. In summary, the objectives of RIDING are to: O1. Assemble a massive dataset of chemical and mechanical signals emitted by a target using computational fluid mechanics and asymptotic methods. O2. Develop algorithmic approaches for sensing and navigation using tools from machine learning trained on multiple sensory signals from O1. O3. Examine how sensory signals from O1 and algorithms from O2 vary in different environments. O4. Test predictions by recording prey capture in the laboratory using three species of fish. Analysis includes a fascinating species which evolved unique sensory “legs” to catch prey in different environment

Keywords: turbulence,decision making,biological behavior,data driven methods
opeRando chEmical spAce- and time-resoLved quantification of Solid Electrolyte Interphase in hard carbon anode for sustainable sodium-ion batteries (REALSEI)

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: Italy
Call: Individual Fellowships (H2020-MSCA-IF-2020, 2020)
Start date: 2021-06-01
End date: 2023-09-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 183473.28
EU funding (EUR): 183473.28
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

The goal of REALSEI is to visualize for the first time in real-time the Solid Electrolyte Interphase formation at the hard-carbon (HC) anode in a Na-ion battery (NIB). Local electrochemical processes occurring at the solid-liquid interface of Na-ion batteries are currently largely unexplored. To keep global warming around 2.7°C by 2100, the installed global grid energy storage capacity needs to be tripled by 2050. A technological breakthrough is required to meet this challenge: we need a low cost and sustainable alternative to Li-ion batteries. Thanks to recent advances, the so-called ‘beyond-lithium’ batteries (BLB) such as K+ and Na+ based systems could be an everyday reality. Bio-waste mesoporous hard carbon (BHC) is one of the most promising anode materials as a universal ion host for BLBs. The use of BHC as a low-cost and recycled solution in BLBs might provide the breakthrough required and give rise to the next generation of batteries. However, uncontrolled SEI formation limits the large-scale application of BHC in BLBs, in particular for Na-ion batteries (NIBs), the most mature and promising. For NIBs, the SEI is still an unresolved issue that limits its long-term stability. REALSEI wants to establish a comprehensive operando time- and space- resolved characterization methodology to transit from bulk (transmission mode) to surface analytical characterization (grazing incidence mode) based on lab and synchrotron high-resolution X-ray techniques which will results for the first time in a comprehensive visualization and quantification of the species forming the SEI in real-time on HC. REALSEI will apply principles of physics and electrochemistry and its results will have substantial scientific, technological, and societal impact.

Keywords: sodium ion batteries,solid elecrtrolyte iterphase,operando surface characterization,polarized x ray emission spectroscopy,bulk,surface influence
Identifying Predictors of Risk and Resilience for poor neuropsychological Outcome following childhood Brain InsulTs (PROBIt) (PROBIt)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Consolidator grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: The Human Mind and Its Complexity
Panel description: Cognitive science, psychology, linguistics, theoretical philosophy
Countries involved: United Kingdom
Call: ERC Consolidator Grant (ERC-2015-CoG, 2015)
Start date: 2016-09-01
End date: 2021-08-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2226923.0
EU funding (EUR): 2226923.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The impact of insults to the developing brain upon cognition and behaviour has far-reaching consequences for the child, their family, education and health care systems, and government expenditure. Many variables (illness, environmental) contribute to different outcomes following similar insults, and they exert their influence via the child’s developing brain. Predicting which child will recover from early brain insult and identifying those at risk of poor outcome represents a major challenge, with significant health economic implications. An unexplored question is whether direct measurement of the structure and function of the developing brain can improve our ability to predict outcomes in the long-term. Thus, PROBIt aims to assess the utility of brain imaging biomarkers to predict individual neuropsychological and neurobehavioural outcomes following paediatric brain injury, and to identify those factors that combine optimally to classify outcomes. The proposal adopts an unorthodox approach of combining heterogeneous injury groups to explore the structural and functional consequences of perturbing developing brain networks. PROBIt integrates data from clinically relevant paediatric cognitive and behavioural assessment, neuroimaging and computational modelling in large cohorts of children with brain insults. Multivariate pattern analysis will be used to train a statistical classifier to reliably predict individual child outcomes across three core domains: achievement, behaviour and cognitive ability. PROBIt significantly advances our understanding of features that confer risk and resilience to different neurodevelopmental outcomes and has important implications for clinical diagnosis and rehabilitation of children with early brain insults.

Keywords: early brain injury,clinical child neuropsychology,mri scanning,cognition,behaviour
Multi-dimensional mapping of the interplay between stability and plasticity in the adult visual pathway (PlastiMap)

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: Portugal
Call: Individual Fellowships (H2020-MSCA-IF-2020, 2020)
Start date: 2021-09-01
End date: 2024-01-28
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 147815.04
EU funding (EUR): 147815.04
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

Whether and how adult brains retain the ability to adapt their function and structure, especially in the context of learning, injury or restorative treatment is a fundamental question in neuroscience. In particular, understanding how neurons rewire or adapt during plasticity has been limited to (i) local electrophysiological measurements that lack the ability to report on brainwide aspects of plasticity, (ii) terminal experiments preventing longitudinal exploration in the same animal, or (iii) brainwide functional imaging with little insight into the underlying neural activity. Therefore, despite the scientific and clinical relevance of deciphering the neural substrate of neuroplasticity, a mechanistic, brain-wide study bridging the multiple spatiotemporal scales required for understanding neuroplasticity, is still lacking. We here propose to combine cutting edge functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging with calcium recordings in an animal model of visual pathway plasticity. First, we will use this exceptional multi-modal system to investigate the neurovascular coupling during visual stimulation and at-rest. Second, we will apply advanced computational neural models to characterize the functional organization of receptive fields and underlying circuitry across the rodent visual pathway and cortical layers. Third, we aim to map the time-course of functional reorganization and restructuring of neural circuitry following damage to the visual system. To do so, we will induce localized monocular retinal lesions and quantify changes in cortical organization and micro-circuitry resulting from the damage under differential visual experience (dark/ light exposure). This project will provide the first mechanistic description of adaptive circuitry processes and retinotopic (re)organization of the entire visual pathway associated with experience-dependent plasticity. Clinically, this is critical to assess the optimal timing for visual restorative and rehabilitation treatments.

Keywords: ultra high resolution mri,calcium recordings,receptive field,vision,neurovascular coupling
The place-making function of ritual movement in Roman religion (RITMO)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: Marie-Sklodowska-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Individual Fellowships (IF)-Global Fellowships
Action type: Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions
Panel: Social Sciences and Humanities
Countries involved: Italy,Brazil
Call: Individual Fellowships (H2020-MSCA-IF-2020, 2020)
Start date: 2021-10-01
End date: 2024-09-30
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 249597.12
EU funding (EUR): 249597.12
Participants: 2
Project status: SIGNED

Ritual movement, that is movement of individuals or groups on a more or less fixed route for religious causes or purposes (e.g. processions), always played a major role in the religious life of the Romans. Nevertheless, not enough attention has been paid so far to its fundamental place-making role: RITMO aims to investigate the impact and consequences of the continued performance of ritual movement on the cultural, social and physical creation of religious places, thus of collective identity and memory, in ancient Rome (8th cent. BCE – 5th cent. CE). RITMO will explore some key case studies of ritual movement in Roman religion, as the Salian rituals, the transvectio equitum, the Argei, as well as four women festivals (Matralia, Nonae Caprotinae, Nemoralia and the procession of 207 BCE), in order to better understand how such rituals shaped (and were shaped by) emotions, identity and memory processes – during and after the ritual performance – by finally becoming embedded in Rome’s sacred landscape. The project will then compare these case studies with more studied examples of ritual movements in Roman religion (e.g. the Lupercalia and the pompa circensis), and finally with a ritual movement still performed every year in Rome, the procession of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Close observation of a ritual movement still ‘in the making’ can further put RITMO’s results to the test. Comparison, spatiality and an inter/multidisciplinary approach will significantly enhance the understanding of such an important kind of ritual performance in ancient Rome. Moreover, as ritual movement is still practiced and is part of the cultural heritage of many countries, by delving into the significance of such phenomenon starting as from Antiquity, it will be easier to understand its semantics and meanings in contemporary society, and how it can still promote identity and belonging and foster social cohesion.

Keywords: roman religion,place making,sacred landscape,ritual movement,comparative religious studies,spatial turn,procession,identity,emotions,cultural memory