Project acronym DENOVO-RBC
Project Developing Novel and Optimal Additive Solutions for Red Blood Cells
Researcher (PI) Bernhard Orn Palsson
Host Institution (HI) HASKOLI ISLANDS
Call Details Proof of Concept (PoC), PC1, ERC-2014-PoC
Summary "The research conducted in SYSTEM_US (ERC Advanced Grant #232816) has led
to the discovery of valuable biomarkers for the quality of red blood cells (RBCs)
in standard blood bank storage conditions. Using a combination of systems
biology and metabolomics, this discovery will lead to the development of novel
RBC storage technologies including additive solutions and diagnostics. These
technologies will become valuable assets in the form of intellectual property to
large transfusion medicine companies and will save thousands of lives over the
coming decades. This proposal covers the needs to fully define the market and
NPV of the developing technology, fully define the regulatory and clinical path of
product approval, file for patents to protect the intellectual property, conduct
necessary validation experiments, and continue to develop relations with
industry contacts."
Summary
"The research conducted in SYSTEM_US (ERC Advanced Grant #232816) has led
to the discovery of valuable biomarkers for the quality of red blood cells (RBCs)
in standard blood bank storage conditions. Using a combination of systems
biology and metabolomics, this discovery will lead to the development of novel
RBC storage technologies including additive solutions and diagnostics. These
technologies will become valuable assets in the form of intellectual property to
large transfusion medicine companies and will save thousands of lives over the
coming decades. This proposal covers the needs to fully define the market and
NPV of the developing technology, fully define the regulatory and clinical path of
product approval, file for patents to protect the intellectual property, conduct
necessary validation experiments, and continue to develop relations with
industry contacts."
Max ERC Funding
150 000 €
Duration
Start date: 2015-03-01, End date: 2016-08-31
Project acronym ELENA
Project Electrochemical LEctin and glycan biochips integrated with NAnostructures
Researcher (PI) Ján Tkác
Host Institution (HI) CHEMICKY USTAV SLOVENSKEJ AKADEMIEVIED
Call Details Starting Grant (StG), LS9, ERC-2012-StG_20111109
Summary "Glycomics is currently one of the most progressively evolving scientific fields due to ever growing evidence glycans (sugars) are involved in many aspects of cell physiology and pathology. Glycans are information-rich molecules responsible for sophisticated storage and coding “commands” the cell has to perform to stay “fit” and to deal with uninvited pathogens. Thus, it is very important the “glycocode” is correctly deciphered by the cell to stay healthy, but pathogens developed nasty tricks how to crack the “glycocode“ to their benefit by stealing glycan identity of the host to stay unrecognised until it is too late. A better understanding of these processes can help to develop new, potent and nature-based vaccines and drugs.
Glycomics stayed behind advances in genomics and proteomics, but due to advent of high-throughput biochips glycomics is catching up very quickly. Two biochip formats available to study challenging and complex field of glycomics are either based on immobilised glycans (glycan biochips) or glycan recognising molecules – lectins (lectin biochips). Both technologies proved to be a success story to reveal amazing, precisely tuned “glycocode” reading, but so far biochips do not work under conditions resembling natural process of glycan deciphering.
The aim of the project is to develop biochips for fundamental study of the effect of precisely tuned ligand (glycan and lectin) density, presence of mixed glycans and the length of glycans on the glycan biorecognition. This task will be executed with the aid of nanotechnology to control these aspects at the nanoscale. Moreover, novel label-free electrochemical detection strategies will be used to mimic natural glycan recognition performing without any label. Finally, advanced patterning protocols and novel detection platforms will be integrated to develop fully robust biochips for functional assay of samples from people having some disease with a search for a particular biomarker of the disease."
Summary
"Glycomics is currently one of the most progressively evolving scientific fields due to ever growing evidence glycans (sugars) are involved in many aspects of cell physiology and pathology. Glycans are information-rich molecules responsible for sophisticated storage and coding “commands” the cell has to perform to stay “fit” and to deal with uninvited pathogens. Thus, it is very important the “glycocode” is correctly deciphered by the cell to stay healthy, but pathogens developed nasty tricks how to crack the “glycocode“ to their benefit by stealing glycan identity of the host to stay unrecognised until it is too late. A better understanding of these processes can help to develop new, potent and nature-based vaccines and drugs.
Glycomics stayed behind advances in genomics and proteomics, but due to advent of high-throughput biochips glycomics is catching up very quickly. Two biochip formats available to study challenging and complex field of glycomics are either based on immobilised glycans (glycan biochips) or glycan recognising molecules – lectins (lectin biochips). Both technologies proved to be a success story to reveal amazing, precisely tuned “glycocode” reading, but so far biochips do not work under conditions resembling natural process of glycan deciphering.
The aim of the project is to develop biochips for fundamental study of the effect of precisely tuned ligand (glycan and lectin) density, presence of mixed glycans and the length of glycans on the glycan biorecognition. This task will be executed with the aid of nanotechnology to control these aspects at the nanoscale. Moreover, novel label-free electrochemical detection strategies will be used to mimic natural glycan recognition performing without any label. Finally, advanced patterning protocols and novel detection platforms will be integrated to develop fully robust biochips for functional assay of samples from people having some disease with a search for a particular biomarker of the disease."
Max ERC Funding
1 155 970 €
Duration
Start date: 2013-01-01, End date: 2017-12-31
Project acronym EUROEMP
Project Employment in Europe
Researcher (PI) Christoforos Pissarides
Host Institution (HI) UNIVERSITY OF CYPRUS
Call Details Advanced Grant (AdG), SH1, ERC-2012-ADG_20120411
Summary "The first part of this project is about employment in Europe, including the new members of the European Union. Both the level of employment and the type of jobs created will be examined. A thorough study of institutional structures and policies is proposed, with a view to arriving at conclusions about their influence on job creation and about the best policy needed to achieve national or European-level employment objectives. Job creation is investigated at the two-digit level and male and female employment, wage inequality and the role of policy will be studied in depth. The research will build on solid theoretical microfoundations taking into account the choices available to firms and workers/consumers about working at home or in the market and buying domestic or foreign goods. The project has a second part about unemployment, with special emphasis on recession. The same emphasis on institutions and policies as for employment is given to this part. A key component of the project is new theory on the evolution of institutions and policies in markets with friction, and on the impact that the policy changes that took place after the recession of the 1980s have had on the responses of European labour markets to the recent recession. Special attention will be given to the formerly planned economies and the reasons for their slow convergence to the western economies."
Summary
"The first part of this project is about employment in Europe, including the new members of the European Union. Both the level of employment and the type of jobs created will be examined. A thorough study of institutional structures and policies is proposed, with a view to arriving at conclusions about their influence on job creation and about the best policy needed to achieve national or European-level employment objectives. Job creation is investigated at the two-digit level and male and female employment, wage inequality and the role of policy will be studied in depth. The research will build on solid theoretical microfoundations taking into account the choices available to firms and workers/consumers about working at home or in the market and buying domestic or foreign goods. The project has a second part about unemployment, with special emphasis on recession. The same emphasis on institutions and policies as for employment is given to this part. A key component of the project is new theory on the evolution of institutions and policies in markets with friction, and on the impact that the policy changes that took place after the recession of the 1980s have had on the responses of European labour markets to the recent recession. Special attention will be given to the formerly planned economies and the reasons for their slow convergence to the western economies."
Max ERC Funding
2 200 143 €
Duration
Start date: 2013-06-01, End date: 2018-05-31
Project acronym LIFECOURSE
Project A MULTILEVEL ANALYSIS ON THE EFFECTS OF STRESS ON BIOLOGY, EMOTIONS AND BEHAVIOUR THROUGHOUT CHILDHOOD
Researcher (PI) Inga Dora Sigfusdottir
Host Institution (HI) HASKOLINN I REYKJAVIK EHF
Call Details Consolidator Grant (CoG), SH3, ERC-2014-CoG
Summary The overall objective of the proposed research is to improve our understanding of the interplay between biological, environmental, and social factors that influence the development of harmful behaviours in adolescents. We propose to conduct the first multilevel cohort study of its kind that would combine biological, behavioural, and social data from before birth through adolescence for an entire population birth cohort of adolescents. The program is based in Iceland due to a unique infrastructure for the collection of health and social registry data as well as available access to a whole cohort of adolescents. We will extend our previous work using a multilevel developmental framework to identify both individual and collective level variables to study the independent and interactive effects of biological, environmental, and social determinants of adolescent harmful behaviours, with special emphasis on the influence of stress on substance use, self-inflicted harm, suicidal behaviour, and delinquency. Our retrospective longitudinal database will include existing registry information on maternal, child, and environmental determinants of adolescent harmful behaviours, measured prior to birth, at the time of birth, and during the infant, toddler, preschool, middle-childhood and early adolescent years, for the entire 2000 year birth cohort. We will prospectively measure biomarkers in human saliva and use an existing social survey infrastructure to add to the registry database. We have acquired all necessary ethical and organizational permissions and have carried out a preliminary study that shows registry data compliance of over 90% for all variables we intend to combine. This is a fundamental research project, examining unchartered territory. The results of this project will stimulate international research but more importantly, an understanding that will lead to better policies, planning and quality of life for young people in Europe and beyond.
Summary
The overall objective of the proposed research is to improve our understanding of the interplay between biological, environmental, and social factors that influence the development of harmful behaviours in adolescents. We propose to conduct the first multilevel cohort study of its kind that would combine biological, behavioural, and social data from before birth through adolescence for an entire population birth cohort of adolescents. The program is based in Iceland due to a unique infrastructure for the collection of health and social registry data as well as available access to a whole cohort of adolescents. We will extend our previous work using a multilevel developmental framework to identify both individual and collective level variables to study the independent and interactive effects of biological, environmental, and social determinants of adolescent harmful behaviours, with special emphasis on the influence of stress on substance use, self-inflicted harm, suicidal behaviour, and delinquency. Our retrospective longitudinal database will include existing registry information on maternal, child, and environmental determinants of adolescent harmful behaviours, measured prior to birth, at the time of birth, and during the infant, toddler, preschool, middle-childhood and early adolescent years, for the entire 2000 year birth cohort. We will prospectively measure biomarkers in human saliva and use an existing social survey infrastructure to add to the registry database. We have acquired all necessary ethical and organizational permissions and have carried out a preliminary study that shows registry data compliance of over 90% for all variables we intend to combine. This is a fundamental research project, examining unchartered territory. The results of this project will stimulate international research but more importantly, an understanding that will lead to better policies, planning and quality of life for young people in Europe and beyond.
Max ERC Funding
1 999 188 €
Duration
Start date: 2015-07-01, End date: 2020-06-30
Project acronym MONITOR
Project Forecasting and Monitoring Economic Indicators
Researcher (PI) Elena Andreou
Host Institution (HI) UNIVERSITY OF CYPRUS
Call Details Proof of Concept (PoC), PC1, ERC-2014-PoC
Summary Forecasting and monitoring key economic variables is one of the main activities of financial and government institutions, forecasting agencies, and investment companies. In the ERC-funded starting grant (ERC-2007-StG: Change-Point Tests) we developed novel models and tests for forecasting key economic indicators (such as economic activity, financial volatility and others) as well as evaluating the reliability of model predictions. In many cases our methods improve upon the current-state-of-art. The idea of this ERC Proof of Concept (PoC) grant is to use these novel models and tests to develop a software/toolbox that forecasts and monitors economic indicators. Most available forecasting software lack real-time monitoring and predictive breakdown tests which are important for reliable forecasts especially in periods of instability. Our forecasting and monitoring toolbox can improve the reliability of forecasts as follows: (1) using a novel family of models and high frequency information (2) monitoring forecasts in real-time (3) using new predictive tests of potential breakdowns. Such economic forecasts are at the heart of economic decision making made by governments, Central Banks, and firms that are potential users of our toolbox. In this ERC PoC we will initially work with a forecasting agency and a Central Bank, given contacts have already been established, in order to examine various aspects of the development of this toolbox such as: building a user-friendly software, developing a three-dimensional graphical representation of the monitoring and predictive breakdown tests, and generally making our new methods accessible to decision makers. The overall objective of this ERC PoC grant is to provide a software with innovative techniques that can improve economic forecasts and thereby economic decision making. Reliable economic forecasts can lead to prudent economic policy making and affect the growth, economic and social welfare of countries, firms and individuals.
Summary
Forecasting and monitoring key economic variables is one of the main activities of financial and government institutions, forecasting agencies, and investment companies. In the ERC-funded starting grant (ERC-2007-StG: Change-Point Tests) we developed novel models and tests for forecasting key economic indicators (such as economic activity, financial volatility and others) as well as evaluating the reliability of model predictions. In many cases our methods improve upon the current-state-of-art. The idea of this ERC Proof of Concept (PoC) grant is to use these novel models and tests to develop a software/toolbox that forecasts and monitors economic indicators. Most available forecasting software lack real-time monitoring and predictive breakdown tests which are important for reliable forecasts especially in periods of instability. Our forecasting and monitoring toolbox can improve the reliability of forecasts as follows: (1) using a novel family of models and high frequency information (2) monitoring forecasts in real-time (3) using new predictive tests of potential breakdowns. Such economic forecasts are at the heart of economic decision making made by governments, Central Banks, and firms that are potential users of our toolbox. In this ERC PoC we will initially work with a forecasting agency and a Central Bank, given contacts have already been established, in order to examine various aspects of the development of this toolbox such as: building a user-friendly software, developing a three-dimensional graphical representation of the monitoring and predictive breakdown tests, and generally making our new methods accessible to decision makers. The overall objective of this ERC PoC grant is to provide a software with innovative techniques that can improve economic forecasts and thereby economic decision making. Reliable economic forecasts can lead to prudent economic policy making and affect the growth, economic and social welfare of countries, firms and individuals.
Max ERC Funding
150 000 €
Duration
Start date: 2015-10-01, End date: 2017-03-31
Project acronym NIPD
Project A Novel Non-Invasive Prenatal Diagnosis for Genetic Disorders
Researcher (PI) Philippos Patsalis
Host Institution (HI) NIPD GENETICS PUBLIC COMPANY LIMITED
Call Details Advanced Grant (AdG), LS7, ERC-2012-ADG_20120314
Summary Non-Invasive Prenatal Diagnosis (NIPD) has been one of the most fascinating research fields during the last decade. The identification of small amounts of fetal DNA in maternal circulation has opened new possibilities for NIPD. Up until today, two methods have achieved accurate and validated NIPD methods for trisomy 21. The first NIPD for trisomy 21 was based on next generation sequencing and the second was developed by our group and is based on a MeDIP real time qPCR. However, nothing has been achieved for the NIPD of other genomic disorders caused by pathogenic copy number changes or mutations. The primary goal of this proposal is to develop, validate and provide to clinical practice a novel NIPD method, which will enable fast, sensitive, accurate, robust and cost effective NIPD of the great majority of genetic disorders caused by either pathogenic copy number changes of genomic segments or single and small size mutations. Initially, biomarkers with differential methylation between fetal and maternal DNA located within the entire human exome will be identified using methylation DNA immunoprecipitation and whole-exome massive parallel sequencing. Then a novel MeDIP exome NGS NIPD method for the great majority (~85%) of genetic disorders will be developed and validated. The method will undergo a blind evaluation study using 300 normal and abnormal maternal peripheral blood samples of pregnant women at 10-12 week of gestation. The intellectual property which may arise will be protected by filing internationally PCT patent(s) followed by dissemination of the results of the project. The new method will not only provide a greater number of highly accurate prenatal diagnoses of genetic disorders, but will do so without any risk for the fetus. Thus, the provision of such prenatal diagnoses may be provided to all pregnant women. The proposed proposal goes beyond the current state of the art and provides multiple medical, social and economic benefits.
Summary
Non-Invasive Prenatal Diagnosis (NIPD) has been one of the most fascinating research fields during the last decade. The identification of small amounts of fetal DNA in maternal circulation has opened new possibilities for NIPD. Up until today, two methods have achieved accurate and validated NIPD methods for trisomy 21. The first NIPD for trisomy 21 was based on next generation sequencing and the second was developed by our group and is based on a MeDIP real time qPCR. However, nothing has been achieved for the NIPD of other genomic disorders caused by pathogenic copy number changes or mutations. The primary goal of this proposal is to develop, validate and provide to clinical practice a novel NIPD method, which will enable fast, sensitive, accurate, robust and cost effective NIPD of the great majority of genetic disorders caused by either pathogenic copy number changes of genomic segments or single and small size mutations. Initially, biomarkers with differential methylation between fetal and maternal DNA located within the entire human exome will be identified using methylation DNA immunoprecipitation and whole-exome massive parallel sequencing. Then a novel MeDIP exome NGS NIPD method for the great majority (~85%) of genetic disorders will be developed and validated. The method will undergo a blind evaluation study using 300 normal and abnormal maternal peripheral blood samples of pregnant women at 10-12 week of gestation. The intellectual property which may arise will be protected by filing internationally PCT patent(s) followed by dissemination of the results of the project. The new method will not only provide a greater number of highly accurate prenatal diagnoses of genetic disorders, but will do so without any risk for the fetus. Thus, the provision of such prenatal diagnoses may be provided to all pregnant women. The proposed proposal goes beyond the current state of the art and provides multiple medical, social and economic benefits.
Max ERC Funding
2 500 000 €
Duration
Start date: 2013-05-01, End date: 2019-04-30
Project acronym SmartTap
Project Real-Time Monitoring System for Water Quality
Researcher (PI) Marios Polycarpou
Host Institution (HI) UNIVERSITY OF CYPRUS
Call Details Proof of Concept (PoC), PC1, ERC-2014-PoC
Summary Clean drinking water is a critical resource, important for the health and well-being of all humans. Uninterrupted supply of clean drinking water is considered a human right, thus water utilities must monitor and control the water quality following strict European and national regulations. A water contamination event can have a dramatic effect on everyday life, as well as on the local economy. Unfortunately, due to the large-scale and complex nature of water distribution systems, water quality monitoring is sporadic, while contamination events may take days before they are detected. The situation is especially severe in developing countries, where water contamination problems commonly result in hospitalizations, or even deaths, and have a major impact on the quality of life.
The idea of the proposed proof of concept is to develop the SmartTap system, an intelligent water quality monitoring system that uses spatial and temporal data processing techniques for monitoring the quality of water and detecting any contamination events. The SmartTap is a cyber-physical system comprised of low-cost wireless sensory devices (physical) and smart software (cyber) that are seamlessly integrated so that the software is able to compensate for any inaccuracies in the hardware. The system is suitable for large or small scale deployments, enabling a sensor network approach for providing effective water quality monitoring to consumers (homes, schools, hospitals, hotels, etc.) and water utilities. The goal is to provide real-time water quality monitoring information to consumers and utilities and to reliably detect any contamination events within 1-2 hours, compared to the current state of several days.
Summary
Clean drinking water is a critical resource, important for the health and well-being of all humans. Uninterrupted supply of clean drinking water is considered a human right, thus water utilities must monitor and control the water quality following strict European and national regulations. A water contamination event can have a dramatic effect on everyday life, as well as on the local economy. Unfortunately, due to the large-scale and complex nature of water distribution systems, water quality monitoring is sporadic, while contamination events may take days before they are detected. The situation is especially severe in developing countries, where water contamination problems commonly result in hospitalizations, or even deaths, and have a major impact on the quality of life.
The idea of the proposed proof of concept is to develop the SmartTap system, an intelligent water quality monitoring system that uses spatial and temporal data processing techniques for monitoring the quality of water and detecting any contamination events. The SmartTap is a cyber-physical system comprised of low-cost wireless sensory devices (physical) and smart software (cyber) that are seamlessly integrated so that the software is able to compensate for any inaccuracies in the hardware. The system is suitable for large or small scale deployments, enabling a sensor network approach for providing effective water quality monitoring to consumers (homes, schools, hospitals, hotels, etc.) and water utilities. The goal is to provide real-time water quality monitoring information to consumers and utilities and to reliably detect any contamination events within 1-2 hours, compared to the current state of several days.
Max ERC Funding
150 000 €
Duration
Start date: 2015-01-01, End date: 2016-06-30
Project acronym Sol-Pro
Project Solution Processed Next Generation Photovoltaics
Researcher (PI) Stylianos (Stelios) Choulis
Host Institution (HI) TECHNOLOGIKO PANEPISTIMIO KYPROU
Call Details Consolidator Grant (CoG), PE8, ERC-2014-CoG
Summary The profound advantages of printed photovoltaics (PVs), such as their light weight, mechanical flexibility in addition to the small energy demand, and low cost equipment requirements for roll-to-roll mass production, characterise them as a dominant candidate source for future electrical power. Over the last few years, the discovery of novel solution processed electronic materials and device structures boosted PV power conversion efficiency values. Despite that, power conversion efficiency is not a 'stand-alone' product development target for next generation PVs. Lifetime, cost, flexibility and non-toxicity have to be equally considered, regarding the technological progress of solution processed PVs. The ambit of the Sol-Pro research programme is to re-design solution processed PV components relevant to the above product development targets. Based on this, processing specifications as a function of the electronic material properties will be established and provide valuable input for flexible PV applications. Adjusting the material characteristics and device design is crucial to achieve the proposed high performance PV targets. As a consequence, a number of high-level objectives concerning processing/materials/electrodes/interfaces, relevant to product development targets of next generation solution processed PVs, are aimed for within the proposed ERC programme.
Summary
The profound advantages of printed photovoltaics (PVs), such as their light weight, mechanical flexibility in addition to the small energy demand, and low cost equipment requirements for roll-to-roll mass production, characterise them as a dominant candidate source for future electrical power. Over the last few years, the discovery of novel solution processed electronic materials and device structures boosted PV power conversion efficiency values. Despite that, power conversion efficiency is not a 'stand-alone' product development target for next generation PVs. Lifetime, cost, flexibility and non-toxicity have to be equally considered, regarding the technological progress of solution processed PVs. The ambit of the Sol-Pro research programme is to re-design solution processed PV components relevant to the above product development targets. Based on this, processing specifications as a function of the electronic material properties will be established and provide valuable input for flexible PV applications. Adjusting the material characteristics and device design is crucial to achieve the proposed high performance PV targets. As a consequence, a number of high-level objectives concerning processing/materials/electrodes/interfaces, relevant to product development targets of next generation solution processed PVs, are aimed for within the proposed ERC programme.
Max ERC Funding
1 840 940 €
Duration
Start date: 2015-07-01, End date: 2020-06-30
Project acronym VECID
Project Virtual Environments in Construction and Interior Design
Researcher (PI) Marios AVRAAMIDES
Host Institution (HI) UNIVERSITY OF CYPRUS
Call Details Proof of Concept (PoC), PC1, ERC-2012-PoC
Summary "Hardware and software advances in developing 3D content, coupled with diminishing costs of equipment, provide an excellent opportunity for companies in the fields of construction and home design/decoration to exploit the perils of 3D technology for commercial purposes. Companies in these fields can incorporate Virtual Reality technologies in their showrooms to enable their visitors to visualize and interact with products in realistic virtual models of environments illustrative of the products’ use (e.g., view various floors or wallpapers and inspect lighting solutions in the context of virtual houses, apartments, and office spaces). With the Proof of Concept grant we aim to implement 3D visualization technologies for use by companies in interior design and construction. Our plan is to develop software and test hardware set-ups resulting in systems that link a company’s product database to a gallery of realistic VEs that can be used as templates to showcase products to consumers. We aim to offer a new service that goes beyond what is currently available to companies in these fields, which would benefit both the sales of the companies and the satisfaction of their customers. Through the proposed project we plan to test different alternatives for designing easy-to-use high-end, as well as low-cost, software-hardware systems and explore their commercialization potential through both market research and usability testing."
Summary
"Hardware and software advances in developing 3D content, coupled with diminishing costs of equipment, provide an excellent opportunity for companies in the fields of construction and home design/decoration to exploit the perils of 3D technology for commercial purposes. Companies in these fields can incorporate Virtual Reality technologies in their showrooms to enable their visitors to visualize and interact with products in realistic virtual models of environments illustrative of the products’ use (e.g., view various floors or wallpapers and inspect lighting solutions in the context of virtual houses, apartments, and office spaces). With the Proof of Concept grant we aim to implement 3D visualization technologies for use by companies in interior design and construction. Our plan is to develop software and test hardware set-ups resulting in systems that link a company’s product database to a gallery of realistic VEs that can be used as templates to showcase products to consumers. We aim to offer a new service that goes beyond what is currently available to companies in these fields, which would benefit both the sales of the companies and the satisfaction of their customers. Through the proposed project we plan to test different alternatives for designing easy-to-use high-end, as well as low-cost, software-hardware systems and explore their commercialization potential through both market research and usability testing."
Max ERC Funding
112 584 €
Duration
Start date: 2013-07-01, End date: 2014-06-30
Project acronym VEST
Project Virtual Environments for Social Training
Researcher (PI) Marios Avraamides
Host Institution (HI) UNIVERSITY OF CYPRUS
Call Details Proof of Concept (PoC), PC1, ERC-2014-PoC
Summary Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a clinical diagnostic label used to characterize a wide array of individuals exhibiting some common degree of core difficulty in the domain of social communication. This difficulty is reflected in contextually inappropriate social behavior, limited understanding of social norms, expectations, and others’ mental states, eye gaze abnormalities, etc. Such impairments often lead to social exclusion and failure to develop age-appropriate peer relationships. Although current behavioral interventions for autism show some effectiveness, their generalizability is limited insofar as they are often set in structured settings that are decontextualized from situations of everyday life. Also, most of the interventions that have been effective tend to train skills that do not pertain to core areas of social communication where individuals with autism encounter difficulties (e.g. they target improvements in language, IQ etc.). To overcome the shortcomings of traditional interventions we have begun exploring how to train social skills through interactive role-playing scenarios experienced through immersive Virtual Reality (VR). With VR autistic individuals can practice, in realistic but safe environments, useful and typical tasks from everyday life. We have designed a prototype software package with a number of tasks embedded in virtual environments aiming at (1) capitalizing on known cognitive strengths of autistic individuals (e.g., good skills in visual search) and generalizing them to social settings, and (2) improving the transfer of skills across tasks that are conceptually similar despite surface differences. This software runs on a variety of platforms including low-cost Head-Mounted-Displays and 3D TVs. Based on what we know about autism and current interventions, with this PoC grant we aim to explore the potential of commercializing affordable software/hardware VR systems for social skills training in clinical settings and at home.
Summary
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a clinical diagnostic label used to characterize a wide array of individuals exhibiting some common degree of core difficulty in the domain of social communication. This difficulty is reflected in contextually inappropriate social behavior, limited understanding of social norms, expectations, and others’ mental states, eye gaze abnormalities, etc. Such impairments often lead to social exclusion and failure to develop age-appropriate peer relationships. Although current behavioral interventions for autism show some effectiveness, their generalizability is limited insofar as they are often set in structured settings that are decontextualized from situations of everyday life. Also, most of the interventions that have been effective tend to train skills that do not pertain to core areas of social communication where individuals with autism encounter difficulties (e.g. they target improvements in language, IQ etc.). To overcome the shortcomings of traditional interventions we have begun exploring how to train social skills through interactive role-playing scenarios experienced through immersive Virtual Reality (VR). With VR autistic individuals can practice, in realistic but safe environments, useful and typical tasks from everyday life. We have designed a prototype software package with a number of tasks embedded in virtual environments aiming at (1) capitalizing on known cognitive strengths of autistic individuals (e.g., good skills in visual search) and generalizing them to social settings, and (2) improving the transfer of skills across tasks that are conceptually similar despite surface differences. This software runs on a variety of platforms including low-cost Head-Mounted-Displays and 3D TVs. Based on what we know about autism and current interventions, with this PoC grant we aim to explore the potential of commercializing affordable software/hardware VR systems for social skills training in clinical settings and at home.
Max ERC Funding
147 688 €
Duration
Start date: 2015-04-01, End date: 2016-09-30
