Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Luminescent silicon nanocrystals as bioimaging systems (SiNBioSys)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Proof of concept grants
Action type: ERC actions
Countries involved: Italy
Call: ERC-Proof of Concept (ERC-2017-PoC, 2017)
Start date: 2017-11-01
End date: 2019-04-30
Duration (months): 18.0
Total project cost (EUR): 149937.5
EU funding (EUR): 149937.5
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Optical imaging is a powerful tool for light-guided surgery and for the study of biological functions via dynamic visualization of processes in tissues and cells. Most of optical imaging techniques utilise fluorescent probes that can suffer from low contrast, due to scattering of the excitation light, and low tissue penetration. Silicon nanocrystals (SiNCs), developed within the ERC PhotoSi project, are a very promising alternative for this purpose: silicon is essentially non-toxic, easily available, and it can be covalently linked with dyes. The result is a highly-robust and biocompatible hybrid material, which exhibits colour tunability across the visible and near-infrared region. On top of that, the extraordinary brightness of the material coupled to a long-lived luminescence (lifetime of the hundreds of microseconds) enables time-gated detection. Therefore, SiNBioSys technology greatly improves the contrast of the obtained images with a low-cost equipment and with a material based on abundant and biocompatible elements (Si, C, O, H). An international patent application on the key underlying technology was filed in 2015 and subsequently nationalized in the primary markets (Europe and USA). Based on these premises, this proposal is intended to gather sufficient technical and commercial evidence to make the SiNBioSys technology attractive for further investment in the development of a new commercial product by: (i) optimization and validation of SiNCs against current gold standards; (ii) an in-depth market analysis; (iii) a realistic business development strategy with demonstrations to leading companies in the field. The proposed technology will thus bring an economic impact, as well as social benefits: it will demonstrate its ability to replace currently used expensive setups and will enable innovative imaging tools for early diagnosis of diseases, particularly in the field of cancer and neuroscience.

Keywords: quantum dots,luminescence,diagnostics,time gated detection,bioimaging
Hybrid drug-loaded plasmonic photothermal microneedle patch against skin infections (HOTSKIN)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Proof of concept grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Products and processes engineering
Panel description: Product and process design, chemical, civil, environmental, mechanical, vehicle engineering, energy processes and relevant computational methods
Countries involved: Sweden
Call: Call for proposals for ERC Proof of Concept Grant (ERC-2020-PoC, 2020)
Start date: 2021-04-01
End date: 2023-06-30
Duration (months): 27.0
Total project cost (EUR): 171428.57
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 2
Project status: SIGNED

In this proof of concept project, we will assess the technical and commercial feasibility of a hybrid microneedle patch for the treatment of nosocomial skin infections caused by drug resistant bacteria. Not only does this device permeate difficult-to-penetrate skin layers to deliver antibiotics locally, it also weakens bacterial defences by raising local temperature to enhance drug effectiveness. In this manner, the need for high dosage systemic drug administration is avoided – reducing occurrence of associated side-effects and perpetuation of antimicrobial resistance. It holds the potential not only to revitalise antibacterials for topical, local treatment of skin infections, but to improve dermatological drug delivery as a platform device. In this project, we will validate the device’s fabrication process for additional commercial scalability and functionality with nanocarrier-drug complexes (for enhanced effectiveness of drug delivery to target site), develop a robust IP strategy and secure initial patents, and conduct extensive market analyses and competitor landscaping. Finally, we will formulate a strong business case, and depending on the results of these activities, establish a company.

Keywords: nanoparticles,process engineering,photothermal,skin treatment
Optimising memory: Understanding the role of sleep in selective memory strengthening (MemOpt)

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-2020, 2020)
Start date: 2022-06-01
End date: 2024-05-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 224933.76
EU funding (EUR): 224933.76
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

An adaptive feature of the brain is to select which information to retain in long-term memory, and which information should be forgotten. To be retained long-term, memories need to undergo a period of consolidation. Sleep has been shown to play an important role in these consolidation processes. This proposal will advance our understanding of long-term memory, by demonstrating how the three core processes of memory formation: encoding, consolidation, and retrieval, interact to selectively promote certain memories. This aim shall be achieved through a series of experiments utilising advanced electroencephalography techniques and state-of-the-art ‘targeted memory reactivation’. Experiment one will investigate when memories are initially formed (encoding), how does the brain select a subset to undergo subsequent consolidation. Experiment two will then determine how sleep facilitates the consolidation of those selected memories, selectively strengthening them to enhance post-sleep memory retrieval. Finally, Experiment three will attempt to manipulate selection processes, to ask whether external methods can alter the fate of specific memories after initial selection to be remembered or forgotten. The proposed project is a perfect fit to the work program of the fellowship. I will develop critical new skills, which will enhance my potential as an independent scientist. This fellowship will place me at a world leading European institute, and as such will facilitate my return to the European research community. This will in turn enable my long-term career goal of leading my own research group at a European research institute.

Keywords: consolidation,sleep and memory,sleep spindles,targeted memory reactivation
QCL Frequency COMBs: INternational exploitation Analysis and commercialisation (QOMBINA)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: Future and Emerging Technologies (FET)
Theme: EIC Pathfinder
Destination: Novel ideas for radically new technologies
Action type: Coordination and support actions
Countries involved: Switzerland
Call: FET Innovation Launchpad (H2020-FETOPEN-2018-2019-2020-4, 2020)
Start date: 2021-04-01
End date: 2022-03-31
Duration (months): 12.0
Total project cost (EUR): 142857.14
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Optical Frequency Comb (OFC) are laser devices which emit light in a wide spectrum consisting of equidistant peaks in frequency space. The FET project “Qombs” made major advances in high performance of the OFC by employing quantum cascade laser sources (QCL) able to operate over all the mid-IR and far-IR region of the spectrum. However, the applications of the QCL-OFC are for the moment rather limited and all potential markets remain hidden. In that view, QombINA project aims in the development of a solid exploitation strategy for Frequency Comb lasers, which are a result of QOMBS project, aiming at the commercialisation of said devices. In that view, during QombINA project, a set of targeted activities aiming at showcasing the concept of QCL Frequency Combs to wider market applications will be pushed forward, while most promising applications and potential markets will be achieved through detailed business and marketing plans, respectively.

Keywords: photonics,frequency comb lasers,quantum cascade lasers,innovation opportunities,market analysis
Parkinson Disease with Mild cognition Impairment treated with Nicotinic agonist Drug (PD-MIND)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Societal Challenges
Programme: Health, demographic change and wellbeing
Theme: Public-private partnerships
Destination: Innovative Medicines Initiative 2
Action type: Research and Innovation actions
Partnership: IMI2 (Art-187)
Countries involved: Germany,Italy,Norway,Sweden,Norway,Czechia,Netherlands,United Kingdom,United Kingdom
Call: Pilot programme on a Clinical Compound Bank for Repurposing: Neurodegenerative diseases (H2020-JTI-IMI2-2017-13-two-stage, 2017)
Start date: 2019-05-01
End date: 2022-04-30
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2131609.01
EU funding (EUR): 999698.0
Participants: 10
Project status: CLOSED

Parkinson Disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer’s disease. There is an unmet clinical need to treat Parkinson disease with mild cognitive impairment (PD-MCI). There is ample evidence from epidemiological studies as well as (pre)clinical research that Nicotinic receptors are involved in PD and cognition. Recently a clinical trial suggested that selective α7 nicotinic receptor agonist improved cognition in PD patients, as a secondary outcome measure. Hence, the main goal of PD-MIND is to show the potential of the Astrazeneca nicotinic α7 agonist AZD0328 in a randomized, placebo-controlled, international multicentre, cross-over study on cognition in people diagnosed with PD-MCI. We will assess the Attention Intensity Index composite score from the CogTrackTM system as primary outcome measure and other clinical aspects (cognition, motor symptoms) as secondary outcomes. In addition, blood, CSF and imaging biomarkers will be assessed as potential predictors of response, and as marker of target involvement. Patients (Public and Patient Involvement) and other stakeholders will be engaged from the start to allow integration of end-user perspectives in the design and execution of the project. PD-MIND will put considerably effort to disseminate and exploit clinical outcome data and biomarker results, and to sustain the partnership for subsequent phase 3 clinical studies. PD-MIND consortium consist of world-leading PD-MCI experts in the area of clinical trials, clinical coordination, project management, data management and analysis, and biomarkers. As such the consortium is well positioned to execute the proposed work and complement the EFPIA members.

Keywords: parkinson disease,pd mci,nicotinic receptor,nicotinic agonist,biomarker,imaging
Third funding line in 2015 for the establishment of a European SST service provision function (3SST2015)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Industrial Leadership
Programme: Space
Action type: Coordination and support actions
Countries involved: Spain,Italy,Germany,France,United Kingdom,United Kingdom
Call: SPACE (H2020-Adhoc-2014-20, 2015)
Start date: 2016-01-01
End date: 2017-12-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 9017432.93
EU funding (EUR): 9000000.0
Participants: 11
Project status: CLOSED

This 3SST2015 project is aimed at supporting the emergence of a European SST service built on a network of existing SST assets, notably sensors (radar, laser and telescopes) owned by SST Consortium Member States. This will require the commitment of Consortium Member States owing relevant assets to cooperate and provide an anti-collision, fragmentation and re-entry service at European level in order to increase the autonomy of Europe concerning the operational objectives derived from the SST decision, which will be partially fulfilled by the operation of the initial European SST system. Given that this system is mainly based on national systems, at the initial stage many of the activities will be based at national level. At the same time, and in order to achieve the convergence within a joint action that will allow the minimum desirable level of performance, an appropriate degree of coordination between SST Consortium Member States is needed. The project is following a shared working approach between the key players within the field of SST in Europe. Following the guidelines given by the implementing decision of the European Commission (C(2014)6342 final of the 12.09.2014), the backbone of the planned activity is formed by a set of SST committees forming the decision platform of the SST Consortium, composed of the five designated national entities in cooperation mechanisms with the EU SatCen. Three Committees are foreseen for the governing structure of the SST Consortium: the Steering Committee as the decision platform, the Technical Committee as the professional motor and to the Security Committee dealing with bi- and multilateral aspects of security constraints and issues. The main activities are addressed in terms of: Performance assessment and architecture of SST, an SST Action Plan” and the Priority upgrading of existing sensors owned by the Member States member of the SST consortium.

Keywords: upgrading of existing sensors,roadmap priorities and action plans
Multi-disciplinArY integrated simulAtion and forecasting tools, empowered by digital continuity and continuous real-world synchronization, towards reduced time to production and optimization (MAYA)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Industrial Leadership
Programme: Information and Communication Technologies
Action type: Research and Innovation actions
Countries involved: Italy,Germany,Germany,Israel,Germany,Italy,Italy,Italy,Switzerland,Finland,Romania
Call: ICT-enabled modelling, simulation, analytics and forecasting technologies (H2020-FoF-2015, 2015)
Start date: 2015-10-01
End date: 2018-09-30
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 4645428.75
EU funding (EUR): 4015365.5
Participants: 11
Project status: CLOSED

MAYA aims at developing simulation methodologies and multidisciplinary tools for the design, engineering and management of CPS-based (Cyber Physical Systems) Factories, in order to strategically support production-related activities during all the phases of the factory life-cycle, from the integrated design of the product-process- production system, through the optimization of the running factory, till the dismissal/reconfiguration phase. The concurrence and the cross-combination of the Cyber and the Physical dimensions with the Simulation domain is considered as cornerstone in MAYA innovations, to successfully address a new generation of smart factories for future industry responsiveness. MAYA finds complete validation in one of the most competitive, advanced and complex industrial sector in Europe, the automotive, where it will accomplish reduced time to production & reduced time to optimization within two use-cases (Volkswagen and FinnPower). In order to realize such a vision, MAYA addresses actual technological constraints through research and development activities focusing on the following three high level objectives: - MAYA for Digital Continuity; - MAYA for the Synchronization of the Digital and Real Factory; - MAYA for Multidisciplinary integrated simulation and modelling. MAYA’s concept and motivation have been born within the framework set by the Pathfinder initiative, and represent a concrete first step to empower the vision there drafted, and consolidated thanks to the contribution of several academic experts and industrial key-players (http://www.pathfinderproject.eu/contributors.asp).

Keywords: cps base manufacturing simulation,multi disciplinary simulation,digital continuity,real digital world synchronization
Multimodal Imaging of Disorders of Consciousness (MIDOC)

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: France
Call: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF-EF) (H2020-MSCA-IF-2015, 2015)
Start date: 2016-11-01
End date: 2019-02-28
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 185076.0
EU funding (EUR): 185076.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The diagnosis of individuals with disorders of consciousness has fundamental implications in terms of prognosis, treatment, palliative care and even proper end-of-life decisions. Diagnosis based on behavioural assessment is difficult and it is believed that misdiagnosis occurs in a large percentage of cases (> 40%). Non-invasive functional brain imaging has recently emerged as a promising tool for the diagnosis of individuals with disorders of consciousness; however, different imaging methods allow descriptions at limited spatial and temporal resolutions, and it is unknown how these findings relate to each other, to the underlying brain anatomy, and whether they are manifestations of a single fundamental mechanism underlying the impairment of conscious awareness. The proposed research project aims to investigate individuals with disorders of consciousness by simultaneously applying these different neuroimaging techniques, thus integrating neurophysiological data across description levels and evaluating their synergy for the objective diagnosis and prognosis of patients. We address the hypotheses that alterations in brain rhythms (measured with electroencephalography) typical of individuals with disorders of consciousness (such as the emergence of low-complexity and low-frequency neural oscillations) are related to diminished fronto-parietal activity and a breakdown of thalamo-cortical functional and anatomical connectivity (functional magnetic resonance imaging; diffusion tensor imaging) and that these signatures of consciousness correlate with the severity of the disorder and the degree of conscious awareness of the patients. In addition, we are proposing a career development plan for the applicant that includes training on scientific and transferable skills. This plan will both widen his scientific competences and provide him with the tools and experience necessary to secure a position as a leading independent researcher by establishing his own group.

Keywords: disorders of consciousness,vegetative state,minimally conscious state,neuroimaging,eeg fmri,multimodal imaging,consciousness,spontaneous activity
Novel multimodal approach to atrial fibrillation risk assessment and identification of targets for prevention by interdisciplinary exploitation of omics, advanced electrocardiography, and imaging (MMAF)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Consolidator grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment 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: Germany
Call: ERC Consolidator Grant (ERC-2014-CoG, 2014)
Start date: 2016-01-01
End date: 2021-06-30
Duration (months): 66.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1999305.0
EU funding (EUR): 1999305.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

There is a growing need for novel risk schemes in atrial fibrillation (AF) to permit prevention, contribute to a better understanding of the pathophysiology, and discover targets for individualized treatment. Primary prevention efforts are scant despite the imminent AF epidemic. In international cohorts I have developed and validated the first risk prediction algorithm. However, it explains only 60% of the attributable risk and efforts at improving discrimination are urgently required. Therefore, my overall goal is to develop an enhanced risk prediction algorithm based on cutting-edge technology. The specific focus will be on parameters representative of early stages of the disease process and intermediate phenotypes such as atrial electrical and structural remodelling, chronic subclinical inflammation, oxidative stress, and autonomous tone in manifest and incident AF. Subclinical, potentially reversible changes are ideally suited to provide independent information complementary to known risk markers. My ambitious concept is to choose a multimodal approach in an interdisciplinary team to systematically assess: 1) Blood and tissue omics (genomics, expression, proteomics, metabolomics), 2) Advanced electrocardiography, 3) Imaging (echocardiography, cardiac MRI), and 4) Gender applying innovative tools and analyses strategies aimed at a systems biology integration of the accumulated information. I have collected comprehensive biological and epidemiologic information on distinct AF phenotypes in unique prospective population (N>60,000) and clinical cohorts (N>1,000). We are not aware of other groups with access to such a well-established prospective AF biobank. Informed by omics, electrocardiography and imaging we will provide pathophysiological insights into the disease process, highlight targets for intervention, and develop a contemporary risk scheme. Our results will lay the ground for rapid translation into clinical practice with significant public health impact.

Keywords: atrial fibrillation,aging,gender