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

In the last decade, a number of medical and bio-engineering challenges, requiring a deep understanding of the phenomena occurring at biological interfaces, have intensified scientific interest in the field of biological contact mechanics. BIOCONTACT will develop an innovative methodology to tackle bio-lubricated contacts involving soft tissues in the presence of complex fluids, enhancing the understanding of these interactions, by pursuing new models and numerical methodologies, specifically suited for this class of problem. This approach is key to provide long-term societal benefits by solving long-standing issues including the prevention of hospital bedsores, the mechanical compatibility of prosthetic implants or contact lens, and the optimization of surgical procedures and tools. In particular, my vision is to first build a mechanical model for biological soft tissues that specifically uses constitutive laws for multi-layered linear viscoelastic materials. This model will be then implemented in a newly developed contact mechanics solver, based on improved Boundary Element Method schemes that I have recently proposed, and that will be able to capture specific chemo-mechanical local responses adopting mean potentials that rely on atomistic and molecular descriptions of the interface. In the framework of inverse analysis, the material properties of individual layers will be tuned to best replicate the experimental behavior captured using an innovative procedure. This relies on a new scale separation methodology and is able to probe different zones and layers within the tissue. Finally, in order to provide a complete and widely applicable tool, solid-liquid interaction will be addressed by coupling the contact model with a lubrication model, based on non-Newtonian Reynolds theory. The development of this ready-to-use numerical tool will foster the uptake of my proposed methodologies for use in the above mentioned complex cases of industrial and medical relevance.

Mots clés : complex biological interfaces, multi layer biological tissues, non newtonian biological lubrication

Participants :
- Imperial College London (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 212933.76 €
Projet DLH (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2018)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Social Sciences and Humanities
Statut du projet : CLOSED

In the last decade, financial crises and population ageing have led to the retrenchment of the welfare state. One area under financial pressure is the provision of disability benefits. In response, governments have reduced expenditures by tightening eligibility criteria or reducing the benefit amounts. The Netherlands has become an example of such a system as it has persistently reduced the number of new individuals receiving disability benefits. Even though the reforms seem to have achieved their objective, there is little understanding of how they impact labour force participation and individual level health. The literature shows that not receiving a disability benefit leads to higher probabilities of working. However, there is surprisingly little about whether the effect is persistent, whether it differs across education groups, and whether it impacts household members. By contrast, there is a dearth of knowledge on the causal effect on health. This is especially striking since the original aim is to protect health. This research will contribute to our understanding of disability benefits by estimating their causal effect on work and health. For that, I will use unique administrative data from the Netherlands and exploit the regulations that define eligibility by means of an innovative empirical approach. The combination of this approach and the Dutch data will allow me to estimate the effect of disability benefits on work and health, and more importantly, to evaluate its persistence, its heterogeneity by education, and its impact on household members. As many countries strive for the financial sustainability of social programs, the knowledge generated in this research will provide valuable evidence of how government benefits impact labour force participation and individual level health. This nuanced understanding is essential as policy makers seek to prioritize programs and lack evidence to guide them in avoiding costly problems for future generations.

Mots clés : disability benefits, labour force participation, individual level health, netherlands

Participants :
- Erasmus University Rotterdam (Pays-Bas) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 187572.48 €
Projet ELECTRAMMOX (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2019)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Environment and Geosciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

In the last decade, the field of microbial electro catalysis has given birth to a wide variety of microbial electrochemical technologies (MET). MET use the extraordinary ability of some microorganisms to transfer electrons from a substrate in wastewater to a solid-state anode, which allows for different applications e.g., production of H2 , CH4, or electricity, desalination or simply wastewater treatment. Recently, electroactive microorganisms were integrated in constructed wetlands (CW) for the treatment of municipal and industrial wastewater in a new technology called METland®. METlands allow for intensification of (previously considered extensive) CW for decentralized wastewater treatment. Although METlands perform 10-times better than conventional CW in terms of removal of organic C, about 50% of the NH4+ in the wastewater remains untouched and is discharged to surface waters contributing to N pollution and high risk of eutrophication. The majority of studies about MET focus on heterotrophic microorganisms but few works have studied anaerobic NH4+ oxidizing-, anode respiring microorganisms. The feammox reaction (anaerobic oxidation of ammonium using insoluble Fe3+ as electron acceptor) has been shown in natural environments but has yet not been exploited for wastewater treatment. Integration of feammox in wastewater treatment by replacing the iron by an anode will enable anaerobic nitrification, minimizing the most problematic issue for treating wastewater in thousands of European small populations: the costs derived from energy-intensive aeration for conventional nitrification. In ELECTRAMMOX we will enrich and characterize anaerobic ammonia-oxidizing, anode-respiring microorganisms (electrammox bacteria) and integrate them in METlands for N removal from sewage. The project outlines a research trajectory that includes fundamental investigation of the metabolism of electrammox bacteria and their application for wastewater treatment at a pilot scale.

Mots clés : microbial electrocatalysis, nitrogen removal, wastewater, nitrification, bioelectrochemical systems

Participants :
- Metfilter sociedad limitada (Espagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Organismes privés (hors enseignement), subvention : 172932.48 €
Projet ObeSIK3 (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2019)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - Global Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : SIGNED

In the last decades, obesity has become a growing health burden hence the importance of understanding its pathophysiology and the need to search for new therapeutic targets. Yanagisawa/Funato Lab (Y/F Lab) has recently discover that a splicing mutation in the Salt-inducible kinase 3 (Sik3) gene is involved in determining sleep need , and as well in a likely defective energy homeostasis since mice mutant for exon 13 of the Sik3 gene present an obese phenotype. The main objective of my proposed action is to identify the role of SIK3 in the central nervous system (CNS) in the regulation of energy balance and study its suitability as a target to develop an anti-obesity therapy. To achieve this, I will use virogenetic approaches in Sik3-ex13 flox mice and a neuron-specific mutant mice line for exon 13 of Sik3 gene will be generated. The molecular characterization of the animal models will be conducted by using several cutting-edge techniques such as RNA-Seq and phosphoproteomics. The identified targets will be functionally analyzed using genetics approaches. In sum, by doing the proposed project I will expect to uncover the influence of a potential new sensor in metabolic homeostasis. Moreover, this work in combination with the one going already on in Y/F Lab in relation to sleep may allow to understand the interrelationship between sleep disorders and obesity.

Mots clés : obesity, sik3, energy balance, central nervous system

Participants :
- University of Santiago de Compostela (Espagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 253227.84 €
- University of Tsukuba (Japon) — Partner, organization partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €
Projet NESSY (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2014)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Physics
Statut du projet : CLOSED

In the last few years our traditional interpretative paradigm of the internal dynamics of globular star clusters (GCs) has been revolutionized by a series of discoveries about their chemical, structural, and kinematic properties. The existence of multiple stellar populations is now regarded as a ubiquitous phenomenon, while for decades GCs have been viewed as the epitome of a “simple stellar population”. Empirical scaling relations between super massive black holes masses and the velocity dispersion of their host galaxy encourage to consider GCs as host systems of intermediate mass black holes (IMBHs). Finally, little attention has been traditionally paid to the role played by angular momentum in the dynamical evolution of these systems, yet an increasing number of young and old star clusters are now being observed to have evidence of rotation. The astrometric mission Gaia, by allowing the acquisition of the proper motion of thousands of stars in Galactic GCs with exquisite detail, will soon unlock the full phase space of these stellar systems. Such a tremendous observational progress, coupled with recent improvements on the side of numerical simulations, calls for a renewed effort on dynamical modelling. The proposed research program is therefore exceptionally timely and, by means of a unique combination of analytical models, numerical simulations, and the exploitation of state-of-the-art observational data, aims at forming a more realistic dynamical paradigm for this class of stellar systems by providing answers to the following key questions: (1) Are there specific signatures in phase space characterizing the dynamical evolution of multiple stellar populations in GCs? (2) What is the role of the angular momentum in the early and long-term dynamical evolution of star clusters? (3) Is there a dynamical connection between internal rotation and the presence of IMBHs in GCs?

Mots clés : globular star clusters, stellar dynamics, gaia, multiple stellar populations, intermediate mass black hole, rotation, anisotropy, proper motions, n body simulations, analytical models

Participants :
- University of Edinburgh (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 183454.8 €
Projet SENTIMOUV (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2018)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Environment and Geosciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Infectious diseases present a significant and growing threat to public health, domestic livestock production, and biodiversity conservation. Due to their global distribution and wide-ranging movements, seabirds are important vectors for the spread of pathogens across continents and ocean basins. Coastal seabirds, which associate with and exploit anthropogenic food sources, are particularly likely to interact with human-associated pathogens and zoonotic agents, making them useful candidates for monitoring disease prevalence. However, many factors mediating the interactions between seabirds and pathogens remain unknown or poorly understood. Our study will combine targeted field data collection, laboratory analysis, and quantitative modeling to develop a mechanistic understanding of the factors affecting prevalence and transmission of infectious diseases by seabirds at the wildlife-human interface. We will explore spatial and demographic factors affecting exposure and transmission rates for two key zoonotic diseases, toxoplasmosis and avian influenza, by a generalist coastal seabird, the yellow-legged gull (Larus michahellis) in the western Mediterranean basin. Within this study system, we will combine movement analysis using biologging, serological sampling, habitat and demographic analysis, and agent-based models to develop a comprehensive understanding of epidemiological dynamics. We will also use experimental studies to directly test the development of disease immunity in nestling birds and the effects of management actions on disease transfer. We will then apply scenario planning to study the effects of both management and habitat change on disease dynamics. Our results will not only improve understanding of gulls as vectors for infectious agents, but also provide a comprehensive quantitative framework for modeling disease dynamics that can be adapted to predicting and managing the spread of infectious disease at the wildlife-human interface.

Mots clés : disease dynamics, immunology, spatial ecology, management

Participants :
- Centre national de la recherche scientifique (France) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 196707.84 €
Projet M-P Communication (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2017)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Infertility is a worldwide problem affecting the cattle industry. After successful insemination, embryonic and foetal mortality take place in about 50% of the cases, with most of these losses occurring before implantation. Due to beef and dairy constituting 20.8% of the EU agricultural output, reproductive inefficiency translates into a tremendous social and bioeconomic impact. Although many factors can be involved in preimplantation loss, there is increasing evidence for the role of the maternal immune system and its regulation by seminal plasma (SP). Studies in rodents, humans and pigs have described beneficial effects of SP in improving embryo development and implantation. However, evidence for a role of SP in fertility in cattle, where removal of SP before artificial insemination is routine, is relatively weak. Thus, this project will use a model of heifers mated to vasectomised or intact bulls, to study the role of SP in paternal-maternal communication as it pertains to embryo development and immune modulation. To accomplish this task, a talented Fellow will join a leading laboratory in male reproductive physiology where she will build on her existing skills and acquire new multidisciplinary competencies. An ambitious, yet realistic, work plan has been designed based on the excellent background of the Fellow and the training she will receive, the expertise of the supervisor in male reproductive physiology, and the infrastructure within the host lab for conducting all the experiments with the most appropriate tools. This will ensure that the Fellow completes the scientific objectives of the proposal, communicate and disseminate the results to the scientific and general public, while acquiring a new set of skills that will have a dramatic impact in her career development. If the beneficial effects of SP on fertility is recapitulated in cattle, the associated increased production and efficiency could have a tremendous impact in the beef and dairy industries.

Mots clés : seminal plasma, cattle fertility, reproductive immunology

Participants :
- University of Girona (Espagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 170121.6 €
Projet ActinSensor (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2017)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Inflammation is a host response that evolved to counteract noxious stimuli that result from infection or tissue injury, and serves to return the affected tissue to homeostasis. Cell death-associated sterile inflammation is a major contributor to secondary tissue damage associated with multiple conditions such as myocardial infarction, transplantation, and stroke. Damaged tissues are thought to elicit their inflammatory effects through the sudden release from cells of endogenous Damage-Associated Molecular patterns (DAMPs) that serve to recruit and modulate the function of immune cells. In vertebrates, a diversity of molecules have been implicated as DAMPs, including ATP, uric acid, and F-actin. In mammals, F-actin is recognised as a DAMP by the C-type lectin receptor DNGR1, expressed on CD8+ Dendritic cells (DCs), that signals to favour the cross-presentation of dead-cell antigen to CD8+ T-cells. Independently of its work on DNGR-1, the host laboratory discovered that extracellular actin elicits a JAK-STAT-dependent inflammatory response in the fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster). DNGR-1 does not have a functional homolog in fly, therefore the actin sensor remains obscure. In order to identify the molecular sensor of extracellular actin we have conducted an in silico-based screen to identify a candidate list of potential sensors. To functionally evaluate these candidates, we will conduct in vivo RNAi and in vitro gain-of-function screens in Drosophila. We will validate the role for this novel sensor in mediating sensing of extracellular actin through multiple genetic and biochemical approaches. We expect our proposal to give novel insights into the signalling transduction and immunobiology of host responses to evolutionary conserved DAMPs. We anticipate that by understanding cytoskeletal-mediated innate inflammatory responses in fly, it will provide important insights into the evolution of similar damage sensor response pathways in higher organisms

Mots clés : sterile inflammation, cytoskeletal proteins, innate immunity, damage associated moleculear patterns, jak stat signalling, drosophila melanogaster, wound healing

Participants :
- The Francis Crick Institute (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 195454.8 €
Projet InterYAP (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2019)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, are chronic and debilitating pathologies of the intestines that affect 2.5-3.0 million patients in Europe and impose an economic burden of approximately €5.0bn/year on European healthcare systems. Currently, no curative therapies are available and standard of care is limited to palliative anti-inflammatory treatments that fail to promote healing of the intestinal lining. Enhancing epithelial regeneration is likely to accelerate functional recovery and reduce exposure to luminal microbes, thereby avoiding further inflammation and, ultimately, chronic damage. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying regeneration of intestinal epithelium are not yet fully understood, and thus opportunities for pharmacological modulation remain scarce. Recently, the mechanoresponsive transcription factor YAP has been identified as a key mediator of epithelial repair in experimental IBD models. Yet, the molecular details of its function remain elusive. Here, I propose to carry out a proteomic study to dissect the mechanisms by which YAP is activated and exerts its functions in intestinal tissue repair. I will leverage the intestinal stem cell organoid technology and my expertise in CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing to: i) perform a detailed characterisation of YAP post-translational modifications and interacting protein partners using unbiased proteomic approaches; and ii) define the function of identified partners using novel in vitro and animal models of intestinal tissue repair. I envisage the study will provide a clear map of signalling pathways and molecular networks underlying YAP function and uncover potential druggable targets for pharmacological enhancement of intestinal tissue repair. From a professional perspective, execution of the project will equip me a valuable set of technical and transferable skills and ultimately facilitate my transition into a group leader position.

Mots clés : inflammatory bowel disease, intestinal stem cells, organoids, crispr, cas9

Participants :
- University of Copenhagen (Danemark) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 207312.0 €
Projet FluPRINT (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2017)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - Global Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Influenza virus causes a large socioeconomic burden on society, with 70 000 deaths every year in Europe. It is estimated that 1 in 1000 children and elderly every year are hospitalized due to influenza infection. Children, due to high susceptibility and high levels of shedding, are the main source of spread of the virus. Therefore, CDC in 2010 included children as a high priority group for influenza vaccination. Two influenza vaccines are licensed: inactivated (IIV) and live attenuated (LAIV) vaccine. The LAIV was introduced to provide broader protection by additional stimulation of T cell responses. At present the two major obstacles in the widespread use of LAIV are concerns raised over vaccine effectiveness and the lack of immunological correlates of protection. In 2016 the CDC in the US recommended against the use of LAIV due to its poor effectiveness in the 2015/2016 season. However, the same vaccine, in the same season had high effectiveness as assessed by UK and Finland public health authorities. Currently the reason for this discrepancy is not known. This project will take advantage of cohorts of children who have received LAIV provided by both US and UK sponsors, to investigate the immunological basis for the observed variability and to define the role of adaptive immunity by applying the systems biology tools and machine learning algorithms for predictive modelling. Progress in the clinical investigation of children has been hampered by limited methods that could be applied to the small blood volumes, but recent advances in systems biology have opened new opportunities that did not exist before. Tracing the influenza vaccine imprint on immune system, termed FluPRINT by the proposed project will help to identify cellular signatures of vaccine-induced protection in children which is of importance for the development of next generation of influenza vaccines that will be more effective in this target population.

Mots clés : systems vaccinology, influenza vaccine, children immunity, t cell repertoire, mass cytometry

Participants :
- Stanford University (Etats-Unis) — Partner, organization partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €
- University of Oxford (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 269857.8 €