EU FP7 Research Programmes Co-ordinated by NUI Galway · Project Details Project reference: 287462...

2013

EU Research Projects FP7 Programmes Co-ordinated by NUI Galway

NUI Galway Research and Innovation Centre

EU FP7 Research Programmes Co-ordinated by NUI Galway

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Table of Contents

Category Page No.

PEOPLE ........................................................................................................................................ 4

CU METALLONUCLEASES – Dr Andrea Erxleben ................................................................................. 5

SEA2SKY – Dr Andy Shearer ................................................................................................................ 6

MDR MODULATOR – Dr Gerard Wall .................................................................................................. 7

EPICSTENT – Dr Gerard Wall ............................................................................................................... 8

TENDON REGENERATION – Dr Dimitrios Zeugolis .............................................................................. 9

SEA2SKY – Dr Andy Shearer .............................................................................................................. 10

DIVAC – Prof Noel F. Lowndes .......................................................................................................... 11

INFOCRAVING – Prof Daniel Carey .................................................................................................... 12

ANGIOMATTRAIN – Prof Abhay Pandit ............................................................................................. 13

BIOSTEM – Dr Mary Murphy ............................................................................................................. 14

PSNOP – Dr Xinmin Zhan ................................................................................................................... 15

DREAM – Gerard Quinn .................................................................................................................... 16

NET2 – Prof Stefan Decker ................................................................................................................ 17

LASER-CONNECT – Dr Gerard O’Connor ........................................................................................... 18

SPIVOR – Prof Christopher Dainty..................................................................................................... 19

GLYCOPEPTIDES – Dr Jacinta Thornton ............................................................................................. 20

AIRSEA – Dr Brian Ward .................................................................................................................... 21

RSMBR – Dr Xinmin Zhan .................................................................................................................. 22

HEALTH...................................................................................................................................... 23

NEUROGRAFT – Prof Abhay Pandit ................................................................................................... 24

REDDSTAR – Prof Tim O’Brien ........................................................................................................... 25

PURSTEM – Prof Frank Barry ............................................................................................................ 26

GLYCOHIT – Prof Lokesh Joshi ........................................................................................................... 27

ICT ............................................................................................................................................. 28

MONNET – Dr Paul Buitelaar ............................................................................................................ 29

SIFEM – Prof Stefan Decker .............................................................................................................. 30

OPENIOT – Prof Manfred Hauswirth ................................................................................................. 31

LATC – Dr Michael Hausenblas ......................................................................................................... 32

SPITFIRE - Dr Manfred Hauswirth ..................................................................................................... 33

IDEAS - ERC ................................................................................................................................ 34

3CBIOTECH – Dr Gavin James Collins ................................................................................................ 35


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BONEMECHBIO – Prof Donal Leech .................................................................................................. 36

HA-NFKB-VILI – Prof John Laffey ....................................................................................................... 37

NMP (Nanotechnologies, Nanoscience, Materials and new Production Technologies) .................. 38

GREEN NANO-MESH – Dr Dimitrios Zeugolis .................................................................................... 39

ENVIRONMENT .......................................................................................................................... 40

CORALFISH – Dr Jacinta Thornton ..................................................................................................... 41


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PEOPLE


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CU METALLONUCLEASES – Dr Andrea Erxleben Synthesis and biological activity of Cu(II) metallonucleases that target tumour cells From 2013-06-03 to 2015-06-02 Objective Dr. Diego Montagner, an Italian national who is working as a postdoc in the group of Prof. B. Longato (Padua University), is making an application to this programme to move to NUI Galway in Ireland, where he is currently spending a period as Visiting Scientist in the group of Dr. A. Erxleben, to carry out a project for 24 months in the area of medicinal inorganic chemistry. This proposal specifically deals with the synthesis of Cu(II) complexes that selectively target tumour cells and act as artificial metallonucleases, i.e. cleave the DNA of the tumour cell through a hydrolytic mechanism. Specific carrier molecules such as estrogens will be conjugated to the complexes to increase the selectivity. The catalytic activity will be tested studying DNA models (like simple phosphate diesters with good leaving groups), short oligonucleotides and supercoiled plasmid DNA. Biological tests will be performed on different tumoural cell lines, including cisplatin-resistant ones. The fellow has already an excellent background in coordination chemistry and this project will allow him to deepen and expand his skills in organic synthesis. He will learn new analytical techniques and at the final stage of the project he will enter into the biological field. Besides contributing to his overall scientific growth, this experience will be important for his long-term plans to focus his research interests on biological aspects of medicinal chemistry, such as drug-biomolecule interactions. He proposes to join NUI Galway which is strategically developing strength in Biomedical Research and Cancer, a very important and challenging branch of Chemistry/Biochemistry research in Europe. NUI Galway will also provide training in transferable skills and mentoring to Dr. Montagner. Both the scientific and personal training will contribute to his personal development and will allow him to reach professional maturity and to become an independent researcher.

Project Details Project reference: 298099 Status: Accepted Total cost: EUR 191 938 EU contribution: EUR 191 938 Programme acronym: FP7-PEOPLE Subprogramme area: FP7-PEOPLE-2011-IEF Contract type: Intra-European Fellowships (IEF) Support actions Coordinator: Dr Andrea Erxleben

http://cordis.europa.eu/fetch?CALLER=PROGLINK_NEWS_EN&QF_PGA=FP7-PEOPLE


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SEA2SKY – Dr Andy Shearer From 2011-05-01 to 2011-11-30 Objective Our theme is the natural physical world from the marine, through the atmosphere to space. In this we create an extensive network of researchers on Ireland's western seaboard. This includes environmental and astronomical researchers based in NUI Galway, Ireland's Marine Institute and the Galway Altlantaquaria, Irelands National Aquarium. Between them they cover a broad range of research activities. Each organisation has a wide spread of contacts in the community through individual outreach programmes. Together they will show the extent and relevance of scientific research on Europe’s periphery. For night itself we will showcase through direct interaction between the public and scientists. To make this event different we have scientifically themed theatre and other artistic events. Galway is well positioned for this synergy having excellent EU and nationally funded research scientists and a lively arts community with street theatre, dance and music. When we combine these together we will have a memorable evening for promoting EU and nationally funded research. Through Researchers Night 2011 we will create a unique event with the vibrancy of the Galway Arts Festival and the impact fundamental science and technology. We shall show how the creative drive in science can be used to stimulate artistic activity. At the same artistic expression can be used to put science discoveries in a human context.

Partners: MARINE INSTITUE IRELAND, LIAM J TWOMEY. Project Details

Project reference: 287462 Status: Completed Total cost: EUR 93 159 EU contribution: EUR 90 000 Programme acronym: FP7-PEOPLE Subprogramme area: FP7-PEOPLE-2011-NIGHT Contract type: Support actions Coordinator: Dr Andy Shearer



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MDR MODULATOR – Dr Gerard Wall Synthesis and evaluation of new macrocyclic compounds based on jatrophane scaffold From 2012-04-01 to 2014-03-31 Objective Abstract Jatrophane are natural compounds isolated from Euphorbia (Euphorbiaceae, spurge family). More than 150 jathrophane have been isolated so far. The general structure is a highly functionalized trans-bicyclo[10.3.0]pentadecane skeleton. Jatrophanes possess a variety of different biological activities such as inhibitory activity on the mammalian mitochondrial respiratory chain, cell cleavage arrest, cytotoxicity against various human cancer cell lines, antiviral activity, antiplasmodial activity, microtubule interaction and cytotoxicity against human cancer cell lines. Most notably, they are inhibitors of the P-glycoprotein (Pgp), a membrane protein whose major function is the active transport of amphiphatic xenotoxins out of the cytoplasm. The over expression of the multi-drug resistance protein 1 (MDR1) gene (which encode for Pgp) contributes to the resistance of cancer cells against a large spectrum of anticancer drugs. Only natural occurring jatrophane have been investigated as modulator of multidrug resistance so far. Despite the large number of jatrophane isolated and the promising biological properties, the preparation this class of compounds can be regarded as a synthetic and biological challenge. The fellow has already an excellent background in synthetic chemistry. This project will allow him to increase his experience and knowledge in natural products chemistry, carbohydrate chemistry, development of bioactive compounds as well as enhance his synthetic experience. He proposes to join NUI Galway which is strategically developing strength in Biomedical Research, Cancer and Glycoscience, thus helping an objective 1 region of Europe to develop its research programme. NUI Galway will also offer a series of transferrable skills and personal development courses to Dr. Lo Re. Both the scientific and personal training will contribute to the maturing of Dr. Lo Re to becoming an independent researcher.

Project details

Project reference: 299042 Status: Execution Total cost: EUR 191 938 EU contribution: EUR 191 938 Programme acronym: FP7-PEOPLE Subprogramme area: FP7-PEOPLE-2011-IEF Contract type: Intra-European Fellowships (IEF) Coordinator: Dr Gerard Wall



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EPICSTENT – Dr Gerard Wall Antibody-functionalised cardiovascular stents for improved biocompatibility and reduced restenosis From 2013-04-01 to 2017-03-31 Objective An industry-academia collaboration is proposed wherein two industry and three academic partners will establish a lasting, inter-national partnership for transfer of knowledge in biomaterials engineering. The partners have synergistic competences in the medical device sector, and, aided by a schedule of staff secondments and networking events, their relevant niche expertise will be shared and transferred intersectorally. In all 16 researchers will be supported. Coronary artery disease accounts for two million deaths per year in Europe. The long-term outcome for patients is poor: 15% die or experience re-infarction within 30 days of initial diagnosis, while over 30% are re-hospitalised within 1 year. The estimated cost to the EU economy is 192 billion/year. The over-riding S&T objective of this collaboration is to develop a biomimetic cardiovascular stent prototype, by surface functionalisation with human antibody fragments, for improved coating by epithelial precursor cells in vivo. Sophisticated protein engineering and (nano) materials analysis from academic partners will interface with focused manufacturing and market experience of industry partners to deliver a stent with improved biocompatibility, reduced re-narrowing of arteries and superior clinical performance. Partners in interventional cardiology and industrial stent manufacturing will ensure clinical relevance and market-driven focus throughout design, development and post-project market entry. The collaboration will develop skill sets of individual researchers, strengthen research capacity at partner institutions and support important extant biomedical device clusters in Ireland and Poland. The clinical end product will significantly improve patient outcomes and quality of life for Europe’s citizens; reduce costs for health care providers; and strengthen the European biomedical industry, leading to creation / retention of wealth in Europe and job creation in the European medical devices sector.

Partners: POLITECHNIKA, WROCLAWSKA, BALTON SPOLKA ZOO, UNIWERSYTET MEDYCZNY IM PIASTOW SLASKICH WE WROCLAWIU, VORNIA LIMITED. Project details

Project reference: 324514 Status: Execution Total cost: EUR 1 024 185 EU contribution: EUR 1 024 185 Programme acronym: FP7-PEOPLE Subprogramme area: FP7-PEOPLE-2012-IAPP Contract type: Industry-Academia Partnerships and Pathways (IAPP) Coordinator: Dr Gerard Wall



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TENDON REGENERATION – Dr Dimitrios Zeugolis Targeting Functional Tendon Regeneration Using a Loaded Bio mimetic Scaffold. An Integrated Pan-European Approach From 2010-09-01 to 2014-08-31 Objective This industry-academia proposal addresses the development of technology which will enable understanding of regeneration of injured or degenerated tendons. Biomimetic fibrous composites will be designed and developed that will mimic the structure of native tendons. The project objectives are to fabricate an optimally stabilised and effectively functionalised three-dimensional collagen-resilin composite scaffold to match the properties of native tendons. Evaluation of the optimally stabilised and effectively functionalised biomimetic constructs will be conducted in vitro (cell studies, structural and mechanical properties) and in vivo (small and large animal studies). Using textile technologies, we aim to fabricate fibre extrusions that will allow future commercialisation of the three-dimensional biomimetic construct. In meeting the scientific and technological objectives of the IAPP Programme, an inter-sectorial academic industry multidisciplinary approach will be taken which maximises the potential offered by contemporary technologies. This IAPP Programme will foster increased scientific dialogue between academics, industry and clinicians. One of the key benefits will be the transfer of key scientific and experimental knowledge between the institutions enabling the consortium to widen the scope of their work, beyond what is available within their own institution and merge the available technologies. This programme will provide training of both seconded and recruited staff, both in the host and parent institutions. This training will include experimental, communication and project management skills. Platform technologies developed during the lifetime of this project will result in future joint applications by partners in the consortium to the FP7 Health and FP7 NMP programmes.

Partners: THE HEBREW UNIVERSITY OF JERUSALEM, COLLPLANT LTD, VORNIA LIMITED, THE UNIVERSITY OF BOLTON, NORTH WEST TEXTILES, NETWORK LIMITED. Project details

Project reference: 251385 Status: Execution Total cost: EUR 2 256 627 EU contribution: EUR 2 256 627 Programme acronym: FP7-PEOPLE Subprogramme area: FP7-PEOPLE-2009-IAPP Contract type: Industry-Academia Partnerships and Pathways (IAPP) Coordinator: Dr Dimitrios Zeugolis



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SEA2SKY – Dr Andy Shearer Sea2Sky : Linking Marine, Atmospheric and Astronomical Researchers to the General Public From 2012-06-01 to 2012-12-31 Objective The Marine, Atmospheric and Astronomical sciences readily lend themselves to promoting science and the role of researchers to the general public. In 2011 we had a very successful Researchers Night with over 10,000 attendees and publicity which reached at least half a million people both locally and nationally. Building upon this success we would like in 2012 to extend our activity to link with Blackrock Castle Observatory in Cork and to participate in the 2012 City of Science Dublin. Given our success last year we do not want to change our approach albeit learning from some of the problems we encountered last year. This year the look of the event will be different and designed to encourage as much participation as possible.

Partners: COSMOS EDUCATION, LIMITED LBG BLACKROCK, CASTLE OBSERVATORY, LIAM J TWOMEY, MARINE INSTITUTE. Project details

Project reference: 316553 Status: Completed Total cost: EUR 214 061 EU contribution: EUR 90 000 Programme acronym: FP7-PEOPLE Subprogramme area: FP7-PEOPLE-2012-NIGHT Contract type: Support actions Coordinator: Dr Andy Shearer



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DIVAC – Prof Noel F. Lowndes Locus specificity of immunoglobulin gene diversification From 2012-01-01 to 2014-12-31 Objective B cells distinguish themselves from all other cells, as they diversify their immunoglobulin (Ig) genes by hypermutation, gene conversion and switch recombination. All three processes required the expression of Activation Induced cytidine Deaminase (AID). The project aims to resolve the long-standing question why hypermutations are targeted almost exclusively to the Ig loci. Using the chicken B cell line DT40 as a model the fellow's laboratory previously identified a 10 kb cis-acting regulatory sequence (DIVAC) within the Ig light chain locus which activates hypermutation. The first goal will be to define the functionally relevant parts and sequence motifs of DIVAC and to determine their optimal arrangement. The next objective will be to identify DIVAC binding factors which may interact with AID and recruit it to the Ig loci. The last goal will be to understand how the DIVAC binding factors coordinate the association of AID with the neighboring transcribed sequence. This project will be developed in one of the best molecular immunology labs in Yale University and then transferred to the Centre for Chromosome Biology at the National University of Ireland, Galway. The outgoing host David Schatz has a long and excellent track record studying Ig gene diversification in mice and humans. The return host Noel Lowndes has extensive expertise in the analysis of protein-protein as well as DNA-protein interactions needed at the later stages of the project. The fellowship will allow the fellow to resume his career as an experimental scientist after a paternity leave and acquire valuable new knowledge in bioinformatics, comparative biology and protein chemistry. He will also gain complementary skills by participating in student teaching programs. The European community will benefit from the transfer of an excellent and competitive project, the establishment of long-term international collaborations and the eventual re-opening of the fellow's laboratory in Europe.

Project details

Project reference: 271711 Status: Execution Total cost: EUR 339 512 EU contribution: EUR 339 512 Programme acronym: FP7-PEOPLE Subprogramme area: FP7-PEOPLE-2010-IOF Contract type: International Outgoing Fellowships (IOF) Coordinator: Prof Noel F. Lowndes



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INFOCRAVING – Prof Daniel Carey Enlightenment craving for information: the use of questionnaires for knowledge acquisition and exchange during the Eighteenth Century Objective The research project aims to deliver a comparative, transnational and multidisciplinary study on Eighteenth-Century questionnaires, exploring the extent to which they were systematically employed to collect, select, manipulate and disseminate information. Questionnaires offer a valuable example to examine how local knowledge was systematized within a rigid structure, transferred and implemented in another context (cultural transfer). By examining a few chosen case-studies comparatively and by applying diversified methods, the project intends to discuss concepts of information, knowledge exchange, networks, mediation and political censorship. Broad scope is to endorse a reconceptualization of the Enlightenment in transnational terms. Contrary to ideas of the Enlightenment compartmentalized in national identities, the project elaborates on the transnational and entangled nature of Enlightenment Europe. The philosophes ambition towards the expansion of knowledge is satisfied, inter alia, by the establishment of networks and by the use of questionnaires to acquire new information. It is in the very intention to send those questionnaires to France, Spain, Russia, Britain, Prussia among others, that the historian-philosophers of the Enlightenment already conceived Europe as a system of distinct but intertwined units. The ultimate aspiration of the project is to advance a further step towards the construction of a historical discourse which could illuminate the existence of a cohesive and entangled Europe long before the creation of the European Union. Long-range and far-reaching objective is to further contribute to the debate on whether the concept of information age is, to a certain extent, applicable to Eighteenth-Century society (retrospectively rather than anachronistically).

Project details

Project reference: 330756 Status: Accepted Total cost: EUR 183 504 EU contribution: EUR 183 504 Programme acronym: FP7-PEOPLE Subprogramme area: FP7-PEOPLE-2012-IEF Contract type: Intra-European Fellowships (IEF) Coordinator: Prof Daniel Carey



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ANGIOMATTRAIN – Prof Abhay Pandit Development of Biomaterial-based Delivery Systems for Ischemic Conditions - An Integrated Pan-European Approach From 2013-05-01 to 2017-04-30 Objective AngioMatTrain focuses on the comprehensive, multidisciplinary understanding of ischemic diseases, from basics to translation, fully supported by 8 full partners (5 universities, 1 hospital and 2 SMEs). This ITN will educate and train 12 Early Stage Researchers and 3 Experienced Researchers scientists in: tissue engineering, materials science, chemistry, functionalisation, cell biology, nanotechnology, bio-analytical techniques, animal models and prototype design. The researchers will undertake cross-disciplinary and intersectorial research projects, which when married together will deliver a novel, biomaterial-based, therapeutic device for the treatment of ischemic disease. 11 of the 12 ESRs will complete the AngioMatTrain PhD programme which is based on the promotion of knowledge through original research and is supported by additional discipline-specific and generic and transferable skills training. The research training programme is designed to ensure high-calibre graduates, best placed to secure employment in the private or public sector. Fellows will experience both private and public sector research and development environments through a considered secondment plan.

Partners: FOUNDATION FOR RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY HELLAS, UNIVERSIDAD DE VALLADOLID, UNIVERSITY OF BRIGHTON, CONSIGLIO NAZIONALE DELLE RICERCHE, UNIVERSITAETSSPITAL BASEL, SELYNO BIOMEDICAL LTD, VIVASURE MEDICAL LIMITED. Project details

Project reference: 317304 Status: Accepted Total cost: EUR 3 762 537 EU contribution: EUR 3 762 537 Programme acronym: FP7-PEOPLE Subprogramme area: FP7-PEOPLE-2012-ITN Contract type: Networks for Initial Training (ITN) Coordinator: Prof Abhay Pandit



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BIOSTEM – Dr Mary Murphy The development of biologically active metal implants for improved osseointegration From 2012-01-02 to 2014-01-01 Objective Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common musculoskeletal disorder and affects approximately 355 million people world-wide. At present, no definitive cure exists for OA. Current treatment involves total joint replacement (TJR) which accounts for approximately 35% of arthritis related procedures. Presently more than 200,000 total knee replacements and 70,000 total hip replacements procedure are performed annually in the UK. One of the key aspects contributing to successful fixation is the rapid and complete integration of the device with bone (osseointegration). Without this biological reaction, stability is compromised potentially resulting in aseptic loosening which generally requires revision surgery. This can be detrimental for OA patients as the quality of bone is compromised, therefore, the potential for adequate implant stabilisation is substantially reduced. Several studies have identified the surface properties of an implant as being a major determinant of osseointegration. The addition of coatings have attracted interest, however, a major stumbling block for reliable application of coating technologies is potential failure during long-term implantation. Recent data suggests that impaired peri-implant osseointegration is associated with declined osteoprogenitor recruitment. The scientific objective of this project is to identify a strategy for enhancing rapid osseointegration of implant devices through: 1) increased recruitment and attachment and 2) modulation of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) differentiation. To this end, we aim to develop specific cell targeting antibodies for optimal MSC recruitment and modulation of MSC differentiation for improved osteogenesis. If successful this project would achieve in providing a clinically feasible strategy for improving TJR which would directly impact several million patients annually.

Project details

Project reference: 274678 Status: Execution Total cost: EUR 204 587 EU contribution: EUR 204 587 Programme acronym: FP7-PEOPLE Subprogramme area: FP7-PEOPLE-2010-IEF Contract type: Intra-European Fellowships (IEF) Coordinator: Dr Mary Murphy



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PSNOP – Dr Xinmin Zhan Engineering aspects and mechanisms of a natural pyrrhotite simultaneous nitrogen and phosphorus removal (PSNOP) biofilter technology From 2011-10-01 to 2013-09-30 Objective This project aims to develop a natural pyrrhotite simultaneous nitrogen and phosphorus removal (PSNOP) biofilter technology for treatment of wastewater lacking organic matter. In PSNOP biofilters, natural pyrrhotite particles are used as the bio-film carrier. By seeding the PSNOP biofilters with anaerobic sludge, sulphur autotrophic denitrifying bacteria bio-films will be grown. Sulphur autotrophic denitrifying bacteria will utilize pyrrhotite as the electron donor to reduce nitrate to nitrogen gas; simultaneously, iron and hydroxide ions generated during autotrophic denitrification will remove phosphorus via chemical precipitation and coagulation. The main research contents will include: (1) to investigate the engineering aspects of PSNOP biofilters in nitrogen and phosphorus removals from synthetic and real wastewaters; and (2) to analyze the mechanisms by examining the ecological structure in bio-films, oxidation of pyrrhotite, and denitrification and phosphorus precipitation kinetics. The applicant is a highly experienced researcher and develops the PSNOP idea from his experience in sulphur-based autotrophic denitrification and environmental mineralogy. With genuine mobility, he will transfer knowledge to the host group and the Europe. Being highly multidisciplinary, this project will: (1) generate a novel environmental technology which has a commercialization potential, and lead to fundamental understanding of sulphur autotrophic denitrification and bio-films, all resulting in increasing European competitiveness; (2) attract a top-class researcher active in a third country and increase the research excellence and multidisciplinary activities at the Community; (3) create long-term collaborations and mutually beneficial co-operation between research institutes in Europe and China; and (4) benefit the applicant's research career by training him as an independent researcher with specialized facilities, advanced techniques and European research culture.

Project details

Project reference: 272511 Status: Execution Total cost: EUR 273 095 EU contribution: EUR 273 095 Programme acronym: FP7-PEOPLE Subprogramme area: FP7-PEOPLE-2010-IIF Contract type: International Incoming Fellowships (IIF) Coordinator: Dr Xinmin Zhan



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DREAM – Gerard Quinn Disability Rights Expanding Accessible Markets From 2011-03-01 to 2015-02-28 Objective The purpose of the proposed ITN is to explore options for EU disability law and policy reform in light of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2007). In particular, it will focus on the core rights of the individual, on expanding markets for European ICT business by making it more accessible to consumers with disabilities and on the need to find ways to embed a positive dynamic of reform throughout Europe.

Partners: UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS, NORSK INSTITUTT FOR FORSKNING OM OPPVEKST VELFERD OG ALDRING, HASKOLI ISLANDS, SCHWEIZER PARAPLEGIKER-FORSCHUNG AG, UNIVERSITEIT MAASTRICHT, FUNDOSA TECHNOSITE S.A. Project details

Project reference: 265057 Status: Execution Total cost: EUR 3 718 814 EU contribution: EUR 3 718 814 Programme acronym: FP7-PEOPLE Subprogramme area: FP7-PEOPLE-2010-ITN Contract type: Networks for Initial Training (ITN) Coordinator: Prof Gerard Quinn



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NET2 – Prof Stefan Decker A Network for Enabling Networked Knowledge From 2010-07-01 to 2013-06-30 Objective The Web has enabled information creation and dissemination, but has also opened the information floodgates. The enormous amount of information available has made it increasingly difficult to find, access, present and maintain the information required. As a consequence, we are drowning in information and starving for knowledge. New methods are required to manage and provide access to the world s knowledge, for individual as well as collective problem solving. The right methods and tools for interconnecting people and accessing knowledge will contribute to solving these problems by making businesses more effective, scientists more productive and bringing governments closer to their citizens. Fortunately, current developments are helping us to achieve these goals. Originating from the Semantic Web effort, more and more interlinked information sources are becoming available online, leading to islands of networked knowledge resources and follow-up industrial interest. In addition, the Semantic Web infrastructure also has the potential to enable collective, collaborative production of knowledge, complementing existing islands. Our main objective for the next three years is to create the foundations for the creation of knowledge networks and collaboration infrastructure in a worldwide research network, which will support human capabilities and enable human-centric access to services and knowledge on a global scale

Partners: TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITEIT DELFT, TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITAET WIEN, LIBERA UNIVERSITA DI BOLZANO, UNIVERSITAET KOBLENZ-LANDAU. Project details

Project reference: 247601 Status: Execution Total cost: EUR 354 600 EU contribution: EUR 354 600 Programme acronym: FP7-PEOPLE Subprogramme area: FP7-PEOPLE-2009-IRSES Contract type: International research staff exchange scheme (IRSES) Coordinator: Prof Stefan Decker



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LASER-CONNECT – Dr Gerard O’Connor Ultrafast laser processing of thin film interconnections in microelectronic, display, and photovoltaic applications From 2010-06-01 to 2014-05-31 Objective Laser-Connect connects fundamental studies of ultrafast laser matter interactions with demand-driven high volume electronics production. The project is highly relevant to the development of new intelligent laser-based manufacturing systems in Europe targeting touch panel interactive screens, high density circuit boards for hand-held electronics, and other photovoltaic technologies. The project brings together a recently established high growth rate UK company engaged in laser systems development, its sister company engaged in system integration in Asia, and an Irish academic research group engaged in laser material ambient interactions. The objectives of the project are to generate improved understanding of laser-material interactions, develop new concepts in optical design and process control, and to demonstrate new processes for emerging thin film electronic materials and devices. The technical challenges of creating channels in thin film coatings on glass and flexible organic substrates, cutting tracks and drilling vias in high density multi-layer circuit boards, and etching isolation tracks for photovoltaics, over large areas, at high speed, with micron precision, are appreciable. The partners are committed to realising these goals by extensive knowledge transfer. Laser-Connect proposes 54 intersectoral fellowship months, with 40% involving early stage, 38% involving experienced and 22% involving more experienced researchers. Three researchers will be recruited to prepare and enhance impact of secondments. In addition to normal dissemination, the partners will communicate results at two regional workshops in years 2 and 4.

Partners: M-SOLV (HK) LIMITED, M-SOLV LTD. Project details

Project reference: 251542 Status: Execution Total cost: EUR 649 269 EU contribution: EUR 649 269 Programme acronym: FP7-PEOPLE Subprogramme area: FP7-PEOPLE-2009-IAPP Contract type: Industry-Academia Partnerships and Pathways (IAPP) Coordinator: Dr Gerard O’Connor



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SPIVOR – Prof Christopher Dainty Geometrical aspects of spin and vortex dynamics in electromagnetic and matter waves From 2009-08-01 to 2011-07-31 Objective The project is intended to reveal a unifying nature and fundamental geometrical features of the spin and vortex dynamics of classical electromagnetic and quantum-mechanical matter waves. The Berry phase, Magnus effect, and spin-Hall effect are attracting ever-increasing interest of scientists because of their potential applications in nano-physics, spintronics, quantum computing, etc. Simultaneously, the modern optics (including nano-optics, photonics, and plasmonics) offers unique possibilities to test and apply fundamental quantum-mechanical ideas within classical systems. The striking similarities of the spin and vortex dynamics in electromagnetic and matter waves call for an in-depth theoretical analysis which will be given within the framework of the present project. We will carry out extensive theoretical investigations of the propagation and scattering of electromagnetic waves in inhomogeneous and anisotropic media. A special attention will be paid to dynamics related to spin (polarization) and orbital (optical vortices) angular momenta of light. The research will be concentrated on various manifestations of spin-orbit-type interactions between intrinsic and extrinsic degrees of freedom of electromagnetic waves and quantum particles. We aim to develop a unifying theoretical approach to be able to describe specific features of behaviour of spins and vortices evolving in external fields. The approach will include the fundamental geometro-dynamical effects: the Berry phase, spin-Hall effect, and Magnus effect. Using scope of the host laboratory, we are going to perform experimental test of fine manifestations of these effects in classical optics, with potential applications to fiber optics, metamaterials, and remote sensing of turbulent atmosphere. We anticipate that realization of the project will contribute to the ability to control complex wave fields of different nature and, thus, will have a profound interdisciplinary impact and applications.

Project details

Project reference: 220108 Status: Completed Total cost: EUR 183 468 EU contribution: EUR 183 468 Programme acronym: FP7-PEOPLE Subprogramme area: PEOPLE-2007-4-2.IIF Contract type: International Incoming Fellowships (IIF) Coordinator: Prof Christopher Dainty



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GLYCOPEPTIDES – Dr Jacinta Thornton Solid phase synthesis, biophysical study and biological evaluation of cyclic glycopeptides for inhibition of protein protein interactions From 2008-11-06 to 2010-11-05 Objective Dr. Jarikote, an Indian national who has recently completed his PhD in Germany and is currently working with Prof. Dr. Paul Murphy. It is proposed that Dr. Jarikote will work on solid phase synthesis of cyclic glycopeptides and their biophysical characterization with a view to generating novel inhibitors of protein-protein interactions, in particular those that involve a-helices. He will also receive training in carbohydrate chemistry, scaffolds, NMR and molecular modelling and their application to the design of bioactive compounds wherever necessary. The biophysical characterization will also carried out and techniques such as NMR and fluorescence will be used to investigate binding of synthetic ligands to targeted proteins. Such synthetic mimics could have wide pharmaceutical importance as they have potential to be bioavailable mimics of peptides that modulate protein-protein interactions. The proposal is of interdisciplinary nature, collaborating ultimately with physical chemists and cell biologists and will focus on the design, synthesis and biological evaluation of novel proteomimetics or peptidomimetics based on macrocycles comprised of saccharide structures. Mimetics of the surface of the Bak peptide (an alpha-helical peptide) based on glycopeptides will be synthesized on the solid phase and the products will be evaluated for their biophysical properties effects on promoting apoptosis in tumour cells. The solid phase synthesis approach will give rise to rapid access of numerous derivatives of target oriented glycopeptides in short time period. The glycopeptides design will be based on ensuring the presentation of pharmacophoric groups in a spatial orientation that matches that of residues at i, i+4 and i+7 of the relevant ± helical peptide, in this case the BAK peptide. The solid phase approach will facilitate efficient investigation of a number of pharmacophoric groups that will allow generation of an optimal ligand that mimics the natural peptide.

Project details

Project reference: 220948 Status: Completed Total cost: EUR 174 784 EU contribution: EUR 174 784 Programme acronym: FP7-PEOPLE Subprogramme area: PEOPLE-2007-2-1.IEF Contract type: Intra-European Fellowships (IEF) Coordinator: Dr Jacinta Thornton



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AIRSEA – Dr Brian Ward Air-sea fluxes of climatically relevant gases in the marine atmospheric boundary layer From 2009-01-01 to 2012-12-31 Objective Climate change is one of the greatest environmental challenges today, with the potential to significantly alter how we live. It is largely attributable to human activity where greenhouse gases (GHG) are released into the atmosphere. The oceans exert a considerable influence on the atmosphere by absorbing a large fraction of GHGs, but there remain large uncertainties in the budget. This underscores the importance of conducting research concerned with air-sea gas fluxes in order to work toward a reduction in these uncertainties. The scientific objectives of this proposal are to simultaneously measure the fluxes of climatically relevant compounds in both the coastal and oceanic marine atmospheric boundary layer. The proposed species are carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and carbon monoxide. All species will be detected at 1-10 Hz, which will allow for fluxes to be directly determined using the eddy correlation method. This proposed method takes advantage of recently-developed trace gas analyser (TGA) technology. The TGA will be deployed at the Mace Head Research Station where a time series over several years will be acquired. The system will also be deployed periodically on research ships to compare the magnitude of the fluxes in the coastal regions with open ocean data. If funded, this measurement will be one of the first of its kind deployed in the marine atmospheric boundary layer, and will provide an invaluable time series of the fluxes over an extended period. The Returning Research Fellow (RRF) for this proposal has spent the previous 7 years as a fulltime researcher in the field of air--sea exchange in the USA, where he has established a level of excellence in gaining funding and conducting research. Funding from the IRG programme will allow the RRF to establish a research programme in Europe, with the objective of fully integrating into the European Research Area.

Project details

Project reference: 224776 Status: Completed Total cost: EUR 100 000 EU contribution: EUR 100 000 Programme acronym: FP7-PEOPLE Subprogramme area: PEOPLE-2007-4-3.IRG Contract type: International Re-integration Grants (IRG) Coordinator: Dr Brian Ward



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RSMBR – Dr Xinmin Zhan Engineering aspects and mechanisms of redox-stratified membrane bioreactors for completely autotrophic nitrogen removal from wastewater From 2009-01-01 to 2010-12-31 Objective Novel redox-stratified membrane bioreactors (RSMBRs) will be developed for completely autotrophic nitrogen removal from wastewater. This technology is based on simultaneous nitritation and anaerobic ammonium oxidization (anammox) occurring in redox-stratified counter-diffusion biofilms grown on the surface of gas-permeable membrane. With precise control of the oxygen supply flux, the growth of nitrite oxidizing bacteria will be inhibited. A stable redox-stratified counter-diffusion biofilm with aerobic ammonium oxidizing bacteria (AeAOB) dominant in the inner side and anaerobic ammonium oxidizing bacteria (AnAOB) located in the outside surface will be achieved. The research work will include four parts: - to examine the operational strategy and investigate the performance of RSMBRs in nitrogen removal from synthetic and practical wastewaters; - to analyze the ecological structure in biofilms using genetic techniques; - to study the nitrite reaction kinetics in RSMBRs using DO and nitrite microsensors; and - to simulate RSMBRs in nitrogen removal from wastewater by using mathematical modeling. Being highly multidisciplinary, this project will: - generate novel membrane bioreactors for the protection of health and the environment and lead to fundamental understanding of the nitritation/anammox process, all resulting in increasing European competitiveness; - increase the long-term research capacity and multidisciplinary activities at the EU and the host group, which is located in a less-favored region of the EU; - establish strong international research links and contacts between the host group and other research groups in the EU and China; - benefit the applicant s research career by training him with specialized facilities, advanced techniques and multidisciplinary knowledge in the host organization; and - contribute to the environment protection in China by transfer of knowledge and human capacity building.

Project details

Project reference: 220665 Status: Completed Total cost: EUR 184 602 EU contribution: EUR 184 602 Programme acronym: FP7-PEOPLE Subprogramme area: PEOPLE-2007-4-2.IIF Contract type: International Incoming Fellowships (IIF) Coordinator: Dr Xinmin Zhan



23

HEALTH


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NEUROGRAFT – Prof Abhay Pandit Development of Functionalised Cell Seeded Bioartificial Organ for Transplantation in Nerve Repair From 2012-12-01 to 2015-11-30 Objective Injuries and degenerative diseases of the central nervous system constitute a bottleneck in medical and surgical practice for which no therapy currently exists. To ensure clinical translation, NeuroGraft is organised in three R&D Work-Packages. NeuroGraft will develop functionalised cell seeded bioartificial organs, specifically spinal cord conduits for transplantation, incorporating a potent immunomodulatory cytokine (IL37) to target the initial inflammatory response to increase the survival and therapeutic efficacy of transplanted mesenchymal cells and the expression of potent neuro-regulatory molecules for enhanced functional nerve regeneration in the central nervous system. This exciting concept will be realised through the NeuroGraft consortium, consisting of one academic and four industrial partners (all SMEs), across four countries, with distinct synergistic expertise (including regulatory expertise) to develop cell seeded functionalised bioartificial organs as valuable solutions towards spinal cord repair. Regulatory advice is incorporated at an early stage in the development cycle, to facilitate the translation of the novel bioartificial devices developed, to the market in as short a timeframe as possible. The NeuroGraft consortium will validate the safety, efficacy and biodistribution of the functionalised bioartificial organs developed in a pre-clinical model of spinal cord under GLP conditions. Full Quality Assurance reports will be completed towards CE Mark regulatory approval of the medical device for spinal cord repair. These studies will facilitate progression to clinical trials of the technology (post project) and the development of a marketable product within 6 years of the completion of the NeuroGraft project. Intellectual property will be patented ensuring that SMEs have veto rights on commercial route for exploitation. An extensive business plan outlining detailed valorisation plan is presented.

Partners: STEMMATTERS, BIOTECNOLOGIA E MEDICINA REGENERATIVA SA, OBELIS SA, BIOMATECH SAS, VORNIA LIMITED. Project details

Project reference: 304936 Status: Execution Total cost: EUR 5 534 265 EU contribution: EUR 4 211 374 Programme acronym: FP7-HEALTH Subprogramme area: HEALTH.2012.1.4-2 Contract type: Small or medium-scale focused research project Coordinator: Prof Abhay Pandit

http://cordis.europa.eu/fetch?CALLER=PROGLINK_NEWS_EN&QF_PGA=FP7-HEALTH


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REDDSTAR – Prof Tim O’Brien Repair of Diabetic Damage by Stromal Cell Administration From 2012-11-01 to 2015-10-31 Objective 50 million diabetic EU citizens are using approved anti-diabetic agents to control their glycaemia. However, suboptimal glycemic control leads to 6 progressive diabetic complications, namely: nephropathy, retinopathy, cardiomyopathy, neuropathy and foot ulceration. In 2010, 11% of EU adult deaths (634,000) were caused by diabetic complications. These distinct disorders have few effective medicines and present challenging management issues for clinicians. Stromal Stem Cells (SSC) are a mixed population of plastic-adherent (PA) cells isolated from adult bone marrow. PA-SSC secrete potent immunosuppressive and angiogenic proteins and over 100 clinical trials are testing PA-SSC in 40 distinct autoimmune and ischemic diseases. Notably, preclinical studies show a single intravenous administration of un-modified PA-SSC can control rodent hyperglycaemia, prompting 10 recent clinical safety studies in diabetic patients. REDDSTAR will comprehensively examine if SSC can safely repair all 6 damaged tissues and control glycaemia in three different species. To facilitate this we identified an antibody (S2) that prospectively isolates comparable, equivalent S2+SSC from human, rat, mouse and rabbit marrow, enabling testing of pure S2+/- SSC and mixed PA-SSC from each species for the first time. Furthermore, separation of PA-SSC into S2+ and S2- fractions reveal functionally distinct populations. REDDSTAR partners have collectively developed five distinct clinically-relevant in vivo models of the 6 key diabetic complications. We will assess if S2+, S2- and PA-SSC exert differing control of glycaemia and tissue repair in each model. Finally, REDDSTAR partners are developing the first benchtop GMP-grade nanosorter, enabling clinical purification of S2+ and S2- SSC for human safety trials. We will dissect how S2+ and S2- SSC simultaneously repair tissue damage and maintain glycaemic control, an effect not observed with any current therapy.

Partners: LUDWIG-MAXIMILIANS-UNIVERSITAET MUENCHEN, STENO DIABETES CENTER A/S, ACADEMISCH ZIEKENHUIS LEIDEN - LEIDS UNIVERSITAIR MEDISCH CENTRUM, UNIVERSIDADE DO PORTO OWL BIOMEDICAL INC, THE QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY OF BELFAST, PINTAIL LTD, ORBSEN THERAPEUTICS LIMITED, CHARITE - UNIVERSITAETSMEDIZIN BERLIN. Project details

Project reference: 305736 Status: Execution Total cost: EUR 8 018 880 EU contribution: EUR 5 894 387 Programme acronym: FP7-HEALTH Subprogramme area: HEALTH.2012.2.4.3-1 Contract type: Small or medium-scale focused research project Coordinator: Prof Tim O’Brien



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PURSTEM – Prof Frank Barry Utilisation of the mesenchymal stem cell receptome for rational development of uniform, serum-free culture conditions and tools for cell characterization From 2008-11-01 to 2012-04-30 Objective Stem cells offer a promising avenue to therapy for a wide range of complaints. However, for this potential to be realized, a consistent and plentiful supply of well-characterised stem cells is essential. There has been relatively little progress in the development of new culture technologies for the large-scale manufacture of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). There is a strong possibility that this limited ability to produce stem cells will result in delays to the translation of new therapies to the clinic. This will have a direct negative effect on the health of European citizens suffering from diseases untreatable by conventional medical technology and delay European efforts to promote NanoMedicine - Nanotechnology for Health. PurStem will progress the state of the art in the production of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in large quantities. The current state of the art has several weaknesses - there are no standards for characterisation, isolation or identification of MSCs from any tissue, nor are there standard protocols for differentiation of MSCs to various lineages. Additionally, surface markers used for MSC characterization lack specificity and cryopreservation protocols are not standardized. Critically, current production methods for MSC require the use of animal products with major contaminant implications. PurStem will identify the MSC receptome and Use this repertoire of growth factor receptors to Develop novel serum-free media for MSC production. PurStem will also result in novel antibody reagents for specific MSC characterization and contribute to GMP manufacturing standards to enable rapid progression to production of serum-free MSC for clinical applications. The impact on a range of therapeutic and research domains of having a reliable supply of industrial levels of categorised MSCs will be significant. PurStem represents a key enabler for stem cell applications in a range of therapeutic fields.

Partners: UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI GENOVA, UNIVERZITA KARLOVA V PRAZE, UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS, ORBSEN THERAPEUTICS LIMITED, PINTAIL LTD, OVAGEN LIMITED. Project details

Project reference: 223298 Status: Completed Total cost: EUR 3 611 567 EU contribution: EUR 2 750 367 Programme acronym: FP7-HEALTH Subprogramme area: HEALTH-2007-1.4-7 Contract type: Small or medium-scale focused research project Coordinator: Prof Frank Barry



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GLYCOHIT – Prof Lokesh Joshi Glycomics by High-throughput Integrated Technologies From 2011-01-01 to 2013-12-31 Objective Protein glycosylation is a post-translational phenomenon that is involved in most physiological and disease processes including cancer. Most of the known cancer-associated glycobiomarkers were discovered individually using liquid chromatography and mass spectroscopy. Though valuable, there is room for improvement in these approaches for the discovery phase. There is also a critical need for innovative, rapid, and high-throughput (HTP) technologies that will translate the discovery of cancer-associated glycobiomarkers from basic science to clinical application. The GlycoHIT consortium brings a highly experienced, innovative and interdisciplinary team of researchers from Europe, China and USA representing academia, industry and clinical fields to significantly enhance some of the existing glycoanalytical technologies and to advance novel HTP glycoanalytical technologies beyond current state of the art. - Microchip technology and novel partitioning methods will be exploited for nanoscale HTP separations of serum glycoproteins for analysis by HPLC or LC?MS. - In parallel, lectin array technology will be radically improved by the innovative use of recombinant human lectins and lectin mimics derived by screening large phage displayed combinatorial libraries. - Aptamer libraries will be exploited for identification of lectin mimics and development of a glycosignature platform - Compatibility of the lectin/lectin mimic array technologies with novel label-free biosensors will be explored. Newly-developed technologies will be validated by analysis of serum samples from a variety of cancer patient cohorts and will be supported throughout by experimental interaction analysis, complex structural modelling and informatics. Effective project management, commercially-aware intellectual property management and targeted dissemination activities supplement the core science and ensure maximum impact for the project.

Partners: AGENCIA ESTATAL CONSEJO SUPERIOR DE INVESTIGACIONES CIENTIFICAS, KAROLINSKA INSTITUTET, HUNAN UNIVERSITY, OSLO UNIVERSITETSSYKEHUS HF, TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY, NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR BIOPROCESSING RESEARCH AND TRAINING LTD, AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES ISRAEL LTD, NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CORPORATION HOKKAIDO UNIVERSITY, INSTITUT PASTEUR, UNIVERSITE DE MONS, LUDWIG-MAXIMILIANS-UNIVERSITAET MUENCHEN, PINTAIL LTD, UNIVERSITAETSKLINIKUM HEIDELBERG, BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB COMPANY CORP. Project details

Project reference: 260600 Status: Execution Total cost: EUR 4 878 903 EU contribution: EUR 2 993 056 Programme acronym: FP7-HEALTH Subprogramme area: HEALTH.2010.1.1-3 Contract type: Small/medium-scale focused research project for specific cooperation actions dedicated to international cooperation partner countries (SICA) Coordinator: Prof Lokesh Joshi



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ICT


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MONNET – Dr Paul Buitelaar Multilingual Ontologies for Networked Knowledge From 2010-03-01 to 2013-02-28 Objective The Monnet project will provide a semantics-based solution for integrated information access across language barriers, which is of growing importance to industry as exemplified by the Monnet use cases. A key solution to this problem is to deal with information at the semantic level, i.e. by abstracting away over language and form, allowing for more advanced and uniform: i) integration, ii) aggregation, iii) querying and iv) presentation of information across languages. The Monnet approach therefore consists of: systematic investigation of ontologies as normalizing language-independent semantic models that permit moving flexibly between languages in information extraction, integration and access; provision of automatic, cost-effective localisation of ontologies through innovative approaches exploiting existing web-based resources (lexica, corpora, translation services, etc.); the exploitation of localized ontologies for cross-lingual information extraction from heterogeneous data sources, including text documents, semi-structured tables and increasingly also structured and "linked data" available in web-accessible RDF knowledge bases; development of flexible multilingual knowledge access and presentation components designed in a principled way based on ontology-lexicon models and multilingual localized ontologies. As outcome, Monnet will have a clear impact by: i) developing models, semi-automatic approaches and methodologies allowing cost effective ontology localization as a basis for ii) implementing an integrated solution to providing semantic-level access to information across languages and iii) providing new evaluation methodologies that evaluate systems in an end-to-end "in vivo" fashion to understand user interaction, in addition to more traditional "in vitro" (batch-mode) evaluations for system tuning; developing several use case driven demonstrators to showcase exploitation potential in the domains of business, financial and public services.

Partners: XBRL EUROPE, BE INFORMED B.V., DEUTSCHES FORSCHUNGSZENTRUM FUER KUENSTLICHE INTELLIGENZ GMBH, UNIVERSITAET BIELEFELD, UNIVERSIDAD POLITECNICA DE MADRID, SAP AG. Project details

Project reference: 248458 Status: Completed Total cost: EUR 3 200 608 EU contribution: EUR 2 362 622 Programme acronym: FP7-ICT Subprogramme area: ICT-2009.2.2 Contract type: Collaborative project (generic) Coordinator: Dr Paul Buitelaar

http://cordis.europa.eu/fetch?CALLER=PROGLINK_NEWS_EN&QF_PGA=FP7-ICT


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SIFEM – Prof Stefan Decker Semantic Infostructure interlinking an open source Finite Element tool and libraries with a model repository for the multi-scale Modelling and 3d visualization of the inner-ear From 2013-02-01 to 2016-01-31 Objective The clinical evidence indicates that the number of people with all levels of hearing impairment and hearing loss is rising mainly due to a growing global population and longer life expectancies. Hearing loss caused by pathology in the cochlea or the cochlear nerve is classified as sensorineural hearing loss. The study of the normal function and pathology of the inner ear has unique difficulties as it is inaccessible during life and so, conventional techniques of pathologic studies such as biopsy and surgical excision are not feasible. SIFEM focuses on the development of a Semantic Infostructure interlinking an open source Finite Element Tool with existing data, models and new knowledge for the multi-scale modelling of the inner-ear with regard to the sensorineural hearing loss. The experts will have access to both the data (micro-CT images, histological data) and inner ear models, while the open-source developed tools and the SIFEM Conceptual Model will be contributed to the VPH toolkit enhancing their reusability. These SIFEM open source tools and services enhance and accelerate the delivery of validated and robust multi-scale models by focusing on: (i) Finite Element Models manipulation and development, (ii) cochlea reconstruction and (iii) 3D inner ear models visualization. The final outcome is the development of a functional, 3D, multi-scale and validated inner-ear model that includes details of the micromechanics, cochlea geometry, supporting structures, surrounding fluid environment and vibration patterns. In the open context that the project addresses the results can be used to better identify the mechanisms that are responsible for the highly sensitive and dynamic properties of hearing loss. These result to the description of alterations that are connected to diverse cochlear disorders and assist the experts to better assess each patient's condition leading to more efficient treatment and rehabilitation planning and, in long-term, to personalized healthcare.

Partners: BIOIRC D.O.O. KRAGUJEVAC, THE METHODIST HOSPITAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE, INSTITUTE OF COMMUNICATION AND COMPUTER SYSTEMS, THE RESEARCH TRUST OF VICTORIA UNIVERSITY OF WELLINGTON, UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON, INTRASOFT INTERNATIONAL SA, NATIONAL AND KAPODISTRIAN UNIVERSITY OF ATHENS, LINKOPINGS UNIVERSITET, UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTON. Project details

Project reference: 600933 Status: Execution Total cost: EUR 3 975 557 EU contribution: EUR 2 909 000 Programme acronym: FP7-ICT Subprogramme area: ICT-2011.5.2 Contract type: Collaborative project (generic) Coordinator: Prof Stefan Decker



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OPENIOT – Prof Manfred Hauswirth Open Source blueprint for large scale self-organizing cloud environments for IoT applications From 2011-12-01 to 2014-11-30 Objective Internet-connected objects will be an integral component of the future internet. Therefore, they must become integrated into emerging internet service delivery models, such utility and cloud computing. Indeed, the proliferation of applications involving internet-connected objects, has recently given rise to the notion of clouds of internet-connected objects, which are promoted as large-scale networks of spatially distributed entities with scalable processing and storage capabilities. However, there is still no easy way to formulate and manage cloud environments of internet-connected objects i.e. environments comprising entities (such as sensors, actuators and smart devices) and offering relevant utility-based (i.e. pay-as-you-go) services. OpenIoT is a joint effort of prominent open source contributors (of the GSN and AspireRfid projects) towards enabling a new range of open large scale intelligent IoT (internet-of-things) applications according to a cloud computing delivery model. To this end, the project will research and provide an open source middleware framework enabling the dynamic formulation of self-managing cloud environments for IoT applications. The OpenIoT middleware framework will therefore serve as a blueprint for non-trivial IoT applications, which will be delivered in an autonomic fashion and according to a utility model. OpenIoT environments for internet-connected objects will greatly facilitate the deployment and delivery of applications, since they will enable businesses and citizens to select appropriate data and service providers rather than having to deploy physical sensors. At the same time, they will provide capabilities (such as on-demand large scale sensing), beyond what is nowadays possible. The OpenIoT open source implementation will facilitate enterprises to integrate novel added-value IoT solutions, based on the lowest possible Total Cost of Ownership, while at the same enabling students and researchers to experiment and innovate.

Partners: FRAUNHOFER-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FOERDERUNG DER, ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG E.V, RESEARCH AND EDUCATION LABORATORY IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES, P. DIMITROPOULOS - ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS AND SOFTWARE APPLLICATIONS S.A. - SENSAP SA, ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE, COMMONWEALTH SCIENTIFIC AND INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH ORGANISATION, THE UK IT ASSOCIATION. Project details

Project reference: 287305 Status: Execution Total cost: EUR 4 182 038 EU contribution: EUR 2 455 000 Programme acronym: FP7-ICT Subprogramme area: ICT-2011.1.3 Contract type: Collaborative project (generic) Coordinator: Prof Manfred Hauswirth



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LATC – Dr Michael Hausenblas LOD Around The Clock From 2010-09-01 to 2012-08-31 The LOD Around-The-Clock (LATC) Support Action aims to help institutions and individuals in publishing and consuming quality Linked Data on the Web. Progress in the areas of large-scale data processing, data integration and information quality assessment increasingly depends on the availability of large amounts of real-world data. The emerging Web of Linked Data is the largest source of multi-domain, real-world and real-time data that currently exists, containing billions of assertions and spanning diverse domains: media companies such as the BBC and Reuters, pharmaceutical companies like Eli Lilly and Johnson & Johnson, as well as the US and UK governments are publishing Linked Data on the Web. This global data space allows the development of applications that benefit from the universal identifiers (URIs) and the uniform data model (RDF) over a scalable protocol for data access (HTTP). Read the original technical description

Partners: FREIE UNIVERSITAET BERLIN, VERENIGING VOOR CHRISTELIJK HOGER ONDERWIJS, WETENSCHAPPELIJK ONDERZOEK EN PATIENTENZORG, INSTITUT FUR ANGEWANDTE INFORMATIK EV, TALIS INFORMATION LIMITED. Project details

Project reference: 256975 Status: Completed Total cost: EUR 1 188 784 EU contribution: EUR 1 059 999 Programme acronym: FP7-ICT Subprogramme area: ICT-2009.4.3 Contract type: Coordination and support actions Coordinator: Dr Michael Hausenblas



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SPITFIRE - Dr Manfred Hauswirth Semantic-Service Provisioning for the Internet of Things using Future Internet Research by Experimentation From 2010-07-01 to 2013-06-30 Objective By design, the Internet combines two opposing aspects: On one hand, it works in a highly decentralised manner, allowing easy expansion and replacement; on the other hand, it has become a central unifying force for global information exchange. This paradox yields a constant stream of new problems and solutions, easily demonstrated by the range of projects within the FIRE initiative. In the meantime, embedded computing has also seen a tremendous development, using tiny autonomous devices to build distributed sensing systems. However, limited node capabilities and the tedious task of implementing applications still make it demanding to integrate them into large and powerful distributed networks. Hence, sensor networks and related areas still give rise to a large spectrum of research problems. Only very recently, serious attempts have been made to integrate these two long-lost relatives; one such activity is the project WISEBED. Building on the experimental facilities developed in WISEBED and consisting of a tightly knit team of experts in semantics, embedded systems, middleware, algorithms, and two cutting-edge SMEs, SPITFIRE endeavours to go one step further towards progress that can be felt by the general public. The overall objective is to investigate unified concepts, methods, and software infrastructures for the efficient development of applications that span and integrate the Internet and the embedded world. SPITFIRE will drastically lower the effort required for developing robust, interoperable, and scalable applications in the Internet of Things (IoT). The embedded component of the IoT is largely affected by its surrounding real-world environment. Therefore, experimentation on real platforms in realistic environments is a key for successful IoT research. The FIRE initiative and its large-scale experimental facilities provide the unique opportunity to evaluate and drive SPITFIRE research at scale and in a realistic environment.

Project details

Project reference: 258885 Status: Execution Total cost: EUR 2 857 134 EU contribution: EUR 2 181 500 Programme acronym: FP7-ICT Subprogramme area: ICT-2009.1.6 Contract type: Collaborative project (generic) Coordinator: Prof Manfred Hauswirth



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IDEAS - ERC


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3CBIOTECH – Dr Gavin James Collins Cold Carbon Catabolism of Microbial Communities underpinning a Sustainable Bioenergy and Biorefinery Economy From 2011-05-01 to 2016-04-30 Objective The applicant will collaborate with Irish, European and U.S.-based colleagues to develop a sustainable bio-refinery and bio-energy industry in Ireland and Europe. The focus of this ERC Starting Grant will be the application of classical microbiological, physiological and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based assays, to qualitatively and quantitatively characterize microbial communities underpinning novel and innovative, low-temperature, anaerobic waste (and other biomass) conversion technologies, including municipal wastewater treatment and, demonstration- and full-scale bio-refinery applications. Anaerobic digestion (AD) is a naturally-occurring process, which is widely applied for the conversion of waste to methane-containing biogas. Low-temperature (<20 degrees C) AD has been applied by the applicant as a cost-effective alternative to mesophilic (c. 35C) AD for the treatment of several waste categories. However, the microbiology of low-temperature AD is poorly understood. The applicant will work with microbial consortia isolated from anaerobic bioreactors, which have been operated for long-term experiments (>3.5 years), and include organic acid-oxidizing, hydrogen-producing syntrophic microbes and hydrogen-consuming methanogens. A major focus of the project will be the ecophysiology of psychrotolerant and psychrophilic methanogens already identified and cultivated by the applicant. The project will also investigate the role(s) of poorly-understood Crenarchaeota populations and homo-acetogenic bacteria, in complex consortia. The host organization is a leading player in the microbiology of waste-to-energy applications. The applicant will train a team of scientists in all aspects of the microbiology and bioengineering of biomass conversion systems.

Project details

Project reference: 261330 Status: Execution Total cost: EUR 1 499 796 EU contribution: EUR 1 499 796 Programme acronym: FP7-IDEAS-ERC Subprogramme area: ERC-SG-LS9 Contract type: ERC Starting Grant Coordinator: Dr Gavin James Collins

http://cordis.europa.eu/fetch?CALLER=PROGLINK_NEWS_EN&QF_PGA=FP7-IDEAS-ERC


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BONEMECHBIO – Prof Donal Leech Frontier research in bone mechanobiology during normal physiology, disease and for tissue regeneration From 2011-02-01 to 2016-01-31 Objective While previous studies have investigated cell-signalling pathways that facilitate mechanotransduction and have provided a wealth of data, to date, in vivo mechanobiology is not fully understood. In the research study proposed the applicant will embark upon frontier research to delineate these specific aspects of bone mechanotransduction during normal physiology, disease and for tissue regeneration purposes. If these quantities were better understood the proposed research program will deliver significant advances in the understanding of the mechanical regulation of bone remodelling during normal physiology and osteoporosis, and will enhance approaches for regeneration of bone tissue for treatment of bone pathologies. The primary objective is to delineate the normal mechanosensory and signalling mechanisms of bone cells. The secondary objective is to determine whether the regulatory role of bone cells is inhibited or impaired during bone diseases such as osteoporosis. The final objective of this project is to develop an in vitro mechanical loading device that can enhance bone tissue regeneration and thereby advance current treatment approaches for bone pathologies. To address these objectives, five hypotheses have been defined, each of which will underpin the research of five work packages. A combination of experimental studies, using animal models and in vitro cell culture, and computational modelling will be taken to test each of these hypotheses. Answering these hypotheses will bring us closer to an understanding of the origins of bone mechanobiology and diseases such as osteoporosis. Furthermore, the results of these studies will facilitate development of novel approaches to enhance bone regeneration in vitro.

Project details

Project reference: 258992 Status: Execution Total cost: EUR 1 499 910 EU contribution: EUR 1 499 910 Programme acronym: FP7-IDEAS-ERC Subprogramme area: ERC-SG-PE8 Contract type: ERC Starting Grant Coordinator: Prof Donal Leech



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HA-NFKB-VILI – Prof John Laffey Hypercapnic Acidosis and NF-kB in Ventilator Induced Lung Injury: Developing strategies to minimize lung injury and facilitate repair. From 2009-01-01 to 2013-12-31 Objective Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome and Acute Lung Injury [ALI/ARDS] are devastating diseases, causing over 20,000 deaths annually in the US. Mechanical ventilation may worsen ALI/ARDS, a process termed Ventilator Induced Lung Injury [VILI]. Hypercapnic acidosis (HA) is a central component of lung ventilatory strategies to minimize VILI, and is a potent biologic agent, exerting a myriad of effects on diverse biologic pathways. Deliberately induced HA is protective in multiple lung injury models. However, HA may inhibit the host response to bacterial sepsis. Furthermore, HA may retard the repair process and slow recovery following ALI/ARDS. Hence, the diverse biologic actions of HA may result in net beneficial or deleterious effects depending on the specific context. An alternative approach is to manipulate a single key effector pathway, central to the protective effects of HA, which would also be effective in patients in whom hypercapnia is contra-indicated. Hypercapnia attenuates NF-kB activation, and may exert its effects both beneficial and deleterious via this mechanism. NF-kB is a pivotal regulator of the pro-inflammatory response, but is also a key epithelial cytoprotectant. Selective modulation of the NF-kB pathway, at the pulmonary epithelial surface, may accentuate the beneficial effects of HA on injury but minimize the potential for delayed tissue repair. We will investigate the contribution of NF-kB to the effects of HA, and characterize the direct effects modulation of NF-kB, in both in vitro and preclinical models of lung injury and repair. We will utilize pulmonary gene therapy, which facilitates delivery of high quantities of the therapeutic agent directly to the injury site, to maximize the potential for therapeutic benefit. These studies will provide novel insights into: key pathways contributing to lung injury and to repair; the role of HA and NF-kB in these processes; and the potential of pulmonary gene therapy in ALI/ARDS.

Project details

Project reference: 207777 Status: Execution Total cost: EUR 1 052 556 EU contribution: EUR 1 052 556 Programme acronym: FP7-IDEAS-ERC Subprogramme area: ERC-SG-LS6 Contract type: ERC Starting Grant Coordinator: Prof John Laffey



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NMP (Nanotechnologies, Nanoscience, Materials and new Production Technologies)


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GREEN NANO-MESH – Dr Dimitrios Zeugolis Targeting Hernia Operation Using Sustainable Resources and Green Nanotechnologies. An Integrated Pan-European Approach From 2011-06-01 to 2015-05-31 Objective Hernia operations are among the most common surgical procedures performed today with over 20 million cases annually worldwide. Hernia incidents are associated with pain and poor quality-of-life for the patient and lead to enormous healthcare costs, exceeding US 48 billion in the US annually. At present, hernia operations rely heavily on non-degradable polypropylene, polytetrafluoroethylene and nylon meshes. However, these polymers are often associated with foreign body reaction; implant failure; and hernia reoccurrence (over 42%). Moreover, leaking chemicals of these polymers are often deleterious to the surrounding cells and tissue and immobilise post-operative drug treatments. In addition, the process technologies are often associated with environmental risks. Herein, we propose a novel approach that employs recent advances in green nanotechnology and sustainable raw materials for scaffold fabrication that not only will eliminate toxic chemicals from the processes, but will also enhance functional repair due to superior biological properties. Specifically, we aim to fabricate a nano-fibrous mesh with well-defined nano-topography using cellulose; human recombinant collagen, derived from transgenic tobacco plants; and biodegradable polylactic/polyglycolic acid as raw materials. The green credentials of this innovative approach lie in the use of sustainable eco-friendly raw materials that will produce biodegradable waste products and therefore replacing hazardous chemicals currently in use. Thus, this proposal directly fits the call for the substitution of materials or components with green nano-technology.

Partners: AGENCIA ESTATAL CONSEJO SUPERIOR DE INVESTIGACIONES CIENTIFICAS, AARHUS UNIVERSITET, COLLPLANT LTD, LUXILON INDUSTRIES NV CENTRE SCIENTIFIQUE & TECHNIQUE DE L'INDUSTRIE TEXTILE BELGE, THE HEBREW UNIVERSITY OF JERUSALEM, PROXY BIOMEDICAL LIMITED, VORNIA LIMITED, EUROPEAN RESEARCH SERVICES, GMBH, BIOMATECH SAS. Project details

Project reference: 263289 Status: Execution Total cost: EUR 3 617 820 EU contribution: EUR 2 692 666 Programme acronym: FP7-NMP Subprogramme area: NMP-2010-1.2-2 Contract type: Small or medium-scale focused research project Coordinator: Dr Dimitrios Zeugolis

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CORALFISH – Dr Jacinta Thornton Assessment of the interaction between corals, fish and fisheries, in order to develop monitoring and predictive modelling tools for ecosystem based management in the deep waters of Europe and beyond From 2008-06-01 to 2013-02-28 | CORALFISH website Objective In 2006, the UN General Assembly Resolution (61/105) called upon fisheries management organisations worldwide to: i) assess the impact of bottom fishing on vulnerable marine ecosystems, ii) identify/map vulnerable ecosystems through improved scientific research/data collection, and iii) close such areas to bottom fishing unless conservation and management measures were established to prevent their degradation. In European deep waters, in addition, there is now a need to establish monitoring tools to evaluate the effectiveness of closed areas for the conservation of biodiversity and fish and their impact on fisheries. Currently the tools necessary to achieve these management goals are wholly lacking. CoralFISH aims to support the implementation of an ecosystem-based management approach in the deep-sea by studying the interaction between cold-water coral habitat, fish and fisheries. CoralFISH brings together a unique consortium of deep-sea fisheries biologists, ecosystem researchers/modellers, economists and a fishing industry SME, who will collaborate to collect data from key European marine eco-regions. CoralFISH will: ) develop essential methodologies and indicators for baseline and subsequent monitoring of closed areas, ii) Integrate fish into coral ecosystem models to better understand coral fish-carrying capacity, iii) Evaluate the distribution of deepwater bottom fishing effort to identify areas of potential interaction and impact upon coral habitat, iv) Use genetic fingerprinting to assess the potential erosion of genetic fitness of corals due to long-term exposure to fishing impacts, v) Construct bio-economic models to assess management effects on corals and fisheries to provide policy options, and vi) Produce as a key output, habitat suitability maps both regionally and for OSPAR Region V to identify areas likely to contain vulnerable habitat. The latter will provide the EU with the tools to address the issues raised by the UNGA resolution.

Partners: INSTITUT FRANCAIS DE RECHERCHE POUR L'EXPLOITATION DE LA MER, HAVFORSKNINGSINSTITUTTET, IMAR- INSTITUTO DO MAR, HELLENIC CENTRE FOR MARINE RESEARCH, UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK, NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF IRELAND, CONSORZIO NAZIONALE INTERUNIVERSITARIO PER LE SCIENZE DEL MARE, UNIVERSITETET I TROMSOE, ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON, INSTITUTE OF ZOOLOGY, FRIEDRICH-ALEXANDER-UNIVERSITAT ERLANGEN NURNBERG, STICHTING KONINKLIJK NEDERLANDS INSTITUUT VOOR ZEEONDERZOEK (NIOZ), UNIVERSITAET BREMEN, SENCKENBERG GESELLSCHAFT FUR NATURFORSCHUNG, AARHUS UNIVERSITET, O'MALLEY FISHERIES, THE UNIVERSITY COURT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ABERDEEN, HAFRANNSOKNASTOFNUNIN, KONINKLIJKE NEDERLANDSE AKADEMIE VAN WETENSCHAPPEN – KNAW. Project details

Project reference: 213144 Status: Completed Total cost: EUR 10 885 692 EU contribution: EUR 6 499 905 Programme acronym: FP7-ENVIRONMENT Subprogramme area: ENV.2007.2.2.1.3. Contract type: Large-scale integrating project Coordinator: Dr Jacinta Thornton

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EU FP7 Research Programmes Co-ordinated by NUI Galway · Project Details Project reference: 287462...

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