Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-actions-marie-curie-participations-et-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Projet EU-BEADS (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2014)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Social Sciences and Humanities
Statut du projet : CLOSED

EU-BEADS investigates symbolically mediated behaviour of Early Upper Palaeolithic modern humans through the study of personal ornaments. Specifically, EU-BEADS will focus on the Levantine region between 60,000 and 40,000 years ago. The goal is a better understanding of variation and standardisation in shell bead production and use, as well as establishing new criteria for identification of anthropic modifications of marine shell beads. To achieve this, EU-BEADS employs a range of state-of-the-art zooarchaeological and taphonomic methodologies in conjunction with newly learned analytical techniques namely finite element analysis, use-wear analysis and GIS. In addition, EU-BEADS aims to develop a new analytical method to improve quantification of human actions in the production of shell beadwork using geometrics morphometrics. The large shell bead collection of Ksar’ Akil (Lebanon) will serve as a case study. The high quality, multidisciplinary research results will contribute significantly to our knowledge of Early Upper Palaeolithic behavioural adaptations and of modern human symbolically mediated behaviours in general.

Mots clés : modern human behaviour, early upper palaeolithic, zooarchaeology, use wear analysis

Participants :
- University of Cambridge (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 183454.8 €
Projet EYE (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2020)
Action : Doctoral Networks - Industrial Doctorates
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : SIGNED

EYE project will advance the scientific knowledge in order to develop new therapeutic solutions for presbyopia. The consortium is formed by a highly inter-disciplinary team involving optometrists, chemists, biochemists, physicists, and computer engineers who have been successfully studying the different properties of the contact lenses (CLs) and presbyopia for many years. The consortium of this EID project comprises two Beneficiaries - a private sector partner – CL manufacturer (Mark’ennovy) and a university delivering PhD degrees - Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM). Alain Afflelou, optical centres group with more than 1.400 optical centres around the world, collaborates with EYE consortium as a Partner Organization providing access to the end users and clinicians (optometrists). The ambitious objectives of the project are: 1. To train 5 early-stage researchers (ESRs), and more specifically provide them with (i) training in state-of-the-art concepts and leading-edge research techniques essential to study the human eye’s behaviour, (ii) extensive training in complementary skills (iii) 18 months working experience in the private sector, (iv) solid professional connections for future career development. 2. To advance the scientific knowledge in the Vision Science field in order to develop more satisfying presbyopic therapeutic solutions which will positively impact the quality of the life of the patients. 3. To boost the impact and the international visibility of the European research and EU funding through the dissemination, communication and exploitation activities incorporated within the project, as well as by establishment of a long-term synergic collaboration among an academic and private sectors.

Mots clés : ageing, vision science, presbyopia, personalised eye care

Participants :
- Mark'ennovy personalized care ltd (Royaume-Uni) — Partner, beneficiary, Organismes privés (hors enseignement), subvention : 303172.56 €
- Alain afflelou portugal-sociedade unipessoal lda (Portugal) — Partner, beneficiary, Organismes privés (hors enseignement), subvention : 475440.48 €
- Universidad Complutense de Madrid (Espagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 501809.76 €
Projet ENVERESP (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2015)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Each cell in the human body receives thousands of DNA lesions per day. To counteract threats posed by DNA damage, cells have evolved an integrated signaling network called the DNA-damage response (DDR). This mechanism allows cells to detect DNA lesions, signal their presence and promote their repair. Mutation of DDR genes, which serves as a biological barrier against tumor progression, leads to cancer development2. A large-scale proteomic analysis of proteins phosphorylated in response to DNA damage by checkpoint kinases ATM and ATR identified extensive protein networks responsive to DNA damage. Interestingly, among the proteins identified to be phosphorylated upon DNA damage were several nuclear pore complex factors including nucleoporin Translocated Promoter Region (TPR)5. TPR was previously linked to cancer since its N-terminal domain has been found fused with the protein kinase domains of various proto-oncogenes such as RAF and MET resulting in human solid tumors. TPR expression level was found deregulated in many types of human tumors such as breast and liver cancer8. Amplification of TPR was also significantly associated with a shorter survival of patients with pediatric intracranial ependymomas9. All these findings support a critical role for TPR in the mechanism of oncogenesis. By employing state-of-the-art proteomics (SILAC), genetics (in vitro mutagenesis), genomics (DNA binding profiling) and imaging (electron microscopy) technologies we will investigate how TPR prevents tumor genesis via its role in the DDR network coordinating DNA repair, DNA replication and chromatin condensation with the nuclear envelope upon DNA damage. Providing mechanistic insight into the role of TPR in DDR and the maintenance of genome stability will not only contribute to our understanding of molecular principles of response to damaged DNA, but will allow us to optimize existing cancer treatments and design new molecular targeted therapies in the future.

Mots clés : atr pathway, cancer, cell cycle checkpoint, dna damage response, dna repair, genomic instability, nuclear envelope, tumorigenesis

Participants :
- FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology (Italie) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 168277.2 €
Projet MaGnum (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2018)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Physics
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Each particle has its antiparticle, and upon bringing them in close vicinity, they annihilate (they disappear). A fundamental question arises: what happens if a particle is its own antiparticle? Ettore Majorana predicted their existence and evidence has been put forward for the existence of such a state of matter in the form of quasiparticle excitations in hybrid semiconductor-superconductor devices. Research activites so far has concentrated on InAs nanowires, planar InAs and InSb nanowires. Theory suggests to look for Majorana bound states (MBS) in Germanium and I propose to use a novel yet promising material system, namely a Germanium/Silicon-Germanium heterostructure, to provide evidence for the topological state of matter leading to Majorana bound states (MBS). Using Ge/SiGe brings the advantage of a long mean free path, which will allow for a larger spatial separation of the MBS and facilitate the long anticipated but yet elusive detection of correlation of two MBS. Additionally, the planar geometry brings the possibility to couple the MBS to their environment, which will be important for their usage as topologically protected quantum bits for quantum computation. I propose to show step-by-step the ingredients necessary for a topological phase transition resulting in MBS. In particular, I will follow these steps: I will collaborate with G. Isella's group to develop a highly mobile two-dimensional hole gas and make it accessible for magneto-transport measurements. I will further confine the holes into a one-dimensional wire with tunable tunneling barriers at each end. I will test the presence of a strong spin-orbit interaction by measuring helical transport. I will induce superconducting order by coupling the wire to NbTiN contacts. Finally, I will test the presence of MBS with tunneling conductance measurements and use a proper geometry to show evidence of the correlation of two MBS at each end of the wire.

Mots clés : semiconductor, sige heterostructure, quantum dot, quantum point contact, helical states, spin orbit interaction, majorana bound states, transport measurements

Participants :
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria (Autriche) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 174167.04 €
Projet ANATOMY-FOUND (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2015)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Each year cardiovascular disease (CVD) causes over 4 million deaths in Europe. Predictions suggest that 80% of premature heart disease and stroke is preventable, but ~20% of CVDs are misdiagnosed, and in elderly patients up to 60% of CVDs remain undiagnosed. We need to develop new technologies and strategies for early and accurate diagnosis of the biggest killer in western society. Currently, diagnosis of CVD is based on assessment of macro-anatomy, whole heart function, and whole body metabolic markers. Early CVD processes begin in heart cells, before evolving to the ’macro’ pathology recognisable by traditional techniques. Clinicians desire a non-invasive technique that can provide high-resolution 3D micro-anatomy, and organ specific regional metabolic assessment. However the intricate micro-anatomy of the heart and its dynamic relationship with cardiac function is still fiercely debated. To elucidate the true micro-anatomy of the heart, and understand its correlation with both pump- and metabolic function in health and disease, I will investigate the following questions: 1)What is the true micro-anatomy of the heart, and how is it remodelled in disease? 2)What is the role of 3D micro-anatomy in 4D pump function? 3)Does micro-anatomical remodelling correlate with regional changes in metabolism? Using novel state-of-the-art non-invasive 3D and 4D ex-vivo and in-vivo imaging methodologies, I will answer these questions. We will finally understand the micro-anatomy of the heart in 3D, and its relationship with cardiac contraction and metabolism in disease. I hypothesise detecting and correlating novel morphological and metabolic changes upstream of the macro-anatomical and non-specific metabolic changes identifiable by traditional techniques, will offer the foundation for a step-wise change in diagnosis of CVD. Working with world-renowned researchers, I will develop interdisciplinary skills in functional cardiac imaging to support a productive career in academia.

Mots clés : heart, micro anatomy, myocyte orientation, micro computed tomography, synchrotron computed tomography, diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging, dynamic nuclear polarisation magnetic resonance

Participants :
- Aarhus University (Danemark) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 200194.8 €
Projet FluoroDendriNostic (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2015)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Chemistry
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Early diagnosis of diseases, including tumors, is the ultimate goal of biomedical imaging. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a technique for non-destructive and non-invasive diagnosis of a number of diseases including cancer. Recently, contrast agents bearing 19F have been introduced as an attractive alternative to purely hydrogenated compounds, because of their high signal to noise ratio as result of their unique spectroscopic signature. This project aims to design, synthesize and characterize a series of novel fluorinated amphiphilic structures based on a fluoropolymer and a dendrimer (so called DendriGrafts, DGLs) based on poly-L-lysine. DGLs are a new type of arborescent biosynthetic polymer of regular and controlled structure. They have been shown to be biocompatible and non-immunogenic. It proposed that these DGLs to have potential as a powerful platform for the functionalization of hydrophobic polymers and to afford fluoropolymers for applications in 19F MRI. Combining DGLs and fluoropolymers in a good solvent for one of the blocks, is proposed to enable self-assembly of the amphiphiles into a variety of morphologies and molecular aggregates (including micelles, vesicles or cylinders). Increasing attention has been given to this type of supramolecular organization and to their potential use in applications such as coatings, drug delivery systems, nanoparticles or nanoreactors. Thus, this project will not only study the fundamental phenomena of self-organization of these novel copolymers but will also result in new materials suitable for application as novel agents in 19F MRI. Combining the complementary expertise from the Experienced Researcher in dendritic polymers, the host team in polymerization techniques and polymer self-assembly, a series of novel copolymer systems will be originally created in this project and finally studied by in vitro and in vivo.

Mots clés : contrast agent, magnetic resonance imaging, dendrimer, fluoropolymer

Participants :
- University of Warwick (Royaume-Uni) — Partner, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 145235.05 €
- University of Birmingham (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 38219.75 €
Projet SEGMENT (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2020)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Environment and Geosciences
Statut du projet : TERMINATED

Earthquakes and associated tsunamis cause extensive human and economic losses and severe property damage in densely populated areas. The largest earthquakes occur in subduction zones, regions where one tectonic plate dives below another. To better prepare society, it is crucial to understand what controls the spatial and temporal occurrence of those largest earthquakes. Geometrical features on the seafloor that subduct with the downgoing plate, like seamounts and ridges, are thought to play an important role by segmenting the plate interface into seismic and aseismic regions. However, a physical and quantitative understanding of the role of geometrical features on the occurrence of earthquakes remains elusive due to limitations in observation time and space, as well as in modelling of crustal deformation mechanisms in 2D and 3D. SEGMENT will overcome these limitations through integrating the latest advanced forward and inverse modelling tools to study how and how much subducting geometrical features influence subduction earthquakes. Seismotectonic numerical models will be combined with probabilistic natural observations from geodesy and seafloor roughness to optimally extract complementary information and quantify elusive links. As these necessary tools are only now ready for exploration this proposal is highly timely. It will address important open questions related to how geometrical features influence the deformation at and around the plate interface, how this varies throughout multiple earthquake cycles and their role in rupture nucleation, propagation and arrest. SEGMENT thus places me in the position to make a breakthrough in a long-standing debate through providing a novel conceptual model describing the relationship between geometrical features along the subduction interface and the occurrence of earthquakes. This is crucial for improving seismic hazard assessment and our comprehension of subduction dynamics at all timescales.

Mots clés : subduction zones, earthquakes, seismotectonics, seafloor features, numerical modelling, geodesy

Participants :
- Utrecht University (Pays-Bas) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 175572.48 €
Projet Med-N-Change (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2017)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Environment and Geosciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Ecosystems located in the Mediterranean Basin are projected to experience important changes in the rainfall dynamics and to increase its nitrogen (N) inputs as a result of the ongoing global change. Despite it is known that multiple environmental changes can interact in their impacts on ecosystem services producing non-additive effects that are unpredictable from single-factor studies, no research has been performed to disentangle the effects of the interactive global change drivers on soil processes in Mediterranean ecosystems to date. What are the synergistic effects of climate change and N inputs on soil processes in Mediterranean ecosystems? What is the role of the soil biological crust and its components in modulating resistance and resilience of soil processes to the synergistic effects of increased N and climate change? How ecosystem services are influenced? Answering those questions will have highly relevant implications on environmental policy and prediction of global change scenarios, with the ultimate societal objective of improving ecosystem management in Mediterranean ecosystems. Med-N-Change also has a clear potential on the economy since recovering damaged ecosystems services is much costlier than increasing their resilience to pressure. The strength of Med-N-Change lies in an innovative approach that couples microcosm manipulative experiments and the exploitation of a network of long-term N-addition experiments in three ecosystems across the Mediterranean basin. This project merges together well established research methods and elements of originality in a multidisciplinary approach combining ecology, biogeochemical processes, physiology and omics technology. Med-N-Change directly addresses two of the cross-cutting priorities established by the H2020 Work Programme – sustainable development and climate action – and thus reinforces the European competitiveness in N deposition and climate change research.

Mots clés : biological soil crust, mediterranean ecosystems, n deposition, climate change, lichens

Participants :
- Fciencias.id - associacao para a investigacao e desenvolvimento de ciencias (Portugal) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 160635.6 €
Projet IntercommunalSpace (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2014)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Social Sciences and Humanities
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Educated Europeans hotly debate the position of religion in civil society, both in Europe and now in the emerging democracies of the Middle East. In so doing, they draw on inaccurate assumptions about Mediterranean life in late antiquity, which derive from origins myths forged during the Enlightenment or during the 4th-7th c. itself. But recent work on cities in this period has revealed a society more complex than previously supposed: religious co-existence, as much as conflict, was an important reality. Yet, whilst the history of urban religious space is now being revised, there has been little work on intercommunal space, which was equally important in defining how different communities lived together. Luke Lavan, a specialist in the urban archaeology of late antiquity, will spend two years in Paris researching this theme, resulting in a monograph, whilst sharing with scholars and the general public his innovative fieldwork, tracing the late occupation of non-religious space, alongside his detailed visualisations of everyday urban life. The Centre d'Histoire et civilisation de Byzance, UMR 8167 (‘Monde Byzantin’) has an exceptional concentration of specialists, in archaeology, philology and epigraphy, to support the research. To this, LL will bring skills to enhance the understanding of archaeological excavations and of the everyday details of ancient texts. Above all, the action will produce a balanced view of late antiquity, pointing out its positive contribution, as an ancestor of European society, to the art of living together, despite our differences.

Mots clés : late antiquity cities archaeology everyday life religion inter communal space baths school theatre latrines tolerance co existence

Participants :
- Centre national de la recherche scientifique (France) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 185076.0 €
Projet NITRATE (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2018)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - Global Fellowships
Panel : Chemistry
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Efficient management of nitrogen cycle imbalance is a critical need of this century. Water with elevated NO3- level is harmful to human and environmental health. Conventional treatment has limitations for point of use treatment and may generate sludge and/or brine solutions. Electrochemical processes are transformative chemical-free technologies that can reduce NO3- to innocuous N2 without sludge production. However, further research in efficient electrocatalysts and scale-up is required for technology implementation. In this project, research aims to overcome challenges of nitrate electrochemical remediation in three phases: (i) nano-electrocatalyst synthesis and benchmarking, (ii) reactor design/construction and evaluation in actual water matrices, (iii) study of alternative electrocatalyst materials. First, different electrodic materials will be evaluated in terms of kinetic reduction and selectivity towards N2. I hypothesize that application of nanoparticle binary and tertiary Pt/Pd alloys with other metals (Cu, Sn, In) will lead to higher N2 selectivity and enhanced electrochemical reduction because the preferential performance characteristics of different metals combined into one electrode material. Use of nanoparticles in tridimensional modified electrodes will improve mass transfer towards/from electrode surface increasing treatment performance as well as reduce catalyst mass requirement. Second, design and construction of different electrochemical reactors for nitrate remediation will catalyze the development of electrochemical technology towards implementation. Reactors will be assessed from the treatment of actual water matrices (brine, groundwater, tap and surface water) and techno-economic analysis. Last, catalysts based on cheaper metal oxide semiconductors will be explored as alternative electrocatalysts to reduce capital costs associated to material selection. Electrocatalytic properties will be benchmarked by scanning electrochemical microscopy.


Participants :
- Centre national de la recherche scientifique (France) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 257619.84 €
- Arizona's Public Universities (Etats-Unis) — Partner, organization partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €