Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Fungal natural products for food safety: towards biocontrol of cereal blast diseases by disrupting the novel target septins. (TargetSep)

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: Netherlands
Call: MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2024 (HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01, 2024)
Start date: 2026-02-02
End date: 2028-02-01
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 232916.16
EU funding (EUR): 232916.16
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

A consequence of climate change is the emergence of fungal plant diseases in Europe. Blast disease on cereal crops is an economically important plant disease caused by the fungus Pyricularia oryzae and poses a significant threat to global food security. While initially well known as the major disease on rice, wheat blast has recently emerged and is of major concern in wheat production areas since P. oryzae has already developed resistance against most used fungicides. Sustainable solutions for the biocontrol of the cereal blast disease are needed, and active fungal natural products inhibiting novel targets represent a promising alternative. Septin proteins are essential for the pathogenicity of P. oryzae and other fungal plant pathogens and their absence in land plants makes them compelling targets. Yet, no product has been developed to target fungal septins. In a preliminary study, we employed a self-resistance guided genome mining approach to identify candidate biosynthetic pathways of fungal natural products which contain a septin decoy gene. Two biosynthetic pathways were found to likely produce septin-disrupting compounds. I propose to investigate these candidate pathways and validate their potential to control cereal blast. First, wild fungal species containing the identified pathways will be tested for septin-disrupting activity using in vitro fluorescence microscopy-based assay. Second, a synthetic biology approach to activate these candidate pathways in the heterologous host Aspergillus oryzae will aid in characterizing natural compounds and their structure-activity relationships. Finally, natural septin-disrupting compounds will be tested for their ability and efficacy to control blast disease in planta. During TargetSep, I will embark on a multidisciplinary journey to discover natural solutions to control a disease that threatens food safety, while developing various skills like leadership and science communication to fulfill my scientific pursuits.

Keywords: blast disease,biocontrol,septin,plant fungi interaction,synthetic biology,heterologous expression
UNIVERSAL SENSOR BASED ON ELECTRICALLY-PUMPED MID-INFRARED SPECTROMETER ON SILICON CHIPS (UNISON)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Innovative Europe
Programme: The European Innovation Council (EIC)
Theme: EIC Pathfinder
Destination: Open to supporting projects in all areas of science, technology,...
Action type: EIC actions
Countries involved: France,Italy,Austria,Norway,Switzerland
Call: EIC Pathfinder Open (HORIZON-EIC-2023-PATHFINDEROPEN-01, 2023)
Start date: 2024-03-01
End date: 2028-02-29
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2998045.0
EU funding (EUR): 2998045.0
Participants: 9
Project status: SIGNED

High resolution optical spectroscopy in the mid-infrared (mid-IR) spectral range (3-12 µm wavelength) is an unambiguous way to detect and quantify small traces of greenhouse and toxic gases down to sensitivities of parts-per-billion. Such sensitivities are a prerequisite to safeguard low-pollution and toxic-free environment defined by the EU Action Plan: "Towards a Zero Pollution for Air, Water and Soil.” However, size, cost, and general complexity of the commercially available instruments limits their use to a small number of highly specialized applications, and prevents their deployment with sufficient coverage e.g. in networks, wearable electronics, etc. Particularly in the context of Internet of Things (IoT) devices, on chip integration of spectroscopic systems would constitute a game changer for mid-IR high-precision and portable sensors. The objective of UNISON is to address this challenge and demonstrate a highly scalable platform for infra-red spectroscopy that has both high-end performance and is compact. UNISON sensing scheme relies on dual comb spectrometers obtained by leveraging on electrically pumped cascade lasers (QCL and ICL) and on silicon-germanium (SiGe) mid-IR photonic circuits to surpass current spectroscopic systems in terms of detection bandwidth, point spacing and system compactness. UNISON is organized around 3 main cornerstones each of them relying on ambitious physical and technological challenges: (i) tunable large bandwidth frequency combs will be generated on SiGe photonics circuits by combining electro-optical comb generation, non-linear effects and dispersion engineering ; (ii) the comb sources will be pumped by novel electrically-driven cascade laser sources integrated with the SiGe photonics circuits ; (iii) compact, broadband, and sensitive interaction region for trace gas detection, designed and optimized for the SiGe platform, will be integrated with the dual comb source to showcase the sensing capability of the spectrometer.

Keywords: frequency comb spectroscopy,quantum cascade laser,silicon photonics,non linear optics,mid infrared
Textile-Based Soft Robotics for Virtual Reality Applications (TexSoRVA)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Proof of concept grants
Action type: ERC actions
Countries involved: Türkiye
Call: ERC PROOF OF CONCEPT GRANTS (ERC-2024-POC, 2024)
Start date: 2025-04-01
End date: 2026-09-30
Duration (months): 18.0
Total project cost (EUR): 150000.0
EU funding (EUR): 150000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

In this ERC Proof of Concept project, we aim to advance the development of a wearable soft robotic device, named TexSoRVA, designed for haptic feedback and motion tracking. This device will feature seamlessly integrated sensing, actuation, and self-powering capabilities, all achieved through innovative digital machine-knitting techniques. Our primary demonstration will be a soft robotic haptic glove intended for virtual reality (VR) applications. TexSoRVA builds upon the foundational technology developed in the ERC-funded TEXWEAROTS project, which successfully created a knitted robotic glove that eliminates the need for bulky components like air valves while incorporating integrated actuation and sensing functionalities. Our objective is to evaluate user engagement and business processes by creating technical feasibility demonstrators. These will showcase TexSoRVA's potential applications across various market segments, including entertainment, physical therapy, and sports. By progressing from Technology Readiness Level 3 to levels 4 or 5, this project will significantly enhance our technology's maturity and readiness. This advancement will position us to apply for an EIC Transition funding opportunity, enabling further development and validation in a broader context. To our knowledge, no other textile-based haptic technology for virtual reality applications has achieved this level of maturity and readiness, making this project a uniquely promising opportunity in the field.
uSer-centred civil infrAstructure Reliable Assessment and Healing (SARAH)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness
Programme: Digital, Industry and Space
Theme: Industry
Destination: Climate neutral, Circular and Digitised Production
Action type: Research and Innovation actions
Countries involved: France,Spain,Italy,Finland,Netherlands,Austria
Call: Enhanced assessment, intervention and repair of civil engineering infrastructure (RIA) (HORIZON-CL4-2024-TWIN-TRANSITION-01-TWO-STAGE, 2024)
Start date: 2025-06-01
End date: 2028-05-31
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 6880975.17
EU funding (EUR): 5971002.3
Participants: 10
Project status: SIGNED

Major disasters (e.g., Ponte Morandi, 2018) highlighted the critical condition of many European civil infrastructures due to inadequate maintenance, unforeseen operating conditions, and extended usage. Regular inspections of all types of infrastructures are essential to assess their health, guide maintenance and repair, and extend service life. SARAH adopts a human-centred approach to develop a safe-by-design integrated digital solution that supports maintenance and repair decision and planning, order, intervention and reporting. Leveraging metaverse technologies and egocentric augmented reality solutions, the system empowers infrastructure supervisors and intervention workers by providing real-time assistance, fostering skill development, and improving their Occupational Safety and Health. The solution, rooted in Human Factors: a/ identifies issues in civil infrastructures in a rapid, cost-effective and safe manner thanks to innovative sensors deployed on-site (corrosion, soil nail and anchor, structural crack) possibly via an unmanned aerial system (load up to 1kg); b/ fastly and accurately assesses the needs for repair (98 % of issues properly ranked) using a Digital Twin of the infrastructure able to run in real-time (reduced order, automatic continuous calibration) and proposes prioritised timely interventions, considering risk assessment using a Decision Support Engine (80% ad hoc correct advice for inspections); c/ launches extra inspections (either with autonomous aerial system or human), and provides remote support to the intervention workers (80% satisfaction, evaluated via interviews); d/ delivers certification report generated using generative AI, after intervention and repair (at least 2 types of reports generated). With this approach, SARAH offers a game changer for infrastructure inspection, maintenance and repair.

Keywords: human factors,user centric,osh,cognitive load,digital twin,sensors,metaverse,ai,infrastructure,inspection,corrosion,nails and anchors,structural cracks,drone,inspection repair reports
Uncovering turgor sensing in the Arabidopsis cambium. (HYDROSTEM)

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: Finland
Call: MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2023 (HORIZON-MSCA-2023-PF-01, 2023)
Start date: 2024-05-01
End date: 2026-04-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 199694.4
EU funding (EUR): 199694.4
Participants: 1
Project status: TERMINATED

Plant meristems integrate signals from water conditions to tune their proliferative activity and control growth. While extensive progress has been made elucidating water stress responses in plants, how cells in aerial meristems sense hydraulic fluctuations remains largely unknown. The vascular cambium (VC), the largest plant meristem, contributes to the radial growth of shoots and roots by producing xylem and phloem tissue. Theoretical models for cambial growth predict that water-dependent turgor pressure stimulates (locally) the proliferative activity in this meristem. These models are extensively supported by correlative studies in greenhouse and field conditions, yet how turgor pressure is sensed and transduced into a cell proliferation response is still unknown. This is what I would like to investigate during my postdoc at the Mähönen group. To do so, I will be trained in the design and implementation of the latest lineage tracing and genome editing tools from the hosting lab. I will contribute with my background in meristem hydraulics to reveal the dynamics of cambial cells under water deficit. Since the VC is directly connected with water-transporting cells, hydraulic fluctuations can have a direct physical effect in cambial cells, more specifically at the plasma membrane where key osmosensors are localized. Therefore, I will study the function of osmosensing channels in the context of cambial developmental plasticity. Finally, I will identify regulators of cambial activity dependent on water status. This project aims at 1) Generating a growth rate and cell fate map for the cambium under variations of water status, 2) Identifying osmosensing channels involved in the control of cambial activity, and 3) Uncovering cambial molecular factors transcriptionally sensitive to water status. Taken together, this project will provide me with a material and conceptual platform for developing a career studying the hydraulic control of plant growth.

Keywords: plant meristem,vascular cambium,plant hydraulics,osmosensing,crispr,arabidopsis thaliana
Tight junctions and tissue mechanics as sensors and executers of heart regeneration (Tightly Controlled)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Cell Biology, Development, Stem Cells and R egeneration
Panel description: For all organisms : Structure and function of the cell, cell -cell communication, embryogenesis, tissue differentiation, organogenesis, growth, development, evolution of development, organoids, stem cells, regeneration, therapeutic approaches
Countries involved: Sweden
Call: ERC STARTING GRANTS (ERC-2024-STG, 2024)
Start date: 2025-04-01
End date: 2030-03-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2318778.0
EU funding (EUR): 2318778.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

One of the most fascinating aspects of salamander regeneration is the level of precision at which restoration of complex structures occurs. How the recovery of form and function is sensed at a cellular level leading to appropriate termination of regenerative programs remains largely unknown. This is partly due to technical challenges of studying cellular events at a high-resolution during regeneration and establishing a constitutive link between cell behavior, tissue architecture and function. Here, I propose taking an interdisciplinary approach that combines gene editing, deep-tissue imaging, force measurements and spatial -omics to overcome these barriers. My goal is to gain holistic understanding of regeneration by integrating molecular, cellular, mechanical and functional parameters. Specifically, I aim to explore the role of tight junctions and mechanical cues in sensing and relaying macroscale information to adapt cellular events as the regeneration unfolds. We will utilize the newt Pleurodeles waltl and heart regeneration as an ideally suited regeneration context where I recently showed that the injury response by the epithelial-like covering called epicardium and the dedifferentiating cardiomyocytes are closely coordinated to replenish the lost muscle. By combining long term intravital cell tracking, mechanical characterization and ultrasound imaging with tight junction manipulations and mechanical perturbations we will 1) define cell dynamics and regenerative state transitions 2) test whether unique expansion in the tight junction protein Claudin-6 sequence that extends its N-terminus is protective against overproliferation and 3) map the physical properties controlling the termination of regenerative programs. Our results will identify mechanisms underlying the tight control of regeneration and bring new insights into the function of Claudins that are frequently dysregulated in cancer, opening new venues in regenerative medicine and cancer research.

Keywords: salamander,heart regeneration,tight junctions,claudin,cancer
Pre-clinical study, continued technology development & health economic analysis for Navari Surgical AB (Navari)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Innovative Europe
Programme: European innovation ecosystems
Theme: Elevating the scalability potential of European business
Destination: Elevating the scalability potential of European business
Action type: Coordination and support actions
Countries involved: Sweden
Call: Women TechEU (HORIZON-EIE-2022-SCALEUP-02, 2022)
Start date: 2023-07-01
End date: 2024-01-31
Duration (months): 7.0
Total project cost (EUR): 107142.86
EU funding (EUR): 75000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Cancer is one of our times most threatening diseases, killing more than 10 million people each year. Approximately 60% of all cancer patients will need some type of surgery, where minimal invasive surgery is commonly known as the best type of procedure from the patients perspective, where recovery time and infections can be kept to a minimum. Despite proven benefits from a patient’s perspective, the utilization of minimal invasive cancer surgery remains relatively low. Limited visualization with large challenges in identifying the cancer tumors position are a strongly contributing factor. The limited view from the surgical camera makes it challenging for the surgeon to navigate along the surgery procedure, not to mention removing the tumor with precise margins. Navari aims to revolutionize todays minimal invasive cancer surgery, by developing a technology increasing the visualization aspect during this type of procedure. By utilizing augmented reality, Navari’s innovation can present the surgeon with an AR-projection, showing the cancer tumor and its exact position inside the organ. The projection of the cancer tumor is shown as an integrated part of the video feed from the surgical camera, enabling live-streamed navigation assistance along the full procedure. In short terms, our innovation enables surgeons to locate and remove the tumor in the safest and most precise way possible. In this project, we aim to design and perform a pre-clinical study, realizing our next value enhancing milestone, giving us the validation needed for the innovation to enter future clinical studies. With the data given from the pre-clinical study, the business model could be validated further, where a health economic analysis could be performed measuring the social sustainability impact of our innovation. The outcomes from the study, would enable further product optimization from a technical perspective, as well as strengthening our communication towards investors.

Keywords: augmented reality,minimal invasive surgery,cancer tumor,robotic surgery
Games, Heritage, Arts, & Sport: the economic, social, and cultural value of the European videogame ecosystem. (GAMEHEARTS)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness
Programme: Culture, creativity and inclusive society
Theme: Culture, creativity and inclusive society
Destination: Innovative Research on the European Cultural Heritage and the Cultural and Creative Industries
Action type: Research and Innovation actions
Countries involved: Netherlands,Finland,Poland,United Kingdom,Austria,France
Call: A world leading European video game innovation system (HORIZON-CL2-2023-HERITAGE-01, 2023)
Start date: 2024-01-01
End date: 2026-12-31
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2706517.5
EU funding (EUR): 2706517.5
Participants: 9
Project status: SIGNED

GAMEHEARTS will seek to maximise the value of the European videogame industry ecosystems (hereafter, EVGIE) within a wider social context of the creative and cultural industries (hereafter, CCI). This will consider the importance of the EVGIE in contributing to economic growth, job creation, physical and mental wellbeing, and social and cultural cohesion, by particularly focusing on, how a stronger and closer working relationship between more the traditional and emergent cultural sectors, can work better to create more inclusive and socially responsible cultural experiences. The consortium will offer policy recommendations and roadmaps setting out how the EVGIE can and should develop, and where it could act as a driver for sustained innovation and economic growth. It will utilise an evidence-based approach that focuses not just on videogame development, but rather adopts a holistic ecosystem approach, utilising both established and more innovative methodologies, to consider the competitiveness and development of the EVGIE, and how videogame know-how and technologies could drive innovation in the wider CCI. In doing so, GAMEHEARTS will develop ‘ludic experiences’, to explore possibilities of more inclusive, engaging, and empowering cultural experiences. Working across seven work packages the universities of Salford (UK), Tampere (Finland), Vienna (Austria), Breda University of Applied Sciences (Netherlands), and Wroclaw University of Economics and Business (Poland) will work in parentship with Ubisoft (France) and other major videogame partners and associations (including the ISFE & EGDF) to explore current and future trends in the EVGIE. Beyond this, we will work with certain cultural case studies partners to consider how game-related technologies and practices are and could be used to increased access to heritage, the arts, and sport.

Keywords: computer games,cultural diversity,cultural industries
Reading DNA in real time for medical applications (BIoRead)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Proof of concept grants
Action type: ERC actions
Countries involved: Germany
Call: ERC PROOF OF CONCEPT GRANTS1 (ERC-2022-POC1, 2022)
Start date: 2022-10-01
End date: 2024-03-31
Duration (months): 18.0
Total project cost (EUR): 150000.0
EU funding (EUR): 150000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The aim of this project is to use an ultra-fast, high throughput method for analysing DNA single molecules for liquid biopsy and other biomedical applications. The proposed methodology, “Laser-Assisted DNA Optical Mapping (LADOM)”, allows retrieving the barcode of single molecules of DNA in real time, as they flow through a nanochannel in a fluidic device. It combines a cheap device fabrication, flexible DNA labelling (customizable for different applications), microscope- and camera-free set up, a read-out sensitive to single molecules, very high throughput (tens of molecules per minute), ability to detect very small fragments, and no limitation for the maximum molecule’s length, what is especially interesting for applications dealing with ultra-long intact, genomic DNA. In this project, we request funding to offer a service to analyze samples from possible stakeholders from the biomedical sector, and to standardize the technology and improve the troughput bThe aim of this project is to use an ultra-fast, high throughput method for analysing DNA single molecules for liquid biopsy and other biomedical applications. The proposed methodology, “Laser-Assisted DNA Optical Mapping (LADOM)”, allows retrieving the barcode of single molecules of DNA in real time, as they flow through a nanochannel in a fluidic device. It combines a cheap device fabrication, flexible DNA labelling (customizable for different applications), microscope- and camera-free set up, a read-out sensitive to single molecules, very high throughput (tens of molecules per minute), ability to detect very small fragments, and no limitation for the maximum molecule’s length, what is especially interesting for applications dealing with ultra-long intact, genomic DNA. In this project, we request funding to offer a service to analyze samples from possible stakeholders from the biomedical sector, and to standardize the technology and improve the troughput by developing a software to automate the data analysis.