Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Modelling the neuromusculoskeletal system across spatiotemporal scales for a new paradigm of human-machine motor interaction (INTERACT)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Systems and communication engineering
Panel description: Electrical, electronic, communication, optical and systems engineering
Countries involved: Netherlands
Call: ERC Starting Grant (ERC-2018-STG, 2018)
Start date: 2019-01-01
End date: 2024-06-30
Duration (months): 66.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1500000.0
EU funding (EUR): 1500000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

Neurological injuries such as stroke leave millions of people disabled worldwide every year. For these individuals motor recovery is often suboptimal. The impact of current neurorehabilitation machines is hampered by limited knowledge of their physical interaction with the human. As we move, our body adapts positively to optimal stimuli; motor improvement after stoke is promoted via physical training with an appropriate afferent input to the nervous system and mechanical loads to muscles. Loss of appropriate stimuli leads to motor dysfunction. Motor recovery requires positive neuromuscular adaptations to be steered over time. If neuro-modulative and orthotic machines could be controlled to generate optimal stimuli to the neuromuscular system, a new era in neurorehabilitation would begin. This project creates multi-scale models of human-machine interaction for radically new closed-loop control paradigms. We will combine biosignal recording and numerical modeling to decode the cellular activity of motor neurons in the spinal cord with resulting musculoskeletal forces at a resolution not considered before. This will enable breakthroughs for tracking the spinal-musculoskeletal system across spatiotemporal scales: short-to-long term adaptation from cellular to organ scales. We will use these concepts to design new machine control schemes. With a focus on spinal cord electrical stimulation and mechatronic exosuits, we will demonstrate how motor dysfunction is repaired by inducing optimal changes in neuromuscular targets. The innovative aspect is that of gaining control of the stimuli that govern neuromuscular function over time. This will enable machines to co-adapt with the body; an achievement that will disrupt the development of man-machine interfaces from neuroprostheses, to robotic limbs, to exosuits. INTERACT will answer fundamental questions in movement neuromechanics via novel principles of human-machine interaction with broad impact on bioengineering and robotics

Keywords: emg driven musculoskeletal modelling,movement neuromechanics,muscle actuated simulation,myoelectric powered orthosis,neurorehabilitation technologies
Near-infrared nucleic acids sensing and imaging using lanthanide-based nanoparticles capped with DNA (Upbiosens)

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: France
Call: Individual Fellowships (H2020-MSCA-IF-2017, 2017)
Start date: 2019-05-01
End date: 2021-04-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 185076.0
EU funding (EUR): 185076.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The Upbiosens project describes a novel method to produce water-dispersible and stable DNA-capped upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs), keeping intact (or enhancing) the properties of both DNA and UCNPs. The UCNP@DNA nanohybrid will be able to detect the complementary target miRNA or DNA sequence. This detection will be based on the UCNP emission changes after NIR excitation in the presence of the fluorophore target RNA/DNA sequence. The hybridization will enable FRET from the UCNP to the fluorophore upon NIR irradiation, which will allow the quantitative measurement of nucleic acid. In addition, this new strategy for DNA functionalization of UCNPs will enable the control of the UCNP size during the functionalization step as well as the distance between UCNP and the energy acceptor. Both issues are critical for the design of novel, rapid, highly selective and sensitive FRET-based biosensors. This approach will be demonstrated for wo different compositions of UCNPs, NaYF4: Yb, Er (excitation at 980 nm) and NaYF4: Yb, Nd, Er (excitation at 800 nm) in order to enhance optical properties. The excitation at 800 nm reduces the overheating of biosamples due to the light absorption by water. Taking into account the exceptional UCNPs emissive properties, the capability for in vitro nucleic acid imaging of the nanobiosensor will also be evaluated. To our knowledge, the combination of a nucleic acid sensing and imaging using UCNP-based nanohybrids has not yet been attempted. This dual NIR NA biosensor/bioimaging nanohybrid can be promisingly bio-implemented, such as in prognosis, diagnostics and treatment of diseases, gene therapy, or forensic analysis.

Keywords: upconverting nanoparticles,fret,surface chemistry,biosensors,bioimaging,mirna
Deciphering the cyst nematode parasitic program by uncovering how their virulence is orchestrated (NEMABOX)

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: United Kingdom
Call: Individual Fellowships (H2020-MSCA-IF-2019, 2019)
Start date: 2020-04-01
End date: 2022-03-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 212933.76
EU funding (EUR): 212933.76
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Plant parasitic nematodes represent a significant group of plant pathogens that threaten current and future food security. Among them, the cyst nematodes target some of the most important crop species (tomato, potato) and cause up to 80% losses. European regulations prohibit the future use of many effective nematicides. We must improve our understanding of the virulence of the cyst nematodes to identify new targets for a sustainable biotechnological control of these pests. Here, I will use my experiences gained on plant-fungal interactions to address a major question in plant-nematode interactions: how is plant-parasitism orchestrated at the molecular level? To be virulent, cyst nematodes must inject “effector” proteins into the plant. These effectors are primarily produced in either the nematode’s dorsal or sub-ventral glands. Hundreds of these dorsal gland effectors are unified by a six base-pair non coding DNA motif, termed the “DOG box”. In a recent effort, a transcription factor that can recognize the DOG-box was identified, termed the “DOG box reader”. This discovery is the first tangible insight into the regulation of plant-nematode parasitism and opens the possibility to explore a new area of research. However, I recognize that the DOG box and its corresponding reader are only one part of the jigsaw puzzle. To complete the picture, in depth and breadth, I need to know: How does the DOG box reader work in vivo, and does it work alone? What are the genetic signatures and readers of other glands and at other times? To what extent are regulatory mechanisms conserved between cyst nematode species? I expect that successful completion of this fellowship will launch my independent academic career, drive forward the state-of the-art with a holistic “spatio-temporal” view of how plant-nematode parasitism is orchestrated at the molecular level, and provide a basis to explore sustainable solutions for improved food security, in line with the Horizon2020 programme.

Keywords: plant pathogens,food security
Novel strategies for mammalian cardiac repair (CardHeal)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Advanced grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Physiology in Health, Disease and Ageing
Panel description: Organ and tissue physiology, comparative physiology, physiology of ageing, pathophysiology, interorgan and tissue communication, endocrinology, nutrition, metabolism, interaction with the microbiome, non-communicable diseases including cancer (and except disorders of the nervous system and immunity-related diseases)
Countries involved: Israel
Call: ERC Advanced Grant (ERC-2017-ADG, 2017)
Start date: 2018-06-01
End date: 2023-05-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2268750.0
EU funding (EUR): 2268750.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

Recent ground-breaking studies by my team and others demonstrated that latent heart regeneration machinery can be awakened even in adult mammals. My lab’s main contribution is the identification of two, apparently different, molecular mechanisms for augmenting cardiac regeneration in adult mice. The first requires transient activation of ErbB2 signalling in cardiomyocytes and the second involves extra cellular matrix-driven signalling by the proteoglycan agrin. Impressively, both mechanisms promote a major regenerative response that, in turn, enhances cardiac repair. In CardHeal we will use the two powerful regenerative models to obtain a holistic view of cardiac regeneration and repair mechanisms in mammals (mice and pigs). In Aim 1, we will explore the molecular mechanisms underlying our discovery that transient activation of ErbB2 in adult cardiomyocytes results in massive cardiomyocyte dedifferentiation and proliferation followed by new vessels formation, scar resolution and functional cardiac repair. Specific objectives focus on ErbB2-Yap/Hippo signalling during cardiac regeneration; ErbB2 activation in a chronic heart failure model; ErbB2-induced regenerative EMT-like process; and cardiomyocyte re-differentiation. In Aim 2, we will investigate the therapeutic effects of agrin, whose administration into injured hearts of mice and pigs elicits a significant regenerative response. Specific objectives are matrix-related cardiac regenerative cues, modulation of the immune response, angiogenesis, matrix remodeling, and developing a preclinical, large animal model to study agrin efficacy for cardiac repair. Interrogating the differences and similarities between our two regenerative models should give us a detailed roadmap for cardiac regenerative medicine by providing deeper knowledge of the regenerative process in the heart and pointing to novel targets for cardiac repair in human patients.

Keywords: cardiac regeneration
Safe personal transportation that makes you healthier. (Torqway Hybrid)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Societal Challenges
Programme: Smart, green and integrated transport
Action type: SME instrument
Countries involved: Poland
Call: Small business innovation research for Transport and Smart Cities Mobility (H2020-SMEINST-2-2016-2017, 2017)
Start date: 2017-10-01
End date: 2020-01-31
Duration (months): 28.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2270790.0
EU funding (EUR): 1589553.0
Participants: 2
Project status: CLOSED

The “last mile” between hubs and homes, as well as short distance transport needs for persons with walking limitations, are urban mobility challenges that we address at Torqway Company Ltd with a new way to move. Our manual-powered four-wheel platform vehicle introduces “Nordic Driving”, driven by arm movement on levers with an innovative gear system (under patent in 9 countries) which converts every movement into forward motion up to twice the speed of normal walking. Based on this core technology, Torqway Hybrid offers additional electric motor assistance like an e-bike for senior users and persons with reduced lower body mobility. Medical studies on Torqway confirm that the arm movements while standing induce isometric muscle contractions shown to improve upper and lower body strength, coordination and weight control. This innovative outdoor vehicle consistent with the Transport and Smart Cities framework and the Electric Mobility Europe initiative can be used in several ways: as an active mobility and transportation device, as an outdoor gym joining several exercises in one and as a tool for light physical rehabilitation. Aside from individual purchasers, sales target sport and physiotherapy centres, tourism and leisure mobility. As confirmed by our Phase 1 Feasibility Study, Torqway Hybrid end users are 55+ y.o. early adopters of both sexes with purchasing power in EU member states with established bicycle use and infrastructure, starting with Germany, Netherlands, Nordic coutries, Poland and USA. Markets are segmented into growth sectors that reflect increasing expenditure by an aging, health-conscious population: Fitness equipment (global market worth 10.38 bn USD), Personal mobility (worth 6.65 bn USD), Home physical rehabilitation (worth 2.86 bn USD) and Physiotherapy (worth 14.3 bn USD). As a reference, the global E-bikes market is worth 15.90 bn USD and growing at double-digit rates.

Keywords: last mile,personal mobility,nordic driving,hybrid,electric,health,fitness,rehabilitation,seniors,active ageing,smart,green,sustainable,leisure
Discovery and Characterization of Third-Generation Nonlinear Photovoltaics (PhotoNow)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Condensed matter physics
Panel description: Structure, electronic properties, fluids, nanosciences, biological physics
Countries involved: Spain,Spain
Call: ERC STARTING GRANTS (ERC-2020-STG, 2020)
Start date: 2021-06-01
End date: 2026-05-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1395375.0
EU funding (EUR): 1395375.0
Participants: 2
Project status: SIGNED

A central focus of leading investigations, the bulk photovoltaic effect is a nonlinear absorption process that converts light into electrical current intrinsically. The last few years have brought groundbreaking discoveries to the field, including an unprecedented enhancement of the photoresponse driven by a combination of topology and third-order electric-field effects, as well as the first material realization of solar-cell efficiency exceeding the upper-limit of current devices. The nonlinear mechanism is thus in an excellent position to revolutionize the field of solar-cell technologies by opening a fundamentally new route towards highly efficient third-generation photovoltaics. Reaching this landmark requires both a fundamental understanding and a systematic search of materials. In this scenario, first-principles calculations based on density functional theory must play a central role in coming years due to their innate ability to deliver microscopic and material-specific predictions. A first-principles description of nonlinear responses, however, is very complex and contemporary methods need to go far beyond the state-of-the-art for modelling central effects such as third-order contributions. PhotoNow aims at filling this critical gap by developing a first-principles method that correctly incorporates these effects, giving unprecedented access to crucial properties like the energy conversion efficiency. Our methodology will rest upon a Wannier-function technique adaptable to any material, crystallizing in a free software interdisciplinary tool aimed for physicists, chemists and engineers. This major development will allow us to achieve our central goal, namely discovering and characterizing outstanding materials for nonlinear photovoltaics. PhotoNow will carry out a systematic analysis of a wide variety of materials including Weyl semimetals, ferroelectrics and distorted semiconductors, delivering key microscopic understanding and guiding future discoveries.

Keywords: density functional theory,first principles calculations,nonlinear responses,bulk photovoltaic effect,optical properties of materials,shift currents,photocurrents,many body effects,maximally localized wannier functions,weyl semimetals,ferroelectrics,ferro and antiferromagnets,tight binding models
Development of Electromechanical Actuators and Electronic control Units for Flight Control Systems (EMA4FLIGHT)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Societal Challenges
Programme: Smart, green and integrated transport
Theme: Public-private partnerships
Destination: Clean Sky 2
Action type: Research and Innovation actions
Partnership: CS2 (Art-187)
Countries involved: Spain,Italy,Spain,Spain
Call: Development of electromechanical actuators and electronic control units for flight control systems (H2020-CS2-CFP03-2016-01, 2016)
Start date: 2017-02-01
End date: 2021-09-30
Duration (months): 56.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1856869.38
EU funding (EUR): 1698126.25
Participants: 5
Project status: CLOSED

Nowadays, there is a trend towards the More-Electric Aircraft (MEA) concept. MEA would replace the secondary aircraft power systems (electric, hydraulic and pneumatic) with a globally optimized electrical system. However, the architecture of the electric system must be carefully selected to optimize the whole aircraft. Actual research in MEA technology is focused on new advances in power electronics, fault-tolerant electric machines, digital control, electro-mechanical actuators and communications. Modern technologies involved in MEA are being taken in two different paths: i) elimination of bleed-air systems and hydraulic engines with further improvements in electrical power generation capability. It requires changes in both electrical generation and distribution network, and ii) replacement of hydraulics actuators with electro-mechanical actuators with the same level of safety and reliability, reducing weight, fuel usage, maintenance and production costs. Several studies have been recently carried out emphasizing the interest on the replacement of the traditional electro-hydrostatic actuators used in flight control surfaces by electro-mechanical actuators (EMAs). The reasons for such a choice are: weight and maintenance reduction, elimination of pipes vibration problems, increase of reliability, increase of the system performance and pressure losses thanks to the absence of valves. The EMA4FLIGHT project will design, manufacture and tune innovative electro-mechanical actuator sub-systems for aileron/spoiler and winglet/flap-tab flight control surfaces, with clearance for flight. The designed sub-systems will be improved by electric motor and ballscrew innovative architecture, advanced control strategies and smart safety, diagnostic and maintenance functions.

Keywords: more electric aircraft,control,aileron,spoiler,winglet,flap tab,actuator
Exploiting in vitro evolution of macrocyclic glycopeptides to explore selectin interactions (GlycoPeptides)

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: Netherlands
Call: Individual Fellowships (H2020-MSCA-IF-2016, 2016)
Start date: 2017-05-01
End date: 2019-04-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 177598.8
EU funding (EUR): 177598.8
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Many important biological processes involve binding of proteins to carbohydrates, including the recruitment of immune cells to tissues by proteins called selectins. The core binding requirement of all three types of selectins is a four sugar unit called the Sialyl LewisX epitope. However, affinity for this epitope alone is low. Further requirements for binding of selectins to their glycoprotein ligands include other carbohydrate and protein moieties, as well as sulfation of the carbohydrate or tyrosines. Open questions include what is necessary and sufficient for tight binding to each selectin, what sorts of ligands can bind to all selectins, and how the binding requirements can be presented on a synthetic scaffold. Answers to these questions will lead to a better understanding of the selectins, tools for future biological studies, and hopefully new medications for the many immune disease processes in which their abnormal functioning has been implicated. I will combine my background in peptide selection technologies with the host expertise in lectins and bio-orthogonal chemistry to bring the power of evolution-based techniques to bear on these questions. Carbohydrates and sulfotyrosines will be incorporated in a scaffold of genetically tagged macrocyclic peptides, then selection pressure will be applied to a hugely diverse library of random structures. This will provide ligands that can bind to each selectin, as well as ligands that can bind to all selectins, and subsequent comparison of these ligands will illuminate the particular requirements for interaction with each selectin, as well as revealing shared features recognized by all. In addition to an increased understanding of the selectins, through this project I will gain new expertise in the glycosciences, share my unique experience with in vitro peptide selections using genetic code reprogramming – a technique not currently used in any laboratory in Europe – and kick-start my independent research career.

Keywords: glycoscience,carbohydrate chemistry,glycosylated peptides,lectins,in vitro evolution,mrna display,genetic code reprogramming,macrocyclic peptides,de novo peptide discovery
REgenerative Stem cell therapy for STroke in Europe (RESSTORE)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Societal Challenges
Programme: Health, demographic change and wellbeing
Theme: Treating and managing disease
Action type: Research and Innovation actions
Countries involved: Spain,Spain,Spain,Spain,Spain,Spain,Spain,Spain,Finland,Finland,France,France,France,France,France,France,France,France,France,Czechia,United Kingdom
Call: Clinical research on regenerative medicine (H2020-PHC-2015-single-stage_RTD, 2015)
Start date: 2015-09-01
End date: 2020-08-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 6338260.0
EU funding (EUR): 6338259.0
Participants: 31
Project status: CLOSED

Stroke is the second leading cause of death in the world population. When not fatal, stroke often results in disability, due to motor and cognitive impairments, and secondary health problems affecting not only patients but also their families. Building on emerging preclinical and pilot clinical evidences, RESSTORE will focus on the clinical assessment of regenerative cell therapy to improve stroke recovery and patients quality of life. RESSTORE European multicentre randomised phase IIb will explore, for the first time, the efficacy (functional recovery) and safety of intravenous infusion of allogenic adipose tissue derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) in 400 stroke patients. Therapeutic effects of ADMSCs will be assessed and monitored in patients using clinical rating scales, multimodal MRI and novel blood biomarkers. Additionally, the societal value and cost-effectiveness of ADMSCs-based regenerative therapy will be evaluated through health economics and predictive in silico simulations. Complementary ancillary animal studies will support the clinical trial by defining i) if the treatment response can be further enhanced by intensive rehabilitation, ii) the contribution of co-morbidities and iii) the mechanism(s) underlying the therapeutic effect. The European regenerative therapy capacities (France, Spain, Finland, United Kingdom and Czech Republic), developed in RESSTORE will cover the full value chain in the field (large scale GMP cell production, clinical testing, biomarkers discovery, understanding of the restoring mechanisms, modelling, biobanking, economic studies, exploitation and communication plan). RESSTORE will thus surely contribute, together with the workforce trained in the context of the programme, to improve its public and private (SME) competitiveness and increase the attractiveness of Europe as a reference location to develop and clinically assess new innovative therapeutic options for brain diseases.

Keywords: regenerative medicine,stroke,cell therapy,stem cell,allogenic adipose tissue derived mesenchymal stem cells,recovery,brain repair,in silico,health economics,multimodal mri