Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Capturing non-Amplified Tumor Circulating DNA with Ultrasound Hydrodynamics (CATCH-U-DNA)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: Future and Emerging Technologies (FET)
Theme: EIC Pathfinder
Destination: Novel ideas for radically new technologies
Action type: Research and Innovation actions
Countries involved: Spain,Israel,Germany,Spain,Greece,Greece,France
Call: FET-Open research and innovation actions (H2020-FETOPEN-1-2016-2017, 2016)
Start date: 2017-06-01
End date: 2020-11-30
Duration (months): 42.0
Total project cost (EUR): 3412478.75
EU funding (EUR): 3411478.75
Participants: 8
Project status: CLOSED

The project suggests replacing the labor-intensive, occasionally biased and costly PCR method currently used for the detection of genetic markers with a simple, non-PCR based DNA quantification method. The suggested system will exploit the ability of acoustic waves to probe the hydrodynamic shape of surface-bound molecules, rather than mass. The scientific challenge to be addressed is to push the limit of detection to the zM range obviating the need to use a polymerase for DNA amplification. The technological challenge is to fabricate ultra sensitive acoustic devices and after capturing with high efficiency very low numbers of DNA present in a complex medium detecting them on the device surface. These ambitious goals will be achieved by developing novel probes and nanoparticles of tailor-made sizes and shapes for enhanced acoustic response; exploiting high frequency acoustic devices up to the GHz range; and, employing magnetic beads with microfluidics for specific target-capturing and enrichment. The proof-of-principle will be demonstrated during the detection of circulating-tumor DNA (ctDNA), currently an area perceived by cancer researchers as the “Holy Grail” of future cancer diagnosis, prognosis and treatment. We intend to validate our integrated acoustic platform towards the detection of common mutations occurring in colorectal and lung cancers, i.e., KRAS, EGFR and BRAF in serum. We anticipate that the “CATCH-U-DNA” concept will set the foundations for a simpler, more sensitive and affordable diagnostic method, from which patients in both the developed and developing countries will greatly benefit.

Keywords: molecular diagnostics,acoustic biosensors,circulating tumor dna,cancer diagnosis,integrated platform,biophysics
Portable Weigher for Railway Vehicles (POWERVE)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Societal Challenges
Programme: Smart, green and integrated transport
Action type: SME instrument
Countries involved: Italy
Call: Small business innovation research for Transport and Smart Cities Mobility (H2020-SMEINST-1-2016-2017, 2016)
Start date: 2016-08-01
End date: 2017-01-31
Duration (months): 6.0
Total project cost (EUR): 71429.0
EU funding (EUR): 50000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The Council Directive 91/440/EEC, by separating the operation and the infrastructure management, causes for the Rail Infrastructure Managers (RIM) the necessity of making the railway network quality objective to their customers. This translates to a great demand for diagnostic instruments. The weight transferred from a rolling stock to the rail is an important factor in rail line wear. Being able to frequently measure these weights allows cost effective maintenance and safety guarantees. The state-of-the-art systems for rolling stock weight measurement imply high costs and long execution times. Besides being fixed systems, they are limited to a few locations in the rail network limiting the frequency of diagnostic activities, slowing down the maintenance and control processes. IVM has developed an innovative POrtable WEigher for Railway VEhicle (POWERVE) advances the management process of rolling stock fleets by opening to new diagnostic and maintenance scenarios: it is a crucial step forward into the direction of a frequent and fine-grain monitoring of the health of rolling stocks which is necessary for the sustainability of todays and future railway infrastructure. The innovation lies in the development of high tech compact load cells, which allows the creation of a portable, low cost, highly accurate and easy to use weighing system. The potential market for this system has already been confirmed by RFI, the Italian RIM. POWERVE brought innovation in the control and management process of RFI’s fleet by enabling a fine grain monitoring of rolling stocks’ weight, our ambition is to promote the management process innovation of railway infrastructure managers all over Europe. The main goal of this project is to assess the best approach to reach EU RIMS, to market POWERVE all over the EU by analyzing the specific impacts it can bring in RIM’s management processes, to improve POWERVE (TRL8) and further advance the internationalization process of IVM.

Keywords: railway preventive maintenance,high tech compact load cells,hand portable,low cost,highly,accurate,easy to use,weighing system
Pathways to humanity: Adaptive niche diversity at the origins of the human lineage (NewHuman)

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: Austria,South Africa,United Kingdom,Canada
Call: ERC Consolidator Grant (ERC-2018-COG, 2018)
Start date: 2019-07-01
End date: 2025-06-30
Duration (months): 72.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1998643.75
EU funding (EUR): 1638643.75
Participants: 4
Project status: SIGNED

For almost 100 years, the evolution of humans has been summarized as a transition from small-brained bipeds with an ape-like body plan (referred to as australopiths), to large-brained striding bipeds with a human-like body plan (members of the genus Homo). This characterisation dominates popular perception of human evolution in the public sphere. However, three newly discovered fossil human (hominin) species (H. naledi, H. floresiensis and Australopithecus sediba) do not fit this simple transitional model in either morphology or time (the former two surviving contemporaneously with modern humans), and have re-ignited debate about the origin of the Homo lineage, including perceptions of the earliest putative Homo species, H. habilis. These new fossils raise fundamental questions about the ecological niches occupied by hominins and the inferred transitions between niches throughout human evolution. With NewHuman, I will pioneer a novel, interdisciplinary and holistic approach using cutting-edge analyses of internal structures of fossil hominin teeth and bones to reconstruct the adaptive niche of these enigmatic species and test whether there is an unrecognized adaptive branch on the human family tree. Specifically, NewHuman will employ ground-breaking imaging techniques and analytical tools to reveal never-before-examined tooth and bone structures in these hominins. In doing so, it will 1) characterize the behaviour of these enigmatic species and place them more firmly into their ecological environment; and 2) elucidate the adaptive strategy that was likely the transition from australopith-like hominin species to later Homo, but which also represents a highly successful lifeway that persisted for over 2 million years alongside the evolving human lineage. By achieving these ambitious aims, NewHuman will have a significant impact on hypotheses about human evolution, and could result in a paradigm shift that overturns current views on human evolutionary history.

Keywords: human evolutionary history,micro computed tomography,biomechanics,adaptive niche,fossil excavations
Elemental imaging of human tissue: clinical therapy support and development of new diagnostics (TissueMaps)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: Marie-Sklodowska-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Individual Fellowships (IF)-Career Restart panel
Action type: Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions
Panel: Life Sciences
Countries involved: Slovenia
Call: Individual Fellowships (H2020-MSCA-IF-2017, 2017)
Start date: 2018-06-01
End date: 2020-05-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 157287.6
EU funding (EUR): 157287.6
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Population in developed countries is aging. Besides other socioeconomic effects, this significantly affects European health systems, as ageing-specific therapies and treatments have become important cost factors. In this context, hip replacements belong to one of the most frequent and costly treatments. Recent reports on mass failures of new types of hip prosthesis revealed insufficient understanding of physiological processes leading to prosthesis failure. Studies on hip prosthesis failures revealed complex processes leading to chemical degradation of implants, resulting in desorbed elements and ions entering the surrounding tissue, causing inflammation and loosening of hip prosthesis. The research needed to reveal important details of the body response to the implant is lacking of the incorporation of novel techniques and approaches. Techniques currently applied in hospitals, such as X-ray scans and optical tissue microscopies do not fully explain the effects of implants on the body physiology. Moreover, the screening of new types of implants before its introduction into clinic processes may lack of scientific understanding of possible destructive effects. Modern tissue microscopy techniques are promising providing elemental and chemical distribution of a tissue, with high sensitivities and lateral resolution. Micro Proton Induced X-ray Emission (microPIXE) allows determining the quantitative elemental mapping of a tissue and has been proved to be the best technique for element localization studies in biological tissues due to its capability of analysing at sub-cellular level the distribution of elements incorporated to biological tissue, due to a high sensitivity ranging down to 0.1 ppm level. The action will focus on investigating reasons of failures and rejections of hip replacements by application of advanced elemental microscopies to human tissue surrounding hip failures. Results may determine the origin of failure and avoid prosthesis rejection.

Keywords: medical imaging physics,nuclear microprobes,biocompatible prosthesis,biomedical engineering
4FOLD Reduction of the International Transport of Empty Containers by Folding (4FOLD Phase 2)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Societal Challenges
Programme: Smart, green and integrated transport
Action type: SME instrument
Countries involved: Netherlands
Call: Small business innovation research for Transport (H2020-SMEINST-2-2015, 2015)
Start date: 2016-04-01
End date: 2019-03-31
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 3523766.25
EU funding (EUR): 2466636.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Due to the global imbalance of import/export ca. €25 billion a year is spent on repositioning empty containers and unnecessary emissions of CO2, NOx and PM are generated. The technical solution proposed by HCI is the 4FOLD foldable container. This concept is IP protected by HCI by 8 patents. This proposal fits within the topic Small business innovation research for Transport-IT-1-2015 of the work programme Smart Green & Integrated Transport. 4 folded 4FOLD containers stacked have the same dimensions as 1 container, enabling the reduction of transport movements up to 75%. An increase of the shipping lines’ profit margin of 600% is possible, corresponding to savings up to 25% on the operational costs and 27% on the total CO2 emissions of container transport at sea. A reduction of 25% on operational costs can be achieved, giving an huge economic boost to the EU logistics sector and the total EU economy. The 4FOLD strengthens the EU transport sector by making container transport more time and cost efficient, creating new jobs and tackling the mentioned environmental and mobility defies. The 4FOLD prototype is at TRL7 and will be demonstrated in an operational environment in 5 international trial projects. The overall goal of the Phase2 project is to catalyse the market uptake of the 4FOLD container. A large scale demonstration is necessary to convince the conservative logistics sector of the added value and usability of the 4FOLD and opens the market for this innovation. For Phase2 HCI has involved key players to execute the demonstration project and develop the market implementation: market leaders in container manufacturing and global transport companies. HCI is frontrunner in the development of foldable containers and aims to expand its market leadership to the sales of 500,000 4FOLDs annually by 2030. This represents >27% of the complete newly built 40ft containers in 2013. The long term ambition of HCI is complete replacement of the conventional 40ft container.

Keywords: container innovation foldable shipping logistics transport sustainabilty
The Nature of Transcendence (Transcendence)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: Marie-Sklodowska-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Individual Fellowships (IF)-Career Restart panel
Action type: Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions
Panel: Social Sciences and Humanities
Countries involved: United Kingdom
Call: Individual Fellowships (H2020-MSCA-IF-2018, 2018)
Start date: 2019-10-01
End date: 2022-09-18
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 224933.76
EU funding (EUR): 224933.76
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Transcendence is one of the fundamentals of philosophy and theology. For centuries its investigation as a non-material phenomenon was an exclusive subject of speculative and theoretical reflections. Today, such phenomena have become the subjects of scientific empirical research with results that challenge traditional understanding. Because of the fundamental role of transcendence in philosophy and theology, it is urgent to ask whether it too is affected by scientific investigation. A scientific discipline which is able to contribute to this question is the Cognitive Science of Religion (CSR) because it employs the concept of ‘supernatural’ which is very close to the concept of transcendence. CSR has produced considerable results which have a high potential to call into question traditional models of transcendence. And yet, it is rarely taken into account particularly by theology. There are only very few works which try to understand CSR’s impact, especially on classical theism. But they focus on CSR’s methodology and methodological transgressions and do not ask what impact CSR’s legitimate research may have on theological and philosophical topics. Although it is clear that scientific research cannot contribute to the question of the existence of a transcendent or divine reality, CSR’s models do have the potential to modify our understanding of the immanent side of transcendence: the prevalent human belief in transcendence (natural theology) and the importance of transcendence for being human. This project will be an essential contribution to connect science and the humanities. It employs an experimental and innovative approach: It does not reject CSR on the basis of its transgressions but aims to take seriously its legitimate results and to answer the resulting questions. It will consider the chances of CSR for an enhanced theological understanding. And it will connect CSR's challenges with traditional models in order to find new perspectives and answers.

Keywords: theology,theology and science,natural theology,religion and science,cognitive science of religion
A Diagnostic Medical Device Determining the Risk of Preterm Birth (Pregnolia)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Industrial Leadership
Programme: Innovation in SMEs
Action type: SME instrument
Countries involved: Switzerland
Call: SME instrument (H2020-SMEInst-2018-2020-2, 2019)
Start date: 2019-09-01
End date: 2022-06-30
Duration (months): 34.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1834162.5
EU funding (EUR): 1283913.75
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Premature birth (birth before 37 weeks of pregnancy) is a global, yet unsolved, problem. With a global amount of 14.94 M babies born prematurely, PTB is the leading cause of neonatal and infant mortality globally, and those who survive often have breathing problems, cerebral palsy, intellectual disabilities and other lifelong problems. On top of the associated suffering and societal long-term consequences, PTB is associated with more than €50,000 in healthcare costs per premature baby, which translates into total yearly costs for the healthcare system of €20 billion in Europe, and €23 billion in USA. Pregnolia is a unique diagnostic device to determine the risk of PTB based on the measurements of cervical tissue stiffness. Our patented device has twice the sensitivity of the current “gold standard” (ultrasounds), it is simple, safe, and easy to use and to integrate into routine gynaecological consultations. With our solution, the majority of women, 80% out of 100% at risk, can be treated to prevent premature birth. This phase 2 project has been defined to upgrade Pregnolia’s prototype based on our Feasibility Study outcomes, which will allow us to fulfil our clinical and commercial goals by delivering an innovative and cost-effective diagnostic device for addressing the unmet need of PTB, while sustaining a viable commercial model. Pregnolia will achieve net revenues of ~€74 M, net profits of ~€30 M and, considering the investment of €8.8M, a ROI of ~7 euro per euro invested at year 5. Thanks to Pregnolia, we estimate a potential reduction of PTBs costs by 42% (up to ~€8.4 billion in EU, €9.66bn in USA). Furthermore, our Pregnolia device will impact on the reduction of children’s health complications and child deaths.

Keywords: preterm birth,medical device,high risk pregnancies control,gynecological practices,preterm birth risk control
Shuttle Catalysis for Reversible Molecular Construction (ShuttleCat)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — 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,Switzerland
Call: ERC Starting Grant (ERC-2017-STG, 2017)
Start date: 2018-01-01
End date: 2022-12-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1485000.0
EU funding (EUR): 1434250.0
Participants: 2
Project status: CLOSED

Homogeneous catalysis is one of the pillars of modern chemical synthesis because it enables the sustainable preparation of molecules that find applications in medicinal chemistry, agrochemistry, and materials science. However, many catalytic reactions use hazardous reagents, are unpractical on laboratory-scale or limited in scope. Moreover, while a relatively broad set of catalytic reactions are available to construct chemical bonds, methods to cleave those, which could find applications in biomass and waste valorization, are rare. Inspired by the synthetic power of other metal-catalyzed reversible reactions, such as transfer hydrogenation and alkene metathesis, I herein describe a groundbreaking approach to homogeneous catalysis that makes use of a novel paradigm called “shuttle catalysis”, defined as the catalytic reversible transfer of chemical moieties between two molecules, to construct and deconstruct organic compounds. The first part of the proposal describes the invention of reversible catalytic functionalization reactions of alkenes following this principle. The second part addresses the challenge of developing safer catalytic carbonylation and decarbonylation reactions that do not use nor release toxic carbon monoxide gas. Finally, the last part proposes to apply the shuttle catalysis concept to the invention of unprecedented C–X (X = P, O, S, N) bond metathesis reactions. This new approach to catalysis has the potential to revolutionize the preparation, and streamline the discovery, of numerous important molecules with applications across the molecular sciences. Importantly, in order to mitigate the high risks inherent to such a groundbreaking approach, we have collected preliminary results to demonstrate the feasibility of each of the proposed subprojects.
Singularity formation in nonlinear evolution equations (SINGWAVES)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Consolidator grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Mathematics
Panel description: All areas of mathematics, pure and applied, plus mathematical foundations of computer science, mathematical physics and statistics
Countries involved: France,United Kingdom
Call: ERC Consolidator Grant (ERC-2014-CoG, 2014)
Start date: 2015-08-01
End date: 2021-01-31
Duration (months): 66.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1211055.0
EU funding (EUR): 92323.75
Participants: 3
Project status: CLOSED

Non linear wave equations are central in the description of many canonical models in physics from nonlinear optics to fluid mechanics. A phenomenon of particular interest is singularity formation which corresponds to the concentration of the energy of the wave packet. The existence and description of such dynamics is still mostly mysterious, but fundamental progress have been made in the past ten years on canonical models like nonlinear wave and Schr\"odinger equations, with in particular the discovery of the fundamental role played by a specific class of nonlinear wave packets: the solitary waves. These very recent works open up a huge field of investigation on problems which were considered out of reach ten years ago. The aim of the SINGWAVES project is to strenghten our research group in the setting of an intense international activity with two main directions of investigation: the construction and classification of singular bubbles for some canonical models like non linear Schr\"odinger equations, the exploration of new deeply nonlinear dynamics in connection with classical models at the frontier of current research.

Keywords: singularity formation