Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-actions-marie-curie-participations-et-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Projet Tau Seeding (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2016)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The microtubule-associated protein tau is the most commonly misfolded protein in neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer’s disease and other related tauopathies. These neurological illnesses are hypothesized to share a common mechanism of disease progression, where pathogenic aggregates or ‘seeds’ of the tau protein function as templates promoting misfolding of functional, soluble tau protein. Under this premise, therapeutic strategies that modulate the seeding cascade, have high potential to interfere with the disease process. I will apply a recently developed highly sensitive and specific FRET-based biosensor cell assay as well as C.elegans to identify proteins that robustly influence tau seeding to understand the self-propagation process, ultimately aiming to stall disease progression. To this purpose, I will perform an shRNA-based knockdown screen of ~500 target genes preselected from literature, with potential to influence tau seeding. These will include known interactors of tau, proteostasis and tau life cycle regulators, and kinases, which modify tau post-translationally. After systematic validation, hits will be comprehensively investigated to unravel the mechanistic details of how modulation of the seeding activity was induced by the relevant gene. In addition, based on the results from the cellular assay, network models will be generated that delineate the causal relationships between identified target genes and tau seeding. This will help to understand, which proteins are able to directly or indirectly affect tau seeding, based on which new drug screens can be established. Moreover, already known drug targets will be attempted to be linked to cellular pathways, which have been identified to be relevant to tau seeding. In the medium term, this study may not only identify novel target genes and molecular pathways but also lay the important foundation to identify chemical compounds that slow or inhibit tau seeding.

Mots clés : tau seeding assay, hek293t biosensor cell line, shrna and crispr, cas 9 mediated genome modification, proteostasis network, chaperones, kinases, c  elegans, fret flow cytometry

Participants :
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (Allemagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 171460.8 €
Projet 3DWISE (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2014)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Environment and Geosciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The mid-ocean ridge system is the longest volcanic mountain chain that wraps around the Globe along which two plates have been separating and oceanic crust has been forming by highly active magmatic processes operating within and at the base of thus formed crust. It is believed that there is a strong link between these magmatic processes known at large spatial scales (1-100 km) and relatively localized (0.001-1 km) tectonic/ volcanic/hydrothermal/biological processes, and their expression onto the seafloor. However, the characteristics of the link are largely unknown. The origin of the most of the unknowns is embedded in poorly defined properties of the upper crust (its structure, P and S wave velocities, porosity, density, anisotropy, etc.), where the link is hosted and its activity is taking place. To map these properties at an unprecedented resolution scale and unveil the existing link, we propose to apply an advanced three-dimensional (3D) full waveform inversion (FWI) technique, which has been recently developed in partnership with industry, to a unique 3D seismic reflection data acquired at the East Pacific Rise. The proposed work will not only result in detailed spatial characterization of the upper crust, but also lay foundation for the 3D FWI as a standard tool for 3D geophysical subsurface exploration of, but not limited to, global tectonics. The study area, the East Pacific Rise at 9º50’N, is a portion of the mid-ocean ridge system characterized by prolific hydrothermal activity, two documented volcanic eruptions and substantial multidisciplinary time-series measurements (unique on the Earth), offering interdisciplinary approach to solve one of the most fundamental problems in Earth sciences. These results will also enable us to tackle some of the long-standing questions on patterns of hydrothermal flow, signature of fine-scale tectono-magmatic segmentation through the upper crust and volume estimates of the erupted lava emplaced on the seafloor.

Mots clés : full waveform inversion, mid ocean ridge processes, structure and properties of oceanic crust, controlled source seismology

Participants :
- Institut de physique du globe (France) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 173076.0 €
Projet TENSOROOTS (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2016)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Information Science and Engineering
Statut du projet : TERMINATED

The modelling of real-life nonlinear processes is commonly done via local linearization, i.e., by fitting linear models to small ranges of the process. Linearization is, however, quite limited in range and model properties. A foundational step is currently being made by moving from linear to multi-linear or polynomial models to capture more general features of a nonlinear process over larger ranges. A second important development is Big Data: nowadays we often encounter high-dimensional datasets with multiple `independent’ modes of variation. This increases the numbers of equations and variables and the degrees of the polynomials in the multi-linear models that are required. Big Data research is a key priority in the EU Horizon 2020 Work Programme. This proposal joins both the cutting edge multi-linear and Big Data developments and as a next step aims to develop new robust and efficient numerical methods to solve large polynomial systems. Polynomial equations arise naturally in a large number of diverse fields such as signal processing, robotics, coding theory, optimization, bioinformatics, computer vision, game theory, statistics, machine learning, and systems and control theory. In many applications the coefficients of the polynomials are noisy (i.e., computed from measured data). Currently, solving polynomial equations is commonly done via ‘symbolic algebra’ tools, but these are not suitable for equations with noisy coefficients. However, the rediscovered work of Sylvester and Macaulay puts the problem in a linear algebra setting and well-known numerical linear algebra tools can be used. This project will go beyond this and uses new highly efficient multi-linear algebra tools in the field of tensor decompositions. The latter are higher-order generalizations of the matrix singular valued decomposition. The project combines polynomial algebra, numerical linear algebra, and multi-linear algebra, and will have large impact on a large number of applications.

Mots clés : polynomial algebra, multi linear algebra, numerical linear algebra, tensor decompositions, signal processing, systems theory

Participants :
- KU Leuven (Belgique) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 160800.0 €
Projet CHARM-Vis (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2018)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The molecular mechanisms underlying memory formation in vertebrates are not well understood, despite their paramount importance to neuroscience. CHARM-Vis aims at investigating changes in the chromatin landscape and transcriptional activity in a prototypical model system for memory formation: visual imprinting in domestic chicks. The expected outcome of the project is remarkable. The use of single-cell, next-generation sequencing technologies will allow to study the system of interest at an unprecedented level of resolution, potentially leading to relevant new discoveries. Novel bioinformatics software pipelines will be developed for analyzing the data, and made available as free, open source software. All the data generated in the project will be made public as well, in order to benefit future research. A highly interdisciplinary consortium of world leading institutions will be involved in the project, including experts in chick visual imprinting from Ilia State University, Georgia, bioinformatics specialists from Navarrabiomed, Spain, and biotechnology experts from Karolinska Institute, Sweden. The combined expertise and synergy of the international consortium, along with the long-lasting scientific experience of the applicant, will ensure the successful fulfillment of the proposal. All the involved parties will greatly benefit from participating into the project. The applicant will deepen his expertise in bioinformatics and neuroscience, reinforcing his position as independent researcher. A mutual exchange of knowledge will take place among the involved institutions, whose know-hows are highly complementary. The project will also have beneficial, long-lasting effects after its end. We expect novel scientific questions to spring from the results of the project, stimulating the applicant as well as other researchers in performing further research, expanding the current knowledge and consolidating their careers.

Mots clés : visual imprinting, memory formation, chromatin landscape, single cell transcriptomics, bioinformatics

Participants :
- Ilia State University (Géorgie) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 137391.36 €
Projet Cetacean Inner Ear (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2016)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Environment and Geosciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The morphological study of cetacean cochlea as well as the possible alterations associated to sound exposure, represent a key conservation issue to assess the effects of acoustic pollution on marine ecosystems. Noise pollution could affect cetaceans by causing lesions in their inner ear, which can be severe enough to be lethal. In cases of severe permanent hearing loss, supporting cells of the organ of Corti replace apoptotic hair cells that are responsible for transducing the signal and enhancing auditory sensitivity and frequency selectivity. The objectives of this study consist in conducting a comparative ultrastructure morphological analysis of the cochlea from stranded cetaceans to 1) to assess their species specific hearing sensitivities by creating cochlear frequency maps and 2) to investigate possible lesions as a consequence of sound overexposure. Once the cochlear frequency map for a species is resolved, it will be possible to estimate the acoustic characteristics of a source that may have caused these lesions. In addition, this study will 3) investigate the process of hair cell apoptosis and the subsequent ‘scar’ formation to be able to distinguish newly formed lesions from old ones. Toothed whales have remarkable hearing protective mechanisms to insulate them from noise. Our research will also focus on 4) examining the potential elements that might play a role in this protective mechanism. To achieve these four objectives, the applicant will fine tune the protocol of ear analysis using electron microscopy and applying immunohistochemistry techniques. The expertise of the Hearing team of the Institute for Neurosciences of Montpellier (Inserm Unit 1051, France), and its microscopy and imaging facilities will be invaluable for the accomplishment of our study. This research will bring tools to the decision makers to better regulate marine activities and will contribute with essential knowledge for assessing the effects of noise pollution cetacean hearing.

Mots clés : noise pollution, hearing loss, cetaceans, whales, inner ear, cochlea, hair cells, electron microscopy, immunofluorescence

Participants :
- Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (France) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 185076.0 €
Projet SHINEShift (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2018)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Chemistry
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The most commonly used artificial cell membrane models are vesicles. However, these static structures, consisting of a lipid bilayer surrounding a fluid, are poor in resisting mechanical stress. Enhancing their mechanical properties with a dynamic artificial cytoskeleton will both allow stabilizing their shape and transforming these passive objects into dynamic stimuli-responsive systems. In this MSCA project photo-responsive synthetic supramolecular tubules will be used as an artificial cytoskeleton inside vesicles. My aim is to develop stiff and at the same time responsive tubules based on cyclic peptide design that can grow and generate pushing forces during the fueling step, and disassemble when the fuel stops, both in a fully reversible manner. This cutting edge interdisciplinary project brings together several disciplines in chemistry, i.e. organic synthesis and supramolecular chemistry with colloidal chemistry (and/or microfluidics), and its scientific impact will spread through various fields – from supramolecular chemistry to material science (leap from static vesicles to dynamic ones), and synthetic biology (relevance for future applications in the field of artificial cells). My expertise as experienced researcher in the field of organic synthesis will be applied to the field of dynamic supramolecular systems based on photo-switchable compounds in which the host (Dr. Kudernac) has made notable recent progress. During this training-through-research project I will be able to learn the preparation processes for the vesicles and microscopy techniques that are fundamental for investigating (dynamic) supramolecular assemblies and which will further expand my horizontal skills. In addition, training activities during this fellowship will strongly enhance my leadership and transferable skills. Hence, the Fellowship will allow me to become a distinctive researcher in a highly competitive scientific environment.

Mots clés : molecular motors and switches, molecular machines, light, functional molecular materials

Participants :
- University of Twente (Pays-Bas) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 187572.48 €
Projet SafeCEREAL (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2018)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Environment and Geosciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The most recent scientific investigations in the field of sustainable nano-agrochemicals show that foliar application of copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) to plant leaves can be new strategy to reduce Cu deficiency in wheat, decrease Cu bulk emissions to the environment and reduce diseases (e.g. wheat leaf rust, tan spot, and Fusarium head blight) that are heavily affecting wheat production sector in the EU and globally. Therefore, resolving the environmental fate of CuNPs after foliar application will be an important step for their practical use. The goal of this Marie Sklodowska Curie Fellowship and SafeCEREAL project is to allow reliable assessment of environmental risks and benefits of using CuNPs in agriculture. Major research targets are to investigate the complex interactions between CuNPs and wheat after foliar application (WP1), gain further knowledge of the possible CuNPs’ interaction with soils under more realistic scenarios (WP2), and perform risk assessment of CuNPs’ release to groundwater by reproducing environmentally relevant release scenarios (WP3). The achievement of these goals requires a multidisciplinary approach including environmental nanotechnology and chemistry, plant physiology and applied geophysics – all of which are part of the research conducted at the University of Novi Sad Faculty of Sciences, Serbia, who will readily engage all its resources and mobilize its international partnerships. This fellowship will involve carefully planned public outreach activities and focus on a wide range of transferable and technical skills that will strengthen the Applicant, the Host, and the scientific community in the European Research Area and globally. Importantly, this project will lead to greater professional maturity of the Applicant by providing her the interdisciplinary expertise to design, lead and deliver future research projects; and identifying her as leading young scientist in the new area of research focused on realistic scenarios.

Mots clés : copper nanoparticles, foliar application, wheat, environmental fate, environmentally relevant release, scenario, risk assessment, natural soil samples, cunps plant interactions, cunps soil interactions

Participants :
- University of Novi Sad (Serbie) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 140021.76 €
Projet SUSBANK (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2019)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Economic Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The need for more socially and environmentally sustainable financial system has never been more crucial than it is at present. CSR is considered as a vehicle for achieving sustainable development of the business and the economy. Presently out of all CSR dimensions, climate and environmental issues have come out as the single prevalent negative externality. Since banks are the development partners of the rest of the economy, anti-environmental engagement could be harmful for bank reputation, earnings quality, and growth. Further, CEO compensation is strongly allied with excessive risk-taking in banks. Thus, as the banks are strongly interlinked, any adverse event could severely affect the banking system as a whole through spillover effects and thus increase the systemic risk. However, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision has not yet addressed the environmental issues in its macroprudential regulatory framework. Nonetheless, in line with United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) recommendations, the High-level Expert Group (HLEG) on sustainable finance (established by the European Commission) has argued to initiate a ‘climate-related financial disclosure’ or a ‘brown-penalising factor’ on banks’ capital requirements to address the environmental risk. To strengthen the UNEP and HLEG arguments, the proposed research aims to find empirical support for the explicit acknowledgment of environmental risk as an emerging source of systemic risk. The proposed research is expecting to contribute in several ways. Firstly, to our knowledge, this is the first effort to investigate the impact of environmental sustainability engagement of banks on their reputation, earnings quality, CEO compensation, long-term growth, and importantly on systemic risk. Secondly, the position of EU banks will be compared with other regional banks on the related issues. Thus, the findings will provide significant insights for the policymakers to set a common environmental regulatory benchmark.

Mots clés : banking system, environmental disclosure, sustainability, reputation, earnings quality, growth, systemic risk, regulation

Participants :
- Bangor University (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 224933.76 €
Projet GranD Cities (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2015)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Social Sciences and Humanities
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The need for more sustainable cities has been considered a key point of global strategy for the future and one of the most important aims of the EU strategy for the urban environment. However, sustainability can also be described as one piece of rhetoric; far from being an effective paradigm, being too broad, vague and economically-centred, and with no specific social dimensions clearly set out. Although the attention to social inclusion, especially in the most deprived urban areas, is an important pillar of urban sustainability, a clear evaluation of the social impacts of sustainability programs in EU Cities is still missing. This investigation aims to fill this gap, by analysing, in comparative perspective, the social impacts of green renewal and development in Europe. By selecting as case studies Vienna and Copenhagen, two cities that have been particularly successful in implementing policies of environmental sustainability, the research project aims to identify intended and unintended impacts of these strategies in terms of social and spatial inequality among social groups. The project will adopt the following research strategies: quantitative data gathering; interviews with key informants in cities; ethnographic research in areas of the cities affected by green urban renewal and programs for sustainability; comparative analysis of data and information. As far as the results expected for the ER by this period of training, they are primarily the following: to acquire specialized knowledge on Comparative Urban sociology; to consolidate the ER’s methodological skills in regards to mixed methods of analysis; to develop the ER’s multicultural communication skills by conducting empirical research in German; to publish two scientific articles and a volume with an international publisher. The MSCA fellowship will give her the opportunity to further consolidate her professional maturity in order to enter the EU academic job market with a tenure-track position.

Mots clés : urban sustainability, urban political ecology, social inequalities, spatial inequalities, comparative urban sociology, environmental sociology

Participants :
- University of Vienna (Autriche) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 178156.8 €
Projet AMONTRACK (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2016)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Information Science and Engineering
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The need for reduced costs and higher system reliability will make condition-based maintenance a key technology in the railway sector in the nearer future. However, reliable and adequate methods for monitoring track conditions, preferably by adding monitoring devices to ordinary rolling stock, are still far from being in place. The proposed project focuses on acoustic track monitoring and aims at pushing forward this monitoring technique to a point, where track faults such as squats, deteriorated rail joints or hanging sleepers can be automatically detected and quantified. This is achieved by combining advanced measurement techniques - involving sound pressure signals due to radiation from rail and wheel as well as axle box vibrations – with advanced simulation techniques for wheel/rail interaction. DB Systemtechnik GmbH as my host supplying all needed measurement techniques and myself as expert in the modelling of wheel/rail interaction will meet and utilize synergy effects from merging our competences in order to design and implement a methodology for acoustic track monitoring that is clearly beyond today's state-of-the-art. Furthermore, being an active member of the group at DB Systemtechnik will give me access to experience, knowhow and education in the railway technology sector. This is a unique possibility for me to broaden my career profile. It will make me an attractive employee both in the railway technology sector as well as in academia. Crossing the boarders of academia and preparing myself for leadership during my fellowship will be a strong support for my goal to become a research leader in academia. It will widen my professional network and offer a possibility for strong cooperation beyond the lifetime of the project.

Mots clés : acoustic monitoring, railway track maintenance

Participants :
- Deutsche Bahn (Germany) (Allemagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Organismes privés (hors enseignement), subvention : 100018.8 €