Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-actions-marie-curie-participations-et-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Projet ARGOS (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2024)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : SIGNED

As acoustic reporter genes (ARGs), gas vesicles (GVs) have recently seen a rapid rise in biomedical interest with applications including non-invasive diagnostics and treatment. Gas filled protein nanostructures, GVs are unique, genetically encodable microbubbles that provide a stable ultrasound contrast handle. Due to their complex assembly inside of cells, the use of GVs is currently constricted to a number of wild-type, minimally engineered gene clusters and the range of cells they can be deployed to is limited. By contrast, fluorescent proteins (FPs) as optical reporter genes can readily be deployed to any biological context and decades of protein engineering have imbued them with an expansive array of colors, improved brightness, and sophisticated applications. In this action, we aim to parallel the immense development achieved for FPs and overcome the limitations of re-engineering gas vesicles by linking their successful assembly in yeast cells to a clear optical readout, unlocking high throughput screening by FACS. Utilizing this platform, we will screen libraries of modularly assembled GV gene clusters for successful expression in S. cerevisiae. The Sc2.0 synthetic yeast genome platform will then enable the evolution of yeast genomes for superior GV assembly pathways using SCRaMbLE. Our novel GV gene clusters will be targeted for carefully guided directed (co-)evolution of one or multiple GV genes to develop synthetic GVs that provide improved contrast and phenotypes to expand their applications. To facilitate the swift engineering of ARGs for novel applications, we will obtain next-generation sequencing and single-cell RNA sequencing data of our GV genes and evolved yeast genomes to develop a deeper sequence to function understanding of GV expression in eukaryotes. This action, ARGOS, “Acoustic Reporter Gene Overhaul in Saccharomyces”, will prepare the next generation of GVs for researchers to peer beyond the limits of optical imaging.

Mots clés : gas vesicles, directed evolution, scramble, acoustic reporter gene, protein nanostructures

Participants :
- Université de Cambridge (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 260347.92 €
Projet FASTLISBAT (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2024)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Chemistry
Statut du projet : SIGNED

The EU Green Deal Action Plan identifies electric vehicles (EVs) as key to reducing emissions from transportation. Adoption of EVs is closely linked to progress in rechargeable battery technology. While lithium ion (Li-ion) batteries dominate the EV market, there is a need to develop safe batteries that provide high energy density, fast charging, and are free of expensive metals such as Ni/Mn/Co – as outlined in “Battery 2030+” roadmap. Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries are promising for beyond Li-ion battery technology because they possess high theoretical specific energy density of 2600 Wh kg-1. This, combined with the fact that Li-S batteries use earth abundant materials with readily available supply chain, makes them the most viable technology for achieving batteries with energy densities exceeding 500 Wh kg-1. The major challenges facing of Li-S batteries that have hindered their commercialization are sluggish reaction kinetics, lithium polysulfide shuttling, and unstable lithium metal anode. The project addresses these challenges and aims to realize practical and safe Li-S batteries with energy densities of 500 Wh kg-1, stable cycling, and fast charging based on recent discoveries by the applicant and the host laboratory. The MSCA-PF in the host group will allow the applicant to make significant research progress and develop soft skills that will significantly enhance the applicant’s career prospects.

Mots clés : lithium sulfur, lithium metal anode, quasi solid state electrolyte, fast charging, practical pouch cells, in situ characterization, micro optical cell, in situ cell

Participants :
- Université de Cambridge (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 260347.92 €
Projet BodyPlus (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2024)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Social Sciences and Humanities
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Adding an artificial body part could expand our motor abilities. But can our brain develop an integrated multisensory representation of an extra limb in addition to our own body? In BodyPlus, we will explore whether the brain can extend our body representation to incorporate an additional robotic thumb, known as the Third Thumb. We will compare participants’ behaviour and brain responses before and after a 4-day training period where they learn to control the Third Thumb. In Work Package 1 (WP1), we will use two behavioural paradigms to determine whether participants develop novel sensorimotor links through training. Specifically, we will examine whether participants learn to integrate touch location with posture, and sensory information with movement predictions. We will use computational modelling to identify behavioural biases indicative of optimal Bayesian integration. In WP2, we will scan participants using fMRI as they control the Third Thumb. We will compare conditions where the Thumb’s movement matches or doesn’t match the movements participants learned during training, allowing us to identify brain regions that integrate Third Thumb movement with sensory predictions. Furthermore, we will use brain decoding to determine if the newly acquired representation of the Third Thumb compares with the representation of participants' own right thumb, or of a familiar tool. In WP3, we will examine how participants behaviour changes when we remove key sensory inputs, which were available during motor training, or modify the expected movement of the Third Thumb. This will allow us to determine the resilience and generalisability of the newly formed Third Thumb representation. Overall, BodyPlus will identify the key components that the brain uses to develop a new body representation. This knowledge will guide us to design additional body parts that can seamlessly integrate with our movements and provide new ways to interact with the world.

Mots clés : cognitive neuroscience, body representation, sensorimotor, touch, prosthetic devices, fmri, mvpa, artificial limbs, somatosensory, hand, perception, action, augmentation, motor control, movement

Participants :
- Université de Cambridge (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 260347.92 €
Projet LUNGMAC (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2024)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Human tissue-macrophages demonstrate diverse functions and distinct transcriptomic profiles across organs. They are imprinted by the local tissue environment and contribute to the tissue development, homeostasis, and regeneration. The embryonic macrophages begin to infiltrate the human lung as early as seven post conception weeks (pcw). However, the mechanisms that govern lung macrophage specification and their contribution to human lung development remain poorly understood. This project aims to dissect the cell-intrinsic gene regulatory networks (GRNs), spatial distribution patterns, and signaling pathways regulating the interactions of macrophages and the human developing lung (7–22 pcw). These aims will be achieved by combining single-cell multiomic analysis, high-resolution microscopy, and signaling perturbation using novel 3D tissue models. First, this project will determine the GRNs controlling the identity of fetal lung macrophages by employing multiomic analysis tools. Second, the spatial-temporal maps of macrophages in the fetal lung will be generated using high-resolution light sheet fluorescence microscopy to investigate the distribution patterns and specific cellular niche(s). Lastly, this study will establish novel complex lung tissue models to investigate the underlying mechanisms regulating lung-macrophage interactions. These complementary techniques will expand our knowledge of human tissue macrophage specification and functions, providing insights to the field of both lung and macrophage biology.

Mots clés : tissue resident macrophage human lung development human 3d tissue model whole mount tissue imaging single cell multiomic analysis

Participants :
- Université de Cambridge (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 260347.92 €
Projet valence_to_behaviour (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2024)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Approach or avoidance of meaningful stimuli with positive or negative valence underlie many adaptive, goal-directed behaviours. Stimulus valence can be innate or learned upon experience, and both must be integrated continuously to guide behaviour in each moment. In the insect brain, this integration occurs in the convergence of two pathways, encoding innate and learned valences, the lateral horn and the mushroom body, respectively. Prior research has focused on encoding stimulus identity separately for innate or learned valence and learned behaviour initiation. However, insights into the interaction and integration of innate and learned valences are sparse. Deploying the available synaptic-level connectome of the entire Drosophila larva brain, I will implement the first whole-brain model to dynamically investigate processing from sensory input to behaviour. After creating the network architecture from the connectome, I will fit the model parameters using calcium imaging data that quantifies the response of key neurons in the valence integration circuit to sensory stimuli before, during, and after learning. Using the resulting comprehensive model, I will investigate the mechanisms of valence integration and examine the contributions of innate and learned valence in each moment. This multidisciplinary approach combines the complementary benefits of model and lab experiments. I will use the model to infer the functional roles of individual circuit components. Predictions from these simulations will be tested in naturalistic experiments using camera tracking of freely behaving larvae to quantify changes in approach and avoidance behaviour to sensory stimuli before, during, and after learning as proxies for innate and learned valence. Optogenetic activation or inactivation of neurons will allow me to test model predictions directly.  This project aims to understand how stored and new information about sensory stimuli interact to influence animal behaviour jointly.

Mots clés : learning and memory, associative learning, learned preference, innate preference, adaptive behaviour, reinforcement prediction, insect, mushroom body, valence integration

Participants :
- Université de Cambridge (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 260347.92 €
Projet TRACE (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2024)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : SIGNED

The trans-Golgi network (TGN) serves as a central sorting station of membrane traffic standing at the intersection of secretory and endocytic pathways, a feature that is now proposed to be a common trait between plant, yeast and animal cells. The multi-identity of TGN relies on its partitioning in subdomains but, due to the lack of resolution in conventional microscopy, it is still poorly understood how TGN subdomains relate dynamically to each other, or acquire their identity, and how they achieve the sorting of a variety of cargo proteins to different destinations. The applicant previously identified of at least two subdomains, one labeled by the R-SNARE VAMP721 and the coat protein AP-1 and that is involved in secretory trafficking, and another labeled by VAMP727 and AP-4 and that is involved in vacuolar trafficking. The host lab previously demonstrated by lipidomic analyses that sphingolipids with very long chain fatty acid were enriched in Q-SNARE SYP61-labelled TGN compartments and were critical for polar sorting of the auxin carrier PIN2 to apical plasma membrane. The goal of this project is now to join forces, expertise and scientific networks to gain from each other and tackle the challenging questions of: 1) what is the exact structure of TGN, how are TGN subdomains spatially arranged between each other and how do they behave dynamically, this will be addressed by super-resolution microscopy, 2) what is the proteo-lipidic composition of TGN subdomains and what is the role of lipids in TGN partitioning, 3) how the identified subdomains are functionally important for cargo sorting and trafficking to different destination by employing a novel pulse-chase method. This project is timely, realistic, focused and represents a unique combination of expertise from the applicant in super-resolution 3D live imaging of TGN subdomains and the host lab in TGN-mediated trafficking, lipid analytical biochemistry and super-resolution imaging.

Mots clés : plant, arabidopsis thaliana, membrane traffic, trans golgi network, organelle subdomain, super resolution imaging, lipidomics

Participants :
- Université de Bordeaux (France) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 242260.56 €
Projet FOCUS-6G (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2024)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Information Science and Engineering
Statut du projet : SIGNED

FOCUS-6G’s objective is to power real-time applications in 6G by effectively driving the convergence of the physical and the digital world and thus enabling seamless real-time interactions. To this end, this project aims to develop a framework for goal-oriented characterization of real-time requirements and leverage it for designing optimal real-time transmission strategies, thereby making the network perceptive in nature. Pertinently, the project will effectuate a paradigm shift in how we approach and overcome the challenges of two critical aspects of the envisioned perceptive network: responsiveness of the network and the reliability of communication between its constituent elements. With repsect to responsiveness, moving beyond the current state-of-the-art, firstly, instead of assuming resource intensive ultra-stringent latency targets as the timing requirement; which will be ineffective for 6G applications; this project will parameterize real-time requirements based on the specific goals of the application. Secondly, the project will incorporate timing elements associated with processing and computation operations, providing a comprehensive view of timing needs. Finally, the project will develop a framework to determine the temporal ordering (simultaneity and causality) of events reported by multiple devices, which will be crucial for ensuring network’s perceptivity and responsiveness. On the reliability front, firstly, the project will employ grant-free access protocols, allowing devices to transmit instantaneously. To manage the interference inherent in grant-free methods, rate-splitting multiple access (RSMA) mechanism will be innovatively leveraged to deal with the interference between multiple devices, and imperatively, between digital and sensing data. Subsequently, joint optimization of the timing requirement and resource allocation will be pursued to devise real-time transmission strategies to effectuate real-time interactions for 6G applications.

Mots clés : goal oriented communications, perceptive mobile networks, sensing and localisation, 6g, optimisation

Participants :
- Université d'Aalborg (Danemark) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 247553.28 €
Projet FIBRE (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2021)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Economic Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

FIBRE Project (FIrms’ Behaviour in Rough Environments) aims to analyse how firms’ optimal behaviour changes in contexts affected by distortions related to the presence of organised crime or inefficient public procurement, and to measure the resulting welfare losses. How firm activity matters for long-rung growth and prosperity and the importance of the allocation of productive resources across firms as crucial determinant of aggregate output and productivity are topics that have been widely explored in the economic literature. Yet, there is still limited research examining the specific sources of market distortions. FIBRE aims to fill this gap examining two possible sources of market distortions: organised crime and inefficient public procurement to firms. FIBRE answers two crucial questions: (i) how the infiltration of organised crime impact firms’ behaviour and, in turn, shape aggregate outcomes; (ii) whether the efficiency through which a public resource is provided impacts firms’ behaviour and, consequently, implies aggregate costs. Answering these questions is of key importance for national and transnational policy makers in their efforts to guarantee a stable economic growth. FIBRE is grounded on my competence in analysing theoretically and empirically firms’ behaviour in hostile environments, combining reduced-form analysis and structural econometrics tools, and the expertise of my host supervisor at the Bocconi’s research unit CLEAN on the economic effects of organised crime. This Fellowship will strengthen my research skills, reinforcing my professional maturity as senior assistant professor and external consultant. FIBRE will create high-quality new knowledge on the economic consequences of organised crime and inefficient public procurement systems, in line with the most recent EU initiatives.

Mots clés : aggregate loss organised crime public procurement policy recommendations network

Participants :
- Université Bocconi (Italie) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 188590.08 €
Projet SoundTrack-HF (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2024)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Information Science and Engineering
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Heart failure (HF) is a chronic condition which tremendously impacts the life quality and expectancy of the patient as well as the healthcare system. The main responsible are acute episodes of decompensation, which are difficult to promptly detect because signs and symptoms occur late in the process. It was previously proved that changes in the hemodynamic parameters anticipate acute episodes by weeks, and their monitoring could be leveraged to predict and prevent the episode itself. Nevertheless, at date, this can only be performed via invasive sensors, which limit the target population to patients with severe HF. SoundTrack-HF targets this gap in the technology for HF monitoring. The goal of SoundTrack-HF is to design, implement and validate an end-to-end system for the non-invasive monitoring of the status of compensation of HF patients using heart sounds (HS). The project grounds on the use of a novel prototype enabling the self-recording of HS by the patient in a homecare setting. Cross-sectional and longitudinal data will be obtained from HF patients at their domicile. Time-related biomarkers related to the hemodynamic functionality will be extracted from the signals and validated against a gold standard (echocardiography). On one side, the patho-physiological spatio-temporal changes in the parameters will be modelled and interpreted in relation to the status of compensation of the patient. On the other side, an explainable AI-based acute episode predictor will be developed and used to extract novel knowledge about the relationship between HS and HF. At the end, signal- and AI-extracted knowledge will be integrated into a final predictor. SoundTrack-HF is a highly interdisciplinary project. Its innovation resides in the development and validation of groundbreaking algorithmic solutions which, by leveraging a completely novel hardware, will disrupt the standard practice in auscultation and move it to the next level for domicile monitoring.

Mots clés : heart failure, home monitoring, personalized medicine, biomedical signal processing, decision support system, explainable ai, knowledge extraction, heart sounds, cardiac time intervals

Participants :
- Institut d'ingénierie des systèmes et de l'informatique, de technologie et de science (Portugal) — Partner, associated partner, Recherche, subvention : 0.0 €
- Université d'Aalborg (Danemark) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 247553.28 €
Projet SSiON-ACSENT (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2024)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Information Science and Engineering
Statut du projet : SIGNED

The SSiON-ACSENT project seeks to advance sodium-ion battery (SIB) technology by addressing key challenges such as limited lifespan, low energy density, and slow charging rates. By developing high-performance anode and cathode architectures incorporating single-atom catalysts (SACs) on MXene, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), and bio-derived carbon, the project aims to significantly enhance battery performance. These SACs, through precise d-orbital tuning and heteroatom coordination, improve metal ion adsorption and conversion kinetics, thereby boosting overall battery performance. The anticipated outcomes align with the European Commission's ambitious climate strategy, targeting climate neutrality by 2050 while reducing dependence on critical raw materials. SIBs, leveraging sodium's abundance and environmental benefits, represent a sustainable alternative to lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Pre-commercial SIBs have demonstrated energy densities around 160 Wh/kg, but SSiON-ACSENT aims to raise this range to 200-350 Wh/kg (an increase of 25-118%), with an improved cycle life of 5000-8000 cycles (a 25-100% improvement) and enhanced safety. By integrating SACs into 3D porous structures, the project focuses on improving Na-ion intercalation, optimizing electrode-electrolyte interfaces, and accelerating ion transport, overcoming the current limitations of SIB technology. This research directly supports the Horizon Europe mission for affordable, clean energy and aligns with the European Green Deal and MSCA Green Charter by promoting sustainability and responsible consumption. The innovations within the project contribute to advancing energy storage solutions and transitioning toward sustainable energy systems.

Mots clés : nanomaterials sodium ion batteries sustainable energy storage single atom catalysts battery testing in situ diagnostics theoretical insights

Participants :
- Université d'Uppsala (Suède) — Partner, associated partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €
- Université d'Aalborg (Danemark) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 263393.28 €