Brain function relies upon a complex, coordinated function of neurons, glial cells and blood vessels, which in neurological disorders such as epilepsy, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s disease is disrupted. The EPIGRAPH project proposes the design and development of graphene biomolecular sensors, with graphene organic electronic ion pump (OEIP) neurotransmitter delivery, and electrophysiological electrodes integrated in an “all-in-one or single device/platform” for the prediction and control of epileptic seizures (towards a general intervention tool for most brain disorders). Specifically the main objectives are to: i) develop a graphene based biomolecular sensor for glucose and/or lactate detection using state-of-the-art laser processing techniques; ii) intervene pharmacologically to control brain activity via graphene-based OEIP electrophoretic drug delivery devices; iii) integrate the biomolecular sensor, the ion pump and the electrophysiological sensor into a single device that will enable combined electrophysiological and molecular measurements under in vitro/ex vivo (brain slice models) and in vivo environments (in situ animal model). The innovative function of this integrated single device is to provide treatment where and when it is needed. The “where” is provided by the local delivery made by the pump, and the “when” is provided by the molecular sensor if a predictive biomarker is found. EPIGRAPH will explore the potential of the device to provide local control of brain activity in vivo. A closed loop system will be developed that predicts and stops seizures in an animal model. Graphene provides an optimal foundation for this lab-on-a-chip as it provides flexibility, high-performance, bio-compatibility, etc. The addition of organic electronics provides a unique opportunity to add ion (and charged biomolecule) signalling to the bio-tech interface. In this project, we will address the current limitations in technology for interfacing with neural signalling using “organic neuroelectronics” – bioelectronic tools developed specifically for precise neurochemical interfacing – and provide more profound understanding of neural dynamics and better therapies for neurological disorders. The main challenge of such technology is to be able to generalize this device to a variety of brain disorders, to measure and intervene on brain function where and when it is necessary. EPIGRAPH, a high-throughput medical device, will have a broad impact on different disciplines such as Neuroscience, Pharmaceutics, Bioelectronics, and Biomedical devices and also on the rapidly developing fields of biosensors, bioelectronics and GRMs. EPIGRAPH directly addresses the Flagship topic of Graphene-Applied Research and Innovation and in particular the specific area of 9. GRM based bioelectronics technologies. It is foreseen to fit with the scope of Work Packages 5 (on Biomedical Technologies) and WP6 (on Biosensors) of the Graphene Flagship Core Project.

Functional devices for quantum information processing and communication must make use of appropriate matter-light interfaces. Their key role in bringing quantum devices towards practical applications is essential. Hence, building the conceptual and technological base for such interfaces will pave the way for the scalable quantum computation and quantum Internet. The overall objective of this proposal is to meet the critical challenge of studying, implementing and optimizing groundbreaking, dynamically-controlled interfaces between matter and light. Photons can efficiently and durably transmit quantum information over large distances; cold, trapped ions can be manipulated to enable high-fidelity quantum information processing, while atomic ensembles are particularly suited for long-lived quantum memories, as well as nonlinear generation of non-classical correlations between optical beams. The aim of PACE-IN project is the development of reliable quantum interfaces between atomic systems and photons. We shall develop and demonstrate massive parallel processing, storage and transmission of quantum information by hitherto unexploited collective, multimode quantum states or atomic ensembles and ionic crystals, and design methods to characterize the entanglement and non-classicality of quantum states transferred from atoms and ions to photons. Efficient interfacing mechanisms between “stationary” atomic qubits or ensembles and “flying” (photonic) quantum variables, whether discrete or continuous, must be robust and dynamically controllable to allow the best possible exploitation of their respective functionalities while maintaining the highest possible overall fidelity/coherence and speed. The scientific and technological challenge that will be addressed in this project is the conceptually and experimentally optimized quantum information processing and manipulation at interfaces for the successful implementation of scalable quantum technologies in combination with long distance quantum communication.

Understanding the human brain and its dysfunctions constitutes a core objective of the Human Brain Project (HBP). One of the greatest challenges is to understand how differences in the anatomy and organization of local circuits and large scale networks across brain areas give rise to neuronal activity profiles that mediate successful behavior. Studies of the visual pathways in non-human primates (NHPs) have provided the most comprehensive models of network organization involving multiple cortical areas and integrating local and long-range connectivity constraints. Although these models greatly improve our understanding of the cortical circuitry for visual information processing, they cannot readily generalize to other functional networks with distinct structural and functional properties. Notably, it is unknown whether the experimentally observed and modeled patterns of interactions can be generalized to include the fronto-parietal network, which is considered the core coordinator of activity of other networks in a task- and state-dependent manner in primates. In the proposed project we will combine experimental and modeling work to explore how local and large-scale dynamics are shaped within and across distinct fronto-parietal and visual areas. To this end, we will employ large-scale, layer-resolved, simultaneous recordings across frontal, parietal and visual areas of NHPs during different states of arousal and predictability. Our goal is to examine the effect of different states at multiple levels of neuronal activity ranging from spiking activity of neurons in different cortical layers to inter-areal interactions. Specifically, we will (i) ask how layer- and frequency-specific network dynamics underlie communication between prefrontal, parietal and motor areas; (ii) compare with described neuronal interactions across visual areas, and (iii) ask whether different brain states ranging from anesthesia and resting state, to selective attention and different levels of anticipation/predictability affect the dynamics of local and long-range circuits. Importantly, the experimental data will be directly employed to refine and extend a recently developed multi-scale spiking network model of macaque visual areas to include motor and premotor areas, using layered microcircuits of simplified neuron models with the full density of neurons and synapses for all areas. This will result in a model including visual, motor and prefrontal areas in one hemisphere of macaque cortex, constrained with multi-scale electrophysiological activity data from multiple areas across several brain states. This combined experimental and modeling effort will clarify the organization of neural circuits that involve the fronto-parietal network and its contribution to different states of consciousness in order to facilitate a better understanding of how distinct functional architectures shape cognition.

Malta’s National Curriculum Framework (2012) was designed to reflect the aims and goals of the EU2020 strategy. For this to be successful, the need is felt for the creation of a revised version of the Continuous Professional Development (CPD) programme for educators in Malta, that is consistent with the framework’s underlying EU 2020’s principles of equity, diversity, inclusivity and social justice in education. The Mediterranean basin experiences comparatively higher rates of migration thus necessitating the introduction and consolidation of these necessary skills set to deal with the exponential growth of multiculturalism within the continent. In collaboration with Forth (Greece) and the Universita’ Degli Studi di Verona (Italy), this three-year project will therefore create a CPD Programme for educators in today’s day and age built on shared European experiences and collaboration, and to share the lessons and knowledge gained with the European partners as well as other educational systems wishing to conduct similar experiments. These partners will provide workshops to over 500 educators in Malta over a period of two years. Furthermore three teaching and training events took place. The scope of these activities was to give up to 45 educators from Greece and Malta the opportunity to experience other educational systems and share best practices in education. Since the ultimate aim of the project is to bring about change through CPD initiatives, it indeed is a form of action research. Once this has been carried out, data will be collected to assess what impact this CPD initiative has had on the educators themselves as well as on the performance of a cohort of young students. This entails comparing results of students before and after the CPD intervention, as well as feedback from the educators who participated in the workshops. Ultimately, students will benefit from high-quality education and training that will allow them to adapt to globalised complex environments in which creativity, innovation, initiative, entrepreneurship and commitment to continuous learning are as important as knowledge. The impact of this CPD initiative will also positively affect student retention and reduce early school leaving while promoting lifelong learning amongst students and educators.

During the past 50 years, arboviral (arthropode-borne viral) diseases, including dengue, Zika, chikungunya and yellow fever, have (re-)emerged. The arboviruses are transmitted primarily by the tropical yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti, and to a lesser extent by Ae. albopictus, the Asian tiger mosquito, capable of colonizing both tropical and temperate regions. Dengue virus is on the rise, causing about 390 million human infections per year, chikungunya virus spread worldwide in the early 2000s, Zika virus spread worldwide in the past 3 years, and yellow fever has resurged in Africa and the Americas. The expansion of these diseases can be explained in part by an intensification of the conditions favoring the dispersal and proliferation of Aedes as a result of global trade and unplanned urbanization, a lack of community engagement and political will, and inefficient implementation of vector control programs. Although a vaccine is available for yellow fever, it is not accessible to many living in disease-endemic areas and the recenty developed dengue vaccine, Dengvaxia® shows limited efficacy and safety concerns. In this context, preventing Aedes-Borne Diseases (ABDs) at a global scale continues to depend largely on controlling mosquito vector populations or interrupting human–vector contact. Unfortunately, control of mosquitoes using larval source management and public health insecticides is fraught with complications, including slow operational response, low community buy-in, ineffective timing of application and occurrence of insecticide resistance. A recent systematic review highlights that 57 countries (including Italy, Greece and Spain) reported resistance (or suspected resistance) to at least one chemical class of insecticides in Ae. aegypti or Ae. albopictus. Insecticide resistance is recognized as a major threat for the control of ABDs and has likely contributed to their re-emergence and spread worldwide. Unlike malaria vectors, the evidence-base to support Insecticide Resistance Management (IRM) in arbovirus vectors is weak which make prioritization for vector control difficult. In addition, important knowledge gaps remain for Aedes resistance including its distribution, evolution, mechanisms, fitness costs and its impact on vector control efficacy. Finally, most countries lack of capacity in monitoring insecticides resistance that is essential for guiding pesticide management systems on appropriate use and reduction of risks to human health and environment. A global, coordinated, multi-disciplinary and cross-sectoral approach is needed to track insecticide resistance in vectors of emerging arboviruses and to guide the deployment of resistance breaking strategies. Such coordinated effort fits well with the MSCA-RISE-2020 call that promotes collaborative research and innovation activities between public and private organizations throughout the world. The WIN-RISE will improve the surveillance of insecticide resistance worldwide, fill knowledge gaps and guide decision making for improved IRM strategies and vector control in countries at risk of arbovirus transmission. It will develop comprehensive guidance on how and when to implement IRM to preserve the “susceptibility” of new/existing insecticides. The inclusion of all actors involved in vector control, pesticide development and regulation is key for success. The consortium will offer an attractive platform for stimulating the development of innovative vector control tools by fostering public-private partnerships. These actions will contribute to strengthen the vector research and training capacities of institutions located in low and middle-income countries, and to raise public awareness on vector resistance and control. The ultimate goal of the WIN-RISE is to sustain global efforts to reduce the burden of Neglected Tropical Diseases by 2030 (SDG3.3).