Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-actions-marie-curie-participations-et-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Projet ACM (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2014)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

According to the WHO, prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common cancer in men in the European Union (EU). The current view of cellular transformation and cancer progression supports the notion that cancer cells must undergo a metabolic reprogramming in order to survive in a hostile environment. Tumors are not homogeneous entities, and most cancers retain a differential fraction of cells with increased self-renewal capability (cancer stem or initiating cells), that accounts for recurrence and resistance to therapy. While we know more about the metabolism of tumor cells and its implication in cancer, our knowledge about the metabolism of cancer-initiating cells remains insufficient. Obesity is associated with increased risk of prostate cancer metastasis and death. On other side, statins treatment reduces the risk of PCa, indicating that cholesterol might have a role in the onset of the disease. Overweight and obesity rates in EU affect 50 and 20% of the population respectively. Therefore, it is critical to define the role of environmental factors such as nutrition and “lifestyle” for cancer prevention. Preliminary studies in our lab indicate that cancer initiating cells are highly enriched in cholesterol synthesis genes and their sphere formation capacity is dependent on cholesterol synthesis. We hypothesize that an active cholesterol metabolism is essential for prostate cancer-initiating cell function, and that the use of cholesterol synthesis inhibitors might target this subpopulation of aggressive cancer cells. I will use a combined transcriptomic and metabolomic approach to define the alterations of cholesterol metabolism. I will study the mechanisms by which cholesterol metabolism regulates CIC function. I will study the feasibility of therapeutic targeting of cholesterol metabolism in prostate cancer using a well established mouse model. And finally, I will do a prospective associative study of statin treatment with CICs markers expression in patients.

Mots clés : prostate cancer, metabolism, cholesterol, fatty acids, statins, cancer initiating cells

Participants :
- CIC bioGUNE (Espagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 158121.6 €
Projet BIOnanoPDT (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2019)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Chemistry
Statut du projet : CLOSED

According to the World Health Organization cancer was responsible for approximated 9.6 million deaths in 2018 what is the reason of being one of the biggest civilizational health problem, just behind the heart diseases. The global objective of interdisciplinary BIOnanoPDT project is to develop novel biodegradable phthalocyanine (Pc)-polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) which enhance cancer photodynamic therapy (PDT). Up to now, there is no ideal therapy for cancer treatment but among the others PDT presents several advantages, e.g. it is a selective treatment with less secondary effects than other therapies. This promising therapy combines three components: photosensitizer (PS), light and oxygen. 20 years ago PDT was approved by Food and Drug Admnistration as a clinical protocol for cancer treatment but it still have limitations to use it in all types of cancer. The development of new powerful PSs, which specifically target cancer cells, and can more deeply penetrate tissue allowing to treat large tumors is still a challenge. Phthalocyanines (Pcs) are one of the most promising second generation PSs and meet many requirements for being ideal PSs. Unfortunately, very often Pcs are hydrophobic species and undergo self-aggregation in aqueous solutions, which drastically reduces their photosensitizing efficiency. In BIOnanoPDT project the limitations of Pcs will be overcame by tailoring their properties in terms of singlet oxygen generation and by incorporating them with polymer NPs which could improve their photophysical properties, selectivity for targeted tissues by surface modification, eliminate aggregation of the PSs and their low water solubility. Additionally, it can enhance the treatment by increasing the blood circulation and selective accumulation in tumor cells. The BIOnanoPDT project will bring many innovations to the current cancer research by novel Pc-polymer NP hybrids for cancer PDT which will be an attractive alternative for conventional drugs.

Mots clés : polymeric nanoparticles, phthalocyanines, breast cancer, photodynamic therapy

Participants :
- Polish Academy of Sciences (Pologne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 149625.6 €
Projet MetabolACE (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2019)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Accumulating evidence in recent years has highlighted strong regulatory interactions between epigenetic mechanisms and metabolic transformations, mainly through transcriptional control of key metabolic genes. However, what has been overlooked is the direct effect of histone modifying enzymes on cellular metabolism as they are large consumers of sentinel metabolites. Therefore, I hypothesize that histone modifying enzymes and their mediated post-translation modifications (PTMs) on histones directly drive metabolic rewiring which subsequently impacts various cellular processes including gene expression. Specifically, this fellowship will focus on histone acetyltransferases (HATs) that use acetyl coenzyme A (Acetyl-CoA) as their sole substrate. Using interdisciplinary, state-of-the-art approaches that integrate subcellular metabolomics and high-throughput epigenomic techniques I will interrogate how the activity of HATs controls the abundance of acetyl-CoA and, in turn, defines the metabolic status of a cell leading to a subsequent reciprocal effect on the epigenetic landscape and genome regulation. Firm preliminary data, that I have recently generated, support the proposed project hypothesis and demonstrate that the experimental design is credible. During this project, my in-depth knowledge of metabolism and mass spectrometry skills will be combined with the expertise of epigenetics and histone biology that I will acquire at the host lab to reveal a new pathway through which histone PTMs function. This work will unveil a new fundamental link between epigenetics and metabolism and will be the commencing point for important future work in health and disease. Importantly, this fellowship will propel my academic career and help me become a scientific leader at the interface of epigenetics and metabolism since it will act as a stepping stone towards securing new research funding and acquiring a tenure track position.

Mots clés : metabolism, lipid metabolism, chromatin dynamics, histone modifications, epigenetics

Participants :
- University of Cyprus (Chypre) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 145941.12 €
Projet EPISODE (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2017)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Environment and Geosciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Accurate climate modelling requires reliable estimations of climate sensitivity to CO2 forcing during past intervals of CO2 similar to those predicted. This entails an improvement of CO2 and sea surface temperature (SST) reconstructions, especially for tropical oceans. Widely-used paleothermometers such as UK’37, TEX86, foraminifer Mg/Ca and δ18O may not be accurate for absolute long-term SST in these regions. Therefore, coccolith clumped isotope thermometry (Δ47) is a promising tool to disentangle the especially problematic pre-late Miocene warm SST history of tropical oceans, improving our understanding of climate sensitivity and marine life to CO2 and allowing European and other countries to take wise and timely policy-related decisions and mitigation measures. This project aims to assess the presence of biological overprints (e.g. response to CO2 limitation) on coccolith Δ47 from cultures and coretop size fractions, develop an effective Δ47-SST calibration, validate the proxy by comparing Δ47-SST to a published reliable UK’37-SST record, and apply coccolith Δ47 to reconstruct absolute SST of Cenozoic tropical and polar oceans. This project combines the strong biological understanding of the proxy-encoding organism of the candidate and main supervisor, with the unique ability of the clumped isotope host group to achieve 1-2 °C precise Δ47 temperatures from 1-1.5 mg samples. This will allow to conclusively determine if there are vital effects in coccolith Δ47 and produce an unprecedented long-term tropical SST record for the pre-late Miocene. Implementing this project at the ETH Climate Geology group will enhance the candidate’s career via development of new scientific and analytical skills, while complementing and diversifying the research focus of the host group and enhancing Europe’s research excellence. To achieve highest impact, scientific peers, the local public, high school students and Europe parliamentarians related to climate change will be reached.

Mots clés : coccolithophores, clumped isotope geochemistry, sea surface temperature, vital effects, carbon limitation, pre late miocene, earth system climate sensitivity

Participants :
- Board of the Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology (Suisse) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 175419.6 €
Projet PHOENIX (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2020)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Chemistry
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Achieving climate neutrality by 2050 is currently acknowledged as one the overarching objectives of the EU strategy, where smart sector integration and a just transition to a circular economy are crucial drivers. In this respect, PHOENIX aims to develop and deliver a disruptive electrochemical reactor combining hydrogen production and plastic waste recycling. Hydrogen has manifold applications i.e., fuel, energy vector and chemical feedstock, and polymer synthesis is prevalent, 260 Mtons synthesised just in 2019 and no drastic reduction in near-term projections. Clearly, a suitable portfolio of novel and scalable technologies is urgently needed to process both commodities (hydrogen & plastics) in a sustainable way. Whence, ramping up the production of green hydrogen, i.e., renewables-derived, perfectly intertwines with the need to boost the whole volume of recycled plastic which currently amounts to only 15% of the total plastic in circulation. To this end, PHOENIX will produce an integrated power-to-molecules device by interfacing a fuel-producing/waste-recycling system to photovoltaic modules. The envisioned system will leverage an exquisite control in the assembly of modular Anion-Exchange Membrane (AEM) electrolysers, processing of nanostructured electrocatalysts and development of value-added chemical reactions to produce a scalable solar-to-chemical reactor. Finally, field validation and techno-economic assessments will identify and potentiate sector coupling along the entire energy and chemistry value chains. This project will be accomplished by an innovation-oriented small-sized enterprise, a world-class academic group and an experienced researcher, embedded in an inter-sectorial research landscape that brings lab innovation to fab delivery. Overall, the PHOENIX approach responds to key societal goals in energy conversion and environmental reparation: hydrogen production, waste valorisation and industrial innovation.


Participants :
- Spi consulting srl (Italie) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Organismes privés (hors enseignement), subvention : 171473.28 €
Projet SHADOWS (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2016)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Economic Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Across the member states of the European Union and beyond, paid transactions occur that are not declared to the state for tax, social security and/or labour law purposes when they should be declared. This is not a minority practice and thus tackling undeclared work has become a core issue on the policy agendas of supra-national agencies and governments (European Commission, ILO). Reviewing the literature, it becomes quickly apparent that not only are there two distinct approaches, namely a ‘rational economic actor’ approach that tackles undeclared work by ensuring that payoff from undeclared work is outweighed by the costs, and a ‘social actor’ approach grounded in a view that undeclared work arises when tax morale is low, but also an emergent debate about whether these are complementary or competing approaches. This Fellowship aims to advance knowledge, by evaluating not only the effectiveness of using each approach to reduce undeclared work in different contexts, but also develops new understandings of the most effective overall approach by for the first time analysing interaction effects (between deterrents and tax morale, and vertical and horizontal trust) in various contexts. Considering the ambitious objective of advances a new theory for explaining and tackling the undeclared work, the main focus of the project is to ensure that all four types of triangulation, namely methodological triangulation, data triangulation, theory triangulation and investigator triangulation (interdisciplinary board) are addressed. As such, four extensive datasets are used as well as in-depth interviews in two countries with contrasting contexts of undeclared work (UK and Romania). This project conducted under the supervision of Prof Colin C. Williams, and the Cluster for Research on the Informal Sector and Policy team, will greatly increase our understanding of the undeclared economy and will provide evidence-based policy relevant findings.

Mots clés : undeclared work, institutional theory, tax morale, public policy, european union

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

Across the world, Across the world, Indigenous teacher education programs constitute important sites for the creation of Indigenous language speakers, writers and future language teachers. Such speakers are key agents for the reclamation and revitalization of threatened Indigenous languages. Peru and Norway are interesting sites as both countries have established and support teacher training programs in Indigenous languages. Because of weakened intergenerational transmission of Indigenous languages, and limited opportunities to learn in Indigenous languages in schooling, as is the case with the Quechua language in Peru, youth with a wide range of oral and written Indigenous language abilities enter such programs. Many identify as speakers and writers for the first time in university, but little is known about how gender and Indigeneity shape the higher education trajectories of new minority language speakers and writers. Through ethnographic and participatory fieldwork, this action seeks to understand the experiences of women Quechua speakers in an IBE program in Peru as they become speakers and writers in university. Indigenous research methodologies will guide fieldwork, data collection methods include language portraits, photovoice workshops and a language policy action. BSW will benefit from the supervision of Professor Pia Lane and the support of the Center for Multilingualism in Society across the Lifespan, a Center of Excellence at the University of Oslo. BSW will provide theoretical contributions to the sociolinguistic framework of new speakers and novel multimodal methods for multilingualism research drawing on comparative analysis of data on Quechua and Sámi new speakers in Peru and Norway. A broader objective of this action is to inform Indigenous language revitalization research and practice in Europe and Peru, global social issues that are the focus of the UN International Decade on Indigenous Languages (2022-2032) and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Mots clés : indigenous language revitalization, decolonial theory, indigenous women, language and identity, participatory research

Participants :
- University of Oslo (Norvège) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 202158.72 €
Projet MINERVA (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2014)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Activation of neutrophils by ANCA (“Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasm Antibodies”) and subsequent endothelial cell (EC) damage is the main feature of ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV). There is no specific treatment for AAV to date and 25% of patients evolve towards end-stage renal disease requiring dialysis and renal transplantation. While accumulating data indicate that miRNAs control major biological responses in various cell types including EC and neutrophils and are involved in the pathophysiology of several diseases, their role in AAV has been virtually unexplored. In addition, recent studies have shown that ANCA-activated neutrophils can induce EC damage through the release of microparticles, but while many studies have revealed a critical role for miRNAs secreted within microparticles in intracellular crosstalks, there is no data so far on the role of miRNAs in this process. Here, we propose to identify miRNAs deregulated in neutrophils exposed to ANCA and released in microparticles that promote EC damage in AAV. These miRNAs will be identified using TaqMan Low Density Arrays in ANCA-stimulated neutrophils in vitro and in the microparticles they release, as well as in neutrophils from patients with AAV. To assess whether these miRNAs could be used as biomarkers, their expression will also be analyzed in plasma and urine samples from AAV patients, and correlated with severity and outcome of the disease. The transfer of neutrophil-secreted miRNAs to EC will be assessed in vitro, and the function of these miRNAs in the regulation of EC responses (activation, angiogenesis) will be studied in various functional assays. While miRNAs are emerging as new therapeutic tools for several diseases, this translational study will provide the first data regarding the expression and function of neutrophil miRNAs in AAV and may therefore pave the way for novel promising miRNA-based therapeutic options in these patients.

Mots clés : anca associated vasculitis, mirna, neutrophils, endothelial cells, microparticles

Participants :
- Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (France) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 173076.0 €
Projet SPCOLPS (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2015)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Physics
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Active materials present us with interesting possibilities for the design of materials and devices, yet they also introduce some scientific and technological challenges. In particular, self-propelled colloidal particles or artificial microswimmers have been identified as a new class of matter with great potential, owing to their ability to mimic the collective motion of complex living systems, but also serve as model systems to study intrinsically out-of-equilibrium systems. Moreover, self-propelled particles (SPPs) can strikingly resemble the collective behavior of living microorganisms, by consuming internal energy or extracting energy from their local environment in order to generate their own motion. Despite great progress in developing different types of colloidal microswimmers, obtaining a detailed 3D insight of their collective motion is still elusive with currently available SPPs. The present proposal aims at developing better model systems with tunable propulsion and intends to achieve this by two key ideas: (i) fluorescently labeled, refractive-index and density-matching active spherical particles, to obtain for the first time a detailed real space insight in 3D on a single particle level using confocal microscopy, using tunable light control of the propulsion; (ii) fluorescently labeled self-propelled rods to study how shape anisotropy influences the collective motion. Systematic characterization of the proposed model systems will allow me to study when and how microscopic dynamics affect the macroscopic behavior of internally driven colloidal systems. Our results will shed light on how the dimensionality and shape affects the collective dynamics of SPPs. Potential applications lie in self-coating materials and there will be an increased understanding of the collective dynamics of active systems, with possible insights for biological systems.

Mots clés : self propelled colloids, collective behavior, artificial swimmers, nonequilibrium

Participants :
- Board of the Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology (Suisse) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 175419.6 €
Projet LEUKEMIC-TEs (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2016)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most common of the acute leukemias among adults. Relapsed AML patients are frequent but difficult to treat since effective therapies are limited. This mediocre outcome can be partially explained by the presence of leukemia stem cells (LSC) that maintain an aberrant hematopoietic process. LSC in AML were traditionally thought to be solely CD34+CD38- cells. However, recent studies demonstrated the presence of LSC in cell fractions thought to be non-tumorigenic. Finding an LSC-specific signature would be decisive for a better categorization of patients and LSC exclusive targeting. This project considers the signature of transposable elements (TEs) as an ideal tool for the identification of LSC. TEs, with important roles in gene regulation, are linked to the reprogramming process to pluripotency and they are associated with tumorigenesis. Since they contribute up to two thirds of the human genome, TEs expression provides much denser coverage of chromosomes than gene-derived transcriptome. TEs signature in cancer has so far been largely unexplored per lack of proper technologies. The advent of high-throughput sequencing and the development of TE-directed analytical pipelines allow now the accomplishment of this project. The present proposal includes a comprehensive characterization of TEs transcriptome in normal and malignant hematopoietic precursors. An expected result is the achievement of a better subclassification of AML samples on the basis of their TEs expression homology to normal progenitors. The project will investigate the existence of TE-derived oncoproteins exclusive for LSC that could be immunotherapeutically targeted. This proposal has impact on the excellence of European science since it will create new collaborations and networks to find AML biomarkers. It would bridge academy with industry and will bring invaluable complementary scientific and soft skills to a researcher with an ideal background in cancer epigenetics.

Mots clés : transposable elements, transposcriptome, acute myeloid leukemia, biomarker, stem cells, genome regulation, bioinformatics

Participants :
- Board of the Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology (Suisse) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 175419.6 €