Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-actions-marie-curie-participations-et-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Projet IMMUNOACETYL (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2019)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Macrophages are key cellular components of innate immunity. During inflammation, they respond to danger signals by inducing gene expression or altering pre-existing proteins. One such post-translational modification is carried out by histone deacetylases, enzymes that remove acetyl groups from lysine. HDAC6 is a unique member of this family due to its cytoplasmic localisation and its structure (two catalytic domains and one zinc finger ubiquitin binding domain). Several targets of HDAC6 have been identified, including, recently, the mitochondrial protein mitofusin1, which induces mitochondrial fusion upon its deacetylation. Mitochondrial dynamics control several cellular functions, including inflammatory and antimicrobial pathways. My exciting project is based on strong preliminary data; there is no doubt that HDAC6 regulates mitochondrial dynamics and contributes to antibacterial functions, however the exact mechanism and the importance of each HDAC6 domain remains unclear. Thus, I will identify the exact role of HDAC6 and its three domains on the mitochondrial dynamics and the immune response in general. This project will also contribute to the characterization of new HDAC6-dependent pathways and HDAC6 substrates involved in the inflammatory response, delivering potential targets for future research. This proposal is based on an ideal synergy between the host laboratory (expertise in HDAC6 and proteomic analysis) and me (expertise in macrophage, mitochondria and microscopy). Thus, this project is highly feasible and combines: 1) an in-depth investigation of the role of HDAC6 on mitochondrial dynamics and immune response as well as 2) an analysis of HDAC6-dependent metabolites and 3) an unbiased acetylome screen. This project is perfectly in line with the Horizon 2020 Programme objectives. It will enhance my competences through advanced training and mentorship, allowing me to reintegrate with the European research environment and establish my own research group.

Mots clés : macrophages, mitochondria dynamics, hdac

Participants :
- Friedrich Miescher Institute (Suisse) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 203149.44 €
Projet PALEOMADA (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2017)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Environment and Geosciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Madagascar is an excellent location for paleoenvironmental study because of its unique topography, climate, and environment. However, it is among understudied regions worldwide, and even though substantial paleoenvironmental conclusions have been drawn from separate investigation of speleothem proxies (e.g., from Anjohibe Cave) and lake sediments proxies (e.g. from Lake Mitsinjo), such conclusions have not yet been fully validated. Validation requires data calibration from modern monitoring and information cross-check across a range of complementary proxies between speleothems and lake sediments. PALEOMADA (PALEOenvironmental reconstruction in MADAgascar) is a multidisciplinary approach, and it consists of combining state-of-the-art modern and paleo approach to produce a more robust paleoenvironmental interpretation in NW Madagascar using speleothems and lake sediments. Its objective will build on two important premises: (1) Calibration of paleo-data, i.e., using knowledge of modern biogeochemical processes as a tool to reconstruct paleoenvironmental changes, and (2) Cross-validation among different complementary archives, i.e., checking paleoenvironmental interpretations from speleothem proxies using proxies from lake sediments, and vice versa. PALEOMADA clearly provides a two-way transfer of knowledge and skills between me and the host institution because it will combine my expertise (speleothem and paleoclimate reconstruction) and my supervisor’s expertise (biogeochemistry and application of stable isotope tools in tropical aquatic systems). PALEOMADA additionally involves an international network collaboration, specifically with the Department of Geology of the University of Madagascar, which ensures its success, and it offers several training opportunities at KU Leuven to strengthen my skills and knowledge to become a mature and independent researcher.

Mots clés : madagascar, paleoenvironmental reconstruction, stalagmites, lake sediments, multiproxy, stable isotopes, trace elements, cave and lake monitoring, data calibration, biogeochemistry

Participants :
- KU Leuven (Belgique) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 160800.0 €
Projet ANTELOPE (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2017)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Environment and Geosciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Mafic layered intrusions, formed by the slow cooling and differentiation of basaltic magmas within the crust often contain enormous metallic ore resources, of vital importance for industrial and societal applications. The ca. 2.0 Ga Bushveld Complex in South Africa is by far the largest mafic layered intrusion on Earth, and contains > 80% of the world’s Platinum-Group Elements (PGE) and huge quantities of Cr, hosted within a few nearly monomineralic dense oxide layers which are continuous over 100’s of kilometers. Despite many decades of scientific research, the processes that resulted in the formation of these magnificent layering features and the accumulation of precious metals to such high concentrations are heavily debated. Part of the problem arises from the fact that compositional data suggests the influence of post-magmatic processes and fluid circulation operating in the magma chamber. Such processes are likely to have modified the primary cumulate pile and influenced precious metal distribution, but the extent to which these rocks have been subjected to subsolidus modification is not known. I propose to develop new geochemical tools to quantify the influence of these processes, using an unprecedented precise approach of Fe, Mg and Zn isotope measurements on ferromagnesian sililcates, oxides and sulfides. Not only will the results support further precious metal exploitation by expanding our understanding of the formation and evolution of mineralized oxide layers in the Bushveld, but they will also be of high scientific relevance for all applications of high-temperature stable isotope geochemistry across the fields of igneous and metamorphic petrology as well as geo- and cosmochemistry.


Participants :
- University of Cambridge (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 183454.8 €
Projet MATRIX-B (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2017)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Chemistry
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Magnetic tissue engineering envisions the development of complex systems in which magnetic elements are exploited as remotely controlled multidimensional tools with potential for diagnostic and therapeutic actions. Such a magnetic material can be imagined as a fixed “station” that offers a long-living assistance to tissue engineering, providing thus a unique opportunity to adjust the material activity to the personal needs of the patient. In the development of biomaterials for bone repair one of the major concerns is to increase their integration and remodeling rate. The possibility of favoring bone tissue engineering applications by magnetic stimulation in patients with reduced endogenous potential is a key issue, in consideration of the progressive ageing of the population for which more effective and personalized regenerative therapies will be increasingly demanded in the incoming decades. The original main driving idea of this project is the use triaxial magnetic fields for the creation of a conceptually new type of bioactive materials able to be manipulated directly in situ. To date all studies with magnetic biomaterials have been carried out only in presence of uniaxial fields. The very novelty of this project is the enhanced magnetic susceptibility in three dimensions by applying a triaxial magnetic field to a magnetic particles suspension. In principle, with such a configuration it is possible to magnetically drive the self-assembly of the particles producing extraordinarily well-controlled structures at the microscale. This novel approach, involving the use of triaxial fields, is expected to culminate in a new generation of materials with a specific, continuous and reloaded control from an external supervising center and new characteristics in tissue engineering, such as multiple uses, possibly multipurpose delivery and, furthermore, improved mechanical properties since magnetorheology under triaxial fields is still completely unexplored field of research.

Mots clés : triaxial magnetic field, magnetic biomaterial, magnetorheology, self assembly, bone regeneration

Participants :
- University of Granada (Espagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 170121.6 €
Projet MAMBO (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2019)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - Global Fellowships
Panel : Information Science and Engineering
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Magnetically actuated untethered microrobots have been proposed in the state of the art since more than a decade towards the dream of accessing remote hard to reach areas of the human body. Nevertheless, some challenges still have to be faced before any microrobot-based therapeutic paradigm can reach the clinical practice. MAMBO (Magnetic swArms for liver chemoeMBOlization) aims at facing some of these challenges by targeting a specific clinical application, namely liver chemoembolization. The proposal stems from the idea to improve cancer chemotherapy and existing chemoembolization procedures by using magnetic forces to collect chemotherapeutics in the target region (through swarm control methods) and to controllably and stably embolize tumor blood vessels. Drug loaded soft magnetic microrobots featured by responsiveness to ultrasound will be developed to this aim. The responsivity to US will enable microrobot swelling and controlled vessel occlusion and at the same time their ultrasound-based imaging to guarantee their tracking in vivo. Magnetic swarm control techniques will be employed to enable microrobots locomotion in biologically-relevant fluids. MAMBO will last 36 months and is articulated in a 24 months outgoing phase carried out at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK – partner organization) and in a 12 months return phase in Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna (SSSA – beneficiary organization). In the framework of the project I will try to deepen my skills in magnetic swarm control by benefiting from the major expertise of Prof. Li Zhang’s group. At the same time, I will share with them my background in medical robotics and drug delivery systems towards the development and testing of a novel therapeutic paradigm for cancer treatment. During the return phase at SSSA I will focus on the US imaging of the developed microrobots thanks to the Interaction with Prof. Menciassi’s group and to their expertise in US-based technologies.

Mots clés : microrobotics, magnetic swarm, medical imaging, ultrasound, drug delivery, chemoembolization

Participants :
- Chinese University of Hong Kong (Chine) — Partner, organization partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €
- Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies (Italie) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 252525.12 €
Projet PETRA (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2018)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - Global Fellowships
Panel : Physics
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Magnetized rocks hold answers to fundamental questions about the formation and evolution of terrestrial planets. However, retrieving this information is far from trivial. Currently, there are two approaches to tackle this. One is through processing of spacecraft magnetic field measurements and the other one is through laboratory measurements of planetary samples. The first aim of this project is to develop a novel mathematical technique that will allow the extraction of magnetization information both from spacecraft measurements and laboratory samples. The second aim is to apply this methodology to constrain the evolution of the terrestrial and Martian magnetic fields over geological times. This has important implications concerning the planets’ evolution of their thermal state, composition, atmosphere, climate and ultimately of their habitability over geological times. This project will strengthen the position of Europe in space research as it will increase the benefits of space missions such as the ongoing ESA mission Swarm and the future sequence of Mars sample return missions, for which a statement of intent to collaborate has been recently signed between ESA and NASA. Moreover, this project will allow the transfer of expertise concerning the use of a SQUID magnetic microscope, from the US (MIT, the Partner Organization) to Europe (IPGP, the Beneficiary). This laboratory instrument, currently being installed at IPGP, is the first one to be installed in a European lab. This project will allow me to complement my experience in the study of the lithospheric magnetic fields of Earth and Mars using satellite measurements with training in ultra-high sensitivity laboratory paleomagnetic measurements. My solid background in mathematics, signal processing and planetary magnetism, the world-leading expertise of the supervisors and the research excellence of the host institutes will enable a successful outcome for the project and a broad dissemination of its results.

Mots clés : planetary magnetism, paleomagnetism, geomagnetism, satellite data, martian meteorites, terrestrial rock samples, scanning magnetic microscopy, inverse problems, martian dynamo, geodynamo

Participants :
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Etats-Unis) — Partner, organization partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €
- Institut de physique du globe (France) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 257619.84 €
Projet MAGNUS (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2019)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Information Science and Engineering
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Magnetoelectric (ME) composites have the potential to revolutionize current nanotechnologies due to their ability to simultaneously respond to external magnetic and electric stimuli. However, archetypical ME materials prepared on rigid supports show either small effects due to the clamping with the substrate (e.g., Si wafers) or require of extremely high voltages (in case ferroelectric –FE– substrates are employed). To overcome these drawbacks, MAGNUS proposes a comprehensive research program built on the disruptive idea of using strain-gradient (i.e., flexoelectricity), instead of homogeneous strain, to boost the properties of ME composites deposited onto rigid substrates. The project encompasses new strategies to grow ‘mechanically flexible’ nanoporous magnetostrictive materials (FeGa, FeCo, Co ferrite) and fill them with FE polymers (P(VDF-TrFE)), rendering new functionally graded composites, operated with magnetic/electric fields, that will surpass classical compositionally-graded materials. The project aims at using these composites for (i) ME (wireless) bone tissue engineering and (ii) functionally-graded magnetic recording media. MAGNUS will take advantage of (i) my previous experience on electrodeposited Fe-based alloys and spin-coated FE polymers, (ii) the strong background of the main Host Institution (UAB) on magnetism and (iii) the expertise of the Partner Organizations on ME materials for biomedicine (ETH Zürich) and the growth of porous oxides (Univ. Cambridge). MAGNUS will bring interesting cross-cutting outcomes in the field of magnetoelectricity, exploiting strain-gradient mediated ME effects to an unprecedented extent and settling the grounds to consolidate the use of these frontier materials in the newly launched “Horizon Europe” Framework Programme (2021-2027). Besides the fascinating science to be unveiled in MAGNUS, the project will offer me the possibility to create a prestigious network which will reinforce my professional status in science.

Mots clés : magnetoelectric, flexoelectricity, electrodeposition, composites, nanoporous alloys and oxides, ferroelectric polymers, energy efficiency

Participants :
- Autonomous University of Barcelona (Espagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 172932.48 €
Projet 2DSi (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2014)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Physics
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Magnetoresistance sensors based on the change in electrical resistance upon an external magnetic field are widely used in day to day applications. The magnetic sensor industry sells billions of dollars worth of sensors every year and there is an ever-growing demand for magnetic sensors with high sensitivity, small size, low power consumption and low cost with compatibility with existing electronic systems. The project aims to develop a new class of highly sensitive magnetoresistance sensors based on doped Si and two dimensional (2D) layered materials, with a focus on single layer graphene and single layer WS2 which could be easily extended to other low dimensional layered materials. This plan will utilize the advantages of tunnelling through SiO2, gate tunability of 2D materials and the geometry of Si to obtain highly sensitive magnetic sensors from Si, which is very unique and novel. The large magnetoresistance observed in graphene by the applicant's group (Gopinadhan et al. Phys. Rev. B 88, 195429 (2013)) can be utilized to get an additional positive change in total resistance per unit applied magnetic field for higher sensitivity. Si can be integrated monolithically, in contrast, 2D layered materials such as graphene possess excellent electrical, thermal and mechanical properties. Its high mobility of carriers are very attractive for high speed applications. The interface between Si and 2D materials are little explored, however there is an enormous technological interest for applications such as graphene-based transparent electrodes in Si solar cells, high speed non-volatile flash memory, microwave switches, voltage controlled diodes, logic devices etc. Furthermore, most of the existing magnetic sensors are electron based and the possibility of both n and p type magnetic sensors due to the electric field tunability of 2D materials may provide new applications such as magnetic sensor and diode (p-n junction) in one active device.

Mots clés : interface, tunnelling transport

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

Maintenance of skeletal muscle quantity and quality is crucial for healthy aging, and is facilitated by a remarkable tissue plasticity. Muscle-resident stem cells (MuSC) provide an important contribution to this plasticity by differentiation and subsequent fusion with the myofiber – a process called myonuclear accretion. The progression of this process is characterised by distinct MuSC metabolic requirements, and seems to depend on the myofiber metabolic state. We therefore anticipate a role of metabolism – and specifically, the metabolic regulator AMPKalpha2 – in myofiber to the MuSC signalling, directing MuSC fate towards myonuclear accretion. We explore this in three aims, that constitute ‘proof of principle’, ‘target identification’, and ‘target validation’. To achieve these aims, we ensure a two-way transfer of knowledge by combining my Cre/LoxP-based cell system, with the host lab’s primary MuSC isolation. These combined technologies also provide a platform to study myonuclear accretion in the context of other molecular targets and diseases. Furthermore, we will initiate an interdisciplinary collaboration to perform integrative phosphoproteomics and metabolomics, and get a unique insight in the myofiber to MuSC signalling. This will provide AMPKalpha2-targets that will be validated using advanced mouse models established at the host lab, and provides leads for research after the fellowship. Results will be communicated to a scientific and non-scientific audience by publication in scientific journals, conference presentations, via Twitter, workshops and open days. Since the host lab is at the forefront of myogenesis research, it will provide me with an ideal environment to improve my scientific network, and receive the relevant technical and personal training. Together with the innovative nature and interdisciplinarity of the project, this will give me the unique opportunity to reach professional maturity both during and after the fellowship.

Mots clés : skeletal muscle regeneration, plasticity, cellular cross talk, myogenesis, myonuclear accretion, satellite cells

Participants :
- Université Claude Bernard - Lyon 1 (France) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 184707.84 €
Projet NanoLabels (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2016)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Chemistry
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Major uncertainty still exists on the safety of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs). This is primarily due to difficulties in studying such small-scale objects and especially tracing their fate and behaviour in laboratory experiments and, even more so, the environment. Labelling of ENMs can serve a very important role of tracer in the environment, and ultimately be used as a tool to create unique ENM identities and support the concept of “safer-by-design”. The proposed project will compare different labelling techniques, both conventional (fluorescent labels) and emerging (stable isotopic and chemical labelling) where the host and ER have complementary expertise, and investigate multiple labels. It will consider aspects of industrial synthesis and scaling up and carry out a field experiment involving labelled ENMs. The ER will be hosted by the team who pioneered stable isotope labelling of ENMs and benefit from placements with the JRC and Glantreo, whilst bringing to the project his own unique expertise on ENM synthesis and tracing.

Mots clés : nanosafety, nanomaterial libraries, nanotoxicology, safety by design, stable isotope labels, radiolabels, fluorescent labels

Participants :
- University of Birmingham (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 195454.8 €