Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Emergent properties of cell surface glycosylation in cell-cell communication (GLYCONOISE)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Integrative Biology: from Genes and Genomes to Systems
Panel description: Genetics, epigenetics, genomics and other ‘omics studies, bioinformatics, systems biology, genetic diseases, gene editing, innovative methods and modelling, ‘omics for personalised medicine
Countries involved: Austria,Germany
Call: ERC Starting Grant (ERC-2016-STG, 2016)
Start date: 2017-02-01
End date: 2023-09-30
Duration (months): 80.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1499813.0
EU funding (EUR): 432656.89
Participants: 2
Project status: SIGNED

The surface of every living cell is covered with a dense matrix of glycans. Its particular composition and structure codes important messages in cell-cell communication, influencing development, differentiation, and immunological processes. The matrix is formed by highly complex biopolymers whose compositions vary from cell to cell, even between genetically identical cells. This gives rise to population noise in cell-cell communication. A second level of noise stems from glycans present on the same cell that disturb the decoding of the message by glycans binding receptors through competitive binding. Glycan-based communication is characterized by a high redundancy of both glycans and their receptors. Thus, noise and redundancy emerge as key properties of glycan-based cell-cell communication, but their extent and function are poorly understood. By adapting a transmitter-receiver model from communication sciences and combining it with state-of-the-art experimental techniques from biophysics and cell biology, we will address two fundamental questions: What is the role of the redundancy in glycan-based communication? How much ‚noise’ can it tolerate, before the message is lost? To do so, we first establish a simplified model system for glycan-based communication. Biophysical rate constants are determined for lectin-glycan interactions and expanded to glycosylated microparticles that trigger a biological response in lectin expressing receiver cells. Next, single cell glycomes are reconstructed from ultra-high dimensional flow cytometry data using lectin mixtures enabled by recent advancements in instrumentation and glycobioinformatics software. Glycomes accessible on single cell level allow replacing the microparticles with transmitter cells and employ a cell-cell interaction model. Our transmitter-receiver model is used to quantify the noise and reveals how redundancy provides robustness of messaging by cell surface glycans in cellular communication.
Photonically fused molecular materials (PHOTMAT)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Advanced grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Condensed matter physics
Panel description: Structure, electronic properties, fluids, nanosciences, biological physics
Countries involved: United Kingdom
Call: ERC Advanced Grant (ERC-2016-ADG, 2016)
Start date: 2017-09-01
End date: 2023-08-31
Duration (months): 72.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2447699.0
EU funding (EUR): 2447699.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

Molecular materials are ubiquitous, encompassing smart phone displays, plastic electronics and the molecular machinery of photosynthesis. Many of these remarkable uses depend on interactions between the molecules. Until now these interactions have been electric in character, and have been dictated by how electric charge is distributed over the molecules. PHOTMAT will transform the world of molecular materials by adding a new ingredient – photons. I will fuse photons and molecules together to create new hybrid states – part molecule and part photon – that are dramatically different from those of the constituent molecules and photons. The idea of coupling molecules with photons is a radical new approach with implications that reach across physics, quantum information, chemistry, materials science, nanotechnology and biology. I propose a pioneering research programme that will catalyse the transition from embryonic early results to the creation of a new conceptual framework to unveil a new frontier in nanoscience and nanotechnology. We will perform new experiments that will provide clear proof-of-principle demonstrations of the incredible opportunities opened up by coupling molecules with photons. As examples, we will show how the range over which energy (excitons) can be transport may be extended by a factor of 1000, and we will show how the process of photosynthesis can be modified and controlled. This research has enormous potential, from transforming artificial photosynthesis for clean fuel production to inspiring a new generation of molecular metamaterials. My goal is to explore the rich array of possibilities that arise when photons are made an integral part of molecular materials. At present much of the underlying physics is unclear and controversial. I will resolve the important open questions and show how photonic coupling of molecules leads to new molecular materials, new ways to control chemical and biological processes, and a new type of nanophotonics.

Keywords: polariton,exciton,molecular nanostructure
Highly-efficient and flexible integration of biomass and renewable hydrogen for low-cost combined heat and power generation to the energy system. (Bio-FlexGen)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Societal Challenges
Programme: Secure, clean and efficient energy
Action type: Research and Innovation actions
Countries involved: Germany,Germany,Spain,Spain,Spain,Finland,Sweden,Sweden,Sweden,Hungary,Sweden
Call: Innovative land-based and offshore renewable energy technologies and their integration into the energy system (H2020-LC-GD-2020-1, 2020)
Start date: 2021-09-01
End date: 2024-08-31
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 5984697.5
EU funding (EUR): 5984697.5
Participants: 16
Project status: SIGNED

Climate change is the most significant challenge for humanity today. For this reason, fossil fuels must be replaced utilising renewables, improved energy efficiency and more flexible energy systems. An optimal combination of several renewable sources is needed to satisfy human energy needs. Bioenergy, in combination with hydrogen, can take the role as secure and plannable source for power and heat complementing intermittent renewable sources such as wind and sun. BIO-FlexGen will increase the efficiency and flexibility of renewable energy-based combined heat and power (CHP), playing a key role in energy system integration, and make a significant contribution to the decarbonisation of the energy system. In particular, to overcome these challenges, Bio-FlexGen brings to the table a unique combination of gasification and gas turbine technology that allows the plant to utilise hydrogen for fast dispatch and biomass for low operating costs over time. Due to the high efficiency, three times more power can be generated from biomass for the same heat load, and the plant can quickly achieve full load by starting and operating on 100% hydrogen. To meet fluctuations in seasonal demands and prices, a variant of the plant can provide climate-positive hydrogen production during long periods of low electricity prices or heat demand. To do so, Bio-FlexGen consortium gathers the necessary experience, knowledge and resources through a multi-stakeholder approach that covers the whole value chain of the project. It consists of a multidisciplinary team of 14 entities from 5 different EU countries (Spain, Finland, Sweden, Germany, Hungary), among which, 4 universities, 2 RTD organisations, 1 NGO, and 4 SMEs to ensure market exploitation (2 industrial companies and 1 District heat company).

Keywords: biomass,bioenergy,top fired cycle,flexibilization,renewable hydrogen combustion
Easy DNP Enhanced Solid-State NMR: High Sample Temperatures and Low Microwave Powers (DNP-NMR)

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: Switzerland
Call: Individual Fellowships (H2020-MSCA-IF-2020, 2020)
Start date: 2021-04-01
End date: 2023-03-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 203149.44
EU funding (EUR): 203149.44
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) spectroscopy is limited by low sensitivity. Recently, it has been shown that a technique called DNP (dynamic nuclear polarization) can enhance solid-state NMR signals by orders of magnitude. DNP has enabled the determination of atomic-level structure in solids by accelerating complex multidimensional NMR experiments. However, only expert NMR spectroscopists apply DNP. This is because, DNP solid-state NMR requires highly specialized, large and expensive, dedicated equipment. Currently, DNP experiments are performed with high power microwave sources (gyrotrons) and low sample temperatures near 100 K. Gyrotrons and low-temperature control systems place a large demand on the building infrastructure and require expertise for routine operation. Additionally, a low sample temperature reduces the resolution of NMR spectra dramatically, which hinders the characterization of chemical structure. This project aims to develop methods that will simplify the application of DNP and enable its widespread utilization. We will develop methodology to perform DNP at high sample temperatures and low microwave powers, using compact microwave sources such as klystrons. Specifically, we will focus on the development of polarizing agents designed for low power and sample formulations that are optimized for high temperatures. Finally, we will perform liquid state Overhauser DNP at high temperatures and transfer the polarization to the surface of materials. The proposed advances will eliminate the need for a gyrotron and low-temperature equipment and therefore, will simplify the DNP experimental setup. This will enable the broad application of DNP to solve challenging problems in chemistry, materials science and biology that are inaccessible using conventional solid-state NMR.

Keywords: dynamic nuclear polarizing,nuclear magnetic resonance,magic angle spinning,dnp radical development,dnp polarizing agents
Postgraduate Research on Dilute Metamorphic Nanostructures and Metamaterials in Semiconductor Photonics (PROMIS)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: Marie-Sklodowska-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Innovative Training Networks (ITN)-European Training Networks
Action type: Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions
Panel: Physics
Countries involved: Germany,Spain,Spain,Spain,Ireland,Italy,Germany,Switzerland,France,France,France,United Kingdom,United Kingdom,United Kingdom,United Kingdom
Call: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Innovative Training Networks (ITN-ETN) (H2020-MSCA-ITN-2014, 2014)
Start date: 2015-01-01
End date: 2018-12-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 3947452.55
EU funding (EUR): 3947452.55
Participants: 19
Project status: CLOSED

Photonics, nanotechnology, advanced materials, and advanced manufacturing technologies have been identified as key enabling technologies (KETs) for the EU. Today the photonics global market alone is around €300 billion and Europe has established a strong position with a total share of 20%, directly employing about 290,000 people. However, the shortage of sufficient skilled labour and entrepreneurs capable of handling the highly multi-disciplinary nature of KETs remains a major problem in the EU. Tailoring of semiconductors at the nanoscale is an important enabling technology for a wide range of photonics and electronics applications in diverse areas. In the training network proposed here, a cohort of 15 early stage researchers will be trained in the full range of skills required for a career in photonics, including materials growth, device fabrication, characterisation, design, theory, and commercialisation. A carefully-chosen, well-balanced consortium of 8 academic partners, 2 full industry partners and 7 associated partners are well placed to provide the training in these skills, with European and worldwide reputations as leaders in each field. These skills will be developed within four burgeoning research areas; Semiconductor Metamaterials & Plasmonics, Dilute Nitride semiconductor nanostructures, Hydrogenated Semiconductors and Metamorphic structures. The outcomes of this enabling fundamental research are well focused to deliver advances in sources for secure communications, sensitive detectors for security applications, more efficient solar cells for energy generation, LEDs and sensors for environmental gas and bio-sensing. Each researcher will experience both academic and commercial environments thanks to the strong industrial involvement, resulting in multi-skilled, industry-focused graduates. PROMIS therefore directly addresses the need for additional skilled photonics professionals, as identified by the European Technology Platform, Photonics21.

Keywords: photonics,metamorphic,nanostructures,dilute nitrides,antimonides,semiconductors,quantum technologies
Evolutionary genomics: new perspectives and novel medical applications (EvoGenMed)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Advanced grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Environmental Biology, Ecology and Evolution
Panel description: Ecology, biodiversity, environmental change, evolutionary biology, behavioural ecology, microbial ecology, marine biology, ecophysiology, theoretical developments and modelling
Countries involved: Germany,United Kingdom,United Kingdom
Call: ERC Advanced Grant (ERC-2014-ADG, 2014)
Start date: 2016-01-01
End date: 2021-06-30
Duration (months): 66.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2497996.0
EU funding (EUR): 2260496.0
Participants: 3
Project status: CLOSED

To make for better diagnostics and safer applications of genomics we need a better understanding of our genome and how it functions. Until recently we thought we knew: intergenic sequence must be largely “junk” and mutations that, for example, affect genes but not the protein (synonymous mutations) must be effectively neutral. This degenerate genome view accords with the nearly-neutral theory’s prediction that selection will be weaker when populations are small. But is this all there is to it? I shall investigate two new interrelated perspectives on genome evolution. First, I suggest that to mitigate errors, owing to our high error rates, our genome can be under stronger, not weaker, selection. Second, that errors might be a source of evolutionary novelty. Error mitigation, my team has shown, often involves selection on seemingly innocuous mutations such as synonymous changes. Remarkably, we discovered that selection to ensure error-proof splicing is possibly more prevalent on synonymous mutations when populations are small, making seemingly innocuous mutations stronger candidates for human diseases. I shall provide the first test of the new error-proofing perspective through comparative genomic analysis on synonymous site evolution. To investigate error as a source of novelty I shall consider whether expression piggy-backing (expression of a gene affecting its neighbors) forces rewiring of gene networks. Importantly, I shall translate our new understanding to enable better diagnostics and improved therapeutics. I shall develop a much-needed computer package to identify candidate disease-causing synonymous changes. In addition, knowing how synonymous sites modulate splicing will allow me to design better intronless transgenes. Transgenes must also be inserted in genomic regions immune to piggy-backing. I will examine transposable element related piggy-backing to characterize “safe” sites for therapeutic gene insertion and mammalian transgenesis more generally.

Keywords: synonymous mutations,expression piggy backing,transgenes,nearly neutral theory,error mitigation
Computation of innate threats and defensive behaviour in the mouse (defence_SC)

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,United Kingdom
Call: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF-EF) (H2020-MSCA-IF-2015, 2015)
Start date: 2017-09-01
End date: 2020-01-04
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 195454.8
EU funding (EUR): 195454.8
Participants: 2
Project status: CLOSED

Innate defensive behaviours are emergency responses that animals use to avoid predators and environmental threats, such as escape to a safe shelter or freezing to avoid detection. Engaging in defensive behaviour at the right time and choosing the correct response is essential for survival, but little is known about how the brain achieves this. In this project we aim to understand the neural circuits that process sensory information to compute the presence of a threat and the most appropriate defensive action. We will focus on the mouse superior colliculus (SC), an evolutionarily conserved brain region thought to be crucial for defensive behaviours. In the first stage of the research we will study the behavioural response triggered by both visual and auditory stimuli. We will then identify the SC neurons that facilitate the defensive response using two strategies. First, we will measure the neuronal activity to different defence responses using single-unit recordings in freely moving animals. Second, we will employ a novel method of activity-dependent recombination, to label active neurons during a defined behavioural period and characterize their functionality using optogenetics. Next, we will determine the synaptic input onto SC neuron populations using in-vivo whole-cell recordings in head-fixed mice navigating a virtual environment. Finally, we will combine in-vitro whole-cell recordings with optogenetics and molecular perturbations of ion channels to study the biophysical mechanisms of multisensory synaptic integration in SC neurons. Success in this project will establish the biological mechanisms that SC neurons use to trigger defensive behaviours in the mouse.
Hybrid Practices of Diplomacy and Warfare (DIPLOWAR)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: Marie-Sklodowska-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Individual Fellowships (IF)-Global Fellowships
Action type: Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions
Panel: Social Sciences and Humanities
Countries involved: Germany,United States
Call: Individual Fellowships (H2020-MSCA-IF-2017, 2017)
Start date: 2018-09-01
End date: 2020-08-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 159795.6
EU funding (EUR): 159795.6
Participants: 2
Project status: CLOSED

DIPLOWAR is an interdisciplinary research project that uses practice theory to illuminate the changing relationship between diplomacy and warfare. The central conceptual move of the project is to conceive of diplomacy and warfare not primarily as political or legal relations between states but as structuring principles of peaceful and violent political practices. This reconceptualization allows integrating insights from the literatures on the ‘new diplomacy’ and the ‘new wars’ which so far have not been brought into a dialogue. Through an explorative study of foreign policy decision-making in the United States and Germany from 1945 to the present, the project will demonstrate that practices of diplomacy and warfare which once were neatly separated have increasingly formed hybrid constellations. As a result, we are today confronted with a situation in which neither diplomacy nor war can be clearly grasped at the level of inter-state relations anymore. DIPLOWAR seeks to both sharpen our analytical vocabulary and deepen our empirical understanding of these processes of hybridisation to help scholars, practitioners, and the public to come to terms with the new realities of war and peace. The outgoing phase of the project will be hosted by the Arnold A. Saltzman Institute for War and Peace Studies at Columbia University, New York, the return phase by the Faculty of Social Sciences at Goethe University Frankfurt.

Keywords: international political sociology ips,practice theory,diplomacy
Smart Ordering Plan as a Service (SOPaaS)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Industrial Leadership
Programme: Innovation in SMEs
Action type: SME instrument
Countries involved: Switzerland
Call: SME instrument (H2020-SMEInst-2018-2020-1, 2018)
Start date: 2018-06-01
End date: 2018-09-30
Duration (months): 4.0
Total project cost (EUR): 71429.0
EU funding (EUR): 50000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Knowing how much to order and when is a longstanding industrial problem called order planning. The 2 main approaches are: 1. Upfront ordering. Allows capturing quantity discounts and simplifying operations, but causes high inventory costs (e.g. space, amortisation). 2. Just-in-time ordering. Minimises inventory costs, but requires a higher quality control, increases order fees and reduces discounts on quantities. However, the right solution lays in the grey area in-between. Sometimes part of the inventory might go bad after a certain time and forces frequent ordering, storage space might be limited, suppliers might impose minimal order amounts, may be some material has long lead times. In summary, a myriad of real-world considerations that current solutions ignore, achieving only partial optimisations. GenLots’ SOPaaS is a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solution that untapped savings in the ordering plan (OP) elaboration stage of Supply Chain Management (SCM) process thanks to our machine learning based algorithms. In short, SOPaaS optimally answers the question: “When do I need to order and how much raw material?” Our proprietary machine-learning algorithms unlocks untapped savings of 5-10% of total purchasing cost on average. This translates in millions of euros saved for our clients, a unique value proposition that guarantees their willingness to pay. SOPaaS solves the theoretical problem of obtaining the ordering plan, while also considering real-world factors in various dimensions, e.g. cost (e.g. lots’ shelf life, associated storage cost), sustainability (e.g. prefer eco-friendly shipments) or responsibility (e.g. fair trade considerations) among others.

Keywords: supply chain,supply chain management,cscm,order planning,ordering plan,order management,materials plan,machine learning,saas,procurement,supply optimization