Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
SMART: Small Medicines Advanced Research Training (SMART)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Spreading excellence and widening participation
Programme: Widening participation and spreading excellence
Theme: Improved access to Excellence
Action type: Coordination and support actions
Countries involved: Italy,Poland,France,United Kingdom
Call: Twinning (H2020-TWINN-2015, 2015)
Start date: 2016-01-01
End date: 2018-12-31
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 999475.0
EU funding (EUR): 999475.0
Participants: 4
Project status: CLOSED

SMART Project is aimed to raise IPCZD staff’s research profile and increase capacity in providing innovative paediatric research methods such as PK-PD data Modelling&Simulation (M&S) data extrapolation, and suitable dosage forms identification. This represents both a specific IPCZD’s need (PCZD has a solid experience in providing and accumulating paediatric PK-PD data but is unable to use this data in the contest of innovative study’ methodologies) and a globally recognised research need (paediatric clinical research is affected by many methodological ethical and logistic hurdles requiring new methods will be generated and developed through a large and experienced scientific communities involving different expertise and having a composite background. Methods such as M&S and extrapolation aimed to optimise evidence synthesis, while minimising evidence generation represent at today the more promising frontier of the paediatric research). To improve the level of high-quality paediatric research in Poland, it is proposed a composite training programme addressing staff from PCZD including lessons (e-learning and face to face), staff exchanges and summer schools. Three internationally-leading research institutions, CVBF in Italy, UCL in the United Kingdom and AMU in France will contribute to the training program by providing specific expertise in paediatric clinical trial government and developing, M&S and Extrapolation applications, new formulation generation. All these institution have a solid experience and previous participation in large paediatric research Networks and Consortia. PCZD is a large tertiary paediatric hospital, having a strong interest in paediatric research. As PCZD staff will enhance its know-how on paediatric trials and drug development, the institution is expected to be candidate to assume a leading role in the paediatric research European framework, also became attractive for private-public collaborations.

Keywords: modelling and simulation,extrapolation,advanced training in paediatric clinical research,paediatric clinical trials management,paediatric medicines formulation,polish smart specialisation strategy
From Peripheralized to Cell- and Organelle-Targeted Medicine: The 3rd Generation of Cannabinoid-1 Receptor Antagonists for the Treatment of Chronic Kidney Disease (CaNANObinoids)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Physiology in Health, Disease and Ageing
Panel description: Organ and tissue physiology, comparative physiology, physiology of ageing, pathophysiology, interorgan and tissue communication, endocrinology, nutrition, metabolism, interaction with the microbiome, non-communicable diseases including cancer (and except disorders of the nervous system and immunity-related diseases)
Countries involved: Israel
Call: ERC Starting Grant (ERC-2015-STG, 2015)
Start date: 2016-04-01
End date: 2021-09-30
Duration (months): 66.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1500000.0
EU funding (EUR): 1500000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Clinical experience with globally-acting cannabinoid-1 receptor (CB1R) antagonists revealed the benefits of blocking CB1Rs for the treatment of obesity and diabetes. However, their use is hampered by increased CNS-mediated side effects. Recently, I have demonstrated that peripherally-restricted CB1R antagonists have the potential to treat the metabolic syndrome without eliciting these adverse effects. While these results are promising and are currently being developed into the clinic, our ability to rationally design CB1R blockers that would target a diseased organ is limited. The current proposal aims to develop and test cell- and organelle-specific CB1R antagonists. To establish this paradigm, I will focus our interest on the kidney, since chronic kidney disease (CKD) is the leading cause of increased morbidity and mortality of patients with diabetes. Our first goal will be to characterize the obligatory role of the renal proximal tubular CB1R in the pathogenesis of diabetic renal complications. Next, we will attempt to link renal proximal CB1R with diabetic mitochondrial dysfunction. Finally, we will develop proximal tubular (cell-specific) and mitochondrial (organelle-specific) CB1R blockers and test their effectiveness in treating CKD. To that end, we will encapsulate CB1R blockers into biocompatible polymeric nanoparticles that will serve as targeted drug delivery systems, via their conjugation to targeting ligands. The implications of this work are far reaching as they will (i) point to renal proximal tubule CB1R as a novel target for CKD; (ii) identify mitochondrial CB1R as a new player in the regulation of proximal tubular cell function, and (iii) eventually become the drug-of-choice in treating diabetic CKD and its comorbidities. Moreover, this work will lead to the development of a novel organ-specific drug delivery system for CB1R blockers, which could be then exploited in other tissues affected by obesity, diabetes and the metabolic syndrome.

Keywords: endocannabinoids,cb1 receptor,diabetes,obesity,diabetic nephropathy,mitochondrial biogenesis,mineral and bone disorder,nanomedicine,targeted drug delivery
Hypermethylated DNA detection using NanoGaps (HYMEDNA)

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: Netherlands
Call: ERC Proof of Concept Grant (ERC-2014-PoC, 2014)
Start date: 2015-10-01
End date: 2016-09-30
Duration (months): 12.0
Total project cost (EUR): 149578.75
EU funding (EUR): 149578.75
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

HYMEDNA prepares commercialization of very sensitive point-of-care biosensors for early-stage cancer detection based on the electrical detection of hypermethylated DNA (hmDNA) inside nanogaps. Only recently the awareness has risen that local hypermethylation of DNA provides a generic marker for a wide range of cancers. A robust, simple and cheap method for detecting hmDNA at low concentrations in blood, urine or faeces would be a major step forward in the early-stage detection of cancer. Existing hmDNA detection relies on fluorescent read-out, which requires dedicated laboratory handling. Our technology is based on electrodes separated by a tunable nanogap. hmDNA is trapped and highly concentrated in between the electrodes using methyl binding domain (MBD) proteins. MBD binds specifically to methylated CpG sequences and thus provides the direct recognition of the targeted methylated moieties, contrasting existing DNA detection methods which commonly employ DNA (or PNA) oligos and rely on sequence specificity. After target binding, the conductivity of the trapped hmDNA is enhanced, for which we provide alternative routes. The detection step is formed by a simple measurement of the electrical conduction between the electrodes. As our detection scheme relies on completely turning on the conduction instead of only modulating it (as in other electrical detection schemes), an exceptionally high sensitivity is expected. As the most competitive advantages we identify (1) high selectivity (specific chemistry) and sensitivity (“on-off” effect), (2) simple, scalable device concept, (3) robustness against environment, (4) small size (allowing for implementation in a bioassay device for multiple target molecules), and (5) low cost price.

Keywords: nanotechnology,hypermethylated dna,biosensing,supramolecular chemistry,surface gradients,molecular recognition
Theoretical and Numerical Analysis of Antifreeze and Ice Nucleator Proteins:Coarse-Grain Approach for Multiscale Study and Bio-Engineering (ProFrost)

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: Physics
Countries involved: Spain
Call: Individual Fellowships (H2020-MSCA-IF-2016, 2016)
Start date: 2018-09-01
End date: 2020-08-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 158121.6
EU funding (EUR): 158121.6
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

In nature there are many organisms able to control the ice nucleation rate of water. This ability allows such organisms to adapt to environmental changes, like large temperatures excursions, and to facilitate the search for food. Bio-molecules such as antifreeze proteins (AFPs) and ice nucleator proteins (INPs) are known to influence the ice nucleation rate, a feature that attracts great interest from a wide spectrum of scientific disciplines like biology and atmospheric science, and it offers several technological applications like cryo-preservation of tissues and increasing frozen food shelf life. I propose a new approach, based on a novel combination of water-protein coarse-grain model, able, for a wide range of temperatures and pressures, to deeply explore the configurational space of a water-protein solutions. The ProFrost project aims at defining a novel theoretical framework within which it will be possible to study how the folding properties of AFPs and INPs affect the thermodynamic state point of water. The main goal of the project is to understand the influence of protein interfaces on the dynamical and structural properties of water. The success of this project will pave the way for the computer based design of artificial functionalized protein sequences capable of influencing the phase of water. This project follows an innovative research line, with a multi-scale approach that combines multiple fields of research, such as physics, biology and chemistry. This research due to its interdisciplinary character and broad interest, has large impact and is often subject of publications on relevant international scientific journals, such as Nature, Science, Proceeding of National Academy of Science, Physical Review Letters. ProFrost will carried out under the supervision Prof Carlos Vega, a leading expert on water, and in collaboration with Prof. Dellago and Dr. Coluzza, expert in modelling and simulations of biophysical systems,

Keywords: water protein interplay,water nucleation,protein desine,antifreeze proteins
New CHallenges for (adaptive) PDE solvers: the interplay of ANalysis and GEometry (CHANGE)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Advanced 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: Austria,Austria,Italy,Switzerland
Call: ERC Advanced Grant (ERC-2015-AdG, 2015)
Start date: 2016-10-01
End date: 2022-09-30
Duration (months): 72.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2199219.0
EU funding (EUR): 810471.24
Participants: 4
Project status: CLOSED

The simulation of Partial Differential Equations (PDEs) is an indispensable tool for innovation in science and technology. Computer-based simulation of PDEs approximates unknowns defined on a geometrical entity such as the computational domain with all of its properties. Mainly due to historical reasons, geometric design and numerical methods for PDEs have been developed independently, resulting in tools that rely on different representations of the same objects. CHANGE aims at developing innovative mathematical tools for numerically solving PDEs and for geometric modeling and processing, the final goal being the definition of a common framework where geometrical entities and simulation are coherently integrated and where adaptive methods can be used to guarantee optimal use of computer resources, from the geometric description to the simulation. We will concentrate on two classes of methods for the discretisation of PDEs that are having growing impact: isogeometric methods and variational methods on polyhedral partitions. They are both extensions of standard finite elements enjoying exciting features, but both lack of an ad-hoc geometric modelling counterpart. We will extend numerical methods to ensure robustness on the most general geometric models, and we will develop geometric tools to construct, manipulate and refine such models. Based on our tools, we will design an innovative adaptive framework, that jointly exploits multilevel representation of geometric entities and PDE unknowns. Moreover, efficient algorithms call for efficient implementation: the issue of the optimisation of our algorithms on modern computer architecture will be addressed. Our research (and the team involved in the project) will combine competencies in computer science, numerical analysis, high performance computing, and computational mechanics. Leveraging our innovative tools, we will also tackle challenging numerical problems deriving from bio-mechanical applications.

Keywords: numerical methods for pdes,isogeometric methods,numerical methods on polyhedral meshes,geometric modeling and processing
Parasitism and climate change: A tipping point for blue mussel populations? (TPOINT)

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-2018, 2018)
Start date: 2019-06-01
End date: 2021-05-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 207312.0
EU funding (EUR): 207312.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Global warming constitutes an urgent challenge to humanity, and predicting the far-reaching impacts on ecosystems remains a major scientific task. Blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) are a dominant species along European coastlines, where they play central ecological roles and are of high economic importance. Increases in ocean temperature will not only affect mussels directly but also increase transmission dynamics of their parasites. Together, the effects of a rise in temperature and parasitism will result in increased pressure on M. edulis and their ability to perform vital ecosystem services. How this will impact mussel populations, and ultimately the whole ecosystem, is currently unexplored and impossible to predict due to our lack of experimental data and predictive models. In a worst-case scenario, these combined stressors could lead to a tipping point for mussel populations and the presently balanced coastal ecosystem. In the project TPOINT, I will analyse the synergetic effects of temperature and trematode infections on blue mussels, ranging from individual effects to impacts on population and community structure at the ecosystem level. I will do this through a set of specifically designed mesocosm and field experiments under projected warming scenarios that will provide data for a novel predictive model of the combined parasite and climate change pressure on mussel populations. This project is the first to test these combined effects on blue mussel populations and their role as ecosystem engineers, and will provide novel insights into the ways global changes will influence species interactions and impact sensitive and complex ecological systems. The data gained from TPOINT will significantly advance our understanding of how host-parasite systems will respond to climate change and will help us predict the associated ecological impacts of such changes. This practical knowledge can support the sustainable management of ecosystems in the future.
Self-propelled Metal-Organic Framework nanocarriers as promising brain delivery platform (NeuroMOF)

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: Spain
Call: Individual Fellowships (H2020-MSCA-IF-2019, 2019)
Start date: 2021-07-01
End date: 2023-06-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 160932.48
EU funding (EUR): 160932.48
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

Neurodegenerative diseases severely affect patients’ health resulting in poor quality life and significant impact on global healthcare costs. The mayor challenge is the bypass of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), limiting the diffusion of therapeutic cargo to the central nervous system (CNS). Although emerging technologies based on nanomedicine (liposomes, polymers, etc.) are a promising approach to overcome the BBB, their clinical application is still limited by their lack of in vivo efficacy. In view of this scenario, a new class of nanoscaled porous Metal-Organic Frameworks (nanoMOFs) has attracted great attention in the biomedical domain. NanoMOFs present several advantages compared to classic nanocarriers: i) their chemical & structural versatility, allowing a suitable biocompatibility and the potential control of their in vivo fate, ii) exceptional loading of challenging ingredients (cosmetics, enzymes, drugs...) together with controlled release under physiological conditions; iii) green and scalable synthesis; iv) lack of in vitro & in vivo toxicity; v) interesting imaging properties. Latest biomedical advances have been focussed to tackle typical administration routes (e.g. oral, intravenous or cutaneous). However, the targeted delivery to the brain has not been under the spotlight within the scientific community. Thus, the aim of this proposal is to develop a biosafe and efficient nanoMOF platform for brain delivery. Two original strategies will be undertaken to overcome the BBB: targeting by external functionalization with BBB-specific ligands & enzyme immobilization (self-propelled nanomotors), facing up the challenge to control the orientation, stability, density and distribution (symmetric/asymmetric) of the surface agent. Apart from a full physicochemical characterization of these prototypes, BBB crossing will be first assessed by simple and 3D in vitro models and finally, by preliminary in vivo assays.

Keywords: self propulsion,autonomous,engineered nanomofs,targeting,neurological disease,brain
Rare Earth Free Innovative Truck Traction (REFITT)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Societal Challenges
Programme: Smart, green and integrated transport
Action type: SME instrument
Countries involved: United Kingdom
Call: Small business innovation research for Transport and Smart Cities Mobility (H2020-SMEINST-1-2016-2017, 2017)
Start date: 2018-03-01
End date: 2018-08-31
Duration (months): 6.0
Total project cost (EUR): 71429.0
EU funding (EUR): 50000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Rare Earth Free Innovative Truck Traction (REFITT) will see the full commercialisation of HDSRM, a unique, rare-earth magnet free traction motor concept for use in electric commercial vehicles. The commercial vehicle sector is not well supported by Tier 1 suppliers of electric traction motors, necessary to see the wide spread adoption of zero emissions electric vehicles in our cities. This new traction motor technology has already been proven to TRL6 in a 7.5 tonne parallel hybrid truck and is currently being readied for trial in a range extended truck. REFITT will allow Newcastle University spin-out company, Advanced Electric Machines Ltd, to become such a Tier 1. HDSRM takes the benefits of Switched Reluctance Motor technology and overcomes its weaknesses, through the use of a patent-pending drive configuration, allowing a six phase motor to be driven from an industry standard three phase inverter. This configuration has been demonstrated to increase performance whilst reducing torque ripple and acoustic noise, to levels equivalent to machines which need rare earth magnets; but without the need to use these expensive materials which fall at the top of the EU's critical list. REFITT will support Advanced Electric Machines Ltd in fully proving this traction motor technology, enabling a full process of design for manufacture, undertaking extended vehicle trails in trucks and buses whilst also undertaken the off-vehicle testing to fully prove the system. The company will also prepare itself to become a supplier acceptable to OEMs, putting in place quality management systems and processes and establishing world class facilities. The company is already partnered with a Truck manufacturer and has established links with Bus, Taxi and even Boat builders. REFITT will therefore establish a new leading supplier of traction drives, offering class leading technology, in the critical but poorly served commercial vehicle sector.

Keywords: electric vehicles,commercial vehicles,electric traction
Raman Endoscopic Proteo-lipidomics of Bladder Cancer (ENDOMICS)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting 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: United Kingdom
Call: ERC Starting Grant (ERC-2018-STG, 2018)
Start date: 2019-03-01
End date: 2024-09-30
Duration (months): 67.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1490950.0
EU funding (EUR): 1490950.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

The goal of ENDOMICS is to drive forward a new paradigm of Raman endoscopic technology that enables proteomic and lipidomic analysis for diagnosis of bladder cancers in vivo. Raman endoscopy is a label-free optical technique that can provide a point-wise vibrational molecular fingerprint of tissue “optical biopsy” for cancer diagnosis in vivo. State-of-the-art Raman endoscopy, however, does not offer specific compositional analysis or insights into molecular biology of tissue. This is because the vibrational Raman bands are overlapping and cannot be deciphered into the myriad of biomolecules in complex tissue. We will introduce a ground-breaking new methodology to enable Raman proteomic and lipidomic analysis in vivo. To this end, heterospectral co-registered Raman and mass spectrometry imaging will be used to develop a multivariate regression model “Rosetta Stone” for translating vibrational structural information (Raman spectroscopy) into compositional information. To meet the unmet clinical needs in urology we will tailor the first fibre-optic Raman endoscopic technology that can measure depth-dependent molecular profiles to simultaneously enable detection, grading and staging of bladder cancers. We will finally conduct a clinical trial by applying the technique to measure a comprehensive molecular database of bladder pathologies in vivo. The latter will allow for the identification of proteomic and lipidomic biomarkers to develop novel algorithms for real-time diagnosis of bladder cancers. The synergy between scientific and technological advances in ENDOMICS will break ground for shedding new light on the molecular biology of bladder cancer in vivo including new insights into clinical diversity and identification of biomarkers for diagnostics, prognostics and novel therapeutic targets.

Keywords: raman proteomics,raman lipidomics,biomedical spectroscopy,bladder cancer,cystoscopy,in vivo diagnosis