Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Communication between immune cells via release of RNA-carrying vesicles: Lessons from viruses (INTERCOM)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Immunity and infection
Countries involved: Netherlands
Call:  (ERC-2013-StG, 2013)
Start date: 2013-11-01
End date: 2018-10-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1499806.0
EU funding (EUR): 1499806.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Communication between immune cells is crucial for regulating the magnitude and quality of immune responses. A newly uncovered means of intercellular communication involves transfer of small cell-derived vesicles. I recently discovered that vesicles released by immune cells are enriched for small noncoding RNAs, which may act as regulatory RNAs that can influence gene expression in vesicle-targeted cells. Furthermore, remarkable parallels emerged between RNAs abundantly present in cell-derived vesicles and a group of host RNAs specifically incorporated into retroviruses. These shared RNAs may underlie the formation or function of both cell-derived vesicles and retroviruses. Until now, mechanisms behind selective incorporation of small RNAs into cell-derived vesicles and their function in vesicle-targeted cells are poorly understood. Aim of INTERCOM: To resolve how the exchange of small RNAs via cell-derived vesicles contributes to intercellular communication between immune cells. Key objectives: 1. To determine the diversity and plasticity of the RNA content of vesicle subpopulations released by immune cells. 2. To explain functional differences between immune cell vesicle populations based on their RNA contents. 3. To determine the function of structural RNAs shared by immune cell-derived vesicles and retroviruses. Tools in virology research will be used in combination with several high-end technologies, which were uniquely adapted in my lab for vesicle-related research. These include a high-resolution flow cytometric method suited to analyze individual nano-sized vesicles, RNA deep sequencing with previously developed data analysis methods, and super-resolution microscopic imaging. The proposed work advances our understanding of communication processes in the immune system. This knowledge can be applied in defining vesicle RNA-based biomarkers for immune-related diseases and in designing genetically engineered cell-derived vesicles for therapeutic application.

Keywords: intercellular communication,extracellular vesicles,exosomes
Constraining Stellar Mass and Supermassive Black Hole Growth through Cosmic Times: Paving the way for the next generation sky surveys (COSMASS)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Universe sciences
Countries involved: Croatia
Call:  (ERC-2013-StG, 2013)
Start date: 2014-02-01
End date: 2019-07-31
Duration (months): 66.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1500000.0
EU funding (EUR): 1500000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Understanding how galaxies form in the early universe and how they evolve through cosmic time is a major goal of modern astrophysics. Panchromatic look-back sky surveys significantly advanced the field in the past decade, and we are now entering a 'golden age' of radio astronomy given an order of magnitude improved facilities like JVLA, ATCA and ALMA. I am leading two unique, state-of-the-art (JVLA/ATCA) radio surveys that will push to the next frontiers. The proposed ERC project will focus on the growth of stellar and black-hole mass in galaxies across cosmic time by: 1-probing various types of extremely faint radio sources over cosmic time, revealing the debated abundance of faint radio sources, 2-exploring star formation conditions at early cosmic times, allowing to access for the first time the dust-unbiased cosmic star formation history since the epoch of reionization, 3-performing the first census of high-redshift starbursting galaxies (SMGs), and their role in galaxy formation and evolution, and 4-performing a full census of galaxies hosting supermassive black holes (AGN), with different black-hole accretion modes, and their roles in galaxy evolution. The exploitation of these radio sky surveys is essential for the preparation and success of the future large facilities like ASKAP, and SKA as they will 1-provide best predictions of the to-date uncertain cosmic radio background seen with the SKA, and 2-optimize photometric redshift estimates, essential for the success of the first ASKAP sky survey (EMU, >2016). My radio surveys, expected to yield >100 refereed publications, carry an immense legacy value. The proposed ERC funding is essential for the success of these timely surveys, which I will conduct from Croatia. The ERC grant will allow me to lead my own research group working on this novel data, and to even more firmly establish myself as a leading survey scientist, and lead my group to internationally competitive levels, and enhance EU competitiveness.

Keywords: star forming galaxies,starbursting galaxies,black holes,active galactic nuclei
Multipartite Quantum Information Theory (QMULT)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Computer science and informatics
Countries involved: Denmark,Switzerland
Call:  (ERC-2013-StG, 2013)
Start date: 2013-09-01
End date: 2019-05-31
Duration (months): 69.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1389581.0
EU funding (EUR): 1389581.0
Participants: 2
Project status: CLOSED

Quantum information theory studies the way information is stored, transmitted and processed in quantum devices. Mathematically, quantum information theory extends Shannon's theory of information but differs from it by allowing both for stronger correlations known as entanglement and for non-commutative effects resulting in measurement uncertainty as required by the laws of quantum physics. Entanglement has been shown to be crucial for the advantages offered by quantum communication and computation. In recent years, researchers have gained a good understanding of quantum information theory involving two parties, for instance in the transmission of quantum bits from a sender to a receiver. Yet the study of quantum protocols for communication tasks involving multiple parties, for instance the joint counting of online votes or the compression of data distributed in a network, is still in its infancy. The reason for this is two-fold: (i) a lack of understanding of entanglement among multiple particles and (ii) the non-commutative nature of quantum theory, two facts that pose major difficulties for the design of multiparty quantum coding schemes. It is the goal of this research project to overcome these two main obstacles so that a comprehensive theory of quantum information can be developed. Just as the Internet, where a network of many interacting computers has replaced point-to-point communication channels such as phone lines, the future of quantum communication will involve communication among many parties. The multipartite quantum information theory explored in this project is therefore expected to impact not only current experiments but also our future communication infrastructure.
Control based on Human Models (CON-HUMO)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Systems and communication engineering
Countries involved: Germany
Call:  (ERC-2013-StG, 2013)
Start date: 2014-02-01
End date: 2019-01-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1494640.0
EU funding (EUR): 1494640.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

CON-HUMO focuses on novel concepts for automatic control based on data-driven human models and machine learning. This enables innovative control applications that are difficult if not impossible to realize using traditional control and identification methods, in particular in the challenging area of smart human-machine interaction. In order to achieve intuitive and efficient goal-oriented interaction, anticipation is key. For control selection based on prediction a dynamic model of the human interaction behavior is required, which, however, is difficult to obtain from first principles. In order to cope with the high complexity of human behavior with unknown inputs and only sparsely available training data we propose to use machine-learning techniques for statistical modeling of the dynamics. In this new field of human interaction modeling – data-driven and machine-learned – control methods with guaranteed properties do not exist. CON-HUMO addresses this niche. Key methodological innovation and breakthrough is the merger of probabilistic learning with model-based control concepts through model confidence and prediction uncertainty. For the sake of concreteness and evaluation the focus is on one of the most challenging problem classes, namely physical human-machine interaction: Because of the physical contact between the human and the machine not only information, but also energy is exchanged posing fundamental challenges for real-time human-adaptive and safe decision making/control and requiring provable stability and performance guarantees. The developed methods are a direct enabler for societally important applications such as machine-based physical rehabilitation, mobility and manipulation aids for elderly, and collaborative human-machine production systems. With its fundamental results CON-HUMO lays the ground for the systematic control design for smart human-machine/infrastructure interaction.
Adolescent Precursors to Psychiatric Disorders – Learing from Analysis of User-Service Engagement (APPLAUSE)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Diagnostic tools, therapies and public health
Countries involved: United Kingdom
Call:  (ERC-2013-StG, 2013)
Start date: 2014-01-01
End date: 2018-12-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1499948.0
EU funding (EUR): 1499948.0
Participants: 2
Project status: CLOSED

APPLAUSE’s aim is to produce a body of evidence that illustrates how young people with mental health problems currently interact with both formal mental health services and informal social and familial support structures. Careful analysis of data gathered in the UK and Brazil will allow formulation of globally relevant insights into mental health care delivery for young people, which will be presented internationally as a resource for future health care service design. APPLAUSE will allow the collection of an important data set that does not currently exist in this field, and will look to other disciplines for innovative approaches to data analysis. Whist standard analysis may allow for snapshots of health service use, using innovative life course methods will allow us to to characterise patterns of complete service use of each individual participant’s experience of accessing mental health care and social support. Adolescence is a critical period in mental health development, which has been largely neglected by public health efforts. Psychiatric disorders rank as the primary cause of disability among individuals aged 10-24 years, worldwide. Moreover, many health risk behaviours emerge during adolescence and 70% of adult psychiatric disorders are preceded by mental health problems during adolescent years. However, delays to receiving care for psychiatric disorders, following disorder onset, avreage more than ten years and little is known about factors which impede access to and continuity of care among young people with mental health problems. APPLAUSE will analyse current access models, reports of individual experiences of positive and negative interactions with health care services and the culturally embedded social factors that impact on such access. Addressing this complex problem from a global perspective will advance the development of a more diverse and innovative set of strategies for improving earlier access to care.

Keywords: children and adolescents
Genetics and cell biology of K2P channels (KELEGANS)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Neurosciences and neural disorders
Countries involved: France
Call:  (ERC-2013-StG, 2013)
Start date: 2013-10-01
End date: 2019-09-30
Duration (months): 72.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1488542.0
EU funding (EUR): 1488542.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Two-pore domain potassium channels (K2P) maintain the resting membrane potential of animal cells and therefore play a central role in the control of cellular excitability. In the vertebrate nervous system, various neuromodulators promote K2P closure, which depolarizes neurons, increases neuronal excitability and ultimately affects action potential firing. Knockout studies have revealed important roles of K2Ps in physiopathological processes tied to cellular excitability. K2Ps are major targets of volatile anaesthetics. Analysis of task1/3 knockouts established a direct role of these channels in anaesthetics-induced immobilization and sedation. trek1 knockout mice are hypersensitive to kainate-induced seizures and display depression-resistant phenotypes, similar to naive mice treated with selective serotonine reuptake inhibitors. In sensory neurons, genetic ablation of trek1 or inhibition by noxious stimuli (heat, external acidosis) leads to increased neuronal activity and pain perception. Despite the fundamental functions of these channels, comparatively little is known about the cellular processes that control K2P function. I propose to use comprehensive and powerful genetic screening strategies in the nematode C. elegans to identify novel genes and conserved cellular processes that regulate the biology of K2Ps in a native context. I will decipher the precise functions of novel K2P regulators by using the full array of techniques available in C. elegans including genetics, live imaging, electrophysiology and state-of-the-art genome engineering and deep sequencing. This will provide new leads to understand the cellular pathways that control K2P function in other organisms. This work may have wide-ranging applications since K2Ps are increasingly implicated in a variety of physiopathological processes in the nervous system but also in cardiac muscle, endocrine and immune system. However, the precise molecular factors involved are mostly unknown.
Design and Applications of Unconventional Borylation Reactions (DAUBOR)

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: Spain
Call:  (ERC-2013-StG, 2013)
Start date: 2014-02-01
End date: 2020-06-30
Duration (months): 77.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1495200.0
EU funding (EUR): 1495200.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Boronic esters are versatile synthetic intermediates for the preparation of a wide range of organic molecules. The recent approval of the anti-cancer agent Velcade, the first boronic acid containing drug commercialized, further confirms the status of boronic acid derivatives as an important class of compounds in chemistry and medicine. This proposal aims to develop three new unconventional approaches for the synthesis of boronic esters. The first one is based on the use of copper (low price and low toxicity) to promote unknown borylation reactions. Our method is an important step forward in that it proceeds using catalytic quantities of copper and allows the formation of a C-B bond along with a C-C or a C-N bond in a single catalytic cycle. Additionally, a copper-catalyzed borylation reaction is proposed as the key tool to solve the total synthesis of nigricanoside A, a potent antimitotic agent. The total synthesis of this natural product could have an impact in cancer research similar to that found for taxol or epothilones. The second approach deals with the development of borylation reactions under metal-free conditions. I propose to use bifunctional catalysts to promote the dual activation of B-B bonds and suitable electrophiles. This approach constitutes an unconventional way to synthesize boronic esters and has no precedent in the literature. Finally, the third section of this proposal branches into riskier territory. I propose to use Lewis-base/diboron adducts to generate organoboryl radicals. If successful, the potential impact will be very high and will certainly open unexplored ways in boron chemistry. The copper-catalyzed, metal-free, and radical approaches proceed by mechanistically distinct pathways and can give rise to complementary reactivity and selectivity partners. New findings in these areas would represent a significant step in the industrial and academic synthesis of boronic esters.

Keywords: total synthesis,anticancer agent,boron chemistry,boronic acids
Non-invasive genomic analysis of cancer using circulating tumour DNA (CANCEREXOMESINPLASMA)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Diagnostic tools, therapies and public health
Countries involved: United Kingdom
Call:  (ERC-2013-StG, 2013)
Start date: 2014-05-01
End date: 2020-04-30
Duration (months): 72.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1769380.0
EU funding (EUR): 1769380.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Non-invasive genomic analysis of cancer can revolutionize the study of tumour evolution, heterogeneity, and drug resistance. Clinically applied, this can transform current practice in cancer diagnosis and management. Cell-free DNA in plasma contains tumour-specific sequences. This circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) is a promising source of genomic and diagnostic information, readily accessible non-invasively. The study of ctDNA is therefore timely and of great importance. But it is also very challenging. Measurement can be complex, and high-quality samples are not easily obtained. Though progress has been made, much remains to be discovered. My lab pioneered the use of targeted sequencing to analyse mutations in ctDNA. We recently developed a ground-breaking paradigm for analysing evolving cancer genomes in plasma DNA, combining ctDNA quantification with exome-sequencing of serial plasma samples. Applied to extensive sets of clinical samples my lab has characterized, this will enable large-scale exploration of acquired drug resistance with unprecedented resolution. CancerExomesInPlasma aims to use ctDNA for genome-wide analysis of tumour evolution, as a means for non-invasive, unbiased discovery of genes and pathways involved in resistance to cancer therapy.

Keywords: circulating tumour dna,cancer genomics,tumour evolution,drug resistance,cancer biomarkers
Optofluidic toolkit for characterizing single-cell dynamics in systems immunology (SINGLECELLDYNAMICS)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Physical and Analytical Chemical sciences
Countries involved: Switzerland
Call:  (ERC-2013-StG, 2013)
Start date: 2013-10-01
End date: 2018-09-30
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1499165.0
EU funding (EUR): 1499165.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Immune cells constantly receive signalling inputs such as pathogen-emitted molecules, use gene regulatory pathways to process these signals, and generate outputs by secreting signalling molecules like cytokines. Characterizing the input-output relationship of a biological system helps understanding its regulatory mechanisms, and allows building models to predict how the system will operate in complex physiological scenarios, such as population tissue response to infection. A major obstacle in this endeavor has been the so-called “biological noise”, or significant variability in measured molecular parameters between cells. Such variability makes time-dependent single-cell analysis crucial to understand how biological systems operate. Development of new analytical tools with improved functionality, accuracy, and throughput is needed to realize the full potential of single-cell analysis. We propose to develop automated, high-throughput, Optofluidic single-cell analysis systems with unprecedented capabilities, and to use them in understanding how immune cells organize in tissue during response to infection. Microfluidic membrane-valves, nanodroplets, optics, and automation will be integrated to achieve an unparalleled degree of control over single immune cells. Multi-functional lab-on-chip devices will simultaneously measure: a) The activity of immune regulatory proteins such as NF-κB, and b) Inflammatory cytokines secreted from single immune cells in a time-dependent manner, under precisely defined biochemical inputs. Characterizing macrophage cytokine secretion dynamics under combinatorial regiments of bacterial and apoptotic-cell signals will allow dissecting the signalling mechanism responsible from the resolution of inflammation. We will identify the role of the NF-κB pathway in regulation of cytokine dynamics. We will use our data to develop a computer model of tissue-level immune response to pathogens through the NF-κB pathway and cytokine signaling.

Keywords: microfluidics,systems,cell,signaling,signalling,automation,optics,integration,immunology,macrophage,cytokine,systems biology,nfkappab,modeling,chip,droplet,dynamics