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

The recent discovery of high-mobility band-like charge transport in two-dimensional semiconducting Metal Organic Frameworks (2D-MOFs), represents a breakthrough that paves the way for developing novel highly tailorable optoelectronic devices. However, for harvesting the benefits of these materials, it is still required a deeper understanding on the interplay between MOF structure and chemical composition with electronic structure, conductivity, doping and charge carrier mobility. Among the current methods used to characterize charge transport in MOFs, Time-Resolved Terahertz (THz) Spectroscopy (TRTS) stands out, owing to the fact that it is a non-contact technique, with sub-ps resolution, and capable of disentangling the conductivity, doping and mobility of a given sample in the AC limit. Despite powerful, current TRTS setups do have a limitation connected with a small frequency bandwidth of state-of-the-art THz probes (typically limited to 0.2-2 THz). In this project, I will introduce a novel THz Spintronic Trilayer Emitter (STE), holding a bandwidth that is ~15 times broader than that of traditional THz sources, for investigating charge transport in the recently discovered semiconducting MOFs. The STE ultrabroadband frequency window, linked to an ultrashort pulse time duration, will allow for the first time characterizing phonons and their interplay with free carriers (which limit sample´s mobility) as a function of sample chemistry and structure. This powerful approach will ultimately lead to unequivocally establishing connections between structure and charge transport properties in these promising and technologically relevant materials.

Mots clés : ultrabroadband terahertz spectroscopy, spintronic emitter, metal organic frameworks, charge carrier dynamics, phonons, electron phonon coupling, 2d materials, optoelectronics

Participants :
- Madrid Institute for Advanced Studies (Espagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 160932.48 €
Projet Gut_Fights_PD (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2017)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The recent discovery that the composition of the gut microbiota can influence the symptoms of neurodegenerative diseases is a paradigm shift in how we view these conditions. In Parkinson’s disease (PD), patients frequently experience gastrointestinal symptoms years before the development of motor deficits and recent studies reveal clear alterations in the gut microbiota composition at advanced stages, which correlate with severity of their symptoms. Therefore, understanding the molecular mechanisms by which gut bacteria interact with the host to affect the nervous system may uncover novel prognostic and therapeutic strategies for neurological diseases. To address this gap of knowledge, we propose a single bacteria-worm model as a genetically tractable system to mechanistically investigate the connection between bacterial metabolites produced in the gut and neurodegeneration. Preliminary data from the lab on a protein aggregation model of PD in C. elegans, show a strong protective effect of a human probiotic bacterial species on α-synuclein aggregation, a well-established factor in Parkinson’s disease. The aim of this project is to understand the mechanisms through which the probiotic bacteria act to protect from α-syn aggregation and the nature of the response induced in the nematode. We are proposing a bidirectional strategy, manipulating genetically both players in this interaction, the bacteria and the nematode. Using a candidate molecular approach based on available data and an unbiased high-throughput analysis, we expect to elucidate new metabolic pathways employed by the bacteria to modulate protein aggregation as well as the molecular mechanisms that elicit this response in the nematode. By directly testing on various C. elegans models of PD the pharmacological effect of the discovered beneficial metabolites, we will identify specific neuroprotective compounds with future therapeutic potential.

Mots clés : c  elegans, gut microbiota, protein aggregation, parkinson s disease, probiotics

Participants :
- University of Edinburgh (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 183454.8 €
Projet ACEPOL (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2017)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Economic Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The recent economic crisis has also been a crisis for economic theory. Hence, the economic profession started to debate and prepare a methodological reconsideration about the general role of economic models; new modeling strategies, alternative and complementary to the standard Dynamic Stochastic General Equilibrium (DSGE) models, have therefore emerged. Among these innovative approaches, Agent-based Computational Economics (ACE) started to occupy a prominent role. However, ACE models still need to be improved in three main directions before being ready to be employed as a standard policy tool adopted by central banks. These three directions are: (i) calibration, (ii) external validation, (iii) formal evaluation of systemic risk. This fellowship aims at directly tackling these three issues by employing new statistical learning, econometric, and algorithmic techniques and by applying them to an ACE model that enables one to analyze private and public debt dynamics by closely following the financial and real sectors at the micro-level. The research plan here proposed aims at developing a calibrated and validated model able to explain how the rise in private debt and the interconnectedness of financial institutions might lead to financial crisis, which then might spread to the real sector and ask for a massive public sector intervention, possibly generating also public debt overhangs. Additionally, the innovativeness in the methods here employed will allow to establish higher standards for the development of descriptive ACE models. Once these model are properly and rigosously calibrated and validated by means of real-world datasets indeed, they can be adopted to evaluate a set of counterfactual policy exercises. In particular we aim at understanding which ex-ante policy measures might help avoiding debt-triggered crises and which ex-post policy interventions might help in mitigating their negative effects.

Mots clés : agent based macroeconomics, public debt, private debt, calibration, validation

Participants :
- Université Côte d'Azur (France) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 173076.0 €
Projet BioIsoK (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2017)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Environment and Geosciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The reconstruction of physiological and ecological traits of extinct organisms is crucial for apprehending the dynamics of the evolution of species and ecosystems as well as the origins of modern biodiversity. The recent advent of the use of natural stable isotopes of bioessential metals is principally related to the democratization of multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometers (MC-ICP-MS). These isotope systems (Mg, Ca, Cu, Fe or Zn) opened up unprecedented perspectives for the study of their cycling in past and present vertebrate organisms and turned out to be precious assets for the unraveling of otherwise inaccessible biological features of fossil organisms, being ecological, behavioral or physiological characteristics. Potassium (K) is a bioessential metal in all vertebrates, where its cycling intensity is notably dependent on their metabolic rates, the later varying itself with thermophysiology from a phylogenetic class to another or with body mass within a given class. Due to its crucial biological functions as well as the observed significant effects of biological processes on its isotope ratios, K isotopes constitute a highly promising novel isotope system for the study of vertebrate metabolism. However, the K stable isotope compositions of vertebrate tissues are currently fairly unexplored, notably due to major technical hindrances, inherent to the existing mass spectrometry technologies. This project aims first to develop a reliable method of K stable isotope analysis using the state-of-the-art “Proteus” prototype MC-ICP-MS implemented with the collision-reaction cell technology and developed by Tim Elliott group and Thermo Fisher®. This method will then be used for analysis of tissues from vertebrates of various classes reared in controlled conditions. This will allow identifying the main mechanisms driving the isotope compositions of vertebrate tissues and assess their potential for the study of vertebrates energy metabolism.

Mots clés : k isotopes, vertebrates, energy metabolism, physiology, paleophysiology, collision cell mc icp ms

Participants :
- University of Bristol (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 183454.8 €
Projet DRYFUN (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2014)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Environment and Geosciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The relationship between plant functional diversity and ecosystem functioning has been hotly debated, and previous research has shown direct feedbacks effects of functional community structure on ecosystem processes. However, previous studies have not considered indirect effects via changes in biotic interactions, and this is an emerging and crucial challenge for community and ecosystem ecologists. The DRYFUN project aims to assess the ultimate effects of biotic interactions on ecosystem processes of global drylands, by coupling a multi-trait approach with an observational database from 236 sites distributed among all continents except Antarctica. Its main objectives are to: (i) test the importance of abiotic and biotic processes for community structure in global drylands, (ii) assess the importance of within- and between-species trait variability for functional diversity, (iii) assess both the direct and indirect impact of dryland functional diversity on ecosystem multifunctionality (i.e., the provision of several ecosystem processes simultaneously; multifunctionality hereafter) at multiple spatial scales and (iv) explore the importance of taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic diversities on multifunctionality. The DRYFUN project is a unique opportunity to test the universal impact of functional diversity on dryland ecosystem functioning, and to provide data for establishing relevant management and restoration strategies for drylands.

Mots clés : biodiversity, desertification, ecosystem services and goods, global drylands, terrestrial ecology

Participants :
- King Juan Carlos University (Espagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 170121.6 €
Projet M4WASTE (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2018)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Information Science and Engineering
Statut du projet : TERMINATED

The release of radioactive isotopes, with caesium (e.g. 137Cs+) being the most abundant species, are polluting a large quantity of water, substantially threatening human health, while the remediation remains challenging. Membrane separation is a good technology for water treatment thanks to its flexibility and easy up-scalability. However, the use of conventional membranes in nuclear industry is greatly limited due to their low adsorption capacity/selectivity to Cs+ and the fixed pore size that allows only retention of solid wastes but with the contaminated water remained untreated. Hexacyanoferrates (HCFs) nanoparticles(NPs) are among the most superior adsorbents of Cs+, but haven’t been combined with filtration membranes for nuclear water waste remediation due to the difficulty of NPs immobilization onto membrane and their relatively slower adsorption kinetics compared to water permeation rate. This proposed action aims to develop a new generation of smart membrane technology that can recover Cs+ straightforwardly and efficiently from aqueous nuclear wastes, by effectively integrating HCF into filtration membranes to enhance its Cs+ adsorption capacity/selectivity and by introducing a smart water gating function modulated by Cs+ adsorption to automatically control membrane water permeation. Microgel, being assembled in membrane pores, enables achieving the objectives with HCF NPs in situ grown in the microgel and with a Cs+ responsiveness designed for its size deformation. The action involves an experienced researcher, Dr Huagui Zhang, from Newcastle University in UK visiting the Institute of Physical Chemistry at RWTH Aachen University in Germany, under the supervision of Prof. Walter Richtering for 24 months to work on the project “Microgel-based high-performance smart filtration membranes for liquid nuclear waste treatment” (M4WASTE). The action will provide a leap forward in the area of water treatment with membrane technology in nuclear industry and beyond.

Mots clés : microgel, water treatment, nuclear waste, membrane technology

Participants :
- RWTH Aachen University (Allemagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 162806.4 €
Projet Supra-CNT (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2015)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Information Science and Engineering
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The remarkable mechanical, electrical, thermal and optical properties of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are only valid for individual particles, and are generally lost when bulk CNT materials are integrated in devices. The controlled manufacturing of macroscopic functional and high-performance CNT-materials, retaining the compelling properties of individual tubes, has hence become of paramount importance to allow their full exploitation within commercial products. With the Supra-CNT project we aim at tackling this compelling issue by performing an unprecedented sequential engineering of the architecture of CNT materials, from the nano-, to the micro- and macroscale level. Specifically, we intend to synthesise Janus amphiphilic CNTs, which will be able to self assemble into well-defined 3D microparticles following the instructions encoded in their pre-organised functionalisation. These structures will then be employed in large area self-assembly to form higher order macro-assemblies (i.e. colloidal crystals), achieving an unprecedented degree of hierarchisation and tailoring of the CNT material. By providing such controlled multiscale engineering, Supra-CNT will shed light on the structure-property relationships characterising CNT bulk materials. This knowledge will allow for the implementation of a property-conservative manufacturing of CNT-based materials, boosting their performance–to–cost ratio, and integration in a vast set of applications with high societal and industrial impact, such as high performance filters, catalysts, and energy storage devices.

Mots clés : carbon nanotubes, multi scale material engineering, janus particle, amphiphile, self assembly

Participants :
- University of Cambridge (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 183454.8 €
Projet ForestRege (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2015)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Environment and Geosciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The replacement of successive tree generations is a fundamental process which shapes the structure and dynamics of forest ecosystems and essential ecosystem services. Conditioning this process are the complex relationships between the spatial and temporal patterns of tree death (i.e. gap formation) and the recruitment and growth of young individuals. In this project, Magdalena Żywiec (hereinafter: MŻ) will investigate natural forest regeneration in an exceptionally well preserved area of Europe – the subalpine spruce forest of Mt. Babia Góra (Western Carpathians, Poland) – which remains in a nearly primeval state. MŻ will investigate the natural regeneration of two phylogenetically distant tree species which differ in a number of ecological and functional traits, making the results from this project generalisable to a range of European tree species. To address our general objective (i.e. to comprehensively understand the replacement of tree species generations), an inclusive evaluation of the spatio-temporal relationships between canopy gaps and natural tree regeneration must employ sophisticated state-of-the-art ecological models based on rigorous empirical data. This requires a strong background in point pattern analysis in addition to deep knowledge of the natural history of the studied system. MŻ will acquire comprehensive skills in aspects of different modelling disciplines such as spatial point pattern analysis, marked point pattern analysis and generalised linear mixed models. This project presents an excellent opportunity to integrate recent advances in spatial point pattern analysis (SPPA) with field data exhaustively collected during the last several decades. Finally, the novel approach to be applied and the long-term series of ecological data to be used make this proposal unique in Europe and the fellowship will lead directly to original results of huge significance for European forests preservation.

Mots clés : natural forest ecosystems, tree species regeneration, canopy gaps, spatial analysis

Participants :
- University of Lisbon (Portugal) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 148635.6 €
Projet TOPOREF (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2017)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The replication of DNA is one of the fundamental processes that drives all life. Errors in replication are responsible for a host of human diseases as well as for all adaptation and evolution, and hence the mechanisms, regulation, and fidelity of this process are of great interest to both fundamental biology and medical research. A complete, active replisome was recently reconstituted in yeast, allowing unprecedented probing and control of eukaryotic DNA replication in in vitro experiments. In this fellowship, I will take the exciting new opportunity offered by this breakthrough to study how torque and twist in the DNA double helix affect replisome activity. I will measure how DNA supercoiling affects replisome assembly and how the progressive buildup of torque impacts its progression along DNA. At the torque that fully stalls the replisome, I will determine its still-unknown composition. Finally, I will examine how such torque buildup impacts the disruption of nucleosomes present on the DNA to assess whether this effect can play a significant role in vivo. To achieve these scientific insights, I will both make use of the biological expertise and single-molecule instrumentation that are available in the host laboratory (e.g. TIRF microscopy, magnetic tweezers), and use my expertise to develop and exploit an integrated instrument that facilitates evaluation of replisome composition on different DNA substrates. These experiments will shed light on the functioning of the eukaryotic replisome, particularly its dynamic response to force and torque. The use of single-molecule techniques to study the full replisome is unprecedented, and the development of an integrated tweezers/TIRF instrument will be unparalleled in the depth of insight it can offer. In doing so, I will answer key questions about the structure and dynamics of the replisome, examine the role of DNA topology in replication, and open up a wealth of avenues for future investigation.

Mots clés : dna replication, eukaryotic replication, yeast replication, nucleosomes, fluorescence microscopy, force and torque spectroscopy, magnetic tweezers, single molecule biophysics

Participants :
- Delft University of Technology (Pays-Bas) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 165598.8 €
Projet ADMEHE (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2017)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Social Sciences and Humanities
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The research examines the history of advocacy and self-advocacy for mental disorders, mental retardation and autism after WWII, when mental health advocacy gained momentum in the Western world. It focuses on the unexplored Greek case, but situates it within the broader history of social and mental health movements in Europe and North America, based on secondary literature and original comparative research on Greek and French patients’, families’ and professionals’ organizations. Using archival and published material, oral history interviews, questionnaires, as well as data from the observation of and participation in the work of a Greek organization, the Society of Social Psychiatry and Mental Health (SSP&MH), the research adopts an interdisciplinary and comparative approach, combining history with sociology and anthropology, and comparing the Greek and French examples. In these ways the study will offer a better understanding and the critical reassessment of the history of mental health advocacy in the West. To implement the project, Dr Kritsotaki will move from Greece to CERMES3, Paris, France, to sharpen her knowledge and skills in history and undertake systematic training in sociology and anthropology, especially in the skills connected with questionnaire-based surveys, fieldwork and participant observation. She will also collaborate with present-day Greek and French mental health organizations and will complete a secondment of two months in the SSP&MH, gaining hands-on experience on mental health advocacy and enhancing her communication, cooperation, coordination and management skills. Thus the research will address the both the history and contemporary state of advocacy and mental health movements, will achieve its dissemination and communication aims and will enhance its social impact, while at the end of the action the researcher will have attained a reinforced and mature research position and new career prospects in academia and advocacy.

Mots clés : mental health, psychiatry, advocacy, social movements

Participants :
- Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (France) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 185076.0 €