Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
FUnctional Nucleic Acids as Versatile SMart BUilding BLocks in Non-ConventIonal SolvenTs (FUNAMBULIST)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Innovative Europe
Programme: The European Innovation Council (EIC)
Theme: EIC Pathfinder
Destination: Open to supporting projects in all areas of science, technology,...
Action type: EIC actions
Countries involved: Spain,France,Germany,United States,Portugal,United Kingdom
Call: EIC Pathfinder Open 2022 (HORIZON-EIC-2022-PATHFINDEROPEN-01, 2022)
Start date: 2023-05-01
End date: 2026-04-30
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2533255.25
EU funding (EUR): 2533255.0
Participants: 10
Project status: SIGNED

Almost half of the production costs in the rapidly growing chiral chemicals market is spent on the downstream processing costs due to challenging separation tasks and demanding levels of purification. FUNAMBULIST aims at a radically new science-enabled production of fine chemicals by emulating the ingenuity of biological processes in an engineered environment. In this way, FUNAMBULIST aims at overcoming the current dogma that fine chemicals are produced via traditional synthetic routes in organic solvents. FUNAMBULIST creates a modular toolkit that enables a radically different approach to design chemical reactions in the fine chemicals market by abandoning the current, artificial gap between biological and chemical function.

Keywords: functional nucleic acids,dna scaffolds,catalysis,fine chemicals,membrane reactor,artificial intelligence
Next-generation engineering of gas-fermenting cell factories through large-scale systems-level maps (GENESYS)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Consolidator grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Biotechnology and Biosystems E ngineering
Panel description: Biotechnology using all organisms , biotechnology for environment  and food applications, applied plant and animal sciences , bioengineering and synthetic biology , biomass and biofuels , biohazards
Countries involved: Estonia
Call: ERC CONSOLIDATOR GRANTS (ERC-2023-COG, 2023)
Start date: 2024-07-01
End date: 2029-06-30
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2330500.0
EU funding (EUR): 2330500.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

Gas fermentation provides a unique opportunity for the circular bioeconomy by enabling carbon recycling from gaseous waste feedstocks into value-added bioproducts using microbes. Acetogens are ideal biocatalysts for gas fermentation as they use gas (CO and/or CO2+H2) as their sole carbon and energy source, evidenced by the commercialisation of the waste gas-to-ethanol conversion process. Despite recent efforts, our understanding of genotype-phenotype relationships in acetogens is still minimal. This, however, is required for rational metabolic engineering and expanding the product spectrum of acetogens to unlock their full potential. GENESYS aims to engineer superior gas-fermenting cell factories through revolutionising systems-level understanding of acetogens and pioneering a new workflow for making large-scale arrayed CRISPR-engineered microbial strain libraries. First, essential genes for autotrophy of the model acetogen Clostridium autoethanogenum will be determined using a genome-wide CRISPRi screen. We then create ~750 single-gene knock-down strains of essential genes, transcription factors, and proteome “dark matter” using a novel “pooled-to-arrayed” workflow combining synthetic biology, automation, and DNA sequencing. Next, we will generate systems-level phenotype maps for up to ~750 strains through high-throughput gas fermentation and –omics analyses. Big data will be translated into a systems-level acetogen knowledgebase–A-BASE–through integrated bioinformatics and machine learning, metabolic modelling, and data engineering. Finally, we apply A-BASE to engineer acetogen cell factories from the “unexplored territories” of essential genes, transcription factors, and proteome “dark matter” for improving production of ethanol and acetone. This project will create superior gas-fermenting cell factories, advance fundamental understanding of acetogen metabolism, and pioneer a new workflow for creating large-scale arrayed engineered microbial strain libraries.

Keywords: acetogens,genotype phenotype relationships,gas fermentation,omics,metabolic engineering,big data analysis
Towards an excellence centre on quantum photonics in Latvia (ToEQPL)

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
Panel: Physics
Countries involved: Latvia,Italy,France
Call: Twinning Bottom-Up (HORIZON-WIDERA-2023-ACCESS-02, 2023)
Start date: 2024-09-01
End date: 2027-08-31
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1500000.0
EU funding (EUR): 1500000.0
Participants: 4
Project status: SIGNED

The field of quantum technology is experiencing rapid development, with groundbreaking advancements. By establishing the Quantum Flagship initiative, the European Union has taken a proactive approach to quantum technologies. This initiative aims to explore and expand the frontiers of quantum technology. Quantum photonics plays a critical role within this framework. In light of this, our project seeks to chart a roadmap for the establishment of a Centre of Excellence of Quantum Photonics in Latvia. This endeavor holds significant importance as quantum photonics research remains underrepresented in Latvia and the other Baltic states, despite their untapped potential in materials synthesis and research. Notably, the Institute of Solid State Physics at the University of Latvia (ISSP UL) stands as one of the most esteemed institutes in the Baltic states, renowned for its expertise in studying optical properties of materials and conducting research on photonic elements. By leveraging the expertise of ISSP UL and fostering collaborations with scientific partners from Latvia and the Baltic states, we envision the creation of a European-level competitive quantum photonics centre centered around ISSP UL. Recognizing Latvia's latent potential in this field, it becomes imperative to develop a comprehensive roadmap for establishing such a centre of excellence. To achieve this ambitious goal and facilitate the transfer of knowledge about quantum photonics technologies, we have strategically chosen two esteemed Western Europe universities as our partners: the University of Trento and the University of Technology of Troyes. Both institutions boast a rich history of involvement in quantum photonics research and possess the necessary expertise to bridge the knowledge gaps at ISSP UL. Through the organization of conferences, schools, and workshops, our partners will lay the foundations for further research and inovation development at the institute.

Keywords: quantum photonics,excelence center,integrated photonics,organic materials,single photone sources,sustainable research
Blood flow induced thrombosis and stenosis due to cannulation – an interdisciplinary study (fitsCAN)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Consolidator grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Products and Processes Engineering
Panel description: Product and process design, chemical, civil, environmental, mechanical, vehicle engineering, energy processes and relevant computational methods
Countries involved: Sweden
Call: ERC CONSOLIDATOR GRANTS (ERC-2021-COG, 2021)
Start date: 2022-09-01
End date: 2027-08-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2000000.0
EU funding (EUR): 2000000.0
Participants: 2
Project status: SIGNED

In extracorporeal organ support (ECOS), one or more organ functions fail and are replaced by an artificial device. Kidney failure requires hemodialysis, at least until transplantation. Temporary lung- and/or heart-failure may be treated by Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO). About 1.5 Million patients require hemodialysis worldwide. ECMO has an essential life-saving role during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, as during the Influenzae H1N1 pandemic in 2009. In ECOS, two or more accesses are used; one for blood drainage and another to return oxygenated blood. The flow rate in the cannula and the cannulated blood vessels is often significantly higher than physiologically experienced. The high flow velocity implies larger forces (stress) acting on the blood cells and the vessel walls. Thromboembolism and morphological and mechanical changes in the affected blood vessel are common complications in ECOS. This project focus on the impact of blood flow on these complications. Patient-specific data (CT, MRI and Ultrasound based) will be used to construct laboratory and simulation relevant frameworks. Set-ups for measurement of flow and mixing in-vitro will be used. Simulations will include modeling of transport of chemical species and blood cells along with modeling of platelet activation and risk for thrombus formation. The different tools will enable a considerably better understanding of the underlying pathological processes. The results will support further model development of these processes and facilitate improved cannulation techniques and new devices. These propositions are to be assessed by our clinical partners. Therefore, the project group includes, fluid mechanical expertise, and also clinical specialist in nephrology, intensive care/ECMO, and radiology. The outcome of research will enable device development and clinical decision-making reducing overall treatment complications.

Keywords: blood flow,ecmo,hemodialysis,cannula flow,thrombosis,stenosis,cross disciplinary
Development of verified safe and sustainable PFAS-free coatings for food packaging and upholstery textile applications (ZeroF)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness
Programme: Digital, Industry and Space
Theme: Industry
Destination: Increased Autonomy in Key Strategic Value Chains for Resilient Industry
Action type: Research and Innovation actions
Countries involved: Finland,Spain,Germany,Luxembourg,Italy,Bulgaria,France,Sweden,Switzerland
Call: Safe- and sustainable-by-design organic and hybrid coatings (RIA) (HORIZON-CL4-2022-RESILIENCE-01, 2022)
Start date: 2023-01-01
End date: 2025-12-31
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 4998888.5
EU funding (EUR): 4998888.5
Participants: 12
Project status: SIGNED

ZeroF develops safe-and-sustainable-by-design (SSbD) coating alternatives to replace PFAS compounds in food packaging and upholstery textiles value chains. The developed coatings will have limited water absorption, high oil/grease resistance for packaging and high water and oil repellency for textiles. We propose the development of coatings from reasonably-priced precursors with estimated costs of ca. 0.2-0.4 €/m2 in the final product, which meets the remains under the targeted 20% increase compared to current alternatives. To reach the environmental impact target of >25% improvement, we use renewable feedstock, non-toxic compounds and improve higher process efficiencies. PFASes are replaced by two chemistries, cellulose fatty acid esters for packaging and silane-based organic-inorganic hybrids for textiles. The project includes three work streams: food packaging, upholstery textiles and SSbD analysis. Both food packaging and textile workflows follow a similar path (chemical development, formulation, coating, and validation). The SSbD analysis actively analyses the data regarding environmental impacts (Life Cycle Assessment, Life Cycle Cost, and Environmental Footprint) and toxicology (e.g., hazard and law, Green Toxicology principles). Computational methods are employed to model the toxicology and performance of developed chemistries in-silico, to reduce in-vitro testing and to generate tools for certification and standardization process. Certification and regulatory roadmap are developed to identify future regulatory needs and knowledge gaps. SSbD models are developed within the EC-suggested framework to be easily adapted to other sectors beyond the project scope. A mix of research and industrial partners able to cover both packaging and textile coating value chains including end-users comprises the consortium.

Keywords: cellulose derivative,food packaging,textiles,hybrid inorganic organic coating,upholstery,pfas free,functional textiles,safe and sustainabilty by design,certification,oil and water barrier
Conventional Dendritic Cells – Ecology, Diversity, and Function (cDCFun)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Immunity, Infection and I mmunotherapy
Panel description: The immune system , related disorders  and their mechanisms , biology of infectious agents and infection, biological basis of prevention and treatment of infectious diseases , innovative imm unological tools and approaches , including  therapies
Countries involved: Portugal
Call: ERC STARTING GRANTS (ERC-2023-STG, 2023)
Start date: 2024-01-01
End date: 2028-12-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1796125.0
EU funding (EUR): 1796125.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

Effective T cell responses are critical for the efficacy of vaccination and cancer immunotherapy; therefore, the manipulation of conventional dendritic cells (cDCs) offers great potential for improved therapies as these cells play a key role in the activation and regulation of T cell function. However, cDCs are a diverse group of cells whose function is incompletely understood. Previous attempts at targeting cDCs therapeutically have been underwhelming perhaps as a result of not targeting the right cell subset specifically. The goal of this proposal therefore is to reveal the functional properties of the different cDC lineages during type 1 and type 2 immunity and to understand how the ecology of cDC subsets is regulated to meet the functional demands of tissues undergoing different types of inflammation. I propose that studying the cDC subsets that enhance cytotoxic T cell responses against viruses in type 1 immunity and those that enhance parasite clearance and tissue repair in type 2 immunity against nematodes will help to identify those cDC subsets that need to be either triggered or inhibited to improve tumour control. Therefore, we will use well-defined models of type 1 and type 2 immunity to reveal the diversity of these cells during inflammation. Furthermore, we will generate new mouse models to target cDCs subsets specifically to study their functional properties and to reveal how these functional properties are instructed. In this regard, we will address how subset specification is regulated distally, by a novel inter-organ communication axis (lung-bone marrow) that could tune the host immune system to ever-evolving challenges. Finally, as a proof of concept, we will use transplantable and orthotopic cancer models to unravel beneficial and detrimental cDC subsets in the immune response against cancer. cDCFun will open new avenues for the design of better vaccines and immunotherapies that harness the functional properties of specific subsets of cDCs.

Keywords: conventional dendritic cells,ontogeny,type 1 immunity,type 2 immunity,
Tax Morale and Social Desirability Bias: Examining the Shadow Economy Experimentally (TAXMORALBIAS)

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: Social Sciences and Humanities
Countries involved: Italy
Call: MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2022 (HORIZON-MSCA-2022-PF-01, 2022)
Start date: 2023-10-16
End date: 2025-10-15
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 188590.08
EU funding (EUR): 188590.08
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

It is believed that high tax morale delivers higher tax compliance. However, it can also foster social desirability bias when respondents feel pressure to provide morally accepted – even if untrue – answers. This research project offers to understand how tax morale fosters social desirability bias and seeks ways to reduce the size of shadow economy. Using a novel experimental methodology, it will provide more precise measurement and behavioural insights of tax evasion in three European countries with different institutional settings and tax morale. The project proposes to carry out a list experiment that has been recently exploited in social research studies to mitigate the bias in responses to sensitive questions. The list experiment will be carried out in three European countries with a different setting: (1) with high tax morale and high compliance (Denmark), (2) with high tax morale and low compliance (Italy); (3) with low tax morale and low compliance (Latvia). The findings from the list experiment will be used to carry out a field experiment with the State Revenue Service of Latvia to integrate research findings in real-world setting and develop tools to fight shadow economy. As such, this research project will deliver a deeper understanding of tax morale and will offer useful policy recommendation with respect to the shadow economy and its characteristics in Europe.

Keywords: tax evasion,shadow economy,tax morale,social bias,list experiment
Selective Wavelength-Induced Targeted Control of DNA-Homo G4s (SWITCH-G4)

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: United Kingdom
Call: MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2024 (HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01, 2024)
Start date: 2025-11-01
End date: 2027-10-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 276187.92
EU funding (EUR): 276187.92
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

Guanine-rich (G-rich) oligonucleotides can fold into G-Quadruplexes (G4s), four-stranded DNA structures involved in the fine regulation of key cellular processes. G4s are found in telomeres, oncogene promoters (kRAS, cMYC, BCL2), and non-coding RNA, where they likely play important roles in transcription and translation. Despite extensive research, the precise regulatory function of G4s remains unclear, and key questions — such as whether G4 formation actively drives gene expression or is a byproduct of it — are still unresolved. A significant limitation to advancing this understanding is the lack of chemical tools that offer the temporal and spatial control necessary for studying G4 dynamics in living cells. This proposal aims to address this challenge by developing a light-responsive tool that enables precise temporal control of G4 folding in relevant promotor region, in living cells. By using UV/visible light as an external trigger, this tool will allow dynamic studies on the effects of G4 formation on gene expression, offering the possibility of controlling the secondary structure folding on-demand. The core of this approach is the synthesis of light-responsive DNA primers, which will be incorporated into photo-responsive plasmids via NEEL, a novel plasmid resynthesis method. The modifications introduced are designed to dynamically favor or inhibit the formation of stable G4 structures by manipulating the assembly of G-tetrads—the core element required for G4 folding. The tool, SWITCH-G4, will be validated using the cKIT promoter model and then expanded to study other G4-forming promoters, such as kRAS, cMYC, and VEGF. This project will provide unprecedented spatial and temporal resolution in the study of G4s, advancing our understanding of their regulatory roles in cells and potentially offering new therapeutic insights.

Keywords: g quadruplex g4,proto oncogenes,ckit,dna,photochemistry,photocaging,photoswitching,photouncaging,dna secondary structures,plasmid
Development And Validation Of Innovative Glued-Wood Composite Protective Structures For Military And Civilian Needs (StrongWood)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Innovative Europe
Programme: The European Innovation Council (EIC)
Theme: EIC Accelerator
Destination: Other destinations
Action type: EIC actions
Countries involved: Latvia
Call: EIC Accelerator 2025 - Short application (HORIZON-EIC-2025-ACCELERATOR-01, 2025)
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2500000.0
EU funding (EUR): 2500000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

StrongWood develops and validates an innovative class of modular glued-wood composite protective structures for dual-use applications in defence, civil protection and humanitarian operations. It introduces a pioneering hybrid material system that combines glued laminated timber (glulam) with wood–concrete composites and advanced multilayer protective coatings, resulting in explosion- and impact-resistant modules that are up to 70 % lighter, quicker to deploy and far more sustainable than conventional concrete or steel solutions. Responding to geopolitical instability, the war in Ukraine and the EU’s strategic priorities on resilience, autonomy and the green transition, StrongWood enables the creation of rapidly deployable, low-carbon infrastructure for both military and civilian needs. The technology will progress from TRL 5–6 to TRL 8, validated through laboratory tests and full-scale field trials with the Latvian National Armed Forces (NAF), providing the first EU-generated knowledge base on timber–concrete hybrid systems under blast and impact conditions. The project addresses a global Total Addressable Market (TAM) of €10–12 billion, an EU/NATO Serviceable Available Market (SAM) of €4–5 billion, and a Serviceable Obtainable Market (SOM) of €30–50 million per year in early commercialisation. Supported by the EIC Accelerator, ZAZA TIMBER Production SIA will establish pilot production and certification lines, develop partnerships with defence and civil-protection authorities, and prepare for large-scale procurement across Europe. By 2030, StrongWood aims to achieve €30–50 million annual turnover, create 50–70 high-skilled jobs and reduce CO2 emissions by up to 60 % compared with conventional materials. The project contributes directly to the European Green Deal, EU Civil Protection Mechanism and Strategic Compass, advancing UN SDGs 9, 11, 13 and 16, and reinforcing Europe’s security, sustainability and industrial competitiveness.

Keywords: dual use innovation,glued laminated timber,hybrid wood concrete composites,blast resistant shelters,civil protection,defence infrastructure,sustainability,eu green deal,nato cooperation