Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-actions-marie-curie-participations-et-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Projet DASCE (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2015)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Survival and adaptation are dependent on an animal's ability to gain novel information in unfamiliar surroundings. Similar to other animal classes, mammals must use a variety of innate and learned exploratory strategies that are dictated by unpredictable or unknown circumstances. As the combination of emotional processes and planning of complex actions are essential for the development of such strategies, it can be hypothesized that strongly connected brain areas involved in emotions (the amygdala) and goal-directed behaviors (the dorso-medial striatum) have an implication on exploratory behavior. The intricate neuronal nature and brain area specificity in the controlling of such strategies, however, remain elusive. In order to functionally uncover the role of specific amygdala-striatal long-range projections in freely-exploring mice, our collaborative study will adopt a multidisciplinary approach by a) developing a multiple-compartment behavioral task to study the exact evolution of exploratory strategies in a novel environment starting from a familiar one, b) examining the neuronal encoding of amygdala-striatal projecting neurons during exploratory progression using a novel calcium imaging technique in freely-moving animals, and c) causally relating the role of pre- and post- neuronal ensembles to exploratory strategies applying a projection-specific optogenetic approach. Furthermore, the proposed project will employ state-of -the-art techniques to reveal the fine computational mechanism used by animals to explore their surroundings and to determine the neuronal encoding specific to brain-, cell- and projection-types. Our research will be beneficial not only for understanding the role of defined circuitries in behavioral variability caused by unpredictable circumstances and the ability to overcome these through the knowledge gained from past experiences, but also for the finding of a cure for complex psychiatric disorders including anxiety and depression.

Mots clés : exploratory behavior, amygdala, striatum, neuronal activity

Participants :
- Champalimaud Foundation (Portugal) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 148635.6 €
Projet RhizoEng (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2020)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Environment and Geosciences
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Sustainability of climate smart agriculture is dependent on effectiveness of management strategies. Plant-microbe interactions within the rhizosphere are specifically deliberated to achieve the goal of sustainable crop production. Researchers on a global scale are making serious efforts over the past few decades and have resulted in significantly increase in our understanding regarding various aspects of plant-microbe interactions under abiotic stress, but gap is yet seen in the current knowledge regarding the factors governing host-microbe bilateral crosstalk within the rhizosphere, which has significantly limited the attempts to expedite the host-microbe signaling under abiotic stress conditions including drought. With this proposal I hypothesise that drought-smart cultivation is possible through rhizosphere engineering and that changes in the colonizing microbial consortia may result in resilient, drought resistant plants. To test my hypothesis, I will unite the disciplines of microbiology, plant science, molecular biology, and molecular ecology to decode the root-signaling behavior, microbial assemblage, and subsequent drought tolerance in wheat. I will achieve this by a) conducting a meticulously designed experiment which will allow identification of differential root-signaling behavior in wheat under drought conditions in the natural soil regime; b) multi-disciplinary investigations on soil-microbial dynamics to explain the microbial assemblage and counter-responses in wheat rhizosphere under drought conditions; c) by integrating the wheat-root signaling behavior with the soil-microbial counter responses, which will form the basis to devise ‘rhizosphere engineering’ strategy for improved microbial assemblage and drought tolerance in wheat. Consequently, the outcomes will significantly advance the fundamental aspects of plant-microbial crosstalk under drought conditions in natural soil environment, and emerging field of microbe-aided drought smart cultivation.

Mots clés : drought stress, root signaling, microbial assemblage, rhizosphere engineering, plant microbe, interactions

Participants :
- Aarhus University (Danemark) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 207312.0 €
Projet DONNA (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2018)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Environment and Geosciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Sustainable economic development requires new biocatalysts to carry out novel, selective synthesis reactions in an environmentally-friendly fashion. Halogenated organic compounds, key products due to their multiple biological activities and industrial applications, continue to be produced via traditional chemistry and their efficient and cost-effective biosynthesis has not been yet achieved. In the present project, rooted in Metabolic Engineering and Synthetic Biology approaches, I will undertake a complete genetic and metabolic engineering of the model bacterium Pseudomonas putida KT2440 to create a platform for the bio-based production of chlorinated polyketides à la carte, which will contribute to the design of new drug analogues. I will establish and implement a clear roadmap from the extant bacterium to a re-factored version of the microorganism capable of efficiently producing chlorinated precursors, which will be channeled to the synthesis of new-to-nature chlorinated polyketides by reprogrammed modular polyketide synthases enzymes. Furthermore, the broad portfolio of halogenated molecules that can be synthetized with the cell factories from this project will contribute to the European knowledge-based bio-economy, enhance the EU's competitiveness in White Biotechnology and benefit the society as a whole. From a personal perspective, the implementation of this challenging and innovative project in The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability (DTU Biosustain, the ideal scientific environment to pursue the tasks of DONNA), under the supervision of Dr. Pablo I. Nikel (an expert in the field of Metabolic Engineering of Pseudomonas), will be an unbeatable opportunity for both my professional and personal development. My solid scientific background, on the other hand, ensures a smooth progression as an independent researcher in the field of Metabolic Engineering that will result in a win-win situation for myself and the receiving laboratory.

Mots clés : metabolic engineering, pseudomonas putida, synthetic biology, biohalogenation, novel natural products

Participants :
- Technical University of Denmark (Danemark) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 207312.0 €
Projet REC (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2014)
Action : Staff Exchanges
Panel : Environment and Geosciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Sustainable water use is a growing concern in Europe. Nowadays, agriculture is an important pressure on water resources especially in Mediterranean countries where irrigation can represent up to 80% of the consumptive uses of water. Increasing water use efficiency in agriculture has been thus identified as one of the key themes relating to water scarcity and drought (EEA Report No 1/2012). It now becomes necessary to improve on-farm irrigation management by adjusting irrigation to crop water requirements along the growing season. Modern irrigation agencies rely on in situ root zone soil moisture measurements to detect the onset of crop water stress and to trigger irrigation. However, in situ point measurements are generally not available over extended areas and may not be representative at the field scale. If remote sensing provides cost-effective techniques for monitoring broad areas, there is currently no algorithm dedicated to root zone soil moisture monitoring at the parcel scale. REC proposes a solution to the need of root-zone soil moisture at the crop scale for irrigation management. It is based on an innovative operational algorithm that will allow for the first time to: 1) to map root zone soil moisture on a daily basis at the field scale and 2) to quantitatively evaluate the different components of the water budget at the field scale from readily available remote sensing data. The methodology relies on the coupling between a surface model representing the water fluxes at the land surface atmosphere interface (infiltration, evaporation, transpiration) and in the soil (drainage), and remote sensing data composed of land surface temperature, and near-surface soil moisture retrieved from microwave radiometers and radars. These estimates will be integrated in an irrigation management system that will be used to trigger irrigation. In addition, these estimates will allow making an impact assessment of the consumptive use of water and water footprint.

Mots clés : irrigation, water use impact, root zone soil moisture, evapotranspiration

Participants :
- Centro de asesoria doctor ferrer sl (Espagne) — Partner, beneficiary, Organismes privés (hors enseignement), subvention : 180000.0 €
- Cadi Ayyad University (Maroc) — Partner, organization partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €
- Université de Toulouse (France) — Partner, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 274500.0 €
- Institut de recherche pour le développement (France) — Partner, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 54000.0 €
- Isardsat sl (Espagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Organismes privés (hors enseignement), subvention : 387000.0 €
Projet SYMMUNITY (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2017)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Environment and Geosciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Symbiosis and sociality define the evolutionary success of life, but the large-scale synergy between hosts and microbiotas is poorly understood. New phylosymbiotic approaches aim to understand how and why hosts have evolved in association with microbiota that track and shape host ecologies. At present it is virtually unknown whether and where clear phylosymbiotic signatures of coevolution exist. In principle, microbiota can either track the phylogenetic diversification or the biogeography of hosts. The former would imply that phylosymbiotic trees are largely homologous, while the latter would induce convergent evolution and be more informative about habitat-specific adaptations. Social insects are interesting targets for phylosymbiotic analysis because microbiomes combine functions of nutrient supplementation, individual immunity and colony-level immunity. This applies most explicitly to the ants, which have huge species diversity (>14,000 species), massive ecological footprints (dominant in biomass in most terrestrial ecosystems), and high diversity in life styles (e.g. predatory, omnivory, herbivory, aphid husbandry, fungus farming). The ants also have a unique variety of glands to produce antibacterial compounds that may interact with microbiota, and some lineages have domesticated antibiotics-producing bacteria. I propose to assemble and analyze metagenomic data for 50 ant species (covering 15 subfamilies) exploiting a grand sampling initiative by the Global Ant Genomics Alliance (GAGA, antgenomics.dk) to understand: 1) The evolutionary and functional dynamics of homologous or analogous microbiota across the family Formicidae (ants), and 2) the functional adaptations that have shaped immune defenses across the ant subfamilies and genera.

Mots clés : microbiome, phylogenomics, hologenome, insect immunity

Participants :
- University of Copenhagen (Danemark) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 212194.8 €
Projet SynGenes (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2015)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Synaesthesia is a common neurodevelopmental phenomenon (2-5% of the population) where stimulation of one sense automatically triggers an experience of another. Familial clustering indicates that synaesthesia is highly heritable. However, this genetic contribution is poorly understood and likely heterogeneous, a major hindrance to our understanding of the neurobiology. My objective is to remove this barrier through the most comprehensive interrogation of synaesthesia genetics to date, utilizing state-of-the-art technologies and integrative approaches. This study will focus on individuals who associate letters and numbers with colour (grapheme-colour synaesthesia), as this type of synaesthesia is common and the most reliably measured. I will apply two complementary approaches in parallel. Whole genome sequencing in two newly ascertained multigenerational synaesthesia families will determine the role of rare genetic variants (Work Package 1, WP1), while genome-wide genotyping of 1000 unrelated synaesthetes will unmask contributions from common variation (WP2). Using existing candidates and novel genes discovered in this work, I will perform multi-level in silico analyses to test if genetic information supports the prevailing theory of neural hyperconnectivity as an underlying aetiology (WP3). WP1-3 will help to define the genetic landscape of synaesthesia, while opening novel research avenues into the neurobiology of sensory perception. This fellowship will provide a diverse set of stepping-stones toward my professional goal of becoming an independent researcher in the rapidly advancing field of neurogenetics. The research and training plans will deepen my current skillset and add a suite of complementary informatics skills that will significantly enhance the quality and competitiveness of my scientific career. The multi-platform dissemination and public outreach strategy involves both the scientific community and main stakeholders at the major milestones (WP4).

Mots clés : synaesthesia, human genetics, neuroimaging, gene expression, autism, sensory perception

Participants :
- Max Planck Society (Allemagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 171460.8 €
Projet SYNarch (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2020)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Synapses play an essential role in all behaviours and damage to synapse proteins results in over a 130 brain disorders. The host Grant lab has developed methods for brain-wide mapping of protein composition at single-synapse resolution, uncovering unexpected diversity. The different synapse types show unique spatiotemporal distributions in the brain across the lifespan, which are altered in genetic models of autism and schizophrenia. Synapse proteins are assembled into multiprotein complexes and supercomplexes, but little is known about their composition and spatial organisation within individual synapses, particularly in the intact brain. In SYNarch I aim to understand this subsynaptic protein architecture, its contribution to the spatiotemporal organisation of synapse diversity, and alteration in disease. The work plan will deliver a depth of skill acquisition integrated across a range of cutting-edge biochemical, molecular imaging, ultrastructural and computational technologies. In WP1 I will optimise use of Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) to probe the sub-10 nm spatial relationship and number of endogenously labelled PSD95 complexes within individual synapses, backed up by complementary super-resolution microscopy techniques (STORM, TIRF) and microfluidics analysis. In WP2, FRET will be integrated with synaptome mapping technology to deliver an atlas of nanoscale information on a brain-wide scale – the PSD nanoscale synaptome architecture (PNSA) of the mouse brain. In WP3 I will uncover how the PNSA is impacted in the Dlg2 schizophrenia mouse model. SYNarch will help to provide new molecular insight into brain function and dysfunction on an unprecedented scale.

Mots clés : synapse diversity, synaptome, postsynaptic density  psd, f rster resonance energy transfer  fret, super resolution microscopy, nanoarchitecture, multiprotein complex, brain disorder

Participants :
- University of Edinburgh (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 212933.76 €
Projet PolyMAE (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2020)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Chemistry
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Synthetic biology has constantly been expanding its reach, aiming to develop whole genetic circuits and metabolic pathways, which require laborious genetic engineering. Often, such pathways derive from other organisms and must be tweaked to fit the host’s molecular biology, adding to the complexity of the task. However, nature has already witnessed the integration of whole prokaryotic organisms into eukaryotic hosts, where they are integrated as endosymbionts creating new combinations that live with mutual benefit. In evolutionary history, this phenomenon was at the origin of organelles such as mitochondria and chloroplasts, which added their own metabolism to their hosts. To achieve a more generalized framework, where any prokaryote can enter endosymbiosis with any eukaryote, we need to induce the uptake and retention of the guest by the eukaryotic host. A way forward will be by masking the guests with biocompatible polymers, either pre-formed, or synthesized by the bacterium itself. The project proposed herein offers a novel technique for the the encapsulation of prokaryotes into biocompatible shells, creating a new strategy for the straightforward production of bio-orthogonal, artificial endosymbionts. After the formation of the polymer shell around bacteria, they will be endocytoted by eukaryotes, thus expanding the biochemical potentialities of cells, revolutionizing the possibilities of synthetic biology, acting as true artificial organelles. This breakthrough will allow the functional insertion whole genomes into the host cells and the combination of micro-organisms, which will have implications in medicinal, industrial and environmental biotechnology. It will lead to the creation of complex, semi-synthetic hybrid organisms able to perform a vast variety of non-natural biotransformations. In line with the 2020 Work Programme, it will open up several diverse possibilities that will benefit European and global industries.


Participants :
- University of Strathclyde (Royaume-Uni) — Partner, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 70119.09 €
- Technical University of Darmstadt (Allemagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 109194.25 €
Projet SynOptic (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2014)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Physics
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Synthetic gauge fields have many important physical consequences in quantum optical systems. This fast-growing topic of research is opening up new possibilities for the lossless optical transmission of information, for improved optical components, such as optical isolators, and even for fault-free topological quantum computing. We explore how to push cutting-edge experiments towards these goals by theoretically studying the interplay of synthetic gauge fields with optical nonlinearity, pumping and loss in photonic devices. The systems we shall investigate range from artificial graphene and other condensed matter models simulated with microcavities; to lattices of classical pendula and waveguides; to strongly correlated fractional quantum Hall-like states of light and their exotic excitations. Our work will have an immediate impact through international experimental collaborations and an interdisciplinary approach building on our combined range of expertise. We will exploit concepts and techniques from diverse research areas including quantum fluids, topological phases of matter, solid-state systems and non-equilibrium physics. Our project couples the investigation of novel phenomena arising from gauge fields in many-body systems with the hunt for new and improved technological applications in photonics.


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

Synthetic polymers derived from petrochemical products are essential for the production of a wide range of consumer products. The demand for more sustainable and renewable monomers and polymers is currently increasing, because fossil feedstock will become scarce in future times, and the global legislation is putting an increasing stress on the use of certain monomers used in the polymer industry. The aliphatic polyesters represent one of the most appealing type of bioplastic materials, because of their general biocompatibility and facile hydrolytic degradation and, in this ambit, the use of terpenes as monomers or monomer-precursors is largely unexplored. The primary objective of this project, is the creation of new polyester formulations based on renewable and accessible terpene monomers to answer to the growing need for future generations of more functional and sustainable materials. Three renewable monomers have been selected, two derived from camphor and a new one from β-elemene. Structurally new polyesters will be synthesized by ring opening (co)polymerization of these monomers, using catalytic systems based on cheap and health-friendly metals (Fe, Al). The use of the new β-elemene based monomer will incorporate vinylic groups along the polymer chains, offering the possibility for post-modification of the obtained material. The success of the project is supported by the Experienced Researcher background in polymer synthesis with the Host experience in the discovery and catalytic valorization of new terpene scaffolds. The action will take place in an interdisciplinary and international environment, granting to the Experienced Researcher a solid train in scientific and soft skills needed for his future career. The results of the action will have a strong impact on the society, giving the opportunity to asses circular economy on a highly impact industrial sector, such as that of bio-polymers.

Mots clés : biopolymers, terpenes, aliphatic polyesters, catalysis, ring opening  co polymerization, post modification, renewable sources

Participants :
- Institut Català d'Investigació Química (Espagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 172932.48 €