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

Proteins are among the most essential molecules of life. In order to fulfil their native function(s) they need to adopt a well-defined three-dimensional structure. However, under some circumstances, proteins can misfold and/or form toxic amyloid structures, which are the hallmark of a range of diseases including type 2 diabetes and neurodegenerative diseases. In particular, the small pre-synaptic protein, alpha-synuclein (AS), whose aggregation is the hallmark of Parkinson’s disease, can adopt in vivo and in vitro an intrinsically disordered conformation in solution and an alpha helical state when bound to membranes; the equilibrium between these two conformations has been shown to be important for its proposed native function, e.g. synaptic plasticity, and to modulate its kinetics of fibril formation. Here, I propose to investigate the physiological factors responsible for the switch between functional and deleterious interactions between membrane bilayers and AS due to ageing or disease using an innovative combination of biological, structural, thermodynamic and kinetic studies. In particular, I propose to use both synthetic lipid model systems and isolated synaptic vesicles to study the effect of ageing and the presence of lipids associated with Parkinson’s disease pathology on the nature of the interaction between AS and lipid bilayers. The synaptic vesicles will be isolated from the brain of mice at different ageing stages, as well as from mice carrying gene modifications or knock out related to PD. The interaction between AS and the vesicles will be studied using a range of biophysical techniques including circular dichroism, fluorescence and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, Atomic Force and Electron Microscopy. The aim of this study is to establish a thorough understanding of the interplay between changes in lipid composition and increased propensity of protein aggregation.

Mots clés : alpha synuclein, kinetic analysis, amyloid, parkinson s disease, lipid peroxidation, cholesterol, synaptic vesicles, lipidomic

Participants :
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (Allemagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 171460.8 €
Projet protonCBCT (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2016)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Proton therapy has become a superioralternative to conventional radiotherapy for certain clinical indications. It potentially allows to deliver high dose to the tumor while sparing healthy surrounding tissue. However, a reduction of treatment uncertainties is required to fully exploit this advantage and precise knowledge of the relative stopping power (RSP) of the patient tissues on the day of treatment is needed to correctly predict the proton range in the treatment planning system (TPS). Modern imaging technology plays a key role here. Developing novel methods to produce volumetric images of the patient while positioned on the treatment couch lies at the heart of this proposal. More specifically, I propose to explore strategies to merge proton computed tomography (pCT) and cone beam CT (CBCT) acquired directly in the treatment room based on which accurate dose-of-the-day calculations can be performed. The idea arises from the complementary advantages of proton and X-ray imaging: The former potentially provides a highly accurate volumetric RSP map while the latter produces images of high spatial resolution. I will develop and implement a "protonCBCT" reconstruction algorithm which uses the CBCT data as prior, compensates for image noise through dedicated regularization methods, and builds the pCT image using state-of-the-art reconstruction techniques. I emphasize the clinical applicability of the project: I will A) consider pCT and CBCT data acquired with clinically available imaging technology, B) propose a treatment work flow to incorporate the new protonCBCT imaging, and C) validate our methods using clinically proven treatment planning software. To my knowledge, a combined pCT/CBCT imaging modality in a clinical context has not been studied yet. It has the potential of providing volumetric images with excellent quality acquired in situ directly prior to a treatment session and could eventually lead to higher treatment quality in proton therapy.

Mots clés : computed tomography, proton ct, image guided radiation therapy, proton beam therapy, image processing, tomographic reconstruction

Participants :
- Centre national de la recherche scientifique (France) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 185076.0 €
Projet GENENET (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2014)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Protozoan pathogens from the kinetoplastid radiation (Leishmania, Trypanosoma) cause major diseases affecting humans, livestock and plants in the developing World and are an emerging problem in the developed world. Despite their importance for human health, these pathogens are still poorly studied with respect to the plasticity of their genomes and its importance for pathogen biology. The increasing availability of complete genomes provides opportunities to gain a better understanding of their genome content, to understand the role of gene flow in providing new pathogenic abilities and to identify how pathogens differ from their free-living relatives and from their hosts. The proposal involves a promising researcher from Paris, France, with a background in biochemistry and computer science moving to a host laboratory in Newcastle, UK, noted for excellent training of young researchers, and for its research on pathogen evolution, to undertake a multidisciplinary investigation, combining phylogenetics and network-based methods to identify how vertical and lateral/horizontal gene flow have affected the genomes and metabolism of these important pathogens. Host training in analysing pathogen genome evolution and large datasets using sophisticated Bayesian methods for statistical inference will synergistically complement the skills of the researcher in network and graph approaches, to achieve these goals. The project will equip the researcher with generally applicable expertise in computational analysis of large data sets from an evolution perspective and in their biological interpretation. It will deliver the first detailed insights into how lateral gene flow has affected the genomes of strategically chosen pathogens of the kinetoplastid radiation, and it will have general implications for understanding how all eukaryotic genomes, including our own, have evolved and continue to evolve.

Mots clés : evolution, networks, phylogenetics, lateral gene transfer

Participants :
- Newcastle University (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 183454.8 €
Projet DynaT (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2020)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Social Sciences and Humanities
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Psychiatric disorders are often characterized by maladaptive thought patterns. Whereas most research focuses on the distinct contents of maladaptive thoughts, abnormalities in the process by which thoughts come to mind are often overlooked. One exception is formal thought disorder (FTD), defined as a disruption in the form and organization of thought (e.g., loose associations). FTD is considered a hallmark feature of psychosis. Furthermore, recent evidence suggests that FTDs are found in other psychiatric disorders. Despite progress in the research of FTD in the recent decades, FTD remains one of the least understood symptoms in psychosis (all the more so in other disorders), with no established treatments. One key issue is that most FTD research focuses on language and communication impairments (e.g., disorganized speech), and not on actual thoughts. The overall aim of 'Dynamics of thought and thought disorders' (DynaT) is to dissociate impairments in thought dynamics from impairments in the communication or expression of thought, without relying on introspective self-report. To deal with the challenge of measuring covert thought, DynaT will use state-of-the-art computational psychiatry methods. First, DynaT will use mathematical modelling to gain insight into the covert thoughts preceding participants' observed responses. Second, DynaT wil use machine-learning algorithms to tap thought dynamics from the participant's brain activity in real-time. DynaT will isolate and characterise several component processes of FTD in schizophrenia and across the wider, transdiagnostic psychopathological spectrum, including: a) semantic disorganization; b) impaired inhibitory control of thoughts; c) inflexible reliance on predominant, local associations. As the first investigation to dissociate (objectively measured) covert thoughts from overt speech, DynaT has the potential to significantly advance the conceptualization and understanding of FTDs across disorders.

Mots clés : formal thought disorder, schizophrenia, psychosis, transdiagnostic, computational modelling, neural decoding, computational psychiatry, free association

Participants :
- University of London (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 224933.76 €
Projet Glial-Puberty (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2014)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Puberty, a key developmental period when the reproductive capacity is attained and sexual and somatic maturation completed, is under the control of a complex series of regulatory mechanisms that are sensitive to endogenous factors and environmental cues. However, characterization of the neuro-hormonal basis of puberty remains incomplete. A wealth of evidence has demonstrated the existence of reciprocal communications between glial cells and neurons; glial cells having an essential role in regulation of the functional activity of the nervous system. In this context, it is well establish that glial cells play an important role in neuroendocrine regulation and participate in sexual differentiation of neuronal connectivity of brain regions involved in the control of puberty. In addition, preliminary studies have demonstrated that kisspeptins induce changes in markers of glial cell activity. Based on this preliminary data, the aim of this proposal is to provide better knowledge of the role of glial cells in the control of puberty and their interplay with kisspeptins, as major gatekeepers of puberty onset in mammals. To this end, we will used both Kiss1 KO and Gpr54-βgal models generated by the host laboratory, which will allow the study of direct effects of kisspeptins on glial cells. In addition, we will generate a mouse model with deletion of Gpr54 (kisspeptin receptor) only in glial cells, to define their precise role in the control of puberty. Implementation of this project will expand our knowledge of the mechanisms for the control of puberty and its deviations, whose prevalence has notably increased worldwide.

Mots clés : health sciences, neuroendocrinology, puberty, hypothalamus, glial cells, kisspeptins, gpr54

Participants :
- University of Cambridge (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 195454.8 €
Projet PEPPER (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2017)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Social Sciences and Humanities
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Public engagement is one of key components for responsible research and innovation that the European Commission has identified and promoted. However, it has been questioned about legitimating the process and result, contributing to policy decisions and facilitating social learning. It is now also challenged by the recent post-truth movement in terms of democracy, citizenship and sustainability. Positive experiences of active involvement within society can be critical to engage with the silent majority and marginalised majorities, as well as researchers under pressure of public engagement. This research thus examines positive environment in top-down, expert-led public engagement or bottom-up, grassroots activities such as citizen science and open innovation, in which responsibility is distributed to experts, stakeholders and citizens in a more natural and proportional manner. It identifies methodologies to incorporate voices and values of less engaged individuals and future generations into the design and implementation of positive engagement, developing novel approaches to visualise participants’ perceptions and perspectives and/or emerging technologies and their ethical, legal and social aspects. This transdisciplinary research collects and analyses data on individual, community and organisational and societal level through the study of selected cases of positive engagement, with reference to community-based participatory research, intergenerational ethics and organisation and management studies. Introducing a wide variety of Norwegian practices to the European research and policy context, the project will disseminate the research results to the case organisations and their affiliations and networks and finally produce a communication training manual for positive engagement. This fellowship also gives a good opportunity to exchange knowledge on public engagement practiced in Europe and Japan.

Mots clés : positive engagement, distributed responsibility, citizen science, open innovation

Participants :
- OsloMet – Oslo Metropolitan University (Norvège) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 208400.4 €
Projet J-ViC (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2020)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Social Sciences and Humanities
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Public opinion has often had a strong influence in setting the boundaries of judicial violence in Europe. This project consists of a detailed analysis of secular and religious attitudes towards judicial violence in the period ca. 1260-1360, through the case-studies of the well-documented communes of Florence and Siena. Western Europe underwent in this period substantial penal reforms, ultimately making greater use of corporal punishment. At the same time, there were also changes in religious attitudes towards this phenomenon: the first confraternities devoted to the spiritual assistance of criminals condemned to death were founded in the 14th century. The political and religious reasons for these changes, their detailed chronology and the attitudes of different social segments towards them have not yet been thoroughly researched. This project aims to do so by combining the study of theories and practices of criminal justice of secular and religious origin and the history of emotions. It will advance our knowledge of medieval society and provide insight for understanding comparable contemporary phenomena, by producing as its outputs a monograph, preparatory articles, a series of podcasts and a briefing document on the role of public opinion in the increase/decrease of judicial violence throughout history. In this way, the proposed project will enhance the fellow's career perspectives both in and outside academia, and it will strengthen the links between research in the Humanities and public policy.

Mots clés : italian communes, criminal justice, violence, religion, tuscany, death penalty, history of emotions, legal history, medieval religious orders

Participants :
- University of Milan (Italie) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 171473.28 €
Projet TOPIS-BioCirc (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2018)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Environment and Geosciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Pulp and paper industries (PPI) are known for producing large quantities of organic residues. Considering the economic and environmental aspects, the resource recovery from PPI wastes is necessary in order to increase the resource efficiency. In that regard, developing novel biorefinery processes to produce multiple products from PPI wastes is interesting under bio and circular economy. On the other hand, the interest on torrefied biomass is rising over the globe as it can replace the coal. However, the economics of torrefied pellets is not competitive compared to the coal. As the majority of the torrefied pellets production costs are coming from raw materials, sourcing them from low cost resources could be helpful to improve the economic competitiveness of the torrefied pellets over coal. To address the above said two issues, this project will study the feasibility of the torrefaction of pulp and paper industry sludge (PPIS) and integrating it with microbial conversion to produce bioenergy carriers i.e. bio-coal and bio-methane and volatile fatty acids. To achieve this, the expertise of the experienced researcher on biomass torrefaction, process modeling and feasibility analysis will be combined with the expertise of the supervisor on microbial conversion processes and biomass pretreatment. Initially, torrefaction of dewatered PPIS will be carried out in order to establish the biofuel characteristics of torrefied PPIS. Later, anaerobic digestion of torrefaction condensate produced through the torrefaction of PPIS will be studied at varied operating conditions in order to establish the production potential of bio-methane and volatile fatty acids. Finally, the proposed process integration will be simulated to a commercial scale from laboratory experimental results in order to evaluate the techno-economic and environmental feasibility. The proposed study can help the European society to shift toward low carbon economy and achieve sustainable development goals.

Mots clés : pulp and paper industry sludge, torrefaction, anaerobic digestion, volatile fatty acids, biorefinery, circular economy, bioeconomy, nutrient recovery, digestate, techno economic analysis

Participants :
- Estonian University of Life Sciences (Estonie) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 154193.28 €
Projet NanoPyroMat (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2017)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Physics
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Pyrolectric materials could harvest energy from naturally occurring temperature changes such as changes in ambient temperature, and artificial temperature changes due to exhaust gases, convection or solar energy. These materials can operate with a high thermodynamic efficiency and, showing an advantage over thermoelectric materials, they do not require bulky heat sinks to maintain the required heat difference. Hence, “pyroelectric energy harvesting” could be the right methodology to rescue some of the enormous amount of energy wasted as heat by converting the thermal fluctuations into electrical energy (e.g. more than 50% of the energy generated in the U.S. is lost that way each year). Reusing the wasted energy and increasing the share of renewable energy in final energy consumption are important EU targets, expressed in the Europe 2020 Strategy. Enhancing energy efficiency solutions would help citizens both in economic (lower electricity bills) and ecological (clean, green energy) terms. This project examines the development of pyroelectric nanotextured ceramics, for use in future ambient energy harvesting. An original combination of an inexpensive mechano-chemical synthesis for the production of hexagonal ZnS (wurtzite) nanopowder, and the subsequent fabrication of nanotextured ceramics applying a high-pressure-low-temperature sintering, will be used, an approach we have explored previously to suppress grain growth. Neither the fabrication methods, nor the existence of nanotextured pyroelectric ceramics of wurtzite have yet been reported in the literature. In particular the project will explore the potential of the wurtzite nanotextured ceramics as new functional anisotropic bulk materials for pyroelectric energy harvesting. We expect the pyroelectric properties to improve with the introduction of nanostructures and texturing within the anisotropic material like wurtzite, which should ultimately lead to more efficient pyroelectric devices for energy harvesting.

Mots clés : wurtzite, pyroelectricity, nanotextured ceramics

Participants :
- National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (Italie) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 180277.2 €
Projet Inflapoptosis (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2018)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Pyroptosis is a highly inflammatory form of cell death that drives host protection against intracellular pathogens. Pyroptosis is initiated by inflammasome-activated inflammatory caspases (e.g., caspase-1/4/5/11), which cleave gasdermin D to trigger plasma membrane pores. In contrast, apoptosis is driven by apoptotic caspases (e.g. caspase-3/7/8/9), and is traditionally classified as an immunologically silent form of cell death that is important for development and maintenance of homeostasis. However, emerging studies suggest that caspase-8 activation during extrinsic apoptosis promotes inflammation by triggering the assembly of a proinflammatory, multi-protein complex called the NLRP3 inflammasome, through an ill-defined mechanism. A recent study identified a caspase-3 cleavage site within gasdermin D; cleavage of gasdermin D by apoptotic caspase-3 suppresses the cytotoxic function of this protein. These suggest a complex crosstalk between the pyroptosis and apoptosis. Therefore, the aim of this project is to investigate 1) novel proinflammatory functions of gasdermin D during extrinsic apoptosis; 2) the role of gasdermin D in caspase-8-dependent NLRP3 activation; and 3) the importance of caspase-3-mediated gasdermin D inactivation at steady state in vivo and during chemotherapy. This project will greatly enhance the skills and competence of the experienced researcher through advanced training and international mobility, and is in line with Horizon 2020 Work Programme objective.

Mots clés : cell death, inflammasome, gasdermin d, apoptosis, caspase 8, smac mimetic

Participants :
- University of Lausanne (Suisse) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 191149.44 €