Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Hybrid Trajectories of Transnational Islamism (HYBRIS)

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: Social Sciences and Humanities
Countries involved: Italy,United States,France
Call: MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2022 (HORIZON-MSCA-2022-PF-01, 2022)
Start date: 2023-12-11
End date: 2026-12-10
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 265099.2
EU funding (EUR): 265099.2
Participants: 3
Project status: SIGNED

The Uprisings that broke out on the southern shores of the Mediterranean in 2011 and the waves of migration that followed have shed light on the resurgence of Islamist movements in North Africa and on a renewed presence of Islamic communities in the Western world. On the one hand, media, policymakers, and national intelligence services have increasingly focused on the integration of Muslim communities in host countries. However, these analyses have been limited to the house-keeping relations between migrant communities and the host states, and have not explored the transformative dynamics of Islamist movements when they go transnational. On the other hand, while studies on Islamic activism have effectively highlighted the role of domestic and international factors in transforming the organisation and ideology of Islamist actors, the literature has barely focused on the transnational dimension as an analytical space of enquiry in itself. Indeed, scholarly work on the topic has not systematically investigated the impact of trans-nationalisation dynamics on the ideological, organisational and socio-political dimensions of movements. This gap led to simplistic analyses based on a monolithic interpretation of Islamist movements relying on the dichotomy moderation/radicalisation. HYBRIS aims to overcome this gap by examining the hybrid trajectories of transnational Islamism in a systematic way and from a cross-country perspective. The project will break new ground in the field by mapping the different trajectories of Ennahda and the Islamic Salvation Front (FIS) starting from the ties and networks that activists and organisations belonging to the two movements have created between geographically distant locations. It will do so by analysing two intertwined dimensions of the process of trans-nationalisation, digital activism and re-localisation dynamics, taking Islamist movements and their transnational expansion in the European and North American contexts as case studies.

Keywords: islamism,transnational activism,networks
Testing the horizon of black holes with gravitational waves (ThorGW)

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: Physics
Countries involved: Germany,Denmark
Call: MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2022 (HORIZON-MSCA-2022-PF-01, 2022)
Start date: 2024-05-01
End date: 2026-04-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 173847.36
EU funding (EUR): 173847.36
Participants: 3
Project status: SIGNED

Gravitational waves (GWs) provide a unique opportunity to test gravity in a regime inaccessible to traditional astronomical observations. One of the main predictions of general relativity (GR) is the existence of black holes (BHs) featuring a horizon beyond which nothing — not even light — can escape. Observations of GWs from the remnants of binary BH coalescences have the potential to probe the physics at the horizon of BHs. This prospect is of particular interest given some quantum-gravity theories and dark matter models that predict the presence of horizonless compact objects, known as exotic compact objects (ECOs). ECOs emit a different GW signal than BHs due to the absence of a horizon. Studying their imprints in the postmerger stage allows one to investigate the existence of horizons in compact remnants. So far, the ground-based detectors LIGO and Virgo have detected GWs from the coalescence of binary BHs and neutron stars. Several tests on the properties of the remnants have been performed, setting constraints on generic deviations from general relativity. Current constraints can be converted into bounds on the location of the horizon by modelling the variations introduced by a generic class of ECOs. However, this aim has not been achieved given the open problems in modelling spinning ECOs, which I plan to tackle in this proposal. This project will provide the first bounds on the location of the horizon with current GW observations. For this purpose, I will extend the current state-of-the-art in ECO modelling to spinning configurations and develop new data-analysis schemes relating the postmerger GW signal to the horizon properties. Finally, I will assess the prospects of detectability of BH horizons with next-generation detectors, such as the ground-based Einstein Telescope and Cosmic Explorer and the space-based Laser Interferometer Space Antenna. The outcome of this project will provide novel tests of general relativity and shed light on quantum gravity.

Keywords: strong gravity gravitational waves black holes exotic compact objects
Building an Ecological Approach for Monitoring Groundwaters (SUB-BIO-24)

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: Environment and Geosciences
Countries involved: Slovenia
Call: MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2024 (HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01, 2024)
Start date: 2025-11-01
End date: 2027-10-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 198557.52
EU funding (EUR): 198557.52
Participants: 3
Project status: SIGNED

Biodiversity is crucial for maintaining ecosystem stability and environmental health. The anticipated extinction of over one million species in the coming decades poses a grave threat to ecosystem functions and services, particularly in freshwater systems, which are among the most neglected in conservation efforts. Groundwater ecosystems, in particular, are critically overlooked, with less than 10% of known habitats globally protected. These ecosystems, which are highly biodiverse and rich in endemic species, provide the majority of the world's drinking water. However, their close connection to surface ecosystems makes them especially vulnerable to surface threats such as urbanization, which can raise groundwater temperatures by 3-4ºC. This urban heat island effect endangers groundwater species and the vital functions they support. Despite their importance, research on groundwater biodiversity remains limited due to the inaccessibility of these environments and the challenges posed by traditional sampling methods. This proposal explores the use of environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding to monitor biodiversity in alluvial groundwater ecosystems and link eDNA profiles to species' functional traits. By developing and refining eDNA protocols and building a functional biodiversity library for groundwaters, the research seeks to establish a cost-effective, accurate method for monitoring biological processes in groundwater. Additionally, the study will apply these protocols to assess the impact of subsurface urban heat islands (SUHI) on groundwater communities and their functional diversity. In collaboration with experts from Slovenia, Austria, Denmark, and Guatemala, this project aims to enhance our understanding and management of groundwater ecosystems, ensuring their long-term sustainability.

Keywords: ecosystem based management,groundwater biodiversity,ecosystem functioning,functional biodiversity,metabarcoding
Europe’s Rail Flagship Project 3 - Holistic and Integrated Asset Management for Europe’s RAIL System (FP3 - IAM4RAIL)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness
Programme: Climate, Energy and Mobility
Theme: Public-private partnerships
Destination: Europe's Rail
Action type: Innovation actions
Partnership: EU-RAIL (JU-JTI)
Countries involved: Spain,France,Germany,Italy,Norway,Hungary,Austria,Sweden,Poland,Netherlands,Portugal,Czechia
Call: Intelligent & Integrated asset management (HORIZON-ER-JU-2022-01, 2022)
Start date: 2022-12-01
End date: 2026-11-30
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 62280049.77
EU funding (EUR): 46225689.31
Participants: 97
Project status: SIGNED

The IAM4RAIL project focuses on seven (7) different integrated demonstrators for rail assets which are key for research and innovation (R&I) in the rail sector. Integrating asset condition information obtained via advanced monitoring with decision-making tools and into the traffic management system (TMS), combining available information with artificial intelligence (AI) and digital twins are covered as key topics for R&I in IAM4RAIL. Other topics such as interventions using cutting-edge technologies as robotics or additive manufacturing are seen as relevant for improving asset management in the rail sector. An European cross-border, interoperable and holistic integrated approach is needed for those topics and others in the asset management framework, that are to be transferred once developed crucial to harmonise European Rail System. Therefore, IAM4RAIL aims to reinforce the next generation of Intelligent and Integrated Rail Asset Management providing and demonstrating innovative solutions covering fixed and rolling stock assets, minimizing the life cycle costs of assets and extend their lifetime, while meeting safety requirements and improving the reliability, availability and maintainability of the rail system. IAM4RAIL will pave the way for the integration of asset condition information and TMS, enabling optimization of train routing decisions and improving the overall lifecycle of monitored assets. IAM4RAIL ensures an increased volume of rail traffic in existing lines with improved cost efficiency and lower CO2 emissions from their maintenance and operations. Furthermore, construction time and cost of new assets and lines are reduced, the durability and reliability of their assets increased, and their life cycle costs are optimized. Competitiveness of the European railway industry is strengthened through the obtention of more qualified products, and its application improves the performance (capacity, flexibility and punctuality) of the whole railway system.

Keywords: rail asset management,intelligent assets,holistic asset management,rail robotics,rail decision making tools,cutting edge technologies,rolling stock condition based maintenance,advanced monitoring
Nature-inspired Cryopreservation Systems using Natural Deep Eutectic Systems (CryoDES)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Proof of concept grants
Action type: ERC actions
Countries involved: Portugal
Call: ERC PROOF OF CONCEPT GRANTS2 (ERC-2022-POC2, 2022)
Start date: 2022-10-01
End date: 2024-03-31
Duration (months): 18.0
Total project cost (EUR): 150000.0
EU funding (EUR): 150000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Cell therapies are foreseen as the next generation therapeutics for some of the chronic diseases with highest global economic and social burden. The market for human cell therapies has been estimated to be 8 B€ in 2021 with an expected annual growth rate of 26% until 2028. The key aspect for the success of a cell therapy is the preservation of cells. Currently, cells must be cryopreserved using a cryoprotectant agent (CPA) at -196ºC, in a liquid nitrogen tank. The gold standard CPA is a chemical organic compound, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) highly toxic. Despite this it has high success rates and continues to be the industry gold standard CPA. Inspired by Nature, CryoDES was developed. CryoDES is a cryoprotectant agent, non-toxic and composed of generally regarded as safe components. These systems have proven to be able to replace the gold standard CPA, presenting the same or better performance indicators. One of the major advantages of these systems is the fact that it allows the storage of cells at -20 ºC, in a conventional freezer, vastly outperforming DMSO. The CryoDES team is composed of researchers and entrepreneurs who are passionate about science. Together, the CryoDES team has been working on this technology for the four years and envisage now to bring it to the next level towards a commercialization strategy. To achieve this, in this PoC the team intends to perform technical feasibility studies of the product; evaluate the commercial value of the product; perform a market assessment study and draft the plan for commercialization.. Albeit projects and results related to Life Sciences and Biopharmaceuticals require time to become a reality due to the need of the respective pre-clinical and clinical trials, this PoC Action will have as immediate outcome the creation of a start-up able to commercialize CryoDES for research purposes, for which there is also a large market. With CryoDES we will allow cleaner and safer cell therapies for all.
Spatial Transcriptomics through the lenses of statistical modeling and AI (SPECOLA)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Consolidator grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Integrative B iology : from Genes and Genomes to S ystems
Panel description: For all organis ms: Genetics, epigenetics, genomics  and other ‘omics studies , bioinformatics, systems biology , genetic diseases , gene editing, innovative methods and modelling,  ‘omics for personalised  medicine
Countries involved: Italy
Call: ERC CONSOLIDATOR GRANTS (ERC-2024-COG, 2024)
Start date: 2025-05-01
End date: 2030-04-30
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1979375.0
EU funding (EUR): 1979375.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

In recent years technological advances have made it possible to quantify the mRNA expression of large numbers of genes while preserving the spatial context of tissues and cells. These techniques, collectively known as spatial transcriptomics, are important because key biological processes depend on the physical proximity of cells and the spatial organization of tissues. Furthermore, several diseases are characterized by abnormal spatial organization within tissues. Despite its early age, spatial transcriptomics is rapidly becoming a widely used tool, complementing single-cell RNA-seq as the tool of choice to study gene expression in complex tissues, e.g., in cancer research and neurobiology. In addition to the gene expression measurements and the spatial localization of transcripts, available data include images collected from the samples that can be used to learn cell-level and tissue-level morphological features. The main objective of this proposal is to combine transcriptomics, spatial structure, and morphology data to better inform key spatial transcriptomics analytical steps. Specifically, we will: - Enhance the comprehension of imaging-based spatial transcriptomics data by a characterization of the statistical properties of the data and a mechanistic modeling of the in situ transcriptional measurements. - Combine imaging and tabular data to better define cell types and states through the use of statistical models and artificial intelligence. - Develop an inferential framework to model the localization of transcripts within and across cells and of cells within and across samples. Overall, this proposal will combine machine learning and artificial intelligence approaches with rigorous statistical modeling of transcriptomics data in a spatial, sub-cellular context. This will ultimately serve the biomedical community and provide a suite of tools that will help pave the way towards personalized medicine and computer-assisted pathology.

Keywords: spatial transcriptomics,single cell,rna sequencing,transcriptomics,rna,spatial statistics,machine learning
Towards the Engineering of High-Capacity Viral Vectors for Neuromuscular Diseases (TEHC)

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: Life Sciences
Countries involved: France
Call: MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2024 (HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01, 2024)
Start date: 2025-05-01
End date: 2027-04-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 242260.56
EU funding (EUR): 242260.56
Participants: 2
Project status: SIGNED

Gene therapies are a fast becoming a realistic treatment for patients suffering from genetic disorders. To date, systemically applied in vivo gene therapies exclusively rely on adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors for gene delivery to affected cells. AAV vectors have many features that make them successful gene delivery tools and through biomining and bioengineering efforts over the years, AAV variants are able to transduce a number of clinically relevant targets. However, many cell types, including human muscle cells, are not sufficiently transduced by existing viral vectors. Another challenge is the small genome size of AAV vectors, which is frequently a problem for neuromuscular disorders where affected genes are larger than in other types of disorders. In the light of these challenges, we are proposing to tackle new avenues for viral vector engineering in two separate, but related, objectives. Objective one is a new way of viral vector re-targeting through incorporation of single domain antibodies (nanobodies) followed by a directed evolution affinity maturation step. This approach of adds value to an already published method and should create a capsid-nanobody fusion that is fit for purpose and potentially also has benefits regarding the evasion of pre-existing antibodies and improved packaging. The second and more ambitious objective of our proposal consists of the adoption of a novel bacteriophage-based viral vector capable of transducing mammalian cells and delivering up to 171 kilo base pairs of DNA. We are proposing to couple this new vector system with our experience in capsid bioengineering and gene therapy, which has not been done before. For this objective, we propose to incorporate antibody-derived targeting molecules such as nanobodies and single-chain variable fragments to highly protruding fibre proteins on the bacteriophage surface and create cell type-specific viral vectors capable of delivering large genes, i.e. human dystrophin.

Keywords: viral vector engineering,synthetic biology,gene therapy,aav,bacteriophage,neuromuscular diseases
Probing (Orphan) Nuclear Receptors in Neurodegeneration (NeuRoPROBE)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Synthetic Chemistry and Materials
Panel description: New materials and new synthetic approaches, structure -properties relations, solid state chemistry, molecular architecture, organic chemistry
Countries involved: Germany
Call: ERC STARTING GRANTS (ERC-2021-STG, 2021)
Start date: 2022-05-01
End date: 2027-04-30
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1498813.0
EU funding (EUR): 1498813.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s or Multiple Sclerosis are severe health burdens and major global challenges for societies and healthcare systems. Therapeutic interventions in these diseases are not satisfying, since there is no treatment strategy that can halt or reverse disease progression. Several failed attempts at finding a cure for neurodegeneration have significantly reduced the interest for further research - yet, more than ever, new approaches are needed. Critically missing are pharmacologically validated targets for efficient neurodegenerative disease treatment and it is exactly here that NeuRoPROBE aims to close this gap. The orphan nuclear receptors (NR) tailless homologue (TLX) and nuclear receptor related-1 protein (Nurr1) have been identified in knockout studies as prime candidates. However, ligands for their pharmacological control as tools for therapeutic validation are lacking. NeuRoPROBE will enable pharmacological modulation of these transcription factors as a new and groundbreaking strategy to counteract neurodegeneration. To meet its overall aim, NeuRoPROBE will (1) develop chemical probes (CP) and PROTACs for TLX and Nurr1, (2) employ generative artificial intelligence (AI) for molecular design to accelerate CP and PROTAC development, (3) establish phenotypic cellular models in 3D settings to mimic neurodegeneration, and (4) use CPs and PROTACs in the phenotypic models for pharmacological control of TLX and Nurr1 to validate their modulation in neurodegeneration. This challenging and highly multidisciplinary endeavor will profit from my strong interdisciplinary background in the field of NR ligand discovery and pharmacology as well as in AI-based molecular design. NeuRoPROBE will open new avenues towards regenerative treatments in neurodegeneration, close the gaps in pharmacological control of TLX and Nurr1, and substantially contribute to consolidating AI techniques for structural optimization.

Keywords: chemical probes,proteolysis targeting chimeras protacs,nuclear receptor,transcription factor,target validation,artificial intelligence,machine learning,chemical language models,computer aided molecular design