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

Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) offer high quality education from the worlds' top universities in a wide range of areas. MOOCs can be freely accessed by millions around the world via a valid Internet connection; however not every individual accessing MOOCs equally benefits from them. The dropout of learners with limited or no background is inevitable as instructors cannot monitor every student and provide timely formative feedback and guidance tailored to their unique needs. As a result, MOOC learners cannot receive feedback on their progress/work to improve and complete the course. Thus, feedback, which is imperative to learning, is troublesome in MOOCs. This project aims to advance the understanding of feedback phenomenon at massive learning scale and improve the current MOOC practice in this regard. This project comprises three research objectives. First one is to develop guidelines for enabling effective feedback exchange among MOOC learners and use these guidelines to design an intelligent peer feedback system called WL@S. Second objective is to advance current knowledge on MOOC learners’ engagement in feedback exchange by exploring their activities in and experiences of using WL@S, examining the impact of the guidelines (embodied in WL@S), and identifying the influential factors. Third objective is to support the MOOC students’ learning and performance through timely provision of feedback and to identify the role of students’ background and learning characteristics. To achieve the research objectives, framed as educational design research, this research involves two iterations of intervention in real MOOC contexts, involving close collaboration with instructors at the host (using focus group). The proposed research and training activities will enhance the career prospects of the researcher and offer significant value to the host. This project is in line with the EU strategy for supporting education and training in Europe and beyond.

Mots clés : mooc, machine learning, data mining, peer feedback, intelligent learning systems, learning analytics, technology enhanced learning, formative feedback

Participants :
- University of Valladolid (Espagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 158121.6 €
Projet BinCosmos (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2014)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Physics
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Massive stars, i.e. stars that are up to million times brighter than ordinary stars such as our Sun, play many important roles in astrophysics. They can be considered as (I) Cosmic Engines as they transformed the pristine and dark Universe left after the Big Bang into the modern Universe in which we live today. We use them as (II) Cosmic Probes to study the most distant galaxies and we monitor their eruptions and explosions as (III) Cosmic Transients. As a result, various fields in astrophysics heavily rely on the input of stellar models. Unfortunately, the widely used models are out-dated: they consider massive stars to be single. Recently, large observing campaigns with world-class telescopes provided quantitative showing that the large majority of massive stars will interact with a close binary companion (e.g. Sana & de Mink et. al. Science 2012). This project aims to investigate and quantify how binarity affects the many roles that massive stars played throughout cosmic time. Apart from a few pioneering studies, the exploration of these effects is still in its infancy. Progress has been hampered by (I) the challenging nature of the computations, (II) the many uncertainties in the models and until recently (III) the lack of observational constraints. I propose to overcome these challenges by adopting an unique and innovative approach that combines the strengths of three highly complementary state-of-the art computational tools that will be confronted directly with observational data. I demonstrated the feasibility and high impact of this approach to derive the urgently needed constraints on the impact of binarity on stellar populations in exploratory studies (De Mink et al. 2013, 2014). In this effort I will strongly benefit from my large international network as well as the complementary expertise at the institute in Amsterdam.

Mots clés : massive stars, stellar evolution, interacting binaries, feedback, chemical evolution, supernovae

Participants :
- University of Amsterdam (Pays-Bas) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 165598.8 €
Projet MathControl (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2019)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Social Sciences and Humanities
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Mathematics is essential for functioning in the 21st century. Critically, heterogeneity of math skills is well documented, with profound consequences for educational and professional outcomes. Heterogeneity in cognitive skills is likely due to variability of several features in multiple brain systems throughout development. Yet, the characterization of these systems and their contribution to heterogeneity of math skills is still in its infancy. Building on the applicant's previous studies on functional brain plasticity during math learning, the present project combines state-of-the-art neuroimaging methods with cognitive paradigms in the context of a longitudinal design, to assess the underappreciated contribution of domain-general prefrontal brain systems to individual differences in math performance, over a critical stage of math development. This study tests the specific hypothesis that shifts in math problem-solving strategies, gradually favoring one -efficient- strategy over multiple -laborious- ones, is supported by the successful development of multiple structural and functional features of dedicated neurocognitive systems for cognitive control, anchored in the dorsal frontal-parietal cognitive control, and the insula-cingulate salience networks. Furthermore, this study tests, for the first time, the contribution of adverse environmental factors to these processes. The simultaneous investigation of biological, cognitive and environmental contributions to math performance over a critical developmental stage represents a significant step towards the early identification of individuals at risk for math deficits and propels novel ways for developing ad-hoc educational programs. Critically, this project is set to have a crucial impact on the applicant's career by broadening her theoretical and methodological skills, promoting her transition to independency, and by situating her as an international leader in a novel, interdisciplinary, translational field.

Mots clés : arithmetic learning, cognitive control, brain networks, cognitive strategies, neuroplasticity, educational neuroscience

Participants :
- Centre national de la recherche scientifique (France) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 116953.92 €
Projet MELANCHOR (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2017)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Mechanical forces play crucial roles in the formation and maturation of many organelles and membrane vesicles. Many of these forces originate in the action of cytoskeletal motors, but how these motors are activated and how their mechanical functions are regulated in the cell are poorly understood. Rather than being “always on” machines, motors must often be specifically activated for distinct mechanical roles by partners. The MELANCHOR project seeks to uncover how Myosin VI (Myo6) promotes two cell processes through specific interaction with partners that promote different Myo6 dimerisation modes with unique mechanical properties. Myo6:GIPC1 complexes aid in endosomal trafficking through the actin cortex while Myo6:Optineurin complexes promote melanosome biogenesis through a membrane recycling pathway. Two complementary approaches will uncover the functions of Myo6. (1) Optogenetic tools will control Myo6 targeting to endosomes or melanosomes in live cells, with simultaneous functional imaging, to precisely localize the effect of Myo6 in space and time. (2) Novel in vitro motility methods will determine the effect of different Myo6 partners on Myo6 activation and mechanics under tension. Finally, a combined approach will address the mechanical role of Myo6 in these organelles– whether it is a tension-bearing anchor, transporter or weak tether. The MELANCHOR project raises the exciting prospect of using optogenetic tools to provide real-time information on subcellular mechanics. By integrating cellular and in vitro approaches to measure the tension in individual Myo6 motors, an unprecedented level of detail on the cellular function of motors will be made possible. These novel techniques will help shed light on motor function in processes such as intracellular trafficking, cell migration, and cancer cell proliferation, invasion and metastasis.

Mots clés : myosins, actin cytoskeleton, intracellular trafficking, endocytosis, melanosome biogenesis, optogenetics, live cell imaging, cell motility, mechanobiology

Participants :
- Institut Curie (France) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 185076.0 €
Projet HEAT-WHEAT (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2015)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Meeting the needs for a growing food security in a changing climate is currently one the key challenges for agricultural research, particularly the impact of heat waves on food production. Photosynthesis is arguably the greatest contributor to crop yield and its reduction will severely affect food production. Photosynthesis is highly susceptible to even moderately elevated temperatures and susceptibility can be in large part attributed to the enzyme Rubisco activase (RCA), one of the least thermostable photosynthesis proteins and the principal activation partner for the photosynthetic core enzyme Rubisco, that drives carbon fixation and hence growth. Considering the susceptibility of RCA to moderate and severe heat stress and its important role in photosynthesis, the need to improve its thermostability is paramount. In this project, we intend to manipulate RCA in order to enhance the photosynthetic performance, and therefore yield potential, of wheat. We intend to achieve this through sourcing and transfer of heatstable variants of RCA from relatives of wheat that have evolved in hot climates. We will identify the genetic diversity responsible for improving the thermostability of RCA through a combination of comparative bioinformatics, newly developed and refined high throughput Rubisco activation assays. State-of-the-art mutational techniques will be used to further modify wheat RCA to create RCA variants with superior thermostability and optimal activity. Improved variants of wheat RCA will be incorporated into elite wheat germplasm by means of genetic modification and breeding programs. This highly refined, technologically advanced and interdisciplinary approach has the potential to dramatically improve yield production in wheat under future climate scenarios. Furthermore, gains to the technical skill-set and the industrial setting of the research will further the fellow`s objective of having a successful scientific research career in industry.

Mots clés : photosynthesis, wheat, heat stress

Participants :
- BASF (Germany) (Belgique) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Organismes privés (hors enseignement), subvention : 7200.0 €
- Bayer (Belgium) (Belgique) — Partner, beneficiary, Organismes privés (hors enseignement), subvention : 165600.0 €
Projet SAC_EarlyEmbryo (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2014)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Meiotic divisions in the oocyte have been shown to be surprisingly error-prone compared to the reliable chromosome segregation that takes place in dividing somatic cells. The high frequency of chromosomal abnormalities found in pre-implantation embryos in mammals coupled with the fact that the first divisions of the embryo resembles meiosis in several aspects suggests that the mechanisms controlling chromosome segregation, most importantly the spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC), only become fully operational after the transition from meiosis to mitosis during early development. Despite the importance for early embryonic development, the sensitivity of mammalian embryos to light and the absence of a functional reporter of the SAC in mice have precluded real-time imaging of chromosome segregation and its control in the first embryonic divisions. Recent advances in light sheet microscopy in the Ellenberg lab now allow me to study chromosome segregation. In addition, in collaboration with the EMBL Transgenic Facility I will be able to rapidly generate the first SAC reporter mice that will permit me to test the checkpoint functionality up to the blastocyst stage. Taking advantage of this unique opportunity to combine new technology with a novel reporter animal model, I plan to study how the SAC changes from meiosis to the first embryonic divisions of blastocysts. To this end, I will analyze SAC signalling and dynamics and assess whether the robustness of the SAC increases with development. My project aims to improve our understanding of chromosome segregation during mammalian pre-implantation development, and therefore the results of my research will be important to shed light on the molecular causes of aneuploidy in the early embryo, fundamental for our understanding of infertility and to improve the process of in vitro fertilization.

Mots clés : spindle assembly checkpoint, oocyte, pre implantation embryo, meiosis, mitosis, laser nanosurgery, chromosome mis segregation

Participants :
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory (Allemagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 159460.8 €
Projet Graphene Membranes (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2014)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Physics
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Membranes offer effective solutions for a wide range of separation processes, such as desalination, water treatment, air filtering, biomolecular detection and gas separation. Despite their effectiveness versus other separation methods, the conventional membrane concept is based on either long and tortuous pores, or solution-diffusion, both limiting the permeation rates and causing fouling. A new paradigm to overcome this limit is to use atomically-thin pores, which do not exert any hindering force during permeation, yielding ballistic mass transport. Recent advances in graphene technology enabled the realization of this new concept, and indeed, our recent work has demonstrated ballistic gas transport through graphene pores covering a sub-mm area (Science 344 (6181) 289, (2014)). In this proposal, we focus on this atomically-thin membrane concept, and aim to: (1) develop methods to obtain cm-scale, fiber-frame-supported graphene membrane with sub-10-nm pores, achieving several orders of magnitude faster permeation compared to the best gas separation membranes; and (2) narrow-down the graphene pore diameter to sub-2-nm, and thus demonstrate ballistic molecular sieving for the first time. This project will be a key step to develop the next generation industrial membranes, replacing polymers and other conventional materials by graphene, thus promising significant economic impact. Meanwhile, scientifically, the nanoporous platforms obtained here can also enable the study of nanoscale mass transport phenomena, quantum nanofluidics, and biomolecular sorting and detection.

Mots clés : membranes, nanofluidics, gas separation, desalination, molecular sieving, nanopore, porous graphene, effusion

Participants :
- Bilkent University (Turquie) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 157845.6 €
Projet MEM-ENTO (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2019)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Memory formation and extinction are fascinating aspects of brain functions. Observation of ex vivo and in vitro experiments provided a framework for understanding associative memory-related plasticity. However, memories are generated via local neuronal interactions within the context of their global networks, and understanding their formation requires in vivo studies in naturalistic conditions, which remain technically challenging. Here, I will use a functional calcium imaging approach to investigate memory formation and extinction in behaving honeybees. I will adopt the honeybee as a model system because of the accumulated knowledge on associative learning, the availability of a behavioural read-out for both appetitive and aversive memory formation, and its robustness, which allows for long-lasting imaging experiments. I will focus on its olfactory system because of the optical accessibility, and its analogy with the vertebrate one. Previous works have established the methods for honeybee brain imaging analysis in vivo during appetitive and aversive conditioning. Within this project, I will perform long-term imaging experiments in behaving animals, while monitoring the process of short and long-term memory formation and extinction in the three main neuropils of the olfactory system: the antennal lobe (the primary odour processing centre), the mushroom bodies (possibly dedicated to odour recognition), and the lateral horn (involved in odour valence evaluation). My specific goals are (1) characterizing the morphological and functional changes induced by associative learning throughout these neuropils, (2) highlighting the functional dynamics of a stimulus representation during short and long-term memory formation and extinction, and (3) comparing the memory engram of positive and negative associations. This project will provide important insight on the neural correlates of memory formation and extinction in a behaving animal.

Mots clés : olfaction, honeybee, calcium imaging, memory formation, associative learning

Participants :
- Centre national de la recherche scientifique (France) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 196707.84 €
Projet MetDect (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2019)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Statut du projet : SIGNED

MetDect examines long-term developments in the settlement patterns, local production of ornaments and visual culture by using metal-detector finds from Estonia. Despite the inherent limitation of the data (uneven level of contextual and empirical information), MetDect will demonstrate that the vast amount of metal-detector finds will significantly advance our current knowledge about the past. Unlike many other studies, this project focuses on the full variability of detected-artefacts in a long temporal scale (1800BCE–1800CE). MetDect will use a combination of methods drawn from humanities and natural sciences for investigating each topic. Settlement patterns and workshop areas will be examined by using GIS mapping and spatial analysis (e.g., point-pattern analysis), but production series of ornaments will be distinguished stylistically. Local production of ornaments is further examined by determining chemical composition (bulk alloy and trace elements) of selected production series. Lastly, new types and form variations of artefacts that are discovered by private detectorists will be compared with other visual sources (architectural and artefactual) in order to discuss circulation of ideas related to cross symbolism. MetDect will launch the first open-access database on metal-detector finds in the Eastern Baltic. Further, the results of this project will provide an important contribution to a wider debate regarding the usage of metal detectors by private persons. As such, MetDect offers a novel and ambitious research programme for studying metal-detector finds in the Baltic Sea area and beyond.

Mots clés : metal detecting, settlement patterns, production of ornaments, visual culture, baltic sea area

Participants :
- Tallinn University (Estonie) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 142193.28 €
Projet FatTFIso (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2019)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Metabolism-related disorders like obesity are on the rise worldwide, posing a major global disease burden. Fat tissue is a key site of metabolic regulation, and understanding how adipocytes develop is an important step in designing effective treatment or intervention strategies. This proposal aims to understand the gene regulatory network (GRN) underlying adipogenesis and to which extent this GRN is modulated by transcription factor (TF) isoforms. Adipogenesis is regulated by a network of successively activated TFs. Many of these TFs have multiple isoforms, a handful of which (e.g. PPARγ) are known to function divergently from their reference forms. Thus, this project will investigate the potentially key role of TF isoforms in shaping the adipogenic program and its robustness. In Objective 1, I will combine computational analysis with a novel microfluidic in vitro TF–DNA binding assay to characterize the DNA binding specificities of TF isoforms with the goal of identifying those that have the potential to rewire GRNs. In Objective 2, I will screen for TF isoforms that modulate the process of adipogenesis, using a novel droplet-based single-cell technology to assay how adipocyte differentiation changes in response to TF isoform overexpression. ChIP-seq and single-cell transcriptome profiling, combined with powerful computational analysis, will elucidate the molecular basis of these changes in relation to GRNs. Findings from this project will improve our understanding of transcriptional mechanisms in adipogenesis. Furthermore, results will have broad implications for the role of TF isoforms in gene regulation, highlighting the complexity of gene regulatory mechanisms that underlie cell and tissue specificity.

Mots clés : transcription factor, alternative isoform, adipogenesis, gene regulatory network, tf dna interaction, single cell

Participants :
- Board of the Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology (Suisse) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 203149.44 €