Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Insect Photoperiodic Timer (InPhoTime)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Consolidator grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Cellular, Developmental and Regenerative Biology
Panel description: Structure and function of the cell, cell-cell communication, embryogenesis, tissue differentiation, organogenesis, growth, development, evolution of development, organoids, stem cells, regeneration, therapeutic approaches
Countries involved: Czechia
Call: ERC Consolidator Grant (ERC-2016-COG, 2016)
Start date: 2017-04-01
End date: 2023-03-31
Duration (months): 72.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2000000.0
EU funding (EUR): 2000000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Daylength measuring devices such as the photoperiodic timer enable animals to anticipate and thus survive adverse seasons. This ability has contributed to the great success of insects living in temperate regions. Yet the basis of photoperiodic sensing remains elusive, because of the lack of suitable genetic models expressing photoperiod-dependent seasonal phenotypes. We have developed the linden bug, Pyrrhocoris apterus, into a genetically tractable model with a robust, photoperiod-dependent reproductive arrest (diapause). With the available tools, this insect has become ideal for deciphering the regulation of seasonality. The project has 3 clear and ambitious objectives: 1). Our goal is to define the molecular and anatomical bases of the photoperiodic timer. To achieve this, we propose to identify photoperiodic timer genes, genes regulating input to the timer, and early output markers, through an RNA interference screen(s). To define the molecular mechanism of the timer, we will employ genome editing to precisely alter properties of the key players. 2). Next, we will combine techniques of neuronal backfilling, in-vivo fluorescent reporters, and microsurgery to define the photoperiodic timer anatomically and to examine its spatial relationship to the circadian clock in the insect brain. 3). We will exploit the great natural geographic variability of photoperiodic timing in P. apterus to explore its genetic basis. Genetic variants correlating with phenotypic differences will be causally tested by genome editing within the original genetic backgrounds. Both the established and the innovative strategies provide a complementary approach to the first molecular characterization of the seasonal photoperiodic timer in insects. The proposed research aspires to explain mechanisms underlying the critical physiological adaptation to changing seasons. Deciphering mechanisms underpinning widespread adaptation might bring general implications for environment-friendly pest control.

Keywords: chronobiology,diapause,circadian clock,seasonality
Brain evolution and the rise of mammals after the dinosaur extinction (BEMADE)

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: United Kingdom
Call: Individual Fellowships (H2020-MSCA-IF-2017, 2017)
Start date: 2018-09-10
End date: 2020-09-09
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 195454.8
EU funding (EUR): 195454.8
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

There are over 5000 species of mammals alive today, the vast majority of which are placentals (which give live birth to well-developed young). How did these mammals become so successful? Intrinsic and extrinsic factors may have played a role: mammals have many specialised features such as enlarged brains with a novel structure (the neocortex) that imparts heightened memory and senses, but they also were presented with the freedom to diversify after the dinosaurs went extinct at the end-Cretaceous (66 million years ago). This raises a major question that the BEMADE project will address: did large brains and keen senses help mammals survive the apocalypse that killed the dinosaurs, or did they appear later as mammals began to fill niches left empty by dinosaurs? As the rise of mammals is a textbook example of an evolutionary radiation, resolving this dilemma will give critical new insight into what drives diversification over deep time. Until now, little has been known about the brains of mammals evolving during the ~10 million years after the extinction (the Paleocene), due to the rarity of fossils and the difficulty of reconstructing the brain in extinct species. BEMADE will remedy this by subjecting 16 Paleocene mammal skulls—many of which were recently discovered by the Supervisor—to cutting edge high-resolution x-ray and neutron computed tomography (CT) scanning, which permits 3D visualization of the brain cavity and sense organs. CT data will be used to measure key features of the brain related to intelligence and senses, which will be mapped onto the mammal family tree to test hypotheses about how and when neurosensory changes occurred. This will provide an unprecedented look at how the brain and senses changed across the end-Cretaceous extinction and whether sensory changes may have been key drivers in the rise of mammals. Additionally, BEMADE will enable the Fellow to learn new techniques in neutron scanning and statistical methods for studying evolution.

Keywords: brain,neocortex,mammals,paleocene,senses,behaviour,k pg boundary
Stable isotope signatures in dorsal fin spines as a non-invasive and non-lethal alternative to otoliths for reconstructing fish life and environmental history (SIFINS)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: Marie-Sklodowska-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Individual Fellowships (IF)-Career Restart panel
Action type: Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions
Panel: Environment and Geosciences
Countries involved: Spain
Call: Individual Fellowships (H2020-MSCA-IF-2016, 2016)
Start date: 2017-07-03
End date: 2020-12-14
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 170121.6
EU funding (EUR): 170121.6
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The use of stable isotopes as powerful "natural tags" for reconstructing fishes’ environmental and life history, has been largely restricted to ear bones or otoliths. The extraction of otoliths requires sacrificing the fish, which is not allowed for endangered species, and greatly affects the appearance of a fish, which is non-practical for commercially valuable species as it can diminish their market value. The aim of the SIFINS project is to investigate tuna dorsal fin spines as a non-invasive and non-lethal alternative to otoliths for reconstructing environmental and life histories of individual fishes. Using SI signatures in fin spines of key highly migratory temperate and tropical tunas, SIFINS proposes a novel multispecies and interdisciplinary approach integrating the fields of chronology, chemistry and population dynamics research. SIFINS will provide (i) a more refined understanding of the movement and population-stock structure of tunas across their distribution range and (ii) a new and original perspective of stable isotope chemistry research in fishes, particularly relevant to support the management of endangered and commercially valuable species under the EU Biodiversity and Fisheries policies priorities. The results of the project will promote EU excellence in marine fish population dynamics, likely to be of increasing interest in the future due to climate and human-induced change to marine environments. The applicant’s research and professional skills complement the host infrastructure and research team expertise, and their capacity to manage fellowships/grants and train researchers for the successful outcome of all aspects of the project including training, dissemination of results, and outreach activities. SIFINS will contribute to the researcher’s professional career development putting the fellow in an optimal position to become a leading European scientist in this interdisciplinary research field after a maternity leave career break.

Keywords: dorsal fin spine,stable isotope,tuna,population structure,migrations,habitat use,life history
Novel viral therapy through targeting DNA repair (NOVITREP)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Proof of concept grants
Action type: ERC actions
Countries involved: Sweden
Call: ERC-Proof of Concept-2016 (ERC-2016-PoC, 2016)
Start date: 2017-07-01
End date: 2018-12-31
Duration (months): 18.0
Total project cost (EUR): 150000.0
EU funding (EUR): 139162.5
Participants: 2
Project status: CLOSED

Natural epidemics and outbreaks of emerging infectious diseases are a growing problem internationally. RNA viruses remain under constant attention due to the recent Zika virus (ZIKV) outbreak with potential causal relationship with microcephaly of newly born babies and Ebola virus (EBOV) and Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) causing life threatening hemorrhagic fever, demonstrating how zoonotic viruses pose a major global health concern. There is an ongoing need to discover novel therapies to battle these pathogenic viruses given that no specific therapy exists. Developing new antiviral treatments by targeting host cell proteins needed in the viral life cycle is an emerging strategy to improve therapeutic power and reduce acquired drug resistance. Based on the results from the ERC grant Genetic Networks as a tool for anti-Cancer Drug Development (GENECADD), we have developed potent inhibitors to DNA repair proteins that disturbs repair of oxidative DNA lesions. To our surprise, we observed, in collaboration with Public Health Agency of Sweden, that these inhibitors potently prevent ZIKV, EBOV and CCHFV viral replication in human cells, suggesting that these inhibitors may be used as antiviral therapeutics. Further investigation into the possible mechanism of action revealed that our inhibitors prevented the repair of oxidative damage to RNA. Here, the overall aim is to (1) further develop and optimize our inhibitors as a novel antiviral target and demonstrate proof of concept, (2) explore and secure IP (3) develop a business plan and (4) perform a market analysis. The overall goal is to develop general antiviral treatments made available to virus-infected individuals through a public foundation in low-income areas or through a company in the Western world.

Keywords: antiviral therapy,ogg1 inhibitors,proof of concept,oxidative dna damage
Behavioural biomechanics of insect herbivory - a case study on leaf-cutter ants (MechAnt)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Environmental Biology, Ecology and Evolution
Panel description: Ecology, biodiversity, environmental change, evolutionary biology, behavioural ecology, microbial ecology, marine biology, ecophysiology, theoretical developments and modelling
Countries involved: United Kingdom
Call: ERC Starting Grant (ERC-2019-STG, 2019)
Start date: 2020-01-01
End date: 2026-12-31
Duration (months): 84.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1998764.0
EU funding (EUR): 1998764.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

Insect herbivores are a dominant element in terrestrial ecosystems, and pose a continuing threat to global food security. However, little is known about a key determinant of insect herbivore success: the mechanics of plant-feeding. MechAnt proposes to transform our understanding of insect-plant relations by providing a rigorous biomechanical investigation into how insects cut leaves, using the major ecosystem engineers and principal insect pest of the New World, the leaf-cutter ants, as a model system. Specifically, MechAnt will combine the traditionally separate fields of behavioural ecology, mechanical engineering, materials science, computer vision and machine learning to investigate: (1) the mechanical and energetic constraints determining the cutting ability, and ontogeny of task choice of differently-sized workers, and hence the adaptive value of physical castes in eusocial insects; (2) the relationship between plant material properties, ease of cutting, and mandibular wear, which will reveal the key mechanical determinants of plant-herbivore species interactions; (3) the division of labour, ontogeny and demography of leaf-cutter colonies foraging on leaves of different “toughness”, testing the hypothesis that leaf-cutter colonies are organised according to ergonomic criteria. By integrating insights ranging from nano-scale mechanics up to whole-colony ecology, MechAnt will quantitatively link the mechanical properties of plants with the performance of individual foragers, the organisation of foraging parties, and the demography and social organisation of leaf-cutter ant colonies. The resulting understanding of the biomechanical innovations underpinning the success of the leaf-cutter ants will yield insights into the behavioural ecology of advanced plant-feeders, highlight the role of biomechanical constraints in the behaviour and evolution of herbivorous insects, and pave the way for the development of novel crop protection strategies.

Keywords: biomechanics,insect plant interactions,insect pests
Hybrid synapse for vision (HyVIS)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: Future and Emerging Technologies (FET)
Theme: EIC Pathfinder
Destination: Novel ideas for radically new technologies
Action type: Research and Innovation actions
Countries involved: Germany,Italy,Switzerland,Switzerland,France,Netherlands
Call: FET-Open Challenging Current Thinking (H2020-FETOPEN-2018-2019-2020-01, 2020)
Start date: 2021-06-01
End date: 2025-05-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2935302.5
EU funding (EUR): 2935302.5
Participants: 6
Project status: SIGNED

Degenerative diseases of the retina, such as Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD), hit light-sensitive photoreceptors and leave bipolar cells (BCs) deprived of light-dependent synaptic input. Neuronal degeneration starts affecting the presynaptic side of the synapse, while the denervated postsynaptic side preserves the ability to be activated. This project targets the recovery of the lost synaptic light-mediated input to BCs by artificially reproducing two of the key mechanisms involved in retinal image formation: glutamate release and high spatial resolution. BCs will be interfaced with plasmonic nanochannels filled with smart polymers able to release glutamate in response to optical stimuli, mimicking neurotransmitter release sites on presynaptic terminals. The functionalization of the nanochannels with appropriate adhesion molecules together with single cell genetic engineering will re-create the synaptic machinery and mediate contact formation between pre- and postsynaptic partners. No other attempts to recreate lost synapses by making an optically driven hybrid connection between a nano-sized neurotransmitter releasing device and the denervated postsynaptic cell have been attempted thus far. We propose stimulating neurons with a drastically novel method that surpasses the concept of electrical stimulation and that can go beyond single cell resolution to recreate lost synaptic connections with "hybrid nanosynapses". Moreover, the synergic combination of the proposed technologies paves the way for the breakthrough development of retinal prosthetics able to rescue the natural cell-specific connectivity of the inner retinal neurons.

Keywords: hybrid synapse,photoreceptor degeneration,retina organoids,artificial retina,high resolution vision,plasmonics,smart polymers,metamaterials,synaptic adhesion molecules,neuronal reprogramming
Social wearable sensors to support engagement and learning in children with autism + learning difficulties. (SocSensors)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Proof of concept grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: The Human Mind and Its Complexity
Panel description: Cognitive science, psychology, linguistics, theoretical philosophy
Countries involved: United Kingdom
Call: ERC Proof of Concept Grant (ERC-2019-PoC, 2019)
Start date: 2020-09-01
End date: 2022-02-28
Duration (months): 18.0
Total project cost (EUR): 150000.0
EU funding (EUR): 150000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Children with autism and learning difficulties often need substantial support in schools and in later life with communication, emotion regulation and daily living skills. Teaching these children and measuring their progress in education is challenging. Our recent work (ERC grant INTERACT 313398) showed that tracking body motion in children and adults can give a real-world measure of how much people are engaged in a social interaction. In this project, we develop this result into a wearable sensor system to quantify and support children’s learning. In the SocSensor system, each child and teacher wears a sensor on their wrist (like a FitBit) and we track how they move in relation to each other, that is, their social engagement. This continuous monitoring is unobtrusive and is particularly valuable in understanding the behaviour of children with minimal verbal skills who cannot easily express themselves. Teachers and/or researchers can receive a report at the end of the lesson showing how often children were engaged and who interacted with who, which will allow them to monitor the effectiveness of lessons and compare different educational approaches. This will allow them to optimise learning opportunities for these-hard-to-reach children. The domains of educational technology and wearables are growing rapidly but no other product addresses the needs of children with autism and learning difficulties, so the SocSensors system can make a big impact. In this project, we will develop the interface for the SocSensors sensor system, collect validation data in a large autism school and build connections with business partners. This will move SocSensors from a lab prototype to a viable product, as well as showcasing the product to schools, teachers and the autism community. Thus, SocSensors will lead the way in using psychology and wearable computing to support engagement and learning in children with autism + learning difficulties.

Keywords: autism,wearable sensors,social interaction,education,learning difficulties
Gender Discrimination in the Tarim Basin (GENDISC)

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: Belgium
Call: Individual Fellowships (H2020-MSCA-IF-2020, 2020)
Start date: 2021-11-01
End date: 2023-10-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 166320.0
EU funding (EUR): 166320.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

The Tarim Basin in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China was strategic on the ancient Silk Road. Expeditions by European explorers in the 19th and 20th centuries found ruins of ancient oases settlements around the circumference of the Taklamakan Desert. Amongst the ruins were artefacts, many documents and manuscripts written in different scripts and languages, some previously unknown. All attest to the cultural, religious and ethnic diversity of the region. The focus of GENDISC is on the Niya Documents, a collection of approximately 1000 documents and document fragments dating to around the 3rd century CE found around the southern Tarim Basin, but mainly around the Niya ruins. Three-quarters of the documents were written in the South Asian Kharosthi script and Gandhari language, earlier used in ancient Pakistan, Afghanistan and north India for inscriptions, manuscripts and coins. Whilst politics, trade and religion are well-studied, there has been little examination of ancient society in the Tarim Basin because the sources are viewed as limited. GENDISC will challenge this assumption by addressing social issues raised as legal disputes in the Niya Documents, including infanticide, adoption, witchcraft allegations, slavery, murder and marriage transactions. It will identify gender roles (O1), the types of legal cases (O2) and the wider context of issues (O3), and will take a statistical and etymological approach (WP1), study religious texts (WP2) and examine other Tarim Basin documents (WP3) to establish if the documents are indicative of gender biases and discrimination. GENDISC is interdisciplinary, incorporating studies of language, religion, gender, society and law within the broader field of archaeology and Asian studies. It is trans-regional in scope and will identify connections between now politically- and culturally-sensitive territories. The findings will be disseminated through conferences, seminars, workshops, articles and a blog.

Keywords: document and text studies,kharosthi,central asia,tarim basin,early historic,niya documents,gender,discrimination,legal disputes,social issues
Empowering and participatory adaptation of factory automation to fit for workers (Factory2Fit)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Industrial Leadership
Programme: Nanotechnologies, Advanced Materials, Advanced Manufacturing and Processing, and Biotechnology
Theme: Technologies for Factories of the Future
Action type: Research and Innovation actions
Countries involved: Germany,Germany,Ireland,Germany,Ireland,Finland,Greece,Finland,Romania
Call: Continuous adaptation of work environments with changing levels of automation in evolving production systems (H2020-FOF-2016, 2016)
Start date: 2016-10-01
End date: 2019-09-30
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 4322462.5
EU funding (EUR): 4322462.5
Participants: 12
Project status: CLOSED

Smart factories are characterized by increasing automation and increasing customization. In these dynamic environments flexible and adaptive work organization is crucial both for productivity and work satisfaction. Factory2Fit project will support this development by developing adaptation solutions with which people with different skills, capabilities and preferences can be engaged, motivated and productive members of the work community in manufacturing industries. The core idea in Factory2Fit project is that the worker is an expert of his/her own work and thus (s)he shall have an active role in designing his/her work. The proposed adaptive automation solutions are based on a dynamic user model that includes physical and cognitive abilities. The worker him/herself gets feedback of his performance and skills, which supports continuous learning and competence development. Virtual factory models will be used as engaging platforms for participatory design of work practices, knowledge sharing and training, involving all the relevant stakeholders in contributing the organizational development. Contextual guidance and knowledge sharing is supported by augmented reality based tools. The adaptation solutions will be developed within three industrial pilots in actual manufacturing environments. The solutions will be generalized and disseminated widely to the manufacturing industry. Adaptive automation solutions to be developed in Factory2Fit will support fluent human-automation cooperation and will have impacts in work satisfaction, less occupational health issues, less stress, better ergonomics, better quality, less errors and better productivity. Adaptive automation supports current and forthcoming workers to develop their competences towards knowledge workers of smart factories with fulfilling work careers. This will further improve the competitiveness of European manufacturing industry and support the principle of responsible manufacturing industry.

Keywords: adaptive automation,user model,participatory design,quantified employee