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

The development of Paleolithic sciences from the exceptional European heritage led to define the behavioral modernity on the basis of the material culture of Homo Sapiens in this part of the world. In the set of modern traits is the use of bone materials, for making fully shaped objects by means of varied techniques. The lack of bone industry by Neanderthal has been considered as a cognitive gap. However, the definition of what a bone industry should be is based on artefacts having a strong social and symbolic value, which excludes part of the equipments made by Homo Sapiens himself. Indeed, a large part of the bone industry within the Solutrean assemblages was revealed by my PhD investigations: due to the use of percussion for blanks production and tools shaping, these products were confused with the faunal remains. The transfer of my analytical grid to Paleolithic sites of the Siberian Altai, among which Denisova cave, has uncovered a diversified bone industry in occupation layers from other Hominians. My identification of more than a thousand knapped bone tools opens up new perspectives. Was the production of this industry by Denisovans and Neanderthals a local shared tradition, or is this the sign of a wider practice so far unseen by lack of appropriate analytical and conceptual tools? I propose to investigate this issue by extending the corpus to Neanderthal sites of Western Europe and by creating a traceological framework suitable for the functional recognition of the unshaped bone tools. My aim is to contribute to the debate on the cognitive faculty of archaic Humans, not so much in binary terms, as all too often discussed, but rather according to the structure of their technical world. The Traceolab, at the University of Liege, with its modern equipment, its field of competence in full adequacy with the subject and its access to archaeological collections of great value constitutes the most favourable context for the continuation of my research.

Mots clés : middle palaeolithic, neandertal, bone industry, technology, traceology, experimental archaeology

Participants :
- University of Liège (Belgique) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 166320.0 €
Projet MechaPattern (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2018)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The development of an organ requires the precise coordination between pattern formation, morphogenetic movements and the final size of the system. Significant progress has been made in understanding these processes independently. The aim of this proposal is to integrate this information by analyzing coordination hubs, such as the crosstalk between YAP/TAZ and Wntβ-catenin pathways during the specification of the identity and the mechanical properties of the cell. I will use the development of the vertebrate eye as a defined paradigm. To identify intrinsic and relevant properties of this system, the two most powerful and amenable models of eye morphogenesis will be analyzed: the self-generation of 3D optic cups from mouse Embryonic Stem Cells and the in vivo development of the teleost eye. The plan is to generate a spatiotemporal activation map of the main determinants of eye identity and use them to link morphogen signaling with key morphogenetic processes in specific cells. This will be the groundwork to identify the role of retinal pigmented epithelial (RPE) cells during optic cup folding, the context that I will use to understand both the coordination between morphogen patterning (Wnt) and mechanical properties (Yap) of the retinal precursors, and between proportionated patterning and eye size (scale-invariant mechanisms). This proposal relies on the collaboration of multiple experts from the host institute and on the use of already developed bona fide protocols, reporter lines and signaling perturbations experiments, but revisited with cutting-edge technologies, such as light sheet microscopy and computational modeling. Thus, it is an extremely innovative but feasible project to understand deep-root questions of organ formation. Moreover, this interdisciplinary project will open unprecedented opportunities in the field of organ regeneration from a comprehensive morphogenetic perspective, which will be the foundation of my future independent research.

Mots clés : eye morphogenesis, mechanical forces, patterning, morphogen, scale invariance, zebrafish, medaka, mescs derived optic cups, catenin pathway, taz pathway

Participants :
- Spanish National Research Council (Espagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 160932.48 €
Projet ASSO (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2018)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Information Science and Engineering
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The development of floating (offshore) wind turbines on a commercial scale is expected to grow considerably over the next few years after that different countries have recognized them as the best solution for the production of sustainable energy. In order to satisfy the required needs of safety, serviceability, durability and affordability, the actual connections and the secondary structures have to be replaced by a new ones based on the bonding technique. The ASSO project has the principal purpose to establish a sound framework for the feasibility and assessment of adhesive connections for offshore wind installations in the marine environment, including experimental tests and accurate numerical procedures. In this framework, the ASSO project aims to develop: an innovative non-linear mechanical model able to investigate the influence of seawater on the performance of adhesive connections in the presence of leading causes of degradation, ageing and vibrations (due to the waves); an experimental database in order to predict their service life investigating the long-term behaviour and resistance in seawater environment. Consequently, in order to increase the knowledge of adhesive connections in the marine environment, the project is composed of the following three different levels: experimental tests, non-linear mechanical model and FEM analysis. The multidisciplinary nature of the project is strong, involving aspects of mechanical engineering, structural engineering, environmental engineering, applied mathematics, numerical analysis and advanced materials design. The proposal includes both the transfer of knowledge to the host institution and the training of the candidate in new advanced techniques. Results have the potential capacity to increase the diffusion of offshore wind installations for sustainable energy production, an ambitious target in line with the EU strategy.

Mots clés : adhesive connection, composite material, offshore structures, seawater enviroment

Participants :
- Centre national de la recherche scientifique (France) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 184707.84 €
Projet PIOMES (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2014)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The development of healthy organisms requires the formation of different cellular systems, such as a blood, bone and muscle. All these different cell types arise during embryonic life from specific pools of mesodermal progenitors (MPs). A central question is how distinct MPs are specified and ultimately why different cells respond to signalling pathways in different ways? Critical insights here are directly relevant to conceive strategies for increasing the efficiency of mesodermal differentiation aimed for treating muscular degenerative diseases. To date, in vitro, somitic mesoderm differentiation for regenerative purpose has had limited success. Wnt signalling promotes Embryonic Stem Cell (ESC) differentiation of all the MPs, including skeletal muscles. The activity of specific pioneer transcription factors (TFs) may be the key for converting Wnt signalling pathways into a specific transcriptional program. Pioneer TFs shape the chromatin landscape by opening the chromatin and allowing the recruitment of lineage specific TFs, and thus ultimately control the TF binding dynamics and the acquisition of a specific cell fate. Pbx proteins are pioneer TFs, which are specifically expressed in the primitive streak, the region of the embryo that will produce all mesoderm, and are critical for promoting mesodermal specification. Here, I will establish how Pbx proteins specify MPs and determine the competence of early mesoderm to respond to Wnt signalling. To this end, I will use mouse embryos and murine epiblast stem cells, which are analogous to human ESC (hESCs). My approach combines the strength of an in vitro ESC differentiation method, routinely used at DanStem, with chromatin immunoprecipitation and transcriptional regulation assays, which I have extensively mastered during my postdoctoral training. I expect that my findings will provide novel tools for rational design of strategies to combat genetic and degenerative muscular diseases, such as muscular dystrophies.

Mots clés : pioneer transcription factors, mesodermal differentiation, mesodermal progenitors, gene regulation, muscular dystrophy

Participants :
- University of Copenhagen (Danemark) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 200194.8 €
Projet NANOSOLAR (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2014)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Physics
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The development of high-efficiency and low-cost solar cells is one of the most crucial challenges to secure a clean and sustainable energy source. The novel and tunable optoelectronic properties of nanomaterials are a very promising but still challenging route to achieve this goal. In this project, we propose to combine the advantages of two important nanoscale materials, semiconductor quantum dots (QD) and two-dimensional atomic layered (2-D) materials, to realize high-efficiency hybrid solar cells. Quantum dots are one of the best absorbing and carrier photogenerators due to multiple exciton generation and their size-tunable and direct band gap, however, their poor dot-to-dot conductivity has been a major limitation for photovoltaic devices. We propose to overcome this limitation by intercalating 2-D materials that have shown high charge mobility and strong optoelectronic properties. We propose a tandem configuration based on a stack of QD layers for strong carrier photogeneration, with intercalated 2-D atomic layers for efficient charge and photocurrent extraction. We will study the charge transfer and separation at the interface of QDs and 2-D layers, both of which are strongly affected by quantum confinement. The co-supervisors of this project, Prof. Konstantatos and Prof. Koppens at ICFO, have demonstrated a QD/2-D(graphene) phototransistor with a photoresponse up to 5 orders of magnitude higher than phototransistors based on single graphene or MoS2 atomic layers without QDs, showing the potential of QD/2-D hybrid devices for photovoltaics. In addition to QDs, we will also use small band gap materials, such as phosphorene and other 2-D semiconductors that can harvest energy from infrared hot sources in dark conditions. The proposed hybrid QD/2-D solar cell architecture can have a strong technological impact since both materials can be produced in large scale by chemical synthesis and surpass the performance of current photovoltaic technologies.

Mots clés : photovoltaics, solar cells, quantum dots, two dimensional materials, graphene

Participants :
- Institute of Photonic Sciences (Espagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 158121.6 €
Projet IMMUNOMARK (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2017)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The development of immunotherapies based on checkpoint inhibitors marks the beginning of a new era in the treatment of cancer, with 20-30% of tumor response in advanced non–small-cell lung cancer and melanoma. However, the rational use of these agents has been limited by the lack of definitive predictive biomarkers. The recent “omics revolution” provides great opportunities to elucidate the biological processes linked to the treatment outcome. Here we propose a multilayer integrative omics analysis using transcriptomics and genetic and epigenetic mapping, together with detection of specific immunologic proteins, to identify biomarkers of clinical response to immunotherapy amenable to be used in liquid biopsies. Objective: to identify definite biomarkers predictive of the response to anti-PD-1, anti-PD-L1, and anti-CTLA4 therapy in patients with metastatic melanoma and advanced non–small-cell lung cancer. We structure the proposal in two parts: WP1. Signature of response to the immunotherapy by integrating transcriptomics and genetic and epigenetic mapping in tumor tissues: solid biopsy. Genome-wide transcriptomics on FAC-sorted tumor and stroma cells followed by targeted genetic and epigenetic mapping in the differentially expressed genes in responders. WP2: Identification of circulating biomarkers of response to the immunotherapy: liquid biopsy. Pre- and post-treatment blood samples from a validation cohort will be used as liquid biopsy. Genetic and epigenetic biomarkers of WP1 will be tested as circulating biomarkers. In addition, LINE-1 methylation, total Circulating Tumor Cells, CD56+, or CD8+ PD-1+ cells will be tested. This project applies multiple innovative approaches to address the urgent need of identifying biomarkers of clinical response to immunotherapy in cancer, amenable to be used non-invasively. In line with the Horizon 2020 Research & Innovation goal, we will “improve our ability to monitor health and to prevent, detect, treat and manage disease.

Mots clés : dna methylation and hydroxymethylation, pharmacoepigenetics, liquid biopsy, immune cells related, biomarkers, immune tolerance, anti pd1, anti pd l1, anti ctla4, tumor, stroma, omics  integration

Participants :
- Fundación Pública Andaluza para la Investigación de Málaga en Biomedicina y Salud (Espagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 170121.6 €
Projet CuCAN (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2017)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Chemistry
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The development of operationally simple methods for the rapid and efficient, catalytic construction of high value products from simple starting materials is key to the future of synthetic science. Moreover, if high value chiral products can be assembled from several readily available achiral components in a one-pot process then diverse collections of important compounds can be quickly constructed by simple variation of the material inputs. Even more challenging, but attractive to the scientific community, would be a multicomponent process catalyzed by a low-cost metal using a commercially-available ligand to control the regiochemistry and relative and absolute stereochemistry of the cross-coupling process. In this project we will develop one-pot processes involving imines that deliver important, functionalized amine products that are hard to make using the current state-of-the-art in synthesis. In particular, we will develop the enantioselective union of imines, allenes, and boron–X components, mediated by an inexpensive, readily available copper catalyst, which delivers versatile functionalized homoallylic amines that are privileged substructures in bioactive compounds and flexible building blocks for the construction of other biologically-significant motifs. For example, the brand new methodology will be applied in the target synthesis of validated bioactive molecules and in the rapid generation of libraries for medicinal chemistry exploration. The action will also open new vistas for other enantioselective multicomponent couplings using this approach. This ambitious project will expose Dr. Manna to new areas of physical techniques as well as provide high level synthetic training, which in addition to transferable skills gained, will place him in a uniquely strong position to advance in his career.


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

The development of photonics technologies implies ever-increasing agile optical components operating enabling the manipulation of the spatial degrees of freedom of light over broad spectral ranges. To date, spatial light modulators is a class of digital optical devices offering versatile management of light, however, state-of-the-art devices are operating efficiently only at a given wavelength. Here we propose to develop a digitally controlled spatial light modulator combining efficiency with intrinsically broadband behavior spanning the whole visible spectrum. This will be accomplished by integrating the advantage of spin controlled achromatic geometric Berry phase with broadband polarization-dependent circular Bragg reflection from spatially modulated chiral liquid crystals. Despite more than a century-long history of liquid crystals, the first report on the accumulation of Berry phase due to Bragg reflection came only very recently from the research group lead by the host scientist. The proposed two-year project to develop spatial light-modulators based on this basic physical principle. By doing so, we aim at controlling the interaction between the polarization state of light with its spatial degrees of freedoms (i.e., the spin-orbit interaction of light) by exploiting the inherently robust and diverse topological structures that spontaneously appear in anisotropic soft condensed matter systems such as liquid crystals. In particular, we will take advantage of both the self-organization orientational processes occurring in liquid crystals and their extreme sensitivity to external fields. By implementing a recently demonstrated physical concepts into a novel generation of spin-orbit optical devices enabling spatial control of the optical phase over a broad spectral range, this project will offer further possible applications for advanced photonic technologies, for instance in optical data processing, optical imaging and optical manipulation.

Mots clés : spatial light modulators, geometric phase, liquid crystal, spin orbit interaction of light

Participants :
- Université de Bordeaux (France) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 196707.84 €
Projet QTherm-2D (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2017)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Physics
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The development of sustainable energy sources poses one of the greatest challenges for our society nowadays. The current increase in energy demands across the world makes fossil-fuel based energy resources unsustainable. Research and Innovation on finding, developing and enhancing green energy sources are crucial to achieve the EU aim to obtain 20% of its energy from renewable sources by 2020. Thermoelectric (TE) energy conversion is one alternative to produce green renewable energy by converting heat into electrical energy. However, the efficiency of current TE technology is poor and limiting its usage. Entering the nanoscale, promises to overcome the problem of low efficiency but require also novel theories describing correctly TE phenomena at the quantum level. This Marie Słodowska-Curie action, called “Development of a new first-principle Framework for Quantum Thermoelectricity — Application to 2D materials” (QTherm-2D), aims at exploring and advancing the emergence of thermoelectricity at the nanoscale, where quantum effects dominate. QTherm-2D will overcome the limitations of the state-of-the-art methods and go beyond by developing a novel transport theory for the investigation of TE energy conversion in realistic nanodevices. This will provide a theoretical framework capable of making groundbreaking predictions for high-efficient TE devices and heat-dissipating materials. This original formalism will then be applied together with state-of-the-art methods to address fundamental issues related to the emergence of quantum thermoelectricity and to explore 2D materials for TE applications. Based on this understanding, potential hybrid devices will be designed by heterostructuring of different 2D materials. The action is designed to outperform current TE technologies and might help overcoming one of the most important challenges humanity is facing nowadays.

Mots clés : thermoelectricity, 2d materials, td dft, non equilibrium thermodynamics

Participants :
- TU Dresden (Allemagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 159460.8 €
Projet HeliTrans (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2020)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Chemistry
Statut du projet : TERMINATED

The development of synthetic molecules capable of mimicking the modes of action of biological ion and water membrane channels is crucial to understand their mechanism and potentially to cure diseases (channelopathies) associated with their malfunctions. Synthetic transporters and channels that have already been reported so far, suffer from ill-defined structures or complex mechanisms that make it difficult to establish structure-property relationships in order to improve their efficiency and selectivity. This project aims at designing, synthesizing and studying the very first membrane spanning unimolecular synthetic ion or water channels in the form of long helically folded aromatic oligomers with suitably oriented binding sites at the inner rim. It builds upon earlier achievements in aromatic foldamer design concerning both molecular recognition in helical cavities, and the development of efficient solid phase synthetic methods (SPS) to access sequences longer than 40 units. About 40 units are predicted to fold in a 10-turn open-ended helix with a sizeable channel, covering a total height of ~35 Å, which is equivalent to the thickness of a lipid membrane. Such objects would be structurally stable and well-defined, amenable to structural fine-tuning by changing the composition of individual monomers one at a time, to modulate channel diameter and polar/apolar features. Their channeling behavior will be studied in vesicles and planar bilayers and will be correlated to their structure. Such correlation will allow, for the first time in the field, to build predictive design capabilities. This multidisciplinary project will enrich my strong background on artificial membrane channels with foldamer chemistry and should be decisive to help me reaching an independent academic research position.

Mots clés : synthetic membrane channels, helical foldamers, solid phase synthesis, membrane transport

Participants :
- Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (Allemagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 174806.4 €