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

Plants have developed sophisticated barriers in various tissues and organs to safeguard integrity. To monitor barrier integrity, plants appear to have evolved similar systems that share signalling modules. The receptor/ligand signalling pathway initiated by SGN3/CIFs establishes the integrity of the Casparian strip (CS), a root diffusion barrier that is essential for controlling nutrient and water homeostasis. The CS starts off as aligned microdomains that eventually fuse to forge a continuous barrier. The SGN pathway is crucial to “find and seal gaps” between the microdomains. However, the mechanism that ensures perfect domain fusion is not well understood. Here, I aim to uncover missing mechanistic details and characterise central unknown elements in a proposed, branched SGN pathway. I intend to identify potential SGN3 co-receptors and additional membrane transducers, and to investigate the elusive role of MAPKs during CS formation. The findings will be crucial to resolve pathway features that the current linear model cannot explain. First, identifying co-receptors is necessary to understand how SGN3 is activated. SGN3 also appears to be involved in embryonic cuticle and pollen coat formation. Therefore, co-receptor identification would clarify whether SGN3 perceives the same or different ligand to govern distinct barrier formation processes. Secondly, identifying additional transducers will provide a molecular basis for understanding two potentially distinct lignification processes regulated by SGN3. This will provide broad insights into how receptors regulate specific sub-functions. Thirdly, MAPK cascades are activated downstream of many receptor/ligand pathways. Elucidating their function in the SGN pathway will give insights into diverse biological processes. Overall, this project will provide a key model to study specificity and localisation of signalling modules, leading towards tissue-specific and inducible barrier engineering in plants.

Mots clés : casparian strip, schengen  sgn  signalling, integrity surveillance, cell surface receptor complex, mapk cascades

Participants :
- University of Lausanne (Suisse) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 203149.44 €
Projet xFATE (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2017)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Plants use light energy to reduce carbon from CO2 to produce sugars. But what happens if too much light is absorbed? Part of the energy is thermally dissipated in a process called non-photochemical quenching; nevertheless excessive absorption inevitably leads to Photosystem II (PSII) damage and photoinhibition. This is followed by degradation and replacement of the reaction center core. Interestingly, photoinhibition is accompanied by a decrease in fluorescence yield, indicating an increase of thermal energy dissipation, leading to the proposal that it functions as a photoprotective mechanism. The molecular mechanism behind this energy dissipation is, however, unknown and the aim of this project is to determine the fate of excitons during photoinhibition. We plan to investigate two scenarios of photoinhibition: one in which the PSII centers are damaged and not degraded, and a second in which the PSII centers are damaged and subsequently degraded. We will use a hypothesis-driven approach for the first scenario and investigate whether the altered thermodynamics of the inhibited PSII can explain changes in fluorescence emission yield and kinetics. The second scenario explores the mechanism that dissipates excitation energy in the absence of the PSII core. Both situations will be probed using spectrally- and temporarily-resolved fluorescence and transient absorption spectroscopy combined with biochemical analyses. Finally, we will use single-molecule spectroscopy on isolated PSII to reveal heterogeneity of PSII damage during photoinhibition. Potentially unraveling new mechanisms of protection against excessive energy absorption, crucial in natural environments where photoinhibition occurs regularly, holds promises not only for our fundamental understanding of energy conversion, but also for future applications in algae and crop cultivation.

Mots clés : plant biology, photosynthesis, photoprotection, electron transfer, excitation transfer

Participants :
- Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (Pays-Bas) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 165598.8 €
Projet PLASMACAT (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2018)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Chemistry
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Plasma catalysis is a new emerging field of conversion technology, particularly focused on converting relatively stable gases such as CO2 to basic chemical building blocks by using electrical energy. It consist of highly energetic accelerated electrons producing a cocktail of activated species such as ions, radicals and excited species. To be able to enhance its energy efficiency and create selective conversions, packing materials and catalysts are being introduced in the plasma. Although it is well accepted that there is a mutual interaction of the materials on the plasma properties and vice versa, the underlying mechanisms and even more the specific material properties influencing plasma conversion, selectivity and energy efficiency are still largely unknown. Therefore, a systematic study applying know-how of the applicant and supervisor in controlled material synthesis will be integrated in plasma catalytic studies, a new field of research for the applicant. This will permit a systematic structure-activity correlation, identifying the impact of yet unrevealed material properties on the plasma characteristics and performance (conversion, selectivity and energy efficiency) determined by the specific plasma environment. Focus will be put on studying the impact of metal dispersion and metal support interactions on the plasma characteristics, plasma catalytic conversion and selectivity as well as its stability. Elucidating the role of packing geometry on plasma catalysis is a particular aspect of this MSCA, which is expected to have unique behavior in plasma discharge and characteristics and hence conversion and selectivity. This is a feature distinctive for plasma and not encountered in classical catalytic processes.

Mots clés : plasma catalysis, structure activity correlation, material plasma interaction, plasma material interaction, catalyst shaping

Participants :
- University of Antwerp (Belgique) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 178320.0 €
Projet MINIREX (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2019)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Plasma membrane-localized receptor kinases (RKs) perceive diverse extracellular ligands, allowing plants to react to various stimuli. They function in signaling processes during all aspects of plants’ life, including development, biotic and abiotic stress responses as well as reproduction. In the last decade, a major paradigm has emerged that individual RKs have different biochemical functions. There are e.g. ligand-binding RKs, which require the formation of stable complexes with RK co-receptors in order to initiate signaling. In addition to this common mode of activation, it has been revealed that additional RKs can have regulatory functions within RK complexes, and that in planta several other proteins are part of these complexes to regulate – either positively or negatively – complex formation and initiation of downstream signaling. The proposed project aims to understand what the minimal components linking ligand binding to receptor activation and to the initiation of cellular outputs are. Furthermore, it has the goal to elucidate the structural mechanisms of receptor complex activation. To achieve this, two interconnected approaches will be pursued. The first will utilize protein expression in cell-culture to reconstitute the signaling pathway from ligand perception to activation of downstream targets. The second approach will use a cell-free in vitro expression system to reconstitute the complete RK complex in synthetic, membrane-mimicking nanodiscs. This will ultimately allow the analysis of ligand induced structural changes by cryo-electron microscopy within full length, membrane embedded RK complexes. The well-characterized RK FLAGELLIN SENSING 2 (FLS2) and its co-receptor RK BRI1-ASSOCIATED KINASE 1 (BAK1), which are core elements of the receptor complex mediating the perception of bacterial Flagellin and function in the induction of antibacterial immune responses, will be to this end employed as a model for the proposed project.

Mots clés : plant signal transduction, plant immunity, receptor kinase, protein complex

Participants :
- University of Zurich (Suisse) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 203149.44 €
Projet CCLEANER (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2020)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Information Science and Engineering
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Plastic pollution in the oceans is a growing worldwide problem. It endangers marine life, pollutes ecosystems and contributes to health problems for us. According to European Parliamentary Research Service, an estimated 4.8 to 12.7 million tonnes of plastic enter the oceans every year, and the associated cost is between €259 million and €695 million. The project aims to develop a integrate system to convert marine litter to methanol by hydrothermal carbonisation, gasification and syngas-to-methanol process. The key questions will be answered in the project are: 1) develop a hydrothermal carbonisation process which can use seawater as the reaction medium; 2) develop a gasification process which can safely handle hydrochar with high nitrogen and high chlorine content; and 3) the economic feasibility, sustainability and social impact of such marine litter-to-methanol process. The success of the project will lead to scientific and technological advances in marine waste management and a potential opportunity to build a demonstration system. The Fellow is a well-trained researcher in the area of thermal conversion of biomass and other solid waste. The Fellow has extensive industrial experience of C1 chemical and derivate products high-value process for three years. The proposed project is an excellent opportunity for the candidate to bring his industrial experience back to university and restart his independent research career.

Mots clés : marine litter, pretreatment, methnaol

Participants :
- Aston University (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 212933.76 €
Projet BterBioPlastics (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2018)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Plastics are littering our environment, contributing to health problems and it is urgent to find sustainable alternatives. Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are natural (not synthetic) and non-toxic polyesters and can be derived from bacterial fermentation. However, the amount produced is low for the demand, costs for production are high and non-competitive when compared to plastics from crude oil. Therefore, it is urgent to overcome this limiting factor by increasing the production of biodegradable bioplastics. This proposal is promising and can impact our everyday life through innovative ways to increase production and versatility of bio-based degradable plastics. Herein, I propose to improve the production of different kinds of PHAs through two chassis: Sinorhizobium meliloti, and Pseudomonas putida, both recognized as safe (GRAS status) and able to grow in fermenters. First, I aim to use the gained knowledge during my PhD training in small RNA regulators (sRNAs) in S. meliloti, as well as the expertise of my host group in RNA-mediated regulation of gene expression and RNases, to improve the production of one kind of PHA in the first chassis. Second, I will implement transcriptome analysis of P. putida and generate synthetic sRNAs as an innovative vector for the control of key enzymes involved in PHA production in the second chassis. Finally, pilot fermentations and metabolic modulation strategies will upscale and upgrade the bioplastics accumulated in both organisms (collaborating with world experts in bioplastics: short-stay and secondment) and connect us to the non-academic sector. This multidisciplinary project will be broadly advertised to different audiences. I will acquire new knowledge, transferrable skills, training and collaborations. This will prompt my career to international levels in synthetic biology and domestication of microbes as bio-alternative for relevant industrial purposes. In the end, I will be prepared to become an independent scientist.

Mots clés : bioplastics, biodegradable, synthetic biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, bioinformatics, biotechnology, bioengineering

Participants :
- Universidade Nova de Lisboa (Portugal) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 147815.04 €
Projet POSTA (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2020)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Platelets are circulating blood cells that help to arrest of bleeding (i.e. haemostasis) and promote the repair of blood vessels following injury. In type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), platelets are hyperactive and their uncontrolled activation leads to the unwanted occlusion of blood vessels (i.e. thrombosis). Thrombosis is the main cause of mortality for T2DM patients, who display significantly higher risk of cardiovascular disease than the rest of the population. Currently, 70% of T2DM patients succumb to cardiovascular diseases. I have been working on pro-oxidant enzymes called NADPH oxidases (NOXs), which are responsible for oxidative stress and activation of platelets. I have shown that the enzymatic activity of NOXs generates oxidant molecules (i.e. free radicals), which in turn are responsible for platelet activation. In preparation to this application, I have generated data showing that platelets from T2DM patients contain higher levels of the NOX1 isoform. This enzyme is responsible for oxidative stress and hyperactivity of platelets from T2DM platelets compared to healthy controls. In this project, I aim to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying platelet regulation by NOXs and the contribution of NOX1 to platelet hyperactivity in T2DM. I will use human blood from T2DM patients and murine models of T2DM. In addition to clarifying the role of NOX1 in the vascular complications of T2DM, I will test whether NOX1 inhibitors synthesised in my laboratory can protect the health of the vascular system in this disease. Taken together, this project will markedly advance our understanding of how platelets are regulated and will generate novel information on the link between cardiovascular risk and T2DM, which may result in a substantial improvement of the clinical management of this disease.

Mots clés : diabetes, platelets, oxidative stress, thrombosis, cardiovascular risk

Participants :
- Universität Hamburg (Allemagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 162806.4 €
Projet COAGULANT (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2017)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - Global Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Platelets play an essential role in hemostasis but are also critically involved in acute arterial thrombotic occlusions leading to myocardial infarction or ischemic stroke and associated tissue fibrosis which are still the major cause of morbidity and disability in the European Union thus causing enormous costs in the health care system. In the last years there is increasing evidence that primary hemostasis and inflammatory atherothrombosis are crucially affected by leukocytes. Thereby the neutrophils represent the most abundant type of immune celly as almost 50% of all leukocytes belong to the neutrophil subset. The neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation is mainly know as pro-thrombotic factor in arterial thrombosis and is characterized by release of decondensed chromatin with incorporated histones and neutrophil elastases after neutrophil activation. Beside their pro-thrombotic effect, NETs were also recently described as inducer of tissue fibrosis in vivo thus contributing to cardiac tissue damage. Although tubulin and intermediate filament rearrangements in the cytoskeleton and nuclear envelope are a prerequisite for NET formation and chromatin release, nothing is know about the underlying molecular mechanisms and targets hitherto. Tubulin dynamics and microtubules are known regulators of intermediate filaments in the nuclear envelope thus maintaining the nuclear integrity of cells. Thereby, the ubiquitous Casein kinase 2 (CK2) is an acknowledged upstream molecule of microtubule dynamics and stability in a wide variety of cells. For this reason, the role of the CK2 in microtubule and intermediate filament dynamics during NET formation and its impact on thrombo-occlusive tissue fibrosis in cardiovascular diseases will be investigated resulting in the identification of new molecular structures suitable for improved and personalized treatment of thrombo-occlusive events like myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke.

Mots clés : netosis, casein kinase 2, microtubules, intermediate filaments, tissue fibrosis

Participants :
- University of Tübingen (Allemagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 239860.8 €
- Boston Children's Hospital (Etats-Unis) — Partner, organization partner, Recherche, subvention : 0.0 €
Projet SAN-ICE (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2016)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Environment and Geosciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Polar regions are some of the least accessible regions on Earth, yet the number of continuously operating seismic stations has increased ten-fold in the last decades. When traveling in presence of ice, the seismic wavefield is reshaped and thus seismology is an ideal powerful tool to extract and monitor key ice-properties. In particular, the seismic ambient noise (SAN) wavefield is recorded continuously in time, having high temporal resolution. Compared to costly satellites and airborne campaigns commonly used to study ice in polar regions, seismology can (a) take records further back in time, (b) fill spatial gaps in satellite and airborne data and (c) fill temporal monitoring gaps. However, little is known about SAN in polar regions and how it can be used to infer ice properties. SAN-ICE will use for the first time a combination of advanced seismic data analysis and full wavefield numerical simulations to (1) characterize seismic wave propagation in presence of ice (both land and sea ice) and (2) infer ice and uppermost crustal properties using SAN. My work will consist of three work packages. First, by using novel and classical seismic methods, I will obtain high resolution maps across the whole Greenland and Antarctica of seismic velocity, density and thickness of ice and crust, completely constrained by seismic data alone. Second, I will perform time-dependent analyses of all the seismic data available up to 40 years ago from Greenland and Antarctica for monitoring ice and crustal structure changes. Third, by modeling the full wavefield and using oceanographic and satellite data, I will investigate the damping effect of sea ice on seismic waves and get new insights on sea ice changes. With this proposed work, I will explore new routes entirely based on seismology and SAN for helping to quantify ice mass changes over time, which in turn, are crucial for predictions of future sea level rise, one of the most devastating potential impacts of climate change.

Mots clés : seismology, polar science, seismic ambient noise, ice sheets, sea ice

Participants :
- University of London (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 183454.8 €
Projet MEPOL (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2014)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Pollination contributes to more than $200 billion of revenue, about 10% of the global agricultural production. In addition to higher yields and better quality of fruits and vegetables, pollination has evolutionary implications. Understanding the cues that attract and sustain pollinators will positively impact agriculture and our knowledge on how to preserve biodiversity. This project aims to unravel the role of plant metabolism in pollination by exploiting the genotypic variation existing among natural accessions of Arabidopsis and in combination with metabolomics and transcriptomics to identify genes that regulate the traits that plants use to attract and reward pollinators. These are fragrance, colour and nectar. Volatiles emitted from flowers of a collection of 360 Arabidopsis ecotypes will be analysed via GC-MS, and sugars, amino acids and secondary metabolites measured via HPLC and LC-MS. Genome-wide association studies will be used to correlate metabolic phenotypes and single nucleotide polymorphisms to loci that regulate pollination traits, which will be further studied to establish gene functions. Metabolites and RNA extracted at time points during flower development will be used to identify the regulatory elements of pollination-related metabolite formation. To assess the contribution of pollination traits to flower attractiveness, behavioural experiments with hoverflies will be performed. Finally, the knowledge acquired from the model plant Arabidopsis will be transferred to the oilseed crop Camelina, in which pollination efficiency will be measured as seed production. The project combines multidisciplinary approaches to expand the skills of the fellow. In turn, the fellow will bring expertise about Camelina and CRISPR to the host. At its completion, the project will provide the host institution with a large dataset of metabolic signatures for the generation and validation of new hypotheses with regard to scent, colour and nectar formation.

Mots clés : pollination, plant metabolism

Participants :
- Wageningen University & Research (Pays-Bas) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 165598.8 €