MERLIT is the first systematic, diachronic and comparative investigation of meritocratic narratives in literature. Meritocratic thinking manifests itself in powerful narratives across the globe, from the constitutionally embedded “pursuit of happiness” to neoliberal narratives of self-enhancement. MERLIT investigates forms of these narratives, which are embraced for their seemingly empowering and universalist appeal, but also criticised for their enmeshment with structures of domination and privilege. MERLIT explores how meritocratic narratives are written, how they are written into cultures, but also how they are written back to in text forms that have shaped the zeitgeist of particular moments respectively. Although research into meritocratic thinking is a vibrant interdisciplinary field, it is characterised (1) by a lack of investigations into the formal principles underpinning – or challenging – meritocratic articulations, (2) by a narrow focus on (white) Western contexts and (3) by a concentration on recent developments. To counter these gaps, (1) MERLIT explores in six work packages how practices of writing have played, and continue to play, crucial roles in shaping meritocratic articulations but also critiques thereof; (2) MERLIT expands the contextual focus of existing scholarship by engaging with radical writing practices from the Global South and a range of transculturally entangled anglophone contexts; eventually, (3) MERLIT challenges perceptions of meritocratic thinking and its critiques as recent phenomena by engaging with changing forms of articulating value, merit and success from the 17th century to the present. Situated at the intersections of literary history, new formalist theory and cultural translation, MERLIT not only offers a literary history of meritocratic thought, but significantly advances our understanding of the workings of a set of hegemonic forms in and through writing, and of the formative, worldmaking role of literature.

The field of robotics is rapidly changing. Not only is the industry growing at an ever increasing speed, a clear shift can also be seen in the way they are used. We no longer hide away the robots in cages. Instead, we use them to actively work together with humans. To allow this new physical human-robot interaction, a new type of actuators (‘muscles’) are needed that can provide both the necessary safety and an adequate performance. Particularly in the field of wearable robotics the need for a new generation of actuators combining safety, low weight, high energy efficiency and performance is high. Under the BioMot project, a new compliant actuator was developed with promising features to address these new needs. The VUB-R&MM research group has the ambition to bring this technology to the market via a spin-off company. The objective of this Launchpad proposal is twofold: on the one hand aid the production of a demonstrator kit which can be sold to research groups and on the other hand start give us a clearer view of the actuator market,the viability and funding options of a spin-off. Starting from the patented BioMot results a demonstrator kit will be created to gather inputs from partners and learn about their needs whilst at the same time having a first product. Following the project, the spin-off will be responsible for finalizing the product and expand to a wider range of actuator solutions. The Launchpad project will encourage and stimulate the entrepreneurial mind of the researchers at the research group, bring them in contact with partners and will help the European Robotics ecosystem. For such an ecosystem to develop companies addressing the entire value chain are needed but are still lacking. The spin-off will address a critical and complex step in this value chain. Given this importance, the research group VUB-R&MM wants to commit to this promising technology of compliant actuation.

Pannexin1 (Panx1) channels mediate the exchange of biochemical messengers between the cytosol of a cell and its extracellular environment. This type of cellular communication underlies cell death and inflammation, both which are associated with a plethora of diseases. Closing pannexin channels therefore seems an interesting therapeutic strategy. In this respect, the ERC Starting Grant project CONNECT has demonstrated that peptide-based inhibition of Panx1 channels counteracts the manifestation of acute and chronic liver disease. However, these peptides cope with stability issues thus impeding clinical application. No other types of appropriate Panx1 channel inhibitors are available today despite their promising therapeutic potential. The present CONNECT-2-CLINIC project will meet this urgent need by generating specific and in vivo-applicable Panx1 channel inhibitors. For this purpose, nanobodies targeted towards Panx1 will be produced using unprecedented protocols that combine DNA immunization with new nanodisc technology. Panx1 nanobodies will be tested in vitro for their capacity to inhibit Panx1 channels and to reduce cell death and inflammation. They will be subsequently tested in a human-relevant mouse model of cholestatic liver disease. This technology track will be aligned by a 3-phase business track in order to analyze and create market value. By doing so, the CONNECT-2-CLINIC project will provide solid proof-of-concept for further pharmaceutical development and clinical application.