Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-actions-marie-curie-participations-et-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Projet PIGRISK (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2014)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Emerging viruses pose a significant threat to animal health and welfare, food security and rural prosperity. When porcine circovirus 2 (PCV2) emerged in the late 1990s after circulating in pig populations for at least several decades before. The associated disease post-weaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) is estimated to have cost the EU over 600 M euros per year at its peak. The emergence of a highly pathogenic strain of porcine epidemic diarrhoea virus (PEDV) in the US and Asia has resulted in the death of millions of pigs and the economic costs are still being counted. Here we propose a research project that will increase our understanding of emerging, evolving or novel viruses in swine in order to allow assessment of and improved response to, current and future socioeconomic threats to the European agri-food industry. This project aims to: (1) Develop, enhance and apply a range of classic and beyond the state-of-the-art diagnostic methods for the detection of emerging, evolving or novel viruses in swine in a world-class institute with a long history of successful virology research including identification and commercialisation of PCV2; (2) To statistically establish disease association of detected viruses with these considering viral load aspects of infection; (3) To statistically establish disease association of combinations of virus in co-infection scenarios; (4) To develop next generation sequencing (NGS) methods to allow characterisation of the entire viral flora of pigs with particular disease states; (5) To parallel these research activities with a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary training programme including laboratory and non-laboratory scientific and IT skills as well as training in a range of professional skills to provide a competitive advantage in the job market for the next stage of their career. This will allow improved horizon scanning for as well as rapid response to emerging threats to the swine industry.

Mots clés : porcine viruses, emerging viruses, next generation sequencing, quantitative pcr, cell culture, rolling circle amplification, virus discovery

Participants :
- Agri Food and Biosciences Institute (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 183454.8 €
Projet ERcontext (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2015)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Social Sciences and Humanities
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Emotion regulation refers to the variety of processes through which people attempt to influence their emotions. The ability to effectively regulate emotions is key to psychological wellbeing, and emotion dysregulation is a central element of mood disorders. The existing research tends to paint emotion regulation strategies as either adaptive or maladaptive, but increasingly researchers are beginning to realize that this characterization is an oversimplification. Instead, responding with the right strategy in the right context is key for adaptive regulation and, hence, for mental health. However, there is very little empirical investigation of how context shapes the use and effectiveness of emotion regulation strategies. In this application, we propose to first establish who uses what emotion regulation strategy when (i.e. the context) and to what effect, using innovative smartphone assessment methods to examine these processes in daily life. Second, we propose using this information about context as input to train people to use the right strategy at the right time using a smartphone application, with an aim to improve mental health.

Mots clés : emotion, emotion regulation, wellbeing, context, mental health

Participants :
- KU Leuven (Belgique) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 172800.0 €
Projet HippoFronThal (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2019)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - Global Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Emotional memories guide our social interactions, everyday decisions, and are indispensable for survival. However, malfunction of brain networks involved in emotional processing may lead to a variety of anxiety-related and other psychiatric disorders, harmful for the individual and a burden, even a threat, to society. Emotions are associated with generalized arousal, however, it is not well understood how arousal systems play role in emotional memory processing at the network level. HippoFronThal aims to investigate the role of a specific thalamic arousal system in emotional processing. The hippocampus and prefrontal cortex are the core of an evolutionary conserved distributed system for governing experience-based behavior. Previously we identified a molecularly specific neuronal population within the dorsal midline thalamus, which efficiently convey arousal to large parts of the forebrain. These neurons are uniquely connected to the hippocampal-prefrontal system, possessing a strategic position to modulate hippocampal-cortical information transfer. The specific goal of HippoFronThal is to investigate, how neuronal activity of the dorsal midline thalamus interacts with network activity of the hippocampal-prefrontal system during emotional processing. To accomplish this goal, I will utilize molecular-genetic approaches to ensure anatomical specificity, perform high throughput electrophysiological recordings with outstanding spatio-temporal resolution, apply optogenetics to cell-type specific circuit interrogation with high spatio-temporal specificity, and use ecologically relevant behavioral essays to examine thalamic involvement in innate and memory related emotional processing. HippoFronThal will improve our understanding in how arousal circuits interact with memory circuits in the brain. These results might help clinicians to target specific neuronal population or mechanisms in order to treat anxiety-related disorders in humans.

Mots clés : arousal, emotion, memory, thalamus, hippocampus, neocortex, synchrony

Participants :
- Hungarian Academy of Sciences (Hongrie) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 235191.36 €
- New York University (Etats-Unis) — Partner, organization partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €
Projet MEMPATHY (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2015)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Social Sciences and Humanities
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Empathy is a multifaceted concept. It mostly relies on the ability to mirror and to explicitly infer others’ inner states. The simulation-theory (ST) account of Theory of Mind (ToM) suggests that people build an accurate representation of others’ inner states by using one’s own mind as a model, i.e. internally simulating others’ mind; for Theory-Theory (TT) such a representation is formed on the basis of common knowledge. Accumulating evidence supported the idea that our memories interact with empathy in building a representation of others’ inner states. In a series of two experiments, the current proposal is aimed at determining how, if any, the recruitment of autobiographical memory occurs when we empathize with others’ emotional experience, such as physical pain. Connectivity analysis applied to oscillatory activity, such as pattern similarity analysis, revealed that neural patterns present during memory formation are reactivated during memory retrieval, thus being a powerful tool to monitor a memory trace. By further combining excellent temporal resolution of electrophysiological measures and the excellent spatial resolution of functional imaging data in a multimodal EEG-fMRI recording, MEMPATHY aimed at establishing whether our memories are reactivated when we empathize with others' pain even when reactivation of our memories is detrimental to build an accurate representation of others’ pain. Importantly, by means of multi-modal neuroimaging measures and connectivity analysis, the proposal will allow to individuate the pathway and the direction of the dynamic communication within the brain network underlying memory and empathic processes.

Mots clés : empathy, long term memory, electroencephalography, fmri

Participants :
- University of Birmingham (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 183454.8 €
Projet THERMOSTALL (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2015)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Information Science and Engineering
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Energy storage technologies have long been a subject of great interest to both academia and industry. The aim of this project is to develop a novel, cost effective and high performance Latent Heat Thermal Energy Storage System (LHTESS) for seasonal accumulation of solar energy in increased quantities. The major barrier for currently used Phase Change Materials (PCMs, organic and hydrated salts) is their very low heat conduction coefficient, low density, chemical instability and tendency to sub-cooling. Such inferior thermo-physical properties result in the LHTESS having large dimensions and not having a capacity to provide the necessary rate of heat re-charge and discharge, even with highly developed heat exchangers. The new approach to overcome the above issues is the deployment of low grade, eutectic low melting temperature metallic alloys (ELMTAs). The ELMTAs are currently produced for application in other areas and have not been actively considered for the thermal energy accumulation with the exception of very limited studies. Their heat conduction is two orders of magnitude greater than that of conventional PCMs, they are stable and provide the thermal storage capacity which is 2-3 times greater per unit of volume. The project consists of both theoretical and experimental investigations. A range of low grade ELMTAs for application in LHTESS will be selected and Differential Scanning Calorimetry will be used to measure their thermal properties. Thermal cycling tests of such alloys will be conducted. Numerical investigations of heat transfer and flow in the LHTESS with ELMTAs will be performed. Experimental studies of heat transfer and flow in a laboratory prototype of the LHTESS with ELMTAs will be conducted. As outcomes of investigations, dimensionless heat transfer correlations will be derived and design recommendations for a practical solar energy seasonal LHTESS with the low grade ELMTA will be produced for project industrial partner

Mots clés : solar energy, seasonal thermal storage, low melting temperature, metallic alloys, high heat conduction

Participants :
- Northumbria University (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 195454.8 €
Projet PRETZEL (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2019)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Physics
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Energy transfer constitutes a basic step of photosynthesis, photocatalysis and operation of optoelectronic devices in which the energy of a photon absorbed by one entity (donor) is transferred to another entity (acceptor) where it is further processed. The fundamentals of this process are routinely studied using optical-based methods, which are sensitive to its spectroscopic and temporal characteristics. However, these techniques are diffraction-limited, leading to spatial averaging of the fine details occurring at the molecular scale, and do not allow to study how energy transfer and its dynamics are affected by minute change variations of the atomic-scale environment of the donor-acceptor pair. Therefore, crucial questions remain to be addressed: Can we probe and control ET as a function of the precise nanometre distances and orientation of the single donor-acceptor pairs? What is the nanometre-scale interplay between different ET mechanisms? How are the dynamics, and thus the efficiency, of ET affected by these parameters? Can we probe more complex behaviours involving ET or mimic light-harvesting systems based on artificial supramolecular architectures? To reach the required scale a novel approach will be developed that combines the atomic-scale precision of a low-temperature scanning tunnelling microscopy with time-resolved tip-enhanced photoluminescence. This original technical association will enable studies of energy transfer dynamics between individual molecules with simultaneous pm and ps at the unprecedented scale. The fundamental knowledge gained during the project, as well as technological development, will lead to a better understanding of the atomic-scale phenomena driving photosynthesis and optoelectronic devices operations. Furthermore, PRETZEL will offer extensive interdisciplinary training for a young researcher, creating the base for a highly successful scientific career.

Mots clés : scanning tunneling microscopy

Participants :
- Centre national de la recherche scientifique (France) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 184707.84 €
Projet Enhanced-MUMs (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2017)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Chemistry
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Enhanced-MUMs targets the development of advanced multifunctional and low-cost polymeric membranes for water treatment and desalination. The main innovation resides in the combination of enhanced structural properties (high porosity and reinforcement) for improved desalination characteristics and light-induced antifouling and antimicrobial activity based on the loading of photosensitizers in the polymeric membrane. The economy of the approach is guaranteed by the polymeric material chosen for the realization of the membrane: PVC. The proposed breakthrough relies on the complementary expertise of the Experienced Researcher on polymer chemistry and nanofibers fabrication and of the supervisor’s group on polymeric materials characterization, photochemistry of organic materials and photosensitizers for photodynamic treatments. Enhanced-MUMs is a multidisciplinary project that aims at bringing high innovation in the forefront research area of water treatment and desalination. In the frame of the project the Experienced Researcher will widen her scientific skills and technological know-how with significant improvement for the development of her career.

Mots clés : porous membrane, polymer, nanofiber, nanocomposite, photo active dye, water treatment, desalination

Participants :
- National Research Council (Italie) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 168277.2 €
Projet DENMARK (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2018)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Social Sciences and Humanities
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Environmental DNA (eDNA) is trace amounts of DNA released by organisms into water and sediments. It has recently attracted a lot of attention as it can be a valuable tool for detecting present and past organisms without the need to directly sample them. However, biotic and abiotic decay has severe effects on DNA survival. The adsorption of DNA to mineral surfaces in sediments as well as saline conditions have been shown to protect DNA molecules and decrease the DNA decay rate. Understanding which minerals and environmental conditions provide the best preservation of adsorbed DNA can thus allow us to: a) target such environments for paleoecological and palaeogenetic studies; b) serve as a quantitative tool for assessing DNA migration, i.e. is the recovered eDNA autochthonous?; and c) significantly advance eDNA extraction and analysis protocols by targeting and extracting eDNA from specific minerals. Currently, we only have a qualitative understanding of the DNA-mineral adsorption/desorption at the bulk level and we have no quantitative insight into the DNA-mineral interactions and solution conditions that enhance DNA survival, nor the combined impact on DNA longevity in natural environments. With DENMARK I will (1) assess DNA-mineral associations and correlate with eDNA preservation state in sediments from terrestrial, freshwater and marine settings. Additionally, for a range of sedimentary minerals and a range of environmentally relevant solution compositions I will: (2) quantify the Gibbs free energy (ΔGbu) and kinetic bond parameters of in vitro DNA-mineral interactions; and (3) examine the nature, fraction and stability of interacting bonds of in vitro DNA-mineral associations at the bulk level. (4) Finally, I will link the sediment data to the in vitro single bond and bulk data to make a conceptual model for addressing the characteristics and longevity of different DNA-mineral systems, and improve eDNA extraction protocols.

Mots clés : environmental dna, dna adsorption, minerals, kinetics, nanoscience

Participants :
- University of Copenhagen (Danemark) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 219312.0 €
Projet NRgCod (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2020)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Environment and Geosciences
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Environmental contaminants are accumulating in oceans and marine food webs and thereby pose a risk for both ecosystem and human health. In my MSCA-project, I aspire to bring the field of environmental toxicology to the next level by applying my track-record in developing Adverse Outcome Pathways (AOPs) in the model organism zebrafish to the sentinel species Atlantic cod. The renowned Environmental Toxicology laboratory of Prof. Anders Goksøyr at the University of Bergen (UiB), is specialised in interactions of human-made chemicals with nuclear receptors (NRs) in Atlantic cod. Contaminant activated NRs can be the initiating molecular event leading to a cascade of responses, disrupting energy metabolism and culminating in an adverse outcome at behavioural level. At UiB, I will be trained in applying the precision-cut liver slicing technique and in developing in vitro luciferase reporter assays to identify NR activity after exposure to major legacy and emerging contaminants. I will then translate my knowledge on mechanisms leading to behavioural effects in zebrafish larvae, to the Atlantic cod. I will be supported by the Environmental Chemistry Group at the Institute of Marine Research (secondment) providing expertise on larval Atlantic cod toxicology and lipid chemistry. Developing AOPs in an ecologically relevant species is a young field of research but of high relevance to defining the ecological consequences of contaminant exposures. This project will innovatively expedite the Environmental Toxicology research and underline my ambitions to become an independent academic group leader. I will further sharpen my academic profile by profiting from UiB’s unique Centre of Excellence in Biology Education (bioCEED) which will enhance my skills in modern supervising and teaching techniques. The proposal addresses pressing scientific questions by integrating the expertise and network of both the host and me while shaping my profile on the way to become a leading scholar.

Mots clés : atlantic cod, nuclear receptor, behavior, adverse outcome pathway, liver

Participants :
- University of Bergen (Norvège) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 202158.72 €
Projet reSGulating (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2015)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Environmental stresses are the primary causes of crop loss worldwide, reducing average yields for most major crop plants by more than 50%. To get an optimal adaptation to environmental threats, plants have evolved a variety of complex and efficient mechanisms of resistance, including compartmentalization of mRNAs and proteins in cytoplasmic structures known as Stress Granules (SGs). In these, mRNA molecules are stored, degraded or kept silent in order to prevent energy expenditure on producing useless proteins, promoting thus the translation of specific stress-responsive genes that lead to the recovery from stress. Despite their importance in cell fitness, the overall composition of SGs, as well as their assembly requirements and regulation remain largely unknown. Although SGs have been found to be evolutionary conserved between species, the current knowledge of how plant SGs can regulate and modulate the response to stress is still limited. The overall objective of this proposal is to increase our understanding of the fundamental function of SGs on the regulation of plant response to stress. To this end, a compendium of methodologies including genetic and cell biology will be implemented in order to identify and characterize mutants impaired in SGs formation, taking advantage of well-established photosynthetic model systems such as Arabidopsis thaliana and the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Given that autophagy is a core mechanism that governs the regulation of SGs formation, disassembly or clearance in animal and yeast models, this molecular link will be studied in higher plants. It is anticipated that implementation of this project will provide novel insights into SGs biology, helping to enhance our knowledge on the modulation of stress responses. Besides, the proposed project is endowed of solid formative contents that will strengthen my previous experience, boosting my future scientific career and paving the way for closer scientific collaborations.

Mots clés : stress granules, mrna cycle, post transcriptional modifications, global genetic screen, arabidopsis, plant cell biology

Participants :
- Spanish National Research Council (Espagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 170121.6 €
Projet CortFit (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2014)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Environments are currently changing at unprecedented rates, but the evolution of endocrine response mechanisms is still hardly understood. As environmental transducers, hormone levels are plastic, and basic evolutionary questions such as the nature of individually-consistent hormonal traits are still unanswered. The research proposed here embraces hormonal plasticity by using a novel reaction norm approach. Reaction norms are a gold standard in physiological and evolutionary ecology, but have rarely been applied to hormones. Glucocorticoids (GC) mediate environmental responses in many vertebrate traits. Using great tits (Parus major), I will characterize individual GC phenotypes by quantifying GC components and their reaction norms across environmental gradients. These will be assessed repeatedly to test for repeatability, while field studies will explore fitness relationships. I will address four hypotheses: 1) Individuals differ in GC flexibility; 2) Individuals show repeatable GC responses across different contexts and seasons; 3) GCs are related to reproductive success; and 4) GCs modulate reproductive performance. I will quantify GCs at baseline, after capture-restraint and after negative feedback induction in captivity. I will also assess variation in baseline GC along temperature and workload gradients. I will conduct these tests in non-breeding and breeding seasons to calculate repeatability for GC components. I will then adapt these methods to the field, to investigate how GC flexibility correlates with fitness. Finally, I will impose an environmental challenge during the chick-rearing stage by increasing workload to assess GCs and performance. With this novel approach I aim to advance evolutionary endocrinology by identifying individual hormonal characteristics that are repeatable and fitness-relevant. This research represents a topic of high relevance for science and the public and will provide outstanding academic training to an experienced researcher.

Mots clés : glucocorticoids, reaction norms, hpa axis, global change, avian ecology and evolution

Participants :
- Max Planck Society (Allemagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 171460.8 €