Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-actions-marie-curie-participations-et-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Projet METRICS (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2022)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Chemistry
Statut du projet : SIGNED

The catalytic activity of metalloproteins and cofactors is at the heart of biological systems’ functioning. Biological reactions occur under physiological conditions in stunning contrast with the extreme temperatures and pressures demanded by industrial processes. The evolutionary “optimal design” of enzymatic reactions led to the ubiquitous presence of key molecular motifs in several metabolic pathways, among which the iron-sulfur (FeS) clusters. Understanding how these multimetallic clusters act in Nature requires mapping their electronic and structural configuration, a challenging task that calls for new investigation methods. In this project, the main issues of conventional spectroscopies for the characterization of FeS clusters are circumvented harnessing the potential of novel atto- and femtosecond sources, implementing element-selective impulsive vibrational spectroscopy (ES-IVS) and element-selective impulsive electronic spectroscopy (ES-IES). The impulsive excitation of FeS clusters with few-cycle pumps in the nearinfrared (for ES-IVS) and visible (for ES-IES) spectral ranges triggers their vibrational and electronic wavepacket dynamics, respectively. Using ultrashort soft X-ray pulses, the clusters’ time-domain response is monitored with element selectivity at the Fe M2,3-edge and S L2,3-edge, retrieving characteristic oscillation frequencies upon Fourier transform of the time traces. ES-IVS will provide direct structural information of FeS clusters measuring Fe and S low-frequency vibrational spectra inaccessible with other approaches. ES-IES will map the Fe electronic states that are at the hearth of FeS catalytic activity and whose experimental observation has proven impractical. This project will establish these techniques as advanced X-ray spectroscopic tools for the investigation of FeS clusters, providing a better understanding of their role in crucial biological processes such as oxidative phosphorylation, photosynthesis and nitrogen fixation.

Mots clés : pump probe spectroscopy, impulsive vibrational spectroscopy ivs , attosecond transient absorption spectroscopy atas , x ray absorption spectroscopy xas , iron sulfur clusters

Participants :
- DESY (Allemagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 217309.2 €
- AREA Science Park (Italie) — Partner, associated partner, Recherche, subvention : 0.0 €
- Class 5 photonics gmbh (Allemagne) — Partner, associated partner, Organismes privés (hors enseignement), subvention : 0.0 €
Projet PaintWatch (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2024)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Chemistry
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Oil paints are characterised by complex chemical curing, ageing and degradation processes. These can lead to challenging conservation issues such as delamination of the paint or formation of disfiguring new components. The chemistry behind these phenomena is an ongoing research topic. Nevertheless, effectively addressing the conservation issues requires a quick and confident method to assess the degradation status of the painting. For this purpose, innovative emission collection methods are very promising to non-invasively investigate the composition and thereby the conservation state of artworks. Emission analysis can detect the volatile compounds emitted by the painting. The goal of the PaintWatch action will be to correlate volatile emissions from oil paintings with their health state. This will be done by developing a protocol for the study of volatile emissions, based on a fully non-invasive sampling strategy coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis. This method will have no impact on the integrity of the artwork, thus allowing frequent analysis and monitoring of ongoing damage processes. This goal will be achieved by the systematic study of emissions from oil paint mock-ups, naturally and artificially aged, and validation with the results from historical oil paintings. Statistical and multivariate data analysis methods will be used to identify significant trends, and all the results will be published in an online open-access database. PaintWatch will be the first step in the use of headspace analysis for the conservation of oil paintings. In the future, the developed protocol will have the potential to be further adapted to study the condition of other complex and multi-layered materials, in the cultural heritage field and beyond.

Mots clés : volatile organic compounds emissions oil paints conservation paintings cultural heritage heritage science headspace analysis degradation

Participants :
- Université du Luxembourg (Luxembourg) — Partner, associated partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €
- Université d'Amsterdam (Pays-Bas) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 217076.16 €
Projet MultiCat-Metathesis (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2022)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Chemistry
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Sulfonium salts emerge as unique synthetic intermediates in recent years. Versatile exciting transformations have been developed since the breakthrough works by Procter’s and Ritter’s group. Progress made within just 4 years since thesee seminal works showcased their broad utilities surpassing that of organic halides. Depending on the conditions, sulfonium salts engaged in various types of transformations such as Suzuki coupling, Sonogashira coupling, Negishi coupling, Heck reaction, carbonylation, boronation, chlorination, iodination, cyanation, photocatalysis, etc., and realize the constructions of various C-C, C-N, C-O, C-X and C-S bonds. Therefore, they are considered “Skeleton Key” in Late state Functionalization thanks to excellent compatibility. However, compared with organic halides that widely exist in nature and are commercially available, the synthetic methods for thiananthenium salts are still very limited. Currently, the direct C-H activation is the rare method showing efficiency for constructing aryl thianthranium salts. Although this synthetic method showed a remarkable advantage in exquisite remote regioselectivity, it also uncovered a challenge in making other sulfonium salts with other substitution patterns impossibly, such as on ortho- and meta-positions. Herein I propose to explore the potential of preparing synthetically omnipotent diversative aryl thianthranium (TT) salts from available aryl halides via functional group metathesis. Attractively, the method will overcome the current limitation to the para-derivatives of TT-salts, giving access to any substitution pattern of TT-salts (ortho-, meta-, para-, bissubstituted, etc.). The target TT-salts will open up a vast realm of transformations and construction of useful skeletons in fine chemical synthesis and development.

Mots clés : photoredox, multicatalysis, metathesis, sulfonium salts, late state functionalization

Participants :
- Université d'Amsterdam (Pays-Bas) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 187624.32 €
Projet SmartRoots (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2021)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Environment and Geosciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Rice production is the main agricultural source of greenhouse gases (i.e., carbon dioxide; CO2, nitrous oxide; N2O and methane; CH4). Scientific evidence suggest that greenhouse gases (GHGs) produced and accumulated in rice paddies (flooded soils) can be vented out to atmosphere through plant tissues. However, information on the plant characteristics influencing such GHGs emission processes is scarce. The mechanisms of GHGs diffusion from rhizosphere to and along the roots and the vent of these GHGs to atmosphere as well as the permeability coefficient of roots to GHGs are largely unknown. This project aims to identify characteristics of rice roots that reduce both the vent of GHGs through plant tissues from soils to atmosphere (through root apoplastic barriers) and the production of GHGs in soils (oxidation of CH4 to CO2). Moreover, this project will study the root permeability to GHGs and the anatomical and chemical characteristics contributing to GHGs diffusion through plants. This project will use a multidisciplinary approach combining state-of-the-art physiological measurements including microsensing technology (for in vivo gas fluxes), gas chromatography, mass spectrometry and microscopy characterization of plant tissues. It is hypothesized that genotypes with tight barriers to radial oxygen loss will have less permeability to GHGs. Moreover, genotypes with no barriers to radial oxygen loss, high number of laterals and an efficient roots system for O2 transport will allow high CH4 oxidation to CO2, thus reducing the venting of this potent GHG to atmosphere. This project will identify root phenotypic differences among rice cultivars and this will serve as a basis for developing high yielding cultivars with desirable traits reducing GHGs emissions from flooded soils.

Mots clés : greenhouse gases, climate change, rice, flooding, radial oxygen loss, apoplastic barriers, microsensors, root permeability

Participants :
- Université de Copenhague (Danemark) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 230774.4 €
- Unisense (Denmark) (Danemark) — Partner, associated partner, Organismes privés (hors enseignement), subvention : 0.0 €
Projet PIMIonFuelCell (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2023)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - Global Fellowships
Panel : Chemistry
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Vehicular transportation is responsible for a third of greenhouse gas emissions globally. Hydrogen fuel cells, comprising of a proton exchange membrane (PEM) coated with catalyst layers (CLs) and sandwiched between gas diffusion layers, generate electrical energy with high efficiency and zero emission. The concern regarding a potential ban by the European Union on the use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl-type ‘forever chemicals’ that are currently used as PEMs and CL ionomers prompts us to seek sustainable alternatives, such as aromatic hydrocarbons (AH). Significant progress has been made to use AHs as PEMs, due to their excellent thermal stability and eco-friendly synthesis. However, presently the specific adsorption of aromatic constituents on the noble metal catalyst and low gas permeability in the CL causes a performance penalty, thus aggravating the use of AHs as catalyst ionomer. The aim of this project is to address these issues by developing a new class of catalyst ionomers based on AH polymers with intrinsic microporosity (PIMs). AH PIMs are expected to improve FC performance: as highly gas permeable ionomer in the CL, they facilitate chemical reactions and improve interfacial compatibility between CLs and PEM. Using chemically durable polyphenylenes as scaffold we propose to synthesize a range of AH PIMs with enhanced gas permeability and chemical durability (objective 1-2, University of Yamanashi). Catalyst ink formulations will be prepared and coated on both sides of best-in-class AH-based PEMs to obtain catalyst coated membranes (CCMs) with optimized morphology, electrochemical surface area, electrochemical activity and ionic conductivity (objective 3-4). Finally, the performance and durability of the novel CCMs will be evaluated in the single fuel cell at University of Freiburg (objective 5). This project will contribute to the increased market penetration of the fuel cell technology and to the realisation of a more sustainable society.

Mots clés : catalyst ionomer develoment, material science

Participants :
- Université de Yamanashi (Japon) — Partner, associated partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €
- Université de Fribourg-en-Brisgau (Allemagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 290627.04 €
Projet MemProDx (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2023)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Membrane proteins govern how bacteria inside the human body, animals, plants, water sources or soil interact with their environment. Membrane proteins show intricate spatial organization and can be compartmentalized in the membrane, but it is unknown how they dynamically assemble and vanish from membrane domains. In this project, I aim to reveal the dynamic organization of membrane protein domains in the inner membrane of Escherichia coli. I will examine the distribution and dynamics of proteins that engage in protein domains and play crucial roles in the distribution of other proteins in the membrane. These proteins are responsible for functions like membrane protein translocation, quality control, lipid raft formation, and synthesis of the peptidoglycan scaffold. By employing live-cell super-resolution and single-molecule fluorescence imaging, I will observe the assembly, movement, and variations in size and content of protein domains within growing bacterial cells. I will investigate the impact of external conditions like heat- and osmotic stress, starvation, and antibiotics on the dynamics of membrane protein domains. This proposal addresses a fundamental gap in our understanding of the organization of proteins in bacterial membranes and thus offers insights into various processes from chemotaxis to pathogen-host interactions. The development of super-resolution fluorescence microscopy protocols for imaging membrane proteins in live bacterial cells will be a methodological achievement, enabling further advancements in the field.

Mots clés : membrane organisation, bacterial cell envelope, membrane proteins, lipid rafts, advanced fluorescence microscopy, super resolution microscopy, live cell imaging, diffusion, bacteria, escherichia coli

Participants :
- Université de Groningue (Pays-Bas) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 187624.32 €
Projet DTIMM (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2022)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Chemistry
Statut du projet : TERMINATED

Different from the well-established theories based on through-bond conjugation, through-space interaction (TSI) has been proved to be another essential electronic interaction. However, it is still challenging to manipulate TSI and utilize it to develop organic functional materials due to the difficulties in conformational manipulation and the lack of structure-property relationships of TSI. Hence, this proposal aims to study the photophysical and electronic properties, dynamic behaviors, and working mechanisms of noncovalent TSI with the help of light-driven molecular motors. Herein, three objectives will be mainly investigated: i) a new type of molecular motor driven by the noncovalent conformational lock; ii) dynamic through-space charge transfer and multistate luminescent switches; iii) single-molecular junctions with dynamic TSI. These objectives will be realized using experimental and theoretical combined strategies which broadly interconnect multidisciplinary techniques and knowledge. The exploitation and dissemination are also involved in enhancing the expected outcomes and impacts of this proposal. Besides, the experienced researcher (ER) bears a strong background in photophysical chemistry, TSI, luminescent materials, and theoretical calculation, which is recognized by many awards and good publications. The host lab and supervisor have been renowned for molecular motor, photochemistry, and dynamic chemistry for 30 years, which has built a great experimental platform and scientific prestige, including Nobel Prize for Chemistry. Hence, the two-way transfer of knowledge will be smoothly launched based on the complementary experience between the two sides. In addition, a series of training plans and public activities are proposed to promote the ER's academic development, career perspectives, and employability. A detailed work plan and risk management are also reasonably discussed to guarantee the feasibility and high coherence of the proposed work packages.

Mots clés : molecular motor, through space interaction, photophysical chemistry, dynamic chemistry, fluorescence, organic functional materials

Participants :
- Université de Groningue (Pays-Bas) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 203464.32 €
Projet SUPER-GATE (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2024)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Information Science and Engineering
Statut du projet : SIGNED

The ascent of artificial intelligence and the increasing demand for clean energy technologies in Europe has given rise to a pertinent need for modern computing systems with reduced energy consumption. Neuromorphic computing, inspired by the working of the human brain, constitutes a potential paradigm shift in low-energy computing. Floating gate synaptic transistors (FGTs), critical components in neuromorphic computing hardware, offer promising pathways to perform massively parallel computational tasks with ultralow energy consumption of 1-10 fJ/spike. Despite the promises of FGTs, several challenges related to limited control over the charge-trapping properties, morphology, and stability of the floating gate layer need to be addressed. The SUPER-GATE project introduces an innovative concept of combining advanced 2D hybrid organic-inorganic perovskite (HOIP) molecular design with a facile and effective heterojunction design. In SUPER-GATE, an interdisciplinary strategy of materials and device engineering will be implemented by fine-tuning the energy level alignment of the organic cation in the 2D HOIP with an organic semiconductor channel in the form of a heterojunction. This will lead to synaptic performance with ultra-low power consumption (<1 fJ/spike) and more stable HOIP-based FGT devices than achieved to date (>152 days). Combining advanced optoelectronic and morphological characterization, structure-property-performance relationships will be formulated to guide further material and device development. The expertise of the researcher in the fabrication and optimization of organic electronic devices by solution-processed techniques will be combined with the host's experience in HOIP synthesis and the advanced optoelectronic characterization of transistors. The in-depth training gained during SUPER-GATE will contribute to the researcher’s professional career to become a cutting-edge scientist and present an important milestone toward academic independence.

Mots clés : 2d hybrid organic inorganic perovskite, organic semiconductor, floating gate transistor, artificial synapses, energy efficiency, device engineering

Participants :
- Institut de micro-électronique et composants (Belgique) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 200400.0 €
- Université de Groningue (Pays-Bas) — Partner, associated partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €
Projet HEADS (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2022)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Social Sciences and Humanities
Statut du projet : SIGNED

In ancient Egypt, death was the beginning of a new life, and the body was the anchor for the soul. Complex mummification practices and burial rituals were needed to ensure a successful transition to the afterlife. These have so far mainly been explored through the study of texts and archaeological contexts, which are principally focused on the elites. However, thanks to scientific advances in the study of human remains, it is possible to make the life of underrepresented categories of Egyptian people come to the fore. HEADS, through a collaboration with the Museum of Anthropology and Ethnography of the University of Turin (MAET), offers the unique opportunity to study a relatively unexplored section of society, including adult and juvenile males and females from the low and middle classes of two key archaeological sites in Egypt (Assiuit and Gebelin). Four methods will be employed to generate a clearer picture of their past and provide the MAET with new datasets: lipid residue analysis, palaeoproteomics, CT scanning, and radiocarbon dating. These will be applied to 1) identify the ingredients and procedures used in embalming and how these differ based on body parts, 2) characterise the health of the deceased, and 3) date the remains. Identification of biological sex and age-at-death will further elucidate how gender and age influenced treatment in death and health. In answering these questions, HEADS will be the first comprehensive biomolecular study on the mummified remains from the MAET, using an innovative multidisciplinary approach that goes beyond the current state-of-the art. The combined methodologies will allow HEADS to paint a detailed picture of mummification practices and the past health of an ancient lower- and middle-class Egyptian population and place these within a robust chronological framework, filling lacunae in our knowledge of the non-elite Egyptian community.

Mots clés : cultural heritage, lipid residue analysis, palaeoproteomics, ct scanning, radiocarbon analysis, mummification, health, ancient egypt

Participants :
- Université de Turin (Italie) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 172750.08 €
- Université de Groningue (Pays-Bas) — Partner, associated partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €
Projet MultiPly (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2022)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Flavin-containing monooxygenases (FMOs) are a highly conserved family of enzymes present in prokaryotes, fungi, animals, and plants. Among plant FMOs, the N-hydroxylating FMO1 is essential for pathogen resistance. FMO1 catalyses the biosynthetic reaction to synthesize N-hydroxy-pipecolic acid (N-Pip), the critical signalling molecule for Systemic Acquired Resistance (SAR) defense priming. Since the identification of FMO1 functionality in 2018, targeted analysis of the N-Pip pathway shows high potential for metabolic engineering to enhance disease resistance in dicotyledons. A fully analogous role for N-Pip SAR in monocotyledonous crops, however, is less clear. In fact, preliminary analysis by the Neilson Group (UCPH) suggests the FMO1 from barley (Hordeum vulgare) and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) has diversified functionality compared to activity observed in the FMO1 from Arabidopsis. Unbiased analysis of potential FMO1 multifunctionality has not yet been addressed, and detailed analysis of FMO1 evolution throughout the plant kingdom is lacking. The proposed project – ‘MultiPly: FMO1 Multifunctionality for improved Plant health’–will employ an interdisciplinary approach to investigate the evolution and functionality of the significant Plant FMO1s. Specifically, this project will combine bioinformatics (phylogeny reconstruction, protein modelling, and docking) with enzyme kinetic studies and in planta analysis to assess FMO1 multifunctionality throughout the plant kingdom. The in planta FMO1 characterization will primarily occur in barley to unravel the mode of SAR in these agriculturally important crops. In addition, MultiPly is designed to utilize my background in protein biochemistry and bioinformatics. I will also receive significant training within the new technical fields of metabolomics and plant physiology, as well as scientific management, leadership, and mentorship to establish an independent research group in academia.

Mots clés : fmo1, phylogeny, evolution, enzymology, biochemistry, multifunctionality, plant physiology, metabolomics, sar, volatile organic compound, voc, crop production

Participants :
- Université de Copenhague (Danemark) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 230774.4 €
- Université de Groningue (Pays-Bas) — Partner, associated partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €