EU Research Projects of the University of Bonn

Research at the University of Bonn includes cooperation with excellent international partners, which is why participation in the EU research framework program Horizon Europe is of great importance.

Collaborative Projects (Coordinator)

Here you can find an overview of the EU collaborative projects that are coordinated by researchers at the University of Bonn.

EU collaborative projects coordinated by the University of Bonn

STRATEGIC - Sustainable eTHics Review of digital heAlth Technology dEsiGn In sub sahara AfriCa

Coordinator

Prof. Dr. Dirk Lanzerath
Deutsches Referenzzentrum für Ethik in den Biowissenschaften
Bonner Talweg 57
53113 Bonn

Abstract

The STRATEGIC project aims to co-create responsible research and innovation approach that aligns with social-cultural values, principles, contexts, needs and interests in SSA and implement capacity development plans that can strengthen the ethics and regulatory capacity to ensure responsible digital health technologies for clinical research and practice. The project will involve SSA and EU partners and stakeholders and co-create functional resources, such as the STRATEGIC training materials. The urgency of strengthening ethics and legal infrastructure for digital health technologies in SSA is due to the increasing integration of digital technologies into clinical research and practice and the potential negative impacts of these systems on patients, communities and society. While most countries in the Global North have recognised the importance of responsible digital health technologies, the ethics and regulatory capacities for addressing the ethical and legal risks of these technologies are still lacking in SSA. The overarching aim of the STRATEGIC project is to co-create a theoretically strong, empirically supported and widely consulted responsible research and innovation approach and capacity development plan and materials that can strengthen relevant ethics and regulatory institutions for clinical research and practice in SSA. It will identify and map the existing ethical and legal infrastructure in SSA, highlighting the gaps and needs; use these insights to co-create an RRI approach and co-develop and implementing trainings that will also be interested into existing training infrastructure and network. It will also establish sustainable e-community that exist beyond the project. Methodologies to be used include, stakeholder engagement and co-creation strategies such as focus groups, consensus workshops and roundtable discussions.

Duration

01.04.2024 - 31.03.2027

RE4GREEN - "Research Ethics and integrity for the GREEN transition"

Coordinator

Prof. Dr. Dirk Lanzerath
Deutsches Referenzzentrum für Ethik in den Biowissenschaften
Bonner Talweg 57
53113 Bonn

Abstract

There is growing awareness of the importance of having all sectors of society adapt to face a range of global environmental and climate challenges, taking into account intergenerational justice. These challenges require developing an encompassing framework for research and innovation (R&I) to address environmental and climate ethics and integrity issues, which relate not only to R&I involving potentially significant environmental and climate repercussions (e.g., R&I in the area of electro-magnetic fields), but also R&I specifically aiming to develop knowledge and technologies to address environmental and climate challenges (e.g., geoengineering or biotechnology in food systems). RE4GREEN’s main goal is to contribute to a European Research Area (ERA) ethics and integrity framework for research and innovation activities designed to support the transition to a sustainable economy and society as envisioned by the European Green Deal. While R&I has too often been part of the problem of environmental degradation and biodiversity loss, a central pillar of the European Green Deal and associated legislation is to promote new technologies and sustainable solutions to reach net zero emissions in the EU by 2050, and advance a range of other climate and environmental objectives. Based on a bottom-up approach that uses the social lab methodology to reflect diverse stakeholder expertise, RE4GREEN will develop operational research ethics and integrity guidelines, recommendations and training materials and programmes for researchers, ethics and integrity experts and advisors and ethics review boards to make sure R&I activities more holistically contribute solutions toward the Green Transition.

Duration

01.02.2024 - 31.01.2027

AI-POD - "Trustworthy AI Tools for the Prediction of Obesity Related Vascular Diseases"

Coordinator

Prof. Dr. Ulrike Attenberger
Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology
Universitätsklinikum Bonn
Venusberg - Campus 1
53127 Bonn

Abstract

Weight problems and obesity are increasing at a rapid rate already concerning more than 436mio people in European countries. Obese persons have a 50% higher risk of cardio-vascular disease (CVD) mortality and treatment costs result in a total economic burden of over 210 billion Euro per year. To date the prediction of the individual risk for major adverse CVD events in the obese patient population is a challenge. Current risk scores are not sufficiently accurate and there is no implementation of scores into user friendly solutions. The AI-POD project aims to reduce the number of CVD related deaths in Europe by developing an AI-based risk prediction score to support clinical decision making and by equipping obese persons with trustworthy AI tools. AI tools will integrate clinical, laboratory and imaging data to translate disease risk into actionable health information to guide diagnostic steps and treatment recommendations. The tools will be validated in six clinical sites on CVD and serve as the basis for a lasting interdisciplinary platform for distributed learning in other vascular territories. AI-POD will push the boundaries of clinical insight in CVD in obese persons, including its treatment and risk management. AI-POD main outcomes are (1) a novel imaging-based AI-based risk score and Clinical Decision Support System (CDSS) for the risk assessment and prediction of obesity-related CVD and associated complications as a pre-requiste for further AIbased prevention and treatment management; (2) an innovative, easy-to-use mobile app for citizens (Citizen App) that interacts with the CDSS empowering obese people to better monitor and manage their own health. Physicians will benefit from more efficient workflows and in consequence, public health budgets will be unburdened by reducing morbidity and mortality of obese indiviudals.

Duration

01.05.2023 - 30.04.2027

eWHORM - "enabling the WHO-Roadmap 2023"

Coordinator

Prof. Dr. Marc Hübner
Institut für Medizinische Mikrobiologie, Immunologie und Parasitologie
Universitätsklinikum Bonn
Venusberg - Campus 1
53127 Bonn

Abstract

We will establish for the first time in NTDs an adaptive clinical trial platform and improve clinical research infrastructure in four SSA countries. A drug acting safely on multiple helminths species would be a major leap to tackle NTDs and enable the WHO RoadMap (eWHORM). The cheap and freely-accessible pan-nematode drug oxfendazole (OXF) has such potential. Given the limited portfolio of anthelmintic drug candidates, eWHORM will assess its efficacy in an adaptive clinical trial for simultaneous evaluation against onchocerciasis, loiasis, mansonellosis and trichuriasis. Thus not only the largest group of NTDs, but also diseases that are not (yet) listed will be adressed. This design significantly reduces patient numbers, development time-frames and enables treatment of co-infections. Combined with our highly sensitive molecular tests, we provide a patient-centric approach providing tools for targeted treatment (test and treat) and precision mapping for elimination programs. Strengthening of early career scientists in SSA in all aspects of clinical trial conduct and research including data management, simulation and statistical analysis, will be fostered by introducing a master and PhD program, a mentorship program as well as several webinars. An open-source virtual training and assessment tool for diagnosis of NTDs
will complement the knowledge transfer to remote areas in SSA. The consortium encompasses an interdisciplinary partnership from eight different countries (Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, Cameroon, Gabon, Tanzania, and DRC). Each group brings unique knowhow and recognized complementary experience to the project to ensure sustainable capacity building within SSA countries. Through joint development of – and training in – modern, regulatory clinical trial conduct, adaptive clinical trial design and state-of-theart diagnostics, we will strengthen SSA researchers and clinicians to respond to persisting and future health challenges.

Duration

01.04.2023 - 31.03.2028

CLEVER - "Creating leverage to enhance biodiversity outcomes of global biomass trade"

Coordinator

Prof. Dr. Jan Börner
Institut für Lebensmittel- und Ressourcenökonomik (ILR)
Nussallee 19
53115 Bonn

Abstract

CLEVER identifies new leverage points for sustainable transformation informed by a novel holistic approach to quantify biodiversity and other impacts of trade in major raw and processed non-food biomass value chains. In line with Pillars 3 & 4 of the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030, we address all outcomes of this topic by adopting perspectives at the system and value chain levels. At the system level, we improve our understanding of leakage effects in the non-food biomass trade system informed by quasi-experimental evaluation techniques, quantitative scenario modelling, and policy case studies. At the value chain level, CLEVER engages with key stakeholders (i.e., producers, traders, retailers, civil society, and policy makers) in R&I co-design to identify leverage points for transformative change at corporate and institutional levels. Value chain analyses will produce ‘ecological footprints’ from advanced life cycle analyses and enhance our understanding of actor-specific behavior focusing on trade in soy, timber, wood pulp, and fishmeal/oil between Europe, South America, and Central Africa. Further CLEVER products and tools to influence decision-making at the right level include (1) improved indicators of biodiversity loss to inform business and policy, (2) enhanced features for the global modelling platform GLOBIOM to quantify trade-mediated leakage and SDG interdependencies in biomass value chains, and (3) an
innovation action pool to support public and private decision-makers in choosing governance instruments that effectively enhance biodiversity and promote climate change mitigation and adaptation. Building on prior and ongoing engagement of its members at the science-policy interface and through partnerships with other projects under the destination on biodiversity and ecosystem services, the consortium will leverage CLEVER knowledge and tools to strengthen IPBES and IPCC and enhance science-industry cooperation for sustainable bioeconomic transformation.

Duration

01.09.2022 - 31.08.2025

Website

iRECS - "Improving research ethics expertise and competences to ensure reliability and trust in science"

Coordinator

Prof. Dr. Dirk Lanzerath
Deutsches Referenzzentrum für Ethik in den Biowissenschaften
Bonner Talweg 57
53113 Bonn

Abstract

The research ethics process is facing increasing challenges at a global level: new and emerging technologies present challenges to ethics reviewers who may be unskilled in the relevant fields; increased internationalisation of research has led to fears of ethics dumping; and there is a lack of standardisation across Europe and the world. A key objective of national and EU research policy is to ensure compliance with the highest standards of research ethics. Given the impact of research on society, in terms of potential to generate innovative solutions to problems, and yet with the associated risk of harm, rigorous ethical research conduct is essential to ensure public trust in the scientific endeavour. iRECS will address these problems in four ways. First, it will scan and map existing needs raised by new and emerging technologies in European and global research ethics communities. Second, it will produce and implement training materials for European and global audiences in research ethics communities. Third, it will conduct and permanently establish training programmes. Fourth, it will propose adaptations to the research ethics process in Europe. Through a unique blend of expertise, global partners and the involvement of European research ethics networks as partners or members of the Stakeholder Advisory Board, iRECS will develop a fresh awareness of research ethics and sustainable, multi-purpose, multi-language interactive training programmes for different users. The project thus extends ENERI and the Embassy of Good Science into a horizontal community of research ethics practitioners, policy makers and other key stakeholders.

Duration

01.10.2022 - 30.09.2025

Website

Collaborative Projects (Partner)

Researchers of the University of Bonn are also involved in numerous EU collaborative research projects as partners. Find out more about the various projects here.

EU collaborative projects in which the University of Bonn is a partner

SURE-AMR - "Strengthening Ukraine's Research Excellence in the field of antimicrobial resistance under a one helath approach"

Partner

Dr. Chihan Papan
Institut für Hygiene & Public Health
Venusberg-Campus 1
53127 Bonn

Abstract

SURE-AMR aims to improve the R&I capacities of IMBG to strengthen its scientific reputation, attractiveness and networking channels, while promoting scientific excellence in the field of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) under an One Health Approach (OHA). It aims to raise the level of excellence of IMBG to EU standards and to raise its profile nationally and at EU level through a sustainable framework for scientific and institutional capacity building, international collaboration and stakeholder engagement. The project will strengthen R&I and knowledge transfer through the development of targeted R&I study cases, training for IMBG researchers and IMBG staff, increased collaboration between academia, health sector and stakeholders with a general sustainable framework for research, international networking and a specific international mobility programme. Strengthening the experience of IMBG research staff, including a new generation of young scientists, will be achieved through the cooperation with EU partners with established scientific excellence in the topics and proven experience in economic impact and awareness raising and integration into national policies. At the scientific level, it is expected to enlarge the community of competitive and renowned researchers at IMBG in AMR, stronger and better connected to a core of international and relevant R&I systems, supported by skilled R&I managers with their international networks. At the social level, it is expected to improve the public health and environmental quality of Ukraine (and EU) through an OHA, while developing broader social systems appropriate to the Ukrainian context to face better prevention, analysis and mitigation of AMR. At the economic level, the project will contribute to the development of innovative protocols, methodologies and innovative solutions for the health and ecological sector and the profitability of regional companies through new process improvements, innovation support and job creation.

Coordinator

Instytut Molekulyarnoi Biologii i Genetyky Nan Ukrainy

Duration

01.10.2024 - 30.09.2027

DeepHorizon - "DEploying Ecosystemic solutions to imProve soil Health and uncOveRing subsoil funtIons in the critical ZONe"

Partner
Prof. Dr. Wulf Amelung
INRES - Institut für Nutzpflanzenwissenschaften und Ressourcenschutz
Karlrobert-Kreiten-Strasse 13
53115 Bonn

Abstract

Life on Earth thrives on the foundation of healthy soils, including topsoil and subsoil. While extensive research has focused on the topsoil layer, the subsoils remain largely unexplored. By bringing together key experts and practitioners, DeepHorizon aims to unlock knowledge of the subsoil in critical zone in order to deploy ecosystemic solutions to improve subsoil functions for soil health. DeepHorizon goal is to develop tools that will enable practitioners, land managers and policy makers to access subsoil properties, subsoil functions, soil health indicators and financial decision support tools to promote sustainable subsoil management. Through a multi-actors approach from farmers to policy makers, DeepHorizon will (1) collect and use existing data on subsoils; (2) generate new knowledge through extensive subsoil sampling and experimental effort (40 core sites) to measure biological, physical and chemical properties of different subsoils with contrasted management, and different soil type (organic/mineral), land uses (forest, grassland, cropland and semi-natural areas) and climate ; (3) use innovative process-based models to quantify actual and potential subsoil functioning, and soil health indicators; and (4) involve practitioners and stakeholders in the project through living labs and partner networks to co-create, test and deploy innovative solutions to improve subsoil functions over 100 test sites across Europe. By creating its own community of end-users and key stakeholders, DeepHorizon will ultimately promote sustainable management practices, policy-incentives and guidelines at EU level for increasing carbon storage and ecosystem services in subsoils and disseminate and communicate materials to a better understanding of subsoil relevance to the general public. By improving knowledge and consideration of subsoils in general, DeepHorizon will enhance soil health and pave the way for a more sustainable and resilient environment in Europe.

Coordinator

Université Catholique de Louvain, Belgium

Duration

01.10.2024 - 30.09.2028

ERN PaedCan-Y7-Y10 - "European Reference Network on Paediatric Cancer"

Partner

Dr. med Gabriele Calaminus
Kinderklinik
Pädiatrische Hämatologie und Onkologie
Venusberg-Campus 1
53127 Bonn

Abstract

The goal of the European Reference Network for Paediatric Cancer (ERN-PAEDCAN) is to improve outcomes of childhood cancer by reducing the current inequalities in different member states.
ERN-PAEDCAN strives to reduce current inequalities in childhood cancer outcomes across Europe with a particular focus on widening countries and cross-border health care (CBHC) challenges. It addresses the current multi-fold obstacles and mobilises together with SIOPE, its European Clinical Trial Groups (ECTGs) and National Paediatric Oncology Societies and importantly with the childhood cancer advocates of CCI-E resources to enhance collaborative networks and to define adequate pathways for advice and CBHC care, hence fostering stronger cooperation between patients, professionals and healthcare authorities. Key objectives are harmonised guidelines already reflected in the recently created European Standard Front-line Treatment Guidelines that await a major implementation initiative together with the newly created ESCP registry in all countries currently unable to participate in respective complex randomised upfront trials for various reasons or where such trials are currently not open in certain indications. Given the need of modern diagnostics for adequate risk stratification in respective childhood cancers and often complex treatment situations requiring special skills and resources, ERN PaedCan reinforces pathways to satisfy these patient and family needs by providing not only information, but most importantly advise through virtual international tumour boards run with the key experts of the respective ECTGs already in the diagnostic period as well as at decision milestones during the treatment phase and at any later event. Easily accessible provision of education and training are further key actions.

Coordinator

St. Anna Kinderkrebsforschung GmbH

Duration

01.10.2023 - 30.09.2027

Changemaker - "Promoting co-designed sustainable health interventions with young changemakers for reduced risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in urban Burkina Faso, Kenya and Tanzania"

Partner

Prof. Ina Danquah
Zentrum für Entwicklungsforschung (ZEF)
Genscherallee 3
53113 Bonn

Abstract

Changemaker objective: To implement & evaluate a sustainable health intervention program on health, nutrition, & environmental outcomes for the primary prevention of adolescent obesity & related non-communicable diseases (NCDs) together with adolescents in three rapidly urbanizing cities in Burkina Faso, Kenya, Tanzania. Background: There is an increasing epidemic of adolescent obesity that can contribute to adult obesity, morbidity & NCDs in a broader sense. Sustainable health interventions in urban low- and middle-income countries are critical in addressing lifestyle factors that contribute to obesity, diabetes & hypertension in later life, such as unhealthy dietary habits, inactivity & sedentary behaviors while shaping urban environments. Considering obesity is a complex issue that is influenced by wide range of interconnected factors, such as policy, environment, social, economic, cultural, behavioral, commercial, & biological determinants, a whole-systems approach that converges multiple sectors (i.e. health, education, environment, and agriculture) and stakeholders (i.e. adolescents, caregivers, staff, local government, communities, policymakers & implementers) are needed for obesity prevention in LMICs. Our strategy: Four evidence-based strategies, which will be adapted to context through a co-design process: 1) urban farming in schools with satellite farms and organic waste composting, 2) sustainable health modules for classrooms, 3) linking to healthcare workers through health talks using motivational interviewing techniques and 4) WHO Best Buys: Mass media campaign. Our evaluation: 3 cluster-RCTs in secondary schools, within the framework of urban Health & Demographic Surveillance Systems, implementation, process evaluation & cost-effective evaluation. Our expected results: Evidence of how to implement and scale a sustainable health intervention. Estimate a mean difference in BMI of 0.175 which could lead to reduction of 5% in the prevalence of obesity.

Coordinator

Karolinska Instiutet

Duration

01.01.2024 - 31.12.2027

EUMA - "Creating an EUropean Higher Education Network for MAster's Programmes in Disaster Risk Management"

Partner

Prof. Dr. Lothar Schrott
Department of Geography
Meckenheimer Allee 166
53115 Bonn

Abstract

The aim of the project is to strengthen the network of postgraduates and advance the professionalization of civil protection through a Europe-wide knowledge exchange with high-ranking international seminars, summer schools and scientific publications. The target group is primarily students in postgraduate degree programs in the field of civil protection in governmental and private institutions or aid organizations. European cooperation aiming at mutual learning and knowledge exchange is of increasing importance in the field of disaster management at university level. The heat waves, devastating forest fires, and floods of recent weeks in Europe and other parts of the world forcefully remind us of the dramatic effects of climate change. They vividly demonstrate that disasters can reach a magnitude to which individual countries can no longer respond adequately and require international assistance. Mutual learning and transnational knowledge exchange is essential, as devastating forest fires and other extreme weather situations are advancing in more northern latitudes as well.

Coordinator

Universität Wien

Duration

01.01.2024 - 31.12.2025

CHANGER - "Challenges and Innovative Changes in Research Ethics Review"

Partner

Prof. Dr. Tade Spranger
Centre for Law of Life Sciences
Adenauerallee 24-42
53113 Bonn

Abstract

Trust in science and technology as well as the utility and acceptability of their innovative outcomes is crucially dependent on the ethical qualities of the research. This is the reason why research projects are submitted to an ethical review. Although the existing ethics review infrastructure includes experienced members with expertise in traditional research, this is not the case for new technologies and transformative research that result in new human rights, such as digital rights. Thus, there is a clear need for ethics committees to evolve in order to cover this gap and to be able to support innovation while embedding new human rights. CHANGER aims to promote changes in research ethics reviews that strengthen the capacities of researchers to incorporate ethical judgements in the project design and implementation, and to support ethics committees to address new challenges posed by new technologies and new research practices. CHANGER will review current practices and ethics criteria, will identify and discuss new challenges emerging from new technologies and from new research practices, which are not sufficiently covered in the current review process, will provide innovative training to ethics review experts and researchers, and propose innovative approaches and tools to ethics review reform and new understandings to practice ethics by design, supported by guidelines and a policy roadmap. The CHANGER interdisciplinary consortium has extensive and long-standing experience-based expertise in research ethics reviews, integrity oversight and human rights and is capable of providing novel solutions to the needs in ethics reviews.

Coordinator

National Center for Scientific Research "DEMOKRITOS"

Duration

01.01.2024 - 31.12.2026

AI4HOPE - "ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE BASED HEALTH, OPTIMISM, PURPOSE; AND ENDURANCE IN PALLIATIVE CARE FOR DEMENTIA"

Partner

Prof. Dr. Lukas Radbruch
Klinik und Poliklinik für Palliativmedizin
Venusberg-Campus 1
53127 Bonn

Abstract

Dementia is caused by a range of illnesses and disorders that damage the brain either directly or indirectly. With the rise of the ageing population in the EU, dementia is becoming a serious problem. Digital health interventions have the potential to improve the accessibility and effectiveness of palliative care. Palliative care is an area where these technologies are increasingly being evaluated for education (e.g. online learning, mobile applications or Virtual Reality tools), symptom management, care planning, decision-making, and interaction (e.g. professionals and caregivers using phones, internet and computer systems). However, most studies focus on a specific intervention with heterogeneous outcomes and are exposed to professional gatekeeping and biased samples consisting of patients who are mostly well and without considering cultural impacts. Due to improved understanding and treatment, more effective and innovative health technologies, improved patient safety and better ability and preparedness to manage epidemic outbreaks, along with priorities related to quality of life of dementia patients and survivors, treatment and dementia data monitoring should be crucial. This project will focus on: i) better understanding of dementia, focusing on their consequences, including pain, distress and causative links between health determinants, disease and interventions in order to provide evidence-base for policy-making, ii) identification of holistic intervention (treatment and care) and assessment of health outcomes, iii) innovative digital tools to optimize clinical workflows and iv) scientific evidence for improved/tailored policies and legal frameworks and to inform major policy initiatives at EU and global level. We target exactly those aspects of value by integrating digital interventions as palliative care of patients with poor prognosis of dementia and evaluating the impact of digital health interventions using Artificial Intelligence.

Coordinator

University of Turku

Duration

01.01.2024 - 31.12.2027

VIRTUAL BRAIN TWIN - "Virtual Brain Twin for personalised treatment of Psychistric Disorders"

Partner

Prof. Dr. Christiane Woopen
Center for Life Ethics
Schaumburg-Lippe-Straße 7
53113 Bonn

Abstract

In the EU, about 165 million people are affected each year by mental disorders, and estimates indicate that mental disorders will become the number 1 economic cost factor in medicine in 2030. Schizophrenia alone affects approximately 1% of the world's population. The clinical effectiveness of the antipsychotics on the market remains limited with 30 to 50% of schizophrenic patients showing an insufficient response to treatment. Several factors, from genetic to psychological and social, may lie behind poor treatment outcomes or side effects and varies from patient to patient. Therefore, the central aim of the VIRTUAL BRAIN TWIN project is to create an ecosystem for generating virtual brain twins for psychiatric patients, by leveraging the consortium’s detailed knowledge and expertise in neuronal microcircuit simulation, mathematical analysis, innovative AI tools, and psychiatric care and clinical studies. This ecosystem will guide clinicians to optimise medication type and dosage, and to evaluate alternative treatments, such as brain stimulation and lifestyle changes. Multiscale cause-effect simulations and virtual brain simulations based on fMRI or sMRI data from the individual patient, will bridge the gap between molecules and the patient's brain. At the centre of this ecosystem will be the Virtual Brain Twin platform, which will make use of big data, multiscale modelling, and high-performance computing (HPC) that will be secured by appropriate data safety and protection. The platform will be embedded in the European digital neuroscience research infrastructure EBRAINS and will be initially accessible to neuroscientists, clinical researchers, and mathematical modellers, and in the future, to clinicians, and patients as well. This ground-breaking project will pave the way for personalised treatment of psychiatric disorders, with the potential to significantly improve the quality of life of patients suffering from these conditions.

Coordination

EBRAINS

Duration

01.01.2024 - 31.12.2027

BEATsep - "Biomarkers established to stratify sepsis long-term adverse effects to improve patients’ health and quality of life"

Partner

Prof. Dr. Bernardo Franklin
Institute of Innate Immunity
Venusberg-Campus 1
53127 Bonn

Abstract

Sepsis is a life-threatening organ dysfunction resulting from dysregulated immune responses to infection, affecting almost 50 million people yearly. Sepsis is a major global health challenge and a leading cause of death worldwide. Moreover, people surviving sepsis often suffer post-sepsis immunosuppression, a long-lasting state of immune dysfunction predisposing them to infections, autoimmune and non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and long-term reduced fitness. The molecular mechanisms driving post-sepsis immunosuppression remain largely elusive. Furthermore, predicting which patients will survive or develop immunosuppression is currently impossible. BEATsep will tackle this challenge by combining the expertise of physicians, clinician scientists and immunologists in top European institutions. We will, for the first time, longitudinally assess unique immunological and clinical parameters and combine them to: i) gain insight into the long-term immunological consequences of septic shock; ii) identify novel markers to identify patients at risk; and iii) unravel molecular mechanisms driving post-sepsis immunosuppression. We will also develop strategies to improve the stratification of acute sepsis survivors to identify patients with a higher risk of sepsis-associated NCDs and comorbidities. BEATsep will have significant societal, scientific, and economic impacts, as efficient prevention of sepsis-induced comorbidities could save significant amounts within healthcare budgets and potentially improve the quality of life for millions worldwide who suffer from the long-term effects of sepsis.

Coordination

FAKULTNI NEMOCNICE U SV. ANNY V BRNE

Duration

01.01.2024 - 31.12.2028

GEMINI - "A Generation of Multi-scale Twins of Ischaemic and Haemorrhagic Stroke Patients"

Partner

Prof. D. Matthias Braun
Evangelisch-Theologische Fakultät
Rabinstrasse 8
53111 Bonn

Abstract

GEMINI aims to deliver validated multi-organ and multi-scale computational models for treatment decision support and improved fundamental understanding of acute strokes, both ischaemic and haemorrhagic. We will demonstrate the added benefit of these computational models in personalised disease management. Specifically, GEMINI will deliver validated, integrated multi-scale, multi-organ Digital Twin in Healthcare (DTH) models for cerebral blood and cerebrospinal fluid flow, brain perfusion and metabolism, and blood flow and thrombosis along the heart-brain axis by integrating available and newly developed dynamic, interoperable, and modular computational models. Building on these models, GEMINI will deliver validated population-based DTHs of ischemic and haemorrhagic stroke aetiology and onset, treatment, and disease progression. Utilising these population-based DTHs, GEMINI will validate five personalised subject-specific DTHs, (1) stroke treatment, and (2) disease progression DTHs for acute ischaemic stroke and (3) aneurysm treatment, (4) subarachnoid haemorrhage progression, and (5) unruptured intracranial aneurysm risk assessment DTHs for haemorrhagic stroke to guide patient care and long-term management. We will bring proof of value of digital twins by the evaluation of the ischaemic stroke treatment selection DTH in a multi-centre clinical trial, in which treatment and patient outcomes are compared in situations with and without the availability of a DTH. GEMINI will implement a project-wide structured approach for data harmonisation, curation, model validation, verification, and model certification of the DTHs. Several outcomes of GEMINI have a high value for clinical practice, medical device industry, and in enhancing research in the fields of (bio)medical and computer sciences, warranting an extensive valorisation strategy with adequate IP protection and versatile exploitation actions to enhance a wide adaptation of the results of GEMINI.

Coordination

ACADEMISCH MEDICAL CENTRUM BIJ DE UNIVERSITEIT VAN AMSTERDAM

Duration

01.12.2023 - 30.11.2029

HealthyDiets4Africa - "Combating Malnutrition in Africa through Diversification of the Food System"

Partner

Prof. Ina Danquah
Center for Development Research (ZEF)
Genscherallee 3
53113 Bonn

Abstract

The more diverse the food system is, the easier it is to combat malnutrition and maintain biodiversity while reducing its environmental footprint. The EU-funded HealthyDiets4Africa project will focus on food security in Africa, which is struggling with various forms of malnutrition (hunger, micronutrient deficiencies and non-communicable diseases caused by unbalanced nutrition). The project is based on the central hypothesis that diversification of the food system helps to combat all forms of malnutrition while minimising its environmental footprint. Specifically, it will monitor dietary diversity in eight African countries representing different regions. Based on the findings, the project will design communication and policy strategies to maximise outreach and impact of diversified food systems.

Coordinator

Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen

Duration

01.01.2023 - 31.12.2028

Earthbridge - "Building Bridges between Earth observation and Environmental Sciences"

Partner

Prof. Anna Cord
INRES - Institut für Nutzpflanzenwissenschaften und Ressourcenschutz
Niebuhrstr. 1a
53113 Bonn

Abstract

Earth observation (EO) is a method for regular standardised information about the environment and is thus essential to address climate change and biodiversity loss. However, the lack of experts in and general awareness of the potential of EO limits its use. The EU-funded EarthBridge project will develop and apply environmental assessment methods for biodiversity monitoring, restoration, and conservation in agricultural landscapes. The project brings together the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague (CZU), the Technische Universität Dresden (TUD), Alma Mater Studiorum - Universitá di Bologna (UNIBO) and the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn (UBO), to substantially increase the interdisciplinary research capacity of CZU in the field of environmental EO and improve the environmental EO tools use.

Coordinator

Czech University of Life Sciences Prag

Duration

01.01.2023 - 31.12.2025

PREVENTABLE - "Cancer Prevention vs Cancer Treatment: The rare Tumour Risk Syndromes Battles"

Partner

Prof. Dr. Stefan Aretz
Institut für Humangenetik
Vernusberg-Campus 1
53127 Bonn

Abstract

Rare tumour risk syndromes (RTRS) are rare diseases, affecting 5 per 10.000 people or less and caused by heritable genetic variants. In RTRS, the lifetime risk to develop various cancers can be as high as 100%, and patients have a 50% chance of transmitting the disease to their offspring. When undiagnosed or not surveilled, many asymptomatic RTRS patients develop particularly aggressive cancers, leading to premature death, severely impacting theirs and their families’ health and wellbeing. Cancers in RTRS can be prevented and survival rates maximized if asymptomatic RTRS patients are intensively surveilled for RTRS-prone organs, cancer-prone organs are surgically removed prior to disease development, or very small cancerous or pre-cancerous lesions are removed or treated. RTRS are therefore a unique and tangible context for cancer prevention, early diagnosis and treatment with curative intent. However, riskreduction strategies are not always prioritized in genetically diagnosed and asymptomatic RTRS patients, and most healthcare
systems keep on opting for treatment of clinically expressed cancer. This occurs despite the knowledge that hospitalization has the highest weight on advanced cancer healthcare spending. It is therefore urgent to demonstrate the cost-benefit of the application of preventive measures in RTRS syndromes.

The ambition of the PREVENTABLE project is to merge specialized clinical knowledge on RTRS pathways of care, real-life clinical datafrom RTRS patients and experiences from professionals and patients, with health economic models and social sciences approaches to estimate the cost-benefit of risk-reduction interventions in RTRS and delineate guidelines for its communication among and within clinical teams and RTRS patients. PREVENTABLE project results will be delivered to a diversity of stakeholders, including policy-makers, in order to promote the implementation of cost-effective RTRS patient-centered care in Europe.

Coordinator

Instituto de Investigacao e Inovacao em Saude da Universidade de Porto

Duration

01.01.2023 - 31.12.2025

Website

PHENET-EU - "Tools and methods for extended plant PHENotyping and Enviro Typing services of European Research Infrastructures"

Partner

Prof. Dr. Thomas Döring
Agrarökonomie und Organischer Landbau
Auf dem Hügel 6
53121 Bonn

Abstract

Europe urgently needs to find pathways towards agroecological transition of agroecosystems in support to food security, climate change resilience, biodiversity and soil carbon stocks restoration. In PHENET, the European Research Infrastructures (RI) on plant phenotyping (EMPHASIS), ecosystems experimentation (AnaEE), long-term observation (eLTER) and data management and
bioinformatics (ELIXIR) will join their forces to co-develop, with a diversity of innovative companies, new tools and methods - meant to contribute to new RI services - for the identification of future-proofed combinations of species, genotypes and management practices in front of the most likely climatic scenarios across Europe. Ambitioning to go beyond current highly instrumented but often spatially and temporally limited RI installations, PHENET derived services will allow wide access to enlarged sources of in-situ phenotypic and environmental data thanks to (i) new AI-based multi (agroecology-related) traits multi-sensors devices (ii) to unleashed access to high resolution Earth Observation data connected to ground based data, (iii) FAIR data support for connection with (iv) new generation of predictive modeling solutions encompassing AI and digital twins. Developments will be challenged by and implemented in a series of eight Use Cases covering a large range of agroecosystems but also of ecosystems to demonstrate portability of solutions. Several of these Use Cases will mobilize on-farm data. A large effort will be devoted to training RI staff and beyond through a sustained collection of training material fed by experts. Outreaching activities will aim at enlarging the range of RI users. PHENET will not only strengthen RI but will also have major impact on the development of innovative companies on phenotyping, envirotyping and precision agriculture as well as on the emergence of climate smart crop varieties and innovative practices fitted to climate change and agroecological transition.

Coordinator

Institut Nationale de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement

Duration

01.01.2023 - 31.12.2027

Website

RAINFOREST - "Co-produced transformative knowledge to accelerate change for biodiversity"

Partner

Prof. Dr. Jan Börner
Institut für Lebensmittel- und Ressourcenökonomik
Nussallee 19
53115 Bonn

Abstract

Food and biomass production systems are among the most prominent drivers of biodiversity loss worldwide. Halting and reversing the loss of biodiversity therefore requires transformative change of food and biomass systems, addressing the nexus of agricultural production, processing and transport, retailing, consumer preferences and diets, as well as investment, climate action and ecosystem conservation and restoration. The RAINFOREST project will contribute to enabling, upscaling and accelerating transformative change to reduce biodiversity impacts of major food and biomass value chains. Together with stakeholders, we will co-develop and evaluate just and viable transformative change pathways and interventions. We will identify stakeholder preferences for a range of policy and technology-based solutions, as well as governance enablers, for more sustainable food and biomass value chains. We will then evaluate these pathways and solutions using a novel combination of integrated assessment modeling, input-output modeling and life cycle assessment, based on case studies in various stages of the nexus, at different spatial scales and organizational levels. This co-production approach enables the identification and evaluation of just and viable transformative change leverage points, levers and their impacts for conserving biodiversity (SDGs 12, 14-15) that minimize trade-offs with targets related to climate (SDG13) and socio-economic developments (SDGs 1-3). We will elucidate leverage points, impacts, and obstacles for transformative change and provide concrete and actionable recommendations for transformative change for consumers, producers, investors, and policymakers.

Coordinator

Norges Teknisk-Naturvitenskapelige Universitet NTNU

Duration

01.12.2022 - 30.11.2025

Website

IntercropValuES - "Developing Intercropping for agrifood Value chains and Ecosystem Services delivery in Europe and Southern countries"

Partner

Dr. Sabine Seidel
Institut für Nutzpflanzenwissenschaften und Ressourcenschutz
Katzenburgweg 5
53115 Bonn

Abstract

IntercropValueES aims to exploit benefits of intercropping to design and manage productive, diversified, resilient, profitable, environmentally friendly cropping systems acceptable to farmers and actors in the agri-food chain. It will develop both a scientific research action for better understanding and modelling intimate intercrop functioning and a detailed analysis of lock-ins and levers at the value chain level to identify credible solutions that can be adopted by farmers and value chain actors. As a multi-disciplinary and multi-actor project, it brings together scientists and local actors representing food value chain. It includes 27 participants from 15 countries (3 continents) from a wide diversity of organizations and stakeholders. IntercropValuES organizes its activities in 6 objectives, to: 1) support the design of locally relevant, legitimate and innovative agri-food chains, through 13 Co-Innovation Case Studies; 2) understand the functioning and G*G*E*M interactions allowing the selection of compatible ideotypes and the optimization of machinery and management strategies for maximizing the productivity and delivery of ecosystem services with better soil health and mitigation of GHG (meta experiment 15 sites); 3) produce novel information, improved methods and tools for intercrop management and the assessment of their performance and profitability; 4) unravel intercropping performance by modelling; 5) analyze grain and sanitary quality of cereal-legume intercrops, functional qualities for food processing and new products, 6) uncover key barriers and levers at the value chain level to boost development, and identify new market avenues and solutions to increase economic added-value of intercrops. The Comms and Dissemination Plan is designed to diffuse outcomes widely by adapted channels to different end-users, such as farmers, advisors, food processing companies and machinery industries, retailers and citizens, academia, policymakers and influence bodies.

Coordinator

Centre de Cooperation Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le development - C.I.R.A.D EPIC

Duration

01.11.2022 - 31.10.2026

Website

REPRESSIT - "A novel class of clinical immune checkpoint inhibitors"

Partner

Prof. Dr. Felix Meißner
Institute of Innate Immunity
Universitätsklinikum Bonn
Vernusberg-Campus 1
53127 Bonn

Abstract

In the tumor microenvironment, continuous or “tonic” stimulation of T cells induces checkpoint signaling through inhibitory immune receptors (IRs). This phenomenon suppresses T cell function, contributing to an exhaustion phenotype and consequent failure to eliminate cancer cells. Checkpoint blockade through IR-targeting antibodies (e.g. anti-PD-1, anti-CTLA-4) can partially reverse this process, and has revolutionized cancer immunotherapy. However, as a large fraction of patients, e.g. with tumors that do not express IR ligands, do not benefit from this treatment. Thus, a large unmet need remains to be addressed. We aim to change the current ligand-centric “blockade” paradigm. The REPRESSIT platform technology developed herein will provide a radically new approach, through development of a novel class of ligand-independent checkpoint therapeutics. These Receptor Inhibition by Phosphatase Recruitment (RIPR) molecules recruit tyrosine phosphatases to the IR and shut down IR signaling, thereby reactivating exhausted T or NK cells to effectively clear cancer cells.

The REPRESSIT consortium unites unique complementary expertise and models in IR biology, tumor immunology, protein engineering, biophysics and proteomics, to: 1) define the design principles of RIPR molecules against multiple checkpoint IR targets, 2) evaluate the IR mode of action of signal inhibition, 3) optimize RIPR molecule for their efficacy using in vitro and in preclinical cancer models, and 4) demonstrate in vivo proof-of-concept (PoC)), focusing on highly relevant for a panel of T and NK cell IR known to display tonic signalling.

REPRESSIT will deliver a technology platform for off-the-shelf RIPR designs targeting phosphotyrosine-carrying IR. This project will provide the foundation for our long-term vision of innovative immune checkpoint therapeutics with unprecedented efficacy and provide a greatly improved perspective to the many cancer patients for which current treatment is ineffective.

Coordinator

Stichting Nederlandse Wetenschappelijk

Duration

01.05.2023 - 30.04.2028

FUNAMBULIST - "FUnctional Nucleic Acids as Versatile SMart BUilding BLocks in Non-ConventIonal SolvenTs"

Partner

Prof. Dr. Günther Mayer
Life & Medical Sciences Institute (LIMES)
Chemical Biology
Gerhard-Domagk-Straße 1
53121 Bonn

Abstract

The rapidly expanding chiral chemicals market incurs nearly half of its production costs from downstream processing, attributed to intricate separation challenges and stringent purification requirements. The EU-funded FUNAMBULIST project is geared towards pioneering a revolutionary, science-driven method for producing fine chemicals. This endeavour seeks to challenge the prevailing notion that the production of fine chemicals is contingent upon conventional synthetic pathways employing organic solvents. Central to this project is the development of a modular toolkit, which will facilitate an entirely novel strategy for conceptualising chemical reactions within the fine chemicals sector. This novel approach draws inspiration from the resourcefulness of biological processes, meticulously adapted within a controlled environment.

Coordinator

UNIVERSIDAD DEL PAIS VASCO/ EUSKAL HERRIKO UNIBERTSITATEA

Duration

01.05.2023 - 30.04.2026

DIGIFOREST - "Digital Analytics and Robotics for Sustainable Forestry"

Partner

Prof. Dr. Cyrill Stachniss
Institut für Geodäsie und Geoinformation
Nussallee 15
53115 Bonn

Abstract

What if we could create a revolution in spatial data acquisition, organization and analysis and give forestry operators and enterprises up-to-date, tangible information about the status of their forests down to the individual tree? We believe this would improve their oversight by allowing more accurate growth modelling of forest stands and precise predictions of timber yields. It would remove the uncertainty of when thinning operations are needed or where there are trees which are ready for harvest. It could also enable operators to automatically plan where their staff or equipment should be deployed. With capable (semi-)autonomous harvesting, operators eventually automating the full process. It could also better quantify a forest's carbon sequestration - with low uncertainty per-tree carbon estimates. Precise measures of crown volume and tree diameters would improve the granularity of carbon credit schemes. This could inform national governments
and policy makers when deciding policy on initiatives such as carbon offsets and carbon farming.
In DIGIFOREST we propose to create such an ecosystem by developing a team of heterogeneous robots to collect and update this raw 3D spatial representations, building large scale forest maps and feeding them to machine learning and spatial AI to semantically segment and label the trees and also the terrain. Our robot team will be diverse: we will use both rugged field robots as well as more experimental vehicles. Most ambitious of all is the intention to (semi-)automate a lightweight harvester for sustainable selective logging. Progress in this project will be demonstrated with an ambitious series of field trials. With the clear engagement of forestry and industrial companies, commercial pathways are readily available.

Coordinator

Technical University of Munich

Duration

01.09.2022 - 28.02.2026

Project video

environMENTAL - "Reducing the impact of major environmental challenges on mental health"

Partner

Prof. Dr. med. Markus M. Nöthen
Institut für Humangenetik
Universitätsklinikum Bonn
Venusberg-Campus 1
53127 Bonn

Abstract

The environMENTAL project will investigate how some of the greatest global environmental challenges, climate change, urbanisation, and psychosocial stress caused by the COVID-19-pandemic affect mental health over the lifespan. It will identify their underlying molecular mechanisms and develop preventions and early interventions. Leveraging cohort data of over 1.5 million European citizens and patients enriched with deep phenotyping data from large scale behavioural neuroimaging cohorts, we will identify brain mechanisms related to environmental adversity underlying symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress and substance abuse. By linking population and patient data via geo-location to spatiotemporal environmental data derived from remote sensing satellites, climate models, regional-socioeconomic data and digital health applications, our interdisciplinary team will develop a neurocognitive model of multimodal environmental signatures related to transdiagnostic symptom groups that are characterised by shared brain mechanisms. We will uncover the molecular basis underlying these mechanisms using multi-modal -omics analyses, brain organoids and virtual brain simulations, thus providing an integrated perspective for each individual across the lifespan and spectrum of functioning. The insight gained will be applied to developing risk biomarkers and stratification markers. We will then screen for pharmacological compounds targeting the molecular mechanisms discovered. We will also reduce symptom development and progression using virtual reality interventions based on the adverse environmental features - developed in close collaboration with stakeholders. Overall, this project will lead to objective biomarkers and evidence-based pharmacologic and VR-based interventions that will significantly prevent and improve outcomes of environmentally-related mental illnesses, and empower EU citizens to manage better their mental health and well-being.

Coordinator

Ksilink

Duration

01.06.2022 - 31.05.2027

REPO4EU - "Precision drug REPurpOsing For EUrope and the world"

Partner

Dr. med. Martin Coenen
Studienzentrum Bonn
Universitätsklinikum Bonn
Venusberg-Campus 1
53127 Bonn

Abstract

The Euro-Global Platform for Mechanism-based Drug Repurposing: From low precision drug therapy to high precision curative therapy through real-world data, Artificial Intelligence and a platform offering every step from lab to phase II clinical.

Coordinator

Duration

01.09.2022 - 31.08.2029

Website

PAL-CYCLES - "PALliative Care Yields Cancer welLbEing Support"

Partner

Prof. Dr. med.Lukas Radbruch
Klinik und Poliklinik für Palliativmedizin
Universitätsklinikum Bonn
Venusberg-Campus 1
53127 Bonn

Abstract

Challenge: many patients with advanced cancer in the final phase of life leave the hospital without continuity of information, and certainty about further treatment and care provision. Often, communication between healthcare providers in different settings is suboptimal and this leads to poor continuity and coordination of care, negatively impacting the quality of life and increasing preventable hospital admissions. Solution: the PAL-CYCLES programme: a transitional palliative care programme for patients with advanced cancer, adaptable to local cultures and healthcare systems. The programme contains an intervention aiming for a smooth transition from hospital care to community care, consisting of five cornerstone components: (1) identification of a patient with palliative and supportive care needs in collaboration with the oncologist and the hospital palliative care team; (2) compassionate communication towards the patient and their family; (3) a collaborative multidimensional care plan and follow-up in the home care setting; (4) periodic evaluation of the care plan with patients and relatives; (5) identification of the terminal phase (if there) based on the periodic evaluations, with appropriate intensification of care and end-of-life talks depending on local possibilities and habits, including consultation with patient and families about ethically and legally sensitive issues. Plan: we intend to develop, adapt, implement, and evaluate the PAL-CYCLES programme in seven European countries using a stepped wedge randomized controlled trial design. Patient, relatives, and health care provider experiences, as well as ethical and equity issues will be addressed with qualitative methods. Impact: the PAL-CYCLES programme will facilitate patient-centred communication and continuity of palliative cancer care in the community care setting, reducing unplanned hospital admissions and improving quality of life for patients with advanced cancer at the end of life.

Coordinator

Stichting Radboud Universitair Medisch Centrum

Duration

01.09.2022 - 31.08.2027

REFOREST - "Agroforestry at the forefront of farming sustainability in multifunctional landscapes in Europe"

Partner

Prof. Dr. Eike Luedeling
Department of Horticultural Sciences
Auf dem Hügel 6
53121 Bonn

Abstract

The primary mission of the project is to foster innovation, knowledge exchange and provide novel solutions to empower farmers in Europe and associated countries to deliver to multiple objectives: food production, carbon capture, and biodiversity. Agroforestry is an auspicious land use type, allowing farmers to continue producing food while significantly improving the environmental sustainability of their operations. Integration of trees into agricultural business contributes to a host of ecosystem services, lowering the environmental and social impact of food production. Past research has attempted to foster the renaissance of agroforestry in Europe, resulting in a sizeable knowledge base and modelling capability. The most critical barriers to agroforestry adoption in Europe
relate to lack of knowledge, impact of tree planting on farm business, and unclear policy support positioned between agriculture and forestry. We will employ a co-creation and multi-actor approach as our fundamental research method to place agroforestry systems in the right balance of farm productivity, socio-economic viability and sustainability. We will maximise the use of existing knowledge and data, utilise agroforestry living labs built upon foundations laid by previous projects, and establish a stakeholder and actor engagement platform to enable knowledge transfer, training and innovation. This project will prioritise enhancing knowledge exchange and transfer, enabling the integration of carbon and biodiversity finance in farm business models, and by proposing targeted policy interventions as solutions to overcoming barriers to agroforestry expansion.

Coordinator

Czech University of Life Sciences Prague (Česká zemědělská univerzita v Praze)

Duration

01.07.2022 -30.06.2026

FOODCoST - "FOOD Costing and Internalisation of Externalities for System Transition"

Partner

Prof. Dr. Joachim von Braun
Center for Development Research
Genscherallee 3
53113 Bonn

Abstract

Ensuring sustainable food systems requires vastly reducing its environmental and health costs while making healthy and sustainable food affordable to all. In current food systems many of the costs of harmful foods and benefits of healthful foods are externalized, i.e. are not reflected in market prices and therefore not in decision making of actors in food value chains. Solving the externality problems means to determine current costs of externalities and redefine food prices (true pricing) to internalize them in daily practice. Policy makers, businesses and other actors in the food system, lack sufficient information and knowledge to internalize externalities to achieve a sustainable food system. FOODCoST responds to this challenge by designing a roadmap for effective and sustainable strategies to assess and internalise food externalities. FOODCoST provides approaches and databases to measure and value positive and negative externalities, proposing a game-changing and harmonised approach to calculate the value of climate, biodiversity, environmental, social and health externalities along the food value chain based on economic cost principles. FOODCoST provides an
analytical toolbox to experiment, analyse, and navigate the internalisation of externalities through policies and business strategies providing tools and guidance to policy makers and businesses to assess the sustainability impact of their internalisation actions. FOODCoST emphasises the diversity of challenges of true pricing in different value chains and countries and regions, and cocreates, tests and validates the valuation and internalisation approaches in 11 diverse case studies enabling to test, validate and enrich the approaches in order to transit towards a sustainable food system. The project will be based on a multi-actor approach that will ensure
a continuous dialogue with all relevant actors across the whole food system (land and sea).

Coordinator

Stichting Wageningen Research

Duration

01.06.2022 -31.05.2026

BrightSpace - "Designing a Roadmap for Effective and Sustainable Strategies for Assessing and Addressing the Challenges of EU Agriculture to Navigate within a Safe and Just Operating Space"

Partner

Dr. agr. Hugo Storm
Institute for Food and Resource Economics
Nussallee 12
53115 Bonn

Abstract

The European Green Deal, aims, among others, to increase the contribution of EU agriculture to climate change action, improve the management of natural resources, ensure a fair economic return for farmers, and reinforce the protection of biodiversity. EU agriculture and food practices are currently not on the right track to meet the Green Deal ambitions and objectives. These objectives are interdependent, and while often aligned, they may also compete. Synergies and trade-offs between socio-economic and environmental outcomes are brought together in the concept of a Safe and Just Operating Space (SJOS), where the Safe component reflects the bio-physical boundaries of the ecosystem and the Just component the requirements for the well-being of the involved people. Policy makers and opinion leaders often lack sufficient information to gauge the likely effects of a SJOS crises in their country. The BrightSpace collaboration responds to this challenge by designing effective and sustainable strategies to navigate within a SJOS. BrightSpace provides an analytical toolbox to experiment, analyse, and coordinate the effects of innovative technologies, governance structures, as well as short- and long-term policies related to agriculture, thereby allowing for the execution of consistent, coherent, and lasting strategies with the desired consequences. The project emphasises the diversity of challenges regarding the SJOS across countries and regions and delivers new empirical evidence on cause-effect relations between drivers and outcomes relevant for the SJOS. A harmonised data framework and modelling toolbox are developed for medium-term and forward-looking projections of possible SJOS futures by 2050 and beyond. The support for effective and sustainable actions will include the identification of critical pathways for technological, institutional and consumer-oriented options for EU policies in the areas of agriculture, climate change, trade, and energy.

Coordinator

Stichting Wageningen Research

Duration

01.11.2022 - 31.10.2027

LAMASUS - "LAnd use and MAnagement modelling for SUStainable governance"

Partner

Dr. agr. Hugo Storm
Institute for Food and Resource Economics
Nussallee 12
53115 Bonn

Abstract

As part of the European Green Deal, the EU must achieve climate neutrality by 2050. The land use sector has a key role to play, which is recognized in the “Fit for 55 package”, where a climate neutrality target for the Agriculture, Forestry, and Other Land Use (AFOLU) is set for 2035. To enable fundamental transformations in the land use sector necessary to achieve the Green Deal, LAMASUS proposes a step change in land use sector governance from policy formulation to implementation to monitoring. LAMASUS builds on i) decades of experience in direct policy support, ii) unique modeling tools, such as GLOBIOM, the only model that integrates agricultural and land use sectors, and CAPRI, MAGNET and CLUE, which underlie JRC’s land use policy assessments, and iii) novel approaches mobilizing machine learning and citizen science. The project is driven by four key elements: EVIDENCE – dynamic monitoring of land use, management and related policies for evaluation and model calibration; UNDERSTANDING – state-of-the-art econometric and biophysical models to assess the role of past policies on changes in land use and management, and their economic and environmental impacts; TOOLS – a highly-integrated policy modeling framework with full sectorial coverage from agriculture and forestry to the whole economy, accounting for carbon, biodiversity and all relevant sustainability dimensions, at multiple scales (land use actors, country, EU level, global); GUIDANCE – a multi-level stakeholder dialogue for co-design of agriculture, forestry and climate policies by the EC, national and local governments and citizens, made accessible to stakeholders across multiple spatial scales through the novel web-based LAMASUS Portal. In this way, LAMUSUS will create a new level of societal engagement in which local actors contribute to the design of effective and efficient EU policies for climate neutrality and will serve as an exemplar for other policy processes within the European Green Deal.

Coordinator

International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis

Duration

01.09.2022 - 31.08.2026

UVQuanT - "Deep Ultraviolet Laser For Quantum Technology"

Partner

Prof. Dr. Simon Stellmer
Physikalisches Institut
Nussallee 12
53115 Bonn

Abstract

Lasers are the heart of today’s quantum science and technology. Since their first invention they have been a flourishing research area and in a few decades have found application in an enormous variety of fields, eventually populating many aspects of our everyday life, also outside of the research laboratory. Since the beginning, there has been a natural push towards extending the accessible frequency range of coherent radiation, eventually covering the whole infrared (IR), visible (VIS), and ultraviolet (UV) spectrum. The large energy and momenta of UV photons offers enormous potential for novel applications. However, for the same reason, deep technological challenges remain before they can be used effectively in science and technology. UVQuanT will tackle this challenge by developing the necessary industrial and scientific expertise to realise new-era, cost-effective lasers and laser optics for the UV and DUV region, positioning the EU as the front-runner in this technology. UVQuanT will focus on new ways of increasing the production of coherent radiation in the UV and DUV region, developing and testing lower cost, more rugged and practical solutions, and will test these novel systems in a range of experiments targeting quantum technology applications. Combining the talent and expertise of iindustrial and academic partners, UVQuanT will build strong relationships for establishing a path for next-generation quantum
technologies.

Coordinator

Fritz Haber Institute - Max-Planck-Gesellschaft

Duration

01.10.2022 - 30.09.2026

ReMade-at-ARI - "Recyclable Materials Development at Analytical Research Infrastructures"

Partner

Prof. Dr. Maximilian Mayer
Center for Advanced Security, Strategic and Integration Studies
Römerstraße 164
53117 Bonn

Abstract

A radical shift to the Circular Economy is urgently needed to cope with the challenge of finite resources decreasing at a frightening pace while the quantity of waste increases alarmingly. The European Commission?s (EC) Circular Economy Action Plan (CEAP) adopted in March 2020 has identified seven key product value chains that must rapidly become circular, given their environmental impacts and circularity potentials. This requires substantial research on materials with a very high recycling capability while exhibiting competitive functionalities. In ReMade@ARI, the most significant European analytical research infrastructures join forces to pioneer a
support hub for materials research facilitating a step change to the Circular Economy. ReMade@ARI offers coordinated access to more than 50 European analytical research infrastructures, comprising the majority of the facilities that constitute the Analytical Research Infrastructures in Europe (ARIE) network. ReMade@ARI offers comprehensive services suiting any research focusing on the development of new materials for the Circular Economy in the key areas highlighted in the CEAP and plays an important role in the preparation of the common technology roadmap for circular industries. Senior scientist, facility experts and highly trained young researchers contribute scientific knowledge and extensive support to realise a user service of unprecedented quality, making each promising idea a success. Particular attention is attributed to the implementation of attractive formats to support researchers and developers from industry. The comprehensive service catalogue is complemented by an extensive training programme. Communication and dissemination activities are underpinned by a continuous impact assessment, which also enables evidencebased decision-making in the context of the proposal selection. Routes to sustainability of the platform will be explored towards the end of the project.

Coordinator

Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf

Duration

01.09.2022 - 31.08.2026

SCREEN4CARE - "Shortening the path to rare disease diagnosis by using newborn genetic screening and digital technologies"

Partner

Prof. Dr. Janbernd Kirschner
Zentrum für Kinderheilkunde
Venusberg-Campus 1
53127 Bonn

Abstract

In the EU alone, roughly 30 million people are affected by one of the more than 6,000 different rare diseases (RDs) of which 72% are genetic and 70% affect children. The path to diagnosis for people suffering from a RD is burdensome, often severely delayed by a diagnostic odyssey. This unacceptable situation does not meet the concept of equity for EU citizens, and requires rapid, structured, and cost-effective corrective actions. The Screen4Care (S4C) consortium will leverage the genomic and digital advent to develop and pilot genetic NBS and AI-guided symptom recognition algorithms, while accounting for all relevant legal, regulatory and ethical considerations. S4C aims to harmonize the results of existing efforts in a horizon scan, by looking at the totality of the available data resources, diagnostic algorithms, and other initiatives with similar ultimate goals. S4C will also provide two digital diagnosis support systems for RD on the basis of features and symptom complexes.

Coordinator

University of Ferrara

Duration

01.10.2021 - 30.09.2026

Website

NeurotechRI - "European University of Brain and Technology - Research and Innovation"

Partner

Prof. Dr. Christian Henneberger
Institute of Cellular Neurosciences
Venusberg-Campus 1
53127 Bonn

Abstract

Neuroscience has a key role in addressing many of today’s challenges, and brain-centred solutions can benefit society and even spark a new economy in Europe. Pooling the educational and training capacity of eight universities in Europe, the European University of Brain and Technology (NeurotechEU) aims to educate and train the next generation of scientists and scholars. Under the EU-funded NeurotechRI project, the focus will also be on the sharing of infrastructure and resources. Specifically, the project will implement a novel governance organisation for multi-institutional, international and intersectoral research collaboration and innovation. It will also develop joint structures with external stakeholders and foster academia business cooperation. The goal is to support a balanced circulation of knowledge.

Coordinator

Stichting Radboud Universiteit

Duration

01.10.2021 - 31.03.2025

Website

RePAIR - "Reconstructing the Past: Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Meet Cultural Heritage"

Partner

Prof. Dr. Maren Bennewitz
Computer Science VI - Intelligent Systems and Robotics
Friedrich-Hirzebruch-Allee 8
53115 Bonn

Abstract

The physical reconstruction of shattered artworks is one of the most labour-intensive steps in archaeological research. Dug out from excavation sites are countless ancient artefacts, such as vases, amphoras and frescoes, that are damaged. The EU-funded RePAIR project will facilitate the reconstruction process to bring ancient artworks back to life. Specifically, it will develop an intelligent robotic system that can autonomously process, match and physically assemble large fractured artefacts in a fraction of the time required by humans. This new system will be tested on iconic case studies from the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Pompeii. It will restore two world-renowned frescoes, which are in thousands of broken pieces and currently in storerooms.

Coordinator

Universita Ca'Foscari Venezia

Duration

01.09.2021 - 28.02.2025

PAPILLONS - "Plastic in Agricultural Production: Impacts, Lifecycles and LONg-term Sustainability"

Partner

Dr. Melanie Braun
Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation
Nussallee 13
53115 Bonn

Abstract

The EU-funded PAPILLONS project will investigate the sustainability of agricultural plastics (AP) in relation to releases and impacts of microplastics and nanoplastics (MNP) in European soils. The initiative will promote knowledge on sources, behaviour and impacts through cross-disciplinary research, bringing together experts from chemistry, materials engineering, agronomy, soil ecology, toxicology and social sciences. PAPILLONS will transform the knowledge generated into guidance for policy-makers, the agricultural sector and world-class industries to promote sustainable farm production systems. Researchers will deliver the first digital European atlas of AP use, management and waste production to estimate sources of MNP in agricultural soils and integrate studies at laboratory, mesocosm and field scales in different parts of Europe.

Duration

01.06.2021 - 31.05.2025

Website

DESTINATION - "AI-enabled RNA nanotechnology DElivery SysTem for INformATION transfer into cells"

Partner

Prof. Dr. Michael Famulok
Life & Medical Sciences Institute (LIMES)
Gerhard-Domagk-Str. 1
53121 Bonn

Abstract

The EU-funded DESTINATION project aims to create a first-generation RNA-based delivery platform (RNano) for effective delivery of information (mRNA) into cells in vivo. Addressing this challenging goal requires a novel, biocompatible and scalable system to protect the deliverable mRNA from degradation in blood, escape the immune response, and provide high selectivity in cell targeting. The consortium will use AI/machine learning to generate a library of programmable RNano scaffolds for packaged mRNA and RNA aptamers for laser-specific internalisation of RNanos into cells. DESTINATION success could enable novel functions such as the production of a cell's own medicine by replacing the faulty mRNA or engineering cells to fight genetic disorders and cancer.

Coordinator

Sixfold Bioscience LTD

Duration

01.04.2021 - 31.03.2025

Website

AIDAinnova - "Advancement and Innovation for Detectors at Accelerators"

Partner

Dr. Fabian Hügging
Physikalisches Institut
Wegelerstr. 8
53115 Bonn

Abstract

Particle physics attracts a global community of more than 10,000 scientists, and Europe’s leadership, with CERN as its major laboratory, is internationally recognised. Discoveries are technology-driven; more performant accelerators require innovative detectors to unfold their scientific potential, driving available or emerging technologies beyond their limits. The role of industry is rapidly increasing, due to the need for highly specialised equipment and due to the scale of the installations, where thousands or millions of components require industrial-scale infrastructure.
AIDAinnova advances the European detector development infrastructures through fostering an intensified co-innovation with industry. Based on the success of the previous EC-funded initiatives AIDA and AIDA-2020, the project as a novel element fully integrates commercial players, 10 industrial companies and 3 RTOs, together with academic institutions into the consortium, which comprises 46 partners from 15 countries. Knowledge transfer will be catalysed through co-innovative work in common detector projects, and it will strengthen the competence and competitiveness of the industrial partners in other markets.
AIDAinnova provides state-of-the-art upgrades of research infrastructure such as test beam and irradiation facilities, and it covers all key technologies for future detectors, following the guidance by the European Particle Physics Strategy Update. The focus is on strategic developments at intermediate technological readiness levels TRL 2-7, where developments are not yet as specific to one particular experiment as in the engineering phase, and it also includes prospective R&D at TRL 1. Therefore, AIDAinnova will unfold synergies by bringing together the expertise from communities aiming at various future projects and maximise the use of resources. Through the large leverage on matching funds from national sources the project leads to enhanced coherence and coordination at a European level.

Duration

01.04.2021 - 31.03.2025

Website

PSY-PGx - "Tracing the capabilities of pharmacogenetics in psychiatric treatment"

Partner

Prof. Dr. Markus Noethen
Institut für Humangenetik
Venusberg-Campus 1
53127 Bonn

Abstract

Despite the continuous development of treatments for patients with mental illness, crucial factors such as genetic heterogeneity, low compliance and commonly encountered side effects limit treatment efficacy. In contrast with the widespread practice of selecting medication through trial and error, pharmacogenetic testing enables the evaluation of person-specific factors that make the clinical response and side effects foreseeable. The EU-funded PSY-PGx project is introducing a large-scale non-industry sponsored clinical study in 6 European (related) countries and the US that demonstrates the clinical benefits and the potential of implementing pharmacogenetics for psychiatric patients in existing medical settings.

Coordinator

Universiteit Maastricht

Duration
01.03.2021 - 28.02.2026

Website

EuroGCT - "European consortium for communicating gene- and cell-based therapy information"

Partner

Prof. Dr. Oliver Brüstle
Institute of Reconstuctive Neurobiology
Venusberg-Campus 1
53127 Bonn

Abstract

The European Consortium for Communicating Gene and Cell Therapy Information (EuroGCT) unites 49 partner organisations and institutions across Europe, including the major European advanced therapies learned societies, with the common goal of providing reliable and accessible information related to cell and gene therapy development to European stakeholders. EuroGCT has two major objectives:

To provide patients, people affected by conditions, healthcare professionals and citizens with accurate scientific, legal, ethical and societal information and with engagement opportunities, and thus to support better informed decision-making related to cell and gene-based therapies.
To facilitate better decision-making at key points in development of new therapies and thus enable improved product development, by providing the research community and regulatory and healthcare authorities with an information source on the practical steps needed for cell and gene therapy development.
To achieve our aims, EuroGCT will adopt a highly structured system for coordinated management of information related to cell and gene therapy development and, from this, will implement an ambitious programme of online and direct stakeholder information provision and engagement. All outputs will be delivered in 7 European languages, to ensure broad accessibility, and will be rigorously evaluated against measurable objectives throughout the project duration. The proposed consortium comprises leading cell and gene therapy-related organisations and basic and clinical research labs across Europe, including new member states; together with experts in product development, ethical, legal and societal issues, and in evaluating clinical outcomes; patient representatives; and science communicators. It thus is uniquely placed to develop a world-leading cell and gene therapy information resource and to meet the challenge outlined in Topic SC1-HCO-19-2020.

Coordinator

University of Edinburgh

Duration

01.02.2021 - 31.01.2026

Website

TO_AITION – „A high-dimensional approach for unwinding immune-metabolic causes of cardiovascular disease-depression multimorbidities“

Partner

Prof. Dr. med. Eicke Latz
Institut für Angeborene Immunität
Sigmund-Freud-Str. 25
53127 Bonn

Abstract

Depression is highly associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD), significantly increasing the risk of CVD development, acute events and mortality, especially in women. As a consequence, it represents a social and economic issue affecting the patient’s life and causing healthcare costs to rise. However, the mechanisms and progression of the disease remain unknown. The EU-funded TO_AITION project works on the hypothesis that immune-metabolic dysregulation due to genetic, lifestyle and environmental risk factors affects immunity mechanisms leading to CVD-associated depression. The project will effectuate basic, preclinical and clinical research applying data-driven strategies to detect and describe immune-metabolic mechanisms responsible for CVD-depression comorbidity, aiming to improve diagnosis and management of the disease.

Coordinator

Idryma Iatroviologikon Ereunon Akademias Athinon

Duration

01.01.2020 - 31.12.2024

Website⁸⁷

DIGYMATEX – „Establishing a comprehensive understanding and taxonomy of children's digital maturity“

Partner

Prof. Dr. Bernd Weber
Center for Economics and Neuroscience
Nachtigallenweg 86
53127 Bonn

Abstract

Children are attracted to digital technology, but it is not yet clear how digitally mature they are. How is children's behaviour affected by ICT and to what extent? The EU-funded DIGYMATEX project intends to offer evidence-based instruments that can support understanding and estimating ICT effects on children's conduct. The first instrument consists of an advanced and ready for the market Digital Youth Maturity Index (DYMI), a cloud-based open-access instrument. DYMI will contribute in the development of an inclusive taxonomy that will inform stakeholders on the long-term impact of ICT on children and young people's behaviour. The second tool consists of a solution based on the development of the DiGYou programme. Both tools will contribute to a safer and profitable use of ICT.

Coordinator

Aarhus Universitet

Duration

01.02.2020 - 31.01.2025

Website⁹⁸

NSC-Reconstruct – „Novel Strategies for Cell-based Neural Reconstruction“

Partner

Prof. Dr. Oliver Brüstle
Life & Brain Center
Venusberg-Campus 1
Gebäude 76
53127 Bonn

Abstract

Science has made tremendous progress in understanding the neuronal circuitry of the brain in both health and disease, as well as in terms of its structure and function. Our knowledge of local and distant brain circuitry seen in neurodegenerative diseases, combined with the potential of human embryonic stem cells for cell and tissue regeneration, can advance the treatment of debilitating diseases like Parkinson's and Huntington's. The EU-funded NSC-Reconstruct project is pushing the frontiers in research on stem cells for single cell types. In an ambitious effort, the team plans to reconstruct local networks through the incorporation of numerous cell types, and to restore complex networks and cortical projections, for truly functional and effective repair in complicated conditions like neurodegenerative diseases and stroke.

Coordinator

Universita Degli Studi Di Milano

Duration

01.01.2020 - 31.12.2024

Website¹⁰

HELP – „Collaboration for innovation: Establishment of a pan-nematode drug development platform“

Partner

Dr. Kenneth M. Pfarr
Institut für Medizinische Mikrobiologie,
Immunologie und Parasitologie (IMMIP)
Venusberg - Campus 1
Gebäude 63
52127 Bonn

Abstract

Parasitic worms (helminths) are the most common sources of infection in developing countries and represent a greater global disease burden than malaria and tuberculosis. Soil-transmitted helminth infections affect nearly a fourth of the world's population, compromising nutritional status and cognitive processes. Onchocerciasis, also called river blindness, is transmitted by blackflies and causes terrible itching, eye lesions, and often blindness. Thanks to the EU-funded project HELP, an academic and industry collaboration, vaccines for these two infections may be on the horizon. Promising compounds will be fully evaluated in laboratory and clinical trials and this drug pipeline partnership could also streamline vaccine development for numerous neglected diseases.

Coordinator

Schweizerisches Tropen- und Public Health-Institut

Duration

01.09.2019 - 28.02.2026

Website¹⁷¹⁶

Marie-Curie

Find out more about Marie Curie collaborative projects such as International Training Networks (ITN) and Research and Innovation Staff Exchange (RISE), in which researchers from the University of Bonn are involved.

International Training Networks (ITN) at the University of Bonn

MIRACLE - "Multilevel inflammatory regulation in cardiometabolic disease"

Partner

Dr. Thomas Ulas
LIMES-Institut
Carl-Troll-Str. 31
53115 Bonn

Abstract

The benefit of targeting inflammatory pathways in cardiometabolic disease on top of traditional healthcare and medication is evident from recent clinical studies. However, generalized blocking of inflammation also impacts on patients’ defense against infections and other immune-associated pathologies, such as cancer. Clearly, more precise interventions that target disease-specific cellular subsets and mechanisms are eagerly awaited. MIRACLE’s focus on innovation is to pave the way to precision medicine by deploying and valorizing current technological breakthroughs for a detailed definition and targeting of cardiometabolic disease-associated and causative cellular subsets. MIRACLE is inspired by latest advances in single cell biology, multi-omics analysis and newest insights in macrophage biology. These advances revealed heterogeneous and dynamic accumulation of (immune) cell populations in tissues that associate with disease initiation, development and particularly clinical outcome, a notion that has immense implications on our view of chronic inflammatory diseases and their treatment. Unique know-how is ready to be transferred to highly talented fellows. In MIRACLE, twelve young scientists will receive tailored training that enables them to study local and environmental factors that drive cardiometabolic inflammation as well as develop strategies to suppress them, via the integrated use of cutting-edge single cell, spatial mapping, computational and disease modeling approaches. Moreover, they will be able to develop and polish skills in translational science by working with biotech- and pharma experts and clinicians pledging clinically actionable outcomes. The combination of high-level science with top-notch infrastructures, resources, and solid data places MIRACLE at the forefront to move single cell biology towards cardiometabolic (precision) medicine and foster the scientists of tomorrow.

Coordinator

ACADEMISCH MEDISCH CENTRUM BIJ DE UNIVERSITEIT VAN AMSTERDAM

Duration

01.02.2024 - 31.01.2028

Tools4Teams - "Research Training to Design and Implement Tools Supporting Safe Teamwork in Healthcare"

Partner

Prof. Dr. Matthias Weigl
Institut für Patientensicherheit (IfPS)
Universitätsklinikum Bonn
Venusberg-Campus 1
53127 Bonn

Abstract

The Tools4Teams research project aims to establish a doctoral training network under the MSCA-DN funding scheme. The network will prepare the next generation of teamwork experts to contribute new insights and smart technologies for safe and effective care. Tools4Teams brings together expertise from social and technical sciences, human-centered design, education, and clinical specialties. The research team will be cooperating with non-academic partners from industry, healthcare, and education to reach both scientific and societal impact. Tools4Teams recognizes and builds upon the transformative opportunities created by the application of behavioral sciences methodologies in healthcare and extends it with human- centered design of tools to target the most challenging problems in the delivery of safe and effective care. Mixed-methods designs will be applied to advance scientific knowledge and create evidence-based training and tools: to support team interaction processes; to integrate patient involvement in teamwork; to support the performance of multi-team systems; to facilitate innovative training applications (i.e. virtual and augmented reality). This research has practical implications for healthcare as a whole and will benefit clinical teams and the patients to whom they provide care.

Coordinator

Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Duration

01.03.2023 - 28.02.2027

SOPLAS – „Macro and Microplastic in Agricultural Soil Systems“

Partner

Dr. Melanie Braun
Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation
Division Soil Science
Nussallee 13
D-53115 Bonn

Abstract

Plastic is a vital material in our economy and daily lives. Unfortunately, it is associated with high levels of waste and leakage to the environment. For instance, plastic debris and especially microplastics (particles less than 5 mm in size) can be found in agricultural soils – from silage bags and greenhouse cover films to sewage sludge and compost. The EU-funded SOPLAS project will assemble a multidisciplinary team to study the nexus of plastic–agriculture–soil. It will also train a new generation of leading experts. The project aims to identify the plastic cycle within agricultural soil systems and support the development of environmental policies related to mitigating the impact of plastics. The findings will advance our knowledge about the sustainable use of plastics in European agriculture.

Coordinator

Universität Augsburg

Duration

01.01.2021 - 31.12.2024