Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
EUROPEAN DRUG INITIATIVE ON CHANNELS AND TRANSPORTERS (EDICT)

Framework: FP7 — Cooperation
Programme: Health
Destination: Translating research for human health
Action type: Collaborative project
Countries involved: United Kingdom,Switzerland,Sweden,United Kingdom,Germany,Germany,Germany,Germany,Netherlands,France,United Kingdom,Denmark,United Kingdom,Sweden,United Kingdom,Russian Federation,Israel,Italy,Spain,Finland,Denmark,Germany
Call:  (FP7-HEALTH-2007-A, 2007)
Start date: 2008-02-01
End date: 2012-06-30
Duration (months): 53.0
Total project cost (EUR): 15718166.68
EU funding (EUR): 11896557.0
Participants: 28
Project status: CLOSED

The European Drug Initiative on Channels and Transporters, EDICT, allies for the first time, partners with world-class expertise in both the structural and functional characterisation of membrane channels and transporters. State-of-the-art facilities and personnel for X-ray crystallography, Electron Microscopy and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance and the latest throughput technology, will provide infrastructure for scientists characterising channel and transport functions in man and pathogenic microorganisms. Our experts in the analyses of all the databases of these membrane proteins and molecular modelling will work with our industrial partners on specific targets chosen for their potential to improve the health of European citizens, increase the competitiveness of European health-related industries and businesses and address global health issues. EDICT will increase knowledge of biological processes and mechanisms involved in normal health and in specific disease situations, and transpose this knowledge into clinical applications. By combining computational and experimental analyses, existing detailed molecular models of channel and transporter proteins, and novel structures derived by our partners, will be analysed to identify the critical regions constituting drug targets. These basic discoveries will be translated via in silico and experimental strategies with our industrial partners into the design of novel drugs that modify activities of the membrane proteins for the benefit of the patients. The range of human proteins covered includes potassium channels, anion and cation transporters, neurotransmitter transporters, cation-transporting ATPases and mitochondrial transporters. Structures of bacterial homologues to the human proteins are exploited to inform the studies of their human counterparts

Keywords: ion channels,membrane transport proteins,protein structure,drug design,structure-function of membrane proteins,membrane related diseases
The Synapse Nanomap (NANOMAP)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Physiology, Pathophysiology and Endocrinology
Countries involved: Germany
Call:  (ERC-2007-StG, 2007)
Start date: 2008-09-01
End date: 2013-08-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1670000.0
EU funding (EUR): 1670000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Stimulated Emission Depletion (STED) microscopy is one of the most important recent developments in light microscopy (Willig et al., 2006, Nature 440:935-9). STED allows for imaging cellular elements with diffraction-unlimited resolution; in practical terms, the resolution (normally limited to ~200-300 nm) is improved down to 30-60 nm. Together with the development of two-color STED microscopy (Donnert et al., 2007, Biophys J. 92:L67-9), this technique allows experimenters to pinpoint the position of various cellular elements with nanometer precision. Obtaining a cellular nanomap is not feasible with conventional light microscopy, due to its low resolution. Electron microscopy cannot be applied, as its labeling efficiency it too low. I propose here to use STED microscopy to characterize the positions of the major components of the synapse. The preparation will be cultured hippocampal neurons, which have numerous small (about one micron in diameter) synaptic nerve terminals. I will determine the locations of synaptic proteins involved in neurotransmitter release, in membrane retrieval and in pre- and post-synaptic active zone structure. Less specialized elements such as the cytoskeleton, mitochondria and endosomes of the synapse will also be investigated. The work will provide answers for a number of questions in the neuroscience field, such as how and where the synaptic vesicles get retrieved, how pre- and post-synaptic active zone elements correlate, and what the role of cytoskeletal elements is in synaptic transmission. The small size and relatively low complexity (compared to whole cells) of the synaptic boutons will allows the work to be completed within a reasonable timeframe. Successful completion of the project will encourage researchers to perform larger scale cellular nano-maps, which would eventually replace the largely erroneous cellular fractionation techniques currently used nowadays to determine the location of various proteins.

Keywords: stimulated emission depletion (sted) microscopy super resolution microscopy
Key Performance Factor Assessment and Valorisation for Successful EU-FP Project Participation of innovative SMEs in the Area of HEALTH (KAPPA-HEALTH)

Framework: FP7 — Cooperation
Programme: Health
Destination: Other Actions across the Health Theme
Action type: Coordination and support actions
Countries involved: Switzerland,Israel,France,Germany,Belgium,Greece
Call:  (FP7-HEALTH-2007-A, 2007)
Start date: 2008-07-01
End date: 2011-06-30
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 819292.04
EU funding (EUR): 749951.0
Participants: 7
Project status: CLOSED

The KAPPA-Health study aims to identify the principle performance factors that account for a successful SME participation in FP6 “Life sciences, genomics and biotechnology for health” and FP7 “Health” theme. The success in terms of quantity such as out-licensing/new products on the market but also the longer term quality in respect of the sustainable survival of the companies and the establishment of winning business partnership will be assessed and valorised. Thus SMEs active in EU FP6/7 joint collaboration are more visible, get access to huge networks and more information a special focus will be on the correlation between FP6/7 collaborations and attracting complementary funding investments e.g. financial services, venture capital and/or additional governmental funds. Identifying the key performance factors and analysing them in collaboration with existing support structures will accelerate and enhance the dissemination and exploitation of the project outcome generated by high-technology and research intensive SMEs in FP6/7. This study will lead to develop a methodology of assessment and valorisation of project outcomes for SMEs. It will facilitate the evaluation of projects with more chance for success and help policy makers to define objectives and intermediate performance targets in FP7 for creating a favourable support environment in Europe with regard to the “Life science and biotechnology – a strategy for Europe” and the Lisbon goals.

Keywords: key performance factor assessment valorisation project participation innovative smes
Pathogenesis of Type 1 Diabetes - Testing the Hygiene Hypothesis (DIABIMMUNE)

Framework: FP7 — Cooperation
Programme: Health
Destination: Translating research for human health
Action type: Collaborative project
Countries involved: Finland,Estonia,Finland,Russian Federation,Germany,Netherlands
Call:  (FP7-HEALTH-2007-A, 2007)
Start date: 2008-03-01
End date: 2014-02-28
Duration (months): 72.0
Total project cost (EUR): 7697061.32
EU funding (EUR): 5999900.0
Participants: 12
Project status: CLOSED

Preliminary data indicate that there is a strong association between the incidence of immune-mediated diseases and improving standard of living and hygiene. One of the steepest gradient in standard of living worldwide is present at the border between Russian Karelia and Finland with a sevenfold difference in the gross national product, while Estonia represents a country in rapid transition. These three populations comprise a “living laboratory” providing a unique possibility to test the hygiene hypothesis in the development of immune-mediated diseases. The incidence of type 1 diabetes (T1D) is six times lower in Russian Karelia than in Finland, whereas there are very limited differences in the frequency of risk HLA genotypes in the background population. This proposal aims at comparing (i) the frequency of beta-cell autoimmunity and other organ-specific autoantibodies; (ii) the frequency of IgE-specific sensitisation and signs of allergy; (iii) the frequency of various infections; (iv) the gut microbial flora; and (v) dietary intake in young children between the three populations. The birth cohort arm of the study aims at (i) delineating the ontogeny of the immune system by using modern tools of functional genomics; (ii) comparing the functional characteristics of regulatory T cells; (iii) characterising the gut microbial colonisation in infants; (iv) assessing the timing of exposure to foreign proteins in infancy (v) defining the interrelations between dietary factors, gut microbial flora and acute microbial infections. The objectives will be approached by studying 1600 children at the age of 3 and 5 years and by observing a birth cohort comprising about 320 subjects with HLA-conferred susceptibility to autoimmunity from birth up to the age of 3 years in each country. This proposal is expected to provide new data on the reasons and mechanisms behind the increasing rates of T1D and other immune-mediated diseases seen in most developed countries after World War II.

Keywords: type 1 diabetes,autoimmunity,allergy,hygiene,genetic susceptibility,functional genomics,regulatory t cells,microbial infections,gut microflora,dieatary factors
Nasal Pandemic Influenza Vaccine (NASPANVAC)

Framework: FP7 — Cooperation
Programme: Health
Destination: Translating research for human health
Action type: Collaborative project
Countries involved: United Kingdom,Ireland,Norway,Italy,United Kingdom,United Kingdom,United Kingdom
Call:  (FP7-HEALTH-2007-A, 2007)
Start date: 2008-05-01
End date: 2012-04-30
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 4971768.13
EU funding (EUR): 3573648.0
Participants: 8
Project status: CLOSED

The project is being undertaken in response to the need to develop an effective, user friendly, heat stable vaccine to control the highly pathogenic form of avian influenza virus (H5 and H7 subtypes) which has the potential to cause another global influenza pandemic. The overall objective of this programme is to develop a nasal avian influenza vaccine using ChiSys® (chitosan), which is a chitosan-based technology of Archimedes Development Ltd.. Chitosan has already been tested with several nasally delivered antigens pre-clinically and clinically with excellent results. The most effective way of controlling a pandemic flu would be via the nasal route as this route is advantaged to generate both systemic and mucosal antibodies; the latter allowing virus control at its point of entry. In comparison the currently used injection route cannot achieve the mucosal response. Intranasal vaccination has further advantages: avoids the need for injection and safe disposal of syringes, eliminate the risk of HIV transmission through re-use or accidental contact with body fluids, have greater public compliance and well-suited to rapid mass global vaccination programmes. The scientific objectives of the project are: induce both systemic and mucosal immunity, evaluation of efficacy and toxicity in preclinical studies, evaluation of efficacy and safety profile in humans, provide a substantial level of cross-immunity against a drifted strains of H5 or H7, effective at low dose to meet the global demands from limited vaccine stockpiles, thermal stability so as to avoid refrigeration for storage and transportation and user friendly vaccine applicator. The consortium members have extensive experience in their specialist fields which would enable the success of this project. ChiSys® would be an excellent candidate for developing an intranasal pandemic influenza vaccine to provide a quantum leap in successfully combating pandemic influenza globally.

Keywords: nasal,influenza,pandemic,vaccine,chitosan
Advanced bioanalytical technologies for systems biology studies (ADVANCED BIOANALYSIS)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: European Re-integration Grants
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: Greece
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2007-2-2-ERG, 2007)
Start date: 2008-01-01
End date: 2011-09-30
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 45000.0
EU funding (EUR): 45000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The current reintegration grant (ERG) will facilitate the initiation of systems biology/ metabonomics research at the Aristotle University. This would capitalise on the training, the links and the experience obtained by Dr. Helen Gika during her post-doctoral study in AstraZeneca UK (AZ) through the Transfer of Knowledge “Biomarker Discovery” (TOK-Industry Academia Partnership 29640). Dr. Gika is the main researcher of the TOK-IAP grant. It is now very important to continue on the generated knowledge and further build on the established links and co-operations. The ERG will last for three years. The project is strongly endorsed by both the Aristotle University (AUTh) and AZ. AZ will be actively involved providing financial, scientific and material support and access to facilities. AUTh will provide the base for Dr Gika to set up her research team. The AUTh researchers trained in the TOK grant will be central to the new ERG project, facilitating transfer of knowledge and continuing the research. The research focus retains a biopharmaceutical perspective in an upcoming field with major investments from pharmaceutical companies. The ERG work will aim towards the development of advanced metabolomic analytical tools, with emphasis on the utilisation of LC-MS technologies and the subsequent treatment of data with advanced data processing software. The major goal/scope of the studies will be in the area of disease biomarker discovery, drug efficacy, toxicology and safety assessment benefiting from the links and the close cooperation with groups in AZ. Together with the development of the project and the establishment of the group in AUTh, in order to maximise integration in the national research area, emphasis will be placed on “ethnopharmacological” issues and specific disease states common to the population of Greece or the Eastern Mediterranean: such as e.g. Mediterranean anaemia. This is expected to maximize the future involvement of local biomedical experts.

Keywords: systems biology,metabolomics,metabonomics,lc-ms,nmr,multivariate statistics,data processing software,disease biomarker discovery,drug efficacy,toxicology,safety assessment
Production and delivery of antibody fragments against gastrointestinal pathogens by lactobacilli (LACTOBODY)

Framework: FP7 — Cooperation
Programme: Health
Destination: Biotechnology, generic tools and medical technologies for human health
Action type: Collaborative project
Countries involved: Sweden,Estonia,Spain,Netherlands,Netherlands,India,United Kingdom
Call:  (FP7-HEALTH-2007-A, 2007)
Start date: 2008-02-01
End date: 2012-04-30
Duration (months): 51.0
Total project cost (EUR): 5555220.6
EU funding (EUR): 3988019.0
Participants: 8
Project status: CLOSED

Enteric infections remain a major cause of morbidity and mortality globally, accounting for an estimated 2 millions deaths each year. Effective preventive and therapeutic interventions are not yet available for many etiological agents of diarrheal diseases. Furthermore, even where vaccines are available, the lag time needed to induce an immune response can be critical in epidemic situations. We have developed a model system in which Lactobacillus, a GRAS microorganism, can be transformed with antibody fragment encoding vectors. This allows the production of functional single-chain antibodies against mucosal pathogens in situ. These antibody fragments retain their biological properties in vivo and may mitigate or prevent disease. The aim of this project is to develop an effective treatment against rotavirus and Clostridium difficile based on lactobacilli producing VHH and scFv antibody fragments. As a proof of principle, a lead VHH fragment against rotavirus will be tested in a human clinical trial in India. In parallel, we will generate, select and express scFv and VHH fragments against the gastrointestinal pathogens rotavirus and C. difficile in lactobacilli. The modified bacteria will be tested for their protective capacity in animal models. The genes encoding the antibody fragments will further be cloned using food grade and biologically contained expression systems and these lactobacilli will be tested for safety in a human clinical trial. Our approach, which falls into the priority "Innovative approaches and interventions" and the work program "Development and production of new generation antibodies" represents a novel system for the induction of passive immunity that can be rapidly applied to populations at risk (for example through the drinking water, rehydrating solution or as a food supplement). If successful, this project could be applied to therapy against a vast number of human/animal pathogens in the gastrointestinal tract.

Keywords: passive immunisation,antibody,vhh fragments,scfv,recombinant lactobacilli,rotavirus,clostridium difficile
Coordination of DNA replication and DNA repair at single-forks: the role of the Smc5-Smc6 complex in replication fork stalling and resumption (CHROMOSOME STABILITY)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Molecular and Structural Biology and Biochemistry
Countries involved: United Kingdom
Call:  (ERC-2007-StG, 2007)
Start date: 2008-09-01
End date: 2013-08-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 893396.0
EU funding (EUR): 893396.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

DNA replication represents a dangerous moment in the life of the cell as endogenous and exogenous events challenge genome integrity by interfering with the progression, stability and restart of the replication fork. Failure to protect stalled forks or to process the replication fork appropriately contribute to the pathological mechanisms giving rise to cancer, therefore an understanding of the intricate mechanisms that ensure fork integrity can provide targets for new chemotherapeutic assays. Smc5-Smc6 is a multi-subunit complex with a poorly understood function in DNA replication and repair. One of its subunits, Nse2, is able to promote the addition of a small ubiquitin-like protein modifier (SUMO) to specific target proteins. Recent work has revealed that the Smc5-Smc6 complex is required for the progression of replication forks through damaged DNA and is recruited de novo to forks that undergo collapse. In addition, Smc5-Smc6 mediate repair of DNA breaks by homologous recombination between sister-chromatids. Thus, Smc5-Smc6 is anticipated to promote recombinational repair at stalled/collapsed replication forks. My laboratory proposes to develop molecular techniques to study replication at the level of single replication forks. We will employ these assays to identify and dissect the function of factors involved in replication fork stability and repair. We will place an emphasis on the study of the Smc5-Smc6 complex in these processes because of its potential roles in recombination-dependent fork repair and restart. We also propose to identify novel Nse2 substrates involved in DNA repair using yeast model systems. Specifically, we will address the following points: (1) Development of assays for analysis of factors involved in stabilisation, collapse and re-start of single-forks, (2) Analysis of the roles of Smc5-Smc6 in fork biology using developed techniques, (3) Isolation and functional analysis of novel Nse2 substrates.

Keywords: dna replication fork stability and restart analysis of single-forks. recombination events at stalled dna replication forks smc5-smc6 protein complex sumoylation
Property testing and sublinear algorithms for languages and combinatorial properties (PROPERTY TESTING)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Materials and Synthesis
Countries involved: Israel
Call:  (ERC-2007-StG, 2007)
Start date: 2008-07-01
End date: 2013-06-30
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 963540.0
EU funding (EUR): 963540.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Property testing, an investigation started in [Blum, Luby and Rubinfeld, 1993], [Rubinfeld and Sudan, 1996], and [Goldreich, Goldwasser and Ron, 1996], deals with the following general question: Distinguish, using as few queries as possible, between the case where the input satisfies a certain property, and the case where the input is epsilon-far from this, i.e. the case where there is no way to make the input satisfy the given property even if it is modified in an epsilon fraction of its positions. Ideally the number of queries, i.e. the size of the portion of the input that is read by the (probabilistic) algorithm, depends only on epsilon and does not depend at all on the input length. However, algorithms that read more than a constant amount, as long as it is sublinear in the input size, are also deemed interesting. The related topic of sublinear algorithms concentrate on similar notions of approximation, but with the stronger requirement that the running time (rather than query complexity) that is less than the order of the input size. The purpose of this proposal is to investigate advanced topics in the frontier of property testing, especially with respect to the relation of the easiness of testing to other notions of complexity, and to investigate possible uses of ideas from property testing in other fields of computer science. Particular emphasis will be given to hypergraph-like models, sparse models, and models in which the description of the property in itself is represented as a graph or a combinatorial structure. The latter holds particular promise with regards to applications both inside and outside theoretical CS. Some topics going beyond testing (such as stronger testing notions, and testing-related notions from Probabilistically Checkable Proofs) will also be addressed.

Keywords: property testing,sublinear algorithms,probabilistic methods