Low cost strain sensors based on electron tunneling in assemblies of metallic nanoparticles (MNPs) are proposed as a new touch technology for flexible displays, but their sensitivity and stability are still impacted by variations in thickness, morphology and density of NPs films. With an industrial partner NANOMADE Concept, which develops a patented touch technology relying on MNPs-based resistive strain gauges, we propose to develop strain sensors based on the use of nanohelices assemblies coated with conductive nanoparticles interconnected via ligands to be advantageously used to overcome such critical points: the helical morphology exhibits enhanced flexibility that will increase the measurable range of strain; the positioning of metallic NPs with ligands on the nanohelices can be done with a high degree of precision; alignment of highly ordered wires of metallic NPs will be straightforward since they are already positioned on the nanohelices. The aim of this project is to improve the electromechanical properties of strain sensors both in terms of sensitivity as well as reproducibility and stability.

Forests play a major role in climate change mitigation. By performing photosynthesis, trees incorporate carbon from atmospheric CO2 into their tissues. Subsequently, dead plant debris (litterfalls, senescent fine roots) enrich the soil with organic carbon. In soils, once stabilised, organic carbon can be sequestered for up millennia. In addition to their carbon sequestration function, forests also play a positive role in the global carbon budget via substitution effects. Indeed, using wood instead of carbon-based fossil fuels, or materials that require a lot of these polluting energies, reduces the net CO2 emissions because the carbon of the wood was previously fixed by trees. However, optimising the carbon sinks role of forests is the subject of intense debates involving scientists and decision-makers: is it better to promote the effects of carbon substitution, or the effects of carbon sequestration? This project aims to solve this dilemma by optimising both biomass production and soil organic C sequestration. In practice, the CARTON project aims to (i) identify the characteristics of trees (notion of "functional traits") that are involved in rapid biomass growth, (ii) identify the functional traits that influence soil organic carbon sequestration, and (iii) evaluate to which extent these two groups of functional traits are compatible within the same tree species. To do this, we will study the functional traits of many species in sites where they were planted at the same time (the so-called "arboretum" sites). The link between growth and functional traits will be evaluated using a meta-analysis carried out at the global scale. The link between soil organic carbon storage and functional traits will be studied in 20 mature arboretums in contrasting contexts, along a European latitudinal gradient. Once these two groups of traits have been identified, we will study their relationships within tree species, using a database of functional traits. In particular, we will investigate what values optimise both growth in biomass and sequestration of organic carbon in soils. The final objective of this project is to indicate some species that optimise both carbon substitution (through a rapid growth in biomass) and carbon sequestration (through an efficient organic carbon storage in soils).

The present ANR project aims at fabricating and exploring the properties of a special class of capsules called “ethosomes”, resulting from the self-assembly of phospholipids in the presence of water and ethanol. The main objective of the project is to develop the underpinning science required to address challenges in designing ethosomes based on phospholipids rich in n-3 Poly-Unsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFA). Ethosomes can be used in nutrition applications because of the substantial benefits of PUFA in human health. Moreover, due to the presence of ethanol, ethosomes present membrane fluidity properties that make them interesting delivery systems by the topical route. So far, the phospholipids used to fabricate conventional liposomes or ethosomes are extracted from soya or egg yolk sources. The food industry is generating large amounts of by-products, most of them remaining under valorised. In this project, we propose to produce phospholipids either from animal marine or vegetable sources using supercritical CO2 as a “green” extraction solvent. Ethanol will be mixed with CO2 in order to improve the extraction yield. Delivering phospholipids rich in n-3 PUFA is really challenging due to their susceptibility to chemical degradation. Indeed, polyunsaturated lipids are sensitive to heat, light and oxygen exposure. This causes product deterioration in terms of aroma, texture, shelf life and colour. Within this project, we will examine the impact of ethanol on the physical and chemical stability of liposomes containing a large fraction of n-3 PUFA chains under well-defined storage conditions. In addition to the high-resolution techniques already available, we will develop a novel technique to follow lipid oxidation based on micro-calorimetry. Indeed, non-destructive, simple and efficient technique to follow the complex oxidation process is highly sought-after and not presently available.

Bacteria are commonly defined as unicellular organisms; however, they constantly exchange substances and information with their confrères and the environment, and can efficiently shelter themselves and achieve homeostasis by building multicellular collaborative macrocolonies called biofilms. Members of these sessile communities can undergo significant functional differentiation and are typically embedded in complex extracellular matrix that secures both mechanical protection and a medium for intercellular exchange. Importantly, the switch between sessile and motile life-styles in pathogenic bacteria can correlate directly with the development of chronic vs. acute infections, whereas extracted bacterial matrix components can find a variety of beneficial biotechnological applications. Exopolysaccharides (EPS) are a major biofilm matrix component and are typically produced by trans-envelope secretion nanomachines, many of which are controlled at multiple levels by the intracellular second messenger c-di-GMP. Here, we will consolidate our expertise in biofilm formation, cyclic dinucleotide signaling, bacterial secretion and integrative structural biology to decipher EPS secretion system assembly and function in several medically and industrially relevant species. We will use complementary recombinant and in situ structural biology approaches together with established genetic and imaging techniques to decipher the molecular events controlling EPS biogenesis from transcription initiation, interdependent protein folding and cooperative subunit interactions; through secretion system assembly, formation of supramolecular secretory nanoarrays and EPS modifications; to harnessing the biosynthetic processes for the engineering of novel anti-infectives or beneficial EPS superproducers. Over the last years we have spearheaded these studies by unprecedented mechanistic insights into several secretion systems and have demonstrated the feasibility of such an ambitious project.

This project aims to develop an innovative method of biocontrol for the protection of the vineyard against cryptogamic diseases, and therefore to accelerate our independence from chemical pesticides. The objective is to transpose to the plot the concept of disinhibition of plant defence responses (demonstrated in controlled conditions) in order to increase the efficiency of protection induced by Plant Defence Inducers (PDIs). We have demonstrated in the laboratory and confirmed under controlled conditions that the enzymes type-2 Histone DeACetylases (HD2) negatively regulate the intensity of the immune responses of plants. The proposed strategy is therefore to combine disinhibition and activation of the immune responses. A natural molecule (of bacterial origin or from green chemistry), abundant, devoid of toxicity and inexpensive, has been identified as an efficient disinhibitor (declaration of invention DI-RV-21-0138). We have demonstrated in the laboratory and in the greenhouse, on herbaceous vine cuttings, that combining the disinhibition of plant defence responses with different PDIs (different chemical natures and modes of action) makes it possible to significantly increase the level of protection induced by these PDI applied alone against Plasmopara viticola, the downy mildew agent. Two PDIs with different modes of action (elicitor and potentiator), respectively marketed and under development by Cérience, will be used in phytoprotection trials against P. viticola on the experimental plot of UMR SAVE specifically dedicated to the evaluation of biocontrol products (BC2grape) and on the network of experimental plots of Cérience. They will be applied alone or in combination with the defence responses disinhibitor. The determination of the efficiency of protection (monitoring of P. viticola development), and of the potential impact of these treatments on grapevine physiology and berry ripening will be carried out over three years. Tests will also be carried out to develop a solution allowing, from a unique application, a first action time of the disinhibitor and subsequent action time of the PDI. The “disinhibition strategy” we propose will initially be aimed at socio-economic partners who are developing PDIs-based biopesticide strategies. In the long term, the entire wine industry will be able to be offered increasingly effective biopesticide solutions, making it possible to greatly reduce the application of chemical fungicides or copper. The strategy developed in this project is in line with the objectives of the Ecophyto II+ plan to reduce the use of pharmaceutical products. It is based on the use of a natural molecule (disinhibitor), with no known toxicity and which significantly increases the activity of different PDIs. At the end of this project, we hope to be able to increase the efficiency of PDIs and generalize their use in the vineyard. This more effective biopesticide strategy at a lower cost will contribute to a more significant reduction in TFIs and will thus allow winegrowers using copper to limit/reduce inputs. This strategy is of interest both for the environmental impact (reduction of synthetic fungicides and copper) and societal (biocontrol products and application near areas occupied by the public, absence of residue). The consortium partners have established regular collaboration for several years and have acquired solid experience in the use of PDIs and/or the disinhibition strategy. Each partner has a perfect knowledge of the skills of the other two, allowing us to work efficiently. The complementary knowledge and skills of the partners will allow us to develop this project based on data obtained from the molecular level to the vine stock, from the laboratory to the cultivated plot.