Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Engineering the protein corona on RNA nanoparticles for improved nucleic acids-based therapies delivery (NanoRNA_PC)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: Marie-Sklodowska-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Individual Fellowships (IF)-Society and Enterprise panel
Action type: Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions
Panel: Life Sciences
Countries involved: United Kingdom
Call: Individual Fellowships (H2020-MSCA-IF-2019, 2019)
Start date: 2020-05-14
End date: 2022-05-25
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 212933.76
EU funding (EUR): 212933.76
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

In the past three decades, nanomedicine has emerged as a promising strategy in cancer treatment and has led to numerous proposed drug delivery systems. Nanoparticles aim to improve selectivity towards cancer cells while reducing off-target effects and toxicity towards normal cells. Among these systems, self-assembled RNA nanoparticles have been of great interest for drug delivery, because of their low cost, high yielding assembly and retained functionality. Yet, challenges such as poor nuclease resistance, biodistribution and cellular delivery remains to be addressed, to fully propels these structures towards clinical applications. To optimize these systems, there is a huge need to understand precisely their interactions with biological components. In particular, upon injection in vivo, it is known that serum proteins adsorb on nanoparticles. The composition of this so-called protein-corona on RNA particles remains fully unexplored. Herein, I propose to characterize the protein corona on RNA nanoparticles using state-of-the-art methodologies (proteomics, super-resolution microscopy, SELEX), as well as understand the role the corona on the fate of RNA structures. I will engineer the protein corona to improve biological outcomes of RNA particles, previously developed by Sixfold Bioscience Ltd. Overall, the project aims at providing tools and rules for rational engineering of the protein corona. In the long term, the project, grouping experts in industry and in academia, aims towards the development of a preclinical candidate, as well as answering fundamental questions on nanoparticles delivery.

Keywords: rna nanotechnology,rna structures,nanostructures,gene therapy,cell therapy,protein corona,bio engineering,aptamers,selex,serum proteins
Platinum-Catalysed Reaction of Bis-Allenes with Nucleophiles: Mechanistic Insights and Future Applications (PTALLENEST)

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: United Kingdom
Call: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF-EF) (H2020-MSCA-IF-2014, 2014)
Start date: 2015-04-13
End date: 2016-04-12
Duration (months): 12.0
Total project cost (EUR): 91727.4
EU funding (EUR): 91727.4
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

For some time allenes were considered simple curiosities because of their apparent unstable nature. However, in the last few years the chemistry of allenes has been extensively developed since they have shown an interesting reactivity and selectivity affording complex structures in an atom economic manner. Bis-allenes have recently appeared as useful building blocks for the synthesis of carbo- and heterocycles. However, their reaction with nucleophiles has barely been studied. The main objective of this project deals with a recently discovered Pt-catalysed reaction of bis-allenes with oxygen nucleophiles leading to seven membered cycles with a molecule of the nucleophile incorporated in the final skeleton. This new reaction could involve a double coordination of the Pt atom to both allenes, but the mechanism remains unclear. Recent studies in Dr Muñoz’s group suggest that the Pt, in addition to the more common η2-coordination with the allene, can also appear as a η1-structure, with the Pt atom coordinated to the central carbon of the allene. The discoveries in this field highlight the importance of acquiring knowledge in the bis-allene coordination, since this information could lead to the preparation of more selective catalyst as well as the isolation of reactive intermediates that can be milestones for the construction of new interesting scaffolds. The present project attempts to shed light into the Pt-bis-allene interaction, to exploit the implications of the coordination modes in the reaction mechanisms, and to apply the gained knowledge to the synthesis of new natural-product like structures with potential biological activity.

Keywords: bis allenes,platinum,coordination,mechanisms,cyclisation
Molecular Characterisation of Anthropogenic Secondary Organic Aerosols. (MOCHA)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: Marie-Sklodowska-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Individual Fellowships (IF)-Career Restart panel
Action type: Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions
Panel: Environment and Geosciences
Countries involved: Ireland
Call: Individual Fellowships (H2020-MSCA-IF-2016, 2016)
Start date: 2017-09-01
End date: 2019-08-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 187866.0
EU funding (EUR): 187866.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Secondary organic aerosol (SOA) accounts for a large fraction of atmospheric aerosol mass and can have significant effects on atmospheric composition, human health, and climate. However, considerable uncertainty exists on the chemical composition of SOA, as well as the sources and processes leading to its formation in the atmosphere. In this project state-of-the-art analytical techniques will be used to determine the molecular composition of secondary organic aerosols in ambient urban air and the identity of the precursor volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These field measurements will provide detailed information on VOCs and particle composition that can be linked to specific pollution sources, such as vehicle emissions and biomass burning. A detailed programme of simulation chamber experiments will also be conducted to investigate the formation of SOA from anthropogenic VOCs that most strongly influenced aerosol composition at the measurement site. The simulation chamber experiments will generate novel information on the reaction pathways for anthropogenic SOA formation that can be incorporated into atmospheric models dealing with both air quality and climate. Overall, the unique information obtained from this combined field and laboratory study is expected to contribute to a greatly improved understanding of the composition, sources and processes leading to organic aerosol formation in the atmosphere, and in turn, the impact of SOA on human health and climate. During this project, the Fellow will receive high quality training through research that will significantly improve scientific knowledge and provide a strong platform for building an independent research career. A wide range of complementary and transferable skills will also be developed to enhance future career prospects.

Keywords: aerosol composition,air quality,simulation chambers
CoPIRL: Compact High Power Picosecond Infrared Laser for Scar Free Surgery and Bio-Diagnostics. (CoPIRL)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Proof of concept grants
Action type: ERC actions
Countries involved: Germany
Call: ERC Proof of Concept Grant (ERC-2014-PoC, 2014)
Start date: 2015-07-01
End date: 2016-12-31
Duration (months): 18.0
Total project cost (EUR): 78125.0
EU funding (EUR): 78125.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The PIRL concept is the first method of any to achieve surgery without scar tissue formation. This new laser concept has achieved the long held promise for the laser for attaining the fundamental limit to minimally invasive surgery. The very prospect of high precision surgery without scar tissue formation is readily appreciated to potentially revolutionize surgery and holds equally great promise in providing in situ bio-diagnostics. The goal of this work is to develop a more compact and higher power version of the ERC SUREPIRL (ERC AdG_20110209, project ID 291630) project’s laser system with improved beam quality and delivery methods to drive adoption of the concept and open up commercial surgical and bio-diagnostic applications. The current cross-disciplinary collaboration between the physicists, chemists, and surgeons within the SUREPIRL project has led to significant advancements in knowledge as to demands on beam power and beam shape necessary for full scale commercial implementation of this technology. This proposal builds upon the unique applications enabled by the novel PIRL technology – currently under investigation by the SUREPIRL project – to develop a new laser device based on direct amplification of 3 µm laser radiation. Recent advances in the field of research on Chromium-doped chalcogenide gain materials make it possible to realize sufficient power amplification in this wavelength region on the picosecond pulse timescale. This potential gain in power and reduction in size will permit for the rapid translation of SUREPIRL project findings to industry, with significant commercial and societal benefit.

Keywords: picosecond infrared laser scar free surgery bio diagnostics laser
PROTEASES VISUALIZATION DURING TUMOR PROGRESSION (PROVIST)

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: Life Sciences
Countries involved: Poland,United States
Call: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF-GF) (H2020-MSCA-IF-2014, 2014)
Start date: 2016-01-01
End date: 2018-12-31
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 227361.6
EU funding (EUR): 227361.6
Participants: 2
Project status: CLOSED

Cancer is one of the most devastating diseases leading to millions of deaths per year, and cancer research is a major topic in many laboratories in academia and industry. The main goal in this proposal is to understand the biology of cancer progression that will lead to the discovery of new, more tailored and personalized anticancer therapies. One of the largest group of enzymes that greatly contribute in cancer progression are proteases. In this project I will leverage the production of highly selective chemical probes to investigate the contribution of medically important proteases in tumor progression in PDX (Patient-Derived Xenograft) mice models using a new analytical technique - mass cytometry. This goal will be achieved via a four-step approach employing techniques from organic chemistry, analytical chemistry, biochemistry and biology making this project multidisciplinary. Proteases that have been chosen for this purpose are caspases, legumain and cathepsins B, L and S for which I will synthesize very specific, small molecule radiolabeled inhibitors suitable for mass cytometry approach. These probes will be first evaluated on recombinant enzymes and simple cell systems and then they will be applied to PDX mice studies. PDX models offer an excellent possibility to study human cancer biology in system most closely related to in vivo pathology. So far there are no reports in the literature regarding the use of mass cytometry in studies of PDX mice models, which makes this project very unique and innovative. This PROVIST project will be performed in Sanford Burnham Medical Research Institute, USA (24-months outgoing phase, prof. Guy Salvesen Lab) and at Wroclaw University of Technology, Poland (12-months return phase, dr. Marcin Drag Lab). The research and training profile of these units fits all the objectives that are included into PROVIST project (scientific research and personal career development).

Keywords: proteases,mass cytometry,patient derived xenograft pdx mice
Rhizosphere engineering: influence on signaling behavior and colonization under drought conditions (RhizoEng)

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: Environment and Geosciences
Countries involved: Denmark
Call: Individual Fellowships (H2020-MSCA-IF-2020, 2020)
Start date: 2021-12-01
End date: 2024-07-01
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 207312.0
EU funding (EUR): 207312.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

Sustainability of climate smart agriculture is dependent on effectiveness of management strategies. Plant-microbe interactions within the rhizosphere are specifically deliberated to achieve the goal of sustainable crop production. Researchers on a global scale are making serious efforts over the past few decades and have resulted in significantly increase in our understanding regarding various aspects of plant-microbe interactions under abiotic stress, but gap is yet seen in the current knowledge regarding the factors governing host-microbe bilateral crosstalk within the rhizosphere, which has significantly limited the attempts to expedite the host-microbe signaling under abiotic stress conditions including drought. With this proposal I hypothesise that drought-smart cultivation is possible through rhizosphere engineering and that changes in the colonizing microbial consortia may result in resilient, drought resistant plants. To test my hypothesis, I will unite the disciplines of microbiology, plant science, molecular biology, and molecular ecology to decode the root-signaling behavior, microbial assemblage, and subsequent drought tolerance in wheat. I will achieve this by a) conducting a meticulously designed experiment which will allow identification of differential root-signaling behavior in wheat under drought conditions in the natural soil regime; b) multi-disciplinary investigations on soil-microbial dynamics to explain the microbial assemblage and counter-responses in wheat rhizosphere under drought conditions; c) by integrating the wheat-root signaling behavior with the soil-microbial counter responses, which will form the basis to devise ‘rhizosphere engineering’ strategy for improved microbial assemblage and drought tolerance in wheat. Consequently, the outcomes will significantly advance the fundamental aspects of plant-microbial crosstalk under drought conditions in natural soil environment, and emerging field of microbe-aided drought smart cultivation.

Keywords: drought stress,root signaling,microbial assemblage,rhizosphere engineering,plant microbe,interactions
Generation of new yeast strains for improved flavours and aromas in beer and wine (Aromagenesis)

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: Life Sciences
Countries involved: Germany,Spain,Italy,Germany,Spain,Spain,Ireland,Belgium,France,France,United Kingdom,Denmark,United Kingdom
Call: Innovative Training Networks (H2020-MSCA-ITN-2017, 2017)
Start date: 2017-12-01
End date: 2022-05-31
Duration (months): 54.0
Total project cost (EUR): 3668076.03
EU funding (EUR): 3668076.0300000003
Participants: 14
Project status: CLOSED

This project aims to train the next generation of researchers to provide knowledge and expertise for two major industries in the EU, namely the beer and wine industries. Yeasts belonging to the Saccharomyces stricto sensu group are the workhorses of these industries and an understanding of how yeasts contribute to the complex flavours and aromas of beer and wine is essential for the improvement of existing fermentation technology and for the development new flavoursome beverages. The research objectives of the consortium is to examine the biochemistry and genetics of the production of flavour compounds in yeasts used in wine and beer fermentations, to generate new strains of yeasts with improved or more varied flavour profiles and to develop novel approaches to expanding flavour profiles through co-fermentation of different yeasts. The network will provide a comprehensive education in yeast genetics, synthetic biology, flavour chemistry and fermentation technology for Early Stage Researchers through individual mentored research training in both academic and industrial institutions, through inter- and intra-sectoral exchanges and secondments and through academic workshops. The involvement of industry leaders in the consortium ensures that ESRs will be exposed to real challenges facing fermentation industries and through training in Innovation and Entrepreneurship, ESRs will develop the skills to provide solutions to these challenges. Scientific discourse and communication will be a cornerstone in the training network. ESRs will be encouraged to communicate their ideas with scientific peers and with the public at large to promote an understanding of the role scientific endeavor in the economic development of two of our most important EU industries. The research developed in this project will provide scientific innovation and new and exciting opportunities for the major fermentation industries and for emerging craft beer brewing SMEs.

Keywords: yeast,fermentation,flavour,synmicro,genomics,metabolism
Development of novel functional proteins and bioactive ingredients from rapeseed, olive, tomato and citrus fruit side streams for applications in food, cosmetics, pet food and adhesives (Pro-Enrich)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Societal Challenges
Programme: Food security, sustainable agriculture and forestry, marine and maritime and inland water research and the bioeconomy
Theme: Public-private partnerships
Destination: Bio-based Industries
Action type: Research and Innovation actions
Partnership: BBI (Art-187)
Countries involved: Germany,Germany,Spain,Spain,Spain,Spain,Spain,Slovenia,Greece,France,United Kingdom,Denmark,Denmark,Denmark,United Kingdom
Call: Proteins and other bioactive ingredients from side streams and residues (H2020-BBI-JTI-2017, 2017)
Start date: 2018-05-01
End date: 2021-10-31
Duration (months): 42.0
Total project cost (EUR): 3956640.86
EU funding (EUR): 3312890.86
Participants: 19
Project status: CLOSED

Pro-Enrich will develop a flexible biorefinery approach capable of processing a range of agricultural residues (rapeseed meal, olives, tomatoes and citrus fruits) in response to the increasing global demand for alternative sources of protein and phenolic product streams, tailored to the cross sectoral requirements of industry. Pro-Enrich will optimise existing biomass fractionation technologies and validate novel extraction approaches beyond the current state of the art (from TRL2 through to TRL 4/5) to isolate and purify proteins, polyphenols, dietary fibres and pigments. The products being targeted are food ingredients, pet food, cosmetics and adhesives. These will be developed through an iterative process of feedstock mapping, laboratory process development, functionality/performance testing of samples by industry and pilot upscaling. Pro-Enrich gathers the expertise of 16 partners from 7 countries, covering the entire biorefinery value chain and consisting of 8 SMEs, 5 large enterprises, 2 RTOs and 1 university. The project facilitates supply chain building across different sectors, including biomass production and logistics; materials handling and processing, through to end-users. The project will engage and collaborate with key industry stakeholders from farming and biomass supply, processors and brand name owners. Pro-Enrich produces detailed life-cycle, socio-economic and safety assessments to facilitate policy and decision-making by industry and the EU, inform and guide consumer acceptance and assist with regulatory compliance. The outcome of Pro-Enrich will have a huge economical impact on the involved partners especially the industries and generate a large number of new job positions. However, the impact goes beyond the consortium by contributing to the BBI’s strategy for zero-waste processing in the biobased products sector, by addressing technical, commercial and environmental impact across the whole supply chain.

Keywords: proteins,bioactives,food ingredients,polyphenols,carbohydrates,fractionation,downstream purification,antioxidants,pilot scale,biorefinery system,prebiotics,side streams,adhesives
Deciphering of Root and Rhizosphere microbiome to increase host fitness in the Fusarium oxysporum- plant interaction (DIRECTION)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: Marie-Sklodowska-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Individual Fellowships (IF)-Career Restart panel
Action type: Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions
Panel: Environment and Geosciences
Countries involved: Spain
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): 170121.6
EU funding (EUR): 170121.6
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Fungi have a devastating impact on human nutrition and health. Fungal pathogens provoke huge yield losses in crops, destroying around 23% of the agricultural production annually. A major proportion of this loss is caused by pathogenic root-colonizing microbes that have evolved sophisticated strategies to outcompete the benign microbial competitors in the rhizosphere and to actively suppress the plant immune response. The fungal pathogen Fusarium oxysporum (Fox) is a soil-borne root infecting fungus that provokes vascular wilt disease in over a hundred different agricultural crops, and represents a serious threat world-wide. The current control methods for this pathogen depend upon extensive use of chemical pesticides, which are highly unsustainable in the food-chain. Here we propose to use the Fox-tomato interaction as a model to molecularly dissect the role of the root (including endophytic) and rhizosphere microbiota in modulating vascular wilt disease. We will use a barcoded pyrosequencing approach to taxonomically define the root and rhizosphere microbiome in tomato. Next, we will dissect the impact of the microbiome on fungal host sensing, using an established collection of isogenic signalling mutants of Fox available in the host lab. We will carry out in vivo Fox- bacterial interaction assays to generate a dataset for identification of bacterial communities exerting an antagonistic effect on pathogen colonization. The project will thus produce new insights into the interplay between the root microbiome and pathogen colonization. The, generated knowledge platform will be used to reassemble a synthetic ‘SynCom’ microbiome that will be used to control Vascular Wilt, thereby advancing the development of sustainable agriculture.

Keywords: microbial ecology,fusarium,tomato,synthetic biology,microbiome