Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
CRISPR/Cas9 based kidney disease modeling to elucidate novel genetic drivers and therapeutic targets in X. tropicalis (xenCAKUT)

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: Life Sciences
Countries involved: Switzerland
Call: Individual Fellowships (H2020-MSCA-IF-2019, 2019)
Start date: 2020-10-01
End date: 2022-09-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 191149.44
EU funding (EUR): 191149.44
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

CRISPR/Cas9 has untapped potential for disease modeling in the diploid amphibian model organism Xenopus tropicalis (X. tropicalis). Here, I propose to employ state-of-the-art CRISPR/Cas9 technologies (in vivo CRISPR Screening, ShCAST, CRISPR-NSID) to address two current unmet clinical needs in congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT). First, I will generate a novel animal model for autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) and investigate the role of a potential new druggable therapeutic target (ALDH1A1). Second, I propose to couple CRISPR screening methods to classical Xenopus animal cap differentiation assays to identify genes essential in the differentiation of pluripotent precursor cells towards pronephric structures. I intend to perform in vivo validation of hits to identify genes which underlie CAKUT development in X. tropicalis. Because a molecular diagnosis for CAKUT can currently only be made in about 20% of the clinical cases, the further elucidation of underlying genetic causes for CAKUT is of major clinical relevance. In vivo validated Xenopus CAKUT disease causing genes will be integrated with clinician networks (ERKNet, NEOCYST). This interdisciplinary approach will use well-established techniques from developmental biology, state-of-the-art CRISPR/Cas9 approaches, light-sheet-microscopy and machine-learning based phenotyping protocols to model common genetic forms of kidney disease using the diploid vertebrate model X. tropicalis.

Keywords: crispr,cas9,xenopus tropicalis,kidney disease modeling,crispr screen,polycystic kidney disease,pdk1,aldh1a1
Eco-friendly, safe and highly-absorbent wood pellets for animal bedding and litter, produced by an optimized cost-efficient energy process (ECO-Pet)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Industrial Leadership
Programme: Innovation in SMEs
Action type: SME instrument
Countries involved: Spain
Call: SME instrument (H2020-SMEInst-2018-2020-1, 2018)
Start date: 2019-02-01
End date: 2019-05-31
Duration (months): 4.0
Total project cost (EUR): 71429.0
EU funding (EUR): 50000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The ECO-Pet innovation relies on the valorization of current disused wood wastes from conifers and hardwoods by their transformation into improved pelletized products for animal bedding/litter. The novelty of ECO-Pet is based on our patented methodology carried out under an efficient energy production process (<30% of external energy is required). By technical adaptations of the pellet mill to meet the optimal matching between roller pressure, material supply and compression, ECO-Pet wood pellets show improved efficacy qualities (absorbance and durability), but keeping an affordable price for animal owners. ECO-Pet will be a cost-effective (38% cheaper than current similar products), durable (increased mechanical resistance) and highly-absorbent solution (up to 100% more than current options) meeting the needs and demands of the increasing European pet-owning populations. ECO-Pet is expected to become a core source of growth for the company and the successful market launch of ECO-Pet will enable our company to consolidate its position in the wood pellet sector. Therefore, the company will carry out a complete feasibility study, covering the technical aspects required to ensure the ECO-Pet viability and combined with a robust business plan addressing the financial investment requirements and forecasts, and designing a competitive commercial strategy. ECO-Pet is made of 100% biodegradable organic material, being safe and with no impact on the environment. Thus, ECO-Pet addresses important EU global challenges regarding resource efficiency and raw materials, environmental issues and climate action. In addition, ECO-Pet is in line with the Circular Economy Strategy adopted by the European Commission. ECO-Pet will allow the valorization of disused wood wastes, adding value to forest resources, contributing to the sustainable forest management and delivering multiple environmental benefits.

Keywords: resource valorization,forestry wastes,animal bedding,wood pellets,biodegradable,energy efficiency,sustainable development
Evaluating Dermal Metabolism and Uptake as Pathways of Human Exposure to Per- and PolyFluoroAlkyl Substances (PFAS) in Cosmetics (FluoroCosm) (FluoroCosm)

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: United Kingdom
Call: Individual Fellowships (H2020-MSCA-IF-2019, 2019)
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 224933.76
EU funding (EUR): 224933.76
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

FluoroCosm is a multidisciplinary project that combines advanced environmental analytical chemistry with innovative 3D human tissue culture techniques to study the dermal absorption of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from Cosmetic products. Recent studies detected PFAS compounds in various cosmetic products on the European market at high levels (up to 470 μg/g). The main hypothesis that FluoroCosm tests is that PFAS can be metabolized and absorbed through human skin, suggesting frequent contact with PFAS-containing cosmetics can lead to significant body burdens and thus adverse health effects. While dermal contact with consumer products has been highlighted as a major pathway of human exposure to brominated flame retardants and was correlated with their levels in serum, no information are currently available on the dermal metabolism/absorption of PFAS, which hinders accurate risk assessment of these chemicals. Therefore, FluoroCosm aims to fill this major research gap by assessing human dermal metabolism/absorption of various PFAS present in Cosmetics, through real-life exposure scenarios. This will be achieved using innovative in vitro 3D human skin equivalent cultures as alternatives to animal/human tissues. The results will be applied to develop an advanced pharmacokinetic model to evaluate the contribution of the dermal pathway to PFAS human body burdens and the potential toxic implications for such exposure. Our vision is that improved understanding of various aspects of human dermal exposure to PFAS will provide for more accurate risk assessment studies. This will benefit public health and regulators by providing the necessary knowledge base to inform policies on correct measurements to limit human exposure to PFAS. FluoroCosm will also benefit scientists by delivering sustainable effective approaches to assessing human dermal exposure to current-use hazardous chemicals.

Keywords: pfas,dermal bioavailability,dermal metabolism,human exposure,pharmacokinetic modelling,risk assessment,cosmetics
Martí i Franquès Doctoral Programme Plus (MFP Plus)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: Marie-Sklodowska-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Co-funding of regional, national and international programmes (COFUND)-Doctoral programmes
Action type: Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions
Countries involved: Spain
Call: Co-funding of regional, national and international programmes (H2020-MSCA-COFUND-2019, 2019)
Start date: 2020-12-01
End date: 2025-11-30
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 8136000.0
EU funding (EUR): 4068000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

The Rovira i Virgili University (URV) is well positioned nationally and internationally due to the Excellence of its research and the commitment and internationally recognised staff. URV welcomes annually 11.200 undergraduate, 1.300 masters and 1.200 PhD students. In 2018, it was named World’s 78th Best Young University aged less than 50 years (by THE World University Rankings). At Spanish level, in 2017, URV was the 4th in publications by permanent teaching staff and 7th with Highly Cited Papers per each 100 permanent teaching staff. The URV endorsed the Charter and Code in 2008, obtaining, in April 2014, the HR Exellence in Research award by the EC, renewed in 2017. URV offers doctoral studies distributed in 24 programs in all areas of knowledge, and state of the art facilities in which the fellows can develop their research projects. The URV was granted (and running with great success) a first MSCA-COFUND-DP in 2015 for the implementation of a programme of 50 doctoral positions, with a total value of 8 M€ (4 M€ funded by the EC). With this new COFUND project (MFP Plus), we will offer 50 PhD Positions in two calls (in 2020 and 2021), and we will expand on some critical aspects, the backbone of the doctoral education: diversity to foster innovation (thanks to the explicit support of 59 partner organisations, 21 of which are non-academic); better pportunities for candidates in difficulties; integration with the intelligent specialisation of the region, and improved training and support for the doctoral candidates. Our MFP Plus meets all the necessary conditions to be the catalyst of a larger change in our university and region, starting the process of improving employment and working conditions for all the researchers and creating a real impact of our research and on the fellows’ future career. A highly trained, experienced and professional team, led by the Rector of our university herself, will guarantee a resounding success in the implementation of this project.

Keywords: doctoral training,transversal skills,phd thesis,co funding
2D material interactions with liquids probed with nanoscopy tools (2D-Liquid)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Advanced grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Condensed matter physics
Panel description: Structure, electronic properties, fluids, nanosciences, biological physics
Countries involved: Switzerland
Call: ERC ADVANCED GRANT (ERC-2020-ADG, 2020)
Start date: 2021-10-01
End date: 2026-09-30
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 3499845.0
EU funding (EUR): 3499845.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

In this project, we will introduce a myriad of nanoscopy techniques to investigate the liquid-solid interactions taking advantage of either engineered defects or defects already hosted in 2D materials. We will address the pertinent question on the mechanism of reactivity of 2D materials with aqueous electrolytes at ambient conditions and the role of the defects on the dynamics of interfacial charges. At the start of the project, we will explore defects hosted in two classes of 2D materials: hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) and transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs). Our plans are to define strategies to extend defect imaging combined with other characterization approaches to a multitude of 2D materials. In parallel, we will explore the role of interfacial liquid taking advantage of novel nanofluidic platforms termed angstrom slits that will allow fine-tuning the balance between 2D and 3D liquid. To control defect density in 2D materials, we will use approaches based on focused ion beam irradiation with Xenon and Helium ions We will adapt and develop different nanoscopy tools such as single-molecule localization microscopy (SMLM), single-particle tracking, Point Accumulation for Imaging in Nanoscale Topography (PAINT) Minimal Emission Fluxes Microscopy MINFLUX and Scanning Ion Conductance Microscopy (SICM). All nanoscopy modalities used in 2D-LIQUID project can operate in –situ under ambient conditions and are compatible with the probing of defect chemistry, charge dynamics in different pH environments, and under different solvents or solvent mixtures. We believe that obtained insights regarding the role of defects in dynamics of the surface charges will shed light on the water and ion transport through nanopores, nanotubes but also ultimately narrow angstrom. Our findings will propel the development of nanofluidics, biosensing, energy harvesting, molecular separation and other nanoscale technologies that exploit liquid 2D-material interfaces.

Keywords: nanofluidics,2d materials,defects,nanoscopy,single molecule localization microscopy,scanning ion conducting microscopy,nanopores
ZNHIT6: a new SUMO E3 ligase regulating RNA metabolism (SUMO-ZNHIT6-snoRNPs)

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: Life Sciences
Countries involved: United Kingdom
Call: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF-EF) (H2020-MSCA-IF-2015, 2015)
Start date: 2016-10-01
End date: 2018-09-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 195454.8
EU funding (EUR): 195454.8
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

It is widely accepted that eukaryotic cells contain large populations of small nucleolar RNA-protein complexes (snoRNPs), which mediate the modification of rRNA nucleotides and facilitate cleavage of rRNA precursors. Thus, they may control general protein translation by regulating the level and function of ribosomes. It is currently thought that understanding the process of snoRNP biogenesis will provide the knowledge indispensable to determine their exact function and means of regulation. Although, it is known that SUMO-mediated protein modifications are crucial for snoRNP functions, the E3 responsible for this process as well as their precise targets, or time and space frame of the modification are not known. Preliminary results of the host group obtained by novel proteomic approaches demonstrated that proteins of box C/D snoRNP complex undergo SUMOylation and that BCD1/ZNHIT6 might be a new SUMO E3 ligase responsible for these modifications. The specific aim of this study is to demonstrate whether ZNHIT6 indeed is a SUMO E3 ligase, to identify its substrates and reveal the function of BCD1-mediated SUMOylation of these targets in the regulation of RNA metabolism. For that purpose, I will be trained in a number of state-of the-art techniques. Notably, I will create a series of cell lines depleted of BCD1 or expressing its tagged versions using CRISPR/Cas technology. The role of ZNHIT6 in RNA metabolism will be analysed by classical biological methods, such as: IF, WB, FACS. In addition, I will use new mass spectrometry based approach designed by the host lab for the detection of SUMOylated targets. A wide range of in vitro assays will also be used to determine interactions and SUMO E3 ligase activity of ZNHIT6. The innovative character of this proposal lies in the complementarity of research techniques used and the participants involved for studying this biological question and will provide insights into the cross talk between SUMOylation and RNA metabolism.

Keywords: sumoylation,sumo e3 ligases,rna metabolism,snornp
Zebrafish vision in its natural context: from natural scenes through retinal and central processing to behaviour. (NeuroVisEco)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — 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
Countries involved: United Kingdom
Call: ERC Starting Grant (ERC-2015-STG, 2015)
Start date: 2016-06-01
End date: 2022-05-31
Duration (months): 72.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1500000.0
EU funding (EUR): 1500000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

All visual systems are specialised to best serve an animal’s sensory niche, yet how such specialisations are achieved through phylogenetic and developmental adaptations of the ‘common vertebrate visual system blueprint’ are poorly understood. I will study these adaptations in the visual system of zebrafish. I will use two-photon functional imaging and computational modelling to investigate how the visual system of zebrafish samples and processes behaviourally meaningful stimuli in the natural world. I will then use optogenetic manipulations while zebrafish navigate a virtual reality environment to directly probe the role of visual circuits in driving behaviour. Specifically, I will pursue four Aims: 1. What is the zebrafish eye designed to see? 2. How does the fish retina form feature selective output channels? 3. What does the fish’s eye tell the fish’s brain? 4. How does visual input to the brain lead to behaviour? Visual specialisations begin in the optics and movements of the eyes, and are subsequently deeply rooted in every step of neuronal computation. Therefore, I will study visual processing at these different organisational levels. Here, the highly ‘visual’ zebrafish present a powerful model. They (i) offer exquisite genetic tools to record and manipulate neurons, (ii) have transparent larval stages permitting optical access to the entire nervous system and (iii) there is a large array of well-studied and easily quantifiable visual behaviours. In addition, zebrafish undergo two distinct life-stages, from larva to adult - with distinct lifestyles in different visual environments and hence different feature-detection requirements. Comparison of processing strategies employed by the (a) larval and (b) adult zebrafish visual system with that of other species, including a complementary database already recorded in mice (c), will lead to an increasingly generalised understanding of biological vision.

Keywords: vision,visual ecology,system analysis,computational modelling,optogenetics,behavioural ecology
Mobile platform to empower cancer patients with fatigue (mPOWER)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Societal Challenges
Programme: Health, demographic change and wellbeing
Theme: Active ageing and self-management of health
Action type: SME instrument
Countries involved: Netherlands
Call: Accelerating market introduction of ICT solutions for Health, Well-Being and Ageing Well (H2020-SMEINST-2-2016-2017, 2016)
Start date: 2017-05-01
End date: 2019-04-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1673250.0
EU funding (EUR): 1171275.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Over 50% of the 4 million European cancer patients experience crippling fatigue as side effect of their illness and the onerous treatments involved. The severe fatigue lasts for up to 10 years in 30% of cancer survivors, who experience fatigue daily, affecting their activities and quality of life. Tired of Cancer BV, a privately owned spin-out company of the Helen Dowling Institute is a young international company that has developed a digital application that includes beneficial therapeutic elements to improve to lives of millions fatigued cancer patients. Tired of Cancer BV’s business strategy is to develop an integrated platform that offers remote therapy through the clinic as well as through digital vendors. The overall aim of Tired of Cancer BV is to implement their digital therapy as the clinical golden standard for the treatment of Cancer Related Fatigue. At the start of mPOWER, Tired of Cancer BV provides its users with a smartphone or tablet application based on decades of scientific insights and clinical best-practice. The deliverables for mPOWER include (i) a market-ready App with proven effectivity, (ii) several innovations in the TiredofCancer tools to improve on the use in clinical practice and (iii) a multi-facetted and expansive marketing and commercialization strategy directed at the EU market. The TiredofCancer tool has three elements that uniquely positions the company to address the problem that cancer related fatigue poses to society and generate fast growth. (i) The TiredofCancer tool has proven efficacy in the clinic as well as in a web-based environment. (ii) The App is easily accessible for any end user with a smartphone or tablet. (iii) The tool will be integrated into clinical practice to provide specialists with guidelines to help tired patients. Thus, Tired of Cancer BV provides a complete and widely accessible digital medicine to address cancer-related fatigue, easily available from the App-store and in clinical practices.

Keywords: cancer related fatigue,cognitive behavioral therapy,m health business models
Subsistence and human resilience to sudden climatic events in Europe during MIS3 (SUBSILIENCE)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Consolidator grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: The study of the human past
Panel description: Archaeology, history and memory
Countries involved: Spain
Call: ERC Consolidator Grant (ERC-2018-COG, 2018)
Start date: 2019-06-01
End date: 2025-11-30
Duration (months): 78.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2000000.0
EU funding (EUR): 2000000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

Climate has long been proposed as a possible trigger-factor for the extinction of Neanderthals and the rapid colonization of Europe by Anatomically Modern Humans (AMH). Abrupt and acute oscillations of climate, as recorded from polar ice sheets, are particularly threatening as they can push ecosystems towards catastrophic outcomes. Under these conditions, the survival of a species critically depends on their adaptive skills. Understanding the exact role that these episodes could have had in the Middle to Upper Palaeolithic transition is then essential to unravel the real causes of Neanderthal demise and AMH success. To do this, SUBSILIENCE will identify the subsistence strategies adopted by both human species in response to those climatic changes at 20 key archaeological sites located across southern European peninsulas. By applying zooarchaeological and taphonomic analyses, the behavioural flexibility and resilience of each human species will be assessed. In addition, to enable effective testing, local terrestrial climatic and environmental conditions will be accurately reconstructed using stable isotopes from animals consumed, producing a unique, continuous and properly-dated general environmental framework, improving existing knowledge. Finally, to further explore the problem, an innovative procedure to estimate prey abundance, ecology and human behaviour, involving the estimation of the ecosystem carrying capacity, will be developed. This multidisciplinary and novel approach will provide, for the first time, accurate answers to questions concerning a) which particular subsistence patterns (if any) favoured AMH over Neanderthals while coping with the changing environment and b) the extent to which climatic oscillations affected Neanderthal extinction. In this, it will be of relevance to the study of Prehistory on a pan-European scale.

Keywords: subsistence,climate change,europe,mis3,zooarchaeology,isotopes,dating,modeling,neanderthals,anatomically modern humans