Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-actions-marie-curie-participations-et-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Projet FD Net (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2019)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Floral transition denotes the initiation of plant reproduction. Several genetic pathways regulate this important transition and many of them converge on the regulation of FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT), the systemic flowering signal that moves from leaves to the shoot apex. FT reprograms transcription at the shoot apex by contributing to Florigen Activation Complex (FAC). A central component of this complex is the bZIP transcription factor FLOWERING LOCUS D (FD), which is responsible for DNA binding and gene specific regulation by the complex. I will employ single-cell RNA sequencing to capture the transient cell state where the FAC complex and two different target genes, APETALA1 and SOC1, are coexpressed. Defining the transcriptomic network of FD at the single-cell level will provide a deeper understanding of this dynamic process. Phosphorylation of a threonine residue in the SAP motif at the C terminus of FD is a key step in formation of the complex. Phosphomimetic or non-phosphorylatable FD SAP motif versions have opposite effects on FD function, being able or not, respectively, to complement the late flowering phenotype of fd-3. I will investigate whether SAP motif phosphorylation affects FD protein stability or impairs its protein-protein interactions using confocal microscopy and protein mass spectrometry. In addition, other bZIPs closely related to FD are phosphorylated at other sites, but no analysis of FD phosphorylation sites other than the SAP motif has been presented. I will map post-translational modifications of FD, which may reveal new regulatory steps in controlling FD activity. I will explore the ability of FD to form protein complexes with other transcription factors by employing yeast-two hybrid, protein pull-downs and interaction studies using immunoprecipitation-mass spectrometry and biotin-based proximity labeling. The identification of new FD protein interactors will start reverse genetic and biochemical approaches to better understand FD function.

Mots clés : flowering, post translational modifications, protein protein interaction, single cell transcriptomics

Participants :
- Max Planck Society (Allemagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 174806.4 €
Projet METASINK (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2019)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Information Science and Engineering
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Flow-induced vibration can occur in many engineering systems and structures such as bridges, transmission lines, aircraft control surfaces, offshore structures, marine cables, and other hydrodynamic applications. A novel approach to attenuate such vibrations could be the application of mechanical metamaterials, which are artificial engineering materials having unique elastic wave propagation properties based on the existence of stop and pass bands originating from the material or geometric periodicity. Nonlinear energy sinks are having a wider frequency band of vibration attenuation than linear vibration absorbers due to strong nonlinear stiffness. This project aims at taking the functionality of metamaterials to the next level by performing the design, modeling and experimental aspects of advanced materials research by combining the features of a hysteretic nonlinear energy sink, energy harvesting, dissipation effects and tuning of metamaterial properties based on magnetorheological composite in the metamaterial subunit design. This, in turn, will give rise to a novel class of semi-active magnetorheologically tuned metamaterials (MTMs) for flow-induced wing flutter and pipeline vibration control using linear and nonlinear approaches for bandgap forming, vibration attenuation, and energy harvesting. The computational framework based on numerical and semi-numerical methods together with pseudo-arc continuation techniques will be developed to discover dispersion characteristics of linear models, and frequency-responses and bifurcation points of nonlinear models. Novel 3D printing techniques will be developed for the fabrication of MTMs with magnetorheological composite. Experiments will serve to validate mathematical models and identify parameters of the nonlinear MTM models for the purpose of numerical simulations. Optimization procedures will be carried out to maximize the efficiency of developed metamaterials for flutter and pipeline vibration control.

Mots clés : flow induced vibration, mechanical metamaterials, broadband vibration absorbers, nonlinear energy sink, magnetorheological composite, bandgap, magnetic field, energy harvesting

Participants :
- Swansea University (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 224933.76 €
Projet PFIMDULA (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2016)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Flowering plants are the most successful plant group on Earth and provide the basis for most human and animal food. The development of flowers is dependent on a gene regulatory network orchestrated by LEAFY (LFY), the master transcription factor. In Arabidopsis as in other flowering plants, LFY activity is dependent upon its interaction with UFO, a member of the Skp1–Cullin–F-box E3 ubiquitin ligase complex. The goal of this project is to understand why LFY requires interacting with UFO to build flowers. For this, we will apply state-of-the-art technologies including mass-spectrometry, crystallography, biochemistry and plant developmental genetics to identify and characterize the function of Post-Translational Modifications (PTM) on LFY or LFY interacting proteins, with special emphasis on ubiquitination. After identifying key residues involved in the LFY-UFO interaction or targeted by PTM, their functional importance will be assayed in planta. This project should facilitate better understanding of the mechanism of LFY activation. LEAFY and the development of flower will be used here as a model to understand the “activation by degradation” mechanism, still elusive in most organisms and poorly studied in plants. Moreover, understanding the principles governing LFY activation should provide means to modify at will the architecture of plant inflorescences. This project builds on the current background of the applicant in the field of Mass-Spectrometry combined with the outstanding expertise at Grenoble and high-throughput facilities in Structural biology and plant developmental genetics. Notably, the applicant will work within one of the top French Research Centers and in a multidisciplinary environment that will allow the fellow to acquire complementary ‘new knowledge and skills’ in structural biology and developmental genetics. This will re-enforce the fellow’s background and professional maturity for employment opportunities in both academia and industry sectors.

Mots clés : floral development, transcriptional factor, leaf, unusual floral organ, ubiquitination, post translational modifications, protein protein interaction, mass spectrometry, crystallization

Participants :
- Commissariat à l’énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (France) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 185076.0 €
Projet FEAT (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2014)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Environment and Geosciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Fluid overpressure has been proposed as one of the primary mechanisms that facilitate earthquake slip along tectonic faults. However, elastic dislocation theory combined with friction laws suggests that fluid overpressure may inhibit the dynamic instabilities that result in earthquakes. This controversy poses a serious problem in our understanding of earthquake physics, with severe implications for both natural and human-induced seismic hazard. Nevertheless, currently, there are only a few systematic studies of the role of fluid pressure under controlled, laboratory conditions for which the evolution of friction parameters and slip stability can be deduced. Here I propose a comprehensive experimental study of The role of Fluid pressure in EArthquake Triggering (FEAT). The proposed work will document the evolution of fault friction parameters as a function of fluid overpressure using a world-class rock deformation apparatus. The laboratory experiments will build on the characterization of fault zone structure, fluid flow, and deformation processes, which I intend to reconstruct from careful field evaluations of ancient faults that represent exhumed analogues of seismically active structures. An important part of my work will be the interaction with the energy industry to investigate the role of fluids in induced seismicity. The experimental work will strengthen my expertise in frictional and fluid flow characterisation of fault rocks. Additionally, I will develop new skills in electronic and mechanical engineering aspects of experiments. Field and microstructural work will widen my background in the field of structural geology, microstructural analysis and model construction using energy-industry software. These training-through-research activities will allow for the creation of unprecedented insight into the role of fluid pressure in earthquake triggering while broadening my competences via interdisciplinary studies and inter-sectorial experience.

Mots clés : fluid pressure, friction, rock deformation experiments, faults, microstructures, earthquake physics, induced seismicity

Participants :
- Sapienza University of Rome (Italie) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 180277.2 €
Projet FluoTRAM (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2020)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Physics
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Fluorescence microscopy is an indispensable tool in many areas of research. In life sciences it has been perfected for biological sample imaging either by its autofluorescence or using fluorescent markers such as dyes or fluorescent proteins. It is thus possible to localize molecules in cells, obtaining wealth of information on their dynamics and environment. Despite its power, the fluorescence detection is, by its nature, limited to the information on the final, emissive state of the molecules after photoexcitation. Meanwhile, transient absorption spectroscopy enables to track the initial state of the molecules after absorption and the following excitation dynamics. However, such ultrafast nonlinear techniques typically require volume samples and coherent detection. We have recently developed a new way to measure transient absorption by detecting the sample fluorescence. In project FluoTRAM we will implement our technique in the fluorescence microscope, where it truly reveals its potential. Using the established imaging techniques and markers, FluoTRAM brings the additional information on the excitation event and the dynamics towards the emissive state. We will implement FluoTRAM in two parallel stages, the time resolution and the spectrally varying excitation. The time resolution will be achieved using chopped laser pulses, varying their delay by a delay stage and recording a difference fluorescence in a pump-probe fashion. The excitation spectrum scanning will be realized interferometrically, creating a phase-stable replica of the excitation pulse and scanning the delay between the two. The comprehensive additional information on the excitation dynamics from absorption to emission will be of great use in life sciences and beyond. Examples include correlation of the excitation and emission spectra (increased Stokes shift vs red shift) for dye probes, intramolecular charge transfer in fluorescent proteins, or charge transfer and recombination in organic materials.

Mots clés : ultrafast spectroscopy, fluorescence microscopy, biophysical imaging

Participants :
- Charles University (Rép. Tchèque) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 144980.64 €
Projet FA x Force (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2017)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Focal adhesions (FAs) are receptor complexes that couple the extracellular matrix (ECM) to the actin cytoskeleton, allowing inside-out and outside-in signaling between cells and their environment. FA formation is triggered by activation of integrin receptors, which interact with cytoplasmic ligands to connect with the actin cytoskeleton and regulate numerous signaling pathways. FA maturation requires force transduction between the actin cytoskeleton and ECM, which results in protein recruitment, likely through conformational changes and force-dependent protein deformation. The molecular mechanisms regulating this process are largely unknown, though many of the key components have been identified and are well characterized in vivo. I will carry out a hierarchal reconstruction of the core FA components, namely talin, vinculin, and integrin, both alone and in the presence of actin filaments or a force-generating actomyosin network. This will allow direct observation of (1) how core components of FAs assemble and regulate each other, (2) how actin impacts the formation and structure of this core complex, and (3) the effect of force on the assembly, overall complex structure, and conformational states of individual proteins. Interactions between key proteins will be analyzed both biochemically and structurally using cryo-EM in a step-wise manner to obtain a comprehensive image of FA assembly. Recent technical advances have made cryo-EM an ideal tool for solving high-resolution reconstructions of macromolecular complexes like FAs. Structural approaches will be augmented by light microscopy experiments, to provide a dynamic view of complex assembly and regulation. By using multidisciplinary, innovative approaches, this project will address both functional and structural questions about FA assembly, yielding insight into key interactions and therapeutic targets that will directly benefit biomedical research in this field.

Mots clés : cryo electron microscopy, focal adhesion, dna origami, actomyosin, force, mechanosensation

Participants :
- Max Planck Society (Allemagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 159460.8 €
Projet Subpopulations (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2014)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Following skeletal muscle injury, resident fibroblasts proliferate and release cytokines that enhance muscle regeneration. Fibroblasts also secrete chemokines to recruit cellular migration, and extracellular proteins that stabilize the site of injury. However, in chronic diseases, such as Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), continual muscle damage shifts fibroblasts towards an uncontrolled fibrotic and inflammatory phenotype. Excessive fibrosis and inflammation are prominent pathological features of DMD and inhibit muscle function and repair by replacing the tissue with fibrotic scars, adipose tissue, and necrosis. The fundamental question my proposal will address is why fibroblasts shift from regenerative-favouring cells in healthy muscle, but lead to fibrotic accumulation in dystrophic muscle. My proposal will use a novel approach to investigate specific fibroblast populations. Whether all fibroblasts are capable of promoting both fibrosis and muscle regeneration, or if there are fibroblast subpopulations that produce factors leading to one or the other outcome, is not currently known. The heterogeneity of fibroblast populations within skeletal muscle remains to be determined. By using lineage tracing and flow cytometry to map cell fate during the progression of muscle degeneration in a mouse model of DMD, my project will identify aberrant changes in fibroblast populations and elucidate how these cells interact with inflammatory cells and satellite cells. Finally, I will extract dystrophic fibroblasts and transplant them into non-dystrophic mouse muscle to determine whether fibroblasts populations can reprogram, or shift, towards a regenerative-favouring cell fate which could lead to a new tailored field of personalized medicines. These provocative studies will be integrated with ongoing research in Dr Morgan’s laboratory aimed at developing new therapeutics regimens for DMD.

Mots clés : muscular dystrophy, fibrosis, transplantation

Participants :
- University of London (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 183454.8 €
Projet SCIENCE4FUTURE (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2018)
Action : European Researchers' Night
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Following the resounding success of the first NIGHTs in 2016/17, SCIENCE4FUTURE will once again in 2018 and 2019 bring together all of Kiel Region’s 14 research organisations comprising all academic disciplines to showcase their scientists and work to the public. With 5 participating cities (Kiel, Rendsburg, Eckernförde, Plön and Preetz) and over 30 supporting institutions from the public, private and non-governmental sector, it will be the largest public event dedicated to science in Northern Germany. A multifaceted awareness campaign with live broadcasts during the NIGHTs will reach 80% of the households. More than 100 activities per NIGHT will give the public a chance to personally talk, work and play with scientists thus breaking down stereotypes. SCIENCE4FUTURE will focus on the general themes of identity (to celebrate Europe’s Cultural Heritage), mobility, diversity and Europe, which are ideally suited to showcase the whole spectrum of social, environmental and economic benefits that our researchers achieve every day. Free shuttles will allow visitors (minimum 12,000 expected visitors per NIGHT) to see the broad range of local, national and European research projects in our region. With a careful choice of venues (eg malls, cinemas, night clubs), the involvement of schools, a targeted publicity campaign and a fun-filled programme, the two NIGHTs will attract particularly children and young People, including those usually less interested in academia. Researchers will demonstrate simple “take-home” experiments to teachers, nursery staff and parents to ensure that the interest for research sparked during the event is kept alive beyond the NIGHT. Moreover academic support services (international, student admissions and diversity offices) will offer advice on career options. With the strong support of all stakeholders and the active involvement of over 200 researchers in the design and delivery of the programme SCIENCE4FUTURE will become a regional flagship event.

Mots clés : outreach, education, research, identity, inclusion, diversity, career, europe, mobility, teachers, ethics, non formal education, innovation, non governmental sector, public sector, science

Participants :
- Kiel region gmbh (Allemagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Organismes privés (hors enseignement), subvention : 166750.0 €
Projet FOODEV (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2015)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Economic Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Food and gastronomy are increasingly recognized as elements of regional innovation strategies, contributing to regional and economic development both in rural and urban environments. On the other hand, in order to link research in food and gastronomy to that of sustainable development, it is necessary to draw from multiple disciplines, as food has a multifunctional character and the food system is heavily implicated in many public policy arenas. This proposal aims at implementing an inter-disciplinary research agenda able to determine under which conditions a certain place or region has been able to build on local features and to identify a successful sustainable development strategy based on food and gastronomy in the long-term. The project will consider the wider European policy debates on food and gastronomy as leverage for sustainable development, that will be coupled with systematic analysis of academic contributions on the topic across social and economic areas; explore factors contributing to sustainable development by the means of food and gastronomy in different projects/strategies, and according to different perspectives, will ensure to gain a systematic understanding of multiple issues and problems to be dealt with within each sector and how they interrelate, as emerging from each stakeholder category. This will build a more complex and network-like vision of knowledge, learning and innovation, which represent the concepts underpinning the emerging approach to knowledge transfer. The research action will develop reliable interdisciplinary evidence that can be used by policymakers to base their decisions on, contributing to closing the research and innovation gap through translational research approach, characterised by multi-disciplinary approaches allowing interaction between different spheres. This will contribute to the work programme by maximising experienced researcher’s contribution to knowledge-based economy and society.

Mots clés : food, gastronomy, sustainable development, regional development, economic development, policymaking, tourism

Participants :
- University of Gothenburg (Suède) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 173857.2 €
Projet FooDization (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2020)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Economic Sciences
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Food is essential for life but its production causes the overexploitation of natural resources. Customers’ awareness of sustainable food production is only poorly growing. Still, the ecosystem is sending explicit signs requiring an urgent shift towards cleaner food production which also must capture the consumer’s preference because sustainable economic growth is not achievable without significant changes in firms and customers’ behaviour. Digital transformation is pivotal to cleaner production. The most helpful for firms is to exploit the digital data generated by digital technologies about the use of natural resources during food production to reduce environmental impact. Yet, we still lack a clear understanding of how food production firms are exploiting digital data to foster cleaner production innovations and shape the value proposition. FooDization aims to explore how food firms employ digital data to innovate their production process and how cleaner production innovation influence value proposition. An expected contribution is a theoretical framework which (1) will explain how digital data are employed by food firms to make cleaner production innovations; (2) will show how cleaner production innovation affects value proposition; (3) will display the indirect relationship(s) between digital transformation and value proposition. In doing so, FooDization will lead to a new concept, the cleaner value proposition that is defined as an ecological value – created by the exploitation of production digital data – that firms promise to deliver to customers if they buy their cleaner-innovated-products. FooDization’s managerial guidelines might help food firms recognise how cleaner value proposition better attracts new conscious customers. In the food sector, this could help firms achieve competitive advantage by improving not only food production efficiency in the use of natural resources but also create a more sustainable and appealing value proposition for customers.

Mots clés : digital transformation, digital data, food innovation, value proposition, agri food industry, mixed methods

Participants :
- Corvinus University of Budapest (Hongrie) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 151850.88 €