UNIVERSITE LYON 1 CLAUDE BERNARD

Their core work

Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1 is a major French research university with deep strengths in neuroscience, brain simulation, biomedical imaging, and life sciences. Their H2020 portfolio reveals a university that bridges fundamental research — from quantum gravity mathematics to molecular neurobiology — with applied biomedical tools like spectral photon counting CT and point-of-care diagnostics. They are a significant contributor to Europe's flagship brain and graphene research initiatives, and maintain active programs in environmental remediation, advanced materials, and nuclear magnetic resonance technologies.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In the early H2020 period (2014–2017), Lyon 1 focused on biomedical diagnostics (breast cancer biomarkers, point-of-care devices), thermal energy storage, gene regulation, and foundational materials science. From 2018 onward, a clear pivot emerged toward computational neuroscience — brain simulation, neuroinformatics, neuromorphic computing, and machine learning — driven by deepening involvement in the Human Brain Project. Simultaneously, a new environmental remediation thread appeared, with multiple projects on bioremediation, phytoremediation, and electrokinetic treatment of contaminated sites.

Lyon 1 is converging on computational neuroscience and AI-driven biomedical research, making them a strong partner for projects at the intersection of brain science, machine learning, and health technologies.

How they like to work

Lyon 1 balances leadership and partnership almost equally — they coordinated 36 projects and participated in 32, showing comfort in both roles. Their 24 third-party involvements (notably in flagships like EUROfusion and Graphene) indicate they often contribute specialist expertise to large-scale European initiatives. With 1,062 unique consortium partners across 57 countries, they operate as a well-connected hub rather than a closed network, making them an accessible and experienced consortium partner.

An exceptionally broad network spanning 1,062 unique partners across 57 countries, reflecting deep integration into European research through both flagship initiatives and individual Marie Curie and ERC grants. Geographic reach extends well beyond the EU into global collaborations.

What sets them apart

Lyon 1 combines rare depth in both computational neuroscience and advanced biomedical imaging within a single institution — few European universities can offer simultaneous expertise in brain simulation (HBP), molecular imaging (spectral CT, hyperpolarized MRI), and synaptic biology (ERC-level). Their dual capacity as both flagship contributor and independent ERC-level coordinator means they can anchor a consortium or strengthen one with targeted expertise. The emerging bioremediation capability adds an unusual environmental dimension that makes them a versatile partner for cross-disciplinary calls.

Highlights from their portfolio

• C.NAPSE
  Largest single grant (€2.5M ERC Starting Grant) for comprehensive analysis of extracellular scaffolding at the synapse — a fundamental neuroscience question with implications for neurological disease.
• SPCCT
  Coordinated a €2.1M project developing spectral photon counting CT for in vivo molecular imaging of cardiovascular and neurovascular diseases — a next-generation medical imaging technology.
• HP4all
  Coordinated €2M project on persistent and transportable hyperpolarization for MRI/NMR, bridging physics innovation with clinical imaging applications.