Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Investigating differentiation using parallel single cell transcriptomic and epigenomic analysis (SC-EpiTranscriptome)

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: Netherlands
Call: Individual Fellowships (H2020-MSCA-IF-2017, 2017)
Start date: 2019-06-01
End date: 2021-05-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 165598.8
EU funding (EUR): 165598.8
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Past research has identified epigenetic mechanisms including histone modifications as key regulators of transcription and implicated them in cellular differentiation. But while our knowledge about their cell type specific distribution and its influence on transcription has constantly increased, we still know very little about the orchestration of epigenetic and transcriptional changes as they occur during differentiation. To gain a global understanding of the order of events, we aim to identifying changes in gene expression and main transcriptional repressive and promoting histone modifications in cells undergoing differentiation. For this we will develop a novel approach to examine the distribution of histone modifications on a single cell level adapting a method based on antibody targeted micrococcal nuclease (ChIC-seq), which will lead to a modification dependent enzymatic digestion of the DNA. In comparison with existing single cell ChIP approaches this method lacks a precipitation step, leading to minimal material loss per cell, while allowing the use of the variety of histone mark specific monoclonal antibodies. Adapting this approach to the previously described method for co-acquisition of transcriptomic and genomic information from a single cell existing in the lab, will allow the normalization of the histone state using the transcription status of the cell. To analyze the order of changes associated with cell differentiation, we will use single cell RNA seq analysis pipelines (RaceID + StemID) to identify and enrich for cells in between two specific differentiation stages.

Keywords: single cell transcriptomics,single cell epigenomics,parallel acquisition,cell differentiation,epigenetic gene regulation,method developement
The Impact of Callose Metabolism on the Mechanical Properties of Cell Wall during Tomato Ripening . (CallMechanics)

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: Individual Fellowships (H2020-MSCA-IF-2018, 2018)
Start date: 2020-08-01
End date: 2022-07-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 212933.76
EU funding (EUR): 212933.76
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Tomato, SolanTomato, Solanum lycopersicum L. is one of the most important crops and an important source of nutrients in the world. However, around 25-42% of the yield are lost during postharvest. Rapid softening is one of the main causes reducing the shelf-life of the fruit. Therefore, delaying this process is one of the major targets in fruit breeding programmes. Evidence show that stimulating callose in tomatoes via bruising or heating induce changes in fruit texture. In this project, the impact on fruit softening of cell wall modifications targeting the synthesis/degradation of the beta 1,3 glucan component (named callose) will be investigated. The aim is to determine how changes in callose accumulation at the latest stages of fruit development modify the texture, the structural and mechanical properties of tomato fruit. Introgression and transgenic lines with modified callose metabolism will be generated and cell wall biochemistry and mechanical properties will be characterized combining cross-disciplinary approaches such as immunolocalization, Fourier-transformed infrared, nano and macro indentation and Raman spectroscopy. Moreover, the impact of callose modifications on plant/fruit development and on other processes related to softening (such as water content or pathogen susceptibility) will be determined. The results of our project will provide novel molecular tools to use in the selection and breeding of fruit varieties. As a direct outcome, we expect to obtain plants producing fruits that maintain their firmness for a longer period of time, thus with reduce susceptibility to mechanical damage and pathogen attack during the postharvest period. This achievement will have a positive impact on the European Union economy by optimizing processes such as the frequency of harvesting, the handling and the transport procedures. It will also impact on human health and food security by reducing losses and the spreading of pathogens that thrive in mature soft fruits.

Keywords: cell wall,firmness,callose,mechanical properties,softening,tomato
CTCF control of genome stability in ageing (CTCFStableGenome)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Advanced grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Integrative Biology: from Genes and Genomes to Systems
Panel description: Genetics, epigenetics, genomics and other ‘omics studies, bioinformatics, systems biology, genetic diseases, gene editing, innovative methods and modelling, ‘omics for personalised medicine
Countries involved: Germany
Call: ERC Advanced Grant (ERC-2017-ADG, 2017)
Start date: 2019-09-01
End date: 2024-08-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2488251.0
EU funding (EUR): 2488251.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

. Genome stability is one of the most important features in maintaining tissue homeostasis throughout the human lifespan. The research presented here will dissect how the insulator protein CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF), a ubiquitous 11 zinc finger transcription factor, controls the stability of the mammalian genome during ageing. . In Aim 1, we will elucidate how CTCF and tissue-specific master regulators maintain the functional stability of the genome during healthy ageing by developing a novel protocol to map simultaneously transcription and open chromatin in isolated hepatocyte nuclei. Using this protocol, we will explore how CTCF binding stabilizes cellular homeostasis during ageing by knocking down CTCF in vivo, both in isolation and simultaneously with knock down of liver-specific master regulators. . In Aim 2, we will reveal the molecular mechanisms underlying CTCF binding sites as susceptibility loci for somatic mutations. We will profile the mutations in open chromatin of single nuclei immediately following acute exposure to a chemical mutagen; comparing how the pattern of mutations in CTCF bound regions changes across an allelic series of CTCF knockdown mice will reveal how CTCF binding shapes the stability of the genome towards mutations. . These integrated strategies develop and deploy powerful, cutting-edge experimental approaches to reveal novel aspects of how CTCF binding stabilises the mammalian genome during healthy ageing as well as during mutagenesis.

Keywords: ageing,evolution,insulator,transcription,epigenetics,genome regulation,mutagenesis,regulatory networks
Correlated Molecular Quantum Gases in Optical Lattices (CoMoQuant)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Advanced grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Fundamental constituents of matter
Panel description: Particle, nuclear, plasma, atomic, molecular, gas, and optical physics
Countries involved: Austria
Call: ERC Advanced Grant (ERC-2017-ADG, 2017)
Start date: 2019-01-01
End date: 2023-12-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2356117.0
EU funding (EUR): 2356117.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

In a quantum engineering approach we aim to create strongly correlated molecular quantum gases for polar molecules confined in an optical lattice to two-dimensional geometry with full quantum control of all de-grees of freedom with single molecule control and detection. The goal is to synthesize a high-fidelity molec-ular quantum simulator with thousands of particles and to carry out experiments on phases and dynamics of strongly-correlated quantum matter in view of strong long-range dipolar interactions. Our choice of mole-cule is the KCs dimer, which can either be a boson or a fermion, allowing us to prepare and probe bosonic as well as fermionic dipolar quantum matter in two dimensions. Techniques such as quantum-gas microscopy, perfectly suited for two-dimensional systems, will be applied to the molecular samples for local control and local readout. The low-entropy molecular samples are created out of quantum degenerate atomic samples by well-established coherent atom paring and coherent optical ground-state transfer techniques. Crucial to this pro-posal is the full control over the molecular sample. To achieve near-unity lattice filling fraction for the mo-lecular samples, we create two-dimensional samples of K-Cs atom pairs as precursors to molecule formation by merging parallel planar systems of K and Cs, which are either in a band-insulating state (for the fermions) or in Mott-insulating state (for the bosons), along the out-of-plane direction. The polar molecular samples are used to perform quantum simulations on ground-state properties and dy-namical properties of quantum many-body spin systems. We aim to create novel forms of superfluidity, to investigate into novel quantum many-body phases in the lattice that arise from the long-range molecular dipole-dipole interaction, and to probe quantum magnetism and its dynamics such as spin transport with single-spin control and readout. In addition, disorder can be engineered to mimic real physical situations.

Keywords: quantum gases of molecules,quantum simulation
A Single-Photon Source Featuring Unity Efficiency And Unity Indistinguishability For Scalable Optical Quantum Information Processing (UNITY)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Consolidator grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Systems and communication engineering
Panel description: Electrical, electronic, communication, optical and systems engineering
Countries involved: Denmark
Call: ERC Consolidator Grant (ERC-2019-COG, 2019)
Start date: 2020-09-01
End date: 2025-08-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2119637.0
EU funding (EUR): 2119637.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

Within optical quantum information processing, the quantum bits are encoded on single photons and their quantum mechanical properties are exploited to build new functionality. A prime example is the quantum computer, which can be built simply from single-photon sources and detectors, and simple optical components. However for scalable optical quantum computing involving hundreds of photons, the performance requirements for the single-photon source are daunting: the source must feature near-unity efficiency and near-unity indistinguishability simultaneously! Today, all known source designs suffer from inherent trade-offs between efficiency and indistinguishability and their performance is insufficient for scalable quantum computing. The project objective is to realize a source of single indistinguishable photons with performance of ground-breaking nature. The break-through lies in the simultaneous realization of near-unity efficiency and indistinguishability, a combination which overcomes the limitations of present state-of-the-art and ventures far into the regime of scalable quantum computing. As an expert in single-photon source engineering I find myself in a unique position to address this challenge. Since it is unknown how to design such a source, I will first establish a new understanding of the physics of the near-unity regime, where phonon-induced decoherence represents a main limitation for the indistinguishability. I will then advance state-of-the-art in optical engineering by proposing a novel design, where all physical parameters can be controlled independently. The modelling of the near-unity performance source is extremely demanding, and the analysis requires additional advances within optical simulations and open quantum systems theory. Once this is achieved, I will fabricate a prototype and test it in a multi-photon interference boson sampling experiment to unambiguously prove that scalable optical quantum information processing is indeed within reach.

Keywords: single photon source,quantum information technology,quantum dot
A noise pollution measurement and monitoring solution for smart cities (Sampols)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Industrial Leadership
Programme: Innovation in SMEs
Action type: SME instrument
Countries involved: Switzerland
Call: SME instrument (H2020-SMEInst-2018-2020-1, 2019)
Start date: 2019-08-01
End date: 2019-11-30
Duration (months): 4.0
Total project cost (EUR): 71429.0
EU funding (EUR): 50000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Noise pollution is not merely an annoyance but an important problem with broad societal effects that apply to a significant portion of the population. There are 134 Million people exposed to higher than recommended levels of noise during the day and 93 Million people during the night in Europe. It is clear that effective noise mitigation is in the interest of both private business and public citizens, with the promise of health, economic, and quality-of-life benefits. Even though EC Directive 2002/49/EC makes noise mapping mandatory for cities with more than 100,000 population today the process to generate noise maps is tedious, expensive and time-consuming. OrbiWise has developed Sampols sensor, a noise pollution measurement and monitoring solution for smart cities. Sampols is a IoT based device which uses LoRaWAN for communication which is a unlicensed and helps avoid network infrastructure costs. Sampols is the only IoT based noise pollution measurement platform that generates 3D noise maps for cities based on reliable data, and keeps the expenditure low. During the innovation project, OrbiWise intends to scale up the production of Sampols and improve the battery life of Sampols to 5 years. OrbiWise also intends to perform trials to demonstrate the efficacy of Sampols with potential end-users i.e. cities and urban administrators. The project will also enable crucial commercial activities including implementation of IP Strategy, communication strategy and scouting potential customers.

Keywords: noise pollution,noise levels,iot sound sensor
Tackling plant growth-defense trade-offs by characterizing the role of PRL1 in Jasmonate responses (SWEET JAZ)

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: Germany
Call: Individual Fellowships (H2020-MSCA-IF-2019, 2019)
Start date: 2020-04-01
End date: 2022-03-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 174806.4
EU funding (EUR): 174806.4
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Abiotic and biotic challenges pose serious risks to plant growth and crop production world-wide. The plant hormone Jasmonate (JA) is essential to protect plants against insect herbivory, mechanical wounding and necrotrophic pathogens. Upon these challenges, JA hormone levels increase and induce defense responses while stunting growth. Hence, understanding how plants balance growth-defense trade-offs during environmental stresses represents a tremendous opportunity to improve plant yield and meet the global need for increased food production. Through an extensive genetic approach in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, the host lab has identified PLEIOTROPIC REGULATORY LOCUS 1 (PRL1) as new putative regulator of the JA pathway. PRL1 is also known for its role in sugar signalling and metabolism, representing a probable integration node for balancing growth during stress responses. This project thus aims to characterize the role of PRL1 in activating the JA pathway and uncover how are sugar and defense signalling integrated during insect and fungal attacks. Specifically, I will use state-of-the-art cell biology, biochemistry and molecular biology approaches available at the host institute to answer the following questions: 1. How does PRL1 regulate JA responses? 2. How does PRL1 impact cell-type specific JA-mediated defense strategies? 3. How are PRL1- and JA-signalling pathways integrated? 4. What is the role of PRL1 in plant defense responses against insect herbivory and fungal pathogens? In addition to increasing our fundamental understanding of plant-pathogen interactions and activation of hormonal pathways, this ambitious project will inevitably provide novel targets and strategies to improve crop adaptability and secure means for stabilizing future food security.

Keywords: plant pathogen interaction,phytohormones,plant defense responses,plant physiology
Understanding and Strengthening EU Foreign and Security Policy in a Complex and Contested World (JOINT)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Societal Challenges
Programme: Europe in a changing world - inclusive, innovative and reflective societies
Theme: Inclusive societies
Action type: Research and Innovation actions
Countries involved: Ukraine,Germany,Italy,Ethiopia,Spain,Estonia,Indonesia,Italy,Norway,Türkiye,Belgium,France,Netherlands
Call: The Common Foreign and Security Policy and the expanding scope of the EU's external engagement (H2020-SC6-GOVERNANCE-2020, 2020)
Start date: 2021-03-01
End date: 2024-02-29
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2999981.25
EU funding (EUR): 2999981.25
Participants: 14
Project status: SIGNED

Challenges to EU foreign and security policy have been mounting in recent years. The dwindling global engagement of the US and the growing assertiveness of Russia and China hamper the ability of the EU and its member states to shape multilateral rules and compel them to rethink their role along new patterns of multipolar interactions. The collapse or severe weakening of state authority in the EU’s neighbourhood create interconnected challenges extending into policy areas outside the remit of foreign and security policy, thus augmenting the need for an integrated response. Meanwhile, the emergence of nationalist forces often espousing Eurosceptic views complicates efforts to reach intra-EU consensus on international security matters. The interplay between these factors is most evident in the EU’s difficulty in addressing crises and conflicts. JOINT, a project involving 14 partners from 12 countries, will analyse how intra-EU contestation, regional fragmentation and multipolar competition affect the capacity of the EU to set foreign and security policy objectives and generate and integrate diplomatic, military, economic and other sectorial capabilities to handle conflicts, crises and relations with external players. It will devise assessment criteria for effective foreign and security policy governance structures involving EU institutions and member states, encompassing multiple policy areas and unfolding in different formats of engagement of external players. It will survey public perceptions to inform an assessment of the political acceptability of an enhanced EU foreign, security and defence policy. And it will promote mutual learning between researchers and policymakers through the secondment of scholars to the foreign ministries of France, Germany and Italy, as well as the EEAS. JOINT will advance our knowledge of how EU foreign and security policy can become more joined-up and sustainable in an increasingly complex and contested world.

Keywords: eu member states foreign policy,eu security and defence policy,eu external action,eu crisis and conflict management
Blockchain Protocol for Responsible Mineral Sourcing (MINESPIDER)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Industrial Leadership
Programme: Innovation in SMEs
Action type: Coordination and support actions
Countries involved: Switzerland
Call: European SME innovation Associate - pilot (H2020-INNOSUP-2020-02, 2020)
Start date: 2020-10-01
End date: 2021-09-30
Duration (months): 12.0
Total project cost (EUR): 200178.57
EU funding (EUR): 140125.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

Founded in 2018, Minespider is an open blockchain protocol and DApp for creating digital certificates to track minerals along global supply chains. The demand for such verified and trusted information is immense. With Minespider, we are working on the forefront of innovative tools that allow all companies in all industries and on all tiers in a supply chain to easily provide, share, collect and assess verified information on the materials they buy and sell, regardless of their transformation along the manufacturing process to create transparent and non-corruptible value chains in a trusted environment without the need for any middlemen. The Minespider Certificates are a tool to share immutable data along a supply chain that represent specific volumes of minerals. With the support if the INNOSUP grant, we aim to also add consultancy capabilities within the team to guide customers on how the physical material can be linked to the Certificates and how it can be verified that the certified information truly represents the physical material and products. To ultimately goal of the IA’s project is to develop a new service based on research in the area of Physical Tracking, Internet of Things, as well as Artificial Intelligence applications and business cases that can be linked to the platform and product that we develop, complementing our solution. Minespider will therefore be sharpening its role in the industry as not only as the key provider of a decentralized traceability infrastructure, but also as an educator and consultancy provider in the field. This innovation is the central part of our strategy and is highly disruptive. Our mission is to establish the Minespider Infrastructure as the best practice in terms of responsible mineral sourcing and value chain tracking for all stakeholders - upstream, downstream and worldwide. Ultimately, our innovation drives our overall strategy to unify and standardize international efforts to address conflict minerals.

Keywords: tracking minerals,conflict minerals,responsible sourcing,corporate social responsibility,blockchain,noncorruptible value chains and a trusted environment,raw materials,sustainability