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

Held assumptions about an inherent female sweet tooth are long-standing, shaping beliefs, attitudes and eating habits from the early modern era to the present day. This research project investigates the process of feminization of sweet taste as well as feminine subjectivities in the making and eating sweets in Barcelona between 1650 and 1800, a crucial period of globalization and popularization of sugar consumption. By addressing the connection between sweets and female nature, this study aims to examine how cultural meanings of sweet food emerged and evolved in the period when sugar was becoming a mass-consumption commodity in Europe. Firstly, this study explores how the changing culinary tastes and the diffusion of new medical knowledge affected the ways of thinking about ‘sweet food’ as well as the social and economic aspects of the sugar trade. Secondly, it examines the agency of women in the manufacture of sweets in private and public spheres, challenging the guild of confectioners in the city. Finally, it looks at refrescos as specific patterns of consumption of sweets and sociability in which women played a crucial role as civilizing agents in the Spanish Enlightenment. This study is based on a large set of underexplored textual, visual and material sources, making use of the rich cultural heritage preserved in Barcelona. By examining the social, intellectual and economic agency of women, this research seeks to move beyond historiographical narratives dominated by men as central actors in the global history of sugar. This research will change the main focus of the recent scholarly away from the courtly circles and Atlantic colonial trade to a Mediterranean and non-courtly urban contexts, which is underrepresented in the field of the substantial historiography on sugar. Overall, it will provide an original reading of the Spanish Enlightenment and further their incorporation into the current debates on the Global Enlightenment.

Mots clés : history of food, history of sugar and sweets

Participants :
- University of Cambridge (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 212933.76 €
Projet mTORmorS (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2017)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the predominant form of liver cancer and a leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Inactivation of different tumor suppressors, whose cooperation forms tumor suppressor networks, has been linked to HCC development, but the genetic events involved in HCC are still poorly understood. Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling is essential for cell growth and metabolism, and its hyper-activation plays an important role in pathogenesis and prognosis of HCC. However, the relationship between mTOR signaling dysregulation and the tumor suppressor networks in HCC, and whether mTOR inhibition could be a therapeutic strategy in some types of HCC remain largely unknown. Here I propose to use a genome-wide CRISPR knockout library to screen potential tumor suppressors in implanted mouse HCC models. The mouse hepatocytes depleted of different mTOR pathway components, with differential mTOR activities, will be separately infected with the CRISPR knockout library and implanted into immunocompromised mice to induce tumor. The goal of the proposed project is to understand the role of mTOR signaling dysregulation in the tumor suppressor networks in HCC. The specific objectives are: 1) to understand the tumor suppressor networks in HCC with differential mTOR activities in a genome-wide scale, 2) to examine how mTOR dysregulation controls the landscape of tumor suppressors, and 3) to explore whether mTOR inhibition could be developed as a treatment for specific subclasses of HCC. Using a combination of state-of-the-art CRISPR screening, molecular and cell biology, mouse models, next-generation sequencing, and bioinformatics tools, this project will link the mTOR signaling to tumor suppressor networks. This study will also unravel fundamental mechanisms underlying liver cancer development and contribute to potential targeted therapy.

Mots clés : mtor, mtorc1, mtorc2, tsc1, pten, hepatocellular carcinoma, liver cancer, tumor, suppressor, crispr, genome wide screening, metabolism

Participants :
- University of Basel (Suisse) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 187419.6 €
Projet HECAN (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2017)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Environment and Geosciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Herbivores can interact with each other indirectly via the shared host plant, for instance via the induction of plant defenses. Indirect plant-mediated interactions strongly influence herbivore behavior and performance and shape plant-associated arthropod communities. The order of herbivore arrival is often critical for the outcome of plant-mediated interactions, yet the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. Diabrotica virgifera virgifera, a specialist belowground herbivore of maize, refuses to feed when a plant is already attacked aboveground by the specialist leaf feeder Spodoptera frugiperda. This host-avoidance behavior is attributed to changes in root-emitted volatiles upon leaf herbivory, in particular the increased production of a nitrophenol (“NP1”), which was not previously known to be synthesized by plants. However, D. v. virgifera suppresses the leaf-herbivory-induced production of NP1 when it arrives on the plant first, and hence, keeps on feeding. HECAN will investigate the genetic and biochemical bases of NP1 biosynthesis in maize in order to understand how the production of NP1 is suppressed by D. v. virgifera.

Mots clés : plant mediated interactions between herbivores, maize, leaf herbivore, root herbivore, root volatiles, secondary metabolite biosynthesis

Participants :
- University of Bern (Suisse) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 175419.6 €
Projet Pint (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2019)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Physics
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Here, I propose new experiments to study the ion-atom interaction in the quantum regime with an Yb+ impurity immersed in a bath of fermionic lithium atoms. Hybrid ion-atom systems combine the well-controllable platforms of trapped ions and ultracold quantum gases and link them together by the intermediate-range ion-atom interaction. These new quantum systems offer intriguing prospects for buffer gas cooling, quantum simulation of condensed matter/many-body systems as well as for state-to-state quantum chemistry. Although ultracold atoms and ions have each been routinely studied in the quantum regime, experiments with ion-atom mixtures remained firmly confined to the classical collision regime until very recently. As a first, the Yb+ - Li mixture has been cooled to the regime where quantum effects dominate the ion-atom interactions. With this unique system, I aim to understand, characterize, and control the ion-atom interaction in the quantum regime trough experiments. A key question to answer is: Can we find magneto-molecular (Feshbach) resonances? These resonances play a pivotal role in ultracold quantum gases, where the allow for atom-atom interaction tuning. So far, they have not been observed between atoms and ions because the required ultracold temperatures were not yet achieved. With the Yb+ - Li system there is now a good prospect for observing them. Next, I will study the coherence of ion motion in a quantum bath of fermionic atoms by preparing particular (non-classical) states of ion motion and monitoring their dynamics using tools derived from trapped-ion quantum computing. Together with a detailed study of the quantum chemistry within the mixture, this research will allow me to assess the suitability of this new quantum system in emerging quantum technology. The Marie Curie action offers a great possibility to combine my expertise on ultracold atoms together with the expertise of the host group in ion-atom systems and enhance my competences along the way.

Mots clés : hybrid ion atom systems, trapped ions, fermionic quantum gases, quantum simulation, quantum information, impurity physics, quantum chemistry, feshbach resonances

Participants :
- University of Amsterdam (Pays-Bas) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 175572.48 €
Projet ChiralCatLnCoils (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2014)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Chemistry
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Herein, we propose to design de novo (“from scratch”), a new class of lanthanide coiled coils (LCC) for chiral catalysis in water. The attractive features of Lnn+ complexes (strong and hard Lewis acidity, high coordination numbers and rapid ligand-exchange kinetics), will for the first time be coupled with de novo designed coiled coils, which offer the advantages of the protein ligand in metalloenzymes, for applications in catalysis.The resulting novel LCCs will exploit the peptide fold, chirality and second sphere residues, in order to perform exquisite chiral catalysis in water. This programme of work will provide a new strategy for unlocking the full potential of science at the interface of biology and inorganic chemistry, by combining previously unexplored ligands with traditional inorganic complexes, for applications beyond those offered by biology. The complementary expertise of Dr Anbu (bioinorganic catalysis) and the supervisor Dr Peacock (metallopeptide design) offer the unique combination to realise the full catalytic potential of LCCs, and will, in conjunction with two planned short secondments, provide Dr Anbu with new and cutting-edge research training.

Mots clés : bioinorganic chemistry, peptide design, lanthanides, catalysis

Participants :
- University of Birmingham (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 195454.8 €
Projet HSV1_Single_Molecule (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2020)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is a widespread and well-known pathogen. However, we still lack a complete understanding of the mechanism of HSV-1 genome replication. We propose to revisit long-standing questions of the HSV-1 genome replication mechanism using cutting-edge single molecule imaging techniques. This approach enables the detection of transient structures and heterogeneous behavior, leading to further crucial insights into this fundamental process. The current model for HSV-1 genome replication comprises an origin-dependent followed by an origin-independent stage. Whereas we do have evidence and a good understanding of the origin-dependent phase, we completely lack evidence for the proposed structures of the origin-independent phase. Thus, in the proposed project we want to study aspects of the origin-dependent replication phase. Specifically, we want to reveal the role of the HSV-1 origin binding protein UL9 during replication as this protein was proposed to act as a switch from the first to the second stage. It has been shown that UL9 is an essential protein during the origin-dependent stage but dispensable and even inhibitory during the second, origin-independent stage. We here propose to use single-molecule imaging techniques to reveal the inhibitory effect of UL9 on HSV-1 mediated replication and to further characterize the specific conditions of UL9 binding to the origins of replication.

Mots clés : herpes simplex virus type 1, hsv 1, single molecule imaging, dna replication

Participants :
- Imperial College London (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 212933.76 €
Projet RNAfate (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2017)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

High-throughput transcriptomic analyses in human cell lines have found that >80% of the genome is transcriptionally active. A major part of this massive genomic output is derived from RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) activity; such as, mRNA, sn(o)RNA and long non-coding RNA. However, although these transcripts all contain 5’-m7G caps, which are common hallmarks of RNAPII-derived transcripts, their fates differ substantially as some are rapidly degraded while others remain stable and exercise diverse functions in the cell. What is the underlying mechanism? Transcript fate decisions are ultimately dictated by the proteins with which the nascent RNA associate. Central to this process is the cap-binding complex (CBC). Through its early association with the 5’-m7G cap, the CBC directs a plethora of nuclear RNA metabolic events by serving as a landing pad to recruit productive and/or destructive factors. Therefore, composition of the early RNA-protein particle plays an essential role in dictating RNA fate, and the CBC and its cofactors pose an interesting dichotomous system to study as a model for sorting mechanisms dictating RNA fate. In my project, I will delineate the spatiotemporal recruitment kinetics of selected RNA metabolic factors to identify when RNA fate decisions are made during transcription and how RNA/DNA elements contribute. To resolve the sequential loading of the CBC and its cofactors onto elongating transcripts, I will develop time course UV cross-linking and immunoprecipitation (CLIP) experiments, combining metabolic labelling of RNA, using the photoactivatable ribonucleoside analogue 4-sU, with a new and unprecedentedly high powered UV cross-linking technology employed at multiple short time increments. This will for the first time enable the study of in vivo RNA binding kinetics of RNA-binding proteins with a temporal resolution necessary to characterise co-transcriptional RNA fate decisions.

Mots clés : rna fate, rna processing, rna decay, phax, next, clip, rna polymerase ii

Participants :
- Aarhus University (Danemark) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 200194.8 €
Projet MSCHIPBIO (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2016)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Information Science and Engineering
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Hip osteoarthritis (OA) has already affected over 60 million people worldwide, usually causing persistent pain, reduced quality of life and even physical disability to the patients. Currently, the most effective treatment for end-stage of hip OA is total hip replacement (THR). However, current THR surgery is not as successful in younger patients who have expectation of an active life style compared to aging patients. New generation of treatments such as tissue sparing substitution treatment and regenerative treatment for early degenerative disease of the hip joint for these more active patients is urgently required. The new generation of treatments, however, require an in-depth knowledge of the functional biomechanics and tribology of the cartilage in the hip joint. The proposed action, therefore, aims to develop a novel computational method that can simulate the functional performance of natural hip joint for supporting research and development of new generation of cartilage substitution therapies and regenerative interventions for the early degeneration of hip disorders. The action involves an experienced researcher, Dr Xijin Hua, from the University of Leeds in UK visiting the Institute for Biomechanics at Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, under the supervision of Professor Stephen Ferguson for 24 months to work on the project “Multiscale computational modelling for natural hip biomechanics and tribology” (MSCHIPBIO). The action also aims to provide a platform for the fellow and the host organisation to share and transfer the knowledge and skills in the field of musculoskeletal biomechanics, advanced finite element simulation methods, computational fluid dynamics and tissue engineering, for the fellow to gain complementary knowledge and skills, and for the host organisation to broaden the research domains in cartilage substitution and regenerative therapies, and to enhance the leading position in the fields of computational biomechanics.

Mots clés : multiscale computational modelling, natural hip, cartilage, biomechanics, tribology

Participants :
- Board of the Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology (Suisse) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 187419.6 €
Projet Intersex Genealogy (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2015)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Social Sciences and Humanities
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Historically, intersexuality has been a paradox for scientific, biological and sociological interpretation of sex. A body that does not correspond to normal parameters imposed by the medicalization process has been elusively understood by patriarchal and feminist discourses alike. Despite the importance of the sex/gender dichotomy for second wave feminism, this false dichotomy needs to be reviewed in light of the new queer and poststructuralist theories. Such an approach works to deconstruct the traditionalist boundaries constructed between nurture and nature and to rebuild a new concept of identity that includes our bodies’ sovereignty. The aim of this proposed project is to trace a postcolonial genealogy of intersexuality in the second half of Colombia’s twentieth century. Since the late 1950, Colombian medical discourses about sexuality and gender have been influenced by John Money’s (1921-2006), and Gregorio Marañón’s (1887–1960) theories. These two endocrinologists have been decisive in the consolidation of a worldwide concept of gender in the twentieth century. By doing a historic assessment of the theories of these two renowned scientists and studying their impact on Colombian medical discourses, we expect to unveil the network of postcolonial knowledge that has contributed to building the concepts of sex and gender in the Colombian context, as well as the historical construction of the medical and juridical concept of intersexuality as a disease. Currently, we know that at least one percent of the population is born as intersexual, and Colombia is the only country where the Constitutional Court has intervened and ruled in a case of a sex assignation. Today, diverse ways of being have to be defended; the denaturalization of patriarchal and heteronormative scientific discourses will contribute to the democratization of science and to greater inclusiveness in relation to gender diversity.

Mots clés : intersexuality, postcolonialism, history of medicine, gender studies, feminism and queer theories

Participants :
- Autonomous University of Barcelona (Espagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 158121.6 €
Projet HoloLif (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2018)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Physics
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Holography is the powerful statement that two seemingly distinct theories, a theory of gravity and a field theory, describe the same physics. In this proposal I focus on Lifshitz holography, a not very well understood version of the duality, that relates non-relativistic strongly-coupled field theories and gravity realized on Lifshitz spacetimes. The aim of the project is to further develop Lifshitz holography by taking advantage of recent progress in non-relativistic hydrodynamics and the development of the large-D tool. The research objectives(ROs), each forming a separate work package, are: - Flesh out the connections between gravity and fluid dynamics for non-relativistic theories, by developing the membrane paradigm for Lifshitz black holes. This will not only be a milestone in our understanding of Lifshitz holography itself and prepare the ground for a fully-fledged non-relativistic fluid/gravity correspondence, but it will also elucidate the infrared properties of these theories, identify universal behaviours in transport coefficients and other observables and explore the generality of recently-proposed connections between hydrodynamics, non-hydrodynamic modes and chaos. - Extend the large-D tool to Lifshitz spacetimes and then use it to study holographically thermal transport in Lifshitz theories. The large-D is a technical development in general relativity realised on Anti-deSitter and flat spacetimes that leads to major simplifications of gravitational dynamics and thus eases the complexity of calculations. This objective will impact both holographic studies and gravity considerations in Lifshitz spacetimes. To achieve these ROs, I will mainly study various aspects of quasinormal modes. These modes not only contain information about black hole dynamics in the sense of characterising the dissipation of the perturbed horizon, but they are also associated with poles of the corresponding real-time Green's functions in a holographically dual theory.

Mots clés : holography, non relativistic field theories, gravity, black holes, hydrodynamics, quasi normal modes, large d

Participants :
- Trinity College Dublin (Irlande) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 184590.72 €
Projet SE-SBR (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2017)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Information Science and Engineering
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Horizon 2020 of the EU proposed that there is a strong will for Europe to move towards a climate resilient and low-carbon economy, become the leading force in the world in the development of renewable energies, and lead the global fight against climate change. It has been proposed that not only zero emissions, but negative emissions of CO2 are critical since they are the only way to fill the gap between the high CO2 concentration and the desired target. Bio-energy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) is a promising negative emission technology. However, traditional BECCS technologies have separated bio-energy conversion and carbon capture processes, which will increase the system complexity and energy penalty. Based on the background knowledge and research experience of the Researcher and the Host, we propose a novel BECCS technology, sorbent-enhanced steam biomass reforming (SE-SBR), where bio-energy conversion is integrated with carbon capture. To fulfil this technology, a bifunctional sorbent-catalyst material (BSCM) will be designed and tested and the fundamental component interactions in nanoscale in the material will be explored. The proposal is the integration of the specialty of the Researcher on biomass thermochemical conversion and the specialty of the Host on heterogeneous catalysis and carbon capture materials. Finally, the proposed SE-SBR with BSCMs is expected to replace the conventional biomass conversion methods, ease the fossil fuel energy crisis, and contribute to the low carbon world.


Participants :
- Board of the Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology (Suisse) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 187419.6 €