Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Delay of flow separation and stall on Aerofoils using a Passive Flow control Technology which will improve aerodynamic performance and stability of wind turbines increasing their range of operation (Aeropaft)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Societal Challenges
Programme: Secure, clean and efficient energy
Action type: SME instrument
Countries involved: United Kingdom
Call: Stimulating the innovation potential of SMEs for a low carbon energy system (H2020-SMEINST-1-2014, 2014)
Start date: 2014-11-01
End date: 2015-04-30
Duration (months): 6.0
Total project cost (EUR): 71429.0
EU funding (EUR): 50000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Flow separation and dynamic stalling in aerofoils result in increased drag, reduced lift and increased dynamic loads on aerodynamic devices/vehicles. This culminates in reduced aerodynamic efficiency and increased structural vibrations, which are noisy and reduce the operating life of aerodynamic devices. To delay flow separations and dynamic stalling, flow control is engaged either actively (artificial means) or passively (natural means). This project describes a novel passive flow control method (Aeropaft) to be applied primarily in the wind turbine (WT) industry, then to aircraft and ground and marine vehicles. Wind energy is the fastest growing Renewable Energy source (RES) at 24.4% per year. To keep pace with growing demand, there is need for advanced technologies to increase the aerodynamic efficiency. Aeropaft is a simple technology exploiting high velocity currents from near the leading edge (via internal ducts) to re-energise the free-stream flow at the top of an aerofoil. This results in a 5% increase in electrical power yield for a 1MW WT, increase in lift (~16%), reduction of profile drag force (~7%) at higher aerofoil angles of incidences (>12o), and the reduction of wear caused by vibrations. We will penetrate 1% of the global WT market and 10% of the European market. Licensed Manufacturers stand to gain a 0.33% increase in market value and revenue of €1.72bn, while utility companies gain €101,013 per annum through savings and increased energy output per WT. Our revenue will come through licensing at 0.2% of the whole turbine cost translating to revenue of €10.3m and profits of €7.72m, five years post commercialization. Phase 1 will entail a market study, partner search, assessing structural integrity issues and developing an IP and commercialisation strategy. Phase 2 will be to modify blades of existing WTs with our technology and test demonstrate in the operational environment.

Keywords: wind turbine,passive flow control
Hypoxic Tumour Models for Photoactivatable Ruthenium-based Chemotherapy (HypoRuLight)

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: Netherlands
Call: ERC-Proof of Concept (ERC-2017-PoC, 2017)
Start date: 2017-10-01
End date: 2019-03-31
Duration (months): 18.0
Total project cost (EUR): 150000.0
EU funding (EUR): 150000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

In this Proof-of-Concept project I will show the commercial potential of ruthenium-based photoactivated chemotherapy (PACT) compounds developed in my ERC Starting Grant by demonstrating their efficacy on hypoxic cancer models. Photoactivated chemotherapy is a new class of phototherapy to treat cancer. In principle, PACT looks similar to photodynamic therapy (PDT): light irradiation of the tumour in vivo leads to local activation of the anticancer prodrug, thereby limiting the toxicity of the treatment to the diseased tissue, and thus lowering side effects for the patient. However, the mechanisms of PACT and PDT are very different: in PDT the light-absorbing prodrug requires molecular oxygen to kill the cancer cells, whereas in PACT oxygen is not involved in prodrug activation. As a consequence, PACT agents should be able to treat hypoxic tumours, which are characterized by low oxygen concentrations and high resistance to PDT and other existing therapies. In this project the efficacy of a selection of Ru-based PACT compounds will be tested in hypoxic cancer models and compared to their efficacy in normoxic conditions. In parallel I will develop, in collaboration with my network of collaborators from the clinics, business analysts, and patent attorney, a plan for (pre) clinical development of PACT compounds.

Keywords: metallodrugs,hypoxia,cancer,photochemotherapy,photodynamic therapy,tumour model,photosubstitution
Deep brain imaging of cellular mechanisms of sensory processing and learning (AXPLAST)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Neuroscience and Disorders of the Nervous System
Panel description: Nervous system development, homeostasis and ageing, nervous system function and dysfunction, systems neuroscience and modelling, biological basis of cognitive processes and of behaviour, neurological and mental disorders
Countries involved: Germany,Switzerland
Call: ERC Starting Grant (ERC-2018-STG, 2018)
Start date: 2018-12-01
End date: 2024-11-30
Duration (months): 72.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1475475.0
EU funding (EUR): 941877.5
Participants: 2
Project status: SIGNED

Learning and memory are the basis of our behaviour and mental well-being. Understanding the mechanisms of structural and cellular plasticity in defined neuronal circuits in vivo will be crucial to elucidate principles of circuit-specific memory formation and their relation to changes in neuronal ensemble dynamics. Structural plasticity studies were technically limited to cortex, excluding deep brain areas like the amygdala, and mainly focussed on the input site (dendritic spines), whilst the plasticity of the axon initial segment (AIS), a neuron’s site of output generation, was so far not studied in vivo. Length and location of the AIS are plastic and strongly affects a neurons spike output. However, it remains unknown if AIS plasticity regulates neuronal activity upon learning in vivo. We will combine viral expression of AIS live markers and genetically-encoded Ca2+-sensors with novel deep brain imaging techniques via gradient index (GRIN) lenses to investigate how AIS location and length are regulated upon associative learning in amygdala circuits in vivo. Two-photon time-lapse imaging of the AIS of amygdala neurons upon fear conditioning will help us to track learning-driven AIS location dynamics. Next, we will combine miniature microscope imaging of neuronal activity in freely moving animals with two-photon imaging to link AIS location, length and plasticity to the intrinsic activity as well as learning-related response plasticity of amygdala neurons during fear learning and extinction in vivo. Finally, we will test if AIS plasticity is a general cellular plasticity mechanisms in brain areas afferent to the amygdala, e.g. thalamus. Using a combination of two-photon and miniature microscopy imaging to map structural dynamics of defined neural circuits in the amygdala and its thalamic input areas will provide fundamental insights into the cellular mechanisms underlying sensory processing upon learning and relate network level plasticity with the cellular level.

Keywords: axon initial segment,deep brain imaging,amygdala
Deciphering the role of RNA modifications during ribosomal decoding and protein synthesis (tRNAslation)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Consolidator grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions
Panel description: Molecular biology, biochemistry, structural biology, molecular biophysics, synthetic and chemical biology, drug design, innovative methods and modelling
Countries involved: Poland
Call: ERC CONSOLIDATOR GRANTS (ERC-2020-COG, 2020)
Start date: 2021-06-01
End date: 2026-05-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1997500.0
EU funding (EUR): 1997500.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

All living cells employ messenger RNAs (mRNA), transfer RNAs (tRNA) and ribosomal RNAs (rRNA) to decode genomic information and synthesize the correct set of proteins at the right sub-cellular localization and at the right time. The attachment of specific chemical groups to individual RNA bases attributes novel chemical properties and strongly influences their functionality. In particular, modifications of the tRNA anticodon and critical regions of rRNAs are primed to influence the translation of individual mRNAs and tune the decoding behavior during ribosomal translation elongation. Individual ribosomes, mRNAs and tRNAs are dynamically decorated with different combinations of RNA modifications depending on the cell type, cellular compartment, metabolic state and environmental conditions. This additional layer of complexity creates specialized translational units and vastly expands the regulatory potential of the strictly conserved and almost invariant core translation machinery. Despite their key role in translation, most modification cascades and the functional interplay of the resulting RNA modifications during ribosomal decoding remain elusive. In the proposed project, we aim (i) to structurally characterize key RNA modification complexes, (ii) to create sets of fully modified RNAs in vitro, (iii) to understand the role of individual rRNA and tRNA modifications during translation elongation and (iv) to provide mechanistic insights into the unfortunate link between patient derived mutations of the underlying pathways and the onset of severe human diseases. In summary, we will extend the recently arising concept of “specialized ribosomes” by adding unique RNA modifications into the overall scheme. This project will provide deep molecular insights into fundamental processes, that are clinically relevant and which regulate, shape and orchestrate the cellular protein landscapes in all known organisms.

Keywords: protein synthesis,rrna,trna,modification,anticodon,elongator,thiolation,cancer,neurodegenerative diseases
MAGnetic fIeld and Kinematic coupling for massive STAR formation (Magik Star)

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: France
Call: Individual Fellowships (H2020-MSCA-IF-2018, 2018)
Start date: 2019-09-02
End date: 2021-09-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 184707.84
EU funding (EUR): 184707.84
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Star formation is a fundamental process in astrophysics, which has been studied for decades. As of now, most of our knowledge is concentrated on the formation of stars of a few solar masses. If galaxies' total stellar mass is dominated by low-mass stars, their energy budget is exclusively controlled by the enormous luminosity and powerful feedback of massive stars (M > 8 Msun). Despite their importance, the mechanisms leading to the formation of high-mass stars remain a mystery in many aspects. From the theoretical point of view, low-mass star formation models are not directly transposable as they do not provide accretion rates in line with what is necessary for high-mass star formation. From the observational point of view, until the recent rise of large interferometers, little was known about the formation of massive stars due to their scarcity, and remoteness. Through my work with interferometers, I have proved that very dynamical processes (colliding flows) are at play in high-mass star-forming regions (HMSFR). On the other hand, recent studies have shown that magnetic fields are a key factor in the regulation of star-formation. I am convinced that the dynamical features observed in HMSFR coupled with the action of the magnetic fields could explain for the formation of high-mass stars. For this two-year project, I plan on studying the coupling of gas dynamics with magnetic fields. For this purpose, I present an innovative project that will study this coupling simultaneously from observational and numerical inquiries. I will use today's best instrument in radio-astronomy, ALMA, to trace both the kinematics of gas and the magnetic field morphology. This observational part relies on data that I have already acquired. For the numerical part, I will participate in the development of dedicated magneto-hydro-dynamical simulations together with P. Hennebelle to understand the physical processes that underlie the observational features.

Keywords: magnetic fields,star formqtion,massive stars,disk and ouflow interaction,accretion and ejection in young stellar system
Semiconductor crystal phase engineering: new platforms for future photonics (SATORI)

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: Physics
Countries involved: Ireland,United States
Call: Individual Fellowships (H2020-MSCA-IF-2020, 2020)
Start date: 2021-10-04
End date: 2024-10-03
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 257561.28
EU funding (EUR): 257561.28
Participants: 2
Project status: SIGNED

Excepting III-N compounds, the III-V and group-IV semiconductors that underpin contemporary optoelectronics crystallise in a cubic structure. Recent advancements in semiconductor growth enable switching between cubic and hexagonal phases in these materials, allowing fabrication of hexagonal semiconductors and crystal phase heterostructures (CPHs). Growth in metastable phases radically alters material properties, with so-called crystal phase engineering (CPE) constituting a new paradigm to tailor semiconductors for practical applications. However, detailed understanding of the implications of CPE for technologically-relevant material properties is currently lacking. The SATORI project will employ a multi-scale approach, encompassing atomistic first principles calculations and continuum model/software development, to establish a new state of the art in theory and simulation for CPE. This platform will be applied to quantify key hexagonal phase and CPH properties, and hence to identify optimised materials and nanostructures for photonics applications. This significantly enhanced understanding of the properties and potential of CPE will provide critical insights to a burgeoning experimental community. The outgoing phase will proceed at the University of California Santa Barbara, USA (UCSB) under the supervision of Prof. Chris Van de Walle, and will focus on first principles analysis of electronic properties and carrier recombination. The return phase will proceed at Tyndall National Institute, University College Cork, Ireland (TNI-UCC) under the supervision of Prof. Eoin O’Reilly, and will focus on multi-scale simulation and optimisation of the properties of CPHs for visible and infrared photonics applications. By combining the expertise of UCSB in first principles analysis with that of TNI-UCC in multi-scale device simulation, SATORI will deliver new insights and simulation tools to drive development of photonic devices based on this emerging class of semiconductors.

Keywords: crystal phase engineering,crystal phase heterostructures,first principles calculations,electronic structure,carrier recombination,optical properties
Integrated Diagnostics for Prostate Cancer (ID-PROSTATE)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Industrial Leadership
Programme: Innovation in SMEs
Action type: SME instrument
Countries involved: Netherlands
Call: SME instrument (H2020-EIC-SMEInst-2018-2020-3, 2020)
Start date: 2020-07-01
End date: 2022-06-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 3000531.25
EU funding (EUR): 2100371.88
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Quantib Prostate is an AI-enhanced solution to enable an integrated diagnostic care pathway for prostate cancer between urologist, radiologist and pathologist. Prostate cancer is the most prevalent form of cancer in men and their second leading cause of death. Recent high-impact clinical trials have demonstrated the utility of prostate MRI in the care-pathway: 5x fewer missed cancers, 25% fewer biopsies. These trials resulted in changes in care standards per 2019, now recommending MRI prior to every biopsy, resulting in a strong demand increase for prostate MRI scans. Conventional radiology reading capacity cannot keep pace with that demand due to long staff training times. Quantib Prostate addresses this issue with AI-algorithms that detect potential tumors and workflow enhancements that reduce reporting time. This project allows Quantib to accelerate and further improve Quantib Prostate.

Keywords: prostate cancer,deep learning,radiomics,image based diagnosis,pathology,medical image analysis,quantitative imaging biomarkers,integrated diagnostics,radiology
Rheumatoid Arthritis Caught Early: investigating biological mechanisms preceding chronification of joint inflammation to identify patients prior to presentation of classic chronic arthritis (RACE)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases
Panel description: Medical technologies and tools for prevention, diagnosis and treatment of human diseases, therapeutic approaches and interventions, pharmacology, preventative medicine, epidemiology and public health, digital medicine
Countries involved: Netherlands
Call: ERC Starting Grant (ERC-2016-STG, 2016)
Start date: 2017-10-01
End date: 2024-03-31
Duration (months): 78.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1500000.0
EU funding (EUR): 1500000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) causes long lasting disability. At the time of clinically evident arthritis and diagnosis, the disease is already persisting, requiring long-term suppressive treatment. My overarching aim is to prevent chronic arthritis and RA by inhibiting the evolving auto-immune response in a pre-arthritis phase. Currently, identification of RA-patients before the classic presentation with clinically evident chronic arthritis is beyond the state of the art. I here aim to achieve this early recognition by increasing the mechanistic understanding of pre-arthritis phases. I intend to study RA-specific auto-immune responses at the cellular and humoral level as well as markers reflecting local and systemic inflammation. These aspects are selected based on my world-wide validated rule to predict RA-development in early arthritis and on recent work on progression from Clinically Suspect Arthralgia (CSA) to clinical arthritis. This project is now finally feasible, thanks to unique ‘pre-RA’ cohorts and cross-boundary preparatory work done with basic scientists, clinicians and engineers. My research concept is to integrate the products of separate trajectories in a longitudinal study and translate it to the clinic. Patients with CSA will be studied serially in time. Using validated methods and novel techniques and insights we will: delineate molecular and predictive features of RA-specific auto-antibodies and auto-antibody secreting B-cells, identify improved markers of systemic inflammation and test and validate a computer-aided image analysis system to detect subclinical joint inflammation on MRI. Serial data will be combined to reveal interactions between markers and time relationships. Lastly a prediction model identifying imminent RA will be developed. The forefront position of my group allows national and international validation. Together, this multidisciplinary and intersectorial project will open new horizons for preventive, targeted interventions.

Keywords: rheumatoid arthritis,prediction making,secondary prevention,clinically suspect arthralgia
IBEX QDR: A Ground-breaking Technological Upgrade based on Quantitative Digital Radiography to Exploit the Full Diagnostic Potential of Standard Digital X-Ray (IBEX QDR)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Societal Challenges
Programme: Health, demographic change and wellbeing
Theme: Treating and managing disease
Action type: SME instrument
Countries involved: United Kingdom
Call: Supporting innovative SMEs in the healthcare biotechnology sector (H2020-SMEINST-2-2016-2017, 2017)
Start date: 2017-08-01
End date: 2020-01-31
Duration (months): 30.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1611542.75
EU funding (EUR): 1611542.75
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Bone density loss is a natural process that affects us all as we age. As the loss advances, so does the risk of fracture. The lack of warning symptoms or routine tests results in a late detection of severe density loss (osteoporosis), often when the first fracture occurs. Besides being a major social burden, in the EU it entails costs of €37 bn/year in treatment, disability or productivity loss, which could be alleviated if population-wide bone health screening methods were available. Today, measurement of bone mineral density (BMD) is only available through scarce and expensive DEXA scans, limiting testing to referred individuals grouped as high risk of osteoporosis. In response, we at IBEX Innovations have developed and patented IBEX-Quantitative Digital Radiography (IBEX-QDR). Conceived as a cost-efficient upgrade for standard digital radiography systems, it enhances the quality of digital X-ray images and enables these systems to measure BMD. All while reducing by 2-fold the X-ray dose needed to obtain the image. Altogether, IBEX QDR will unleash the diagnostic potential of digital radiology, enabling routine screening of bone density with any standard X-ray examination. In a Phase 1 project we confirmed the market opportunities for IBEX-QDR, outlined technical optimisations and achieved high-level engagement with X-ray detector and system manufacturers and healthcare providers. Now in Phase 2 we aim to reach market readiness by finalising the technological development, completing its clinical validation and securing the business aspects of the project. Once in the market, IBEX QDR will bring significant benefits for healthcare systems (early diagnosis and lower impact of ageing diseases), professionals (safer and simplified work-flows) and public health (lower radiation dose and less X-ray induced cancer). In turn, in 5 years it will provide us €16.7 million profits, 16 new people and a ROI of €9.37 per euro invested, representing c.1% of the target market.

Keywords: bone health diagnosis,diagnostic systems,osteoporosis prevention,bone resorption,low dose radiography,healthcare sustainability,bone health management