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

Self-propelled particles such as bacteria, or 'Janus colloids' partially coated with catalyst, consume energy from their environment and convert it into systematic motion. Interacting ensembles of these particles compose so-called active matter which is intrinsically driven out of thermodynamic equilibrium. This allows for a rich and unusual phenomenology that includes condensation and phase separation in systems with purely repulsive interactions; giant density fluctuations; and various types of self-organized structure formation whose origin lies beyond the equilibrium principle of entropy maximization (free energy minimization). In PFCCMS we propose a novel theoretical study of activity-induced pattern formation with active colloids, addressing the interplay of an anisotropic production of chemicals at the colloidal surfaces and a chemotactic coupling of the particles to the resulting chemical gradients. Careful inclusion of noise within our coarse grained descriptions will enrich the emerging self-organized spatiotemporal structures with phenomena based on nucleation and topological defects. Our findings are expected to inform design principles for activity-induced self-organization of soft materials; we also plan to link them with the physics of gene-surfing and the spatiotemporal organization of bacterial colonies.

Mots clés : soft matter, active matter, pattern formation, structure formation, microswimmers, catalytic colloids, self propelled particles, activity induced phase separation, gene surfing

Participants :
- University of Edinburgh (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 183454.8 €
Projet LSD-CortLVPC (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2015)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Serotonergic hallucinogens (sHG), such as lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), rank among the most controversially discussed agents of modern neuropsychopharmacology. They are popular drugs of abuse, scientifically are used to study the pathophysiology of psychosis, can pose a threat to health, but most recently also re-gained attention as promotors of psychotherapy. The controversy at hand remains unresolved by modern science and politics, and the European Research Area is faced with the imminent challenge to come up with a strong and competitive scientific basis that is able to elucidate how these drugs work and how their working potentially translates into benefit and/or detriment to European health and society. The psychoactive effects of sHG are mediated by activation of serotonin 2A (5-HT2A) receptors within the cortex of the brain. In vivo, sHG disconnect cortical networks, desynchronise alpha oscillations and inhibit the metabolism of the cortex. In vitro, sHG primarily enhance the excitability of cortical layer V pyramidal cells (LVPCs), which is accounted for by 5-HT2A-glutamate interaction. The in vivo effects of sHG often are interpreted with regard to their in vitro effects. As there are virtually no LVPC specific investigations in living animals, however, the in vivo relevance of the postulated 5-HT2A-LVPC-glutamate triangle is highly speculative. Our project brings together Prof. Thomas Knöpfel, who has been pioneering optogenetic electrophysiology, and the 5-HT2A-hallucinogen expertise of Dipl. Psych. Tobias Buchborn. It applies advanced techniques of voltage imaging (with the voltage-sensitive fluorescent protein Butterfly 1.2 genetically targeted to LVPCs), combines them with selective neuropharmacological challenges and 5-HT2A specific ethological observations, and reveals within the brain of waking mice whether it is indeed LVPCs and their submissiveness to 5-HT2A-glutamate interaction that represent the point pivot of the cortical action of LSD.

Mots clés : serotonergic hallucinogens, cortex, layer v pyramidal cells, tolerance, 5 ht2a receptor, shaking behaviour, glutamate, voltage imaging

Participants :
- Imperial College London (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 183454.8 €
Projet MalariaSex (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2019)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Sexual reproduction is an obligate stage in the complex life cycle of Plasmodium parasites, the causative agent of malaria. While cyclic asexual replication of the parasite in the vertebrate host is associated with all clinical symptoms of malaria, transmission of the disease to a new host relies on sexual reproduction of the parasite in the mosquito. Transmission and reproductive success depend on the ability of malaria parasites to produce fertile male and female gametes at an optimal ratio. Haploid malaria parasites lack sex chromosomes, and sex-ratio is an adaptive and changeable trait to optimize transmission success in response to varying conditions, including multiplicity of infection and immune status of the host. The molecular mechanisms of sexual development hold the key to new transmission blocking interventions and to a broader understanding of how life cycle decisions in an important group of parasites can be regulated. Recent breakthroughs have identified a master regulator for commitment to sexual development, but how one transcription factor can give rise to the completely different gene expression programs of male and female gametocytes has remained elusive. Successful reprogramming experiments and genetic screens in a rodent model have now led to the identification of a small panel of genes, mostly encoding putative nucleic acid binding proteins which I propose here will unlock the question of how sex ratio is determined. By applying a combination of targeted biochemical, cell biological and genetic techniques I aim to characterize the function of three strongly supported, male-determining candidate genes. The obtained results will provide insights into the molecular mechanisms facilitating sex, and thus transmission, of malaria parasites. Moreover, this study will elucidate the fascinating biology of sex determination in an ancient and divergent eukaryote lacking sex chromosomes.

Mots clés : sex determination, plasmodium, gametocytogenesis

Participants :
- Umeå University (Suède) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 191852.16 €
Projet PERCEPSION (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2018)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Environment and Geosciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Sexual selection has been extensively studied in the animal kingdom but much less so in plants. Nevertheless, increasing evidences suggest that sexual selection has played an important role in shaping plant reproductive strategies. Besides the strong paucity of study on plant sexual selection, the field has mostly focused on male-male competition occurring during the phase of pollen dispersal. We are especially ignorant of whether plants have evolved the ability to filter mating partners based on their pollen grain characteristics during the post-pollination phase of the life-cycle, resembling a female choice. It is equally unknown whether plants have evolved some ability to perceive their reproductive opportunities and plastically adjust their vegetative and reproductive morphologies as to maximize their chances to access mates. The PERCEPSION project uses a multi-disciplinary approach combining experimental evolution, paternity analyses and physiological analyses to study aspects of plant perception and filtering of mating partners. PERCEPSION aims at (1) quantifying the variation between females in their style physiology during the post-pollination phase and relate it with the number of mates and with the performance of pollen grains of their partners; (2) evaluating through experimental evolution both the evolution of style morphology and physiology linked to their ability to filter pollen grains and the evolution of pollen grain performance in situations of monoandry vs. polyandry; (3) testing empirically whether plant-plant communication allows plants to perceive their mating opportunities and the genetic diversity of their mates and plastically adjust their reproductive strategy to maximize their chances to mate and (4) evaluating empirically whether mechanisms such as the production of airborne volative compounds or below-ground signals could be involved in plant-plant communication in relation to mate partner perception.

Mots clés : sexual selection, plant reproductive strategies, experimental evolution, plant plant communication

Participants :
- Centre national de la recherche scientifique (France) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 196707.84 €
Projet Shades of Black (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2019)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - Global Fellowships
Panel : Social Sciences and Humanities
Statut du projet : TERMINATED

Shades of Black proposes a new approach to the problem of race, a connected and global history which gives skin colour a fundamental role in determining the economic value of captives, slaves and free men of colour in the century of abolition. The objective is to examine how the skin colour of captives, slaves, serfs, workers on galleys and sex workers affected their value in economic transactions before and after the legal abolition of slavery in the period 1750-1886. The value of captives and slaves in the Mediterranean and the Atlantic changed according to the qualities they were assigned. My hypothesis is that skin colour and shades thereof were a major factor in influencing both the slaves’ exchange value and the salary level of free workers. I want to find out from the sources whether there was a correlation between the market price of slaves and the skin colour that was attributed to them by vendors, buyers and intermediaries. If confirmed, the colour black and its shades established a form of differentiation or discrimination among the workforce. I will compare experiences in countries of the Southern Mediterranean with those in the colonies of the French and Spanish Empires. For the Mediterranean, my case studies focus on the Italian area, France and Spain, and on Cuba and the French Antilles for the Atlantic. The period chosen allows analysis of, first, a period of growth in the trafficking of slaves and captives on the Mediterranean coasts, during and after the decline of the Atlantic trade, and then the consequence of the abolitions of slavery within geographical spaces characterised by accelerating mobility of persons of colour with different juridical statuses. Shades of Black entails the first study of the connection between the economic value and the physical appearance of slaves. The overall objective is implementing the first comprehensive examination of how shades of skin colour influenced the negotiation of the price at which a slave was traded.

Mots clés : skin colour, shades, race, labour, captivity, slavery, serfdom, workers on galleys, sex workers, economic value, mediterranean, atlantic, italy, france, spain, french antilles, cuba

Participants :
- Ca' Foscari University of Venice (Italie) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 269002.56 €
- Columbia University (Etats-Unis) — Partner, organization partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €
Projet OVinE (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2016)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Social Sciences and Humanities
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Sheep (Ovis aries) is one of the most important and widely distributed domestic species worldwide according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and considered one of the ‘big five’ livestock species alongside cattle, goat, pig and chicken. The high number of sheep breeds with worldwide distribution, and the 11,000 years alongside humans makes them a fascinating, yet difficult species to study. Important information on the history of domestic sheep has been obtained from ancient faunal remains using ‘traditional’ zooarchaeological methods based on osteology and morphology, with relatively less little contribution from ancient genetics, compared to domesticates such as dogs or horses. OVinE will train the early researcher Eve Rannamäe in state-of-the art methods from zooarchaeology and ancient genomics to document the introduction, spread, and development of domestic sheep. Focusing on north-eastern (NE) Europe, where studies on sheep history and diversity are scarce compared to the rest of Europe, but where the extant indigenous breeds are highly valued for their genetic diversity, OVinE will: 1) clarify the timing and origins of the first sheep in NE Europe; 2) decipher the development and improvement of sheep populations from the Late Neolithic (c. 3000–1800 BC) through to the Modern period (AD 1800–1950); 3) clarify the affinities between ancient sheep populations and local indigenous breeds.

Mots clés : biomolecular archaeology, zooarchaeology, sheep domestication

Participants :
- University of York (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 183454.8 €
Projet FRGeo-Crete (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2018)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Information Science and Engineering
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Shrinkage cracking and fire-induced concrete spalling can deteriorate the structural integrity and increase the maintenance cost of civil infrastructure. New advanced/sustainable construction materials can tackle these issues and also reduce the CO2 emissions which is an important factor in EU directives and codes of practice. The production of 1 tonne of cement requires 3-6 GJ of energy and releases approximately 0.85 tonnes of carbon dioxide, which, contributes to around 7% of the total man-made CO2 in the world. A significant amount of this CO2 can be saved by using environmentally friendly Fibre-Reinforced Concrete (FRC) made of recycled materials (such as geopolymers and recycled aggregates) and natural fibres (such as jute fibres). This proposal aims to develop: (1) an advanced understanding of the mechanisms behind the fibre-matrix compatibility in controlling cracking/spalling of concrete and (2) a novel, sustainable, cracking/spalling-controlled geopolymer natural FRC and a new technique which modifies the surface properties of natural fibres to enhance their bond with the cementitious matrix. This will enable the replacement of the currently used cement clinker and synthetic fibres with waste minerals and natural fibres, respectively, of equal or better performance, providing an annual reduction of 26 million tonnes of CO2 worldwide. The mechanisms of cracking/spalling of concrete, fibre-matrix compatibility and durability of jute FRGeo-Crete will be assessed by fibre pull-out tests along with the microstructural characterisation using SEM-EDS, FTIR, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray CT scanning. The lead beneficiary (The University of Sheffield - USFD) has world-leading expertise in the field of FRC design engineering and the use of waste by-products in concrete. The fellow will also receive an extensive training programme (delivered by the USFD), which will enable him to develop his career as an independent researcher.

Mots clés : concrete cracking, fire induced concrete spalling, fibre reinforced concrete, waste material, geopolymer concrete

Participants :
- University of Sheffield (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 224933.76 €
Projet SilhouetteOfSeaweed (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2014)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Chemistry
Statut du projet : CLOSED

SilhouetteOfSeaweed will contribute to consumer’s safety by overcoming barriers in estimating toxicity of arsenic species in seaweed. The ocean covers 71% of the planet and for future sustainability the need for looking at using the ocean for food, e.g. seaweed, is increasing. Seaweed contains high amounts of arsenic, including arsenolipids (AsLp). Recently the first data on AsLp toxicity have elucidated that they are as toxic as the most toxic arsenic, the inorganic arsenic (iAs). There is a lack of data on AsLps in seaweed products for human consumption. Safety of seaweed must be addressed and more studies and information on AsLps are urgently needed. Currently, only few research groups worldwide work on AsLps, partly due to difficulties associated with the measurements of these compounds. SilhouetteOfSeaweed will expand this expertise in Europe by establishing necessary facilities at the host Matís to accommodate AsLp measurements. Matís has the capacity to reach this goal together with the experienced researcher and in co-operation with a European partner organisation with expertise in AsLp measurements. SilhouetteOfSeaweed will have two main scientific impacts. Firstly, it will produce AsLp seaweed profiles in 4 different species of brown algae in 3 locations during 3 seasons in Iceland. This information will contribute to the necessary risk assessment needed for algae used for human consumption. Secondly, statistical evaluation and comparison of environmental conditions will make it possible to identify whether the seaweed could be harvested at specific conditions where the amount of toxic arsenic is at its lowest. These data are essential for SMEs entering the European market with their seaweed products. Moreover the project will impact the career development of the experienced researcher who will gain a wide range of scientific and transferable skills that are relevant to establish a long-term independent leading career in the field of science.

Mots clés : analytical chemistry, speciation, analysis of species, trace elements, arsenic, lipids, chromatography, mass spectrometry, method development, seaweed, algae

Participants :
- Matís (Iceland) (Islande) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 191325.6 €
Projet SiC_Scope (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2019)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Physics
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Silicon Carbide (SiC) is emerging semiconductor crystal for high-power electronics. There is great demand from Electric Vehicles and Power Generation industries for SiC devices that enable to operate at higher power, higher voltages, higher temperatures, and higher frequencies, compare to traditional silicon. On top of it SiC wafers reduce energy loss at electric power control, contributing to the reduction of energy use and the environmental stress. Unfortunately high defectiveness of produced SiC crystals is a stumbling block in its wide-spread use in electronics. Today defective volume in SiC crystals could reach 50%, and the defects are unveiled only after crystal processing, wafering and, in many cases, polishing wafers. This process is considerably costly because SiC is one of the hardest materials with hardness just below diamond. This project is to develop an automated inspection tool to enable manufacturers to assess defectiveness of SiC crystals before they enter costly processing. It will help semiconductor manufacturers to save resources on slicing and polishing initially defective crystals, and provide insight into the crystal quality to improve the growth process. I am PhD in Physics who studied Material science, crystal growth and characterisation. The project will be carried out at the Swiss company Scientific Visual, that has developed quality inspection tools for other industrial crystals, and it is to expand its technology to Silicon Carbide.

Mots clés : silicon carbide, crystal growth, defects in industrial crystals, semiconductor materials

Participants :
- Scientific visual sa (Suisse) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Organismes privés (hors enseignement), subvention : 203149.44 €
Projet silvercatpharma (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2014)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Chemistry
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Silvercatpharma project aims at developing C-C cross-coupling reactions catalysed by d11-blocks metals, particularly silver, for the synthesis of pharmaceuticals in Novartis. It strives to have an impact in terms of cost, environment and international visibility because of the use of silver as an alternative catalyst. The project offers me a great opportunity to obtain further training, such as clusters preparation, computational and flow chemistry, and to define my final career in academia or industry because of the possibility of working in these two different environments.

Mots clés : gold, silver, clusters chemistry, cross coupling, gold catalysis, silver catalysis, fine chemicals

Participants :
- Institut Català d'Investigació Química (Espagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 158121.6 €
Projet AIDE (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2019)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - Global Fellowships
Panel : Social Sciences and Humanities
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Since 20 years, the candidate has been working as an archaeologist and anthropologist. The AIDE project - Archaeology, Inequalities and DiEt: Archaeology assisted by stable isotopes - will enable her to acquire additional and innovative skills to respond to a rapidly developing scientific issue: research on social inequalities and their evolution over time. This will allow her to progress in her career, with a promotion in her institute, and to make a valuable and original contribution to research. Thanks to the study of compound-specific isotope analysis (CSIA) of carbon and nitrogen, the determination of food intake of past populations is more accurate. However, food, like health, is a result of cultural factors. The location of graves in a funeral space is also the result of cultural parameters. By confronting a heuristic and epidemiological approach, the candidate thus intends to model differences between individuals, to reveal the social inequalities of the past. The establishment of a network of researchers in Europe (biochemists, archaeologists and anthropologists) will make it possible to study more closely the remains of the past for a better knowledge of our common history. The transfer of biochemical knowledge from Simon Fraser University in Vancouver (Canada) to INRAP (Paris, France) via the candidate will improve the quality of samples taken from archaeological excavation sites and thus ultimately improve the results obtained.

Mots clés : archaeology, social inequalities, physical anthropology, stable isotopes

Participants :
- Institut national de recherches archéologiques préventives (France) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 180369.6 €
- Simon Fraser University (Canada) — Partner, organization partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €