Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
SLAMseq: Temporal resolution in gene expression profiling across multiple platforms (SLAMseq)

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: Austria
Call: ERC Proof of Concept Grant (ERC-2018-PoC, 2018)
Start date: 2019-01-01
End date: 2020-06-30
Duration (months): 18.0
Total project cost (EUR): 150000.0
EU funding (EUR): 150000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Current gene expression profiling by massive parallel RNA sequencing provides insight into relative abundance of RNA molecules but fails to resolve the underlying principles in gene regulation that are reflected in the intracellular kinetics of RNA biogenesis, processing and turnover. In the ERC-StG 'miRLIFE', we have developed a novel technology – SLAMseq – that uncovers a chemically modified nucleoside analog by sequencing. When coupled to metabolic RNA labeling and targeted RNA sequencing, SLAMseq provides unprecedented insights into the intracellular kinetics of gene expression in a rapid, scalable and cost-effective manner. Preliminary data show that the SLAMseq technology can be used to modify other nucleoside analogs and be applied for non-targeted RNA seq protocols. In this PoC, we aim to validate and prove this broader applicability of SLAMseq in order to enable and commercialize genome-wide, time-resolved transcriptomics. In this way, metabolic RNA sequencing will revolutionise biomedical research by providing experimental access to the molecular basis of human malignancies and treatments thereof.

Keywords: rna sequencing,metabolic rna labeling,gene expression dynamics,next generation sequencing,transcriptomics,gene regulation,ribonucleotide analogs
Novel Drug Therapy with Potential to Cure Neuro-Degenerative Diseases (NeuroProtect)

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

Over 10M Europeans suffer from neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), Parkinson’s Disease (PD) and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Whilst there are many drugs that treat symptoms of these diseases, there are no therapies that can reverse or cure them. Our novel compound NeuroProtect has the potential to be a game changer by healing damaged neurons. NeuroProtect is a natural herb-derived compound with remarkable neuroprotective, neuro-rescuing, anti-apoptotic, and axon-outgrowth effects in mouse primary neuronal and human neuronal models. We have proven the compound’s efficiency in preliminary in-vitro tests. To take NeuroProtect to market fastest, we will focus on ALS that where we can use the orphan drug route and get clinical approval faster. This gives us an immediate target market of €300M per year in Europe, the US, Japan and Switzerland alone. Although ALS is relatively rare, the socioeconomic significance of the disease is extensive: a recent study showed that total lifetime costs for ALS were €1.15M per patient. NeuroProtect can therefore contribute to reduce the global economic burden of ALS. We are planning to take the standard route for commercialization in pharma industry: take the compound through pre-clinical studies, Phase I and Phase II clinical trials and then outlicense to a large pharma company who will refund our cost until they finish the Phase III trials and then pay us royalties. Our team is led by two experienced co-founders: Dr. Yuhong Dong, who has worked for a multinational pharmaceutical company for over 10 years as well as a physician for 4 years, and David Guan, who has over 10 years of management positions at multinational companies (HP, Honeywell). We are also supported by experienced advisors and investors to help us succeed. We are planning to use the Phase 1 funding to select our pre-clinical study partners, perform a market assessment, assess our IP strategy and update our business plan.

Keywords: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis als
Vascular Tree Formation in Multi-Structural Tissue Engineering (VascArbor)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Consolidator grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Diseases
Panel description: Medical technologies and tools for prevention, diagnosis and treatment of human diseases, therapeutic approaches and interventions, pharmacology, preventative medicine, epidemiology and public health, digital medicine
Countries involved: Netherlands
Call: ERC Consolidator Grant (ERC-2016-COG, 2016)
Start date: 2017-04-01
End date: 2022-03-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2000000.0
EU funding (EUR): 2000000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Engineered tissues offer a great promise to the field of medicine as an alternative for donor tissues, for which the supply is not meeting the demands. However, the clinical application of engineered tissues is hampered. The integration of engineered tissues after implantation is limited due to the lack of a vascular network. Currently, strategies to include vascular networks rely on the spontaneous organization of vascular cells, or on the patterning of these cells. However, this results in either vascular networks that are not organized, or networks that lose their initial organization fast. This project will use a unique and novel approach to control vascular development and will therefore result in a vascular network with a controllable long-term organization. By allowing for anastomosis, and increasing nutrient delivery, this project will tackle an essential problem and will greatly enhance the clinical applicability of engineered tissues. Within VascArbor, fluid flows through engineered tissues will be designed and controlled to guide vascular organization. Apart from that, growth factors will be patterned in space and time to further direct the formation of a vascular network with a controlled organization. In parallel, computational models will be developed that can predict vascular organization and development based on processing parameters. This will be a breakthrough in vascularized tissue engineering by enabling a direct link between a desired vascular organization, and the tissue construct geometry and processing conditions that are needed to acquire this organization. To maximize the impact of VascArbor on the field of tissue engineering and medicine, the principles that will guide vascular organization are compatible with multiple current and future tissue fabrication technologies. Within VascArbor, tissue building blocks and bio-printing will be used to engineer vascularized cardiac muscle tissue based on the principles developed in this project.

Keywords: tissue engineering,vascularization,fluid flow,growth factor,endothelial cell
How do Pharmacological Chaperones work? Molecular basis of the actions of glycomimetics on key glycosidases involved in lysosomal storage disorders (GlycoPCs)

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: Individual Fellowships (H2020-MSCA-IF-2017, 2017)
Start date: 2018-10-01
End date: 2020-09-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 183454.8
EU funding (EUR): 183454.8
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Lysosomal storage disorders (LSDs) are a group of 50 rare inherited metabolic disorders that in many cases originate from mutations that destabilise glycosidase 3D folding precluding its transportation to the lysosomes, which leads to substrate accumulation at the lysosomes and cellular dysfunction, with severe symptoms. An emerging therapeutic approach employs small molecules, called pharmacological chaperones (PCs). PCs bind and stabilize the folding of mutant lysosomal enzymes, allowing proper cellular translocation to the lysosome, reducing substrate accumulation. However, there is still no drug already on the market based on this concept and the PCs discovered until now lack the necessary effectiveness to replace other therapies. One important reason is that the complex mechanisms underpinning the enzyme stabilization operated by chaperones are poorly understood in structural terms and currently under debate. Understanding the mechanism will provide more rational criteria and guiding principles for the design of improved PC drugs. In this proposal we are interested in providing novel structural approaches to understand the mechanism of action of new PCs for efficient treatment in Gaucher and Fabry diseases, as two of the more prevalent LSDs. We will develop a powerful high-resolution combined protocol including mass spectrometry (MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) to: (i) provide a novel methodological approach for the discovery of PCs, (ii) apply the novel protocol to a small library of promising new ligands, and (iii) deepen our understanding of the mechanism of action of PCs in structural terms by combining the novel MS/NMR protocol with very long molecular dynamics simulations of wild-type and mutant glycosidases. Besides the potential for high-impact of the project, it will also allow the experienced researcher, Dr E.Casal, to be trained in a wide range of new skills, adding to her strong previous experience in MS.

Keywords: protein carbohydrate interactions,nmr spectrosocopy,pharmacological chaperones,molecular,dynamics,glycosidase inhibitors
InP Membrane on Silicon technology for a broad range of applications (IMOS4ALL)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Proof of concept grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Systems and communication engineering
Panel description: Electrical, electronic, communication, optical and systems engineering
Countries involved: Netherlands
Call: ERC Proof of Concept Grant (ERC-2019-PoC, 2019)
Start date: 2019-07-01
End date: 2021-03-31
Duration (months): 21.0
Total project cost (EUR): 150000.0
EU funding (EUR): 150000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Photonic technologies are key enablers for high-speed, on-demand communications, precision sensors, imaging and metrology. Industry roadmapping initiatives are now showing a clear and pressing need for miniaturising photonics solutions across market segments with sustained improvements in energy-efficiency, precision and performance. Photonic integration can meet these challenges, and has been convincingly demonstrated in fiber optic systems, but there is an absence of chip scale solutions for connectorless communications and sensor circuits requiring optical wireless connectivity. The necessary combination of high-performance optoelectronics, photonics integration, and chip-scale beam forming is not available to the industry. IMOS – Indium Phosphide membrane on Silicon enables the combination of nanophotonics, photonic integration, lasers, amplifiers and the highest efficiency electro-optic processes. Integrated nanophotonics offers a route to exquisite optical beam control within the chip, and removes the need for fiber optic connectivity, micro-mechanical-assemblies and off-chip optics. The ERC project NoLimits has pioneered a nanophotonic platform which additionally integrates lasers, semiconductor optical amplifiers, high performance detectors and low-loss, fabrication-tolerant surface grating technologies. The IMOS4ALL program will implement the most comprehensive set of active and nanophotonic building blocks as created in the ERC project NoLimits and make them available within one wafer scale process and valid the platform with industry-inspired circuits. The free placement of standard high-performance building blocks enables the project to deliver an open-access platform where designers configure circuits to enable new and unanticipated circuits. The platform approach also enables the integration of a pipeline of future high-performance building blocks for future technology nodes.

Keywords: photonic integration,inp photonics,silicon photonics,open access,multi project wafer mpw
Photo-Organocatalytic CO2 Valorisation into Bioactive Added-Value Molecules (Photo2Bio)

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: Italy
Call: Individual Fellowships (H2020-MSCA-IF-2019, 2019)
Start date: 2021-02-01
End date: 2023-01-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 183473.28
EU funding (EUR): 183473.28
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

In my research proposal Photo2Bio, I introduce a conceptually new chemical paradigm for the organocatalytic asymmetric CO2 fixation via synergistic catalysis. This strategy demonstrates its straight to the synthesis of amino acids and diverse complex molecular architectures using renewable sources: light and CO2. The key features of this strategy is to develop a dual catalytic system which can simultaneous activate both coupling partner: the organic substrate and CO2, thus combining two powerful fields of molecular activation: visible light photoredoxcatalysis and organocatalysis. After the development of the discovery phase - development of the dual catalytic system and application to the synthesis of biomolecules - a more applicative execution phase will take place, where organocatalytic magnetic nanoparticles (MN) will be implemented and functionalize to overcome the recovery and catalyst loading issues. This will open the way to environmentally benign industrial applications. The successful development of proposal is ensured by the merging of diverse skills from hosting group at the University of Padova, led by Prof. Marcella Bonchio i) CO2 valorisation, ii) photocatalyst; the ITM-CNR expert in MN Dr. Alberto Figoli: i) magnetic nanoparticle design and assembly and me: i) photoredox catalysis, ii) asymmetric synthesis and reaction development. Funding of the Photo2Bio will generate great benefit not only for academia and industry through the synthesis of chiral biomolecules but also for the society. At short term new sustainable way to bioactive molecules will be accessed; at a long term this will serve to prove the concept that chemistry useful and can solve global warming by the development of sustainable synthetic methods, thus changing the common people perception of chemistry as toxic and/or dangerous. This will be accomplished by a series of large audience initiative and discussions with scientists and common people.

Keywords: photocatalysis,organocatalysis,co2 fixation,amino acids,asymmetric synthesis
Metallocomplexes of macrocyclic compounds for photonic devices (METCOPH)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: Marie-Sklodowska-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Research and innovation staff exchange
Action type: Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions
Panel: Chemistry
Countries involved: Germany,Israel,Ukraine,Belarus,Poland
Call: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Research and Innovation Staff Exchange (RISE) (H2020-MSCA-RISE-2014, 2014)
Start date: 2015-01-01
End date: 2018-12-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 688500.0
EU funding (EUR): 688500.0
Participants: 5
Project status: CLOSED

The key objective of the METCOPH multidisciplinary project is to intensify and consolidate cooperation between several research groups from member states and third countries on topics within the field of fundamental interdisciplinary science. The project combines the basic ideas of organic chemistry, solid state physics, photochemistry and spectroscopy of metallocomplexes of macrocyclic compounds (MMC) for applications in quantum information processing, sensing, switching and amplification. The project aims at focusing mutual efforts of five research groups with extended and complementary competence in their respective research fields and at gathering multidisciplinary and complementary expertise in chemical engineering and investigation of spectroscopy and photochemistry of MMCs for future design of photonic devices (e.g. organic light emitting devices – OLEDs, light emitting electrochemical cells – LECs, sensors, light emitting transistors) based on above mentioned compounds. The physical and chemical mechanisms of manipulation of optical response for these novel compounds will be revealed and analyzed with involving diverse spectroscopic approaches including steady-state and transient absorption, site-selective high-resolution luminescence, Raman scattering, atomic force microscopy and single-objects detection methods at different temperatures ranging from 1.2 K to ambient temperature. The expected results involve fabrication and chemical/photophysical characterisation of MMCs based on various core metals and incorporating various functional organic ligands. One of the key technologies will rely on driving optical transistor with CW and pulsed lasers and will make use of simultaneous excitation of singlet and triplet states of the metallocomplexes of macrocyclic compounds. The new information gained for these newly synthesized MMC systems will have impact on the engineering of novel functional MMCs for application in nanotechnology and photonic devices.

Keywords: photonic devices,new materials,metallocomlexes of macrocyclic compounds,nanotechnology,comprehensive cooperation
Combined Ultrasonic and Enzyme treatment of Lignocellulosic Feedstock as Substrate for Sugar Based Biotechnological Applications (US4GREENCHEM)

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: Italy,Germany,Spain,Germany,Germany,Finland,Lithuania,Latvia,Netherlands
Call: Efficient pre-treatment of lignocellulosic feedstock to advanced bio-based chemicals and biomaterials (H2020-BBI-PPP-2014-1, 2014)
Start date: 2015-07-01
End date: 2019-06-30
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 3803925.0
EU funding (EUR): 3457602.5
Participants: 10
Project status: CLOSED

US4GREENCHEM aims to design a biorefinery concept for the complete valorization of lignocellulosic biomass that is energy- and cost- efficient and based solely on green technologies. The concept combines mechanical pretreatment of the substrate with the aid of ultrasound to overcome its recalcitrance and disrupt inhibitors with mild CO2 hemicellulose degradation and with the enzymatic recovery of sugars and technologies for the valorization of the byproducts released in the process. Aim of the Project - Develop ultrasound (US) pretreatment that effectively disrupts the lignocellulosic matrix. - Further degrade lignocellulose with CO2 technologies to maximize release of sugars as main target products of the process. - Develop purification and conversion strategies for lignin-based products, in order to maximize the material valorization of the biomass components. - Valorize the solid residues of the product for energy. - Optimize the yield and reduce by 50% the cost of enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose fibers. - Test for fermentability of the sugar fraction - Propose effective integration and upscaling to strategies pilot scale through the experienced industrial partners involved in the project. - Perform a thorough analysis of the outcomes of the proposed combination of technologies to evaluate the potential economic and environmental impacts and compare the proposed concept to existing technologies on the market and being currently developed.

Keywords: lignocellulose,biorefinery,supercritical co2,ultrasound,enzymatic hydrolysis,fermentation
Mechanisms and functional significance of diffusion barriers for asymmetric segregation of age in neural stem cells (STEMBAR)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Consolidator grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Cellular, Developmental and Regenerative Biology
Panel description: Structure and function of the cell, cell-cell communication, embryogenesis, tissue differentiation, organogenesis, growth, development, evolution of development, organoids, stem cells, regeneration, therapeutic approaches
Countries involved: Switzerland
Call: ERC Consolidator Grant (ERC-2015-CoG, 2015)
Start date: 2016-09-01
End date: 2022-02-28
Duration (months): 66.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2000000.0
EU funding (EUR): 2000000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs) continue to generate new neurons throughout life in distinct regions of the mammalian brain. Adult neurogenesis has been implicated in brain function and altered neurogenesis has been associated with a number of neuropsychiatric diseases such as depression and cognitive ageing. A key feature of somatic stem cell division is the ability to divide asymmetrically and symmetrically for neurogenic and self-renewing cell division, respectively. However, it remains unknown how age is segregated in the context of somatic stem cell division, i.e., if the cellular history and the replicative age of the mother stem cell is passed onto its progeny. Thus, we hypothesized that – similar to the previously described barrier that exists in budding yeast – somatic stem cells, and more specifically NSPCs, form a diffusion barrier during cell division to retain aging or senescence factors within the stem cell, generating a mechanism for how age is asymmetrically distributed. Indeed, we found the existence of a diffusion barrier that is established during NSPC division, identifying a new mechanism of cellular segregation and asymmetry. With the program proposed here I aim i) to study the effects of the barrier on asymmetric segregation of aging factors and to develop novel tools to visualize the mammalian diffusion barrier, ii) to characterize the presence of a diffusion barrier in endogenous NSPCs in relation to cell division history, iii) to analyse the mechanisms underlying age-associated weakening of the NSPC diffusion barrier, and iv) to evaluate if genetic and pharmacological rescue of the barrier is sufficient to ameliorate the age-dependent decline of neurogenesis. The insights gained from the studies proposed here have the potential to substantially advance our understanding of NSPC biology, to identify a new mechanism underlying the neurogenic process, and to reshape our understanding of asymmetric cell division of somatic stem cells.