Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
3DProSeed: the first ready-to-use, pre-assembled, hydrogel microtiter plate for 3D cell culturess (3DProSeed)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Industrial Leadership
Programme: Nanotechnologies, Advanced Materials, Advanced Manufacturing and Processing, and Biotechnology
Theme: Nanotechnologies
Action type: SME instrument
Countries involved: Switzerland
Call: Accelerating the uptake of nanotechnologies advanced materials or advanced manufacturing and processing technologies by SMEs (H2020-SMEINST-1-2016-2017, 2017)
Start date: 2018-01-01
End date: 2018-04-30
Duration (months): 4.0
Total project cost (EUR): 71429.0
EU funding (EUR): 50000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Capital investment in new pharmaceuticals to get from bench to clinical trial is estimated to be $1 billion per successful molecule, and only 10% of the compounds progress successfully through clinical development. Cell-based assays screenings are the key tool used to assess the potential efficacy of a new compound in drug discovery, as it provides a simple, fast, and cost-effective approach to avoid large-scale and cost-intensive animal testing at early stages. Therefore, the development of in vitro cell-based systems that can more realistically mimic the in vivo cell behaviours is a raising market, with a CAGR2013-2018 of 12.4% growth rate and quantified in $21.6 billion by 2018. Drug research cell-based assays are mostly conducted with cell cultures on flat surface (2D), but they differ from human tissues significantly and can respond aberrantly to stimuli, resulting in missed discoveries and late-stage clinical failures of drugs in development. In contrast, 3D cell systems have a greater predictable power as they can better mimic the physiological environment in organs and tissues. Still, 2D cell culture systems offer advantages like the simplicity of handling and high data reproducibility that are not found in the current 3D cell systems. The last ones are very difficult to handle and not ready-to-use ones, giving poor consistency, data reproducibility and poor workflow integration. In response, we have developed 3DProSeed, the first ready-to-use solutions in the 3D cell culture market. Based on a patented novel process for manufacturing and encapsulating the cell growth matrix, known as hydrogel, inside 96-microtiter plates, we will be able to launch to the market the first ready-to-use, pre-assembled, hydrogel-based consumable products for pre-clinical screening development. As a result, 3DProSeed will reduce the operative cost up of R&D to 15%, will increase predictive efficacy of assays, impacting on our company with €15.22 M revenues after 5-years period.

Keywords: cell cultured assay,preclinical screening,hydrogel matrix,microtiter plates,hydrogel manufacturing process,3d cell culture,co seedin
GENome and Epigenome integrity Consecutive to DSBs in Active REgion (GENECARE)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Advanced 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: France
Call: ERC ADVANCED GRANT (ERC-2020-ADG, 2020)
Start date: 2021-10-01
End date: 2026-09-30
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1754552.0
EU funding (EUR): 1754552.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are toxic lesions, holding the potential to generate mutations, copy number alterations and translocations. Beyond programmed DSBs induced during meiosis and antibody repertoire generation, DSBs were historically seen as rare, mostly therapy-induced DNA lesions. However, recent work unequivocally revealed that endogenous DSBs occur far more frequently that initially believed, including in physiological conditions, such as neuron stimulation, and mainly fall within transcribed loci, partly due to topoisomerase II activity. Notably, altered repair of these DSBs is not only emerging as a driver of oncogenesis but also of many developmental, neurological and aging-associated diseases. Our lab has pioneered the discovery of a dedicated pathway that, alike TC-NER for damaged nucleotides, is actually mobilized to repair such DSBs in transcribed loci, coined as Transcription Coupled DSB repair (TC-DSBR). This pathway entails chromatin signaling, nuclear reorganization and the regulation of transcription, but remains poorly characterized overall. Using advanced genomics, proteomics and microscopy, here we intend to perform an in-depth characterization of the TC-DSBR protein network, of the function of chromatin and nuclear organization in this process, to explore its potential as a target for cancer therapy and to investigate its relevance in maintaining genomic and epigenomic integrity in physiological conditions that trigger DSB in active genes, here in stimulated neurons. By deciphering the mechanisms that ensure repair of DSBs in transcribed loci, this project holds the potential to expand our knowledge on the biogenesis of translocations and cancer onset, to provide new topoisomerase-poison-based therapeutic strategies but also to provide major breakthroughs in our understanding of neurodegenerative diseases.

Keywords: dsb repair,chromatin,chromosome conformation,nuclear organization,neurons
Demonstration of a Radar Enabled weArable platforM (DREAM)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Proof of concept grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Systems and communication engineering
Panel description: Electrical, electronic, communication, optical and systems engineering
Countries involved: Luxembourg
Call: Call for proposals for ERC Proof of Concept Grant (ERC-2020-PoC, 2020)
Start date: 2020-10-01
End date: 2022-03-31
Duration (months): 18.0
Total project cost (EUR): 150000.0
EU funding (EUR): 150000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Sport research and procedures that aim to increase performance or assist recovery after an injury often require capture of athlete’s motion. However, implementing a motion capture system in routine practice takes significant effort. Capture volume, weather conditions, motion dynamics and athletes' timing (where timing defines coincide movements in relation to external factors) are the key parameters for outdoor sport activities (e.g. track and field or football), yet no available motion capture system is suitable for much needed high accuracy absolute position measurements of body segments in outdoor conditions with minimal setup effort for large capture volumes, which is capable of measuring the athletes' timing. Therefore, there is a significant unmet need for a portable motion capture system that can perform accurate infield measurements on a large volume, even in diverse weather conditions (e.g. sunlight, fog, rain) with the capability of the athletes' timing analysis, which is a combination of reaction time, decision -making and co-ordination in relation to external factors. DREAM aims to generate a motion capture and mapping system (minimum viable product) that creates a complete orientation and absolute position measurement with no external position reference, provides reliable orientation of body segments even for high dynamic motions, and has a small form factor, which is minimally invasive for the athlete. Further, the offered solution is complementary to existing solutions and operates in real time. DREAM’s value proposition is a cost-effective, robust and accurate infield motion capture and mapping system with minimal setup effort, for large field coverage in any place and in any condition. The uniqueness of the product stems from the complementarity between radar and IMU sensors, enhanced athletes timing analysis, all enabled through an innovative algorithm developed in the AGNOSTIC ERC Advanced grant (ID 742648).

Keywords: radar,data fusion,wearables,motion capture system,sport,recovery,environment mapping
The social brain: emergence of social competences and their neurobiological basis in domestic horses (EQUISOBRAIN)

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: Environment and Geosciences
Countries involved: France
Call: Individual Fellowships (H2020-MSCA-IF-2020, 2020)
Start date: 2021-10-01
End date: 2023-12-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 196707.84
EU funding (EUR): 196707.84
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

Emerging as a functional social being is more challenging than it appears, for both human and non-human social animals. Being fully functional does not only require to be capable of displaying the species-typical social behaviours, but also to display a certain degree of flexibility within their expression (i.e. social competences). Not many attempts have been made to draw the general pattern of social ontogeny, and even fewer about its neurobiological basis. Yet, social competences are crucial on many grounds (e.g. future social interactions, but also quality of life and ultimately chance of survival) and socialisation can be easily disrupted. This is especially true for domestic species that depend on human management, which is known to be often challenging. It suggests that many domestic animals might actually be prevented from developing normally and therefore to fully acquire social competences. With this project, I will test the influence of disruption during the socialisation phase of juveniles on the development of their social competences and the related neural substrates. To do this, I will conduct an ambitious longitudinal study combining behavioural and cognitive approach (to assess social competences) and non-invasive neuroimaging approach (using MRI and rs-fMRI techniques). I will compare young horses living in group and experiencing an optimal (N=10) vs. disrupted socialisation (N=10), the additional disruption being an imposed separation from their mother at pre-puberty age. I predict that social competences should emerge in both cases, thanks to other social partners, but at a higher level in case of optimal social environment. I also expect to find a positive relation between high social competences and the neuroanatomy and basal connectivity of specific brain areas (e.g. hippocampus, amygdala and neocortex). I will also test the presence of additional benefits associated with elevated social competences in terms of animal welfare.

Keywords: ethology,neuroimaging,social,domestic species,applied ethology,neuroethology
Transformations to Sustainability (T2S)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Societal Challenges
Programme: Climate action, environment,  resource efficiency and raw materials
Action type: ERA-NET Cofund
Partnership: T2S (ERA-NET)
Countries involved: Ireland,Germany,Norway,Finland,Slovenia,Sweden,Belgium,Latvia,France,Netherlands,Luxembourg,United Kingdom
Call: Transformations to sustainability (H2020-SC5-2016-OneStageB, 2016)
Start date: 2017-01-01
End date: 2022-12-31
Duration (months): 72.0
Total project cost (EUR): 11771717.2
EU funding (EUR): 3585671.76
Participants: 17
Project status: CLOSED

The Transformations to Sustainability (T2S) ERA-NET Cofund programme will be implemented in the context of a Belmont Forum Collaborative Research Action in cooperation with the NORFACE (New Opportunities for Research Funding Agency Cooperation in Europe) network and the International Social Science Council (ISSC). A comprehensive and concerted research initiative is needed that can boost research on transformations to sustainability, that can catalyse new kinds of solutions to environmental and social challenges. This T2S programme therefore seeks to bring into being and nurture integrated teams of scientists from relevant academic disciplines including, as appropriate, social, natural, human, natural, engineering, agricultural and health/medical sciences disciplines and societal stakeholders to produce new knowledge and perspectives that can contribute to finding equitable and durable solutions to the challenges of sustainability in specific contexts, in support of the Sustainable Development Goals. This programme will contribute to re-structuring the broad field of sustainability research to place social science at the heart of interdisciplinary efforts and will contribute to a step change in scale and scope for research programming on this topic. This future-oriented call will be jointly undertaken by major funding agencies in Europa, the United States, Brazil, Taiwan and Japan. The T2S programme will coordinate the research efforts of the participating Member States and international partners by implementing a joint trans-national call with European Commission co-funding to fund innovative comparative, transnational and interdisciplinary research initiatives within this thematic field. The T2S partners will pursue the expansion of their present effective collaboration and actively strive at widening the consortium.

Keywords: transformations to sustainability,global environmental change,trans and interdisciplinary research,comparative perspective,sustainable development goals,belmont forum
Development and drought responses of tomato exodermis (TOMATO EXODERMIS)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: Marie-Sklodowska-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Individual Fellowships (IF)-Reintegration panel
Action type: Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions
Panel: Life Sciences
Countries involved: Netherlands
Call: Individual Fellowships (H2020-MSCA-IF-2017, 2017)
Start date: 2018-09-01
End date: 2021-08-27
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 177598.8
EU funding (EUR): 177598.8
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Understanding plant development and responses to the environment is key for improving crop yields and ensuring food and fuel for the future. Many crop species have evolved adaptations that make them more tolerant against abiotic stresses, such as drought, flooding and soil salinity. One of these adaptations is the exodermis, a water- and air-proofed cell layer in the root that protects the root from drying and drowning. Although the importance of exodermis for crop yield has been shown, the development of exodermis is not understood on molecular level, likely due to its absence from the root model species Arabidopsis. TOMATO EXODERMIS aims to elucidate the genes involved in exodermal development and drought responses in tomato. To achieve this, novel tools are combined in an efficient way to study root development of a crop species in a short timeframe. These tools include e.g. bioinformatic analyses of new cell type-specific datasets, rapid hairy root cultures and genome editing. TOMATO EXODERMIS will lay a foundation for an exodermis research program in European Research Area and generate potential for agricultural applications.

Keywords: root development,tomato,exodermis,gene regulatory network,genome editing,mutagenesis,hairy root cultures
DNA dynamics in the unusual cell cycle of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum (PlasmoCycle)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Consolidator grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Immunity, Infection and Immunotherapy
Panel description: The immune system, related disorders and their mechanisms, biology of infectious agents and infection, biological basis of prevention and treatment of infectious diseases, innovative immunological tools and approaches, including therapies
Countries involved: United Kingdom,United Kingdom
Call: ERC Consolidator Grant (ERC-2016-COG, 2016)
Start date: 2017-06-01
End date: 2023-11-30
Duration (months): 78.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1998696.0
EU funding (EUR): 1801331.64
Participants: 2
Project status: SIGNED

This proposal promises to transform our understanding of the basic biology of the malaria parasite Plasmodium, and of how that biology affects virulence. Remarkably little is known about the Plasmodium cell cycle, despite a wealth of knowledge on the subject in model cells. This project will reveal, with unprecedented resolution, how DNA replication is organised in Plasmodium and how changing conditions in the human host and exposure to antimalarial drugs affect it. Plasmodium is an early-diverging protozoan with a complex lifecycle & unusual cell-biological features. It replicates in its human host by ‘schizogony’: a single parasite generates many nuclei via independent, asynchronous rounds of genome replication prior to cytokinesis. This occurs over ~24hrs inside infected erythrocytes. However, the genome can also be copied extremely rapidly during the sexual cycle in the malaria-transmitting mosquito. Here 8 male gametes are produced from a single gametocyte in less than 10mins, necessitating extraordinarily rapid DNA synthesis. This project will first elucidate the spatio-temporal dynamics of DNA replication in these contrasting cell cycles. To do this, I have developed a method for labelling nascent DNA replication, which was not previously possible in Plasmodium. It will permit: a) a detailed characterisation, at the whole-cell level, of the asynchronous genome replication that occurs in schizogony; b) a study of replication origin spacing & DNA synthesis speed at single-molecule resolution on DNA fibres, comparing these parameters in schizogony & gametogenesis; c) mapping sequences with replication origin activity in the Plasmodium genome; d) investigation of cell-cycle checkpoints & replicative responses to the changing environment in the human host and to antimalarial drugs. These are crucial issues for understanding parasite virulence and drug-resistance, and the work will inform vital new research into transmission-blocking interventions for malaria.

Keywords: malaria,schizogony,gametogenesis,drug resistance,host pathogen interaction
Causal study of the role of feedback in the perceptual inference of figure location in the primate visual cortex using targeted optogenetics (OptoFeedback)

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: Life Sciences
Countries involved: Netherlands,United States
Call: Individual Fellowships (H2020-MSCA-IF-2016, 2016)
Start date: 2017-08-30
End date: 2020-08-29
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 242929.8
EU funding (EUR): 242929.8
Participants: 2
Project status: TERMINATED

The perception of complex visual scenes requires active processing by the brain. The visual cortex is hierarchically organized in several areas which are linked by connections projecting from lower to higher areas (feedforward) and connections projecting from higher to lower areas (feedback). More complicated processing occurs in higher areas such as V4, where neurons encode which side of a border belongs to a figure. Feedback connections are large in number but their function is poorly understood. An important role for feedback has been proposed in probabilistic inference, whereby cortical areas “infer” the reality in the external world based on the sensory information they receive from lower areas, combined with prior hypotheses projected down from higher areas. In this project we propose a causal study of the role of feedback connections from area V4 to lower areas in the inference of figure location. We will record neural activity simultaneously in V4 and V1, and V4 and V2, using microelectrodes in the awake rhesus macaque, during the presentation of figures on a background, while we reversible activate or suppress a well-defined patch in V4 using an opsin. By training the animal to perform a figure detection task we can link the perturbation of neural activity to perception. The beneficiary is the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, where the researcher will be advised by Prof. Pieter Roelfsema, an internationally recognized expert in visual neuroscience with experience with neurophysiology, behavioral studies and computational neuroscience. There will be an outgoing phase of two years, during which the researcher will perform animal experiments in the laboratory of Prof. John Reynolds in the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, who has extensive experience with optogenetics and viral targeting.

Keywords: feedback optogenetics visual border ownership
Testing communication strategies to save lives in emergency evacuation (EVACUATION)

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: Social Sciences and Humanities
Countries involved: United Kingdom
Call: Individual Fellowships (H2020-MSCA-IF-2016, 2016)
Start date: 2018-03-01
End date: 2020-07-04
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 195454.8
EU funding (EUR): 195454.8
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The EU urgently seeks to improve emergency evacuation preparedness. EU public spaces are getting more crowded. Fires and terrorist attacks require emergency evacuation. Faster evacuation from public buildings during emergencies saves more lives. Observations of actual emergencies show that people tend to be slow to respond to evacuation alarms (taking up to 10 minutes) and take the familiar route out instead of the nearest exit. The EU calls for evidence-based recommendations for evacuations, which are mostly non-existent. The state of the art uses computer models of evacuation speed, but more realism is needed. We take the novel approach of combining state of the art computer modeling with insights from risk communication to improve speed and survival in emergency evacuations. This project aims to: 1. Identify which risky behaviors occur in emergency evacuations and underlying causes (WP1). 2. Use models to identify communication strategies that improve evacuation time and survival (WP2). 3. Test communication strategies for improving evacuation time and survival in experiments (WP3). To ultimately save lives, Aim 1 involves (a) observing behavior in existing videos of actual evacuations, and (b) interviewing emergency service members about their experiences in actual evacuations. Aim 2 will use ‘agent-based’ computer modeling, with which the Fellow has experience, to assess the effect of reducing the riskiest behaviors on evacuation time and survival rates. Based on the Supervisor’s expertise in risk communication and input from emergency service members, this will result in recommendations that will be tested in Aim 3 in actual evacuation drills. Our unique team has the interdisciplinary and practical expertise needed to improve evacuations. Our proposed work will promote transfer between the Fellow and the team through hands-on collaborative work. The UK is an ideal testbed for our project aims, but we will inform evacuations worldwide.

Keywords: evacuation behavior,risk communication,evacuation computer model,emergency evacuation