Chirality, or the absence of mirror symmetry, is omnipresent in both biological and abiological forms of matter. Rapid progress has recently been achieved in the synthesis of chiral inorganic nanoparticles (NPs), of great interest because of the giant optical activity observed in individual NPs and their assemblies. Such nanostructures yield chiral features at multiple length scales, resulting in a huge diversity of chiral morphologies. The field is expanding toward connecting chirality across the worlds of nano and bio, linking optical and biological chiral functionalities. However, what is currently hampering real-world applications is the step from intuitive synthesis of chiral nanostructures to a purposeful design for specific interactions with biological components. The main objective of CHIRAL-PRO is to develop a widely applicable methodology to design chiral NPs with exceptional optical activity, for strong and predictable enantioselective interactions with nanoscale biological entities, such as proteins and amyloid fibrils. The fundamental understanding of the role of chirality in the recognition between inorganic and biological chiral structures will be used for the programmed assembly into optically active nanofibers and for case studies in sensing and metamaterials. To reach this ambitious goal, the complementary expertise of all three partners involved will be essential: synthesis and assembly of chiral plasmonic NPs (Liz-Marzn); three-dimensional electron microscopy of NPs, and the visualization of their interactions with biomolecules in liquid (Bals); and self-assembly methods and computational predictions for chiral multiscale interactions (Kotov). In addition to groundbreaking advancements in fundamental research, the high gain of this work can be found in the generation of a toolbox enabling the scientific community to shift from guessing to precise design of chiral nanostructures with predefined properties.

The PAGER project will provide space weather predictions that will be initiated from observations on the Sun and will predict radiation in space and its effects on satellite infrastructure. Real-time predictions and a historical record of the dynamics of the cold plasma density and ring current will allow for evaluation of surface charging, and predictions of the relativistic electron fluxes will allow for the evaluation of deep dielectric charging. We will provide a 1-2 day probabilistic forecast of ring current and radiation belt environments, which will allow satellite operators to respond to predictions that present a significant threat. As a backbone of the project, we will use the most advanced codes that currently exist. Codes outside of Europe will be transferred to operation in Europe, such as components of the state-of-the-art Space Weather Modelling Framework (SWMF). We will adapt existing codes to perform ensemble simulations and will perform uncertainty quantifications. The project will include a number of innovative tools including data assimilation and uncertainty quantification, new models of near-Earth electromagnetic wave environment, ensemble predictions of solar wind parameters at L1, and data-driven forecast of the geomangetic Kp index and plasma density. The developed codes may be used in the future for realistic modelling of extreme space weather events. Consultations with stakeholders will be central for the project. We will reach out to scientific, industry and government stakeholders and will tailor our products for the stakeholder’s needs and requirements. Dissemination of the results will play a central role in the project. Our team includes leading academic and industry experts in space weather research, space physics, empirical data modelling, and space environment effects on spacecraft from Europe and the US.

Challenges. The incidence of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) increases after infections, but causal mechanisms are not understood yet. Pneumonia, which can be acquired in the community (such as flu and COVID-19) or during hospitalization, is a leading cause of infectious diseases. The main idea of the Homi-lung project is to investigate the causal relationship between CVD progression and the immune and microbiome alterations observed after pneumonia. Objectives. During the Homi-lung project, we aim to i) define the medical and societal, and patient needs; ii) increase medical doctor’s knowledge of the physiological processes linking pneumonia and CVD; iii) enable early identification of patients at risk of CVD progression; and iv) preclinically develop new treatments. Implementation. The Homi-lung project will address this challenge by comparing CVD rates between patients cured of pneumonia and matched patients who had not developed pneumonia during a prospective 3-year follow-up. We will analyze longitudinal samples collected in these populations and develop new algorithms by artificial intelligence to associate host-microbiome interactions with CVD progression. We will also demonstrate the causal link between CVD progression and host-microbiome interactions in preclinical pneumonia models. The interdisciplinary and ambitious Homi-lung project brings together 8 partners from 5 EU countries, with expertise in pneumonia, CVD, immunology, microbiome, and artificial intelligence and is uniquely placed to reach these objectives. Impacts. The project will provide clinicians with robust evidence contributing to identifying patients at risk of CVD after pneumonia. By developing new biomarkers and preclinical validating treatments to TRL4, the project will contribute to improving patients’ recovery and reducing the burden of infections. This project, particularly timely after the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, will also increase European preparedness for the next pandemic.