Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Design, Build and Test of novel bacteria-delivered proteins for cancer therapy (BacStar)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Excellent Science
Programme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Postdoctoral Fellowships
Action type: Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions
Panel: Life Sciences
Countries involved: Ireland,United States,Finland
Call: MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2021 (HORIZON-MSCA-2021-PF-01, 2021)
Start date: 2023-01-01
End date: 2026-08-31
Duration (months): 44.0
Total project cost (EUR): 328494.96
EU funding (EUR): 328494.96
Participants: 3
Project status: SIGNED

Conventional cancer therapies have many limitations that could potentially be overcome using engineered tumour targeting bacteria as cancer therapeutics. These bacteria have been shown to selectively grow in tumours where they can produce and deliver therapeutic biomolecules (proteins) extracellularly in the tumour microenvironment. However, the delivery of these biomolecules into the cytoplasm of targeted tumour cells remains a challenge, limiting the clinical translation of these therapies. BacStar aims to address delivery challenges by designing multi-part, multifunctional proteins that transport themselves from the interior of the bacterium into the cytoplasm of cancer cells where they can exert therapeutic action. These proteins will integrate protein motifs for transport (using novel cell penetrating peptides) and anticancer activity, which will be assembled using recently developed computational protein design workflows. A modular design-build-test synthetic biology approach will facilitate measurability and experimental throughput. Novel proteins will be tested in vitro and in vivo with high-throughput methods available at host labs. This interdisciplinary approach is enabled by leveraging cutting-edge expertise and technologies in computational protein design from the Bhardwaj and Baker Lab at the Institute for Protein Design, UW (USA) and in bacterial cancer therapy available at the Tangney Lab, UCC (Ireland). An international intersectoral placement at Prokarium (UK) will support the clinical translation of outputs from this project and build my expertise in translational research, which will inform the commercialisation route of this and future projects. My long-term career aim is to develop bacteria-delivered protein therapeutics. BacStar is a significant career opportunity to transition to independence with the active support of world leaders in their fields and gaining industry R&D experience which is key for the advance of these biotherapeutics.

Keywords: protein design,cancer,bacteria
Understanding and Engineering Resistive Switching towards Robust Neuromorphic Systems (RobustNanoNet)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Systems and Communication Engineering
Panel description: Electrical, electronic, communication, optical and systems engineering
Countries involved: Romania
Call: ERC STARTING GRANTS (ERC-2022-STG, 2022)
Start date: 2024-09-01
End date: 2029-08-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2446250.0
EU funding (EUR): 2446250.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Resistive switching refers to the controlled change in resistance of an electronic material, e.g. metal oxide, via the creation and modulation of nanoscale filaments. Although its physics is not yet fully understood, resistive switching devices (called memristors) are promising as efficient artificial synapses in neuro-inspired computing systems. However practical challenges exist. Current devices excel in only a few of the performance metrics necessary for circuit and system integration. Moreover, they exhibit non-idealities causing neuromorphic systems using these devices to have low performance. The project will address this key issue by pursuing device-system co-optimization across four objectives, aiming to engineer a single “hero” resistive switching technology with all the desired metrics. Aim 1 will develop resistive switching devices based on a new class of materials with broad compositional space, called high entropy oxides. Promising compositions will be fabricated in a high throughput fashion. In Aim 2, a proposed characterization method via a state-of-the-art mid-infrared laser will help understand in-operando the filamentary switching at nanoscale and uncover the physical mechanisms behind its non-idealities. The fabrication and characterization will iteratively target a broad range of performance metrics. Some metrics can only be quantified across a population of devices, so Aim 3 will integrate the optimized devices on transistor circuitry for benchmarking at scale. Aim 4 targets the applicability of these devices to next generation neuromorphic systems for machine learning training. Preliminary work on a multi-layer neural network validated this concept and indicated the need for co-optimization, as proposed. RobustNanoNet will address the interdisciplinary challenges towards a reliable resistive switching technology to support robust neuromorphic systems for energy efficient computing.

Keywords: memristor,resistive switching,neuro inspired,neuromorphic,hardware mappable neural networks,machine learning accelerators
Vigilant Maritime Surveillance of Critical Submarine Infrastructure (VIGIMARE)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness
Programme: Civil Security for Society
Theme: Civil Security for Society
Destination: Resilient Infrastructure
Action type: Innovation actions
Countries involved: Finland,Ireland,Germany,Italy,Poland,Sweden,Romania,France
Call: Supporting operators against cyber and non-cyber threats to reinforce the resilience of critical infrastructures (HORIZON-CL3-2023-INFRA-01, 2023)
Start date: 2024-09-01
End date: 2027-08-31
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 5602527.15
EU funding (EUR): 4749862.77
Participants: 19
Project status: SIGNED

The European submarine networks are vital critical infrastructure for the EU member states. This submarine cable and pipeline network is crucial for the European society and any failure or damage to it could potentially have an enormous effect on the societies. Due to the rapidly evolving threat and geopolitical landscape, especially with incidents like the sabotage of the Nord Stream 1 and 2 gas infrastructure, organizations overseeing critical infrastructure face significant challenges. They must handle intentional threats while also grappling with growing problems caused by accidental and natural factors as well as climate change. These issues can worsen the effects of deliberate actions. To address these challenges effectively, it is crucial for these entities to implement resilience-enhancing measures. The aim of VIGIMARE is to strengthen the resilience of Critical Infrastructure operators against threats to the European submarine critical infrastructure by developing, testing and evaluating an innovative solution to enhance security and reduce risks of physical and cyber-attacks on submarine cables and pipelines. This will be accomplished by 1) mapping submarine systems, surveying cables and landing stations, and assessing vulnerabilities in the European submarine critical infrastructure network, 2) develop an automated threat detection approach, creating a real-time shared awareness of the surface above the submarine infrastructure to promptly indicate incidents to both critical infrastructure owners and member states authorities. By integrating a comprehensive resilience ecosystem with real incidents at sea, the project seeks to 3) identify early warning signals, support analysis, and pinpoint potential response activities to address physical, cyber and hybrid threats. The result will be enhanced resilience for submarine critical infrastructure owners, supporting authorities to enforce the CER and NIS2 directives implementation in the EU member states.

Keywords: critical infrastructure,maritime security,energy,anomaly detection,risk management,vulnerability assessment,cyber threats,hybrid threats,cise,ai,virtual control room,
Novel single photon sources based on electrical doped perovskite quantum dots (ELDOPP)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Excellent Science
Programme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Postdoctoral Fellowships
Action type: Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions
Panel: Information Science and Engineering
Countries involved: Italy
Call: MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2021 (HORIZON-MSCA-2021-PF-01, 2021)
Start date: 2023-02-16
End date: 2025-02-15
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 172750.08
EU funding (EUR): 172750.08
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Future quantum technologies promise to deliver unprecedented computing power, guarantee secure communications, and yield ultra-high precision measurements. The key-element of all quantum optical technologies is the single photon emitter; however, state of the art single photon sources still suffer from a slow photon emission rate hampering the application of quantum technologies in our everyday life. Moreover, in quantum optics, it is essential to be able to analyze quantum signatures of the emitted light from quantum dots (QDs) and current experimental configurations offer limited capabilities for the metrology of quantum-light sources. Therefore, ELDOPP will target the development of a novel approach based on electrical doping of perovskite quantum dots (QDs) to boost their single photon emission properties and the implementation of a new detection system for the complete characterization of quantum optical properties of light emitted by QDs. The first aim of the project will be achieved through the realization of a solid-state device where an external electric field is directly applied to the perovskite QDs using a parent structure of field-effect transistor (FET) to generate highly charged excitons with fast decay rate. Furthermore, ELDOPP will take advantage from the fact that perovskite QDs provide the fastest decay rate among the known QDs so far, offering the opportunity for the realization of the fastest single photon source at room temperature until now. The second aim of ELDOPP will be accomplished via the implementation of a detection system based on a single photon avalanche diode (SPAD) array detector. The data collected with this system will provide a complete characterization of the analyzed single photon emitter giving information on the lifetime, antibunching effect and photon indistinguishability enabling also quantum-imaging microscopy.

Keywords: colloidal quantum dots,nanocrystals,single photon emitters,spad array
Beyond nucleocytoplasmic transport – Nuclear pores as self-regulating valves for flux across the nuclear envelope (NPCvalve)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Advanced grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Molecules of Life: B iological  Mechanisms , Structures  and Functions
Panel description: For all organisms : Molecular biology , biochemistry, structural biology, molecular biophysics , synthetic and chemical biology, drug design, innovative methods and modelling
Countries involved: Germany
Call: ERC ADVANCED GRANTS (ERC-2021-ADG, 2021)
Start date: 2023-02-01
End date: 2028-01-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2117500.0
EU funding (EUR): 2117500.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

Nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) are fundamental components of all eukaryotic cells. They fuse the inner and outer nuclear membranes and form channels across the nuclear envelope. Their canonical function as gatekeepers of the nucleus and facilitators of nucleocytoplasmic exchange is well established. I hypothesize that NPCs fulfil yet another fundamental function as self-regulating valves for flux across the nuclear envelope that occurs in response to mechanical stress. This yet underappreciated function may be of utmost importance to prevent rupture of the nuclear envelope and thus to protect the genomic integrity in cells that are exposed to mechanical stress. I present preliminary data indicating that NPC conformation responds to mechanical force exerted onto the nuclear envelope with dilation and constriction. Cryo-electron tomography, live cell imaging, and genetic perturbation will be used jointly with structural modelling to investigate on a holistic scale how NPC diameter and nuclear envelope tension impact on flux across the nuclear envelope. In the proposed project I will demonstrate that besides their known function as transport channels the NPCs serve an important role as shock adsorbers for mechanical stress impacting the nucleus. The research proposed here will enhance our understanding of how cells deal with acute mechanical stress which is relevant for cell migration, metastasis, mechanically active tissues and cell differentiation.

Keywords: nuclear pore complexes,nuclear envelope,membrane biology,nucleocytoplasmic transport
Advanced human models of the heart to understand cardiovascular disease (HEART2BEAT)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Advanced grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Prevention,  Diagnosis and T reatment of Human Diseases
Panel description: Medical technologies  and tools for prevention, diagnosis and treatment of human diseases, therapeutic approaches and interventions , pharmacology, preventative  medicine, epidemiology and public health , digital medicine
Countries involved: Netherlands
Call: ERC ADVANCED GRANTS (ERC-2022-ADG, 2022)
Start date: 2023-12-01
End date: 2028-11-30
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2500000.0
EU funding (EUR): 2500000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the cause of the highest mortality and morbidity rates worldwide and are expected to increase in coming years, leading to epidemic proportions. Traditional experimental in vitro and animal models are not predictive enough, which hampers the emergence of novel therapies for treatment of CVD. Consequently, there is an urgent need to establish realistic human models that lead to a better understanding of CVD, providing the opportunity to identify and validate druggable targets. In Heart2Beat I will develop innovative human heart models for mimicking cardiovascular disease. I will use an innovative in-air microfluidic platform for ultra-high throughput encapsulating of human pluripotent stem cells in microgels to generate self-organised multicellular 3D human cardiac organoids that replicate the architectural design of the human heart. Furthermore, I will integrate and develop innovative technologies from the fields of human stem cell biology and engineering to create 3D (micro)-engineered heart tissues, coupled to a versatile and automated microfluidic platform, enabling assessment of multifunctional analysis (e.g., contraction, relaxation, metabolism, morphology). Finally, I will build a functional human mini-heart with the capacity to pump fluid, the main function of the human heart and then assess clinically relevant readouts in healthy and diseased conditions. These first-of-its kind advanced 3D human cardiac models and platforms are complementary to each other and form a highly innovative and comprehensive pipeline for modelling human CVD, enabling (ultra)high throughput screening and in-depth multifunctional pre-clinical analysis of healthy and diseased heart tissues. Successful implementation of Heart2Beat will provide insight into mechanisms of disease and will initiate a paradigm shift for personalised medicine and drug discovery, leading to tailor-made therapy for patients suffering from CVD.

Keywords: human pluripotent stem cells,cardiac disease,organ on chip,microfluidics,disease modelling,drug discovery
Development of ADVAnced next GENeration Solid-State batteries for Electromobility Applications (ADVAGEN)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness
Programme: Climate, Energy and Mobility
Theme: Energy
Destination: Cross-sectoral solutions for the climate transition
Action type: Research and Innovation actions
Partnership: Batteries (co-programmed)
Countries involved: Belgium,Portugal,Italy,Germany,France,Spain,Slovenia,Netherlands,Norway
Call: Advanced high-performance Generation 4a, 4b (solid-state) Li-ion batteries supporting electro mobility and other applications (Batteries Partnership) (HORIZON-CL5-2021-D2-01, 2021)
Start date: 2022-08-01
End date: 2026-07-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 8176209.75
EU funding (EUR): 8176209.75
Participants: 15
Project status: SIGNED

To date, the battery market is dominated by lithium-ion (Li-ion) chemistries, as the energy density has more than doubled and their costs have dropped by a factor of at least 10. However, conventional Li-ion batteries (LIB) are reaching their performance limits in terms of energy density and facing safety issues, is required the development and production of new battery generations, such as Solid-State Batteries (SSBs), to create a new industry value chain in Europe towards their commercialization. Consequently, high-energy-density EU-made SSBs will ensure the supply of, among others, the automotive sector. To do so, the development and deployment of new manufacturing technologies, enabling the large-scale production of SSBs, is crucial. Indeed, among the overarching themes to develop and produce sustainable batteries in the future, the BATTERY 2030+ roadmap4 considers manufacturability as a cross-cutting key area. Innovative and scalable manufacturing techniques to produce SSBs will accelerate cost reduction, energy savings, and enhanced safety. ADVAGEN will develop a new lithium metal (LiM) battery cell technology based on a safe, reliable, and high performing hybrid solid-state electrolyte (LLZO-LPS based), gaining a competitive advantage over the worldwide (mainly Asian) competition. This will sustainably strengthen the EU as a technological and manufacturing leader in batteries as specified in the ERTRAC electrification roadmap and SET-Plan Action Point-7. ADVAGEN consortium contains key EU actors in the battery sector, from industrial materials producers (SCHT, CPT, ABEE), battery manufacturer (ABEE) to R&D centers (IKE, CEA, IREC, TUB, CICe, POLITO, INEGI, UL, FEV, FEV Con) and the automotive industry (TME), covering the complete knowledge and value chain. By developing high-performance, affordable and safe batteries, ADVAGEN aims to re-establish European competitiveness in battery cell production.

Keywords: solid state batteries,material upscaling,interface optimisation,multiscale modeling,recycling
Open Consortium for Decentralized Medical Artificial Intelligence (ODELIA)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness
Programme: Health
Theme: Health
Destination: Ensuring access to innovative, sustainable and high-quality health-care
Action type: Research and Innovation actions
Countries involved: Austria,Germany,Spain,Greece,Netherlands,Switzerland,United Kingdom
Call: Data-driven decision-support tools for better health care delivery and policy-making with a focus on cancer (HORIZON-HLTH-2021-CARE-05, 2021)
Start date: 2023-01-01
End date: 2027-12-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 8691755.75
EU funding (EUR): 8691755.0
Participants: 13
Project status: SIGNED

ArtifArtificial Intelligence (AI) will revolutionize healthcare as its diagnostic performance approaches that of clinical experts. In particular, in cancer screening, AI helps patients to make better-informed decisions and reduce medical error. However, this requires large datasets whose collection faces severe practical, ethical and legal obstacles. These obstacles can be overcome with swarm learning (SL) where partners jointly train AI models without sharing any data. Yet, access to SL technology is seriously limited because no studies have implemented SL in a true multinational setup, no practically usable implementation of SL is available, researchers & healthcare providers have no experience with setting up SL networks and policymakers are currently unaware of the broader implications of SL. ODELIA will address & solve these issues: ODELIA will build the first open-source software framework for SL, providing an assembly line for the streamlined development of AI solutions. To serve as a blueprint for future SL-based AI systems, ODELIA partners collaborate as a swarm to develop the first clinically useful AI algorithm for the detection of breast cancer in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The size of ODELIA's distributed database will exceed all previous studies and ODELIA's AI models will reach expert-level performance for breast cancer screening. Thereby, ODELIA will not only deliver a useful medical application, but prove the clinical benefit of SL in terms of accelerated development, increased performance and robust generalizability to ultimately save thousands of lives of European patients. ODELIA's success will push partners to serve as nuclei for the exponential growth of the SL network and extend SL to a multitude of medical applications. Thus, patients, healthcare providers and citizens in Europe will be provided with a digital infrastructure that enables development of expert-level AI tools on big data without compromising data safety and data privacy.

Keywords: breast cancer,artificial intelligence,decision support,swarm learning,blockchain