Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-actions-marie-curie-participations-et-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Projet BOLD-NMR (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2017)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Chemistry
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Magic angle spinning solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (MAS-NMR) has proved to be an invaluable tool in the structural and dynamical characterization at atomic resolution of biomolecules that are not suitable for solution NMR or diffraction studies, notably amyloid fibrils. These proteinaceous aggregates are implicated as the cause of many neurodegenerative diseases, such as Huntington’s, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s diseases. Due to severe sensitivity limitations and the difficulty in detecting long-distance contacts in uniformly 13C/15N labelled systems, the characterization of these fibrils has been carried out in-vitro using multiple expensive samples with specific isotopic labelling schemes. In addition, it has been demonstrated that fibrils can adopt various, environment-dependent structures, which result in different levels of toxicity. The global objective of this proposal is to develop a new approach for the structural characterization at atomic resolution of biomolecules, which will be compatible in a long-term vision with native in-situ samples, as for example fibrillar plaque obtained from brain tissue. This would be invaluable in understanding the mechanisms of fibril formation in neurodegenerative diseases. The concrete approach will rely on the use of samples at natural isotopic abundance studied with an emerging hyperpolarization technique ULT-MAS-DNP (Magic Angle Spinning Dynamic Nuclear Polarization at Ultra Low Temperature). The sensitivity of the commercially available MAS-DNP technique will be significantly improved by the combined use of a unique closed-loop He cryostat (allowing ULT) with high-spinning NMR probes. This will routinely afford the sensitivity required for 13C/15N 2D NMR measurements on natural isotopic abundance samples, including the facilitated measurement of inter-molecular distances. This methodology will be applied to solve the structure of challenging poly- glutamine (polyQ) fibrils implicated in Huntington’s disease.

Mots clés : dynamic nuclear polarization, magic angle spinning solid state nmr, polarization agents, amyloid fibrils, polyq fibrils, huntington s disease

Participants :
- Commissariat à l’énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (France) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 173076.0 €
Projet MagicFACE (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2017)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Physics
Statut du projet : CLOSED

MagicFACE deals on the design and investigation of magnetic hybrid metal-organic interfaces by evaporation of organic molecules (phthalocyanines, porphyrins and single molecular magnets) on non-conventional ferromagnetic surface- confined alloys, which contain rare earths atoms and noble metals (Ag and Au). The project aims to give a full description of the electronic and magnetic interaction phenomena that takes places at the hybrid metalorganic interface, exploring the possibility to create highly spin-polarized surfaces to enhance the performance of quantum information processing and organic spintronic devices. Several spectroscopies and microscopies are combined to obtain a comprehensive understanding on how the hybrid metal-organic interface forms and which kind of electronic and magnetic properties it displays. The preparation of the interface will be carried out under ultra-high vacuum conditions and the structure and morphology will be analyzed using Scanning Tunneling Microscopy and Low Energy Electron Diffraction. The electronic characterization includes local Scanning Tunneling Spectroscopy, spatially averaged Photoelectron Spectroscopy and X-ray absorption Spectroscopy. The main goal is to understand the chemistry and the physical processes taking place at the interface: charge transfer, energy level alignment and hybridization effects. Moreover, the study of the magnetic behaviour of the interface will be carried out by means of Spin Polarized Angle Resolved Photoemission and X-ray Magnetic Circular Dichroism, trying to find the effect of the magnetic coupling between the ferromagnetic substrate and organic molecular layer on the spin-dependent electronic properties at the interface.

Mots clés : hybrid interface, molecular physics, surface magnetism, electronic properties

Participants :
- University of the Basque Country (Espagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 170121.6 €
Projet FUNMAH (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2015)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Information Science and Engineering
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Magnetic shape memory alloys (MSMAs) are smart materials which exhibit large shape changes in magnetic field. Novel functionalities of MSMAs, such as mechanically-induced demagnetization, originating from the enlarged magnetic hysteresis (MAH), have recently been introduced by the fellow. The finding opens a new topic in the field and extends significantly the application potential of MSMAs. Large scientific and commercial impact is expected if the research is further pursued. The objective of this project is to build comprehensive understanding of the novel functionalities of MSMAs resulting from the enlarged MAH and to confirm them experimentally. First, we will identify the causes of enlarged MAH in Ni-Mn-Ga-(B) alloys and explain the physical mechanisms underlying the novel functionalities. The acquired knowledge will be used to produce new MSMAs with strengthened novel functionalities. These new alloys will be characterized and used in demo applications built within the project to explain and merchandise the advantages of novel functionalities to industrial community and general public. The project outputs will advance the fields of magnetism, martensite, and MSMAs by explaining the novel functionality paradigm based on interaction of hard ferromagnetic and ferroelastic microstructures. The outputs will be also of practical value, shifting the MSMAs towards new types of practical applications. The Host Institute will enable the fellow an access to unique instrumentation and expertise in magnetism and alloy production while simultaneously will integrate the fellow as a senior researcher. In return, the fellow will bring his unique combined industrial and academic experience in the field of MSMAs as well as new collaborators from Finland, Poland, Germany, and USA. The project boosts the fellow's research skills in experimental physics and initiates his independent research career in the Czech Republic.

Mots clés : magnetic shape memory, magnetic hysteresis, mechanical hysteresis, martensite, functional, material

Participants :
- Czech Academy of Sciences (Rép. Tchèque) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 154720.8 €
Projet EMAGICS (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2018)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Physics
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Magnetoelectric (ME) multiferroics (MFs), materials that can combine ferromagnetism and ferroelectricity, are strong candidates for a wide range of novel hybrid technological applications, such as sensing, energy harvesting, data storage, magnonics, and spintronics, to name a few. Most importantly, the ability to manipulate the magnetization by electric fields leads to simple, cost-effective and energetically sustainable technological strategies. Despite the great efforts of the MF scientific community, the origin of the ME coupling in a series of MF materials still remains ambiguous. Experimental findings may frequently be inconclusive and misinterpreted; therefore a solid theoretical approach is essential for developing further insights in the fundamental physics hidden behind magnetoelectricity. Ni3TeO6 champions both the static and dynamical ME effects among the single-phase MFs. In pursuit of new spin-induced MFs, resembling the celebrated Ni3TeO6, we propose the investigation of a series of compounds of the form M3TeO6 (M=Ni, Mn, Co), with a combination of mixed-valence transition metal anions on the M-site, by employing a combination of first principles calculations of spin dynamics together with experimental spectroscopic investigation. The researcher has experience in spectroscopic techniques for ME MFs, background in first principles calculations, and aims at training in the field of first principles calculations for spin dynamics. The supervisor Prof. Sanvito is an expert in ab initio predictions with atomistic spin dynamics. EMAGICS’ target is to unveil the underlying mechanisms that lead to the enhancement of the ME MF properties, as well as possibly increase the critical temperatures in favour of the applications. Thereafter, EMAGICS will be able to propose the synthesis of new compounds of the family M3TeO6, with a combination of mixed-valence transition metal anions on the M-site, and experimentally explore possible MF performance.

Mots clés : magnons, electromagnons, phonons, density functional theory, atomistic spin dynamics, infrared, raman, terahertz spectroscopy, ferroelectric, antiferromagnetic, dynamical magnetoelectric coupling

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

Magnetotactic bacteria (MTB) produce highly organized chains of magnetite nanoparticles within intracellular membranes called magnetosomes. The alignment of these magnetic nanoparticles endows the bacteria with a substantial magnetic dipole, which it can use in relation to the earth’s magnetic field to navigate its environment. Magnetite nanoparticles of consistent size, composition and shape are produced by MTB through biomineralization processes. The specific morphology of magnetite nanoparticles is species-determined. Magnetite biomineralization and MTB have been of interest for several years as scientists try to understand the chemical mechanism for the highly efficient production of magnetite nanoparticle materials. Harnessing or adopting chemical pathways similar to the bacteria should benefit the production and utility of magnetite nanoparticles for technological advancements in areas such as medical diagnostics and drug delivery nanosystems. This project aims to capture and understand the formation and properties of magnetite nanoparticles within living MTB. This information will be unique from previous studies since biomineralization processes will be followed in vivo and with high-resolution, synchrotron-based spectroscopy techniques. To accomplish this objective, bacterial samples will be hosted in microfluidic sample cells with X-ray transparent cell windows capable of in situ measurement using a combination of X-ray absorption and X-ray scattering spectroscopies. Microfluidic cell design and measurement conditions will be optimized for MTB viability. Elucidating the magnetite biomineralization process and the full formation of magnetosomes within live bacteria will provide unprecedented chemical and structural details without having to destroy the bacteria before measurement.

Mots clés : biomineralization, magnetite, nanoparticles, x ray spectroscopy, biomaterials

Participants :
- Commissariat à l’énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (France) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 173076.0 €
Projet NeSt (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2018)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Social Sciences and Humanities
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Magnitude dimensions such as space, time, and numerosity represent fundamental aspects of the external world. A correct perception of these dimensions is needed to understand the spatial properties of the environment and navigate through it, its temporal structure, cause-effect relations, and duration of events, and the number of objects that are present in the visual scene. As magnitude dimensions share similar properties and are often intertwined in the perceptual environment, they are thought to share a similar neural mechanism called the generalized magnitude system. However, while object and events in the space surrounding us usually appear as stable, embedded in a seamless stream of perception, neuronal activity is usually very noisy, and biological sensors like the eye are unstable due to continuous movements. Visual magnitude representation is thus subject to the noisiness of neuronal processing. How does the brain achieve such a remarkable stability despite the noisy nature of its complex machinery? The goal of this proposal is to investigate the brain processes ensuring the stability and continuity of visual magnitude information, using psychophysical, electroencephalography (EEG), and brain stimulation techniques (TMS). Recent studies suggest that to achieve perceptual stability and continuity the brain integrates visual information over time, giving rise to perceptual biases known as serial dependence. While serial dependence has been linked to stability and investigated across several domains, little is known about how magnitude information is stabilized and whether a generalized stability mechanism exists. By taking an interdisciplinary approach, NeSt thus aims to address these issues from a novel perspective and shed new light on the mechanisms ensuring continuity and stability of spatial, temporal, and numerical information.

Mots clés : visual stability, visual perception, magnitude perception, perceptual continuity, serial dependence, numerosity perception, time perception, object size perception

Participants :
- Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati (Italie) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 171473.28 €
Projet SAWE (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2018)
Action : European Researchers' Night
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Main objectives of Sawe project are to bring researchers to the public, increase awareness of researcher’s profession, an important role in society and the impact of their work on our safe daily live with special attention to inspire the young to embark science careers. Sawe activities will bring closer to the public, especially to youngster, also the human, caring face of scientists with sense for humor and fun. For that purpose, we will implement awareness campaign with pre-events, “Stand-up Science” in 2018, 2019 and public-call for (pre)schoolchildren. On the last September, Fridays in 2018 (att. Cultural Heritage) and 2019 ERN will be organized with renewed programs in the festive and fun atmosphere. All Sawe events program activities aim at offering the public at large especially the young an opportunity to cooperate and socialize with researchers in a relaxed atmosphere. They include experiments, presentations, astronomy observations, workshops, researchers’ rock bands performed by researchers and students. Rawe ERN events will take place in Ljutomer, Maribor, Brežice, Koper, and Izola. Traditional cooperation of the primary and secondary schools’ winning teams of research and innovative projects in the frame of Youth for Maribor Progress (financed by Maribor Municipality) enable most promising youngsters to inspire their fellows and connect with the real scientists. The »European corners« will be in the heart of every RN location: Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellows' witnesses, information how one can become a researcher, EC’s various actions, programs, actions (incl. HRS4R, RESAVER) to present how EU cares about its researchers. Finally, yet importantly, the impact assessment includes pre-study and research prior and after events using a paper-pencil method. The impact assessment foresees intercultural comparison of results after using the same methodology as selected ERN leading partners: Prona-Montenegro, the Maastricht University and the University of Latvia.

Mots clés : raising awareness, researcher, profession, multiple careers, msca fellows, science, experiments, socializing, festive spirit, public, young

Participants :
- Gimnazija franca miklosica ljutomer (Slovénie) — Partner, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 20500.0 €
- University of Maribor (Slovénie) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 94734.75 €
- University of Primorska (Slovénie) — Partner, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 42585.0 €
Projet SciFe (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2016)
Action : European Researchers' Night
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Main objectives of the SciFe proposal is to bring researchers to the general public, to inspire youngster to embark on scientific careers, to increase awareness of importance of research and innovation activities, with a view to supporting the public recognition of researchers creating an understanding of the impact of researchers' work on citizen's daily life. For that purpose the awareness campaign (AC) to convey messages under the slogan “Science for Life” will be used in 2016 and 2017. On Fridays 30.9.’16 and 29.9.’17 SciFe events will be organized with renewed programs in festive and fun atmosphere in Ljutomer, Maribor, Brežice, Ljubljana, Koper, Izola and Nova Gorica. All SciFe events’ activities aim at offering the public at large an opportunity to cooperate in fascinating experiments, demonstrations, observations etc., to socialize and have fun with researchers in a relaxed atmosphere. The program is appropriate for public in general, regardless their scientific program and especially designed for youngest. SciFe programs’ red line is contribution of science to life in various aspects. The »European corner« will be prepared in the heart of every RN location: the visitors will be offered information on EC’s various actions and programs, EU material, “the Charter and the Code”, information how young people can become researchers and Framework Program witness’s experiences. Intensive awareness campaign is designed according to its main target. The rich communication mix includes active engagement of the young people through the public call targeting primary and secondary schools. Last but not least, the impact assessment will focus to measure the success and the impact of SciFe activities. All that will be achieved through consortium management of all WPs and harmonised communication mix with general public which takes into account existing recognition of the RN event in certain region and its number of inhabitants.

Mots clés : profession, researcher, young, general public, awareness, stereotypes, eu funding, research, innovation, edutainment

Participants :
- University of Maribor (Slovénie) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 59825.75 €
- National Institute of Biology (Slovénie) — Partner, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 10000.0 €
- University of Nova Gorica (Slovénie) — Partner, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 29250.0 €
- University of Primorska (Slovénie) — Partner, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 53368.75 €
- Gimnazija franca miklosica ljutomer (Slovénie) — Partner, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 6550.0 €
Projet CAiPSC (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2015)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Maintaining a stable karyotype is essential for the use of pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) in regenerative medicine and translational and basic research. Although around 10-30% of PSC lines present karyotypic abnormalities, the molecular mechanisms underlying this genomic instability are largely unknown. Centromeres, the chromosomal loci that drive chromosome segregation are central to mitotic fidelity. Maintenance of centromeres in somatic cells is tightly cell cycle coupled, as centromeric chromatin assembly is strictly dependent on G1 phase transition. PSCs have an atypical cell cycle structure with truncated gap phases and proliferate at unusually rapid rates. How this affects mitotic fidelity in general, centromere assembly in particular and consequently, genomic stability is an essential question in reprogramming biology. The aim of this multifaceted project is to determine the mechanisms regulating proper chromosome segregation during somatic cell reprogramming to induced PSCs (iPSCs). By combining fluorescent labelling techniques, high-end microscopy and genome-wide analysis, this project will determine the mechanisms of centromere assembly and inheritance in PSCs, the consequences of genome-wide remodelling of chromatin marks during reprogramming on the stable epigenetic propagation of centromeric chromatin and how functional modulation of key centromere assembly factors affect mitotic fidelity. This project capitalises on the unique combination of the researcher’s experience in stem cell biology and iPSC technology and the extensive expertise in the biology of human mitosis and centromere function of the host lab. The results of this study will provide direct insight into how chromosomal segregation is controlled in PSCs and most importantly during reprogramming, which will advance our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the genomic instability of these cells and contribute to the development of strategies to obtain better and more robust iPSCs.

Mots clés : reprogramming, genomic instability, centromere biology

Participants :
- Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation (Portugal) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 148635.6 €
Projet GLoopID (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2019)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Maintenance of genome stability is challenged by obstacles that interfere with normal progression of essential DNA-associated transactions, such as DNA replication and transcription. One such obstacle is the G-quadruplex (G4) DNA secondary structure, which can form in G-rich repetitive DNA sequences. Transcribed G4-DNA loci often co-exist with stable RNA-DNA hybrids (R-loops), potentially causing deleterious transcription-replication conflicts (TRCs). Therefore, the ability of cells to mitigate TRCs formation is critical for cell and organismal fitness. While the pathways involved in repairing other DNA lesions are relatively well understood, the mechanisms by which cells respond to G4/R-loop-induced TRCs remain uncharted, largely due to a lack of efficient approaches for inducing site-specific G4s/R-loops into the genome. Several studies reported dedicated helicases capable of unwinding G4s/R-loops, yet whether additional factors exist and how different types of TRCs are resolved remains unknown. In this project, I aim to dissect the fundamental mechanisms that protect cells from TRCs at DNA loci harbouring G4s/R-loops. To do so, I will establish a novel system with site-specific G4/R-loop substrates in living cells and I will systematically investigate their protein composition to identify novel factors in G4/R-loop metabolism. I will further examine the genetic vulnerabilities of candidate G4/R-loop helicase-deficient cells and the regulatory mechanisms underlying G4/R-loop unwinding by these helicases. As mutations in several G4/R-loop helicases predispose to various cancers and genetic disorders, a detailed understanding of the basic mechanisms controlling G4/R-loop removal is of utmost importance, and will shed light on disease aetiology and the rational development of more targeted therapeutic strategies.

Mots clés : transcription replication conflicts, g quadruplex, r loops, dna replication, helicases, rtel1, atrx, setx, telomeres, turboid proteomics, loss of function genetic screens, mechanistic analysis

Participants :
- The Francis Crick Institute (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 224933.76 €