Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
CTP-dependent molecular switches: an emerging new principle in cellular regulation (C-SWITCH)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Advanced grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Molecules of Life: B iological  Mechanisms , Structures  and Functions
Panel description: For all organisms : Molecular biology , biochemistry, structural biology, molecular biophysics , synthetic and chemical biology, drug design, innovative methods and modelling
Countries involved: Germany
Call: ERC ADVANCED GRANTS (ERC-2022-ADG, 2022)
Start date: 2023-10-01
End date: 2028-09-30
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2082419.0
EU funding (EUR): 2082419.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

Nucleotide-dependent molecular switches play key roles in the regulation of cellular processes such as translation, protein folding and transport, cytoskeletal dynamics and cell differentiation. Until recently, their function was thought to rely exclusively on the purine nucleotides GTP or ATP as cofactors. This paradigm changed in 2019, when my group identified a fundamentally new class of regulatory switches, now called C-switches, that depend on the pyrimidine nucleotide CTP. The few C-switches studied to date have important functions in bacterial growth and pathogenicity. Database searches predict that C-switches are highly diverse and widespread in nature. However, the physiological roles and modes of action of these proteins are still largely enigmatic. The overarching goal of C SWITCH is to provide comprehensive insight into the biology of C-switches and clarify the ways in which this newly identified regulatory principle can control protein activity and cellular functions. For this purpose, we will employ both bioinformatic and experimental methods to systematically identify new types of C-switch proteins and perform detailed mechanistic studies of prototypic representatives, using state-of-the-art in vitro and in vivo approaches. C-SWITCH will thus break new ground in the understanding of cellular regulation and pave the way to a global understanding of C-switches as versatile regulators in biology. Importantly, proteins containing a canonical C-switch domain are absent from humans and other mammalian systems. C-SWITCH will therefore also explore the pharmacological potential of C-switches as new targets for antibacterial and antivirulence therapies, thereby possibly opening new avenues for translational applications and supporting the current global effort to combat bacterial antibiotic resistance.

Keywords: molecular switches,regulatory ctpases,small molecule inhibitors,regulatory principles
Sustainability Optimization for Secure Food Systems (SOSFood)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness
Programme: Food, Bioeconomy Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment
Theme: Bio-Environment
Destination: Innovative governance, environmental observations and digital solutions in support of the Green Deal
Action type: Research and Innovation actions
Countries involved: Spain,Netherlands,Italy,Lithuania,Greece,Belgium,Portugal,France
Call: Data-driven solutions to foster industry’s contribution to inclusive and sustainable food systems (HORIZON-CL6-2023-GOVERNANCE-01, 2023)
Start date: 2024-02-01
End date: 2028-01-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 3952196.25
EU funding (EUR): 3952196.25
Participants: 17
Project status: SIGNED

In the current environmental emergency, the food system has to become more productive, inclusive, sustainable, and resilient. SOSFood will therefore use data-exploitation and AI-based technologies to provide a holistic and comprehensive image of the EU food system and develop tailored predictive tools to support well-informed decisions of all stakeholders of the food chain, with a multi-factorial, multi-actor and multi-scale approach, thanks to its multidisciplinary consortium of experts, from private and public sectors, academia research and food system representative (consumers, producers and industries). Although several initiatives have been taken in the same line, none has fully succeeded at considering the global picture of the system or delivering a reliable and accessible message to the target audience. Hence, SOSFood will result in a consolidated food data space focused on sustainability and health and decision-making tools adapted to each level of the chain (a predictive dashboard displaying data and predictions for industries, and a mobile app for consumers comprising an eco-healthy fingerprint visualization plot, a greening indicator of industries, reformulated European recipes promoting healthy, local and seasonal ingredients and general recommendations), following these steps: (1) creating a multi-actor network gathering social, political, legal, economic, technological, food, health, environmental and climatic data, promoting transparency and data-sharing, (2) mapping the food system scenario with a multidimensional strategy, exploiting the interoperability of data with advanced impact analysis and innovative AI-technologies, (3) co-designing solutions i.e., decision-making tools fitting the context and priorities of each user, validated through field case studies to ensure viability and representativeness.

Keywords: sustainability,food systems,artificial intelligence,data sharing,machine learning,multi actor and multi scale,health,environment,socio economy,consumers,producers,food industries
Purity improvement of scrap metal (PURESCRAP)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness
Programme: Digital, Industry and Space
Theme: Industry
Destination: Climate neutral, Circular and Digitised Production
Action type: Innovation actions
Partnership: Clean Steel (co-programmed)
Countries involved: Sweden,Austria,Italy,Netherlands,Germany,Belgium
Call: Raw material preparation for clean steel production (Clean Steel Partnership) (IA) (HORIZON-CL4-2022-TWIN-TRANSITION-01, 2022)
Start date: 2023-01-01
End date: 2026-06-30
Duration (months): 42.0
Total project cost (EUR): 6181056.25
EU funding (EUR): 4997059.75
Participants: 13
Project status: SIGNED

The objective of the project PURESCRAP is to increase the use of low-quality scrap grades (post-consumer scrap) by deploying and applying best available technologies to reduce impurities. This is achieved through novel sensor combinations and analysis supported by artificial intelligence. A key part is the connection between scrap sorter and the steel industry which are the consumers of the scrap. This ensures that there is a demand for the enhanced purification and valorisation methods. The steel industry also enables the industrial scale verification of the PURESCRAP methods, where sorted scrap is used for steelmaking in semi-industrial and industrial scale. The shredding process is identified as the most promising method leading to impurity liberation and later removal, for which the site of the Swedish scrap supplier STENA is chosen for demonstration. With a better analysis of the scrap material after the sorting and preparation chain, appropriate material handling can be optimised for desired outputs. During the project, sensor stations will be integrated in the two separate processing chains for heavy (cut) and shredded scrap. The proposed innovation of PURESCRAP has the ambition to go far beyond industrial state-of-the-art to achieve a higher recycling rate of post-consumer scrap (increased share of low-quality scrap over the total scrap input by at least 40% or more) compared to the usual practice for a specific steel quality, whereas realistic grades are e.g., rail steel R260 (1.0623; EN13674) and engineering steel 42CrMo4 (1.7225; DIN EN10083). This clearly contributes to the Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA ) of the Clean Steel Partnership, and to the achievement of the European Green Deal goals regarding circular economy as well as to the reduction of CO2 emissions. The outstanding performance of the proposed PURESCRAP sensor stations will be demonstrated through the implementation at industrial scale at a scrap supplier site.

Keywords: post consumer scrap,scrap sorting,impurity removal,co2 reduction,steelmaking
Quantum GRavity seArches with Neutrino Telescopes (QGRANT)

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: Germany
Call: MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2021 (HORIZON-MSCA-2021-PF-01, 2021)
Start date: 2022-10-01
End date: 2025-09-30
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 189687.36
EU funding (EUR): 189687.36
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

The Standard Model of particle physics and General Relativity are expected to merge into a new theory of Quantum Gravity (QG) at energies approaching the Planck scale. However, none of the proposed QG approaches has been validated to date. In this context, several signatures of QG effects in accessible energy regimes, known as “Windows on Quantum Gravity”, have been postulated. In particular, quantum decoherence (QD) or QG-induced violation of Lorentz invariance (LIV), could cause modifications in neutrino oscillation patterns accessible to observation with neutrino telescopes. With QGRANT, I propose a global and novel search for QG effects with the IceCube, ANTARES and KM3NeT neutrino telescopes. The expected results will allow to probe QD and LIV parameters regions not accessible to date. Moreover, the phenomenon of QD will provide new possibilities to investigate the neutrino nature as a Dirac or Majorana particle as well as to trace possible violations of CPT symmetry in neutrino oscillations. Such a phenomenon represents a totally new scenario where to test the real nature of neutrinos. Within QGRANT, I will analyse the huge amount of data collected by IceCube, ANTARES and KM3NeT, Europe's most ambitious project of a high energy neutrino telescope, whose effective mass, angular resolution and wide energy coverage, will make it an ideal instrument to further this research area. The proposed analysis will provide unprecedented sensitivity to QG effects and it will open uncharted territory for new discoveries. A planned cooperation with experts on QG will reinforce the theoretical impact of QGRANT in terms of QG models. The Erlangen Centre for Astroparticle Physics, with its globally unique situation of hosting IceCube and ANTARES/KM3NeT groups, together with the Quantum Gravity institute, represents the perfect host institution for my proposed research and my development as an independent physicist.

Keywords: quantum gravity,quantum decoherence,lorentz invariance violation,cpt violation,neutrinos,neutrino oscillations,neutrino telescopes,icecube,antares,km3net
Visualizing trans-splicing molecular machines across scales (TRANSPLIC)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Consolidator grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Molecules of Life: B iological  Mechanisms , Structures  and Functions
Panel description: For all organisms : Molecular biology , biochemistry, structural biology, molecular biophysics , synthetic and chemical biology, drug design, innovative methods and modelling
Countries involved: Germany
Call: ERC CONSOLIDATOR GRANTS (ERC-2024-COG, 2024)
Start date: 2025-05-01
End date: 2030-04-30
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1999451.0
EU funding (EUR): 1999451.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

Trans-splicing is an essential mRNA processing step for a significant portion of living organisms. In trans-splicing, exons from two pre-mRNA precursors merge into a single mRNA, while cis-splicing rearranges exons within the mRNA. Despite recent technical advancements in cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) that movie-like resolved different stages of cis-splicing, the trans-splicing mechanism is still a black box: input and output are defined, but the single steps of how the trans-spliceosome assembles and remodels to initiate the splicing cycle lie in the dark. This limitation is partially due to the absence of molecular structures resolving trans-splicing complexes. In TRANSPLIC, I will pioneer the assembly of trans-splicing complexes on pre-mRNA scaffolds to reveal the particular states unique to trans-spliceosomes. I will determine the molecular structures of trans-spliceosomes and uncover their behavior in the cellular context. Targeted functional assays will disclose the order of events leading to trans-splicing. The protist Trypanosoma brucei (Tb) will serve as an accessible model organism because it uses trans-splicing as an obligatory and abundant mRNA processing step. I will apply an ambitious approach that integrates in vitro and cell lysate-based methods, state-of-the-art cryo-EM, cryo-electron tomography, proteomics, and artificial intelligence-based computational modeling. I will complement the study through targeted functional experiments, leading to a complete understanding of the spatial-temporal resolution of trans-splicing in trypanosomes, with wider relevance to other organisms, including humans. The targeted fusion of gene sequences through trans-splicing bears potential as a molecular tool for transcriptome editing in the future.

Keywords: rna processing,trypanosoma brucei,splicing,cryo em,cryo et,biochemistry,protein rna complexes,molecular mechanism,structural biology
How does autophagy rescue stalled ribosomes? (RIBORESCUEPHAGY)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Consolidator grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Cell Biology, Development, Stem Cells and R egeneration
Panel description: For all organisms : Structure and function of the cell, cell -cell communication, embryogenesis, tissue differentiation, organogenesis, growth, development, evolution of development, organoids, stem cells, regeneration, therapeutic approaches
Countries involved: Germany
Call: ERC CONSOLIDATOR GRANTS (ERC-2021-COG, 2021)
Start date: 2022-10-01
End date: 2027-09-30
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1999006.0
EU funding (EUR): 1999006.0
Participants: 2
Project status: SIGNED

Multiple ribosomes simultaneously move along the mRNAs to translate the genes into proteins. Cellular stress triggers collisions of ribosomes and disrupts protein synthesis. Eukaryotes have evolved multi-tiered quality control mechanisms that monitor ribosomes and rescue them on collision. While much is known about the rescue of cytosolic ribosomes, how the cell rescues stalled endoplasmic reticulum bound (ER-bound) ribosomes remains unknown. We recently discovered that the stalling of ER-bound ribosomes induces autophagy, a major cellular degradation pathway. We discovered two autophagy receptors that are induced upon stalling of ER-bound ribosomes and these proteins are conserved between plants and humans. We also showed that ufmylation, an elusive posttranslational modification system regulates ER-bound ribosome stalling-induced autophagy. These two discoveries indicate that autophagy plays a major role in the maintenance of a functional ER-bound ribosome population. Based on these discoveries, I hypothesize that autophagy rescues stalled ER-bound ribosomes by selectively degrading harmful polypeptides and RNAs that clog the ribosomes during collisions. Here, I propose to define and characterize this conserved quality control mechanism. I will establish a suite of complementary methods in the model plants Arabidopsis thaliana and Marchantia polymorpha to explore the physiological significance of autophagy-mediated ribosomal rescue (RiboRescuePhagy) in complex multicellular organisms. In parallel, I will carry out unbiased genetic screens in human cell lines to discover the molecular components that mediate RiboRescuePhagy. Finally, I will perform structure-function analysis of a key ufmylation enzyme to untangle the connection between ufmylation and autophagy. At the completion of this project, we will have defined a new quality control mechanism that rescues stalled ER-bound ribosomes to maintain cellular homeostasis in eukaryotes.

Keywords: plant proteostasis,arabidopsis thaliana,marchantia polymorpha,selective autophagy,ribosome stalling
The cosmic web from eROSITA and galaxy surveys synergy (MEMORY)

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: Germany
Call: MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2021 (HORIZON-MSCA-2021-PF-01, 2021)
Start date: 2023-09-01
End date: 2026-01-31
Duration (months): 29.0
Total project cost (EUR): 189687.36
EU funding (EUR): 189687.36
Participants: 2
Project status: SIGNED

The cosmic web (CW) is a complex network of structures composed of galaxies, dark matter, and gas, formed of galaxy clusters connected by filaments. Low-mass groups and large-scale super-clusters have yet to find a place in the context of the CW. The best way to trace the CW is to use optical galaxy surveys to detect the filaments and X-ray data to detect the hot gas of clusters. The detection of groups and super-clusters requires high-sensitivity X-ray instruments due to the low density of their gas content and has so far been very difficult. The new X-ray telescope eROSITA has however produced X-ray data of unprecedented sensitivity, which allow the discovery of thousands of groups and hundreds of super-clusters. eROSITA opened for the first time the possibility for statistical studies of these structures in the context of the CW. My goal is to exploit the synergy between eROSITA and galaxy surveys to shine new light on the place that groups and super-clusters occupy in the CW. This study will improve our understanding of how filaments channel accretion onto groups and will show how a physical definition for super-clusters (whose definition has so far been empirical) can be achieved in the CW context. The study of the CW is entering a phase of increased interest thanks to recent wide-area galaxy surveys and new X-ray data. Investigations like this project are those that will pave the way for future experiments (e.g. Euclid, ATHENA). This research will provide a significant advancement to our understanding of the CW, structure formation, and galaxy evolution. With this research I will gain deep insight on how to integrate X-ray and optical data in the context of a large collaboration. This project will prepare me to better deal with the outcome expected from future galaxy surveys and X-ray telescopes and will make me more suited to become a group leader at an European institution.

Keywords: cosmic web,x rays,numerical simulations,galaxy surveys,filaments,galaxy groups,superclusters,density field,galaxy environment,connectivity,cluster accretion history,cluster formation
Hi-NEAT (Hierarchical Nanoengineered Assemblies of Titania) sensor (Hi-NEAT)

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: Sweden
Call: MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2023 (HORIZON-MSCA-2023-PF-01, 2023)
Start date: 2024-09-01
End date: 2026-08-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 222727.68
EU funding (EUR): 222727.68
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

The proposed research seeks to advance the state of the art in skin cancer diagnostics by developing an electrochemical sensor for tumour markers (or biomarkers) utilizing hierarchical nanoengineered assemblies of titania (Hi-NEAT) nanoparticles. Melanoma is the most aggressive and deadliest form of skin cancer that can spread quickly to other body areas, so its early identification and treatment are vital. The existing histological and immunological cancer detection techniques are intricate, expensive, and often lack sensitivity and specificity. Therefore, in this project, we intend to introduce a subtle, rapid, accurate, facile, and low-cost Hi-NEAT-based electrochemical sensor to detect the biomarker tyrosinase, a crucial enzyme involved in melanin overproduction and development of skin melanoma. The following two research goals have been set forth to achieve this: 1) Creation of Hi-NEAT nanoparticles with enhanced electrocatalytic activity towards tyrosinase via tuning their physicochemical/surface properties and 2) Employing large-scale facilities (synchrotron/neutron sources) to investigate the interfacial properties of the titania-tyrosinase interaction. Thus, the current project represents a groundbreaking approach to push the frontiers of skin cancer diagnosis through the innovative use of titania nanoparticles and large-scale facilities for developing an effective point-of-care electrochemical sensor. Success in this research promises heightened precision and sensitivity in melanoma detection, potentially leading to timely diagnoses and improved patient outcomes. Ultimately, we aspire to make a significant contribution to health care by lessening the severity of melanoma, reducing overall care expenses, and increasing the lifespan of cancer survivors in line with the European Commission’s beating cancer plan.

Keywords: melanoma skin cancer,early diagnosis,electrochemical sensors,titania nanoparticles
From Waste to Bio-based Nanoparticles for the management of Phytophthora diseases of Citrus (WaBioNaPhy)

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: Italy,Sweden
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): 172750.08
EU funding (EUR): 172750.08
Participants: 2
Project status: SIGNED

In the Mediterranean areas, Citrus is an important agricultural crop, with about a production of 10 million tons/year. Citrus production is seriously threatened by Phytophthora diseases. Chemicals are widly used to control Phytophthora diseases. However, due to their negative impacts on environment, humans and the development of resistant races, there is an urgent need for biological alternatives. WaBioNaPhy aims to formulate new biofungicides (bio-AlgNPs), which combine agriculture waste -nanotechnology, essential oils (EOs) and fungal metabolites to protect Citrus from Phytophthoras. In the current project, the biomass of agricultural wastes will be used as resources for the extraction of EOs. Different extraction methods will be optimized for EOs yield and chemical traits. Alginate nanoparticles (AlgNPs) charged with EOs and fungal metabolites will be produced and tested for Phytophthoras control in in vitro and in vivo assays. The Environmental and health impacts of the Bio-AlgNPs will be analysed. SLU ( secondment period) will participate in the implement of the proposal. WaBioNaPhy will have a great scientific, economic and social impact. The proposal fits with the European policy for reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030. It will impact the well-being and health of citizens by providing healthy food and soil, which are benefits improved by the European Green Deal. The proposal perfectly fits in UN Sustainable Development Goals: Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being), Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), Goal 15 (Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss).

Keywords: phytophthoras,agriculture wastes,essential oils,biofungicides,nanobiotechnology