Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-actions-marie-curie-participations-et-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Projet TherSpinMol (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2016)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Physics
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The development of wearable and diffuse electronics has prompted a global need for converting heat into electrical power. This could be heat from reactors, the sun, or even the human body. Thermoelectric materials are ideal candidates, since they contain no moving parts, can be fabricated as thin films and are scalable. However, they currently see only niche application, owing to their very low efficiency. Bulk materials offer little room for progress: the ingredients to reach high efficiencies are mutually contradictory in the bulk. In contrast, theory clearly indicates that molecular nano-materials do not suffer from such constraints and may provide a solution. In TherSpinMol I will develop the first molecular thermoelectric devices ever, and, in a groundbreaking effort, I will establish the experimental foundations for molecular spin-caloritronics. To this end I will explore the thermoelectric and Spintronic properties of molecular electronic nanodevices constituted by graphene bulk electrodes with a single molecule sandwiched in between. I will use a novel device architecture consisting of micro-heaters next to the device and different functional contact metals. By this means I get access to the thermoelectric and spin-calorimetric properties of cross-conjugated molecules, fullerenes and single-molecule-magnets with the final goal to explore the Seebeck and spin-Seebeck effect in those systems. Superconducting contacts will be used to measure the absolute spin-polarisation of the tunnel current through single-molecule-magnets. The project has fundamental and applicative significance, aiming at exploring both the physics background of Fano resonances and novel ways to create pure spin-currents and their perspective applicability for the reduction of energy consumption in logic elements and energy harvesting.

Mots clés : quantum interference, fano resonance, seebeck effect, spin seebeck effect, molecular, electronics

Participants :
- Delft University of Technology (Pays-Bas) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 177598.8 €
Projet MIDOC (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2015)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The diagnosis of individuals with disorders of consciousness has fundamental implications in terms of prognosis, treatment, palliative care and even proper end-of-life decisions. Diagnosis based on behavioural assessment is difficult and it is believed that misdiagnosis occurs in a large percentage of cases (> 40%). Non-invasive functional brain imaging has recently emerged as a promising tool for the diagnosis of individuals with disorders of consciousness; however, different imaging methods allow descriptions at limited spatial and temporal resolutions, and it is unknown how these findings relate to each other, to the underlying brain anatomy, and whether they are manifestations of a single fundamental mechanism underlying the impairment of conscious awareness. The proposed research project aims to investigate individuals with disorders of consciousness by simultaneously applying these different neuroimaging techniques, thus integrating neurophysiological data across description levels and evaluating their synergy for the objective diagnosis and prognosis of patients. We address the hypotheses that alterations in brain rhythms (measured with electroencephalography) typical of individuals with disorders of consciousness (such as the emergence of low-complexity and low-frequency neural oscillations) are related to diminished fronto-parietal activity and a breakdown of thalamo-cortical functional and anatomical connectivity (functional magnetic resonance imaging; diffusion tensor imaging) and that these signatures of consciousness correlate with the severity of the disorder and the degree of conscious awareness of the patients. In addition, we are proposing a career development plan for the applicant that includes training on scientific and transferable skills. This plan will both widen his scientific competences and provide him with the tools and experience necessary to secure a position as a leading independent researcher by establishing his own group.

Mots clés : disorders of consciousness, vegetative state, minimally conscious state, neuroimaging, eeg fmri, multimodal imaging, consciousness, spontaneous activity

Participants :
- Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (France) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 185076.0 €
Projet IDENSTEM (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2018)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The digestive system is essential for water and nutrient uptake, waste removal and serves as a sensory system providing information to the central nervous system via the gut-brain communication axis. The gastrointestinal tract harbours the largest collection of neurons and glial cells collectively known as the enteric nervous system (ENS) and regulate digestive physiology independently of brain input. Intestinal function and homeostasis depend on the integrated and balanced activity of multiple gut tissues,in which, the ENS plays a critical role by actively interacting with the intestinal immune system, the epithelial barrier and microbiota. Developmental deficits or acquired disorders in any of these tissue components can result in debilitating gastrointestinal conditions, such as Hirschsprung disease (congenital megacolon) or inflammatory bowel disease. Despite critical contributions of the ENS to digestive physiology and intestinal homeostasis, very little is known about the cellular mechanisms that underpin its function at steady state conditions or in response to injury. IDENSTEM will address the identity and properties of ENS neural stem cells (ENSCs) using the mouse as an experimental model organism. Preliminary data suggest that a subpopulation of enteric glial cells expressing the Notch signalling target Hes5, undergo low rate proliferation and exhibit neurogenic potential. In this proposal, we aim to identify and characterize the cellular and molecular properties of this population. We wish to understand their contribution in maintaining ENS integrity under normal conditions or in response to injury/disease. These studies will advance fundamental neurogastroenterology and the development of novel therapeutic strategies for various gut disorders. Furthermore, they will provide insight into ENS contributions to the gut tissue circuitry and in intestinal inflammation. IDENSTEM will open a new window of knowledge to improve human health.

Mots clés : enteric nervous system  neural stem cells  notch signaling pathway  gut homeostasis

Participants :
- The Francis Crick Institute (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 212933.76 €
Projet ET-PHOTOX (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2017)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Chemistry
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The direct utilization of native functional groups without the need for prefunctionalized holds considerable promise to revolutionize organic synthesis. While significant advances have been realized within the area of C-H activation, the functionalization of inert C-O bonds in aryl ethers is still at its infancy. Prompted by the natural abundance of aryl ethers in Lignin, the second most abundant biopolymer (30% of non-fossil organic carbon on earth), chemists have been challenged to devise, conceptuality and practicality aside, mild, general and widely applicable catalytic technologies for ethereal C-O funcionalization. At present, however, these technologies remain confined to the use of rather activated extended p-systems, stoichiometric metal reagents and, in many instances, harsh conditions. ET-PHOTOX will offer an innovative and challenging approach for functionalizing aryl C-O bonds by merging nickel catalysis and photoredox catalysis via electron donor-acceptor complexation events. Such synergistic catalysis will unlock unconceivable scenarios within the C-O bond-cleavage arena, including the use of non-extended p-systems, non-organometallic based nucleophiles or even carbon dioxide as coupling partner. Therefore, this project holds potential to change concepts in catalysis, allowing new tactics to be implemented in organic synthesis from ubiquitous C-O bonds, thus enhancing the ever-growing quality of the European research. The prospective impact of ET-PHOTOX, together with the new scientific, technical training, competences and transferable skills received will position the candidate with a unique opportunity to start an independent career at a European academic institution after the execution of the project.

Mots clés : catalysis, photoredox, nickel, cross coupling, c o bonds

Participants :
- Institut Català d'Investigació Química (Espagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 158121.6 €
Projet EUVSBSMP (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2017)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Physics
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The discovery of the Higgs boson marks the completion of a vibrant era of discoveries. With it we now posses a framework, the Standard Model (SM) of particle physics, with which to predict the behavior of elementary particles to unrepresented accuracy. Despite its success somewhat surprisingly there already exists strong evidence to suggest that the SM cannot be the complete theory of elementary interactions. For example, the vast majority of matter in the Universe seems to consist of a mysterious invisible component, dark matter, for which the SM gives no explanation. So far the Large Hadron Collider has provided few clues as to how to move the current understanding forward. Perhaps the most unexpected finding has been the implication that the current vacuum state of the Universe as predicted by the SM is not stable but in fact the world as we know it may collapse in a cataclysmic crunch when given enough time. Since the root cause of this vacuum instability lies in quantum mechanics the time it takes for this to happen is extremely long, much longer than the age of the Universe implying that this prediction is not in direct conflict with observations. However, when taking into account the current understanding of cosmology the situation changes drastically, as has been recently discovered: in the extreme conditions of the Early Universe a catastrophic collapse can become likely, which provides a window for probing and constraining elementary interactions by using cosmology and vice versa. In this action we propose to use this window to explore the rich landscape of beyond the SM physics, in particular, we suggest to make full use of its constraining power to obtain state-of-the-art bounds for well-motivated extensions of the SM. We also strive to explore the theoretical implications from the vacuum instability for Early Universe model building, including dark matter generation, as well as to solidify it as a method for obtaining novel observable predictions.

Mots clés : vacuum stability, early universe

Participants :
- National Institute of Chemical Physics and Biophysics (Estonie) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 136582.8 €
Projet EpiTFeb (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2017)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The discovery that lysosomal biogenesis is subjected to a global transcriptional control and that the transcription factor TFEB is the primary driving force for the coordinated expression of lysosomal genes has empowered intense investigations on the molecular mechanisms regulating cellular homeostasis. Modulation of TFEB expression and activity is therefore crucial in cellular adaptation to a wide variety of internal stresses and environmental fluctuations. While many studies have been focused on TFEB post-translational modifications and on how they can affect its subcellular localization and function, little attention has been given to how TFEB expression is regulated at the transcriptional level across different cell types and nutritional states hampering the capacity of fully benefit from its powerful properties. By using genomic approaches and induced-pluripotent stem cell-based systems, I aim to define the regulatory architecture of TFEB activation across a broad range of cellular contexts. This will allow understanding how different regulatory mechanisms result in a cell-selective ability to preserve homeostasis and respond to various stress conditions. Specifically, I will: i) define the cell-specific dynamics of TFEB expression; ii) expose novel TFEB transcriptional regulators; iii) identify the transcriptional mechanisms underlying aberrant TFEB activation in cancer. The proposed project will be essential to define the transcriptional landscape of TFEB and will also provide a novel and yet unexplored angle to revise its contribution in disease settings where the lysosome function is impaired.

Mots clés : tfeb, rna seq, cis regulatory elements, ipsc

Participants :
- Telethon Foundation (Italie) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 180277.2 €
Projet WISLAS (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2015)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Environment and Geosciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The distribution of the soil bacterial membrane lipids “branched glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraethers” (brGDGTs) in geological records has been used to reconstruct palaeoclimatic conditions, specifically the mean annual air temperature and soil pH. However, the large error associated with the most recent brGDGT-based calibration, makes this method unsuitable for determining absolute temperatures. The fellow aims to perform geochemical and microbiological work that will result in the improvement of this palaeotemperature proxy. Firstly, an improved analytical method will be used, targeting not only fifteen brGDGTs that are currently used for palaeoclimate reconstructions, but including an additional fifteen brGDGT lipids, and a suite of precursors, whose diversity in soils is unstudied. This extended dataset will be measured in a well-studied, naturally (geothermally) warmed soil, linking the observed lipid distributions directly to the measured in-situ soil temperature (covering a 0-35°C gradient). Furthermore, the applicability of the novel temperature proxy proposed, will be tested in a well-studied dataset of European soils, covering a latitudinal temperature gradient. Although environmental studies point towards the Acidobacteria as the source organism, only one brGDGT has been found in an Acidobacterial culture so far and brGDGTs are still considered to be “orphan lipids”. Using a novel approach to identify the source organism, the fellow proposes to study the microbial community using a next-generation sequencing method. Tracking the patterns in (Acido)bacterial distribution along a temperature gradient, will enable the fellow to ascertain if the changes in the brGDGT pool are caused by a shift in the microbial community, or are caused by phenotypic plasticity. This interdisciplinary project will improve the accuracy and interpretation of lipid-based palaeoclimate reconstructions and will extend the applicant’s scientific experience and career perspectives.

Mots clés : lipid biomarkers, climate proxy developement

Participants :
- University of Antwerp (Belgique) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 172800.0 €
Projet NINEDOMA (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2017)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Environment and Geosciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The dodo, Raphus cucullatus, is an enigmatic bird endemic to Mauritius, in the Indian Ocean. This bird was discovered in 1598 and became extinct at the end of the 17th century. Being thought as a fat and stupid bird, the dodo is famous in popular culture. More importantly, the dodo is one of the first species known to have extinct because of human activity. Although it was contemporaneous with humans for decades, and extinct for only three hundred years, we know very little about its ecology. Only its taxonomy, systematics, body mass, reproductive and molting timing are known. Understanding the biology of the dodo is important because it is such an iconic example of human-induced extinction. With current concerns about biodiversity and conservation effort, it is essential to understand why some species are more prone to extinction than others which requires an understanding of all aspects of their biology. The dodo was the largest terrestrial animal in its ecosystem. Understanding of its ecology is therefore crucial to understand the Mauritius ecosystem before the arrival of humans, and to estimate the real impact of human activity on this island. I hereby propose to study the ecology of the dodo, including diet, locomotion, and population structure. To these ends, I propose to apply a novel multi-angle combination of scientific methods. The diet will be studied using a geochemical analysis of carbon isotopes, a Finite Element Analysis on the skull and the jaw, and a morpho-functional study of the skull and jaw musculature. Mode of locomotion will be estimated with the method published by Storer and the new method published by Angst et al. We will estimate the structure of the population using bone histology, which allows discrimination of females from males, and juveniles from adults. All these methods applied to the dodo will be applied in parallel on a large sample of modern and other sub-fossil or fossil birds, including the Columbiformes and the Solitaire.

Mots clés : birds, fossil, island, extinction, flightless

Participants :
- University of Bristol (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 195454.8 €
Projet ICEDNA (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2016)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Environment and Geosciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The earth's climate is changing rapidly and nowhere more so than in polar regions. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has noted that polar marine ecosystems are especially vulnerable to climate change impacts, through the synergistic effects of both thermal climate changes and ocean acidification. How such impacts will transpire biologically and the flow-on effects from this are quite unclear, and there is broad acknowledgment of this scientifically and in terms of public policy. Polar ecosystems are extremely difficult to work in and gather field data from, so there is a strong need to appraise the efficacy of powerful new techniques for studying them. This project (ICEDNA) proposes to appraise and apply the nascent technique of environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis to elucidate how polar marine ecosystems respond to environmental impacts. ICEDNA leverages on recent manipulative and ecological field experiments in Antarctic nearshore ecosystems. These experiments focused on detection of fine scale human impacts from research stations and the biological impacts from ocean acidification. By marrying spatially and temporally nested eDNA data with traditional physical, chemical and biological data collection techniques, ICEDNA will yield a thorough understanding of the uses and limits of eDNA for marine (and polar) biodiversity and ecological monitoring, which is at the forefront of marine ecological research. These data will also yield unprecedented insight into (1) how polar marine communities respond to small scale human impacts and (2) how these communities respond to the large scale human impact of ocean acidification. ICEDNA combines the latest eDNA methods from Europe with the applicants extensive applied ecology experience, to produce a dynamic multidisciplinary researcher.

Mots clés : environmental dna, metabarcoding, ocean acidification, polar ecosystems

Participants :
- University of Copenhagen (Danemark) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 200194.8 €
Projet CONDENSATION (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2017)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Environment and Geosciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The effect of changes in atmospheric aerosol properties on clouds formation, distribution and radiative properties is the most uncertain component of the Earth´s-Atmosphere energy balance. This uncertainty affects climate model estimates, key for the development of strategic plans for climate change mitigation and for policymakers worldwide. Thus, there is an essential need for understanding aerosol-cloud interaction (ACI) processes and reducing their associated uncertainties in radiative forcing (RF). Ground-based remote sensors (e.g. lidar and radar) are crucial in this sense, providing profiles of aerosol and cloud properties, required to study ACI processes and their influence on RF. During this project, we will perform a theoretical evaluation through numerical models for optimizing lidar-radar configurations in order to improve ACI processes understanding, which could bring novel technical advancements by improving the instrumental capabilities of remote sensors. We will also perform sensitivity studies of minimum parameter information required and the impact of noise for the estimation of ACI RF from combining lidar and radar measurements. To that end, we will use the numerical models, radiative transfer codes and the global model GEOS-5 as reference data. Experimental data for the lidar and radar systems at Granada (Spain), operating within H2020 ACTRIS-2 project, will be used in the final phase. The experimental supersite at Granada is a unique environment thanks to the availability of multiple remote sensors and in-situ instrumentation which offers the possibility of evaluating the theoretical simulations and the obtained outcomes using measured data. The innovative research from the hosting group, plus the cooperative efforts with the Polytechnic University of Catalonia, the University of Reading or NASA, will guarantee the success of the proposal and a fruitful experience for the candidate on her way to consolidate as an independent leading researcher.

Mots clés : aerosol cloud interactions, radiative forcing, remote sensing

Participants :
- University of Granada (Espagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 158121.6 €