Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Unveiling the impacts of vapor pressure deficit on forest productivity (VAPOR)

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: Environment and Geosciences
Countries involved: Sweden
Call: MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2023 (HORIZON-MSCA-2023-PF-01, 2023)
Start date: 2024-09-19
End date: 2026-09-18
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 222727.68
EU funding (EUR): 222727.68
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

Atmospheric dryness, which is often quantified as a vapor pressure deficit (VPD), exerts significant influences on vegetation productivity and global carbon cycles. VPD is expected to rise in a warming world, but how this increased atmospheric dryness will impact the carbon uptake by vegetation remains largely unknown. One major challenge is the lack of long-term measurements, which limits studies to the recent decades when satellite and flux measurements are available. Moreover, disentangling the effects of VPD from other highly correlated factors such as soil moisture is difficult. This lack of understanding hampers our ability to make skillful predictions of how future VPD changes induced by climate change will affect vegetation productivity globally. The VAPOR project seeks to address the existing knowledge gaps through a multi-timescale approach. First, the sensitivity of tree growth to VPD variations will be quantified on the decade-to-century timescale by leveraging global long-term tree-ring measurements as a proxy for forest productivity. Second, the independent effects of VPD and soil moisture on forest productivity during heatwaves will be disentangled using sub-diurnal high-resolution satellite observations from the last decades. Finally, output from global coupled climate simulations will be evaluated based on the insights from the previous findings, and emergent constraints will be applied to mitigate uncertainties in future projects of forest productivity based on relationships emerging from the multi-model ensemble and current observations. The constrained model results will then be used to evaluate the implications of future VPD changes on forest productivity and functioning. By embarking on this endeavor, I aim to deepen the understanding of the influence of VPD on vegetation productivity, while concurrently developing and improving my own research capabilities.

Keywords: vapor pressure deficit,forest productivity,carbon cycle
Extracellular Vesicles Fiber Optic Surface Plasmon Resonance selection and analysis (EV FOx)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Innovative Europe
Programme: The European Innovation Council (EIC)
Theme: EIC Accelerator
Destination: Open to supporting projects in all areas of science, technology,...
Action type: EIC actions
Countries involved: Belgium
Call: EIC Accelerator Open (HORIZON-EIC-2022-ACCELERATOR-01, 2022)
Start date: 2023-07-01
End date: 2025-06-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 3590952.25
EU funding (EUR): 2499999.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The Extracellular vesicles (EV) field is growing due to increased interest in their roles in diagnostics and therapeutics. Current methods to purify and quantify EV’s take a long time, introduce a bias, are costly and imprecise, thereby hampering advancement in the EV R&D field, while the lack of methods to quantify EVs directly in crude samples restricts applications in diagnostic and bioprocessing. FOX has established a breakthrough label-free technology in a fiber-optic concept in an automated platform that allows biomolecular interaction research of biologicals. The FOx affinity isolation and simultaneous quantification with a sensor dip probe is a new, selective (no bias), automated (scalable 4x), faster (time/24) and specific (purity >95%) method that allows accurately quantifying EV directly from crude samples. Moreover, it allows for the first time to release the quantified and specifically selected EV’s for further quantitative content analysis.

Keywords: bioanalysis,fiber optic,biosensing,advanced therapeutics,extracellular vesicles,cell and gene therapy,bioreactor,vaccines
Developing High-Value Aerospace Alloys through Waste Valorisation (Waste2Space)

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: Environment and Geosciences
Countries involved: Norway
Call: MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2023 (HORIZON-MSCA-2023-PF-01, 2023)
Start date: 2024-09-01
End date: 2026-08-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 226751.04
EU funding (EUR): 226751.04
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

Establishing a sustainable supply chain for raw materials is a must for creating an industrial ecosystem aligned with the goals of the European Green Deal, which emphasizes energy conservation and reducing environmental costs in primary production. Elements such as Al, Si, Mg, Ce, La, Eu, Y, and Tb have been included in the EU's strategic and/or critical material lists due to their economic significance and high supply risk. The recycling rate of these strategic and/or critical materials is low because supplied scrap and End-of-Life (EoL) products, such as Zorba scrap, solar cells, light metal scraps/chips, Si-kerf, glass polishing powders, and fluorescent lamp waste, contain a mixture of various metals. Estimations show that the amount of Al scrap will rise to approximately 125,000 metric tons per year by 2035 and 246,000 metric tons per year by 2050. Additionally, projections anticipate that End-of-Life (EoL) solar panels will amount to 1.7 to 8 million tons by 2030, with this growth expected to increase to 60 to 77 million tons by 2050. However, the complex structures of scraps/EoL products, containing a wide range of elements, pose significant challenges for the recycling process of these metals. Waste2Space aims to develop a holistic recycling process for mixed scraps/EoL products, ensuring the mix to be a benefit rather than an obstacle. A straightforward and cost-effective approach to utilizing mixed scraps and EoL products will be developed with the aim of producing CCAs for the aerospace and automotive industries.

Keywords: recycling,recovery,hydrometallurgy,pyrometallurgy,alloy production,critical strategic metals,metallothermic reduction,leaching,rare earth elements,silicon,solar cell,scrap,eol products,
STED-enabled super-resolution multimode-fibre based holographic endoscopy for deep-tissue observations of neuronal connectivity (STEDGate)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Proof of concept grants
Action type: ERC actions
Countries involved: Germany,Czechia
Call: ERC PROOF OF CONCEPT GRANTS (ERC-2023-POC, 2023)
Start date: 2024-05-01
End date: 2025-10-31
Duration (months): 18.0
Total project cost (EUR): 150000.0
EU funding (EUR): 150000.0
Participants: 3
Project status: SIGNED

Neurological disorders have emerged as a significant global societal burden, exemplified by afflictions like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, impacting over one billion individuals globally and surpassing the combined economic burden of cancer and diabetes. This has spurred a concerted global effort, with increased support for neuroscience research. These disorders often target deep brain regions and profoundly influence the structural connectivity of neuronal cells within functional circuits. Synapses, where neurons exchange information, exhibit plasticity, altering information transmission efficiency, shape, and position. Understanding the mechanisms underlying these structural changes, especially in neuronal circuits, remains limited in both healthy and affected individuals. The ERC PoC project STEDGate seeks to advance our understanding of neuronal connectivity and plasticity by developing STED-enabled holographic endo-nanoscopy for neuroscience. This ground-breaking technology promises atraumatic nanoscale in-vivo imaging of deep brain structures reaching depths up to 5 mm beneath the brain's surface. Collaborating with the start-up endeavour DeepEn, the team aims to facilitate the commercial transition of this technology. Making deep-tisue nanoscopy available globally will revolutionize our ability to monitor and understand neurological disorders and, ultimately, offer new avenues for intervention and treatment..
SOFT WEARABLE ASSISTIVE GARMENTS FOR HUMAN EMPOWERMENT (SWAG)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness
Programme: Digital, Industry and Space
Theme: Digital
Destination: Digital & Emerging Technologies for Competitiveness and Fit for the Green Deal
Action type: Research and Innovation actions
Countries involved: Greece,United Kingdom,Italy,Spain,Slovenia,Netherlands,Germany
Call: Pushing the limit of physical intelligence and performance (RIA) (HORIZON-CL4-2022-DIGITAL-EMERGING-02, 2022)
Start date: 2023-11-01
End date: 2027-10-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 5366195.01
EU funding (EUR): 5366195.0
Participants: 15
Project status: SIGNED

Soft robotics has become one of the fastest growing fields over the last decade, and the development of technologies related to the associated modelling, sensing, actuation and control challenges has flourished as part of the field’s impetus. Soft robots have been demonstrated in diverse applications such as wearable devices, mobile or locomotive robots, as well as soft manipulators. Soft lower extremity exoskeletons (“soft wearable robotics" (SWRs)) are one of the most challenging research topics, and require multidisciplinary approaches involving diverse fields such as neuroscience, biomechanics, robot control, ergonomics and other fields. SWAG aims to explore a fundamentally new approach to engineering soft structures that omit fully rigid materials for inflatable ones made from high-strength fabrics and films when manufacturing human-assistive exoskeletal devices that target strain-prone segments of the human body (i.e. lower body and core). Such soft wearable adaptive garments with actuation capabilities offer higher variable stiffness and force-to-weight ratios compared to other existing methods, and simultaneously entirely conform to each joint’s intricate kinematics. Because of this, new design approaches can be used as building blocks to realise complete assistance for multi-degree-of-freedom joints, such as the ankle or hip, by adapting flexible and conforming motions achieved by continuum robot designs. SWAG’s advances will be demonstrated in 4 different application scenarios. The project brings together 13 partners from 5 EU countries and the UK. The partners consist of an interdisciplinary combination of leading academics with very strong track records in their respective fields. They are supported by RTOs with demonstrated capabilities of developing and validating application-driven solutions, as well as two commercial partners aiming to lead the exploitation of SWAG’s outcomes.

Keywords: soft robotics,wearable robotics
Zooming in on small-molecule ligands by magnetic resonance (ZoomNMR)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Consolidator grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences
Panel description: Analytical chemistry, chemical theory, physical chemistry/chemical physics
Countries involved: Germany
Call: ERC CONSOLIDATOR GRANTS (ERC-2024-COG, 2024)
Start date: 2025-09-01
End date: 2030-08-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1999969.0
EU funding (EUR): 1999969.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

Small molecules are critical players in the chemistry of life. In the role of substrates, cofactors, solvent, inhibitors or activators, they steer the activities of proteins and nucleic acids. For mechanistic studies, it would be desirable to single out a small ligand from a large macromolecular complex, even if their sizes lie several orders of magnitude apart, and follow its fate during chemical and structural transformations. Few experimental techniques would achieve this under native conditions. NMR spectroscopy grants insights into molecular motions, interactions and chemical transitions at atomic-level resolution. However, it faces challenges when observing small-molecule ligands within large complexes: The first prerequisite are NMR active nuclei. Unlike biomolecular NMR, where isotope labelling is routine, the site-directed introduction of desired nuclei into small molecules still requires lengthy, individual synthesis. Second, transverse-relaxation optimised experiments have been instrumental in pushing the size limits of protein-observed NMR into the biologically relevant range of tens to hundreds of kilodaltons. Such experiments are not directly transferable to the small molecule space due to its different chemical build-up. ZoomNMR proposes to cover this blind spot with a spectroscopic toolbox for ligand-detected NMR of large macromolecular complexes. Our approach capitalizes on late-stage isotope labelling strategies, inspired by organic chemistry, in conjunction with relaxation interference phenomena to maximize sensitivity and resolution. The tools will be implemented on a prototypical human enzyme and three exemplary ligand classes. We will deliver a proof-of-concept that our novel methodology can tackle diverse research problems, from fundamental mechanistic enzymology to the design of drug molecules. Our future vision is that ligand-observed NMR of large complexes will become as straightforward and efficient as protein-observed NMR is today.

Keywords: nmr spectroscopy,solution state nmr,solid state nmr,magic angle spinning,enzymes,substrates,protein ligand interactions,binding,conformational dynamics,small molecules,ligands,drug discovery,isotope labelling
EXCELLENCE INITIATIVE FOR NUTRIFOOD-BASED THERANOSTICS FOR HEALTHY EUROPEAN SOCIETY (EINSTEIN)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Widening Participation and Strengthening the European Research Area
Programme: Widening participation and spreading excellence
Theme: Improved access to Excellence
Destination: Improved access to Excellence
Action type: Coordination and support actions
Countries involved: Serbia,Austria,Netherlands,Denmark
Call: European Excellence Initiative (HORIZON-WIDERA-2023-ACCESS-03, 2023)
Start date: 2024-01-01
End date: 2028-12-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 4021260.71
EU funding (EUR): 3928100.0
Participants: 9
Project status: SIGNED

Transformations are needed throughout Europe, including a widening country - Serbia, especially in terms of institutional reforms and upskilling. With this in mind, we created the Excellence Initiative of Science-Tech Team for European Innovations (EINSTEIN), which consists of nine institutions from Serbia, Austria, the Netherlands and Denmark. The EINSTEIN will use a trans- and multi-disciplinary approach to increase knowledge and technologies in the organic production of crops with improved nutritional and bioactive properties (nutricrops) for human nutrition, which will be also used as a raw material for manufacturing nutrifood-based sensors and microfluidic chips that will have a dual function: therapeutic and diagnostic. The transformation model that will reform the outdated education system in Serbia is proposed. Successfully implemented transformation in Serbia through this project will spread like a positive tide of change in education, research and innovation system throughout the whole Western Balkans region. This will be done within the following work packages: WP1: Transformation of Education Ecosystem; WP2: Creating and Testing Eco-friendly Sustainable Nutrifood; WP3: Development of Nutrifood- and Nutriwaste-based Theranostic Devices; WP4: Upskilling and Reskilling of Workforce; WP5: Communication, Dissemination and Exploitation - Phase 1; WP6: Communication, Dissemination and Exploitation - Phase 2; WP7: Project management and coordination - Phase 1; WP8: Project management and coordination - Phase 2. Far-reaching goal is to transform the University of Novi Sad, Serbia, to contribute to regional development, promote business growth by contributing to regional human capital development, and improve social equity through regeneration and cultural development. The establishment of the alliance with top-class universities from Austria, the Netherlands and Denmark will be a key momentum for achieving this long-term strategic direction.

Keywords: eco friendly sustainable nutrifood,nutrifood grade products,nutriwaste based electronic materials,sensors,microfluidic devices
Developing a surgical infection treatment to reduce amputations, healing times and hospital stays for diabetic foot patients (XTremedy Medical)

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: Ireland
Call: Women TechEU (HORIZON-EIE-2021-SCALEUP-01, 2021)
Start date: 2022-07-01
End date: 2022-12-31
Duration (months): 6.0
Total project cost (EUR): 107142.86
EU funding (EUR): 75000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

XTremedy Medical is a surgical ablation company founded in 2018 to commercialize technology treating deep wound infections, including Diabetic Foot Infections (DFI). Our pulsed field ablation (PFA) system is the first to deliver electrical currents non-invasively to achieve superior clinical outcomes including faster cure of infections, reduced surgeries and shorter hospital stays. The Problem: Deep tissue and bone infections are life threatening infections that affect a millions of Europeans every year. Immunosuppressed patients are particularly vulnerable, with Diabetic Foot Ulcer Infections a leading cause of amputations in Europe. These patients are incredibly difficult to treat, requiring multiple surgeries, lengthy hospital stays and long-term antibiotics. In 20% of patients, an amputation is required to control the infection. Surgical intervention to remove infected tissue is the cornerstone of treatment but surgeons must balance removing infected material whilst preserving healthy tissue required for healing. Treatment Landscape: Current treatment modalities either only treat the surface of the wound or use mechanical forces to treat below the surface. Surface treatments fail as they leave infection below the wound bed untreated. Mechanical devices can cause more severe infections by damaging the integrity of the wound bed and propelling the infection deeper. As a result, these treatments are often ineffective, with 50% of patients requiring additional surgeries. XTremedy Solution: XTremedy Medical have developed a surgical device that delivers electrical signals through the wound. This device treats both the surface and below to zap any residual infection. The technology is non-thermal and preserves the integrity of the wound during treatment, helping reduce the time required for healing. Patients benefit from reduced surgeries, shortened hospital stays and antibiotic durations following surgery.

Keywords: infection treatment diabetic foot ulcer amputation antimicrobial resistance,electroporation
Thalamic circuit diversity for active visual processing (ActiVisTha)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Neuroscience and Disorders of the Nervous System
Panel description: Nervous system development, homeostasis and ageing , nervous system  function and dysfunction , systems neuroscience  and modelling , biological basis of cognitive processes and of behaviour, neurological and mental disorders – In humans and all other organisms
Countries involved: Denmark
Call: ERC STARTING GRANTS (ERC-2025-STG, 2025)
Start date: 2026-08-01
End date: 2031-07-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1503179.0
EU funding (EUR): 1503179.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

Conscious image perception depends on the dorsolateral geniculate nucleus (dLGN) of the thalamus. The dLGN receives signals from the retina and sends its outputs to the primary visual cortex. Already at this first central stage, the brain actively modulates vision by attention and arousal. Yet, the circuit mechanisms for processing and actively modulating visual information in the dLGN are largely not known. Cells and circuits in the dLGN show diverse specializations, which can only partially be explained by known parallel streams of information. I here propose to explore the role of thalamic circuit diversity for visual processing and its active modulation, using cutting-edge technologies at multiple scales, from synapses to long-range connections, that will dissect and interrogate thalamic circuits at unprecedented resolution in the mouse model. I propose novel approaches that will advance beyond the current state of the art. First, we investigate how retinal input diversity functionally transforms into thalamocortical visual feature diversity. Second, we study how diverse modes of inhibition by local interneurons – powerful key players with supposedly multifaceted roles – contribute to the diversity of thalamocortical outputs. Third, we explore how diverse extraretinal inputs influence visual processing and interact during active behavior. Key outcomes will be: (1) the retino-thalamic transformation matrices, (2) a multi-mechanistic model of local inhibition, (3) a spatial map and causality model of different extraretinal inputs. These approaches will provide missing links between input and output diversity that can redefine the role of thalamus. Beyond approaching the question how cognition is implemented, ActiVisTha will have translational and technological impact: understanding the circuits for early visual processing and its active modulation will promote the development of advanced visual prostheses for the blind as well as machine learning technologies.

Keywords: lateral geniculate nucleus,visual system,vision,circuits,cortico thalamic loop,feed back,top down,modulation,interneurons,inhibition,