Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Permafrost thaw – decadal responses to climate change (PERMTHAW)

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: Sweden
Call: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF-EF) (H2020-MSCA-IF-2014, 2014)
Start date: 2016-05-01
End date: 2019-03-29
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 185857.2
EU funding (EUR): 185857.2
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Permafrost soils contain approximately 1672 Petagram carbon (C), twice the amount of the current atmosphere, and constitute 50% of the world’s belowground C pool. Along with the current change in climate these high latitudinal soils experience increased temperatures, more than any other region, with permafrost degradation as a result. Such thaw of permafrost releases ancient organic matter that has been stored in the frozen soils for centuries. Following microbial degradation, this organic matter can be released to the atmosphere as carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O), further influencing the climate systems. Thus, a changed climate leads to server alterations of the carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) balance in Arctic and high altitude ecosystems. However, research up to today has mostly focused on the impact of permafrost thaw and the time horizon immediately following this degradation. The proposed project aims for understanding the future that lies ahead, following thaw and establishment of new non-permafrost ecosystems, and how the predicted climate variability will influence these soils on a decadal timescale. By using a natural occurring permafrost degradation transects, this project investigates how the C and N cycling changes following thaw. Moreover, by using laboratory incubation the project will provide unique insights of how these cycles will respond to the changing climate long after the formation of the ‘new’ ecosystems, giving a decadal perspective on permafrost thaw.

Keywords: permafrost,soil microbiology,carbon cycle,nitrogen cycle,permafrost thaw,radio carbon
Citizens, Institutions and Globalization (CITIZINGLOBAL)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Individuals, Markets and Organisations
Panel description: Economics, finance and management
Countries involved: Spain
Call: ERC Starting Grant (ERC-2016-STG, 2016)
Start date: 2017-01-01
End date: 2022-06-30
Duration (months): 66.0
Total project cost (EUR): 960000.0
EU funding (EUR): 960000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Globalization has brought the world economy unprecedented prosperity, but it poses governance challenges. It needs governments to provide the infrastructure for global economic integration and to refrain from destructive protectionism; yet it can engender popular discontent and a crisis of democracy. My proposal will study when trade- and productivity-enhancing policies enjoy democratic support; why voters may support instead inefficient surplus-reducing policies; and how political structure reacts to globalization. Part A studies the puzzling popularity of protectionism and how lobbies can raise it by manipulating information. It will study empirically if greater transparency causes lower trade barriers. It will introduce salience theory to political economics and argue that voters overweight concentrated losses and disregard diffuse benefits. It will show that lobbies can raise protection by channeling information to insiders and advertising the plight of displaced workers. Part B studies inefficient infrastructure policy and the ensuing spatial misallocation of economic activity. It will show that voters’ unequal knowledge lets local residents capture national policy. They disregard nationwide positive externalities, so investment in major cities is insufficient, but also nationwide taxes, so spending in low-density areas is excessive. It will argue that the fundamental attribution error causes voter opposition to growth-enhancing policies and efficient incentive schemes like congestion pricing. Part C studies how the size of countries and international unions adapts to expanding trade opportunities. It will focus on three forces: cultural diversity, economies of scale and scope in government, and trade-reducing border effects. It will show they explain increasing country size in the 19th century; the rise and fall of colonial empires; and the recent emergence of regional and global economic unions, accompanied by a peaceful increase in the number of countries.

Keywords: political economics,elections,voter information,political structure,special interest politics,trade policy,infrastructure policy,cities,country size,international unions,globalization
Deep imaging with time-reversed light (DeepLight)

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: Germany
Call: ERC Starting Grant (ERC-2016-STG, 2016)
Start date: 2017-04-01
End date: 2022-03-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1491235.0
EU funding (EUR): 1491235.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Microscopy enabled the birth of modern neuroscience, by allowing Ramón y Cajal to formulate the neuron doctrine. Since then, remarkable advances in optical resolution, speed and probe development allowed scientists to study the function of neuronal circuits with ever increasing detail – with one critical limitation: No conventional microscope can focus light deeper into intact tissue than a fraction of a mm. This leaves 90% of the intact rodent brain and over 99% of the intact primate brain inaccessible. As a result, the deepest layers of the neocortex and nearly all subcortical structures are currently outside the reach of non-invasive microscopy, representing a fundamental barrier towards further progress in understanding the brain. Existing fluorescence microscopy techniques, such as confocal and two-photon microscopy, attempt to image deeper by rejecting scattered light or by selecting non-scattered (ballistic) photons for focusing. However, beyond depths of several hundred µm this approach becomes futile because hardly any ballistic photons remain. We recently achieved two breakthroughs by turning this strategy upside down and focusing with scattered photons: First, we developed a new approach for fluorescence microscopy that uses a process called optical time reversal, with which we achieved an unprecedented imaging depth of 2.5 mm in ex vivo tissue. Second, we discovered a correlational structure of scattered light, which can be exploited for deep tissue imaging. Still, fundamental challenges remain for in vivo imaging. The goal of this proposal is to break the depth barrier of microscopy and investigate previously unreachable areas of the live brain, by harnessing optical time reversal and scattering correlations. We will demonstrate the power of this approach in layer 6b, the deepest and least understood layer of the mammalian neocortex. This project will thus enable functional imaging of neuronal circuitry at depths that have until now been inaccessible.

Keywords: wavefront shaping,neurophotonics,two photon
Secondary organic Aerosols Production in pre and post-Industrial-like ENvironments : The Impact of biogenic and Anthropogenic emissions on cliMate (SAPIENTIAM)

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: Environment and Geosciences
Countries involved: Italy,United States
Call: Individual Fellowships (H2020-MSCA-IF-2018, 2018)
Start date: 2020-03-01
End date: 2022-02-28
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 168369.6
EU funding (EUR): 168369.6
Participants: 2
Project status: CLOSED

Anthropogenic emissions (i.e. particles and trace gases) are constantly rising since the industrialization inducing wide changes on the climate of the Earth system, on local degradation of air quality and impactAnthropogenic emissions (i.e. particles and trace gases) are constantly rising since the industrialization inducing wide changes on the climate of the Earth system, on local degradation of air quality and impacting human health. The aim of the SAPIENTIAM project is to identify new mechanisms that allow to describe the preindustrial atmospheric status and its change as consequence of the human activities emission related to industrialization. Secondary organic particles are produced in the atmosphere by the reactions of biogenic volatile organic compounds in presence of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and sulfate (SO2). One of the main uncertainties of the role of particles on the changes of climate and air quality, is related to the impact of anthropogenic emissions on their concentrations and properties. In order to define new mechanisms of atmospheric particle formation in pre-industrial and post-industrial conditions, a laboratory experiment will be carried out at the Harvard Environmental Chamber (outgoing phase). In detail, the pristine pre-industrial-like environment’s atmosphere will be simulated in the chamber considering first only the biogenic emissions and, then, adding the contribution of anthropogenic emissions such as NOx and SO2. Recent studies highlighted the important role played by the ocean as potential source of atmospheric particle, but field observations to confirm this hypothesis are quite rare. Another aim of this project is to verify the results obtained by the laboratory experiments in a field campaign in marine environment representing an innovative post-industrial-like site, where the interaction between biogenic and anthropogenic emissions are poorly explored (return phase at the University of Chieti-Pescara, Ud'A)

Keywords: antropogenic emissions,air quality,climate change,aerosol formation and properties,marine environment,pre and post industrial atmospheric chemistry
Molecular diagnostics through DNA modification and interfacial engineering (DNASURF)

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: Life Sciences
Countries involved: Spain,Ireland,Australia,Israel,Singapore,United States,United Kingdom,Japan,United Kingdom,United Kingdom
Call: Research and Innovation Staff Exchange (H2020-MSCA-RISE-2017, 2017)
Start date: 2017-12-01
End date: 2023-05-31
Duration (months): 66.0
Total project cost (EUR): 522000.0
EU funding (EUR): 499500.0
Participants: 11
Project status: SIGNED

DNASURF will establish a global network of excellence for exchange of research staff and transfer of knowledge, to provide high-level training and career advancement opportunities, focussed on interdisciplinary DNA technology with a view to development of innovative solutions for DNA molecular diagnostics. It brings together leading academic and commercial scientific groups from 3 European and 4 non-European countries who will study complementary aspects of DNA synthesis, DNA nanoarchitectures, DNA at surfaces, and DNA for biomedical devices. DNASURF aims to transform creative scientific ideas into innovative biomedical products and services by exploiting and integrating advances in DNA synthesis, nanotechnology, interfacial engineering, and microsystems research. The pathway from basic science to commercial applications is facilitated by collaboration between academic labs and SMEs that are at the forefront of new methodologies. The ambitious scientific objectives of DNASURF are complemented by the aim to increase cutting-edge technical knowledge and professional skills across the network through staff exchanges and training in key methods as well as commercialisation of research. A long term goal of DNASURF is to consolidate a group of collaborative young multi-disciplinary scientists that can bring about future development of disruptive technologies in the commercially important scientific field of molecular diagnostics.

Keywords: dna solid phase synthesis,enzymatic dna synthesis,modified oligonucleotides,fluorescent dna,redox active dna,click chemistry,dna assembly,dna at surfaces,microfluidics,nanopore sequencing
Unraveling the role of transposable elements in the evolution of the gene-regulatory-networks driving limb regeneration in Axolotl (TRANSPOLOTL)

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: Austria
Call: Individual Fellowships (H2020-MSCA-IF-2020, 2020)
Start date: 2022-09-01
End date: 2024-08-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 174167.04
EU funding (EUR): 174167.04
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

Salamanders are unique among tetrapods in that they possess the unrestricted capacity to fully regenerate limbs upon amputation. Why is this the only tetrapod taxon harbouring such a striking regenerative potential and how did it evolve are two of the biggest outstanding questions in regenerative research. Over the past two decades, transposable elements (TEs) have emerged as one of the major drivers of regulatory evolution, and it has yet to be explored whether their spectacular numbers in salamander genomes might provide a rationale for the emergence of such an extraordinary phenotype. The first aim of this work will be to develop an ensemble of state-of-the-art, long-read sequencing compatible approaches to profile the highly-repetitive Axolotl genome and identify the full complement of cis-regulatory-elements (CREs) driving limb regeneration. Two methyltransferase-based technologies for the profiling of chromatin accessibility and histone modifications will be developed, applied to the regenerating limb at different timepoints and later used to identify TE-derived CREs. This approach will not only shed light on the evolution and molecular mechanisms of limb regeneration but will also set the stage for the provocative possibility of using TEs to rewire mammalian gene-regulatory-networks (GRNs) and enable regeneration. While extensively employed in a wide range of genome engineering approaches, TEs have yet to be harnessed for the regulatory rewiring of GRNs in a directed evolution context. As part of the second aim of this work, I will establish an innovative, TE-based system for the regulatory rewiring of GRNs and employ it to screen for synthetic GRNs capable of reprogramming mouse fibroblasts into a limb-bud-like state, just as it occurs during regeneration in axolotl. Ultimately, by understanding the evolutionary mechanisms behind the emergence of limb regeneration, this work aims to provide an uncharted avenue for the development of regenerating mammals.

Keywords: axolotl,transposable elements,limb regeneration,directed evolution
Science in the City (Science in the City)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: Marie-Sklodowska-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: European researchers' Night
Action type: Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions
Countries involved: Malta
Call: European Researchers' Night (NIGHT) (H2020-MSCA-NIGHT-2014, 2014)
Start date: 2014-05-01
End date: 2015-11-30
Duration (months): 19.0
Total project cost (EUR): 208000.0
EU funding (EUR): 160000.0
Participants: 5
Project status: CLOSED

Science in the City (SitC) is a nationwide festival that marries science to art to showcase Maltese researchers and their work. We place researchers on centre stage at every single activity to show the public how researchers’ work positively affects society and our daily lives. It will help change current stereotype around scientists and promote gender balance. Each activity is created around the values that science is fun, interesting, inclusive and can provide an extremely rewarding career. The activities will fill Valletta, Malta’s Capital City, with the wonders of science in a highly fascinating, innovative and interactive way. The University of Malta will lead a unique and efficient consortium of beneficiaries and partners to make ERN 2014 and 2015 two entertaining and memorable events. Through a comprehensive awareness campaign we will reach over 300,000 people to attract 20,000 (c. 5%) people in 2014 and 25,000 (c. 6%) people in 2015. As a UNESCO world heritage site, Valletta is a magnificent backdrop. Over 35 activities will run in the streets and buildings from City Gate to the heart of Valletta, Pjazza San Gorg and the Magisterial Palace of the Knights of Malta. From ancient gardens to restored squares, the public can easily visit all activities on foot. SitC will emphasise the relevance of science and research to everyday life, attuned to Maltese culture. Arts and cultural activities will be performed to communicate science. Researchers will be present in all activities. Over 80 researchers (~16% of total researchers in Malta) are involved in SitC. The schedule is highly dynamic having a general appeal. To encourage science career uptake, activities include hands on experiments, art installations, science activities, bird tracking and games aimed at very young kids. To attract youths we are running film festivals, stand-up comedy, science dances, science cafés and gaming areas. All activities appeal to the whole family to make ERN truly memorable.

Keywords: science communication,public recognition of researchers,promotion of science careers,society,well being,european level
Development and Evaluation of Nanomedicines for Cancer Treatment through Immunomodulation: Targeting Tumor-Associated Macrophages (NANOTAM)

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: Italy
Call: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF-EF) (H2020-MSCA-IF-2014, 2014)
Start date: 2015-05-20
End date: 2017-05-19
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 168277.2
EU funding (EUR): 168277.2
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

This project is focused on the development of novel nanomedicines effective in targeting the immunosuppressive, pro-tumoural, Tumour-Associated Macrophages (TAM) with the aim to manipulate the host’s immune system and improve anti-tumour responses. In most patients, chronic inflammation and immune suppression are the dominant effects in the tumour microenvironment. The infiltration of TAM in tumour tissues has been shown to support tumour growth, invasion and metastasis. Indeed, high density of TAM in tumours is correlated with resistance to therapies and poor prognosis. These findings establish TAM as promising targets of future anti-tumour therapies. Here, we aim to design a series of Therapeutic Nanostructures (TNs), containing immunomodulatory or chemotherapeutic compounds, and conveniently functionalized, in order to target and re-educate or kill the TAM. These novel TNs will be composed of biodegradable polysaccharides, i.e. chitosan (CS) or hyaluronic acid (HA), and will be functionalized, with the aim to develop a series of “targeting” strategies to optimally reach TAM in vivo. These strategies involve the chemical linking of: (i) mannose residues expected to direct the TNs to the mannose receptors, highly expressed on the surface of TAM or (ii) the tumour lymphatic-specific peptide (LyP-1), known to have affinity towards NRP1 on TAM. The nanomedicines (TNs) will be loaded with pharmacological activators of TLR7 aimed to re-educate TAM into immunostimulatory anti-tumour macrophages. In the event that re-polarization of TAM is not satisfactory, or its effect is not long lasting in vivo, TNs will be loaded with chemotherapeutic drugs able to kill TAM. The TNs will be tested in vitro and in vivo to verify their effectiveness in switching back the pro-tumoural properties of TAM and their effect on tumour growth. We expect that this approach will enable greater progress in the treatment of tumours and ultimately lead to improved outcomes for cancer patients.

Keywords: nanomedicine,cancer immunotherapy,tumor associated macrophages,immunomodulation,macrophage polarization
Piloting and industrial validation of autonomous and sustainable animal deterring system for the rail transport (SafeTrain)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Societal Challenges
Programme: Smart, green and integrated transport
Action type: SME instrument
Countries involved: Norway,Poland
Call: Small business innovation research for Transport (H2020-SMEINST-2-2014, 2014)
Start date: 2015-07-01
End date: 2017-06-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1967500.0
EU funding (EUR): 1377250.0
Participants: 2
Project status: CLOSED

At NEEL we have developed an absolute novelty on a world scale: UOZ-1 animal deterring system that successfully prevents the animal-train collisions. The device exploits an animal natural sensitivity to sound and just before a train approach, at the time of the danger, a series of sounds stimulates animal instinct and enforces their life defensive reflex reaction in the form of escape. Our UOZ-1 animal deterring devise has been created in response to the particular need of preventing collisions of wild animals with trains in areas where the migration routes of animals cross the railway lines. The primary objective of the SafeTrain Project is to pilot and test in real environment the autonomous system for the automatic train detection that will be integrated with our UOZ-2 animal deterring device. The new train location system will be based on an intelligent mechanism of listening for an approaching train commercially known as an “Indian ear”. Our goal is to incorporate it into the animal deterring system in order to make it independent from the currently used rail signalling system. This will not only reduce the complexity of the whole system but also will reduce the investment and maintenance costs down to 60% of the todays costs. The secondary, but not less important goal is the development of green powering system for UOZ-2 utilising renewable energy sources to make the system energetically self-sustained. This will be of particular importance in areas where the rail track has not been electrified and thus with limited access to grid power. Our acoustic method for train-animal collisions prevention is an excellent solution that allows preservation of ecological corridors and animal migration routes and significantly reduces the safety and business risk of rail carriers. It overcomes all limitations of the state-of the-art solutions available on the market, and looking at Europe only, opens the way to the market worth of nearly 125m€.

Keywords: rail transport,sustainable transport,renewable energy,train animal collisions,rail traffic safety,new technologies for safe transport