Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Illuminating tree-water dynamics in forest ecosystems with high-resolution geophysical monitoring (ForestPulse)

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: Luxembourg,Belgium
Call: MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2024 (HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01, 2024)
Start date: 2025-09-01
End date: 2027-08-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 216240.0
EU funding (EUR): 216240.0
Participants: 3
Project status: SIGNED

Forests play a crucial climate-regulating role, acting as a resilient interface between the soil and the atmosphere, fostering biodiversity, natural resources or carbon capture. However, climate change, especially severe droughts, may push them beyond their limits. Traditional eco-hydrological methods provide valuable insights on tree-water interactions, but observational gaps hinder a full understanding of how trees mitigate water stress and source water. What could be the advantages of geophysical monitoring? With recent advancements in geoelectrical and Fibre Optic Sensing (FOS) technologies, geophysics can monitor water storage and fluxes within and around trees with unprecedented resolution. In ForestPulse, I will address methodological barriers to unlock the full potential of geophysical monitoring in forest ecosystems. Advanced monitoring systems at the Bambësch Forest, Luxembourg, will track seasonal and diurnal water dynamics wihtin the soil-tree-atmosphere continuum and enhance our understanding of tree responses to drought. Long-term geoelectrical monitoring, using a distributed network of open-source resistivity meters, will image soil and tree water dynamics on beech stands. Pilot FOS experiments will investigate finer-scale water uptake and flow patterns. Hosted in a multidisciplinary team of eco-hydrologists at the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology, I will foster interdisciplinary collaboration. Secondments at the Université libre de Bruxelles and Royal Observatory of Belgium will support cutting-edge methodological advancements. ForestPulse will enhance my career by strategically focusing my geophysical expertise on eco-hydrological challenges. Integrating open-source geophysical tools into forest monitoring and improving the observability of tree-water dynamics will contribute to more sustainable forest management practices, help to fight climate change, and pave the way for future research projects on eco-hydrogeophysics.
Modeling how pre-existing TCR clones affect vaccine-induced T-cell responses (CELLULO-EPI-BASE)

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: Belgium
Call: ERC PROOF OF CONCEPT GRANTS (ERC-2023-POC, 2023)
Start date: 2023-12-01
End date: 2025-05-31
Duration (months): 18.0
Total project cost (EUR): 150000.0
EU funding (EUR): 150000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

T-cells are increasingly recognized to be pivotal actors in the development of vaccine-induced immune responses. Through their T-cell receptor (TCR) on their cell surface, T-cells can recognize antigens derived from pathogens or vaccines. The strength of the interaction between the TCRs and the vaccine antigens will direct the T-cell dynamics after vaccination. In this project, we will analyse the TCR repertoires from participants from three distinct vaccination cohorts prior to vaccination and after vaccination. We will develop a computational tool (later to be transformed into a software package) that will allow us to accurately predict, by using the baseline TCR data alone, which vaccinees will develop a robust immune response after vaccination. This tool holds the potential to have an important impact on different aspects and actors of vaccinology ranging from the vaccine industry to public health researchers.
Sustainable eThics Reviews of digital heAlth Technology dEsiGn In sub saharan afriCa (STRATEGIC)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness
Programme: Health
Theme: Public-private partnerships
Destination: Global Health EDCTP3
Action type: Coordination and support actions
Partnership: EDCTP3 (JU-JTI)
Countries involved: Ghana,Germany,Mozambique,Cameroon,Italy,United Kingdom
Call: Strengthening ethics and regulatory capacity (HORIZON-JU-GH-EDCTP3-2023-01, 2023)
Start date: 2024-04-01
End date: 2027-03-31
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 769496.25
EU funding (EUR): 769496.25
Participants: 7
Project status: SIGNED

The STRATEGIC project aims to co-create responsible research and innovation approach that aligns with social-cultural values, principles, contexts, needs and interests in SSA and implement capacity development plans that can strengthen the ethics and regulatory capacity to ensure responsible digital health technologies for clinical research and practice. The project will involve SSA and EU partners and stakeholders and co-create functional resources, such as the STRATEGIC training materials. The urgency of strengthening ethics and legal infrastructure for digital health technologies in SSA is due to the increasing integration of digital technologies into clinical research and practice and the potential negative impacts of these systems on patients, communities and society. While most countries in the Global North have recognised the importance of responsible digital health technologies, the ethics and regulatory capacities for addressing the ethical and legal risks of these technologies are still lacking in SSA. The overarching aim of the STRATEGIC project is to co-create a theoretically strong, empirically supported and widely consulted responsible research and innovation approach and capacity development plan and materials that can strengthen relevant ethics and regulatory institutions for clinical research and practice in SSA. It will identify and map the existing ethical and legal infrastructure in SSA, highlighting the gaps and needs; use these insights to co-create an RRI approach and co-develop and implementing trainings that will also be interested into existing training infrastructure and network. It will also establish sustainable e-community that exist beyond the project. Methodologies to be used include, stakeholder engagement and co-creation strategies such as focus groups, consensus workshops and roundtable discussions.

Keywords: digital health technology,responsible research and innovation
IMproved Plasminogen Activator based on Cerium oxide nanoparticles for Thrombolysis in ischemic Stroke (IMPACT)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Excellent Science
Programme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Postdoctoral Fellowships
Action type: Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions
Panel: Chemistry
Countries involved: France
Call: MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2022 (HORIZON-MSCA-2022-PF-01, 2022)
Start date: 2024-09-01
End date: 2026-08-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 211754.88
EU funding (EUR): 211754.88
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Ischemic stroke is the second cause of death worldwide. Recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) is the only approved therapeutic agent. However, stroke patients often suffer from hemorrhages caused by oxidative stress, leading to high immobility rates. The project conducted at Université Paris Cité is at the cross-section of material science and nanomedicine. It aims to develop a nanomedicine for clot targeting, dissolution, and antioxidant therapy to treat ischemic stroke against oxidative stress. Combining the robust antioxidant activity of the cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeNPs) with the clinical-proven rtPA as a delivery vector, the novel nanomedicine will find its potential application for the care of stroke patients and beyond. CeNPs will be optimized to achieve the maximum antioxidant activity. It will be assembled with polymers and rtPA to preserve circulation time and delivery efficiency. The nanoassembly will be evaluated against oxidative stress and clot dissolution efficiency. The project combines the Researcher's experiences in developing advanced nanomaterials and the hosts' expertise in translating nanomaterials from synthesis to preclinical studies. The project targets treating non-communicable diseases, relevant to the Health pillar of the Horizon Europe programme and the emphasis on developing Advanced Materials by European Commission. It shows a great impact in helping people suffering from the high risks of already approved medication. The project will enable the Researcher to acquire professional maturity related to nanomedicine development. The dissemination of results producing multiple publications in peer-reviewed journals, talks at scientific meetings, and outreach to the general public about the development of the novel antioxidant-related stroke treatment is very probable with the completion of this project. It also creates a potential platform for the scaling process of nanomedicine through collaboration with industrial partners.

Keywords: nanomedicine,ischemic stroke,thrombolysis,drug delivery,nanoparticles,cerium oxide,single atom catalysis,rtpa,reactive oxygen species,antioxidant,advanced materials,clot dissolution
Spray-induced gene silencing using bacterial extracellular vesicles for dsRNA delivery to manage fungal diseases in agricultural and forest systems (SIGSbyBEVs)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Excellent Science
Programme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Postdoctoral Fellowships
Action type: Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions
Panel: Life Sciences
Countries involved: Spain
Call: MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2021 (HORIZON-MSCA-2021-PF-01, 2021)
Start date: 2022-09-01
End date: 2024-10-31
Duration (months): 26.0
Total project cost (EUR): 166654.96
EU funding (EUR): 166654.96
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Fungal plant diseases are responsible for yield and quality losses in agroecosystems, and also threaten the sustainability of forest ecosystems worldwide. The management of fungal diseases in agroecosystems often relies on the intensive use of chemical fungicides, which have negative impacts on the environment and may lead to the emergence of resistant strains. At the same time, fungal diseases are rarely managed in forest systems due to the scarcity of viable options. Spray-Induced Gene Silencing (SIGS) is a novel management approach based on the ability of certain organisms, including plant pathogenic fungi, to take up double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) from the environment, which can induce gene silencing in the target organism. Thus, essential or virulence-related genes can be specifically targeted by dsRNAs in SIGS, preventing or reducing disease development and providing a bio-based alternative to chemical fungicides in agroecosystems, and a promising option for forest systems. However, the easy degradation of dsRNA under environmental conditions is a major hurdle in adapting this technology for widespread use. Here, we propose to use bacterial extracellular vesicles (BEVs) as dsRNA delivery vehicles in SIGS. My previous research experience has shown that artificial vesicles can encapsulate and protect dsRNAs that target fungal genes through spray applications, inducing gene silencing in several plant pathogenic fungi. In this proposal, we plan to develop a technology based on dsRNA encapsulation into bacterial extracellular vesicles (BEVs) to target two fungal species in the genus Fusarium, one that infects high-value horticultural crops and one that infects forest pine trees. Through a carefully designed plan based on my research background and the expertise of my host institution, we aim to develop SIGS technologies based on BEVs that will contribute to the sustainable management of fungal diseases in agricultural and forest systems.

Keywords: spray induced gene silencing,rnai,cross kingdom rnai extracellular vesicles fungal plant pathogens fungal diseases,fusarium circinatum fusarium oxysporum agriculture forestry pine tomato
Optimizing Energy Efficiency with PCM Integration in Portuguese Residences (3D-EE-Struct)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Widening Participation and Strengthening the European Research Area
Programme: Widening participation and spreading excellence
Theme: Attracting and mobilising the best talents
Destination: Attracting and mobilising the best talents
Action type: Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions
Panel: Information Science and Engineering
Countries involved: Portugal
Call: ERA Fellowships (HORIZON-WIDERA-2023-TALENTS-02, 2023)
Start date: 2024-11-01
End date: 2026-10-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 172618.56
EU funding (EUR): 172618.56
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

This research proposal pioneers energy-efficient residential structures through strategic integration of Phase-Change Materials (PCMs) into building walls. Focused on Portugal and the EU, the study targets substantial energy savings, initially estimated at under 18% based on pilot studies. Lightweight residential constructions emerge as pivotal, aligning seamlessly with Portugal's climate. Their swift integration allows for efficient temperature regulation, yielding substantial energy conservation. Economic viability, construction flexibility, and swift integration underscore the appeal of lightweight constructions for PCM adoption, addressing new projects and retrofits, aligning with regulatory and economic considerations. Empirical validation of meticulous simulation models forms the bedrock, ensuring practical applicability. Building energy modeling, integral to this research, plays a pivotal role in gauging real-world impact. This research proposal aligns global concerns: energy efficiency and sustainability. PCM integration, pivotal in sustainable building practices, offers an innovative solution. Exploration of PCM integration challenges further extends impact. In conclusion, this blueprint pioneers PCM integration, charting a course towards energy efficiency and sustainability. Attuned to Portugal's climate, it holds promise for wider global application. Validation experiments provide concrete evidence of potential energy savings and advancements in thermal performance, substantiating the proposal's potential impact.

Keywords: pcm integration,energy efficiency,residential buildings,sustainable construction,portugal
The first clinical neonatal system that provides end-to-end data driven decision support for achieving personalised feeding of preterm infants (NeoFeed)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Innovative Europe
Programme: The European Innovation Council (EIC)
Theme: EIC Accelerator
Destination: Other destinations
Action type: EIC actions
Countries involved: France
Call: EIC Accelerator 2025 - Short application (HORIZON-EIC-2025-ACCELERATOR-01, 2025)
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1680000.0
EU funding (EUR): 1680000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

Every year 15-million preterm infants are born. Prematurity is the leading cause of infant mortality with an economic annual burden of €21B in the EU. Premature birth prevalence is rising worldwide, driven by the diabetes epidemic, COVID, and the late age of the mother. 75% of preterm infants require special feeding protocols with nutritional requirements to avoid death, growth faltering, or long-lasting disabilities. Recommendations have been made by the European Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology Hepatology and Nutrition regarding the optimal ranges for their nutrient intakes. Maternal breastmilk (MBM) is the preferred feed for these infants, but MBM alone does not meet these recommendations and often requires the addition of breast milk fortifiers. Since breast milk content is influenced by many factors, such as maternal diet and age, adding standard amounts of fortifiers leads to over- or under-nourishment. The solution is the personalised or targeted approach, which involves analysing the MBM for its unique composition and adding the exact macronutrients needed based on each infant’s unique nutritional needs. However, current offerings are milk analysers that test MBM for only macronutrients, are expensive, time consuming, and require several personnel to operate. As a result most of the neonatal units do not perform targeted fortification. We have developed Preemie, the first clinical neonatal system that provides end-to-end data-driven decision support for achieving personalised feeding of preterm infants. Preemie tests the MBM for macronutrients and fatty acids, estimates osmolality and micronutrient content, calculates the fortification required and allows tracking the nutrition administered and growth over time for each infant, supports data-driven decisions for future feeding prescriptions, and automatically prepares the fortification. The NeoFeed project aims to obtain the IVD medical certification in the EU and USA for the Preemie System.

Keywords: targeted fortification,preterm personalised feeding,personalised nutrition for preterm infants,data driven decision support for feeding preterm infants,human milk targeted fortification
Fusion of Compact Objects by Ray Tracing: Gravitational wave observables from the time evolution of the event horizon in extreme mass ratio mergers (FCORT)

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: Physics
Countries involved: Italy
Call: MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2023 (HORIZON-MSCA-2023-PF-01, 2023)
Start date: 2024-10-01
End date: 2026-09-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 172750.08
EU funding (EUR): 172750.08
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

The project is a cutting-edge exploration of the dynamics of black hole collisions in general relativity and in modified gravity theories in an innovative way that makes the merging of black holes amenable to analytic treatment in the extreme-mass-ratio limit. By developing an approach based on ray tracing, the project assumes a pioneering stance, leveraging strong field tests of gravity to impart stringent constraints on modified gravity theories and learning more about black hole merging and matter collapse. The approach is complementary to other techniques currently employed, but in a regime that is not accessible to them. Central to its timeliness is the burgeoning of gravitational wave astronomy, hastening the need for empirical validation. The forthcoming Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) adds further urgency, promising novel insights into strong gravity within a decade.

Keywords: black holes,event horizon,compact objects,ray tracing,geodesic integration,extreme mass ratio binaries,gravitational waves
Revolutionary 3D ‘Smart Spherical’ Uterine Drug Delivery Platform: Transforming Women’s Health Worldwide (IUB Platform)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Innovative Europe
Programme: The European Innovation Council (EIC)
Theme: EIC Accelerator
Destination: Other destinations
Action type: EIC actions
Countries involved: Israel
Call: EIC Accelerator 2024 - Short application (HORIZON-EIC-2024-ACCELERATOR-01, 2024)
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2500000.0
EU funding (EUR): 2500000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

Uterine pathologies significantly impact the quality of life for 30% of women of reproductive age. Heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) affects 627 million women worldwide, leading to severe physical, social, and emotional consequences, including depression and iron deficiency anemia. Current treatments, such as hormonal oral contraceptives (OC) and levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine systems (LNG-IUS), are often unsuitable due to contraindications, side effects, and suboptimal efficacy. Global Endometrial Ablation (GEA) is a costly and invasive option, inaccessible in developing countries, resulting in many women undergoing hysterectomy, which causes permanent infertility and long-term health risks. Uterine disorders impose a significant economic burden on patients, families, and healthcare systems, with AUB costing over $13 billion annually in the US. OCON is pioneering the first and only spherical 3D intrauterine stent designed to deliver drugs to the uterus, ensuring optimal tissue coverage and enhancing treatment efficacy and safety. OCON’s flagship product is the IUB® Ballerine®, a birth control long acting reversible contraception device, designed to easily adapt and position itself in line with the uterus’s contractions and movements. For this EIC grant, we are leveraging the IUB BALERINE® to serve as common scaffold to attach Therapeutic Drug Releasing Beads and to develop a repertoire of intrauterine therapies with a primary focus on SEAD® for Endometrial Ablation. The IUB SEAD® offers a revolutionary non-hormonal, single-use treatment for HMB, employing silver nitrate-eluting beads for effective endometrial ablation. The IUB SEAD® offers a safer, non-invasive, cost-effective solution, reducing hospitalization and complications of current GEA procedures. Our mission is to establish the IUB platform as the standard of care for treating uterine disorders, addressing high unmet medical needs and improving patient outcomes globally.

Keywords: local drug delivery,intrauterine drug delivery devices,intrauterine targeted therapy,abnormal uterine bleeding,heavy menstruation,women s health,controlled slow release drugs