Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Chip URInary Engineered System for modelling bladder biomechanics and disease (CURIES)

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: Denmark
Call: MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2022 (HORIZON-MSCA-2022-PF-01, 2022)
Start date: 2024-05-10
End date: 2026-05-09
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 230774.4
EU funding (EUR): 230774.4
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

Urinary tract infections (UTI) are severe bacterial infections of the urinary system. Low understanding of specific bacteria-host interactions and associated disease aetiologies has led to global misuse of antibiotics driving bacterial resistance. However, relevant human modelling platforms that replicate all parameters of a physiological bladder and reciprocate infection conditions are non-existent. During infection bladder stretch-mechanisms are commandeered by opportunistic bacteria to penetrate the impermeable bladder defence, that are then not appropriately cleared by antibiotics regimens. With CURIES, we will develop microfluidic bladder-on-chip systems able to replicate the dynamic biomechanical scenarios and chemically-rich environments of the bladder epithelium; the urothelium. Without appropriate models that recapitulate organ biomechanics the emergence of superpathogens is likely to never be counteracted by targeted therapeutic design, accelerating antibiotic resistance to greater crisis levels. In this MSCA application I aim to combine my bioengineering experience with the world-leading expertise of my host laboratory in epithelial mechanobiology to create dynamic simulations of human bladder-on-a-chip homeostasis and UTI infections. I will perform thorough analyses on the transcriptomic level of changes across the expanse of the urothelium with periodic filling and voiding during pathogenic and non-pathogenic infections. CURIES will have unparalleled relevance for the drug discovery industry. Bringing together such advanced methodologies will yield discoveries in molecular mechanisms impacted by bladder-pathogen interactions and enable computational modelling simulations to serve as predictive tools. By undertaking this work I will develop valuable transferable skills, increase my scientific visibility, and move closer to scientific independence. CURIES will both shape my academic career and positively impact the fight against antibiotic resistance.

Keywords: mechanotransduction bladder microfluidics epithelial biology
Not a Straight Line: Family Formation among Sexual Minorities (QPATHS)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Human Mobility, Environment, and Space
Panel description: Human geography, demography, health, susta inability science, territorial planning, spatial analysis
Countries involved: Netherlands
Call: ERC STARTING GRANTS (ERC-2025-STG, 2025)
Start date: 2026-09-01
End date: 2031-08-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1500000.0
EU funding (EUR): 1500000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

QPaths provides unprecedented insights into the pathways and challenges faced by sexual minorities in achieving their family goals. Despite the growing acceptance of same-sex families and the expansion of their legal rights, they still face significant challenges in their decision to have children, particularly compared to their heterosexual counterparts. Yet, a critical gap remains in understanding these inequalities in family formation, as well as the specific barriers and support systems that shape these pathways. QPaths addresses these knowledge gaps through two interrelated parts. The first part provides unparalleled demographic insights into family formation among sexual minorities by examining parenthood trajectories of individuals in same- and different-sex couples in Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden, and the Netherlands (1990-2022). This reveals inequalities in who can form and expand their family between same- and different-sex couples and breaks new ground on the role of institutional factors in shaping parental outcomes. With established access to population register data from five countries, the project can leverage the largest longitudinal, cross-national data source on same-sex relationships to date. The second part studies the personal pathways behind these patterns by focussing on preferences, experiences, and behaviors in the family formation process of sexual minorities. Using insights from demography, sociology, psychology, and gender and sexuality studies, it develops a theoretical model that explains sexual minorities’ family formation process by identifying barriers unique to them. Conducting a large-scale, representative, longitudinal survey of individuals in same- and different-sex relationships allows us to study family formation over time and across sexual orientations. This results in a unique, open-access dataset on family formation among sexual minorities, offering valuable opportunities for future research into their family dynamics.

Keywords: same sex couples,sexual minorities,demographic trends,inclusive family formation model,register data,longitudinal survey
Effective Delivery of Nucleic Acid Therapeutics via Designed Nanocarriers (NATPRIME)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Excellent Science
Programme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Doctoral Networks
Action type: Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions
Panel: Chemistry
Countries involved: Netherlands,Türkiye,Germany,Denmark,Austria,United Kingdom,Belgium,Spain,France,Sweden
Call: MSCA Doctoral Networks 2023 (HORIZON-MSCA-2023-DN-01, 2023)
Start date: 2024-10-01
End date: 2028-09-30
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 4219937.49
EU funding (EUR): 4000132.8
Participants: 18
Project status: SIGNED

Delivery of Nucleic Acid Therapeutics to desired organs has become the current challenge of biotechnological applications. Advancements on the chemical synthesis or targeting ligands, formulation of complex lipid systems, and their bioassays are essential to establish new gene therapies. Therefore, the main aim of NATPRIME DN is to establish a multidisciplinary training network on the emerging topic of nanoparticle-based adjuvants to deliver nucleic acid therapeutics (NAT). In the last decade, great efforts have been spent on the development of synthetic strategies for the creation of RNA based therapies/vaccines, and these efforts have been acknowledged by the Nobel committee in 2023. The next important step is targeted delivery, which is to carry NATs to the desired tissue. For this purpose, various nanoassemblies, i.e lipid nanoparticles, polyplexes, liposomes, that are modified with targeting ligands will be utilised to encapsulate NATS. Antibodies, peptides, glycans, and glycopolymers open up greater possibilities in the precise targeting of nanoparticles to desired organs/tissues/cells. The combined molecular toolbox of targeting ligands, charged lipids, helper lipids and PEG-replacement lipids need a high-throughput formulation-screening to ensure increased uptake of such particles in the desired organs. 15 interdisciplinary researchers will be trained on the design, synthesis, and characterisation of such complex targeting ligands, their formulation in nanoparticles, and their utilisation in the nucleic acid based treatments. Last but not least, biophysical understanding of molecular interactions of formulation components will bridge the gap between fundamental and applied research while broadening the horizon of ESRs from an academic lab to good manufacturing practice (GMP) synthesis facilities that can positively impact the well-being of future generations.

Keywords: lipid nanoparticles,glycopolymers,nucleic acid delivery
European sustainable EPA production from microalgae fermentation (EuroPA)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Innovative Europe
Programme: The European Innovation Council (EIC)
Theme: EIC Accelerator
Destination: Other destinations
Action type: EIC actions
Countries involved: France
Call: EIC Accelerator 2024 - Short application (HORIZON-EIC-2024-ACCELERATOR-01, 2024)
Duration (months): 50.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2.4
EU funding (EUR): 2.4
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

It has become increasingly important to change our feeding habits by transitioning to sustainable and nutritious food. Omega-3s are recognized as having multiple essential health benefits through the fatty acids EPA and DHA, but supply faces multiple challenges: endangered fish oil supply, escalating prices, severe impacts of climate change, and environmental contamination of oils. In addition intense fishing has extreme negative impacts on marine ecosystems. To adapt to increasing demand in Omega 3 from humans, pets and aquaculture, we must rethink the way Omega-3s are provided. Fermentalg, an innovative biotech specialised in developing and producing natural solutions from microalgae, has launched the EuroPA project to provide a non-fish solution. After years of research, we are now developing a remarkable microalgae strain containing both EPA and DHA fatty acids, revolutionizing health and nutrition by offering an oil with more omega-3 than fish oils, from a completely sustainable source. The rapid progress in this project is thanks to Fermentalg’s existing know-how of industrialising microalgal processes including a blue food pigment and a DHA-rich oil. Through precision fermentation Fermentalg relies only on a single wild-caught cell of microalgae to produce all of its oil thus hugely reducing the impact on the marine ecosystem. Additionally, the EuroPA project integrates alternative and lower-impacts substrates, hence further reducing the carbon footprint of production. Thus, we aim not only to mitigate the negative economic and social effects that an endangered fish oil supply will bring, but also to contribute to human and animal health in a manner that is more sustainable than the alternative. The EuroPA project has the potential to enhance the resilience of the European food supply chain, support multiple European industries, and make European a global leader in sustainable microalgae oil.

Keywords: microalgae,fermentation,epa,substrates,dha,omega 3,health benefits,petfood,aquaculture,dietary complements
Subcutaneous delivery of theranostic cell-based therapies (Sub-NK)

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: France
Call: ERC PROOF OF CONCEPT GRANTS (ERC-2023-POC, 2023)
Start date: 2024-01-01
End date: 2025-06-30
Duration (months): 18.0
Total project cost (EUR): 150000.0
EU funding (EUR): 150000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

This PoC project seeks to develop a simple-to-implement self-assembled and injectable hydrogel material for the controlled co-delivery of our simili-CAR NK cells and stimulatory cytokines to improves treatment of both solid and liquid tumors. Similar to biologics delivery where monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are commonly administered by IV infusion due to regulatory criteria favoring such route which had limited confounding factors, the IV administration remains responsible for some over costs and clinical challenges including the need for dedicated infusion facilities, aseptic preparation of required infusion batches, extended infusion times, potential difficulties and risks with IV catheter. The subcutaneous (SC) administration is deemed to overcome many of these challenges and might appear as an attractive alternative to the IV administration. In addition, the SC route used for mAb administration was received with an overwhelming preference according to patients despite limited and reversible local adverse events induced by the rHuPH20. Alternative solutions are being evaluated through clinical trials such as the direct SC injection of mAbs without recombinant human hyaluronidase or using novel enzymes but none are currently being clinically-developed for cellular therapies. Moreover, those alternative SC methods induced large pharmacokinetic heterogeneity between patients confirming the need to develop novel alternative approaches to accelerate the development of SC mAbs formulation. Hence, in parallel to the biological approach, chemistry-based approaches, such as hydrogels have been proposed. However, to date, none of them successfully managed to be translated to the clinic; this can be explained by the absence of full biodegradability after injection or/and potential poor biocompatibility inducing inflammatory responses. Here, we sought to develop a novel formulation of functionalized-chitosans for controlled release of modified NK cells.
RNA structure ensemble dynamics in living cells (RNAStrEnD)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Excellent Science
Programme: European Research Council (ERC)
Theme: European research council
Destination: Consolidator grants
Action type: ERC actions
Panel: Integrative B iology : from Genes and Genomes to S ystems
Panel description: For all organis ms: Genetics, epigenetics, genomics  and other ‘omics studies , bioinformatics, systems biology , genetic diseases , gene editing, innovative methods and modelling,  ‘omics for personalised  medicine
Countries involved: Netherlands
Call: ERC CONSOLIDATOR GRANTS (ERC-2023-COG, 2023)
Start date: 2024-10-01
End date: 2029-09-30
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2000000.0
EU funding (EUR): 2000000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

Ribonucleic acid (RNA) is a Ribonucleic acid (RNA) is a jack-of-all-trades. It orchestrates and contributes to a multitude of essential cellular processes, both under physiological and pathological conditions. Among these, transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression, splicing, and translation control. Many of the functions of RNA rely on its ability to fold into stable secondary structures. However, RNA structures are far from being static. Indeed, for a given RNA, multiple alternative structural conformations can coexist as part of a heterogeneous and dynamic ensemble. Crucial to the regulatory functions of RNA structures is their ability to dynamically redistribute the relative abundance of specific conformations within the ensemble, in response to environmental cues. Despite its ascertained importance, the study of RNA structural dynamics in living cells has largely remained elusive. The goal of this ambitious proposal is to provide a deeper understanding of the mechanistic aspects underlying RNA structural dynamics in living cells, and thereby to comprehend the regulation and mechanism of action of RNAs. In other words: how are changes in the structure of an RNA triggered, and how do these changes reflect on the cell’s phenotype? By combining cutting-edge experimental and computational methods, many of which developed in my lab, my team will: (i) explore how RNA secondary structure ensembles dynamically change in response to environmental cues; (ii) investigate how RNA post-transcriptional modifications and editing contribute to and control RNA secondary structure ensemble dynamics; (iii) characterize RNA secondary structure ensemble dynamics at transcription, and their contribution to splicing regulation. By dissecting the role of RNA secondary structure ensemble dynamics in fine-tuning gene expression, the pioneering research here proposed will fill an important gap in our understanding of the mechanisms of gene regulation in cells.

Keywords: rna secondary structure rna structure ensembles rna chemical probing gene regulation by rna structure
SUperconducting-Nitride by area-Selective ALD at Low Temperature (SUN by SALT)

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: Chemistry
Countries involved: Belgium
Call: MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2022 (HORIZON-MSCA-2022-PF-01, 2022)
Start date: 2023-10-01
End date: 2025-09-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 191760.0
EU funding (EUR): 191760.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The field of computing saw a breakthrough when quantum supremacy was established, and it was demonstrated that a classical computer will take 10,000 years for a task that a quantum processor based on superconducting qubits took 200 seconds. The future generation of computing hardware that can deliver high performance parallel computing include (i) High performance superconducting circuits-based computing hardware and (ii) quantum processors based on superconducting qubits. Key components of these technologies, like Superconducting Nanowire for Single-Photon Detectors (SNSPDs), cryogenic interconnects and ground plane electronics, use SUperconducting Nitrides (SUNs) such as NbN, TiN and NbTiN. However, despite the heavy reliance on SUNs, optimal deposition processes to engineer these materials to meet the challenges of the technology are still lacking. The desirable process should be able to engineer the features of conformality, provide continuous, pin-hole free films with controlled thicknesses between 2-5 nm, occur at low temperatures and in some applications provide selectivity to reduce the patterning overhead. This project addresses this gap in SUN material engineering by generating scientific understanding that is pivotal to enabling the quantum processors in the future. We intend to do so by investigating novel chemistries and sequences of Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) coupled with surface functionalization in order to enable the fabrication of CMOS industry compatible, area Selective ALD at Low Temperature (SALT) of the widely used SUNs of NbN, TiN and NbTiN. This project will increase the understanding of ALD using reducing agents and inhibitors, advance the science of area selective ALD and enable higher fidelity qubits. Therefore, this research contributes to advancing chemical science and caters to the critical needs of the superconducting digital electronics as well as quantum processor hardware since SUNs are ubiquitous to both technologies.

Keywords: atomic layer deposition,area selective ald,superconducting nitrides,interconnects,qubits,josepshson junction,electrode passivation
Characterising multi-stage landslide activity rates with synthetic aperture radar satellite data (CLARASAR)

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: Environment and Geosciences
Countries involved: Italy
Call: MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2022 (HORIZON-MSCA-2022-PF-01, 2022)
Start date: 2024-05-01
End date: 2026-04-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 172750.08
EU funding (EUR): 172750.08
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

Landslides are a significant hazard in mountainous environments. The advent of earth observation from space has hugely increased the scope of landslide studies and improved our understanding in terms of hazard mitigation, early warning, triggering mechanisms and mass-wasting effects. Occurrences of new landslides can be observed in optical satellite images, while slow-moving landslides can be monitored using satellite radar interferometry (InSAR). However, while the spatial coverage of landslide studies has been expanded by the availability of remote sensing datasets, a complete picture of landslide activity remains difficult to obtain from satellite imagery: optical satellite images are best-suited to detection of new landslides in vegetated environments, while inSAR is limited to slow-moving landslides. Current methods therefore struggle to detect multi-stage failure or reactivation of pre-existing landslide scars for fast-moving or incoherent deformation. Here I will develop new SAR-based techniques using amplitude and coherence time series to detect multi-stage failure and reactivations. I will test and apply these techniques at a range of spatial scales (individual large landslides up to regional inventories). I will apply to techniques to two case study areas (Nepal and Papua New Guinea) that have experienced landslides triggered by sequences of both earthquakes and rainfall. The case where landslides are triggered by a sequence of events is one where detection of multi-stage failure is particularly important: whether a landslide fails once or several times has implications for both hazard and erosion. By applying the new methods here alongside traditional remote sensing techniques, we hope to obtain a more comprehensive view of landslides than is currently possible.

Keywords: landslides,erosion,hazards
The ContainerGrid platform; Integrating waste management and recycling through innovative cloud software (ContainerGrid)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Innovative Europe
Programme: The European Innovation Council (EIC)
Theme: EIC Accelerator
Destination: Other destinations
Action type: EIC actions
Countries involved: Germany
Call: EIC Accelerator 2024 - Short application (HORIZON-EIC-2024-ACCELERATOR-01, 2024)
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2500000.0
EU funding (EUR): 2500000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: SIGNED

The secondary raw materials market is vital to global recycling and waste management, yet it faces significant challenges due to its reliance on manual processes. These inefficiencies lead to delays, increased costs, and lack of transparency. The industry's fragmentation and lack of real-time data further exacerbate these issues, creating operational bottlenecks and compliance challenges. High digitization costs also deter many businesses from adopting digital solutions. ContainerGrid addresses these challenges with an end-to-end digital platform that integrates waste suppliers, recyclers, traders, and haulers. Our cloud-based solution automates administrative tasks, enhances supply chain coordination, improves material quality, and ensures compliance. The platform facilitates digital pick-up requests, data-based contract scheduling, contract logistics, and comprehensive documentation management, significantly reducing manual errors and operational costs. Our value proposition includes streamlined digital processes, improved supply chain coordination, enhanced material quality, and cost-effective digitization. Clients benefit from reduced administrative efforts, optimized transportation routes, and automated material control, leading to substantial cost savings and increased profits. Under the EIC project, we will expand our platform to manage contracts and contingents, integrate industrial waste producers, and include traders. We will conduct pilots with mid-cap metals scrap traders to validate our MVP and gather feedback. Additionally, we will develop a comprehensive sales and marketing plan to expand our geographic reach and increase market penetration. Our goal is to facilitate the digital transformation of the recycling industry, enhancing efficiency, data accuracy, and competitiveness for all stakeholders.

Keywords: environmental protection waste recycling circular economy waste treatment waste management software