Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-actions-marie-curie-participations-et-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Projet SHELLFISH (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2020)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - Global Fellowships
Panel : Environment and Geosciences
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Marine invertebrate Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) contribute to food security, nutrition and to national and global economies and growth. Despite their societal and ecological importance and vulnerability to rapid coastal changes, these fisheries remain frequently overlooked in fisheries research, lack of management plans and are marginalized in policy-making processes. Moreover, the role of women, actively involved in these fisheries, is not reflected in fisheries statistics and census data. There is an urgent need for a global perspective in the management of marine invertebrate SSF combined with local assessments and monitoring that integrate fisher’s perceptions,views and knowledge. SHELLFISH aims to understand the multiple social and ecological processes underlying and shaping marine invertebrate SSF, while developing inclusive tools and strategies for their long-term accountability and sustainability. To achieve these goals, the present project will undertake transdisciplinary research in a small, insular country that will display “magnifying glass” effect to the entire process: from theory to applied science to the influence of policy-making processes. SHELLFISH will link anthropological, ecological and fisheries approaches to (i) assess the diversity, extent and dynamics of marine invertebrate SSF, and (ii) identify ecological and social drivers of change, vulnerability and sustainability. Parallelly, the firmly entrenched political position of the host institution in the third country, and a series of wisely planned outreach activities will facilitate the incorporation of research outcomes into policy and governance actions. The project results will create stronger links between knowledge production and societal transformation, and will be of particular interest, including in Europe, where ecological, socio-cultural, economic and political factors are key to explain the vulnerability, resilience, intersectoral and gendered opportunities of the SSF sector.

Mots clés : small scale fisheries, shellfish, ethnoecology, citizen science, monitoring, datasets, coastal management, governance, food security, sustainability, gender, policy, timor leste, transdisciplinarity

Participants :
- Institut de recherche pour le développement (France) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 264259.2 €
- International center for living aquatic resources (Malaisie) — Partner, organization partner, Recherche, subvention : 0.0 €
Projet PULMO (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2015)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Environment and Geosciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Marine jellyfish are recognized as subject to proliferations in many coastal areas. When they are exceedingly abundant, jellyfish cause substantial ecological impacts on marine biodiversity, interfere with economic and recreational human activities, and may be harmful to public health. For these reasons, jellyfish “blooms” are regarded as a multi-billion Euro problem for human activities in the sea and coastal zones. Understanding of jellyfish biology and ecology is therefore mandatory to prevent or mitigate critical ecological and economic drawbacks. Moreover, the large amount of jellyfish biomass could be considered as an untapped source of bioactive compounds including peptides, collagen and gelatin, oligosaccharides, enzymes, water-soluble minerals, and biopolymers making them a potentially valuable material for industrial uses in cosmetic, pharmaceutical and biomedical industry as well as food or feed. By identifying potential applicative uses of jellyfish biomaterials, we will provide the opportunity of showcasing jellyfish in a more positive light. Jellyfish biomasses also represent a poorly exploited source of carbon in marine food webs. The research proposal entitled "PULMO: "Population dynamics, trophic interactions, and human exploitation of a novel nutraceutical and pharmaceutical marine resource: the Mediterranean sea lung jellyfish, Rhizostoma pulmo" aims at a better understanding of mechanisms underlying recurrent, massive proliferations of one of the most common jellyfish in the Mediterranean Sea to boost its potential utilization. The project will provide [i] novel and unprecedented information about the biology, trophic ecology, biochemical and molecular composition of the sea lung Rhizostoma pulmo; [ii] provide quantitative assessment of exploitable jellyfish biomass at regional and subregional level; [iii] identifying the potential of jellyfish biomaterials as new sustainable resource for humans.

Mots clés : jellyfish blooms, reproduction, population dynamics, proliferation mechanisms, environmental optima, climate change, biomass exploitation, bioactive natural compounds

Participants :
- University of Salento (Italie) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 168277.2 €
Projet MARINEGLYCAN (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2020)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Chemistry
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Marine microalgae sequester as much CO2 into carbohydrates as terrestrial plants. However, the marine carbon cycle is currently not understood in molecular detail. MARINEGLYCAN seeks to explore the marine biosphere using an approach rooted in chemical biology & automated glycan assembly (AGA) by inventing new tools for deciphering biological information. I will generate an assortment of tools: glycan microarrays, fluorescently labelled polysaccharides (FLAPS), Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) probes, & activity-based probes (ABP) working at the Max Planck Institute (MPI) of Colloids & Interfaces in collaboration with the MPI for Marine Microbiology to allow the systematic study of the flow of carbon–from the level of individual enzymes to interdependent communities. These tools will be used to discover the bioactive epitopes of sulfated marine glycans–known to have anti-viral, anti-cancer, & neuroprotective properties. A new continuous flow photocatalytic process to access fluorinated glycans will be developed in the context of the project. While gaining a broad range of scientific techniques including AGA & techniques used in marine glycobiology, I will gain & develop my transferable skills & expand my network. All allowing me to have a successful career in both business & academia. These skills will be obtained through workshops provided by the Max-Planck Academy, managing of PhD students & mentoring by Prof. Seeberger. The knowledge & skills I gain working on MARINEGLYCAN will provide me with the skill set to collaborate with Industry–while also carrying out basic scientific research. MARINEGLYCAN seeks to gain a better understanding of the flow of carbon in the marine environment, allowing Europe to advance towards a green circular economy. With the potential to pave the way for the design & development of new sustainable biomaterials, biocatalysts, & medicines. MARINEGLYCAN is in line with the European Commission's & UN sustainable development goals.

Mots clés : chemical biology, glycans, bioeconomy, marine

Participants :
- Max Planck Society (Allemagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 162806.4 €
Projet OceanLiNES (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2014)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Environment and Geosciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Marine phytoplankton are the conduit for the flow of energy and carbon into the ocean; consequently they are responsible for the distribution of global fish stocks and regulate climate. Fundamental insights into the productivity of marine phytoplankton can be gained from determining which nutrients are limiting phytoplankton and how these are being altered due to climate change. The approach to investigate nutrient limitation of phytoplankton thus far has been to conduct observations and experiments at sea; however, these activities require substantial investment of resources (ship-time and personnel) and only reveal a snapshot in space and time. A method for making synoptic, low-cost observations using remote sensing would be invaluable. Phytoplankton abundance can be monitored from space using satellite images of ocean colour and a major breakthrough would be to extract a diagnostic signal of phytoplankton stress to monitor patterns of nutrient limitation. Phytoplankton fluorescence signals detected by sensors on satellites carry significant potential for doing this, yet fundamental uncertainties underlying what exactly regulates the signal firstly need to be resolved. Here we propose to perform experiments in targeted regions of the global ocean to address these uncertainties and develop an algorithm to reveal global nutrient limitation patterns of marine phytoplankton using satellite-detected fluorescence. The overarching objectives of the project are to (i) conclusively assess the influence of nutrient limitation other environmental variables on phytoplankton fluorescence characteristics; (ii) implement a correction of the phytoplankton fluorescence signal detected by satellites to reveal global nutrient limitation patterns; and (iii) apply this new understanding of resource limitation patterns in global biogeochemical models to more realistically project the impact of future global environmental change on phytoplankton, fisheries and carbon cycling.

Mots clés : nutrient limitation of marine phytoplankton, phytoplankton physiology, phytoplankton fluorescence, monitoring climate change impacts from space  fisheries, carbon sequestration

Participants :
- GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel (Allemagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 159460.8 €
Projet Topological-Plasmonics (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2015)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Physics
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Materials that present plasmonic resonances feature the unique capability of confining light in nanometer-scale volumes. Resonant metal nanostructures, such as gold or silver nanoparticles, support localized surface plasmon resonances upon light illumination. These are free electron oscillations coupled to the electromagnetic field that enable light concentration even beyond the diffraction limit. For this reason plasmonics is a key tool for guiding and focusing light in order to extend the use of optical techniques into the nanoscale, with current and potential applications ranging from ultrasensitive chemical and biological sensor devices to imaging, non-linear optics or enhanced light absorption in photovoltaic cells. On the other hand, the study of topological phases and protected states in solid state systems as well as in photonic crystals has been very successful in recent years, since electronic or photonic states protected by the global symmetries of the system can propagate without suffering from scattering at defects or disorder. This has raised interest both from a fundamental point of view, with new physics being developed and understood –such as topological insulators–, as well as with views to applied technologies, which would greatly benefit from dissipation-free transport of electrons or photons. While the field of plasmonics has reached a mature state, the performance of some plasmonic devices is affected by ohmic losses in the metal and fabrication defects. Novel and improved functionalities are needed in order to design efficient plasmonic devices. This research aims at adding novel capabilities to the field of plasmonics by designing topologically protected light modes sustained by plasmonic nanostructures. I will study periodic two-dimensional arrangements of metal nanoantennas (metasurfaces) as promising nanostructures to support topologically protected modes with applications in light manipulation in the nanoscale.

Mots clés : plasmonics, metamaterials, topological photonics

Participants :
- Imperial College London (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 183454.8 €
Projet KNOTDYNAPP (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2020)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Mathematics
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Mathematical knot theory plays an increasingly important role in biology, chemistry and physics. In this project we aim to study the time evolution of knots in different dynamical systems. We are particularly interested in differential equations that are motivated by electromagnetism and quantum mechanics. For such differential equations we aim to prove the existence of solutions that contain knots, which evolve as desired, and explicitly construct such solutions. In the case of electromagnetic fields this refers to vector fields, representing the electric and magnetic part of such a field, that satisfy Maxwell's equations and have closed flow lines in the shape of a given knot for all time. In particular, we want the knot type of this closed flow line to be stable, i.e., it is not allowed to change over time. In the case of quantum wavefunctions we are concerned with complex-valued functions that satisfy linear or non-linear Schrödinger equations and whose nodal set is knotted at a moment in time. We plan to develop a construction of such functions for which the time evolution of such a quantum vortex knot is determined by a prescribed surface, embedded in 4-dimensional space representing space and time. We also study relations between topological properties of knots and the corresponding functions. For example, we investigate the connection between the fibration property of a knot K and the non-vanishing of a magnetic field induced by an electric current through a knotted wire in a shape that is isotopic to K. These mathematical problems are approached with techniques from differential geometry, low-dimensional topology and the theory of differential equations. The proposal also discusses the two way transfer of knowledge between the host institute and the candidate.

Mots clés : knotted field, quantum vortex knot, fibered knot

Participants :
- Spanish National Research Council (Espagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 160932.48 €
Projet MECHANiCM (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2020)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Mechanical abnormalities of the tumor microenvironment (TME) have gained much attention over the last decades as potent drivers of tumor progression. These abnormalities include compressive forces that generate the so-called solid stress. Solid stress is suggested to affect the metastatic potential of several tumor types, including breast cancer, however the exact molecular mechanisms involved remain to be explored. Once cancer cells have left the primary tumor site and entered into the blood stream are also exposed to shear stress exerted by blood flow. Shear stress is considered to be lower during flow, and higher during intravascular arrest. The arrested cancer cells must develop mechanisms of adhesion to efficiently resist such forces for successful extravasation, however the involved mechanisms are elusive. In particular, the third most common secondary tumor site for breast cancer is bone. There, cancer cells interact with bone-specific cells, that are also exposed to shear forces due to blood flow in the bone environment. To this end, the applicant proposes to test the hypothesis that the presence of solid stress in TME, and shear stress in the blood stream are important physical parameters that could trigger cancer cell metastasis. Therefore, it is highly value to identify the molecular mechanisms involved to target and reverse the metastatic process. The proposed research combines knowledge in the fields of bone and cancer biology and mechano-pathology, bioengineering and biophysics, and cutting-edge techniques. A pharmaceutical screening will be also performed in vitro and in vivo to suggest possible therapeutic interventions to prevent breast cancer metastasis. In the proposed project, the fellow will acquire scientific and complementary skills according to her personalized career development plan, while through advanced training and inter-sectoral mobility she will reach a position of professional maturity in research.

Mots clés : cancer biology, bone biology, bone metastasis, tumor microenvironment, tumor mechano pathology, bone mechanics, solid stress, shear stress, mechano transduction, cancer bone cell crosstalk

Participants :
- Linköping University (Suède) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 203852.16 €
Projet MECHANO FIBROSIS (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2019)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - Global Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Mechanical forces drive fundamental physiological functions in living organisms, yet it remains unclear how forces are transduced into intracellular biochemical signals. Mechanotransduction is a tightly regulated process, and its disruption often results in pathologies including tumorigenesis, chronic inflammation and fibrotic conditions. Crucially, recent studies have shown an important relationship between abnormal fibrosis and altered patterns of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) activity and cell adhesion. Prof. del Campo laboratory has pioneered the use of photo-triggerable ligands to spatiotemporally control cell adhesion and recently, Prof. García has demonstrated in vivo that spatiotemporal control of cell adhesion modulates fibrosis. In addition, Prof. García has demonstrated a strong relationship between cells adhesive force generation and FAK activation at individual focal adhesion (IFA). Despite the importance of FAK signalling in cancer and other pathologies, the mechanistic link between the FAK activity at individual focal adhesions and fibrosis remains elusive. To close this gap in our knowledge, there is a need to develop technologies capable of recapitulating dynamic force transmission at individual focal adhesions. This project aims to elucidate the molecular events that regulate FAK activity during force transmission and sensing of mechanical force at individual focal adhesions. I will combine novel molecular devices, light-activated cell-specific adhesive ligands and microscopy tools to in situ apply controlled forces at individual FA and measure cell responses in 2D, 3D and in vivo contexts. Importantly, FAK loss- and gain-of-function experiments will provide the functional importance of FAK during mechanotransduction. The fundamental investigation of mechanotransduction events will greatly advance our understanding of cell biology and inform future targets for fibrosis therapy, as mechanical forces is a driving factor in fibrosis progression.

Mots clés : 4d hydrogel, synthesis, fak activity, molecular motors, fret biosensor, mechanical forces, skinfold window chamber animal model

Participants :
- Leibniz Association (Allemagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 264669.12 €
- University System of Georgia (Etats-Unis) — Partner, organization partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €
Projet METACTIVE (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2017)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Information Science and Engineering
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Mechanical metamaterials have surged to the forefront over the past five years against the backdrop of the unprecedented developments in optical, electromagnetic and acoustic metamaterials. Metamaterials are designer media with periodic units comprised of tailor-made geometry and pattern aimed at accomplishing exceptional bulk properties which are unprecedented in conventional materials. This proposal aims at taking the functionality of metamaterials to the next level by combining mechanical metamaterials with piezoelectrics. This, in turn, will give rise to active metamaterials which can be used for vibration energy harvesting and control. Radically new analytical and computational frameworks will be developed for dynamic homogenization and wave propagation in piezoelectric metamaterials with sub wave-length scale resonators. Linear and nonlinear resonators combined with a multiphysics approach will be adopted. Theoretical models will involve one and two-dimensional metamaterials. Experimental analysis of these models will be carried out at the host institution. This will validate the theoretical results and will also generate new insights. The proposed research inherently depended on ideas from fundamentally different expertise and will be achieved through supervision of three complimentary experts in different institutions and in two EU member of states. The pathway originating from this work will instill the essential confidence to take the leap from scientific curiosity to engineered active mechanical metamaterials. The combination of an outstanding multi-skilled scientific methodology and corresponding bespoke knowledge transfer approach will result in an unprecedented training framework which will result in a transformative impact on the applicant's scientific career.

Mots clés : metamaterials, energy harvesters, nonlinear dynamics, piezoelectricity

Participants :
- Swansea University (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 195454.8 €
Projet CLIMB (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2018)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - Global Fellowships
Panel : Environment and Geosciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Mechanistic community models have been advocated as a response to the conceptual and practical limitations of correlative approaches to modeling biodiversity. Building from ecological theory, there are multiple frameworks that could potentially act as a basis for such mechanistic models. However, these options often include a the large number of demographic rates to estimate in species-rich ecosystems, and their direct connection to empirical data has often been limited to simplified settings, something that strongly limits their use for ambitious biodiversity-modeling projects. With CLIMB, we propose an innovative statistical methodology to overcome this challenge: we will connect community data with functional trait data in an array of carefully designed mechanistic community models. More precisely, CLIMB aims to propose and test adequate transfer function(s) that allow rapid calibration of mechanistic models with available trait data and make these models suitable for reliable biodiversity predictions. The CLIMB framework will be developed and tested with simulations and two empirical study cases of temporal dynamics of grassland plant communities dynamics in two different biomes. CLIMB consists in an outgoing phase focused on (1) studying the theoretical fundations of the framework and developing appropriate mechanistic community models; and (2) collecting functional data for local grassland plant species. The return phase will focus on (3) completing the development of the modelling framework and (4) analyzing empirical data. Ultimately, CLIMB will answer pressing fundamental questions of ecology and biodiversity modelling and will offer the ground-breaking perspectives necessary to meet key environmental challenges faced by society today.


Participants :
- University of Regensburg (Allemagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 247020.48 €
- University of Canterbury (Nouvelle-Zélande) — Partner, organization partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €