Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
MEtabolic Cell Reprogramming for the Recovery of Lost INsulin-Producing Cells (Merlin)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Advanced grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Physiology in Health, Disease and Ageing
Panel description: Organ and tissue physiology, comparative physiology, physiology of ageing, pathophysiology, interorgan and tissue communication, endocrinology, nutrition, metabolism, interaction with the microbiome, non-communicable diseases including cancer (and except disorders of the nervous system and immunity-related diseases)
Countries involved: Switzerland
Call: ERC Advanced Grant (ERC-2019-ADG, 2019)
Start date: 2020-09-01
End date: 2025-08-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2499337.5
EU funding (EUR): 2499337.5
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

My group aims at fostering the regeneration of insulin-producing β-cells in the diabetic pancreas by promoting the reprogramming of other islet endocrine “non-β” cells. I will use mice and human islets to trigger the metabolic reprogramming of: i) peripheral organs, in order to reduce hyperglycemia, and ii) human islet non-β-cells, to induce their acquisition of insulin secretion. I developed transgenics to elicit total (>99%) or graded (5-90%) β-cell loss. These mice revealed that non-β-cells, which produce other hormones, can naturally switch to insulin production upon β-cell loss, and lead to diabetes recovery. My group recently showed that human non-β-cells, from healthy or diabetic donors, also display plasticity and can engage in regulated insulin secretion. What metabolic adaptations occur in peripheral organs in response to insulin deficiency, but without complications? Can metabolic reprogramming of peripheral organs, based on these adaptations, suffice to control glycemia? Can metabolic reprogramming change the identity of a cell? Natural recovery of euglycemia after β-cell loss is documented in mice. To know the mechanisms driving relief, my lab will characterize islet cell dynamics and circulating molecules (metabolites, RNA, peptides) after various degrees of β-cell loss. We will perform a full analysis of blood and peripheral organs in recovered mice, and an array of genetic and pharmacological experiments modulating BAT mass and function to test its role in taming hyperglycemia. We will explore and define the metabolic differences between human β- and non-β-cells. Using monotypic “pseudoislets” we will do RNAseq, proteomics and metabolomics after exposure to glucose. We will quantify oxygen consumption, extracellular acidification and ATP production in response to nutrients and metabolic toxins. From this, we will genetically (CRIPR-Cas9) and chemically reprogram the metabolism of human non-β-cells to boost the expression of β-like genes.

Keywords: diabetes,regeneration,cell plasticity,cell reprogramming,metabolic reprogramming,insulin deficiency,cell type interconversion,non beta cells,human islet,pseudo islet,transgenic
Gene Therapy to restore lymphatic flow lymphedema (TheraLymph)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Societal Challenges
Programme: Health, demographic change and wellbeing
Theme: Treating and managing disease
Action type: Research and Innovation actions
Countries involved: Switzerland,Belgium,Finland,Sweden,Belgium,France,France,Czechia
Call: Regenerative medicine: from new insights to new applications (H2020-SC1-2019-Single-Stage-RTD, 2019)
Start date: 2020-01-01
End date: 2025-06-30
Duration (months): 66.0
Total project cost (EUR): 8064946.0
EU funding (EUR): 8064946.0
Participants: 11
Project status: SIGNED

Lymphedema is a disabling condition induced by the accumulation of fluid and fat in the arm or in the leg. It is an untreatable disease that affects 4 millions people in Europe and more than 120 millions people worldwide. It is handicapping, painful and impacts substantially the quality of life. In western countries, lymphedema is generally a consequence of cancer treatments i.e. ten to fifteen percent of women will develop lymphedema after breast cancer. The main objective of Theralymph will be to establish a non-integrative gene therapy for this unmet medical need. The theralymph translational research program brings together bench scientists from 5 European countries and physicians from the hosted Rangueil hospital in which the PI institute is located to perform a Phase I/II trial focusing on women who developed lymphedema after breast cancer. Based on decades of disappointing results of monotherapy-gene delivery in cardiovascular diseases, our approach will be based on multiple gene therapy targeting both superficial lymphatic endothelium and deeper lymphatic collectors. We will identify molecules that possess a synergistic effect with the established lymphangiogenic factor VEGFC. Theralymph project will determine risk factors for lymphedema and cartography the lymphatic network in the pathology. It will decipher whether lymphatic intrinsic molecules or microenvironmental peptides or lipids are modified in the lymphedematous arm to promote the lymphatic dysfunction. Theralymph will validate the best molecule combination that restores the lymphatic drainage in in preclinical lymphedema models before human study. The Phase I/II gene therapy clinical trial will be performed in the vascular medicine department of Toulouse’s hospital, where the PI laboratory is located. This trial will use an innovative technology based on recently developed non-integrative lentiflash lentiviral vectors that allow a transient and highly efficient in vivo gene delivery.

Keywords: lymphedema,lymphatic,gene therapy,endothelial
Organ-on-a-Chip technology for in vitro grafting and vascularisation of 3D tissues (OrganoPlate Graft)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Industrial Leadership
Programme: Innovation in SMEs
Action type: SME instrument
Countries involved: Netherlands
Call: SME instrument (H2020-SMEInst-2018-2020-2, 2018)
Start date: 2019-03-01
End date: 2022-02-28
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 3014718.75
EU funding (EUR): 2110303.13
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

PROBLEM – The drug development cycle, from basic research to testing efficacy, toxicity, and safety of new therapeutics, is largely depending on animal models. However animal biology and pathology differ from human biology at crucial points. The sector is aware of the significant complications in their usage, but lacks better alternatives. Highly advanced technology exists for the culture of cell systems, organs, tumors, etc. outside the body (‘in vitro’). However, the existing culture models lack functional blood vessels – a vital structure inside the body (‘in vivo’). There is a great unmet need for better models of human biology, to speed up both basic research on human biology as well as the development of novel, much needed therapeutic solutions. SOLUTION – OrganoPlate Graft involves the development to market readiness of the first high-throughput in vitro culture method for vascularized tissue that is unrivalled by the available in vitro options. An extensive proof of concept (PoC) for this method has been obtained. The new product will be launched within 6-months post-project and, for the first time, allow for the study and manipulation of human tissues with functional human vascularization. COMPANY – Founded in 2013, the Dutch SME MIMETAS was the first party to commercially exploit organ-on-a-chip technology that enables accurately controlled and monitored in vitro cultivation 3D ‘mini-organs’. MIMETAS currently employs > 60 professionals, generates year-on year multi-million revenues, and is projected to be profitable as of 2020. RESULTS – The results of the 2-year OrganoPlate Graft project will empower Users by aiding them to grow tissues with human vascularization in vitro – enabling the replacement of a wealth of animal experiments and the design of completely novel experiments in research, development and clinical settings. OrganoPlate Graft will cost €3M, employ 10 new FTEs, and is projected to add 40 FTE and >€50M annual revenues to MIMETAS by 2022.

Keywords: organ on a chip,3d cell culture,in vitro vascularisation,microvascular bed,human tissue
OCeanic and South East Asian Navigators. (OCSEAN)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: Marie-Sklodowska-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Research and innovation staff exchange
Action type: Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions
Panel: Life Sciences
Countries involved: Austria,Germany,Australia,Indonesia,Estonia,Taiwan, Province of China,Switzerland,Sweden,New Zealand,Papua New Guinea,France,France,Netherlands,United States,Philippines,United Kingdom,Canada
Call: Research and Innovation Staff Exchange (H2020-MSCA-RISE-2019, 2019)
Start date: 2020-01-01
End date: 2025-12-31
Duration (months): 72.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2359800.0
EU funding (EUR): 2042400.0
Participants: 26
Project status: SIGNED

This proposal unites researchers from Canada, Europe, Island Southeast Asia and Oceania to re-evaluate our understanding of the Austronesian expansion. It does so using new high-density data from archaeology, biological anthropology, linguistics and genetics, and aims to unite them within a common statistical framework. OCSEAN achieves a true synthesis of disciplines using state-of-the-art computational and statistical methods to interrogate the structural relationship between joint data sets. The research contextualizes the expansion of the Austronesian language family within the growing evidence for social and political complexity across Island Southeast Asia and coastal mainland regions prior to the arrival of rice and millet agriculture to Taiwan during the mid 5th millennium BP. It also takes into account the rich history of interaction since the spread of the Malayo-Polynesian branch of Austronesian outside of Taiwan. OCSEAN brings together leading researchers from the humanities and sciences and combines the resources of multiple laboratories to tackle questions that can only be addressed with this extensive network of cooperation. We will embrace the complexities of the archaeological, genetic and linguistic records, providing an alternative to directional, progressive and technological deterministic models, whilst recognizing the difficulties inherent in identifying concepts of culture or ethnicity with archaeological evidence, because of the very fluidity of these constructs. Through our combined expertise, we will demonstrate that a new way of working with big data leads to new insights at the small scale. In doing so, it will fundamentally change the way people do research.

Keywords: linguistics,human,structure,southeast asia,new guinea,melanesia,polynesia,archaeology,medical genetics,migration,admixture,selection,negrito,austronesian,austroasiatic
Symbolic Analysis of Temporal and Functional Behavior of Networked Systems (SYMBIOSYS)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Consolidator grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Computer science and informatics
Panel description: Informatics and information systems, computer science, scientific computing, intelligent systems
Countries involved: Germany
Call: ERC Consolidator Grant (ERC-2014-CoG, 2014)
Start date: 2015-08-01
End date: 2021-07-31
Duration (months): 72.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1988750.0
EU funding (EUR): 1988750.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The goal of SYMBIOSYS is to assure the reliability and interoperability of networked (software) systems, a crucial requirement in today’s networked information society. To this end, we devise a software and systems analysis methodology that – for the first time – considers the vital influence factors that determine the behavior of networked systems, especially including input and temporal uncertainty of network interactions. With SYMBIOSYS, we will be able to automatically and effciently explore and analyze the vast amount of distributed execution paths in networked systems in a highly structured manner inspired by Symbolic Execution (SE). The combination of the benefits of model checking (rigorous exploration) and of dynamic software testing (analyzing real systems’ code) represents a quantum leap in the field of network analysis. Orthogonal to and complementing formal model-based approaches, which target the design of reliable systems on an abstract (model-) level, we also address system- and implementation-level aspects of (typically heterogeneous) implementations that interact via unpredictable networks. To achieve this, we introduce the fundamentally new approaches Symbolic Distributed Execution (SDE), Symbolic Temporal Execution (STE) and their symbiosis (SDTE). This is a breakthrough in the symbolic analysis of real systems and significantly widens the scope of SE to new analysis domains. Our novel approach raises the issue of complexity and path explosion. Yet, our experience from early work on SDE strongly suggests that the use of domain-specific knowledge and further general optimization strategies allow to significantly reduce this complexity and enable an efficient analysis. SYMBIOSYS also enables and fosters the design of new methods and tools to ensure reliability, interoperability, and other vital properties of networked systems. We demonstrate our new methodology through examples from Cyber-Physical Systems and low-latency communication.
Advanced Methodologies for Next Generation Large Scale CMB Polarization Analysis (CMB-INFLATE)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: Marie-Sklodowska-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Research and innovation staff exchange
Action type: Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions
Panel: Physics
Countries involved: Italy,Italy,Italy,Germany,Norway,Sweden,France,United States,United Kingdom,Canada,Japan,Viet Nam
Call: Research and Innovation Staff Exchange (H2020-MSCA-RISE-2020, 2020)
Start date: 2021-10-01
End date: 2026-08-31
Duration (months): 59.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1564000.0
EU funding (EUR): 1140800.0
Participants: 16
Project status: SIGNED

The cosmic microwave background (CMB) radiation was emitted when the Universe was 380,000 years old and is observed today at 2.7 K. It is a wonderful probe to study the evolution of the Universe. Tiny anisotropies in its temperature and polarization are induced by quantum scalar (density) and tensor fluctuations (gravitational waves, GW) generated during inflation, a period of accelerated expansion arising 10-35 s after the big bang. Primordial GW imprinted a unique parity-odd pattern on CMB polarization, called B-modes. Such modes, undetected as of today, are a direct probe of the poorly known physics of inflation, and main target of several forthcoming observational projects. These will be search for B-modes at large (> 10°) and intermediate (~1°) angular scales. Among such efforts, Japan is proposing a satellite project (LiteBIRD, to be launched end 20's) with contributions from EU agencies, NASA and CSA. Large angular scales are difficult to measure due to Galactic emissions and instrumental systematics, requiring careful, detailed modelling and advanced data analysis techniques. EU scientists rely on the legacy of the ESA Planck mission (2009), but improvements of analysis methods and modelling of the instruments are now required. The main goal of CMB-INFLATE is to build a community of scientists dedicated to the development of innovative analysis of large angular scale CMB polarisation data to identify the inflation mechanism. CMB-INFLATE will focus on: (1) modelling hardware developed in three continents, including polarization modulators, optical systems, and detectors; (2) the development and implementation of innovative techniques to mitigate systematics from the sky and the instrument. Such advancements will be provided by a wide-scale international consortium involving instrumentalists, data analysis experts and theoreticians. The CMB-INFLATE outcome is expected to strengthen European leadership in the field of primordial GW and connected science.

Keywords: inflation,observational cosmology,data analysis,instrumentation
Algorithmic Performance Guarantees: Foundations and Applications (APEG)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Advanced grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Computer science and informatics
Panel description: Informatics and information systems, computer science, scientific computing, intelligent systems
Countries involved: Germany
Call: ERC Advanced Grant (ERC-2015-AdG, 2015)
Start date: 2016-10-01
End date: 2021-09-30
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2404250.0
EU funding (EUR): 2404250.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Optimization problems are ubiquitous in computer science. Almost every problem involves the optimization of some objective function. However a major part of these problems cannot be solved to optimality. Therefore, algorithms that achieve provably good performance guarantees are of immense importance. Considerable progress has already been made, but great challenges remain: Some fundamental problems are not well understood. Moreover, for central problems arising in new applications, no solutions are known at all. The goal of APEG is to significantly advance the state of the art on algorithmic performance guarantees. Specifically, the project has two missions: First, it will develop new algorithmic techniques, breaking new ground in the areas of online algorithms, approximations algorithms and algorithmic game theory. Second, it will apply these techniques to solve fundamental problems that are central in these algorithmic disciplines. APEG will attack long-standing open problems, some of which have been unresolved for several decades. Furthermore, it will formulate and investigate new algorithmic problems that arise in modern applications. The research agenda encompasses a broad spectrum of classical and timely topics including (a) resource allocation in computer systems, (b) data structuring, (c) graph problems, with relations to Internet advertising, (d) complex networks and (e) massively parallel systems. In addition to basic optimization objectives, the project will also study the new performance metric of energy minimization in computer systems. Overall, APEG pursues cutting-edge algorithms research, focusing on both foundational problems and applications. Any progress promises to be a breakthrough or significant contribution.

Keywords: online algorithms,approximation algorithms,algorithmic game theory
Creating High Performance Insect Breeds via a Platform for Typing of Insect Strains (PLATYPIS)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Industrial Leadership
Programme: Innovation in SMEs
Action type: SME instrument
Countries involved: United Kingdom
Call: SME instrument (H2020-SMEInst-2018-2020-1, 2019)
Start date: 2019-05-01
End date: 2019-09-30
Duration (months): 5.0
Total project cost (EUR): 71429.0
EU funding (EUR): 50000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The global feed market is expected to experience a shortage of 60M tonnes of protein by 2030. Insect protein has huge potential to be produced efficiently and locally, strengthening the EU protein and feed supply chains. Globally, the Black Soldier Fly (BSF), has emerged as the prime candidate for insect production – 30 commercial producers already operate in the EU, with anticipated outputs of 1.2M tonnes of insect protein by 2025. However, little focus has been put on developing new breeds of high-performance BSF. Beta Bugs, the insect breeding company, vision is one in which insects feed, fuel and supply a growing population. To do this we have developed an innovative solution to this problem: creating high performance BSF breeds using high-throughput technologies, including the PLATform for TYPing of Insect Strains. Our current objective is to double the productivity of the entire “insects as feed” industry by supplying our breeds to BSF producers, our customers. Our breeds amplify BSF producer yields, driving down costs of production whilst simultaneously boosting product quality. Our breeds are built with agri-food value chain stakeholders in mind, ensuring they also benefit the entire agri-food value chain. In farming these breeds, BSF producers will be able to compete on price with soymeal and fishmeal, whilst providing a stable protein supply to the EU’s agri-food chain. This ensures that consumers will still be access high-quality animal protein despite population growth and diminished supply of soy and fishmeal from outside of the EU. This Phase 1 SME Instrument project aligns with Beta Bugs’ business strategy by enabling it to assess the technical, financial and commercial feasibility of producing, commercializing and distributing elite BSF breeds to European BSF producers. In doing so, Beta Bugs will identify key factors and risks that will determine market entry, and build the customer network through which it will fast track its breeds.

Keywords: insect breeding,insect farming,alternative protein
Deciphering the role of biomechanics in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (MecCOPD)

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: Germany
Call: ERC STARTING GRANTS (ERC-2020-STG, 2020)
Start date: 2021-06-01
End date: 2026-05-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1499462.0
EU funding (EUR): 1499462.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a chronic lung disease caused by polluted air, is the 4th most common cause of death worldwide. Adding to alveolar destruction, patients suffer from debilitating shortness of breath due to obstructed and fibrotic airways. Currently, this mechanical damage is considered a by-product of airway inflammation; rarely, however, do anti-inflammatory treatments slow disease progression. New therapies are urgently needed. Recent studies suggest that mechanical changes are themselves important active drivers of COPD. I developed an innovative 3D human airway disease model (Lung-Chip) and quantitative measurements of tissue mechanics to show that airway mechanical dysfunction lowers the defense against inflammation-causing pollutants, thereby enabling a viscous cycle of disease aggravation. In addition, my airway Lung-Chip can mimic COPD-like matrix properties, e.g. fibrotic stiffness, and physiological mechanics, including breathing stretch, blood flow and air flow. These advances allow me now to faithfully mimic the airway mechanical microenvironment and systematically study how mechanical factors drive COPD progression. MecCOPD aims to 1) Measure the mechanical properties of COPD airway tissue in pioneering clinically-relevant Lung Chip models using advanced light microscopy and signal processing, 2) Reveal the contribution of mechanics to disease progression by delivering COPD-mimicking mechanical cues and measuring transcriptional, structural and secreted disease markers, 3) Determine the dynamics between mechanical factors and disease markers using statistical models. This interdisciplinary and novel approach will generate fundamental insights into how mechanical factors contribute to COPD progression and will facilitate studying other chronic lung diseases such as cancer and fibrosis. Ultimately, unravelling the COPD phenotype-mechanics relationship will lead to the discovery of new disease mechanisms and drug targets.