Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Solution attosecond chemistry (SATTOC)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences
Panel description: Analytical chemistry, chemical theory, physical chemistry/chemical physics
Countries involved: France
Call: ERC STARTING GRANTS (ERC-2022-STG, 2022)
Start date: 2023-10-01
End date: 2028-09-30
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2325590.0
EU funding (EUR): 2325590.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

X-ray photons carry sufficient energy to interact with molecular core-shell’s electrons. Accessible for decades in the energy domain, the resulting core-excited states (CES) can now be observed in the time domain using attosecond (10-18 s) spectroscopy. These states are important as they govern the lineshapes in all x-ray spectroscopies. Here, we propose to first investigate and then manipulate the CES time evolution in solvated biomolecules in order to reveal key chemical information – i.e. solute-solvent interactions, local symmetries and chiral fields. CES lifetimes dictate the emission of secondary electrons active in radiotherapy. By observing the effect of solute-solvent interactions on CES we will be able to achieve a better understanding of the first molecular mechanisms of radiotherapy. CES are also a subtle probe of the absorbing atom’s bonding environment. CES line splittings are lost in conventional x-ray spectroscopy due to homogenous broadening. We developed a technique based on the laser manipulation of CES capable of producing lineshapes up to an order of magnitude below the spectroscopy’s lifetime broadening and revealing core-level splitting. We will employ this approach to observe core-level splitting in solvated amino acids and metalloproteins and will use this new information to reveal the binding geometry of ligands with unprecedented accuracy. Finally, we will show how one can use nonlinear optics with attosecond pulses to reveal the chirality of the field surrounding sulphur and phosphorus atoms in biological samples. X-ray excitation localizes the point of view on the chiral field to a single atom. This perspective will allow us to examine the chiral landscape near the target atom. Here, chirality due to a single chiral centre will be probed in L-cysteine while the chirality due to the macromolecular arrangement will be measured in DNA helixes. Our proposal brings attoscience techniques in the investigation field of large solvated systems.
Detecting the right moment to do embryo transfer in In Vitro Fertilisation treatments. (Seedchrony)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Innovative Europe
Programme: European innovation ecosystems
Theme: Elevating the scalability potential of European business
Destination: Elevating the scalability potential of European business
Action type: Coordination and support actions
Countries involved: Spain
Call: Women TechEU (HORIZON-EIE-2022-SCALEUP-02, 2022)
Start date: 2023-06-01
End date: 2024-02-29
Duration (months): 9.0
Total project cost (EUR): 107142.86
EU funding (EUR): 75000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

In-vitro Fertilization (IVF) is a well-known fertility treatment used for infertile couples, single mothers and women in same-sex relationships. Of the nearly a million IVF cycles done in Europe annually (3 million globally), only 40% result in pregnancy. Low IVF success makes the process long, expensive, and emotionally devastating. Moreover, the dissimilar access to fertility treatments contributes to health inequity and gender imbalance, as infertility is still a women's social burden. One of the leading causes of IVF failure is embryo transfer (ET), with live birth rates (ET-LBR) below 30% and lower than 10% in women around 40 years old. The main factors affecting ET-LBR are embryo quality, uterine receptivity, and embryo-uterine synchrony. Nowadays, the selection of high-quality embryos is solved; but in the presence of high-quality embryos the uterus determines the success of embryo implantation. However, assessing the uterine readiness for embryo transfer is done by counting days. Therefore, an urgent unmet clinical need is to provide accuracy in detecting uterine receptivity and embryo-uterine synchrony to improve embryo implantation rates and IVF success. We have created Seedchrony, a point-of-care device that detects endometrial receptivity non-invasively, and instantly, enabling right-on-time embryo transfer to boost IVF success. Unlike the standard of care (counting days) and the current solutions (tissue analysis requiring tissue biopsies and time for sample processing), Seedchrony is accurate, the measurements are done directly in the uterine fluid, and the results are immediate, allowing doing test and transfer on the same day. Manina Medtech is a pre-seed stage startup with a B2B business model and the vision that every woman who goes through IVF requires a single IVF cycle to get pregnant. We position to fundamentally boost IVF success, making the whole process faster, healthier, and more affordable.

Keywords: infertility,endometrial receptivity,ivf success
Regenerative Stenting for Osteoporotic Vertebral Fracture Repair (RESTORE)

Framework: Horizon Europe — 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: Ireland
Call: ERC CONSOLIDATOR GRANTS (ERC-2023-COG, 2023)
Start date: 2024-06-01
End date: 2029-05-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2039473.0
EU funding (EUR): 2039473.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

Osteoporotic vertebral fractures (OVFs) are the most common complication of osteoporosis. Current treatment involves conventional procedures that inject cement into the vertebrae to stabilise the spine and relieve pain. No reparative treatment exists. Biomaterial-based treatments have had very limited success due to a number of complex challenges, such as providing dual therapeutic and mechanical functionalities to meet clinical requirements. Building on a wealth of experience in the area of materials processes, we propose the solution. RESTORE will initially overcome the problems with traditional biomaterials approaches by utilising recent advances in the area of advanced manufacturing and 3D-printing to engineer a dual component biomaterial platform, comprising of a 3D-printed biodegradable stent and a thermoresponsive hydrogel, with mechanical properties and bioactive composition tailored to regenerate and repair osteoporotic vertebral bone. Following this, and consolidating the research in the applicant’s lab on biomaterial-mediated delivery of therapeutics to enhance bone formation and inhibit resorption, the hydrogel component will be functionalised for the controlled delivery of antioxidant lanthanides, to combat increased oxidative stress in the osteoporotic bone microenvironment, and modulate impaired bone remodelling to drive bone regeneration and facilitate repair. The RESTORE technology has potential for use in a patient specific personalized medicine format as the 3D-printing process utilised allows for the stents to be tailored to the patient’s individual vertebra. The hydrogel’s therapeutic load can also be adjusted and offers a potential minimally invasive prophylactic treatment for adjacent diseased vertebrae that do not yet require stenting - a first-of-its-kind prevention strategy for OVFs. The proposed RESTORE platform is thus a paradigm shifting disruptive technology that will revolutionise the way damaged osteoporotic vertebrae are treated.

Keywords: osteoporosis,vertebral bone repair,therapeutic biomaterials,bone remodelling,bone regeneration,3d printing,thermoresponsive hydrogels
Immunological mechanisms of respiratory co-infections (RespiriCO)

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: Belgium
Call: MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2023 (HORIZON-MSCA-2023-PF-01, 2023)
Start date: 2024-08-01
End date: 2026-07-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 191760.0
EU funding (EUR): 191760.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

Despite the concept that infectious diseases are usually caused by a single pathogen, in reality, we are constantly challenged by multiple pathogens and growing evidence indicates that co-infections are a much more common event than clinically perceived. The respiratory tract is the first point of contact with airborne pathogens and the most common site for infections. Hence, human respiratory infections contribute to substantial morbidity and economic losses worldwide, resulting in approximately 2.5 million deaths each year. Recent findings have shed light on a crucial factor in the severity of respiratory infections: the role of co-infections. Considering the public health importance of respiratory infections and the scarcity of research on the impact of co-infections in the balance of immune defences, this project proposes to study the in vitro and in vivo effects of diverse parasitic, viral, and bacterial co-infections on different types of immune cells in the lungs, and comprehensively characterize tissue local microenvironment and host-pathogen interactions. Additionally, we will investigate the immunomodulatory effects of protozoan infections on vaccines and chemotherapy treatments and their impact on the protection against targeted pathogens. Objectives include: elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying immunological responses in the lungs and the susceptibility to co-infections; investigate altered immune responses of vaccines and the changes in the response to co-infection after chemotherapy of the primary infection. In the end, this study will allow deeper understanding of respiratory co-infections that could pave the way for the development of improved diagnostic and prognostic techniques, as well as the potential for proposing supportive treatments and vaccines. Notwithstanding, the development of this project will open up new avenues for future co-infection research and propel the fellow towards establishment as a successful independent researcher.

Keywords: infectious diseases,co infection,immunology,microbiology
COmbined Spectroscopy and Molecular-scale Imaging of Conjugated polymers (COSMIC)

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: Chemistry
Countries involved: United Kingdom,Belgium
Call: MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2024 (HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01, 2024)
Start date: 2025-05-01
End date: 2027-04-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 260347.92
EU funding (EUR): 260347.92
Participants: 2
Project status: SIGNED

COSMIC is an ambitious research project aimed at addressing a critical challenge in organic photovoltaics (OPVs), particularly their long-term stability, which is essential for enhancing their contribution to renewable energy solutions and tackling climate change. OPVs, which are lightweight, flexible, and can be integrated into a wide range of applications—from building-integrated photovoltaics to solar-powered greenhouses and aerospace technologies—represent a promising alternative to traditional silicon-based solar panels. However, despite recent advancements, OPVs face performance degradation over time due to the instability of their active materials. The central focus of COSMIC is to gain unprecedented molecular-level insights into the microstructure of conjugated block copolymers, a key class of materials recently proposed in OPVs to tackle the stability problem. These materials combine electron donor and acceptor molecules into a single polymer chain, a design with great potential for enhancing OPV performance. However, the precise arrangement and interaction of D and A units at the molecular level are still not fully understood, limiting further advancements. COSMIC will employ cutting-edge techniques such as scanning tunnelling microscopy and photoemission spectroscopy to study the molecular structure, assembly, and electronic properties of these materials with unprecedented resolution. The project is structured around three core objectives: characterising the molecular-scale structure and electronic properties of PM6/Y6 and PM6-b-Y6 polymers at the molecular level, correlating these insights with OPV device performance, and feeding this knowledge back into the synthesis process to enable optimisation through rational design. The outcomes of COSMIC are expected to have a wide-reaching impact, advancing OPV technology by making it more efficient and stable while demonstrating a novel methodology for characterising complex functional molecular systems.

Keywords: scanning tunneling microscopy,xps,ups,organic photovoltaic
On-chip model of mucociliary clearance for the design of drug formulations aimed at chronic respiratory diseases (MuST)

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: France
Call: MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2023 (HORIZON-MSCA-2023-PF-01, 2023)
Start date: 2024-07-01
End date: 2026-06-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 195914.88
EU funding (EUR): 195914.88
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs) caused 4 million deaths worldwide in 2019. CRD treatments are often administered by inhalation in particulate formulations. However, mucociliary clearance (MCC) acts as an effective physical barrier that prevents drugs from reaching the target cells. This mechanism relies on the beating of cilia on the bronchi surface, which allows the displacement of the overlying mucus layer. Inhaled drugs are thus trapped by the mucus and quickly evacuated from the airways. The objective of the MuST project is to model the mechanism of MCC using a microfluidic chip, to assess drug penetration through the moving mucus and thus provide a screening platform for new drug formulations. Our main objective can be subdivided into three research objectives: 1) Develop an adequate synthetic mucus model; 2) Reproduce the mucociliary clearance mechanism on a microfluidic chip; 3) Screen innovative drug formulations using our chip. In this project, we combine expertise in biophysics, physical chemistry, soft condensed matter, and nanomedicine. The originality of our approach lies in 3 key aspects: 1) We will develop a synthetic mucus model that reproduces all the properties of native human mucus; 2) We choose to design a non-cellular MCC model, which will provide an easy, quick, cheap, and reproducible alternative to cell-based MCC models; 3) We will apply an original technique called differential dynamic microscopy (DDM) to characterize the drug behaviour in the chip. DDM is perfectly adapted to measure particle diffusion in biological hydrogels under flowing conditions. Our innovative screening platform will pave the way to design more efficient formulations to treat CRDs, with higher delivery rates, thereby improving the available treatments and lowering their costs. This project is in line with the United Nations’ aim “to reduce by 2030 by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases [including CRDs] through prevention and treatment”.

Keywords: nanomedicine nanoparticles lung microfluidics mucus
The future of blockchain- Development and optimization of novel, quantum-resistance blockchain platform (QANplatform)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Innovative Europe
Programme: The European Innovation Council (EIC)
Theme: EIC Accelerator
Destination: Other destinations
Action type: EIC actions
Countries involved: Estonia
Call: EIC Accelerator 2024 - Short application (HORIZON-EIC-2024-ACCELERATOR-01, 2024)
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1120000.0
EU funding (EUR): 1120000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

Blockchain stands out as a prominent digital transformation technology trend that has applications in almost all industries. However, existing blockchain platforms and Layer 2 solutions have reached their limits in being widely and securely used as robust infrastructure while remaining environmentally friendly and decentralized. While the use cases and applications on Web3 operating systems are unlimited, the integration of this technology has been limited by several factors such as security, lack of compatibility, high costs, and monopolization, leading to insecurity and apprehension among organizations and end-users. Currently, 99% of blockchain platforms lack quantum-resistant security. While centralized entities, such as governments and organizations, can more easily transition to post-quantum cryptography (PQC), the decentralized nature of distributed systems like blockchain presents unique challenges both technologically and financially for the Web3 ecosystem. As a game-changing Web3 OS (Operating System), QANplatform offers unparalleled time-to-market for Web3 development, catering to both SMEs, enterprises, and robust government infrastructure projects. Thanks to QANplatform’s invention of multi-language smart contracts, over 28 million software developers will be able to enter the Web3 space. With its quantum-computer-resistant cybersecurity, QANplatform ensures secure operation without compromising data integrity or security. QAN’s technology is already utilized by the first users in the Global Top500 and the government and public sector. With the help of the EIC accelerator, we plan to further develop and optimize our platform, perform further testing, and bring our products to the market. Through this strategic approach, QANplatform seeks to solidify its position in the market and further propel the adoption of quantum-resistant blockchain solutions.

Keywords: quantum computing
An Intelligent platform for integrating climate services (TERRA)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness
Programme: Digital, Industry and Space
Theme: Space
Destination: Open Strategic Autonomy in Developing, Deploying and Using Global Space-Based Infrastructures, Services, Applications and Data
Action type: Research and Innovation actions
Countries involved: Greece,Poland,United Kingdom,Cyprus,Luxembourg,Germany,France,Italy
Call: Copernicus for Land and Water (HORIZON-CL4-2024-SPACE-01, 2024)
Start date: 2025-01-01
End date: 2027-12-31
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2566168.68
EU funding (EUR): 1999970.45
Participants: 9
Project status: SIGNED

According to Water Europe statistics, 90% of the global economy and 75% of jobs depend on water, while water-related risks are among the top 5 risks. Τhe term “water” includes both drinkable water (with respect to pollution) and hydrology water modelling (with respect to floods and sea level rise). As a result, the significance of modelling techniques, especially regarding water pollution, coastline management, flood prediction and sea level rise assessment cannot be overstated. Copernicus has already tools to forecast, assess and analyse such domains and also to manage forthcoming emergencies. Indeed, JRC states that Copernicus Emergency Management Service (CEMS) is gaining a lot of traction from policy makers, scientists and public bodies for managing, assessing and preventing climate-related emergencies such as floods and droughts. Despite this trend, the potential of Copernicus data and services, especially for emergency and climate applications has not been fully realised by industrial and policy-making stakeholders. TERRA realises that innovation stemming from Copernicus services and data could set the basis for future collaborations, accelerate R&I progress, and increase the EU’s excellence in cutting-edge technologies. To this end, we target the second R&I area of the “HORIZON-CL4-2024-SPACE-01-35”, namely the “the development of an integrated, harmonized and coherent product provision system … to improve global scale hydrological monitoring and forecasting.” TERRA envisions the creation of several services and product chains that fuse Copernicus services with state-of-the-art technologies to provide solutions for coastline detection, coastline erosion prediction, flood risk assessment and mitigation, water pollution assessment and coastline modelling. Τhe project targets the SWOT mission and Group on Earth Observation objectives, and provides the necessary framework to promote its outcomes through the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS).

Keywords: copernicus services,climate change,copernicus emergency services,space data processing,water pollution assessment,coastline detection,flood forecasting,coastal erosion forecasting,big data man
Green fuels production, via direct and low-energy methane oxidation (METtoFUEL)

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: Chemistry
Countries involved: Spain
Call: MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2024 (HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01, 2024)
Start date: 2025-04-01
End date: 2027-03-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 194074.56
EU funding (EUR): 194074.56
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

This proposal, titled "Green Fuel Production, via direct and low-energy Methane Oxidation" (METtoFUEL), will tackle the urgent and large-scale environmental problem of methane emissions, by converting methane to methanol, electrochemically and locally; simultaneously reducing GHG emission and obtaining a green liquid fuel. High selectivity for methanol and fast reaction rates will be achieved with 4 steps: 1) elucidation of the reaction mechanism, 2) development of dual-site catalysts, 3) electrolyte engineering and 4) achievement of industrially relevant currents with gas diffusion electrodes. This project will combine the applicant's (Dr. Silvia Favero) expertise in engineering the electrode-electrolyte interface, study of reaction mechanisms and some operando characterization techniques (SEIRAS and XAS), with the supervisor's (Prof. Maria Escudero Escribano) competence in methane electrochemical oxidation, her knowledge in operando characterization of electrocatalysts (Raman, ECMS, SEIRAS, SECS), and her experience in gas diffusion electrodes. Prof. Escudero-Escribano is an ICREA Professor at the ICN2, and has recently received an ERC-consolidator grant for the study of methane electrochemical activation and coversion into valuable chemicals, such as methanol. She has developed a laboratory with a unique combination of electrochemical expertise and operando characterization techniques; and is ideally positioned at ICN2, a Severo Ocha centre of excellence, with access to advanced material synthesis and characterization facilities, as well as extensive career support, ensuring the project's success. METtoFUEL will target >80% methanol selectivity, with >5% single-pass conversion and >100 mAcm-2 current density, which will ensure competitiveness against traditional methanol production approaches. If sucessful, this project will be spinned out, exploiting Prof. Escudero-Escribano IP experience, and ICN2 "Business and Innovation Department".

Keywords: electrocatalysis,electrochemical methane oxidation