Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
ENgineered CArtilage from Nose for the Treatment of Osteoarthritis (ENCANTO) (ENCANTO)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness
Programme: Health
Theme: Health
Destination: Unlocking the full potential of new tools, technologies and digital solutions for a healthy society
Action type: Research and Innovation actions
Countries involved: Italy,Germany,Croatia,Finland,Netherlands,Switzerland,Austria,Poland,Greece,Sweden
Call: Clinical trials of combined Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs) (HORIZON-HLTH-2023-TOOL-05, 2023)
Start date: 2024-01-01
End date: 2029-12-31
Duration (months): 72.0
Total project cost (EUR): 8363555.0
EU funding (EUR): 8363555.0
Participants: 19
Project status: SIGNED

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common causes of pain and disability, affecting over 500 million people worldwide. The tremendous socio-economic burden caused by OA is expected to further increase due to rising life expectancy and obesity. Current therapeutic approaches are limited to pain management or knee arthroplasty, but no disease-modifying or regenerative treatment is available. ENCANTO will address this major unmet clinical need by clinically introducing a combined ATMP for the biological reconstruction of the degenerated joint facet in patellofemoral OA (PFOA). This tissue-engineered cartilage (N-TEC), based on autologous nasal chondrocytes and a collagen membrane, was previously successfully used for focal cartilage lesions. The central part of ENCANTO is an international, blinded, multicenter, prospective randomized controlled phase II trial to clinically assess the efficacy of N-TEC for the treatment of PFOA. Patients’ samples will be analyzed to retrospectively identify PFOA molecular endotypes and associated biomarker signatures with the most successful clinical outcome after N-TEC implantation, to predictively select responders to therapy. To achieve these aims ENCANTO brings together tissue engineers with practice in ATMPs, knee surgery and rehabilitation specialists, research institutes experienced in regulatory affairs, health economics and ATMP development, excellent scientists involved in the assessment of OA endotypes, and patients’ representatives. SMEs from the consortium will develop a road map towards commercial exploitation, including centralized marketing authorization. After demonstrating efficacy for PFOA, N-TEC will be considered for other forms of OA in different joints. ENCANTO will thus introduce the first disease-modifying therapy for cartilage degeneration, enable mobility and social gain for a large patient group and play a pivotal role in strengthening Europe's position in delivering regenerative medicine solutions.

Keywords: patellofemoral osteoarthritis combined atmp tissue engineering nasal chondrocytes randomized controlled phase ii trial
New International Monetary and Financial Environment (NIMFE)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Advanced grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Individuals, Markets and Organisations
Panel description: Economics, finance , management
Countries involved: United Kingdom
Call: ERC ADVANCED GRANTS (ERC-2024-ADG, 2024)
Start date: 2025-08-01
End date: 2030-07-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2123166.0
EU funding (EUR): 2123166.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

The structure of the international monetary and financial system has first-order implications for capital flows, financial stability, the value of currencies and the way shocks propagate across countries. The world is changing rapidly: the share of the United States and Europe in international trade has declined, while the share of Asia has increased since the 2000s. International finance is still dominated by the US dollar, but China is emerging. There are wealth transfers due to the restructuring of commodity markets and the green energy transition. These constitute significant transformations of the international monetary and financial environment. This proposal aims to study interlinkages of countries to shed light on global cycles and transmission of shocks and policies of dominant currency powers over time. It has five tightly interconnected parts: (i) construct the trade, financial and commodity networks of countries to understand interdependencies and the role of main Central Banks, in particular the People’s Bank of China (ii) focus on the channels of international transmission of shocks to the real economy at the firm level using rich micro-data sets (iii) study the international finance network at the granular level and provide a brand new empirical and theoretical analysis of determinants of currency values (iv) uncover granular evidence on hedging strategies of economic actors facing those shocks using unexploited data sets (v) analyze changes in the structure of commodities international demand and supply networks (e.g. rare metals) using an original methodology based on textual analysis and track wealth transfers and their implications. These five complementary research streams will together elucidate the anatomy of the changing international financial and monetary environment and allow us to understand the origin, mechanism and consequences of the shifts in the balance of monetary and financial power in the world economy.

Keywords: international finance,international macroeconomics,capital flows,exchange rate,international monetary spillovers,global financial cycle
Photoactive Chiral Liquid Crystal-inspired Materials (PaChi-LCiMat)

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: Chemistry
Countries involved: Spain,Poland
Call: MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2024 (HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01, 2024)
Start date: 2026-06-15
End date: 2028-06-14
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 194074.56
EU funding (EUR): 194074.56
Participants: 3
Project status: SIGNED

As Europe advances its green and digital transitions, the demand for innovative materials grows, particularly in templating applications, secure authentication, and bioimaging. Chiral nanostructures, inspired by natural helical formations, are at the forefront of these challenges. The PaChi-LCiMat project seeks to push the boundaries of material science by developing new photoactive chiral liquid crystal-inspired materials for these cutting-edge fields. Dr. Sezgin will lead this research under the supervision of Prof. Blanca Ros at the Instituto de Nanociencia y Materiales de Aragón (INMA), University of Zaragoza-CSIC. Leveraging his background in liquid crystal systems, Dr. Sezgin will employ advanced organic synthesis and supramolecular chemistry to create novel photoactive bent-core building blocks that self-assemble into helical nanofilament-based soft materials, such as liquid crystals and gels. These soft materials will undergo comprehensive structural and optical characterization, essential for their use in cutting-edge technological applications. The project includes secondments to the University of Warsaw under Prof. Ewa Górecka, using advanced X-ray diffraction (SAXS/WAXS) to explore structural intricacies, and to the University of Granada with Prof. Araceli G. Campaña, focusing on CPL spectroscopy— a critical property for technological applications— to enhance the optical understanding of the materials. This research aligns with Europe's strategic priorities to enhance technological competitiveness and security, with expected breakthroughs in next-generation authentication systems, templating applications, and bioimaging technologies. By integrating expertise from multiple disciplines and institutions, PaChi-LCiMat is set to deliver groundbreaking solutions in these fields, contributing to European research excellence and positioning Dr. Sezgin as a leader in advanced materials innovation.

Keywords: supramolecular chemistry approaches,helical nanofilaments,photoactive materials,advanced soft materials
Visualising neuronal signalling dynamics within intact neuronal circuits: Deciphering the role of cell-specific MeCP2 dynamics in neuronal function and dysfunction (2CE MECP2)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Neuroscience and Disorders of the Nervous System
Panel description: Nervous system development, homeostasis and ageing , nervous system  function and dysfunction , systems neuroscience  and modelling , biological basis of cognitive processes and of behaviour, neurological and mental disorders – In humans and all other organisms
Countries involved: Israel
Call: ERC STARTING GRANTS (ERC-2021-STG, 2021)
Start date: 2022-10-01
End date: 2027-09-30
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1500000.0
EU funding (EUR): 1500000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

Epigenetic signalling pathways are required to translate external sensory input to neuronal gene modulation and function, and disruption of epigenetic signals leads to devastating brain pathologies. One prominent example is Rett syndrome (RTT), a postnatal neurodevelopmental disease which results in rapid deterioration of sensory, motor, cognitive, and social functions. RTT is caused by loss of function mutations in a single gene encoding for Methyl-CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2), an abundant and multifunctional methylation reader in the brain. While transgenic mouse models of MeCP2 loss have provided significant insights into RTT, they also revealed the vast complexity of the regulation of MeCP2 signalling and cell- specific heterogeneity. Importantly both a deficit and a surplus of MeCP2 give rise to pathological phenotypes. Here, we will develop an imaging-based approach to monitor endogenous MeCP2 signalling and dynamics in intact neuronal circuits in awake behaving mice. We will combine CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing to fluorescently label endogenous MeCP2 with FRET based biosensors to detect dynamic MeCP2 signalling without perturbing its innate regulation. In vivo two-photon fluorescence lifetime imaging will enable dual imaging of MeCP2 signalling and concurrent neuronal activity. Using this approach, we will map the functional landscape of MeCP2 activity in the intact mouse brain across cell-type, circuit, and sensory experience. We will also image in vivo MeCP2 signalling in transgenic mice with common RTT mutations. This will allow us to detect early cell-type specific MeCP2 dysfunction and avoid broad late-stage RTT symptoms. The direct visualisation of the intricate interplay between MeCP2 signalling and neuronal function within intact neuronal circuits will be transformative since it will shed light on the physiological role of epigenetic signalling in the brain and provide vital insights to future therapeutic interventions.

Keywords: neuronal signalling,mecp2,in vivo imaging,fret,2pflim
Building excellence in the study of galaxies and cosmology at the University of Tartu (EXCOSM)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Widening Participation and Strengthening the European Research Area
Programme: Widening participation and spreading excellence
Theme: Improved access to Excellence
Destination: Improved access to Excellence
Action type: Coordination and support actions
Panel: Physics
Countries involved: Estonia,Germany,Netherlands,France
Call: Twinning Bottom-Up (HORIZON-WIDERA-2023-ACCESS-02, 2023)
Start date: 2024-10-01
End date: 2027-09-30
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1499601.0
EU funding (EUR): 1499601.0
Participants: 4
Project status: SIGNED

The current era of large astronomical surveys and simulations produces massive amounts of new data. When combined with new analytical frameworks, it will allow for statistical inference to tackle many unsolved questions, such as the role of the cosmic web in the formation and evolution of galaxies. The current observations show the environment of galaxies plays a major role in the star formation quenching, mass assembly, and even the orientation of the galaxies in the cosmic web filaments. To succeed in studies like this requires combining knowledge and experience in observations, cosmological simulations, cosmic web theory, and applied mathematics. This proposal aims to strengthen the research capacity of the University of Tartu (UTARTU) in these subjects. The advanced partners of the project are internationally renowned experts in hydrodynamical simulations, cosmic web theory, cosmic web finders, and applied geometric and spatial analysis. Thanks to the knowledge transfer from advanced partners, this project will provide UTARTU with the required expertise to actively participate in the next-generation galaxy evolution surveys that allow mapping of the cosmic web in unprecedented detail. In collaboration with the partners, an improved method for cosmic web modelling will be developed that builds on the experience of the Bisous model (developed in UTARTU) and other cosmic web finders that the partners have developed (DisPerSE, NEXUS+, VWEB). This new GalaxyWeb model aims to simultaneously detect the groups and filaments directly from the observed redshifts of galaxies and work efficiently with significantly higher target densities and the non-trivial selection functions of the next-generation surveys. This twinning proposal will help ensure long-term mutually beneficial collaboration between the four project partners, raise the international visibility and attractiveness of UTARTU, and contribute to the cosmic web studies and understanding of galaxy evolution.

Keywords: cosmic web,galaxy surveys,simulations,mathematical methods
Meta-Antenna and Energy harvesting/storage modules development for autarkic sensors arrays (METATHERM)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Innovative Europe
Programme: The European Innovation Council (EIC)
Theme: EIC Transition
Destination: Challenges
Action type: EIC actions
Countries involved: Germany,France,Greece,Sweden
Call: Energy Harvesting and Storage Technologies (HORIZON-EIC-2021-TRANSITION-CHALLENGES-01, 2021)
Start date: 2022-04-01
End date: 2025-09-30
Duration (months): 42.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2498710.0
EU funding (EUR): 2498710.0
Participants: 5
Project status: SIGNED

METATHERM will demonstrate a versatile energy harvesting and communication system for unattended environment sensors arrays, allowing the development of maintenance free and autarkic operation devices. The novelty builds up from several different innovations, the main one being the microwave antenna, based on epsilon engineering using metamaterials, allowing the antenna to show extremely high gain and an extreme compactness [FETOPEN Project NANOPOLY]. The energy efficiency of the antenna allows the electrical power need to be decreased accordingly, which allows the consideration of novel energy harvesting technologies to be used to power the system. In METATHERM, the energy of the sun is harvested using a novel ionic thermoelectric device. This technology is based on ion migration under a thermal gradient, and show higher Seebeck coefficient than usual tellurium based semiconductors without the use of rare or toxic elements: a significant advantage in the context of the rapidly growing energy demand for IoT and mobile electronic systems. Used in addition to a supercapacitor to store the electrical energy and a thermal energy storage device, METATHERM platform will allow continuous operation of the device day and night. Moreover, due to the similarity in device structure between the iTE device and the supercapacitor, METATHERM will benefit from manufacturing know how of the latter. A substantial maturity level increase is then expected for the iTE devices. Finally, the project aims to develop a platform integrating all these technology in a single device, and exploration of its potential applications. To ensure market fit, the project plans a 3 phases exploitation plan, gathering potential user interest at the beginning of the project, selecting most promising applications at the demonstrator design stage, and produce a transfer plan at the end of the project.

Keywords: energy harvesting,microwave antenna,internet of everything,thermoelectrics
From Big data to new science and practical solutions (Data4Healthcare)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Excellent Science
Programme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Co-funding of regional, national and international programmes
Action type: Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions
Countries involved: Finland,Norway
Call: MSCA COFUND 2022 (HORIZON-MSCA-2022-COFUND-01, 2022)
Start date: 2024-01-01
End date: 2028-12-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 3582000.0
EU funding (EUR): 3582000.0
Participants: 12
Project status: SIGNED

From Big data to new science and practical solutions (Data4Healthcare) is a novel postdoctoral programme hosted at an international and multidisciplinary research environment of University of Oulu (UOULU), Finland. The Data4Healthcare addresses the great demand for specialists in all fields who are capable of working with different types of massive datasets, understand different datasources and legislation related to the demand of turning them into useful information for decision making in healthcare. This is achieved by tackling some of the most important scientific problems by collaborating intensely with experts from different disciplines and stakeholders and educating well-qualified postdoctoral researchers to meet the requirements of the 21st century. Data4Healthcare trains 25 postdoctoral researchers to better exploit and develop the possibilities of big data in the EU and globally. The aim of the Data4Healthcare programme is to offer cutting-edge research, research training and career development for experienced researchers of any nationality in fields associated with big data, data analytics, machine vision and artificial intelligence. The Oulu ecosystem with world’s smartest hospital, strong background in eHealth and ICT (for example 6GFlagship as world’s first 6G research programme to develop the future of wireless communication technologies), research teams utilizing large molecular data, expertise in artificial intelligence and several companies locally and in collaboration offers unprecedented surroundings for the programme. The identified primary/focus themes of research in the programme in UOULU are: - Data as new resources in the society - Health data management practices in RDI collaboration - Technical tools in data management and processing

Keywords: healthcare,big data,data analytics,machine vision,artificial intelligence,tailored medicine
Novel emitters for strongly coupled organic light-emitting diodes (SCOLED_Hop-on)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Widening Participation and Strengthening the European Research Area
Programme: Widening participation and spreading excellence
Theme: Improved access to Excellence
Destination: Improved access to Excellence
Action type: Research and Innovation actions
Countries involved: Finland,Lithuania
Call: Hop on Facility (HORIZON-WIDERA-2023-ACCESS-06, 2023)
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 599981.25
EU funding (EUR): 599981.25
Participants: 2
Project status: SIGNED

We propose a radical new solution to the problem of increasing the efficiency of organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) based on modifying the light-matter coupling by nanostructures. All previous attempts to increase the efficiency of OLEDs to be competitive with commercial inorganic LEDs have failed. If successful, our new vision for strongly coupled organic light-emitting diodes (SCOLEDs) will bypass the existing technological bottleneck. OLEDs can be fabricated from earth-abundant non-toxic materials using energy-efficient processes, in stark contrast to the present market-leading inorganic LEDs. However, despite their much lower environmental impact, the widespread deployment of OLEDs has been blocked by their limited efficiency. To achieve the required step-change in efficiency, plasmonic nano-particle arrays will be used to enhance the coupling between light and matter within OLEDs. Our objectives are to enhance OLED efficiency to a level competitive with inorganic LEDs, and at the same time to adjust the periodicity, size and shape of the nanoparticles to control the color, polarization and directional distribution of the emitted light. Analytic theory, numerical simulations and nanofabrication will be combined with optical and electronic characterization across an interdisciplinary team with expertise ranging from materials science and electronics to photonics and quantum physics, including world-leading proficiency in nanoparticle arrays and strong light-matter coupling. Our ambitious target is the proof-of-principle demonstration of an OLED with more than 50% external quantum efficiency and tailorable control of the properties of the emitted light. SCOLEDs offer the prospect of a breakthrough technology that will dramatically reduce the environmental impact of LED technology in lighting and display applications, and will widen the palette of OLED applications to new and emerging areas such as electronic vehicles, augmented reality and urban agriculture.

Keywords: organic light emitting diodes oleds,nanoplasmonics,nanophotonics,nanoparticle arrays,strong light matter coupling,exciton polaritons,light management,spectral shaping
DISCOVERING HOW PLANTS SENSE WATER STRESS (HYDROSENSING)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Synergy grants
Action type: ERC actions
Countries involved: Israel,Germany,Norway,United Kingdom
Call: ERC Synergy Grants (ERC-2023-SyG, 2023)
Start date: 2024-05-01
End date: 2029-04-30
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 9780769.0
EU funding (EUR): 9780769.0
Participants: 4
Project status: SIGNED

Water stress is an increasing probleWater stress is an increasing problem for global agriculture given the impact of climate change. Despite the fundamental importance of water, exactly how plants sense its availability remains unknown. This new knowledge is vital for designing more climate resilient crops, yet currently remains a critical gap in scientific understanding. Our unique synergy is ideal to take on this ambitious project and discover how plants sense water after identifying membrane proteins from a proof-of-principle multi-targeted genetic screen designed to reveal components of the water-sensing (hydrosensing) machinery. We hypothesise changes in plant hydraulic fluxes driven by transient water stress are sensed by a specialised cell type – termed phloem companion cells - that controls the synthesis and release of the abiotic stress signal ABA. Release of ABA by water stress is triggered by perturbations in plasma membrane-cell wall contact sensed by kinases like THESEUS1 (THE1) and additional missing components, which we will identify using our custom multi-targeted CIRSPR libraries. Our discoveries will unlock the mechanism enabling sensing of the most important molecule on the planet, WATER, in the most abundant lifeform biomass-wise, PLANTS. Solving how plants sense water demands a highly inter-disciplinary strategy that goes beyond the cutting edge by pioneering the development of innovative genome editing, functional imaging and structural biology approaches. The breadth and depth of capabilities and expertise to undertake this strategy necessitates a synergistic partnership between world-leading groups to go beyond the current state of the art. By pursuing this high-risk/high-gain strategy, our project promises to reveal common ‘design principles’ that underpin the core mechanism(s) for water stress signalling in plants. This new knowledge is crucial for international efforts to design climate-resilient crops and underpin global food security.

Keywords: plant molecular genomics plant phenomics water stress