Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
High resolution Miniature Implantable nerve Stimulator for Electroceutical Research (HiMISER) (HiMISER)

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: Belgium
Call: ERC Proof of Concept Grant (ERC-2018-PoC, 2018)
Start date: 2019-01-01
End date: 2020-06-30
Duration (months): 18.0
Total project cost (EUR): 150000.0
EU funding (EUR): 150000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

In my ERC project ‘µThalys’, we are researching future concepts for electronic medical implants. The main idea is to replace current medical implants that typically consist of a titanium casing with electronics and a few lead wires with less intrusive, softer, tissue-like implants. These future generation implants consist of soft, modular, miniature transducer nodes that can act stand-alone, or be connected in a network, thus forming e.g. an implantable sensor network. Now, the main idea driving this proof-of-concept (PoC) project application is that the results of our research could be very suitable to apply in an upcoming field that uses peripheral autonomous nerve stimulation for therapeutic ends. This is mostly referred to as ‘electroceuticals’ or ‘bioelectric medicine’. Rather than using chemical drugs that circulate through the entire body, the field of electroceuticals aims to develop therapies based on local stimulation of a nerve of the autonomous nervous system that leads to the target organ. For example, instead of taking drugs to reduce stomach acid formation the part of the vagus nerve going to the stomach can be stimulated to achieve the same therapeutic effect while reducing side-effects. However, current nerve stimulation devices are rather crude and stimulate all fibres in a nerve using a cuff electrode. Moreover, they are too large to allow them to be used in small animal studies. The non-availability of a miniature, high-resolution peripheral nerve stimulator is therefore a significant roadblock for researchers in the field, and for the future application in humans. In this project, we will combine our existing research results from the µThalys project to create a new generation of stimulators. Miniature electronics devices, packaging and soft high-resolution neural implants will enable miniature proof-of-concept devices that demonstrate precision stimulation in peripheral nerves. First steps towards commercialisation will be taken.

Keywords: microsystems,mems,nerve stimulation,medical implants,electroceuticals,neural electrodes,bio electric medicine
European Composite Power Pylon (ECP)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Industrial Leadership
Action type: Innovation actions
Countries involved: Germany,Germany,Belgium,France,France,France,Denmark,Denmark
Call: Fast Track to Innovation (FTI) (H2020-EIC-FTI-2018-2020, 2019)
Start date: 2019-11-01
End date: 2022-10-31
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 4216311.25
EU funding (EUR): 2951417.38
Participants: 9
Project status: SIGNED

The European electricity grid is undergoing major expansions to accommodate the switch to renewable sources and more decentralized energy production. Yet, the lattice towers are facing increasing public opposition due to their unsightly visual appearance, and the alternative method of underground cables is too costly for long stretches. The TSOs are increasingly looking for less intrusive, smaller, easier to erect, visually appealing and cost-effective transmission systems that could raise general public, environmental and land owners associations acceptance, and therefore enabling TSOs to expand the electricity grid with minimal resistance. The ECP consortium has developed a turnkey transmission system, more compact and with minimal visual impact. It relies on the use of composite materials on pylon cross-arms, enabling the integration of insulators and consequently the reduction of the size of pylons. This funding programme enables Bystrup/DK, the main instigator of the project, to join forces with 4 global companies, Valmont/DK, Reinhausen Power Composites/GER, Nexans/FR and Dervaux/FR to secure the final steps to commercialisation by demonstrating the Composite Pylon at operational conditions. This will be the first step to ensure market and key stakeholders acceptance, including TSOs, general public, environmental and land owners associations, policy- and opinion-makers. The ECP project will increase the partners’ competitiveness and innovation capacity with direct impact on economic turnover and job creation. Also, the Composite Pylon leads to higher standards of environmental and societal sustainability of the European and global OHTL sector.

Keywords: composite,power pylon,compact,aesthetically pleasant,easy installation,cost effective
Mesoscopic computational imaging of the predictive listening human brain (PrAud)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Consolidator 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: Netherlands,Netherlands
Call: ERC CONSOLIDATOR GRANTS (ERC-2020-COG, 2020)
Start date: 2021-07-01
End date: 2026-06-30
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1900000.0
EU funding (EUR): 1824962.5
Participants: 2
Project status: SIGNED

How do we understand the complex, noisy, and often incomplete sounds that reach our ears? Sounds are not perceived in isolation. The context in which we encounter them allows predicting what we may hear next. How is contextual sound processing implemented in the brain? From the sensory periphery to the cortex, complex information is extracted from the acoustic content of sounds. This feedforward processing is complemented by extensive feedback (FB) processing. Current research suggests that FB confers flexibility to auditory perception, by generating predictions of the input and supplementing noisy or missing information with contextual information. So far, limitations in coverage and spatial resolution of non-invasive imaging methods have prohibited grounding contextual sound processing onto the fundamental computational units of the human brain, resulting in an incomplete understanding of its biological underpinnings. Here, I propose to use ultra-high-field (UHF) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to study how expectations shape human hearing. The high spatial resolution and coverage of UHF-fMRI will allow examining fundamental brain units: small subcortical structures and layers of cortex. I will investigate how responses change when acoustic information needs to be prioritized in an uncertain or noisy soundscape. Complementing UHF-fMRI measurements with magnetoencephalography (MEG), I will derive a neurobiological model of contextual sound processing at high spatial and temporal resolution. By comparing this model to state-of-the-art artificial intelligence, I will generalize it to naturalistic settings. This project links algorithmic and at a mesoscopic implementation levels to reveal the neurobiological mechanisms supporting hearing in context. The resulting model will allow testing hypotheses of aberrant contextual processing in phantom hearing (tinnitus and auditory hallucinations).

Keywords: audition,contextual processing,predictive coding,ultra high field fmri,cortical layers,subcortical processing,computational modelling
From spatial relationships to temporal correlations: New vistas on predictive coding (SPATEMP)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: The Human Mind and Its Complexity
Panel description: Cognitive science, psychology, linguistics, theoretical philosophy
Countries involved: Germany
Call: ERC Starting Grant (ERC-2019-STG, 2019)
Start date: 2020-02-01
End date: 2025-01-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1750000.0
EU funding (EUR): 1750000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

During active wakefulness, cortical activity organizes itself into highly coherent patterns of gamma waves (30-80Hz). These waves are believed to be essential for cortical communication and synaptic plasticity. Their impairment is a hallmark of neurological and psychiatric disorders. Yet, it remains heavily debated what gamma waves encode, and what their precise role in information transmission is. I have recently proposed a new theory about gamma in visual cortex, building on the predictive coding theory. The predictive coding theory holds that the brain makes active top-down predictions about its own sensory inputs. By comparing these, it generates bottom-up prediction errors to drive learning and the updating of priors. The standard view in predictive coding theories is that gamma waves carry prediction errors. However, I recently hypothesized the opposite: 1) Gamma waves signal a match between predictions and sensory inputs (i.e. predictability), and 2) Columns that predict each other's visual input engage in long-range gamma-synchronization. To test this hypothesis, it is critical to develop a new method to quantify predictions and prediction errors in the context of natural vision. I will solve this by using recently developed deep-learning networks for prediction. By making multi-areal recordings from visual cortex in marmosets and humans (MEG), I will test if predictability indeed determines gamma waves and their synchronization pattern across space. Because stimulus priors have to be acquired through learning, I will further determine whether gamma waves depend on experience and perceptual learning. In marmosets, I will develop an optogenetics approach to test whether gamma waves drive perceptual learning, and test the prediction that V1 gamma waves depend on top-down feedback. In sum, I expect to provide evidence for a new, unified theory about the role of gamma waves in information transmission and the integration of sensory evidence with predictions.

Keywords: predictive coding,vision,visual cortex,electrophysiology,perceptual learning,gamma oscillations,synchronization,deep learning,marmoset,optogenetics
MAINTRAC-Auto: Automatization and validation of a liquid biopsy assay “Maintrac-AUTO CTC-analyser” for predictive real time monitoring and success control of solid tumor cancer therapy (MAINTRAC-Auto)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Societal Challenges
Programme: Health, demographic change and wellbeing
Theme: Treating and managing disease
Action type: SME instrument
Countries involved: Germany
Call: Clinical research for the validation of biomarkers and/or diagnostic medical devices (H2020-SMEINST-1-2015, 2015)
Start date: 2016-03-01
End date: 2016-08-31
Duration (months): 6.0
Total project cost (EUR): 71429.0
EU funding (EUR): 50000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Worldwide cancer is one of the leading causes of death and the need for more effective therapies is crucial. New precision diagnostics can identify and characterize the disease to individualize the therapy throughout the course of cancer, like our clinically approved Maintrac-CTC assay. Maintrac-CTC can track circulating tumor cells (CTCs) even in primary cancer patients to estimate prognosis and diagnose relapse well before clinical symptoms arise. Meanwhile a fully automated Maintrac AUTO analyser was established and offers a standardized state-of-art biomarker system for direct and better monitoring of disease progression and effectiveness i.e. of the maintenance therapy in breast cancer. We aim to drastically increase both effectiveness (selection of treatment most adequately for individual cancer type and phase) and efficiency (early indicator for the response level to an initial therapy) to avoid ineffective therapies, savings cost for the health care system and substantially reducing patient suffering. The objectives of the innovation project are to achieve series-production readiness and launch the system commercially with the best business model. We aim for acceptance of Maintrac CTC assays by oncology specialists through clinical validation and to achieve reimbursement by public authorities for upscaling and market penetration. In phase 1 we will show equivalence of the automatic system to the established manual method and meet regulatory requirements. In addition business opportunities and appropriate sales model will be evaluated. Forecasts for overall CTC biomarker market estimate a big market with a high demand for innovative products with expected revenue potential of US$ 12bn in 2020. Due to the obvious relevance of cancer diseases for patients, their families as well as economic implications, Maintrac will have an important impact on future cancer disease management.

Keywords: circulating tumor cells,cancer,maintenance therapy
JUpiter Modeling Platform (JUMP)

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: 2018-11-01
End date: 2020-10-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 168277.2
EU funding (EUR): 168277.2
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The exploration of the Jovian system is a priority for present (Juno NASA’s mission) and upcoming (Juice ESA’s mission) spacecraft missions. This research project focuses on Jupiter’s internal dynamics. This is crucial as it sets the whole planetary environment, including the giant magnetosphere. Unfortunately, despite being the nearest gas planet from Earth, the internal dynamics of Jupiter is poorly constrained from present observations. However, Jupiter's observable zonal winds constitute privileged markers directly connected to the underlying dynamics. They are powerful jets that channel more than 90% of the total kinetic energy observed on the planetary surface. Nevertheless, how these jets interact with planetary interiors? remains a fundamental question that the fellow will address during the fellowship. As of now, two dominant models are continuously challenged: the shallow layer model, where jets confine within a thin layer, and a deep model, where jets extend down to the entire molecular envelope. Recently, the fellow published the first successful lab experiment to reproduce jets and consequently restored the deep model that was so-far disqualified from previous studies. Now, taking advantage of this privileged position, the fellow designed “JUMP”: the JUpiter Modeling Platform. JUMP is a mixed laboratory-numerical platform that is capable of generating jet-like flows in a continuum of planetary configurations from shallow to deep atmospheres. It combines an advanced laboratory challenge that requires the strong engineering expertise of the host and associated numerical skills which is well into the specific abilities of the fellow. Using a package of statistical tools the fellow will describe flow properties in such a manner that results are directly comparable with previous works on Jupiter high resolution images. The ultimate challenge of JUMP is to identify markers in flow properties that will distinguish between deep and shallow scenarios on Jupiter.

Keywords: planetary flows,rotating turbulence,zonal winds,zonostrophic regime
Advancing a Precision Medicine Paradigm in metastatic Colorectal Cancer: Systems based patient stratification solutions (COLOSSUS)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Societal Challenges
Programme: Health, demographic change and wellbeing
Theme: Understanding health, wellbeing and disease
Action type: Research and Innovation actions
Countries involved: Ireland,Germany,Italy,Spain,Germany,Germany,Israel,Ireland,Belgium,France,France,United Kingdom
Call: New concepts in patient stratification (H2020-SC1-2017-Two-Stage-RTD, 2017)
Start date: 2018-01-01
End date: 2023-06-30
Duration (months): 66.0
Total project cost (EUR): 5996359.5
EU funding (EUR): 5996359.5
Participants: 14
Project status: SIGNED

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer in Europe with c. 420,000 cases and 150,000 related deaths in 2012. Of total CRC cases, it is estimated that approximately 50-55 % harbour RAS mutations. Current treatment for RAS mutant (mt) metastatic(m) CRC is primarily based on 5-fluoruracil based chemotherapy +/- bevacizumab. However, there are currently limited treatment options once cancers have become resistant. Moreover, while therapy optimization strategies in RAS wild-type CRC patients are feasible, targeted treatment of microsatellite stable (MSS) RAS mt disease is difficult and has not evolved significantly in recent years. COLOSSUS will deliver novel concepts for disease-mechanism based patient stratification in MSS RAS mt mCRC to address the need for stratified or personalised therapeutic interventions in this setting. The consortium will integrate multidimensional and longitudinal omics data to identify new MSS RAS mt specific subtypes with unique signalling dependences. We will harness the power of systems biomedicine, network analysis and computational modelling to identify new actionable pathways, biomarkers and targets across subtypes. These targets will be interrogated in state of the art pre-clinical patient derived xenograft studies. Newly described MSS RAS mt classifiers will be validated as novel patient stratification tools within the COLOSSUS trial. SME partners will develop clinically relevant and commercially viable assays for outcome prediction and stratification of MSS RAS mt patients based on novel classifiers. The impact of assays on CRC associated healthcare costs will further be assessed. Patient associations will be included and the proposal will consider regulatory aspects and commercialisation opportunities, in particular for participating SMEs. mCRC is a complex disease having high prevalence and high economic impact both within a European and global context.

Keywords: colorectal cancer,patient stratification,ras mutant,multi omics,immunomics,molecular subtype,computational models,systems medicine,in vitro diagnostic
Bespoke Resists for Next Generation Nanofabrication (BERNGEN)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Proof of concept grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Synthetic Chemistry and Materials
Panel description: New materials and new synthetic approaches, structure-properties relations, solid state chemistry, molecular architecture, organic chemistry
Countries involved: United Kingdom
Call: Call for proposals for ERC Proof of Concept Grant (ERC-2020-PoC, 2020)
Start date: 2020-12-01
End date: 2022-05-31
Duration (months): 18.0
Total project cost (EUR): 150000.0
EU funding (EUR): 150000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Interactions with end users of resist technologies suggest there is a market opportunity to develop resists that are tailored for specific applications - which we are calling Bespoke Resists. End users also require careful validation of performance of such bespoke resists. During BERNGEN we will examine possible workflows to achieve such bespoke resists in a manner suitable to supply to a wide range of end users.

Keywords: resist materials,nano fabrication,supramolecular chemistry,lithography
ACcelerating Transition in Peri-Urban areaS in East Africa (ACTUS)

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: Germany,Tanzania, United Republic of
Call: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF-GF) (H2020-MSCA-IF-2014, 2014)
Start date: 2016-01-01
End date: 2018-12-31
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 219693.6
EU funding (EUR): 219693.6
Participants: 2
Project status: CLOSED

Behind statements and statistics about newly urbanized populations in Africa, behind maps of rapid and unregulated growth and numerous disaster/risk assessments there are real people with compelling tales of coping and adapting capacities to urban challenges brought by the rapid transformation of cities. Their stories often contain more hope, ambition and imagination as portrayed in reports and scientific publications. Their ability to bounce back despite disadvantageous ecological, economic and political settings implies a new form of normality framed outside traditional city development models. ACTUS is concerned with people's everyday experiences of solid waste and sanitation in peri-urban areas to discern the interdependences between urban infrastructure, pro-poor growth and climate hazards. In ACTUS I place a particular focus on local processes of adaptation and self-organization to cope with increasing flooding impacts in East Africa. The lens of everyday experiences of waste management and sanitation offers an innovative approach to expend our understanding on multiple spheres of livelihoods considering how local processes and technologies may act as a benefit for the poor and may trigger sustainable technical infrastructure ACTUS is not a 'stand alone research project. It is designed to run complementary to a PhD program on 'Urban Infrastructure in transition: The case of African cities from the Graduate School of urban Studies at TU Darmstadt. The benefit of such close collaboration lies in the breath of knowledge I will gain not only within my specific research project but also through regular exchanges with a multidisciplinary group of scholars focusing on urban infrastructure regimes in Africa.

Keywords: local adaptation,pro poor growth,urban infrastructure,africa,urbanization,peri urban areas