Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
NOise Impacts of whale-watching boatS on cEtaceans (NOISE)

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: Denmark
Call: Individual Fellowships (H2020-MSCA-IF-2017, 2017)
Start date: 2018-05-01
End date: 2020-04-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 212194.8
EU funding (EUR): 212194.8
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Whale-watching of cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises) is an increasingly attractive tourist activity. However, it can lead to short-term behavioural effects on targeted animals, including alterations of dive patterns, swim speeds and behavioural states. Despite there being growing evidence for this type of disturbance, the sensory stimuli from whale-watch boats that trigger these impacts on cetaceans remains unclear, but demands urgent scientific attention. The objective of NOISE is to examine short-term behavioural responses of cetaceans to underwater noise from whale-watch boats. Previous studies on behavioural responses have examined the physical proximity of whale-watch boats to cetaceans, however as sound propagates well in water and is the primary sensory mode of cetaceans, underwater noise may ultimately trigger behavioural responses. NOISE proposes to use humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) as a model species, it being the most targeted species for whale-watching globally. In NOISE I will test for the first time the hypothesis that boat noise rather than boat proximity is the primary driver of disturbance. I will do this by quantifying behavioural responses of focal whales to different boat noise levels, distances, approach types, and speeds. An observation boat will record before, during and after behavioural responses using state-of-the-art, non-invasive unmanned aerial vehicles and digital acoustic recording tags. NOISE thereby provides direct tests of whether underwater noise is the adequate stimulus that elicits short-term behavioural responses in cetaceans rather than physical proximity. Such insights will directly inform regulators and stakeholders on acceptable limits of boat noise, minimum distances, best approach types and maximum boat speeds used to minimise negative effects on cetaceans and thereby facilitate the sustainability of the whale-watch industry as part of the European Commission Marine Strategy Framework Directive.

Keywords: anthropogenic disturbance,underwater noise,cetacean,acoustics,marine mammal,behavioural ecology
Coral Reef wisdom to capture Wave Energy (ARRECIFE)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Societal Challenges
Programme: Secure, clean and efficient energy
Action type: SME instrument
Countries involved: Spain
Call: Stimulating the innovation potential of SMEs for a low carbon and efficient energy system (H2020-SMEINST-1-2016-2017, 2017)
Start date: 2018-02-01
End date: 2018-05-31
Duration (months): 4.0
Total project cost (EUR): 71429.0
EU funding (EUR): 50000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The sea is the most abundant, inexhaustible and predictable renewable energy resource. The EU has set targets to deploy 100 GW of ocean energy devices by 2050, producing up to 10% of its electricity. However, current wave energy converters (WECs) face several constraints to reach the market. At Nowave Engineering Solutions S.L. we have developed an advanced multi-turbine system capable of efficiently capturing wave energy to produce electricity: ARRECIFE. While state-of-the-art WEC systems have reached a maximum capacity factor of 25%, Arrecife has already proven a capacity factor of 55%. This high performance is achieved thanks to the optimized design of Arrecife, which allows to capture both the horizontal (kinetic) and vertical (potential) energy components of the wave. Moreover, while most WEC systems are designed to work with waves of 6-8m, Arrecife is designed to work optimally with wave heights of 1-5 m, which constitute 85% of the available resource globally. Besides low capacity factors, other WEC systems are not competitive in our demanding energy market because of their high capital and operating costs, which results in LCOE of up to 110 €/MWh. Arrecife has a simple design, composed of commercially available materials, that reduces capital and operating cost and provides a LCOE of 46 €/MWh. Arrecife also incorporates a unique immersion mechanism, ensuring survivability during storms or under adverse sea conditions, increasing the lifetime of the system to over 20 years. This patented technology has been prototyped in a 1:10 scale and successfully tested in relevant environment. The objective of this project is the industrial adaptation and commercialization of our patented wave energy conversion technology. For this, we first need to develop and test a 1:1 scale prototype, reaching a minimum conversion factor of 55%. After the first five years of commercialization, we aim to reach 68 units sold, which will rend us a profit of 17 M€ and a ROI of 5.5.

Keywords: wave energy,renewable energy,ocean energy,sea energy,efficient
Strengthening training of academia in regulatory sciences and supporting regulatory scientific advice (STARS) (STARS)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Societal Challenges
Programme: Health, demographic change and wellbeing
Theme: Health care provision and integrated care
Action type: Coordination and support actions
Countries involved: Germany,Spain,Ireland,Italy,Austria,Germany,Germany,Malta,Lithuania,Poland,Sweden,Belgium,Finland,Hungary,Latvia,France,Czechia,Netherlands,Netherlands,United Kingdom,Portugal
Call: Strengthening regulatory sciences and supporting regulatory scientific advice (H2020-SC1-2018-Single-Stage-RTD, 2018)
Start date: 2019-01-01
End date: 2022-06-30
Duration (months): 42.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1986000.0
EU funding (EUR): 1986000.0
Participants: 21
Project status: CLOSED

Lack of specific relevant know-how in regulatory science delays the development of new treatment strategies or limits the chances that promising innovations will reach patients. STARS aims to improve the direct regulatory impact of results obtained in medical research. Seventeen European countries are represented in the consortium through their national competent authorities, alongside academic and industry representatives, and associations with relevant experience. The work plan includes the development of a Comprehensive Inventory of existing support activities based on a detailed analysis of the currently established programmes. This analysis is also the basis for development of a Common Strategy to strengthen regulatory sciences and two curricula, the Core Curriculum specifying essential knowledge for the professional training of clinical scientists and the Comprehensive Curriculum defining relevant knowledge for specific post-graduate programmes. Three pilot projects aim (i) to transfer an identified best practice example for training programmes to other EEA countries, (ii) to implement a new support activity addressing a gap in regulatory knowledge of significant relevance and (iii) to implement the Comprehensive Curriculum. STARS will deliver consensual recommendations ensuring sustainable support of academic research and will propose additional support mechanisms based on a comprehensive analysis of needs. STARS has the objective and the potential to complement, coordinate and harmonise regulatory efforts among Member States and at European level to support academic health research for the benefit of patients. The aim is to reach academic researchers very early in the planning of relevant grant applications. A further aim is to strengthen regulatory knowledge in general by reaching clinical scientists during professional training and qualification.

Keywords: regulation,regulatory science
Rounding the circle: Unravelling the biogenesis, function and mechanism of action of circRNAs in the Drosophila brain. (Brain circRNAs)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Consolidator 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: Israel
Call: ERC Consolidator Grant (ERC-2014-CoG, 2014)
Start date: 2016-02-01
End date: 2021-01-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1971750.0
EU funding (EUR): 1971750.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Tight regulation of RNA metabolism is essential for normal brain function. This includes co and post-transcriptional regulation, which are extremely prevalent in neurons. Recently, circular RNAs (circRNAs), a highly abundant new type of regulatory non-coding RNA have been found across the animal kingdom. Two of these RNAs have been shown to act as miRNA sponges but no function is known for the thousands of other circRNAs, indicating the existence of a widespread layer of previously unknown gene regulation. The present proposal aims to comprehensively determine the role and mode of actions of circRNAs in gene expression and RNA metabolism in the fly brain. We will do so by studying their biogenesis, transport, and mechanism of action, as well as by determining the roles of circRNAs in neuronal function and behaviour. Briefly, we will: 1) identify factors involved in the biogenesis, localization, and stabilization of circRNAs; 2) determine neuro-developmental, molecular, neural and behavioural phenotypes associated with down or up regulation of specific circRNAs; 3) study the molecular mechanisms of action of circRNAs: identify circRNAs that work as miRNA sponges and determine whether circRNAs can encode proteins or act as signalling molecules and 4) perform mechanistic studies in order to determine cause-effect relationships between circRNA function and brain physiology and behaviour. The present proposal will reveal the key pathways by which circRNAs control gene expression and influence neuronal function and behaviour. Therefore it will be one of the pioneer works in the study of this new and important area of research, which we predict will fundamentally transform the study of gene expression regulation in the brain

Keywords: circrnas mirnas drosophila circadian brain rna metabolism
Integrated Training in Dry Eye Disease Drug Development (IT-DED3) (IT-DED3)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: Marie-Sklodowska-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Innovative Training Networks (ITN)-European Training Networks
Action type: Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions
Panel: Life Sciences
Countries involved: Germany,Spain,Germany,Spain,Finland,Belgium,Belgium,Latvia,Latvia,France,France,Netherlands,Portugal,Portugal
Call: Innovative Training Networks (H2020-MSCA-ITN-2017, 2017)
Start date: 2018-01-01
End date: 2022-08-31
Duration (months): 56.0
Total project cost (EUR): 3002689.44
EU funding (EUR): 3002689.44
Participants: 18
Project status: CLOSED

The European network for Integrated Training in Dry Eye Disease Drug Development (IT-DED3) aims to deliver multidisciplinary and entrepreneurial researchers trained to develop new therapies for patients suffering from dry eye diseases (DED). DED is a chronic, multifactorial disease of the ocular surface and is a major and increasing healthcare problem due to its high prevalence and economic burden because of the ageing population and frequent computer/tablet/smartphone usage. New DED drug development and translation from “bench to bedside” is urgently needed and therefore IT-DED3 integrates world-class expertise in medicinal chemistry, process chemistry, ocular drug delivery and formulation, DED models, imaging, biomarker research and clinical ophthalmology. The scientific novelty is manifold, including new drug targets and compound classes, innovative formulation strategies for ocular drug delivery, and novel optical and molecular biomarkers identified by new imaging techniques and genomic-based systematic screening of a database of DED patients. The consortium of 7 beneficiaries and 10 partners (in total 7 from the non-academic sector) from 8 different European countries will select 12 early stage researchers (ESRs). Each ESR will perform high level scientific research in this stimulating multidisciplinary, international and intersectoral environment. Besides the scientific skills, the Personal Career Development Plan (PCDP) of each ESR will include transferable skills such as data management, project and time management, communication and dissemination, IP and valorisation. Both the research and training programme of IT-DED3 will deliver researchers with an enhanced career perspective and employability, who know how to use their entrepreneurial skills to move drug development projects in DED and other fields to the next technology readiness level.

Keywords: ocular surface,dry eye disease,drug discovery,biology,medicinal chemistry,pharmaceutical formulation
Multifunctional cellulose photonic films (MFCPF)

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: Chemistry
Countries involved: United Kingdom
Call: Individual Fellowships (H2020-MSCA-IF-2017, 2017)
Start date: 2018-08-01
End date: 2020-07-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 183454.8
EU funding (EUR): 183454.8
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The most brilliant colours in nature are obtained without using any pigments, only by nano-structural materials. Such colour effects are found in many plants where colour can be obtained using only cellulose. We aim to produce bio-mimetic materials with multiple optical functionalities, by taking the inspiration from nature and by optimising the properties of the cellulose itself. A challenge in cellulose-based photonic materials is the intrinsic brittleness of the final films. The proposed research aims to modify the properties of the cellulose building block and design their properties and structures to finely tune the optical and mechanical properties of the produced films. Novel nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) such as electrosterically (ENCC) and sterically (SNCC) stabilized nanocrystalline cellulose will be exploited to this propose. The unique charge and hairy morphology of ENCC and SNCC will allow to finely tune their interaction and therefore to tailor the properties of the composites films. The high charge density of ENCC allows obtaining stable colloidal suspensions even after conjugating them with plasmonic nanoparticles or fluorescent molecules. Therefore composite films made from them are expected to reveal complex optical response. Finally by exploiting the fluorescent-ENCC as a labeling nanoparticles in the films, will allow to investigate the self-assembly process by detecting their fluorescent signal during the film assembly. This research will develop a detailed understanding of the processes involved in the self-assembly of biopolymer-based nanoparticles and to fabricate smart materials with on-demand optical and mechanical response, and will pave the way to the use of natural materials as novel pigments or for optical interfaces and sensors required in biomedical applications.

Keywords: chiral nematic film,nanocrystalline cellulose,self assembly,flexibility,plasmonic,fluorescent
Innovative tag system providing affordable time-temperature quality control of individual temperature sensitive products (T-TAG)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Societal Challenges
Programme: Food security, sustainable agriculture and forestry, marine and maritime and inland water research and the bioeconomy
Theme: Sustainable agriculture and forestry
Action type: SME instrument
Countries involved: Italy
Call: Stimulating the innovation potential of SMEs for sustainable and competitive agriculture, forestry, agri-food and bio-based sectors (H2020-SMEINST-1-2016-2017, 2016)
Start date: 2016-10-01
End date: 2017-02-28
Duration (months): 5.0
Total project cost (EUR): 71429.0
EU funding (EUR): 50000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The cold-chain is the temperature controlled supply chain used to transport temperature-sensitive goods such as dairy products, chocolate, fresh vegetable, vaccines, etc. Any breach in the cold-chain that exposes the goods outside these temperatures is referred to as a thermal excursion. In the EU alone, over 60% of the food losses occur due to failures in the logistical chain, making it a priority to improve the methods of tackling the inefficiencies in the cold-chain. To identify the points in the process at thermal excursions take place we can use Time Temperature Integrators (TTIs), which are attached to the product packaging and help track the temperature history throughout the cold-chain. Our solution at Scriba Nanotecnologies Srl is the T-TAG, a quality control TTI adhesive label that uses thermosensitive materials that undergo an irreversible change in their optical contrast when exposed to particular temperature ranges. We already have T-TAG prototypes tested and ready for industrial validation that can monitor thermal excursions above 8°C for periods of 48h. The optical contrast signal can also be monitored using a simple reader or most smartphone cameras, allowing to standardise the readout and automate the process to easily interpret and log thermal excursions. The innovation of the label design enables its small size (16mm x 20mm and 1mm thickness), which also means one can track individual packaging. We plan to set-up the mass production of the T-TAG to reduce the cost of manufacturing to €0.006 per tag, making accurate quality control possible at a fraction of the price of competing solutions – €0.15 per tag compared to €0.80-8.00 for thermochromic labels and data loggers. Our initial sale predictions based on a product launch by 2019, aim for an accumulated turnover of €18.8 million by 2023, implying a ROI of 2.84 and 31 new jobs created.

Keywords: smart labels,cold chain,ttis,smart packaging,logistic chain automation,reducing food waste
Contrast by Quadrupole Enhanced Relaxation (CONQUER)

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: Austria,Poland,Slovenia,Sweden
Call: FET-Open research projects (H2020-FETOPEN-2014-2015-RIA, 2014)
Start date: 2015-09-01
End date: 2018-08-31
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2463975.0
EU funding (EUR): 2463975.0
Participants: 5
Project status: CLOSED

The ageing society and demographic change is one of the major challenges which Europe is facing now, and even more so in the future. Mastering this challenge requires radically new diagnostic and therapeutic treatments as key factors in achieving the healthy well-being of European citizens. Molecular imaging (MI) plays a pivotal role in diagnosis, understanding of disease and in the development of effective treatments. CONQUER will explore a fundamentally new contrast mechanism with the potential to push magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) far beyond its limits towards a powerful MI modality. This will be achieved by exploiting the cross relaxation between 1H and large quadrupolar nuclei (QN) for contrast agent (CA) design. The main objective is to synthesize bio-compatible QN compounds and nano-particles (NPs), high efficiency and manifold degrees of freedom in the design of smart properties, such as the ability to switch the contrast on and off by changing the magnetic field or chemical binding (e.g. targeting). The NPs will be tailored based on quantum-mechanical simulations. Sensitivity and contrast switching will be demonstrated with MRI in cell cultures. This highly interdisciplinary project combines expertise in quantum physics, chemical and biomedical engineering, material characterisation as well as nanotoxicology. Today, European scientists and companies are already leading global players in CA development. CONQUER will significantly fertilise this field and lay the scientific foundations for a new technology by providing theoretical groundwork, synthesis guidelines, imaging instrumentation and toxicological references. These results will be actively transferred to academia and industry as well in order to strengthen European competitiveness. The combination of a so far unexploited quantum-mechanical phenomenon and cutting-edge imaging technologies has the potential to create MI solutions with significant impact.

Keywords: nuclear quadrupole resonance
Coherent Raman Imaging for the Molecular Study of the OrigiN of diseases (CRIMSON)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Industrial Leadership
Programme: Information and Communication Technologies
Action type: Research and Innovation actions
Partnership: Photonics (cPPP)
Countries involved: Germany,Italy,Italy,France,France,United Kingdom
Call: Disruptive photonics technologies (H2020-ICT-2020-2, 2020)
Start date: 2020-12-01
End date: 2024-05-31
Duration (months): 42.0
Total project cost (EUR): 5132801.25
EU funding (EUR): 5132801.25
Participants: 12
Project status: SIGNED

CRIMSON aims to provide a next-generation bio-photonics imaging device based on vibrational spectroscopy, with the potential to revolutionise the study of the cellular origin of diseases allowing for novel approaches towards personalised therapy. We will employ label-free broadband coherent Raman scattering (CRS) extended to the fingerprint region, in combination with artificial-intelligence spectroscopic data analysis, for fast cell/tissue classification with unprecedented biochemical sensitivity. We will develop a hyperspectral CRS microscope for 3D quantitative imaging of sub-cellular compartments in living cells and organoids. High acquisition speed will enable the observation of intra- and inter-cellular dynamic changes by time-lapse imaging. We will simulate future in-vivo studies and demonstrate the capability to image inside the body, realizing an innovative CRS endoscope and applying it to ex-vivo thick tissue slides. CRIMSON relies on the development of new compact ultrafast lasers, innovative broadband CRS detection schemes and advanced spectral analysis routines. To validate the CRS platform, we will investigate three open biological questions related to cancer, as paradigmatic examples of the complexity and heterogeneity of cellular diseases. The results will have profound societal impacts, improving patients’ quality of life and reducing public healthcare costs. CRIMSON brings together a multidisciplinary team of world-leading academic organizations, biomedical end users and innovative SMEs, with vertical integration of all required skills. CRIMSON will bridge the gap between research and product development, increasing the TRL and making CRS a user-friendly, robust and cost-effective mainstream tool for a vast biological research community. Commercial exploitation by the participating SMEs, including a biomedical equipment manufacturer, will create a competitive advantage in the European biophotonics-related market for microscopes and R&D tools.

Keywords: coherent anti stokes raman scattering,cars,stimulated raman scattering,chemometrics,ultrafast nonlinear optics,label free microscopy,biomedical optics,molecular optical spectroscopy