Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-actions-marie-curie-participations-et-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Projet NOTICE-EUB (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2019)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Information Science and Engineering
Statut du projet : SIGNED

This research project aims at developing novel timber composite systems for the combined seismic and energy retrofitting of existing building envelopes. Buildings in the European Union (EU) are responsible for 40% of the overall power consumption and 36% of energy-related carbon dioxide emissions. Meanwhile, nearly half of the structures in the seismic regions of the EU exhibit substandard seismic resistance, posing a severe threat to life safety and economy. The poor seismic performance of old buildings in the recent earthquakes in Italy and Greece caused significant economic losses, injuries, and loss of human lives. Currently, the annual cost of repair and maintenance of the European building stock is estimated to be approximately 50% of the total construction budget, exceeding €300 billion. Replacing the old buildings with new ones entails considerable financial, environmental, and social cost, which cannot be undertaken; therefore, extending the service life of buildings requires structural upgrade innovations that reduce their seismic vulnerability and boost their energy efficiency at the same time, and in the least expensive and invasive way possible. NOTICE-EUB explores a cost-effective retrofit approach, which combines advanced thermal insulation materials with engineered wood panels to provide simultaneous seismic-plus-energy upgrading. The proposed retrofit concept takes advantage of the high structural performance of the emerging cross-laminated timber (CLT) technology and the superior thermal properties of advanced insulation materials. The research activities comprise experiments on components and a full-scale building specimen to validate the efficiency of the advanced CLT systems, and to provide data for the calibration of numerical models. State-of-the-art analyses will evaluate the economic benefits of the proposed hybrid retrofit scheme. The final stage of the project envisages drafting of retrofit design guidelines and recommendations for the integrated interventions, as a contribution towards the development of new standards for the joint energy upgrading and seismic strengthening of the EU building stock.

Mots clés : integrated building retrofit, energy efficiency, seismic resistance, cross laminated timber, advanced insulation materials, masonry buildings, reinforced concrete buildings

Participants :
- European Union (Belgique) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 171473.28 €
Projet MoMa (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2016)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Social Sciences and Humanities
Statut du projet : CLOSED

This research project aims to study long-term developments in cattle management and mobility in the Netherlands, from the Iron Age to the Roman period (750 BC – AD 450). Cattle have always played a crucial role in this region, in supporting arable farming by traction and manure, in providing food in the form of meat and dairy products, and in providing raw materials for clothing and artefacts. Our understanding of cattle management could be improved enormously by an integrated study of traditional and newer methods of research. The main objectives of the research project are: • to investigate movements of cattle in the Iron Age, indicating exchange and/or raiding; • to investigate movements of cattle in the Roman period, indicating import and/or local supply; • to investigate whether the size increase of cattle in the Roman period was a direct result of the incorporation in the Empire, or whether it should be seen as a continuation of developments that started in the Iron Age; • to provide a comprehensive view of cattle management in the Iron Age and Roman period. The objectives will be achieved through the applied methodology, which consists of three lines. First, through Strontium isotope analysis, the local or non-local origin of cattle can be established. Second, biometrical analysis will be used to investigate developments in shape and size over time. And third, mortality profiles offer insight into how cattle were exploited. Two work packages correlate to the first two methods, while the third combines the results from the other work packages with mortality data to obtain a comprehensive view of cattle management. A fourth work package is concerned with dissemination of the results among an academic and non-academic audience, while the fifth covers training in statistics and transferable skills. The project will provide the applicant with specific research skills (stable isotope analysis, biometrical analysis) that are still underused in the Netherlands.

Mots clés : zooarchaeology, animal husbandry, netherlands, iron age, roman period, cattle, mobility

Participants :
- University of Sheffield (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 183454.8 €
Projet CHLARE (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2019)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Physics
Statut du projet : SIGNED

This research project aims to study the variations of the solar magnetic field in flares, the most energetic events in our solar system. Flares accelerate charged particles into space, which may adversely affect satellites and Earth’s technology. Despite their clear importance for today’s technology, the timing and positioning when flares occur are so far unpredictable. Changes in the solar magnetic field topology are known to be the causes for flares, but their physics is not understood in detail. Past studies have shown prominent changes of the magnetic field in the photosphere during flares. But higher in the atmosphere, in the chromosphere, studies are scarce because ground-based telescopes with special instrumentation and capabilities are needed. No space mission has been or is being planned with capabilities for those chromospheric magnetic measurements. The most suitable spectral range to study the upper chromosphere is the He I 1083.0 nm triplet and the project has access to two unique data sets of high-energetic flares in this spectral region. Since there are no diagnostic tools for this prominent spectral triplet in flares, the first goal is to upgrade an existing tool (spectral-line inversion code) to include flare physics. The code will be made freely available for the benefit of the scientific community, so that it can be used to analyze future flare observations in this wavelength range. The second aim is to use the upgraded tool to infer for the first time the evolution of the magnetic field vector in the two abovementioned data sets. The results will provide thresholds for the shear/ twist of the field lines that lead to the analyzed flares. Hydrodynamic simulations and satellite data will complement the results to simulate the atmospheric response to the flare and compute the energy budget of the magnetic changes compared to other flare processes. The results will have a deep impact on flare models, future predictors, and space weather.

Mots clés : flares, magnetic fields, chromosphere, observations, spectral line inversions

Participants :
- Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (Espagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 160932.48 €
Projet TRANSPHILEUR (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2017)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Social Sciences and Humanities
Statut du projet : CLOSED

This research project deals with the phenomenon of translation in order to investigate its philosophical structure, logic and character and thus to contribute to the affirmation and development of the philosophy of translation as a relevant research discipline. The research proposes a conception of translation as a self-reflexive transformational practice, investigating at the same time importance and effectiveness of translation in the contemporary European political and cultural context. The interdisciplinary character of the project requires a combination of philosophy, translation studies, cultural theory and political theory. The research aims to have a broad impact and takes into account the practical effectiveness of its main ideas for addressing some of the current social and political issues in Europe. The proposal includes training-through-research at the participating organisations, acquirement of new experiences and skills, a two-way-transfer of knowledge, teaching, organization of a workshop, participation in conferences, and planning for publications. Results will be disseminated to the academic community of experts and to the wider audience as well. The project is in line with the key priorities of the Horizon 2020 Work Programmes 2016-17 and 2018-20, i.e., with the integration of social sciences and humanities in promoting the European Public and Cultural Space.

Mots clés : philosophy of translation, translation theory

Participants :
- University of Padua (Italie) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 168277.2 €
Projet Transcendence (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2018)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Social Sciences and Humanities
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Transcendence is one of the fundamentals of philosophy and theology. For centuries its investigation as a non-material phenomenon was an exclusive subject of speculative and theoretical reflections. Today, such phenomena have become the subjects of scientific empirical research with results that challenge traditional understanding. Because of the fundamental role of transcendence in philosophy and theology, it is urgent to ask whether it too is affected by scientific investigation. A scientific discipline which is able to contribute to this question is the Cognitive Science of Religion (CSR) because it employs the concept of ‘supernatural’ which is very close to the concept of transcendence. CSR has produced considerable results which have a high potential to call into question traditional models of transcendence. And yet, it is rarely taken into account particularly by theology. There are only very few works which try to understand CSR’s impact, especially on classical theism. But they focus on CSR’s methodology and methodological transgressions and do not ask what impact CSR’s legitimate research may have on theological and philosophical topics. Although it is clear that scientific research cannot contribute to the question of the existence of a transcendent or divine reality, CSR’s models do have the potential to modify our understanding of the immanent side of transcendence: the prevalent human belief in transcendence (natural theology) and the importance of transcendence for being human. This project will be an essential contribution to connect science and the humanities. It employs an experimental and innovative approach: It does not reject CSR on the basis of its transgressions but aims to take seriously its legitimate results and to answer the resulting questions. It will consider the chances of CSR for an enhanced theological understanding. And it will connect CSR's challenges with traditional models in order to find new perspectives and answers.

Mots clés : theology, theology and science, natural theology, religion and science, cognitive science of religion

Participants :
- University of Oxford (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 224933.76 €
Projet HIPPOSTRUCT (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2019)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Transcription factors (TFs) are proteins which recognize specific DNA-sequence to orchestrate various gene expression programs according to cellular requirements. Currently, approximately 1,600 TFs along with their binding motifs have been annotated. Further, recent studies enabled classification of many of them according to their binding modes across nucleosome assembly. Despite such progress, interplay of different TFs in the context of adjacent DNA sequence or spatial organisation of chromatin is still largely unknown. This project aims to dissect crosstalk between different TFs that are targeted by HIPPO signalling pathway, a tumour suppressor pathway representing potential target for anti-tumour therapies. Preliminary data from host lab combined with previous studies from other groups lead us to postulate hypothesis that TFs from TEAD and FOX groups cooperate on regulation of transcription programs controlled by HIPPO pathway. Specifically, FOX TFs act as chromatin re-modellers enabling TEADs binding to the naked part of DNA which then triggers desired gene expression programs. To test this hypothesis, we will combine bioinformatic searches across human genome with experimental work assessing intermolecular binding between TFs and DNA, followed by structural characterization of selected macromolecular complexes. We will identify genomic loci which contains binding motifs for both TEAD and FOX TFs. These DNA fragment will be tested experimentally in terms of their ability to physically interact with both TFs, which will provide mechanistic insight into their cooperation. Finally, 3-D structure of the reconstituted complexes containing TF pairs bound to DNA will be determined using advanced mass spectrometry combined with high-resolution structural techniques such as X-ray crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy. This project will provide insight how TFs cooperate in the relevant genomic context with physiological chromatin architecture.

Mots clés : transcription factors, hippo signalling, integrative structural biology, protein dna complexes

Participants :
- Czech Academy of Sciences (Rép. Tchèque) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 156980.64 €
Projet 2DCHEX (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2020)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Physics
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) monolayers constitute an attractive material platform due to additional degrees of freedom in encoding and processing quantum information. Currently, the use of these degrees of freedom in valleytronics is hampered due to the low valley polarization of the neutral exciton at room temperature. Recently, charged excitons have been demonstrated to exhibit high valley polarization even at room temperature albeit with low quantum yield and have a need for sophisticated charge doping techniques. This action proposes a novel electro-optical interface based on electron doping of TMD monolayers. I suggest to use the electric double layers to control the formation of charged excitons, and to use complex nanoantennas to enhance and collimate generated emission. My goal is to develop a quantum device merging fields of electrochemistry, photonics, plasmonics and TMD materials, giving practical access to new degrees of freedom for future valleytronic applications. The objectives are to demonstrate the exciton charging in TMD monolayers using a custom-built electrochemical cell and to tune electrically charged-exciton emission through the manipulation of the Fermi level, i.e., chemical potential. I aim to use the tuning of emission energy for coupling the charged exciton with a narrow resonance of a complex nanoantenna. This antenna will increase the extraction efficiency by directing the emission of charged excitons and enhancing their generation rate. Furthermore, I aim to explore the chirality of valley polarization and address the emission of charged excitons for their directional coupling with plasmons in high quality wedge waveguides based on crystalline gold micro-flakes. The overarching aim of my action is the development of a novel bright, directional, and electrically tunable quantum emitting device operating at room temperature for future quantum computing and information technologies.

Mots clés : charged exciton, trion, transition metal dichalcogenides, spectroelectrochemistry, electrical tuning, charge doping, circular polarisation, valleytronics, optical antenna, plasmonic waveguide

Participants :
- University of Southern Denmark (Danemark) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 207312.0 €
Projet MetAccembly (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2014)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Chemistry
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Transition metals (TMs) are found in the core of several phenomena such as catalysis, self-assembly and (bio)molecular recognition and are directly involved in a number of diseases that span from cancer to neurodegenerative disorders. The presence of metal ions or metallocofactors in the active site of enzymes remarkably enhances the diversity of functions displayed by these biomolecules. TMs are also basic elements of approved drugs and MRI contrast agents playing a key role in biomolecular recognition. Metals in biology are extremely important but are also extremely complex to characterize and its role in processes such as protein assembly and molecular recognition is still poorly understood. These important biological processes take place in a broad range of time scales that span from ultrafast bond vibrations occurring in femtoseconds to slow conformational changes that require milliseconds to even seconds to be completed. The long-term goal of this project is to understand how and where these interactions occur. In the first goal of this proposal, we aim to develop a novel computational method (extended aMD) based on accelerated molecular dynamics that can be used to gain insights into metal-directed assembly, molecular recognition and biocatalysis at a reasonable computational cost. The second research goal of the proposal is to combine state of the art techniques of electronic structure with the new computational method to gain insight into the TMs-driven assembly, biomolecular recognition and catalysis mechanism of amyloid formation, inhibition and catalytic power. Extended aMD will be a versatile method that in principle will be applicable to describe assembly of large biomolecules. Applications in the field of enzyme design and drug discovery are expected in the long-term. After the execution of this project, the applicant will acquire a wider perspective on the field, as well as reached a position of full independence and professional maturity.

Mots clés : molecular dynamics simulations, enhanced sampling techniques, self assembly, biomolecular recogntion, ab initio molecular dynamics, proteins, amyloids, electronic structure calculations

Participants :
- University of Girona (Espagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 158121.6 €
Projet MOD-PROT (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2016)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Translation of the genetic code into functional proteins is a fundamental biological process essential for cell survival and function. tRNAs are critical in this process because they recognize the codons on the messenger RNA and bring the cognate amino acid to the nascent peptide. To become functional, tRNAs undergo a series of processing steps and chemical modifications. Recently, my host group discovered that cells lacking wobble uridine modifications in the tRNA anticodon display translational slow down, a defect that triggers widespread protein aggregation in yeast and nematodes. These findings were the first to link tRNA metabolism to protein quality control and established tRNA metabolism as a novel layer in the regulation of protein homeostasis. However, the mechanisms underlying this phenomenon remain unknown. My goal is to elucidate how tRNA processing and modifications regulate protein quality control, by integrating genetic, biochemical, transcriptomic, translatomic and proteomic approaches. - First, I will identify tRNA biosynthesis genes that are critical for protein aggregation, by assessing global protein homeostasis in yeast cells lacking genes required for tRNA processing and modifications. - Second, I will characterize transcriptome-wide translation by ribosome profiling to determine whether protein aggregation phenotypes are accompanied by translational defect. This will reveal which tRNA processing and modifications are essential for optimal co-translational protein folding. - Finally, I will use yeast and nematode models of neurodegenerative diseases to test the functional importance of candidate steps of tRNA metabolism in disease-associated protein aggregation. My project will comprehensively address the link between tRNA metabolism and protein homeostasis. In particular, it will bridge RNA and protein quality control pathways and shed mechanistic insights into neurodegenerative diseases that originate from tRNA dysfunction.

Mots clés : protein homeostasis, translation, transfer rnas, protein aggregation, trna modification, trna processing enzymes, trna biosynthesis

Participants :
- Max Planck Society (Allemagne) — Partner, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 46509.4 €
- University of Bern (Suisse) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 112951.4 €
Projet DIGIACT (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2018)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Social Sciences and Humanities
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Transnational advocacy networks play an important role in exposing rights violations and undermining media censorship under authoritarian regimes. Yet, repressive states increasingly resort to surveillance, malware attacks, online harassment and disinformation campaigns to compromise transnational civil society activists and mute their voices. DIGIACT investigates forms of digitally enabled information control, surveillance and repression against political activists, journalists and human rights defenders from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) who reside in the European Union. The project provides an in-depth analysis of how threats to freedom of expression and privacy of transnational activists emerge and spread in an environment of rapidly evolving digital technologies. The research studies the motivations and capabilities of the regimes behind the threats, the effects on targeted communities and their strategies of resistance, and the implications both on a normative (international human rights law and other legal frameworks) and practical level (risk mitigation and capacity building). With this research agenda, DIGIACT aims to contribute to a) concept building on the relationship between digital technologies and authoritarian politics, and b) the debate on how to protect fundamental norms and rights in the digital age. To accomplish these goals, the project is embedded in the research group on Law, Science, Technology & Society (LSTS) at VUB where the applicant will receive training in theoretical and legal approaches to surveillance, privacy and data protection in the context of digital technologies.

Mots clés : digital technologies, surveillance, transnational activism, authoritarianism, middle east and north africa  mena

Participants :
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel (Belgique) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 178320.0 €