Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-actions-marie-curie-participations-et-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Projet BrainCircHD (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2021)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : SIGNED

I am a neuroscientist specialized on brain development and genetic brain disorders. During my PhD with Dr. Gaia Novarino (IST Austria) I developed a strong expertise in using in vivo mouse models and a large number of different techniques to investigate the underlying cause of intellectual disability and autism. My work helped to better understand the pathophysiologic mechanisms driving these complex neurodevelopmental conditions, as well as the process of brain development more in general. Now, I aim to expand my research profile to neurodegeneration and the non-coding genome, specifically circular RNAs (circRNA). As a postdoctoral researcher in the lab of Dr. Biagioli at Dep. CIBIO (UniTN) I seek to combine my strong background in functional in vivo studies with her outstanding expertise in Huntington`s Disease (HD) research and epigenetics to elucidate a novel regulatory pathway in HD. In this proposal, I designed a dedicated research and training plan that will significantly expand my scientific portfolio and uncover the in vivo functional role(s) of circHTT, a newly discovered circRNA molecule -discovered and initially characterized by Dr. Biagioli’s lab - stemming from the HD locus. We will study its mouse orthologue, circHtt, focusing on expression dynamics and pattern during development and aging and visualize its cellular and subcellular localization in the brain. We will analyse its relevance for HD pathology by using HD mouse models and uncover its molecular brain function(s) by exploiting the innovative and highly specific CRISPR-Cas13 knock-down machinery in vivo. The results of this project will highlight a novel regulatory network in HD pathophysiology in which circHTT may act as modifier of/or novel biomarker for HD progression, or represent a novel molecular drug target. This award is vital for me to return from maternity leave and join the Biagioli group. It will significantly contribute to my career perspectives inside and outside of academia.

Mots clés : huntington s disease non coding rnas circrnas brain function brain development

Participants :
- Université de Trente (Italie) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 188590.08 €
Projet AdBiCon (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2024)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Information Science and Engineering
Statut du projet : SIGNED

The AdBiCon project will develop innovative techniques to immobilise bacteria in Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) bottom ashes for their effective reuse as precursors in alkali activated concrete (AAC). The incorporation of MSW in AAC enables the reuse of locally generated landfill waste in construction materials, offering a path to decarbonisation of the construction sector. Presently, replacing >10% Portland cement with MSW bottom ashes affords concrete with higher water demand, air content and porosity compared to Ordinary Portland cement (OPC) concrete, leading to strength loss and frequent cracks. This concrete also exhibits fast pH decline, which facilitates corrosion. This warrants for the development of new approaches to exploit bottom ashes for improved MSW-based concrete. Inspired on the Pantheon dome, biomineralisation is a nature-inspired method to strengthen, repair and protect construction materials, leveraging on bacteria-induced calcium carbonate precipitation to heal microcracks. Biomineralisation lends itself to the use of waste-derived materials as carrier and substrates for bacteria because fractional impurities and material inhomogeneity are not detrimental for the intended application. This creates a huge opportunity for waste reuse and will expand AAC’s enormous potential use for greener infrastructures. AdBiCon will study (1) the bacterial carrier capacity of MSW bottom ashes to protect the bacteria from a harsh environment; (2) the potential of MSW bottom ashes as bacterial nutrient medium & substrate; (3) the mechanisms of bacteria-mediated inhibition of MSW-containing concrete corrosion in comparison to reinforced OPC concrete; (4) the potential of self-healing bio-enhanced MSW concrete to prolong the service life of infrastructure, by demonstration and validation, benefitting the concrete industry. This interdisciplinary engagement with experts and stakeholders will significantly broaden the fellow's scientific skills and research portfolio.

Mots clés : biomineralisation, self healing, municipal solid waste, alkali activation, concrete, durability

Participants :
- Université de Liverpool John-Moores (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 276187.92 €
Projet Neurosci-ANN (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2024)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Information Science and Engineering
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Recent progress in artificial intelligence (AI) has been mostly due to machine learning and, in particular, deep artificial neural networks (ANNs). Deep learning has an increasing presence in everyday life, including critical applications such as medical diagnosis, transportation, and energy distribution. In response to this, the field of Explainable AI (XAI) has generated much effort in terms of techniques and algorithms to address this problem. However, there is still no consensus on a suite of technology to address these challenges, progress has been extremely limited, and the formal properties of such systems are under-studied.  On the other hand, computational neuroscience (CNS) aims to discover the principles behind biological neural networks that enable the brain to support cognition, perception, and action. This project will employ the latest approaches and techniques used in the field of CNS to develop the field of XAI. Specifically, the first major goal will be to employ the methods of representational geometry and neural encoding manifolds (both proven to be effective in revealing meaningful neural relationships in previous studies) to reveal how activations of collections of artificial neurons in hidden layers are associated with the decision-making process of deep networks.  Second, the same methodology will be used to reveal novel insights from a variety of existing large-scale biological datasets. Finally, we will compare and contrast the encoding strategies of neural populations found various deep learning architectures with those observed in biological networks. A better understanding of the inner-workings of biological models could directly inform researchers on how to build novel artificial models that are more accurate, robust, and even economical during both training and inference in terms of data, time, and energy consumption.

Mots clés : computational neuroscience, artificial intelligence, explainable ai, deep networks, biological neural networks, manifold learning, neural manifolds, neuroai

Participants :
- IE University (Espagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 209914.56 €
Projet PaChi-LCiMat (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2024)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Chemistry
Statut du projet : SIGNED

As Europe advances its green and digital transitions, the demand for innovative materials grows, particularly in templating applications, secure authentication, and bioimaging. Chiral nanostructures, inspired by natural helical formations, are at the forefront of these challenges. The PaChi-LCiMat project seeks to push the boundaries of material science by developing new photoactive chiral liquid crystal-inspired materials for these cutting-edge fields. Dr. Sezgin will lead this research under the supervision of Prof. Blanca Ros at the Instituto de Nanociencia y Materiales de Aragón (INMA), University of Zaragoza-CSIC. Leveraging his background in liquid crystal systems, Dr. Sezgin will employ advanced organic synthesis and supramolecular chemistry to create novel photoactive bent-core building blocks that self-assemble into helical nanofilament-based soft materials, such as liquid crystals and gels. These soft materials will undergo comprehensive structural and optical characterization, essential for their use in cutting-edge technological applications. The project includes secondments to the University of Warsaw under Prof. Ewa Górecka, using advanced X-ray diffraction (SAXS/WAXS) to explore structural intricacies, and to the University of Granada with Prof. Araceli G. Campaña, focusing on CPL spectroscopy— a critical property for technological applications— to enhance the optical understanding of the materials. This research aligns with Europe's strategic priorities to enhance technological competitiveness and security, with expected breakthroughs in next-generation authentication systems, templating applications, and bioimaging technologies. By integrating expertise from multiple disciplines and institutions, PaChi-LCiMat is set to deliver groundbreaking solutions in these fields, contributing to European research excellence and positioning Dr. Sezgin as a leader in advanced materials innovation.

Mots clés : supramolecular chemistry approaches, helical nanofilaments, photoactive materials, advanced soft materials

Participants :
- Université de Varsovie (Pologne) — Partner, associated partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €
- Université de Grenade (Espagne) — Partner, associated partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €
- Université de Saragosse (Espagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 194074.56 €
Projet PRINNEVOT (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2023)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - Global Fellowships
Panel : Information Science and Engineering
Statut du projet : SIGNED

The PRINNEVOT project embarks on a mission to bridge the gap between computer vision and the primate visual system in the context of Visual Object Tracking (VOT). VOT is the task of maintaining focus The PRINNEVOT project embarks on a mission to bridge the gap between computer vision and the primate visual system in the context of Visual Object Tracking (VOT). VOT is the task of maintaining focus on a specific object amidst a dynamic visual environment. Our brains excel at it but replicating this ability in artificial vision systems remains a challenge. This project seeks to develop a novel class of VOT algorithms inspired by the primate visual system's prowess. Despite notable advancements in deep learning-based VOT over the past decade, these algorithms still fall short in emulating the robustness exhibited by primate vision. PRINNEVOT will address this gap through a multi-faceted approach. Firstly, PRINNEVOT will construct a comprehensive reference dataset, investigating both primate behavior and neural recordings. Secondly, among the existing artificial neural network (ANN)-based VOT methodologies, the project aims to identify those that align most closely with the primate brain's mechanisms. Lastly, PRINNEVOT will leverage the discovered inductive biases to develop a new ANN architecture for VOT that closely mirrors the primate's way of continuous object recognition and localization. By merging computer vision and computational neuroscience research, PRINNEVOT aspires to contribute to the development of more accurate and robust VOT algorithms. These algorithms, in alignment with the European Union's pursuit of safer and ethically grounded Artificial Intelligence, promise to enhance human-centric and trustworthy technologies. Furthermore, the project's outcomes will not only benefit AI and computer vision but also advance our understanding of the primate visual system, offering new empirical models of how the brain tracks objects in dynamic visual environments.

Mots clés : computer vision, visual neuroscience, visual object tracking, deep learning

Participants :
- Université d'Udine (Italie) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 256442.88 €
- Université York (Canada) — Partner, associated partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €
Projet PhotorActVine (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2024)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - Global Fellowships
Panel : Environment and Geosciences
Statut du projet : SIGNED

The fanleaf virus nematode, Xiphinema index, is the Grapevine Fanleaf Virus (GFLV) vector, the leading cause of the most severe viral disease in grapevines worldwide. By feeding on the root tips of actively growing grapevines, nematodes can cause a 40% root mass loss, facilitating the acquisition and transmission of GFLV and significantly reducing crop yield —up to 80%— and grape quality. Currently, no direct control methods are available for these intracellular pathogens, so management efforts focus on monitoring and controlling the fanleaf virus nematode using hazardous chemical pesticides. There is an urgent need for innovative control strategies that enhance vector management, mitigate the impact of intracellular pathogens, and improve viticultural sustainability worldwide. The cosmopolitan endosymbiont Photorhabdus (Morganellaceae) bacteria produces a wide range of natural compounds with multiple functions in the soil. PhotorActVine hypothesized that Photorhabdus strains might potentially protect grapevine plants against the fanleaf virus nematode and its global damage while also being capable of colonizing grapevine roots and enhancing the plants' growth and defence mechanisms. PhotorActVine proposes an innovative, ambitious, and feasible project, which includes i) identifying Photorhabdus strains with the highest nematicidal ability, ii) training these bacteria to adapt to grapevine rhizosphere conditions, iii) reducing the damage caused by fanleaf virus nematode and its damage through the application of evolving Photorhabdus strains in the grapevine roots, and iv) identifying the mechanisms involved in the interaction between Photorhabdus and grapevine plants. This multidisciplinary approach will enhance and integrate our understanding of the efficacy and mechanisms of Photorhabdus strains in grapevine protection, contributing to sustainable viticulture and providing insights into the broader application of these novel microbial biocontrol agents.

Mots clés : photorhabdus entomopathogenic bacteria biological control agent, bacteria plant interaction fanleaf virus nematode xiphinema index grapevine fanleaf virus gflv sustainability grapevines

Participants :
- Université du Chili (Chili) — Partner, associated partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €
- Université de Trente (Italie) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 250643.4 €
Projet CoROnA (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2024)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Social Sciences and Humanities
Statut du projet : SIGNED

CoROnA (Charting the ROles of crowns in Ancient Greece) conducts a comprehensive study of ancient Greek crowns (stephanoi) from the 8th to the 1st century BCE, chiefly in Athens. By integrating thorough philological, epigraphical, and visual analyses of both textual and material evidence with contemporary theoretical frameworks such as New Materialism and New Institutionalism, CoROnA offers the first methodologically informed exploration of crowns as a pervasive symbol in Greek society, providing new insights into the diverse uses of crowns in both ‘Soft Institutions’—e.g., religious practices, symposia, and athletic competitions—and ‘Hard Institutions,’ i.e., honorific crowns. The project’s objectives are threefold: i) to map the uses of crowns by compiling a database of literary and epigraphical references, as well as a dossier of notable artefacts and images on vases/sculptures, and to record their specific functions and contexts; ii) to analyse the intersections between Soft- and Hard-Institutional uses, particularly how crowns used in Soft Institutions influenced their use as public honours, serving as tokens of the reciprocal relationship between the individual and the community; iii) to address the inherently intersectional meanings of crowns in Classical Greece, as these served to symbolise not only the civic worth of male citizens (an honour conferred not only for specific and outstanding political and financial benefactions but also to reward magistrates for undertaking their ordinary duties, e.g., as councillors) but also the worth of women and enslaved persons. Through this analysis, CoROnA reconsiders the crown’s role in expressing Greek honour and ethos, offering new perspectives on the connections between honour and democratic ideology. It also vindicates crowns as intersectional symbols capable of transcending traditional social and gender hierarchies, thus challenging prevailing hierarchical assumptions about ancient Greek institutions and society.

Mots clés : ancient greece crowns honour social history democracy soft institutions

Participants :
- Université de Trente (Italie) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 193643.28 €
Projet KCW (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2024)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Social Sciences and Humanities
Statut du projet : SIGNED

In the late 2010s, there was a resurgence in the global popularity of Russian and Belarusian post-punk bands, particularly those within the 'Cold Wave' subgenre. This post-Soviet music bears a strong resemblance to that of Kino, the iconic Soviet band that defined youth music culture during the perestroika era (1985-1991). Kino’s status was solidified as legendary after the tragic death of its charismatic singer, Viktor Tsoi, in a car accident in August 1990. This project aims to analyze the musical evolution and cultural significance of post-punk music in Russia and Belarus, focusing particularly on the 'Cold Wave' subgenre and its connections to Kino and contemporary post-Soviet music. The research will begin with a musicological analysis to highlight the differences between Kino and UK post-punk bands of the 1980s, as well as between Kino and post-Soviet Cold Wave bands of the 2010s. The study will focus on the concept of 'discursivity' as shaped by the guitar, examining how this musical element connects Kino to post-Soviet Cold Wave music while differentiating it from the UK Cold Wave. The music of Kino and post-Soviet Cold Wave is more aligned with Richard Middleton's idea of “discursive repetition” than with “musematic repetition,” which is more characteristic of the UK Cold Wave. The project will explore how this form of repetition, as a musical material, interacts with other elements within recordings. Furthermore, the research seeks to move beyond prevailing interpretations of Russian rock that are primarily focused on lyrics. It will re-examine the relationship between music and lyrics, developing innovative methodologies for popular music analysis. The project also intends to critically reinterpret Adornian socio-musicological concepts within the context of popular music, advancing into an interdisciplinary research approach that bridges sociology, philosophy, linguistics, cultural studies, and other related fields.

Mots clés : popular music studies, repetition, musical material, adorno, soviet and post soviet post punk, cold wave, kino

Participants :
- Université de Huddersfield (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 276187.92 €
Projet ExploNL1 (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2022)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Controlling the precise balance between excitation and inhibition (E/I balance) is critical for information processing in the brain. This equilibrium is regulated at the level of individual synapses, which can be either excitatory or inhibitory depending of the type of neurotransmitter released. It is well established that cell adhesion molecules such as neurexins (NRXs) and neuroligins (NLs) play important roles in synapse formation and specification. In humans, several genetic mutations in NLs are associated with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) but how those mutations act in the establishment of those disorders remains unclear. One hypothesis is that mutations found in ASD patients can affect the interactions of NLs to specific protein binding partners and/or alter signaling pathways, which could contribute to disrupt the E/I balance. Interestingly, the host group recently discovered a molecular mechanism in which the phosphorylation of unique tyrosine residue located in the intracellular domain of NL1 regulates the differential assembly of excitatory versus inhibitory synapses. Furthermore, in the absence of highly specific antibodies compatible with immunostaining of native adhesion molecules, little is known about the precise distribution of endogenous NL1 within the synapse. In this project we will #1) decipher the localization of endogenous NL1 and its modulation between excitatory and inhibitory synapses based on its phosphorylation state by using a new transgenic knock-in mouse line in which endogenous NL1 has been tagged with a small biotin acceptor peptide (BAP-NL1); #2) we will uncover how ASD-linked mutations in NL1 affect synaptic changes at the morphological and functional levels, in both physiological and ASD conditions. ExploNL1 will shed light on the basic molecular mechanisms regulating the differentiation of excitatory and inhibitory synapses, and as a consequence the underlying pathological basis of ASDs.

Mots clés : adhesion molecules synapses light and electron microscopy autism spectrum disorders

Participants :
- Université de Bordeaux (France) — Partner, associated partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €
- Centre national de la recherche scientifique (France) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 195914.88 €