Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-actions-marie-curie-participations-et-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Projet SpESL (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2023)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Environment and Geosciences
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Sperm cells are the most morphologically diverse animal cells, but how does that diversity arise, and what are its evolutionary consequences? This project investigates the causes and consequences of divergence in sperm morphology between ecotypes in an intertidal snail species, Littorina saxatilis, where it was recently discovered that sperm length has diverged both between ecotypes and among island populations. I will perform transcriptomics on testes to identify sperm-length related genes, gene networks, and their relation to chromosomal inversions in the L. saxatilis genome. This robust technique allows me to determine the developmental origin and genomic causes of the sperm length differentiation. The project further performs experimental mating trials to measure the effect of sperm length per se on fertilization success, addressing a rarely-tested, long-standing assumption that sperm morphological divergence translates into reproductive barriers. Finally, I will build a genetically explicit model of sperm length divergence and its role as a reproductive barrier between populations. This model will allow me to explore how female promiscuity and the genomic architecture of sperm traits impact the long-term evolutionary potential for sperm divergence to occur and be a reproductive barrier. Thus this ambitious project addresses sperm length evolution from several biological disciplines and perspectives, to address the long-standing question of the evolutionary causes and consequences of sperm morphological diversity. This project also provides me with valuable training that will increase my competitiveness as I apply for faculty positions or for positions as an analyst supporting policy-makers. Specifically, I will learn learn ‘-omics analysis, an important skillset in biology that I currently lack, and a new and powerful programming language useful for big data.

Mots clés : speciation, post mating pre zygotic barriers, spermatozoa, transcriptomics, evolution

Participants :
- Université de Göteborg (Suède) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 222727.68 €
Projet nonbinarygenius (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2022)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Social Sciences and Humanities
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Geniuses have fascinated generation after generation, whether for their artistic achievements or their political work. However, what really constitutes genius is a question that remains undetermined. Though it is associated with a high level of intelligence, scholars from the 19th and 20th centuries argued that it took something else to be a genius. Intellectual hermaphroditism and androgyny were considered key aspects for the development of genius because of the benefits that both male and female traits could have for the equilibrium of the mind. This project focuses on the relationships between sex and genius in Spain from 1892 to 1939. I will explore how experts conceived sex differences for the explanation of genius and analyse the case of Hildegart Rodríguez, a famous Spanish child prodigy, who was specifically conceived and raised to become a genius and was later murdered by her own mother. There have been studies on genius and child prodigies that worked on the importance of genius for social progress and the lack of women genius. This project will go beyond these studies by shedding light on a non-binary conception of the mind. Through the approach of intellectual history, cultural history, and gender studies, I will work on three research objectives: 1) examine intellectual hermaphroditism or androgyny in the study of sex differences in relation to intelligence; 2) discuss how a non-binary conception of genius contributed to the nature vs nurture debate; 3) analyse correspondence and personal writings by Hildegart Rodríguez. Overall, this project aims to empower women and non-binary folk by investigating their historical role in the production of scientific knowledge. My strong background in History of Psychology, particularly in the study of intelligence and the circulation of psychological knowledge, combined with my supervisor’s expertise and the host group’s work, will ensure the successful implementation of this project.

Mots clés : history of psychology genius history of giftedness history of the human sciences

Participants :
- Conseil supérieur de la recherche scientifique (Espagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 165312.96 €
Projet TORNADE (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2022)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Physics
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Organic semiconductors have become promising materials for the design of electronic devices since they are light, flexible, low cost, and feasible for large scale manufacturing. The efficiency of an organic device has a strong dependency on the selected organic molecule and its organization in the electronic device. Fabrication processes with standard organic molecules currently produce thin films consisting of a large number of crystalline domains without control of their orientation nor of the locations of the originated grain boundaries. Grain boundaries can act as charge traps and electron scattering centers, resulting in a reduction of the electron mobility within the film. Therefore, there are big differences in the electronic properties from one device to another device even if they are fabricated under the same conditions. Thus, a major effort within organic electronics is devoted to refining the fabrication processes leading to uniform and controlled electronic properties of the devices. In this proposal, it is planned that I develop a novel atomic force microscopy (AFM) technique based on torsional eigenmodes capable of detecting fast and in a precise manner the crystalline domains of anisotropic organic layers utilized in organic devices. I will receive training in the fabrication processes of organic thin films by the host group and I will look for fabrication strategies to optimize the organic film deposition that enhances the electronic performance of organic devices. The developed AFM technique will be applied to study the domain distribution of the fabricated organic samples. This action is expected to have a relevant impact in the organic electronic field, enhancing the characterization and fabrication methods for organic device production that lead to an increase in energy efficiency. Likewise, this action will impact my career, enabling the transition into a position as an independent researcher.

Mots clés : atomic force microscopy, organic interface, organic electronics

Participants :
- Conseil supérieur de la recherche scientifique (Espagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 165312.96 €
Projet noCOLDmore (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2023)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Currently, immunotherapy (IT) is the standard of care for the treatment of some subtypes, with only nominal success. IT works best in inflamed “hot” tumors and is often ineffective in immune cell-desert “cold” tumors. In KRAS-mutated lung adenocarcinoma -LUAD, the most frequent type of lung cancer- the presence of a mutation in the STK11/LKB1 gene is linked to a cold tumor, while the co-occurrence of a TP53 mutation corresponds to a hot tumor. Amongst different cell types in the tumor environment impacting immune cell composition, endothelial cells (ECs) present an important and often overlooked modulator of immune profiles. Previous research has identified immunoregulatory genes expressed by ECs and proposed immuno-modulatory roles of ECs. I hypothesize that specific mutations cause the expression of immunosuppressive genes by ECs, which might explain the association of gene mutations affecting the immune environment. Thus, modulating ECs to reprogram them into immunostimulatory phenotypes in the immune cold tumors, could present a promising strategy to improve IT responses. To identify the immunosuppressive gene signature in ECs in immune cold vs hot tumors, I will utilize transgenic mouse models of LUAD: KrasG12D/+; Lkb1flox/flox (KL) and KrasG12D/+; Tp53flox/flox (KP) mice. First, using scRNAseq, I will establish an EC signature linked to the immune cold tumors and subsequently to identify EC-specific candidate immunosuppressive targets. After that, I will use state-of-the-art technologies that enable efficient gene targeting to validate the discovered targets in KL mice. I perform multidisciplinary approaches to delineate the molecular mode of action of the target exhibiting a substantial therapeutic effect in mice and overcoming the resistance to current anti-cancer IT. Finally, I will employ a humanized orthotopic lung PDX mouse model to further validate and test therapeutic opportunities.

Mots clés : lung cancer, immune cold tumours, immunosuppresive genes, endothelial cells, immunomodulation, immunotherapy resistance

Participants :
- Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie (Belgique) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 175920.0 €
Projet METABOTUNE (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2023)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Plants produce a great variety of specialised metabolites. In plants they are often involved in interactions with their environment, but many of them have applications in pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food industries, making them targets for metabolic engineering efforts aiming to increase their production. Plant metabolic engineering is usually based on metabolic pathway reconstitution in microbes, but recently direct activation of biosynthetic genes has been done in plants using CRISPR tools. METABOTUNE aims to develop a CRISPR toolset for simultaneous activation and inactivation of metabolic genes to fine-tune biosynthesis and maximise yields of specialised metabolites. First, I will develop a CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) tool for inactivating genes that channel metabolites into undesired metabolic pathways. Second, I will identify genes involved in the biosynthesis of a coumarin metabolite with medicinal properties, esculetin. Finally, CRISPRi will be applied together with the already available CRISPR activation (CRISPRa) tool in development of plant cell cultures specifically producing esculetin and the minimal amount of other coumarins. To achieve these objectives, I will combine my expertise in molecular biology, genetics, specialised metabolites, and biochemistry with the expertise in metabolic engineering and coumarins available at the host institute. Allowing precise channelling of metabolites into pathways of interest, as proposed here, will open new venues for highly specific plant metabolic engineering efforts and allow a shift from production in microbes to increasing production in plant species that already have genes required for biosynthesis of high-value specialised metabolites.

Mots clés : specialised metabolites, crispr, coumarins, metabolic engineering, plant culture

Participants :
- Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie (Belgique) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 175920.0 €
Projet TEMPOPLAST (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2023)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : SIGNED

The timing of neuronal development is highly variable depending on the cell type or species. In particular human cortical neurons display a considerably protracted tempo of development, at the basis of human brain neoteny. The mechanisms underlying neuronal neoteny start to be unravelled, but their significance for brain function and plasticity remain poorly known, despite their implications for brain diseases and repair. This project will combine innovative technologies developed by the applicant and the host lab, including brain transplantation, molecular manipulation of developmental tempo, and neural connectivity. Taking advantage of recent findings of the host lab that link metabolism to neuronal maturation speed, we will manipulate mitochondrial function to accelerate the maturation of human neurons in a xenotransplanted mouse model, and conversely, to decelerate murine neurons within the mouse visual cortex. We will thus examine how increasing or decreasing neuronal maturation rates influence functional development, synaptic functions, and experience-dependent plasticity, across time and species. Using advanced techniques including electrophysiology, in vivo calcium imaging, and monocular deprivation neural plasticity paradigms, we will explore the impact of neuronal developmental tempo on cortical circuit function and plasticity. Finally and most excitingly we will use the same paradigms to investigate whether transplanted juvenile neurons can induce plasticity in the neuronal networks of the adult host brain. Additionally, chemogenetic and transsynaptic tracing approaches will dissect potential mechanisms underlying the observed effects. Using MERFISH spatial transcriptomics, we aim to unveil molecular programs driving plasticity induction. This project holds significant potential to reshape our understanding brain development and plasticity, and its implications for neurodevelopmental diseases and therapeutic interventions in the ageing brain.

Mots clés : neuronal plasticity, heterochronic networks, human brain neoteny, neuronal maturation rate, xenotransplantation, monocular deprivation, two photon calcium imaging

Participants :
- Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie (Belgique) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 175920.0 €
Projet UTOPCYCLE (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2023)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Social Sciences and Humanities
Statut du projet : SIGNED

In delivery sector, in contrast to the platform utopia of a “data-driven business”, cooperative platforms oppose the utopia of delivery without exploitation nor carbon emissions. This project focuses on two cooperatives: Rayon9 in Liège and Les Cargonautes in Paris along with one international network Coopcycle. Its originality lies in understanding them both in the light of the concept of « embedding ». These cooperative platforms are at the forefront of the “counter-movement” by which society is defending itself against “uberisation”. But this complex and multi-directional process not only engages public authorities and regulation at a local, national or international level. It is also emerging from below, thanks to alternative socio-economic forms such as bike delivery cooperatives. This project mobilizes the tools of the sociology of work and social movements in the theoretical framework of a political economy of (re-)embeddedness. It makes the choice of an interdisciplinary approach to break down barriers between the fields of labour studies and social movement studies. It goes beyond the state of the art by intending to operationalize the concept of embeddedness in the context of "cyclologistical revolution". It proposes an European investigation in a participatory-design research where the problematization is built from the field. This research protocol targets Rayon9 and Les Cargonautes both specializing in the last-mile sector e.g. deliveries by cargo bike with electric assistance. This last link in the chain is also the most expensive and the most polluting, creating a real logistical headache. This comparative ethnographic study is composed of two research axes. First, it analyses the cyclologistical transformation of bike delivery in platform cooperatives highlighting its political dimensions. Second, it aims to understand what makes re-embedding of bike delivery possible or not, addressing the challenge of inter-cooperation.

Mots clés : platform cooperativism uberisation workplace democracy cyclelogistic

Participants :
- Coopcycle (France) — Partner, associated partner, Autres, subvention : 0.0 €
- Université de Liège (Belgique) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 191760.0 €
Projet ForgettingNAFLD (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2021)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

With the obesity epidemic, global prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is currently at 25% and rising. NAFLD results from accumulation of excessive fat in the liver and covers a spectrum of disease states from simple steatosis (fatty liver) to severe non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). NAFLD patients are also at increased risk of developing secondary pathologies, including infections and paracetamol-induced liver damage, although the mechanisms behind this remain unclear. As no pharmacological treatment of NAFLD exists to date, patients are typically instructed to lose weight as this can alleviate symptoms. However, with the recent proposal of tissue memory of inflammation, including NAFLD, it is unclear if weight loss alone is sufficient to restore liver homeostasis or if recovered NAFLD patients remain more susceptible to secondary inflammatory events. Recently, the host labs have identified key cell-cell circuits that control the functional specialization of liver resident macrophages in the steady-state and fatty liver. These findings led me to hypothesize that NAFLD could lead to tissue memory by disrupting the interactions between resident liver cells and establish aberrant cell-cell circuits that maintain a pathological state even after weight loss. Furthermore, I postulate that this NAFLD memory could facilitate the relapse into NAFLD but also modulate susceptibility to secondary insults. Indeed, my preliminary data indicates altered susceptibility to paracetamol overdose. Here, I propose to use single-cell RNA sequencing and epigenetics to investigate how cell-circuits in the liver are perturbed after NAFLD regression and identify the signals underlying these alterations. This project will further our understanding on how liver circuits are distorted in disease and could provide therapeutic avenues to ‘reset’ pathogenic liver circuits in patients currently suffering from NAFLD or those in the process of weight loss and recovery.

Mots clés : cell cell interactions non alcoholic fatty liver disease nafld tissue resident macrophages macrophage niche liver, kupffer cells, tissue memory, epigenetics

Participants :
- Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie (Belgique) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 175920.0 €
Projet MetaMacNiche (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2022)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : SIGNED

The liver is one the most common metastatic sites for several cancers. Unfortunately, liver metastasis patients show a particularly low response to immunotherapy. One of the main immune cells populating liver metastases are macrophages. These cells have been shown to play a key role in the regulation of anti-tumor immune responses, including response to immunotherapy. However, we still lack the capacity to modulate macrophage activity during liver metastasis, because we do not yet understand their functional diversity and do not know the molecular signals that drive the pro-tumoral activity of macrophages during liver metastasis. The host lab has recently reported a major role for cell-cell interactions within the microenvironmental niche in the development and functional specialization of liver macrophages. My preliminary data indicate that liver metastasis is accompanied with the expansion of both liver-resident Kupffer cells (KCs) and monocyte-derived tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). Single-cell analysis in mouse and human revealed that TAMs recruited during metastasis are heterogeneous and transcriptomically different from KCs, suggesting a distinct functional specialization. The molecular pathways involved in the functional reprogramming of KCs and TAMs and their relative contribution to tumor growth, remain poorly understood. In this MetaMacNiche project, I will use a combination of cutting-edge spatial multiomic technologies, intravital microscopy, and an in vivo CRISPR screen to investigate the role of KCs and TAMs in liver metastasis. Through a combination of in silico predictions and high-throughput in vivo validations, I will identify the key cell-cell interactions involved in the functional reprogramming of KCs and TAMs during liver metastasis. Finally, I aim to perform preclinical studies to assess whether we can boost the responsiveness to immunotherapy by modulating macrophage activity during liver metastasis.

Mots clés : cell cell interactions macrophage niche liver metastasis kupffer cells tumor associated macrophages

Participants :
- Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie (Belgique) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 175920.0 €
Projet STRIPE (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2022)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Many Mendelian diseases have benefited from next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies for gene discovery and the establishment of molecular diagnosis. However, the technical limitations of NGS pose a challenge for identifying mutational mechanisms in genomic regions impenetrable by these technologies. I hypothesize that complex genomic rearrangements called structural variants in these loci can explain a significant proportion of missing heritability in many monogenic diseases. To this end, I propose to investigate the involvement of structural variants in the pathogenesis of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT), the most common genetic affliction of the peripheral nervous system. I will utilize long-read Nanopore sequencing in a unique patient cohort to look for potentially disease-causing structural variants. I will then adopt genetic and functional in vitro and in vivo approaches to characterize the identified genomic variants and ascertain the associated functional genes that most likely underlie molecular pathology. The findings of my pioneering study will highlight the contribution of structural variants in peripheral neurodegeneration, discover non-conventional mutational mechanisms long overlooked by state-of-the-art technologies, and deliver in vivo models that might provide clues for therapeutic approaches for peripheral nerve disorders with common etiology.

Mots clés : long read sequencing, structural variation, peripheral neuropathy, charcot marie tooth disease

Participants :
- Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie (Belgique) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 191760.0 €