Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-actions-marie-curie-participations-et-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Projet EndoPos (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2018)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Endocytosis of cell surface receptors controls signaling during proliferation, differentiation and migration of cells, and plays a significant role in cancer progression. Invasive cancer cells accumulate recycling endosomes (including Rab11) at protrusions. This promotes the delivery of integrins, receptors for extracellular matrix, to regulate interactions between tumour cells and their surroundings, and coordinates actin polymerization through Rho family GTPases. The Rab11 family is particularly important in determining the aggressiveness of high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC). Despite its importance, the machinery that guides Rab11 trafficking and the functions of polarized trafficking are not clear in HGSOC. I aim to determine how recycling endosomes are positioned within HGSOC cells invading extracellular matrix, using BioID-based proteomics (a proximity labelling approach well established in the host lab) to identify the Rab11-associated machinery in HGSOC cells. I further aim to actively manipulate the dynamics of Rab11 positive endosomes in invading cells by developing a magnetogenetic approach to reposition endosomes in live cells, using a combination of my developed skills (including live imaging, protein engineering). Both cutting-edge methods will be applied in the most physiological and cancer relevant context to lend clinical relevance to our observations. Combining these innovative approaches will provide molecular detail and mechanistic insight to elucidate how localised endocytic trafficking controls tumour-stroma interactions in the metastatic niche and contributes to HGSOC lethality. This work will further provide targets for therapies aimed at suppressing metastasis and preventing relapse in HGSOC, a lethal form of ovarian cancer that has one of the worst survival rates (<40% 5-year survival). Moreover, this project will allow me to acquire technical skills and expertise essential for my development as an independent researcher.

Mots clés : endocytic trafficking and recycling, cell invasion into extracellular matrix, high grade serous ovarian cancer

Participants :
- University of Manchester (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 224933.76 €
Projet STRomA (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2018)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Endothelial cells (ECs) recognize and respond to mechanical forces through their cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesions and translate physical stimuli into biological responses in a process called mechanotransduction. The composition and mechanical properties of the extracellular matrix (ECM) differ across the vascular tree, in its surrounding tissues and in development and diseases, such as edema formation. I have recently shown for the first time that ECM stiffness fundamentally controls lymphangiogenesis. I hypothesize that changes in ECM stiffness are a key regulatory mechanism of angiogenic processes in development and disease. A comprehensive analysis of novel ECM stiffness-regulated genes is pivotal to understand these processes integrally. In a preliminary study, I have performed differential RNA sequencing of blood (B) and lymphatic (L) ECs cultured on soft and stiff matrices. 3200 genes were regulated similarly in BECs and LECs in response to changes in matrix stiffness. Interestingly, the same number of genes was differently regulated. In the next two years, I will study the role of selected genes in lymphangiogenesis and angiogenesis in vitro and in transgenic mouse models with state-of-the-art microscope and live imaging techniques. First, I will analyze an actin-regulating protein family that is significantly regulated by matrix stiffness in both, BEC and LECs, suggesting a more general role in lymphangiogenesis and angiogenesis by regulating cytoskeletal dynamics. Second, I will study a molecule, which is involved in intracellular cGMP signaling and is predominantly regulated in LECs, suggesting a more specific role in lymphangiogenesis. Last, I will generate an in vitro fluorescent stiffness sensor to live-visualize changes in stiffness inside the EC. Ultimately, the proposed action can provide novel targets to modulate lymph and blood vessel formation with implications for edema treatment and will support me to become an independent group leader.

Mots clés : lymphangiogenesis, angiogenesis, vascular edema, extracellular matrix stiffness, mechanotransduction, in vitro and ex vivo live imaging

Participants :
- Universität Hamburg (Allemagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 162806.4 €
Projet GLASUNTES (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2014)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - Global Fellowships
Panel : Information Science and Engineering
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Energy provision is a big challenge for our Society, being the present production/consumption paradigm not sustainable. To change current trends, a large increase in the share of Renewable Energy Sources (RESs) is crucial. The effectiveness of Thermal Energy Storage (TES) poses Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) systems at the forefront, as the first dispatchable option among all intermittent RESs. In order to realize the CSP potential, the efficiency of the adopted Power Conversion Units (PCUs) must grow over 50%, entailing temperature levels of the order of 1000 °C: promising solutions are based on Brayton thermodynamic cycles. This project stems from the observation that no existing TES option can be coupled to such PCUs and/or work at these temperatures, and aims at filling this gap. Three interrelated research objectives are proposed, to prove the feasibility and assess the potential of 1. an innovative CSP concept whereby (i) the receiver is co-located with the TES vessel, (ii) the solar radiation is directly absorbed by the liquid storage medium, and (iii) the thermal power is withdrawn from the TES by bubbling a gas through it, which can thus be used as working fluid in a Brayton cycle. An efficient and simple system results, without irradiated metal tubes, secondary fluid loops, heat exchangers, valves, nor pumps; 2. the adoption of common glass-forming compounds as novel TES materials. These are nontoxic and inexpensive (mainly sand), and the related know-how is already available from the glass manufacturing field, whose deep synergies with the CSP sector will be explored in a multi-disciplinary perspective; 3. the CSP systems resulting from the integration between receiver–TES and PCUs. The envisaged approach combines advanced theoretical and experimental research activities to achieve these goals. The final scope is to inaugurate a new branch in the field of solar systems, with the potential of enabling the CSP plants we need to ensure a bright Future.

Mots clés : concentrated solar power  csp, thermal energy storage  tes

Participants :
- Board of the Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology (Suisse) — Partner, organization partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €
- University of Pisa (Italie) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 259558.2 €
Projet NanoBBB (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2017)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Chemistry
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) offer unique potential for innovation in a diversity of applications, but have also been linked to potential adverse effects on human health and biota. A particular concern is the accumulating evidence implicating ENMs in neurotoxicity, with a potential mechanism involving crossing the blood brain barrier (BBB) and then directly or indirectly acting on the central nervous system. Currently, two key questions pertain to this uncertainty: (1) What conditions favour ENMs crossing the BBB? This is most likely related to the physicochemical properties of the ENMs but the current understanding is limited and inconclusive, primarily due to limited or irreproducible characterisation of ENMs. Therefore, a systematic investigation on the BBB-penetrating ability and association with the intrinsic properties of ENMs is urgently needed. (2) What is the fate of ENMs within and beyond the BBB? i.e. the deposition, translocation, and transformation of ENMs after crossing the BBB. Given that the accumulation of ENMs in BBB might be low, localizing the ENMs in the system would be a challenging task, especially for ENMs with high elemental backgrounds (e.g., C-based and Fe-based ENMs). Thus, novel approaches are urgently needed to enable a breakthrough in our understanding of ENM ability to cross the BBB and trace their path beyond. Project NanoBBB proposes combining novel labelling techniques with an on-a-chip brain model and in vivo experiments enabling a uniquely novel approach to solve this problem. This project will allow us to systematically understand the behaviour and fate of certain ENMs in brain and contribute to safer design of ENMs. The ER brings her extensive biological expertise to the host lab, which in turn offers world-class analytical and labelling facilities and expertise. NanoBBB also offers placements in industry for the on-a-chip technology development and an NGO to host the in-vivo experiments enabling validation of the model.

Mots clés : nanomaterials, blood brain barrier, isotope labeling, in vitro bbb model

Participants :
- University of Birmingham (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 195454.8 €
Projet PROCESS (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2017)
Action : Cofund Postdoctoral programme
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Engineering Solutions for the Process Industry: The overarching research theme of the PROCESS Fellowship Programme is Advanced Manufacturing of high value products and engineering solutions for related industries, with particular emphasis on particulate product processing for new products within the dairy and pharmaceutical sectors. A broad range of research focus areas are envisaged, incorporating process modelling and integrated process control, with associated Process Analytical Technologies (PAT), heat, mass and momentum transfer, hybrid processing and subsequent smart data management, to promote processing agility and flexibility within an Industry 4.0 framework. PROCESS will run for 60 months, and will fund 26 experienced researchers of any nationality across two competitive Calls for Proposals for European Fellowships (two-year). The successful applicants will be awarded an employment contract in Ireland with the host beneficiary University of Limerick, and will have the option of selecting supervisors from any of the three participating Centres (Dairy Processing Technology Centre - DPTC, Synthesis and Solid State Pharmaceutical Centre - SSPC, and Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Technology Centre - PMTC) within the University. Fellowships will include mandatory secondments (between 3 to 6 months) to industry, with placements selected from, but not limited to, dairy and pharmaceutical companies who are partners of the three Centres. It is expected that these placements will be beneficial to the candidate’s research and training project. To facilitate this, the participating Centres have already secured the commitment of leading companies, and other internationally recognised research centres, to host Fellows on secondment. Projects proposing fundamental or applied research will be eligible, and inter-or multi-disciplinary proposals will be welcomed. A core focus of the Programme will be on sharing of knowledge and findings between academia and industry.

Mots clés : process analytical technology, hybrid processing, pharmaceutical manufacturing, dairy processing

Participants :
- University of Limerick (Irlande) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 1840800.0 €
Projet MANACOLIPO (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2020)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Physics
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Enhancing magneto-optical (MO) effects is crucial for the size reduction of key photonic devices based on non-reciprocal propagation of light and for active nanophotonics. Magnetoplasmonics merges the concepts from plasmonics and magneto-optics to achieve an enhancement of MO effects by using dipolar plasmonic resonances in magnetic nanoantennas. However, the achievable MO enhancement is still too small for practical applications due to two limiting factors: the low Q-factor of the dipolar plasmon resonances in metallic nanostructures and their bright nature that enhances the radiation of light with the original incident polarization, thereby reducing the polarization change induced by the plasmon-assisted MO amplification. Very recently, the new conceptual path of hybridization of dipolar plasmon modes with multipolar dark modes using hybrid magnetoplasmonic nanocavities was proposed as a way to overcome both the above-mentioned limitations. This project will explore this new conceptual path, which was proposed by the Supervisor in a proof-of-concept work, to devise advanced approaches to harness the hybridization of multipolar dark modes with bright modes and achieve an unprecedented enhancement of MO effects. To this purpose, new types of nanocavities are proposed and will be fabricated and studied in this project. The new approaches and devices developed in this project will contribute to achieving a deeper understanding of the nanoscale light-matter interactions and are likely to have a huge impact on forthcoming photonic nanotechnologies for active manipulation of light polarization. By tackling novel and relevant challenges in modern nanophotonics, this project represents a unique platform for the training of the applicant, who has an established fundamental background that will be complemented with an interdisciplinary and technology-related research profile enhancing his competence and decisively support him in attaining a leading independent position.

Mots clés : magneto optics, magnetoplasmonics, nanophotonics, plasmonics

Participants :
- CIC nanoGUNE (Espagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 160932.48 €
Projet MICROBIS (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2020)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Ensuring food security and accessibility represents a global challenge since world population grows exponentially while crop quality and productivity is restricted by limitations on arable areas and increasing incidence of stress conditions due to climate change. Plant pathogens are major threats for optimal crop yield and preservation of the harvest. Although plant immune responses are well characterised in isolation, pathogen infections frequently occur in combination with other stress conditions. Importantly, the outcome of plant-pathogen interactions under combinatorial stress is unpredictable as the operating molecular mechanisms differ from those triggered under each individual stressor. Certain abiotic stressors ultimately confer resilience to subsequent pathogen infection, i.e. cross-tolerance, however the network of molecular events involved remains undeciphered. Recent studies suggested that metabolites could retain stress memory and modulate combinatorial stress responses, but their potential role in cross-tolerance has been barely investigated. Hence, this MSCA is aimed at identifying changing metabolites after abiotic stress periods that enhance plant tolerance to pathogens. To this end, comprehensive conditions and time-courses for sequential stress will be defined to cultivate Arabidopsis thaliana plants under frequent abiotic stressors, namely drought and temperature shifts, followed by pathogen challenge. Subsequently, metabolome changes will be profiled and systemically analysed to retrieve central features. The biological relevance of candidates will be assessed in planta. Finally, artificial intelligence algorithms will be applied to select species of agronomic interest that metabolically respond to sequential stress as Arabidopsis does and thus initiate translation of cross-tolerance strategies into crops. Consequently, this MSCA will contribute to the development of new strategies to ensure food security under current climate change conditions.

Mots clés : plant combinatorial stress, cross tolerance, plant pathogen, priming

Participants :
- CERCA Institution (Espagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 172932.48 €
Projet DEMETS (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2016)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) remains prevalent globally. Its association with dementia is unclear. We propose to investigate impacts of ETS on dementia risk and outcomes, and examine levels and determinants of ETS exposure post dementia. In a case-control study in the UK we will recruit 150 elders aged>=75 years with newly diagnosed dementia, 150 with already diagnosed dementia and 150 without dementia from the Royal Wolverhampton hospital. Each participant will be interviewed for socio-demography and risk factors and have saliva samples taken for cotinine analysis. Using multivariate logistic regression models we will examine the association of ETS measured by cotinine with newly diagnosed dementia, and identify factors influencing ETS exposure in people with already diagnosed dementia. We will analyse data from a cohort of 6071 participants aged >=60 years in China, who had the details of ETS exposure recorded in a 5-province health survey in 2007-2009 and were re-interviewed in 2010-2012 to diagnose incident dementia. We will examine incident dementia in relation to baseline ETS exposure, and the impact of ETS exposure on mortality and multimobidity in participants with dementia using multiple adjusted Cox regression models. In the UK we will further run 2 focus groups and explore preventive measures of ETS exposure in older people with and without dementia. Our rich data, including a biomarker elevated upon exposure to ETS will offer internationally applicable insights into the impacts of ETS on dementia incidence and outcomes. Throughout the research project, use of varied study and research methodologies and rigourous training courses, our Fellow will develop his leadership skills and further his career in public health research. The project will strengthen a long-term collaboration between China and EU partners, and will provide Europe with new data to prevent dementia and to reduce ETS.

Mots clés : dementia, alzheimer s disease, passive smoking, public health, epidemiology

Participants :
- University of Wolverhampton (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 195454.8 €
Projet ADAPTATION (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2015)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Environment and Geosciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Environmental changes, including habitat loss and climate change, are negatively impacting biodiversity at global levels, with accelerating extinction rates of species. Whilst the EU Biodiversity Strategy aims to halt and then reverse these losses of species, data on the conservation status of many protected species is lacking, inhibiting their management. Effective conservation is reliant on robust data on protected species, yet there is a substantial knowledge gap between traditional monitoring methods that record abundances and conservation management frameworks that require the integration of species’ ecology with their adaptive responses to rapidly changing environments. The primary aim of this Fellowship is to thus deliver a novel conservation management framework for a model protected species, integrating ecological and genetic data, to provide a new predictive basis for European conservation management programmes. The sea lamprey Petromyson marinus is the model species, a protected species on Annex II of the EU Habitats Directive that provides multiple generations for testing the effects of environmental change on candidate genes. Research objectives quantify P. marinus European genetic diversity and structure, test for the presence of novel genetic mutations across populations, identify the genetic regions associated with adaptation to specific environmental parameters and develop an eco-evolutionary model of P. marinus population dynamics as the basis for its conservation management framework. As the project delivers highly innovative genetic and ecological research, it brings together a leading European researcher with high genetic knowledge with a European research group with exceptional expertise in conservation ecology. Together, their knowledge transfer and training activities will deliver novel conservation tools supporting European conservation strategies and launch a new research agenda in biodiversity and conservation management.

Mots clés : genetic diversity, sustainability, freshwater fishes

Participants :
- Bournemouth University (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 183454.8 €
Projet NOCO2 (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2017)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Information Science and Engineering
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Environmental issue due to CO2 emissions has become global problems. This MSCA Individual Fellowship will bring the excellent young researcher, currently an H.C. Ørsted Fellow at the Technical University of Denmark, to investigate a novel CO2 supersonic separation technology contributing to carbon capture and storage. The researcher will integrate the visualising and measuring tests to study the complicated CO2 condensation phenomena, while a numerical model will be developed to predict the thermophysical behaviour of CO2 separation in supersonic flows. The project has been carefully designed to match the researcher's expertise in supersonic flows and the expertise of the host institute, the University of Nottingham in multiphase flow, heat and mass transfer, and energy sustainable development. The objective is to propose and demonstrate the feasibility of CO2 separation in supersonic flows. In addition to the scientific goals, the Research Fellow will contribute his expertise on supersonic separations and multiphase flow corrosion, and will provide important training to EU researchers, industrial contacts and undergraduates by: hosting a series of seminars, lecturing at an industrial dissemination event, giving a special lecture on the fluid mechanics undergraduate course, and participating in outreach activities of the university. The researcher has 8 years experience on experimental and numerical studies for supersonic flows. Combining the host’s supervision on heat and mass transfer, the fellowship will provide him with perfect time to develop the proposed project on CO2 supersonic separation. The innovative research with its outcomes on journal papers and conference presentations, and the training on advanced expertise and soft skills, will enhance his future career to find tenure-track position in EU. The proposed project provides new guidance for CO2 treatment to mitigate carbon emission and contribute to the sustainable development of European society.

Mots clés : carbon dioxide, supersonic, condensation, separation, separator, computational fluid dynamics, simulation, natural gas

Participants :
- University of Nottingham (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 195454.8 €