Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Neural origins of mind reading (SOCIALEYES)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Advanced grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: The Human Mind and Its Complexity
Panel description: Cognitive science, psychology, linguistics, theoretical philosophy
Countries involved: France
Call: ERC Advanced Grant (ERC-2019-ADG, 2019)
Start date: 2020-09-01
End date: 2025-08-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2377325.0
EU funding (EUR): 2377325.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

Human thoughts have no mass and remain definitely hidden from others’ view. Still, we are remarkable at predicting others’ mental states from observable phenomena. Sensitivity to eye cues enables us, for example, to detect the presence of other minds, assess theirs content and interact with them through eye contact, gaze following and joint attention. Emerging in early infancy, these competences are precursor to later mentalizing abilities and are known to depend upon a set of cerebral structures overlapping with the theory of mind network, under the regulatory influence of neuropeptides such as oxytocin. While the existence of theory of mind in monkeys and apes is a matter of debate, these animals attend to eyes and understand what others see. Non-human primates thus offer a valuable perspective on the evolutionary path that shaped our brain to use eyes as a social interaction device and as a window into other’s mind. SOCIALEYES will aim to test the hypothesis that “eye reading” is rooted in conserved visual specializations, shared with functions like threat and danger detection. It will emphasize the role of a subcortical network that includes the hypothalamic oxytocin system, superior colliculus and amygdala. The links between eye processing, joint attention and knowledge states attribution (WP1) will be investigated in socially-interacting monkey dyads. The contribution of the colliculus and amygdala to joint attention mechanisms will be compared to that of core mentalizing regions of the cortex (WP2) using single neuron recordings. The functional role of oxytocin signaling within this network on joint attention and eye reading behavior (WP3) will be evaluated with site- and cell type-specific reversible inactivation procedures. Finally, the relevance of joint attention and eye reading abilities to natural social interactions (WP4) will be tested using novel ethological and computer vision-based behavior recognition methods in freely behaving monkeys.

Keywords: social cognition,gaze following,mind reading,oxytocin,primate
Acoustic Blood Cells Sorter (ABC-S)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Societal Challenges
Programme: Health, demographic change and wellbeing
Theme: Treating and managing disease
Action type: SME instrument
Countries involved: France
Call: Supporting innovative SMEs in the healthcare biotechnology sector (H2020-SMEINST-1-2016-2017, 2016)
Start date: 2016-08-01
End date: 2016-12-31
Duration (months): 5.0
Total project cost (EUR): 71429.0
EU funding (EUR): 50000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Aenitis Technologies develops innovative solutions for separating, sorting and filtration of cells in suspension based on patented acoustophoresis technologies (pheresis based on acoustic radiation forces influence on polydisperced suspension). Aenitis’ first axis of development is an innovative blood fractionation medical device for the production of labile blood products (LBP). It will overtake limits of currently used centrifugation processes which have many adverse effects as platelet activation (mainly due to induced shear forces). Aenitis approach revolutionizes the sector as it permit in a secure and simple process to product LBP. It also avoids platelet activation as shear forces are very low in acoustophoresis process. This innovative Acoustic Blood Cells Sorter (ABC-S) project is highly recognized and awarded. It will solves major healthcare issues in LBP preparation by developing an innovative instrument capable of fractionating blood in continuous, without contact or pressure and with very low shear forces, to produce from whole blood high quality LBP. It will include the development of a platelet concentrate quality then unequalled in the world with a potentially conservation time significantly increased. This medical device will be associated with a disposable medical device to the source of recurring revenue. Blood medical devices world market is estimate to $14 Billion with an average growth annual rate of 5.5%. Yearly, 108 million blood donations are processed worldwide, including over 300 million in Europe and 460 million in North America. Our technology will have major impact for all blood banks’ LBP production; inducing a new gold standard driven by Europe. This proposal for the call H2020 SME Instrument Phase 1 “Supporting innovative SMEs in the healthcare biotechnology sector: Cell technologies in medical applications” will permit Aenitis to grow from a functional laboratory-scale prototype to preindustrial prototypes first steps.

Keywords: blood cells,acoustic technology,fractionation
Intelligent and Sustainable Aerial-Terrestrial IoT Networks (INITIATE)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: Marie-Sklodowska-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Research and innovation staff exchange
Action type: Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions
Panel: Information Science and Engineering
Countries involved: Spain,Norway,China,Netherlands,United Kingdom,Portugal,United Kingdom
Call: Research and Innovation Staff Exchange (H2020-MSCA-RISE-2020, 2020)
Start date: 2022-01-01
End date: 2025-12-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 952200.0
EU funding (EUR): 703800.0
Participants: 8
Project status: SIGNED

Environment disasters linked to climate change are predicted to cause huge economic loss of 200 billion Euros and endanger millions of people annually and globally by 2040. Internet-of-Things (IoT) and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are two promising technologies that can monitor environment changes and disasters to save lives and reduce disastrous consequences, but they both have inherent limitations: IoT networks often have high energy consumption and strong dependency on reliable communications, while UAVs cause significant concerns on reliability due to their high mobility and increased network complexity. The INITIATE project brings together an international, multidisciplinary and cross-sector consortium consisting of world-leading academic institutions and specialised industrial enterprises, to create a new generation of intelligent, sustainable and ultra-reliable aerial-terrestrial IoT networks that can equip humanity to fight against environment changes and disasters, through research and innovations (R&I) on advanced technologies in IoT, Artificial Intelligence, UAVs, wireless power transfer, software-defined networking, and network resource optimisation to tackle the associated challenges. INITIATE will boost the R&I capability of partners by performing dedicated research in these multiple disciplines and create a long-term cross-discipline and cross-sector knowledge sharing platform with competent and complementary expertise. The researchers involved will be trained through extensive R&I actions and well-planned networking activities at both Europe and global levels to enrich their skill sets as well as enhance their career perspectives. The INITIATE project will significantly contribute to the European competitiveness and leadership in the key sectors such as ICT, remote sensing, and environment monitoring by creating scientific breakthroughs, boosting R&I capabilities, and training people for improved employability.

Keywords: unmanned aerial vehicles,internet of things,network resource management,wireless power transfer
Early detection of tumor DNA in liquid biopsies as a biomarker of cancer recurrence (ONCOTECT)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Industrial Leadership
Programme: Innovation in SMEs
Action type: SME instrument
Countries involved: Netherlands
Call: SME instrument (H2020-SMEInst-2018-2020-1, 2019)
Start date: 2019-06-01
End date: 2019-11-30
Duration (months): 6.0
Total project cost (EUR): 71429.0
EU funding (EUR): 50000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Cyclomics BV is a Dutch start-up company with the ambition to disrupt the cancer diagnostics market with its proprietary circulating tumor (ct) DNA detection technology. Cyclomics has developed a ground-breaking sequencing methodology that enables reliable, fast and ultra-sensitive detection of cancer recurrence from blood samples (liquid biopsies). The first product, ONCOTECT, detects oncogenic mutations in the TP53 gene, and is developed for accurate and early detection of head and neck cancer (HNC) recurrence. Recurrent disease after initial remission is a main cause of cancer-related death. In HNC, radiological examination is the current standard in detecting cancer lesions but is unable to reliably detect recurrence early on, leading to treatment delays and lower survival rates. Integration of the ONCOTECT assay into routine clinical workflow is inexpensive and will provide faster time-to-results relative to competing sequencing methods. Since 90% of HNC patients carry specific oncogenic DNA mutations in the TP53 gene, the first application of this novel technology in recurrent HNC presents a considerable market opportunity for ONCOTECT. After achieving clinical proof-of-concept in a cohort of 20 patients, Cyclomics will offer its technology for licensing to a diagnostics company to further develop ONCOTECT as an in vitro diagnostic (IVD) kit and bring it to the market, with the aim of enabling superior quality in diagnostic and clinical decision making. ONCOTECT focuses on TP53 but the underlying technology can be applied to many different genes. Leveraging this potential, Cyclomics’ long-term vision includes monitoring of cancer treatment response and early screening programs, encompassing various genes and cancer types, with the potential to impact the full spectrum of cancer care. In this SME feasibility study, Cyclomics will obtain critical insight for commercialization strategy, including freedom to operate (FTO), user needs and regulatory requirements.

Keywords: cancer diagnostics,tumor dna detection,liquid biopsy,genomics,bioinformatics
Localized Corrosion Studies for Magnesium Implant Devices (MAGPLANT)

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: Chemistry
Countries involved: Germany
Call: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF-EF) (H2020-MSCA-IF-2015, 2015)
Start date: 2016-09-01
End date: 2018-08-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 159460.8
EU funding (EUR): 159460.8
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The MAGPLANT project is intended to provide a major breakthrough towards the fabrication and application of bioresorbable Mg-alloy implants, which have the remarkable potential of accelerating bone healing while transferring the body’s mechanical load from the implant to the regenerating bone, as the Mg-alloy progressively degrades, thereby avoiding multiple surgical interventions. Moreover Mg is highly biocompatible as it is abundantly present in bone tissue and exhibits mechanical properties similar to those of bone. Although there is currently much research on biodegradable Mg implants, the fundamental aspect for achieving success is controlling the corrosion rate of Mg-alloys in biological media. Because the main form of corrosion on Mg is localized corrosion, a thorough study consisting of localized electrochemical measurements must be performed. In the literature the biodegradable Mg is persistently being addressed as suffering from homogeneous corrosion, which is incorrect and does not provide the information on the microscopic processes occurring as the alloy degrades in contact with biofluids and cellular structures. In the scope of MAGPLANT the corrosion of Mg-alloys will be investigated by using modern localized electrochemical techniques. Therefore the underlying Mg-alloy corrosion mechanisms will be understood from the macro to the microscale level, considering the biological environments of interest. This project fits well into the key societal challenges for H2020 and will contribute to improve Europe’s research position on bioresorbable implants. Such perspective is well supported by the excellence and strong dedication of the host institution in the target research field, along with the research experience of the candidate.

Keywords: magnesium,localized corrosion,bioresorbable implants
A device enabling quantification of molecular and nanoparticle diffusion within thin solvated films (DIFFUSION)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Proof of concept grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Physical and analytical chemical sciences
Panel description: Analytical chemistry, chemical theory, physical chemistry/chemical physics
Countries involved: United Kingdom
Call: ERC Proof of Concept Grant (ERC-2018-PoC, 2018)
Start date: 2019-09-01
End date: 2021-08-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 150000.0
EU funding (EUR): 150000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The objective of the DIFFUSION project is to develop an easy-to-use device to analyse diffusion processes within thin solvated films. This new analytical tool will overcome a current bottleneck in the development of functional coatings for a wide range of applications, from fundamental research in biophysics and microbiology to real-life applications in biomaterials and paints. Driven by analytical needs during the ERC Starting Grant project JELLY my team and I conceived the DIFFUSION technology. The technology has the potential to enhance research and development in industry and academia – in material sciences and engineering, physics, chemistry and biology – wherever functional thin films/coatings are developed or used. It enables the analysis of molecular and nanoparticle diffusion within thin solvated films, thus providing new information that is instrumental to the development and quality control of films/coatings with superior performance and new functions yet has so far been challenging to assess. The technology is conceived as a modular add-on device that enhances the capabilities of the users' existing existing optical microscopy setups. An initial market analysis has already shown that there is broad interest in the method in academia and industry, and that the solution we aim to offer would be attractive. This Proof of Concept grant is required to develop a second-generation prototype to demonstrate that a cost-effective and easy-to-use device is feasible, to demonstrate its added value with selected application examples covering target research and development areas, and to develop a commercialisation plan including the identification of an industrial partner that is ready to build on the second-generation prototype and rapidly move a device into production and commercialisation.

Keywords: analytical devices,research and development market,diffusion,functional materials,organic thin films,biological surfaces and interfaces
Robust kit to convert diesel vehicles to Natural Gas and Biogas for extended life and reduced contaminants emission (BLUESKY)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Societal Challenges
Programme: Smart, green and integrated transport
Action type: SME instrument
Countries involved: France
Call: Small business innovation research for Transport and Smart Cities Mobility (H2020-SMEINST-1-2016-2017, 2017)
Start date: 2018-03-01
End date: 2018-06-30
Duration (months): 4.0
Total project cost (EUR): 71429.0
EU funding (EUR): 50000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The pollution spread in the world has forced all nations to fight for the preservation of the planet, through restricting oil derivatives and emission standards. On the other side, the global automotive sector is a huge market with €1,761G of yearly sales. Solutions available in the market, as an alternative to standard diesel vehicles, can be divided into four categories: 1) NG vehicles, 2) Biofuels, 3) Hybrids, 4) Full electric. These existing technologies fail in providing a cost-effective and transition solution to upgrade current vehicles. Most of all, these solutions do not deal with the existing vehicles and only focus on purchasing new ones. This process of replacing current vehicles will take many years, thus a transition solution is today required to upgrade this vehicles in use, reduce their emissions, reduce maintenance and fuel costs and bring them up to current European Standards. BLUESKY system is a unique kit for conversion of diesel-powered commercial buses and trucks to Liquefied Natural Gas fuel through a computerized and catalyst system. We collect no longer valid diesel engines (Euro IV and V) and extend their technical life meeting Euro VI standard, with the additional benefits of: 1) 20% cost reduction on fuel and maintenance costs, 2) 20% less CO2 emissions, 3) 100% elimination of solid particles emissions, 4) 10 times less of NOx emissions. There are currently 500 NG vehicles (of which 20% of total French NG vehicles) in France, Italy and UK running with our best seller product: CRMT 5+ which is a first version of BLUESKY. CRMT is a R&D SME company founded in 1977, with 22 people and based in Lyon, France. It is specialized in internal engine combustion, alternative fuels and pollutants reduction, with strong expertise in natural gas (NG) engines.

Keywords: engine,mechanical adaptation,heavy duty,commercial buses,commercial trucks,alternative fuels,diesel to natural gas conversion,emissions reduction,euro vi,catalyst,exhaust gases
Development and corroboration of a novel Natural Textile Reinforced Mortar System for masonry retrofitting (NaTeRM)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Spreading excellence and widening participation
Programme: Widening participation and spreading excellence
Theme: Other Widening
Action type: Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions
Countries involved: Portugal
Call: Widening Fellowships (H2020-WF-03-2020, 2020)
Start date: 2022-02-01
End date: 2024-05-11
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 147815.04
EU funding (EUR): 147815.04
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

Effective structural upgrading solutions are becoming increasingly important in Europe, due to the ageing building stock and the need for preserving heritage buildings. When the reinforcement of existing and historic masonry structures is faced, several challenges with respect to the compatibility, cost-efficiency and environmental impact of the methods used need to be answered. Project NaTeRM promises a breakthrough in realizing sustainable retrofitting solutions via the development of a novel externally bonded masonry reinforcement system comprising of plant fibre textiles embedded in inorganic lime-based matrix. This Natural Textile Reinforced Mortar (NTRM) will offer several advantages compared to analogous systems that incorporate synthetic fabrics. Natural fibres are bio-renewable, bio-degradable and have good economic feasibility. They also offer a higher degree of flexibility that precludes over-stiffening effects, enabling better mechanical behaviour when applied on weak masonry. The plant fibres used in this study will receive a natural hydrophobic treatment that will ensure adequate durability. The design of a vapour permeable lime matrix will guarantee compatibility with a wide range of masonry substrates, including porous and salt-laden surfaces. The planned research activities include experimental work for the production and characterization of the matrix material and of the composite, pilot applications on full-scale walls and computational studies for validating operational performance and for developing analysis tools for the proposed applications. The project goes several steps beyond the state-of-the-art which still lacks systematic investigations, design guidelines and real-scale applications of NTRM. The outcomes obtained will assist towards enhancing resilience of the built environment, increasing the lifetime of existing buildings, protecting cultural patrimony, and promoting decarbonation in the construction and textile industries.

Keywords: natural fibrous composites,textile reinforced mortar,masonry strengthening
Study of the role of mitophagy and lysosomal biogenesis in COX deficiency: a new model for drug discovery (MTPHAGYTREAT)

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: Life Sciences
Countries involved: Italy
Call: Individual Fellowships (H2020-MSCA-IF-2020, 2020)
Start date: 2022-04-01
End date: 2024-03-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 183473.28
EU funding (EUR): 183473.28
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Mutations in COX15 are associated to cytochrome c oxidase (COX) deficiency (OMIM: 220110), a mitochondrial disease characterized by inefficient energy production due to the accumulation of impaired mitochondria. The phenotype of a muscle-specific Cox15 knockout (Cox15sm/sm), a model of severe mitochondrial myopathy characterized by profound COX deficiency, was previously shown to be ameliorated by the coordinated induction of autophagy and lysosomal biogenesis via TFEB activation. Stimulation of mitophagy, a selective degradation of mitochondria by autophagy, is one attractive possibility to induce the elimination of damaged mitochondria and be used as a broad-spectrum treatment for mitochondrial dysfunctions. However, the role of mitophagy in this mitochondrial dysfunction was not investigated in detail. To clarify the role of mitophagy in the amelioration of Cox15sm/sm mice phenotype and explore its therapeutic potential, a Cox15sm/sm mito-QC reporter mouse has been created in the host laboratory. Mito-QC, a pH-sensitive mitochondrial targeted probe, will allow to assess unambiguously mitophagy at single cell resolution by the quantification of the number of mitolysosomes in COX-deficient myocytes. Likewise, the investigation of the mitophagy role in muscle regeneration in the Cox15sm/sm mice can have a high impact in mitochondrial diseases. MTPHAGYTREAT will thus create a new myoblast model for the evaluation of autophagy/mitophagy role in muscle regeneration. In addition, we will take advantage of Cox15sm/sm myoblasts and advanced imaging techniques to fast track the discovery of new drugs for the treatment of mitochondrial diseases by screening a library of natural compounds previously shown to be safe for humans, thus facilitating the eventual translation to the patients.

Keywords: mitophagy,autophagy,mitochondria,drug discovery,microscopy