Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-actions-marie-curie-participations-et-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Projet rDNAevol (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2016)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The central importance of ribosomal RNA genes (rDNA) for our understanding of biology cannot be overstated: they are evolutionarily the oldest genes, they are the most highly expressed genes in any organism, and their expression is central to cellular growth. Because of the requirement for large quantities of rRNA, eukaryotic genomes contain clusters with hundreds to thousands of rDNA copies arranged in tandem. Despite their high copy number, there is little sequence variation across all rDNA genes within an individual and across individuals in a given species, due to the still mysterious process of concerted evolution. Since not all rDNA copies are expressed, we can already suspect that selection cannot act directly on all rDNA copies. Although our understanding of concerted evolution, and the molecular mechanism how it is achieved (homogenization), has improved over the last decades, no attempt to study it in the context of silent or active rDNA clusters has been made. In the described research programme I will take full advantage of the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana to attack this important connection. The diversity of genetic resources available such as experimental populations to effectively unlinked its two rDNA clusters, the large catalog of over 1,001 publicly available re-sequenced genomes combined with corresponding expression data, as well as its accessibility for genetic manipulation make it an ideal system to pursue the following specific aims: (1) Perform a population genomic analysis of the sequence variability within silent and active rDNA clusters, (2) Generate targeted induced mutations in rDNAs by genome editing to (3) describe the fate and fitness of both natural rDNA variants and newly induced mutations.

Mots clés : rdna, rrna genes, crispr cas9, natural variation, population genomics, experimental evolution, arabidopsis

Participants :
- Max Planck Society (Allemagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 159460.8 €
Projet MultiSense (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2020)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The central nervous system (CNS) processes sensory information obtained through various sensory structures in the body. These include signals with a wide variety of spatiotemporal features, such as different speed and propagation patterns. In this stream of multimodal sensory information, CNS must decide how it should integrate these signals to construct a unique representation of the environment. How CNS accomplishes this process is not known. In this project, I will investigate the filtering mechanisms adopted by CNS to integrate multisensory information. Specifically, I will study multisensory integration within the context of two unique behaviors: (1) glass knifefish combine visual and electrosensory cues to track the movements of a refuge in which it is hiding, and (2) zebrafish utilize vision and mechanosensory lateral line to sense the direction and velocity of the local current during their rheotaxis behavior. To accomplish this, I will first build a novel experimental setup, a speed-controlled flow tunnel, which allows independently probing different sensory modalities for both the glass knifefish and the zebrafish. I will adopt a control-theoretic approach to identify how CNS combines multisensory information under different sensory conflict scenarios. Specifically, I will estimate the frequency response functions for the sensory weights assigned to different sensory modalities. Moreover, we will observe how CNS dynamically changes these weights when there is a change in the saliency of the available sensory information. Our goal is to use system identification theory to generate models that capture the dynamics of online, real-time sensory re-weighting mechanism adopted by these fish.

Mots clés : multisensory integration, weakly electric fish, zebrafish, system identification, neuroethology

Participants :
- Hacettepe University (Turquie) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 157355.52 €
Projet SATBIOFUN (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2015)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - Global Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The centrosome is the major microtubule-organizing centre of a cell. It also serves as the base for the primary cilium, an antenna-like structure that allows cells to respond to external stimuli. Around the centrosome lie a number of electron dense cytoplasmic granules, termed centriolar satellites. These are involved in protein trafficking and are crucial for normal centrosome and cilium assembly and function. However, little is known about satellite composition, biogenesis or regulation. Mutations in a number of genes encoding satellite proteins cause ciliopathies, demonstrating their importance in the etiology of disease. Emerging data also shows that satellites contribute to the cellular stress response. The central scientific goal of this proposal is to systematically dissect, for the first time, the molecular mechanisms underpinning centriolar satellite biogenesis and function. Coupling genome-editing and cutting-edge imaging techniques we will perform morphometric quantitative analysis of satellite proteins to delineate their specific role in the cellular response to stress. This project encompasses an Outgoing Phase during which the Fellow will be trained in advanced, high-content, automated, and super-resolution microscopy, and computational analysis to study satellite biogenesis and function. Within this phase a secondment to the biotech sector will occur during which the Fellow will learn cutting-edge DNA manipulation methods. The Return Phase allows the transfer of this knowledge to Europe whilst the Fellow receives training in the analysis of stress responses. Alongside this the Fellow will follow a program of courses to acquire a range of complementary skills, including industry-related skills and teaching qualifications. Together, this will accomplish the overarching objective of developing the Fellow’s career to a position of professional maturity, thereby facilitating her long-term goal of establishing her own independent research group in Europe.

Mots clés : centrosome, centriole, primary cilium, gene targeting, reverse genetics, ciliopathy, tissue culture

Participants :
- National University of Ireland (Irlande) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 233555.4 €
- Sinai Health System (Canada) — Partner, organization partner, Recherche, subvention : 0.0 €
Projet DeepPop (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2020)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The cerebellum is a key structure of the central nervous system that contains more than half the neurons of the brain. It is highly conserved across vertebrates and crucial for coordinated movement, motor learning and cognition. Cerebellar dysfunction causes a wide range of motor (ataxia, dystonia) or non-motor (autism, schizophrenia) disorders. It is made of two structures: the cerebellar cortex and the Deep Cerebellar Nuclei (DCN). While the former has been thoroughly studied, the DCN - the actual output of the structure - are much less understood. Technological limitations and experimental difficulties have limited the study of DCN processing rules both at the cellular and at the population level. A multidisciplinary approach combining recent discoveries on DCN structure, modern cell type labelling strategies and optogenetics, and novel optical tools based on work performed during my first postdoctoral project (acousto-optic 2-photon imaging coupled with GRIN lenses) will address the following fundamental open questions that limit our understanding of sensorimotor systems: 1) How are inputs carrying sensorimotor information from different parts of the brain (mossy fibres (MFs) and climbing fibres (CFs)) integrated by individual DCN neurons? 2) How are CFs and MFs carrying different sensory modalities processed by DCN neurons at the neuronal and dendritic levels? And how does it relate to distinct DCN neuron subpopulations? 3) What is the dynamic of these subpopulations during a behavioural task in vivo? The outcome of the DeepPop project will provide new knowledge of the computations performed in the cerebellum, novel optical solutions to study deep brain structures and data that will be used by the wider community (e.g. modellers, theoretician, clinicians) and increase our general understanding of sensorimotor systems.

Mots clés : 2 photon imaging, acousto optic imaging, optogenetics, cerebellum, deep cerebellar nuclei, sensortimotor processing, calcium imaging, in vivo imaging, electrophysiology, neuroanatomy, rt 3dmc

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

The characterization of integral domains R such that every singular matrix over R is a product of idempotent matrices is a classical open problem in ring theory. Its importance lies in the inter-connections with other big unsolved issues: classify integral domains whose general linear groups are generated by the elementary matrices, and those fulfilling weak versions of the Euclidean algorithm. The study of idempotent factorizations in matrix rings has gained increasing attention over the years and all the results have highlighted how the decomposition into idempotent factors is far from being unique. The Factorization Theory (FT) is the branch of ring theory that studies nonuniqueness of the representation of non-invertible elements in rings or semigroups as products of generating (irreducible) elements. Originated in the late 1960s, FT got in the last decade new striking developments (especially in the non-commutative framework) that, however, just barely involved matrix rings. The goal of FacT-in-MaRs is to study the nonuniqueness phenomena of idempotent matrix factorization from the point of view of the FT, thus connecting in an original way two areas of ring theory remained unrelated so far. In the framework of the present action, we aim at advancing the state-of-the-art by: 1) defining a new concept of factorization into idempotent (non-irreducible) factors in the non-commutative semigroup of singular matrices over a domain R; 2) studying the nonuniqueness of this factorization in terms of arithmetical invariants (i.e., sets of legths/distances, elasticity); 3) exploiting the previous results to provide new approaches to the classical problems on factorizations in matrix rings. The above objectives will be achieved through an innovative combination of classical and recent techniques of the theory of factorization of matrices over integral domains and of the FT, respectively belonging to the background of the applicant and of the Supervisor.

Mots clés : factorization of matrices over integral domains, idempotent matrices, factorization theory, non unique factorizations, non commutative semigroups, sets of lengths, sets of distances, elasticity

Participants :
- University of Graz (Autriche) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 174167.04 €
Projet MetEpiClock (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2016)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - Global Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The circadian clock directs almost all aspects of diurnal physiology, including metabolism. Defects in circadian rhythms influence physiology and behavior with implications for numerous pathological conditions, including cancer, metabolic syndrome, obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. By controlling metabolic homeostasis at the cellular level, the clock can directly influence cellular regulatory networks, including those that govern chromatin dynamics. The goal of this proposal is to investigate if metabolic pathways able to influence gene expression via chromatin dynamics are under circadian control and whether these regulatory networks are crucial for the maintenance of a correct metabolic homeostasis. We will test if the clock governs the “methylation potential” of the cell by regulating the diurnal expression of rate-limiting enzymes of methionine metabolism. By using metabolite restriction, pharmacological and gene editing approaches we will disrupt circadian rhythmicity of SAM and SAH. We will then use state-of-the-art methods including, transcriptomics, epigenomics and metabolomics to investigate the impact of this regulatory network on circadian transcriptional regulation, histone methylation dynamics and metabolic homeostasis. By dissecting how circadian regulation, metabolism and epigenetics are interconnected we will gain novel insights into how these factors contribute to normal physiology and disease. At UCI I will exploit the expertise of the outgoing supervisor in the area of circadian biology, molecular metabolism and epigenetics. Then, at Humanitas University I will refine the knowledge and skills acquired during the outgoing phase, with the final aim of applying them to the cardiovascular field. This will place me in a privileged position to establish myself as a competent researcher within the European Community, in the field of cardiovascular biology, metabolism and epigenetics.

Mots clés : metabolism, methionine cycle, epigenetics, histone methylation, circadian rhythms

Participants :
- University of California System (Etats-Unis) — Partner, organization partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €
- Humanitas University (Italie) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 262269.0 €
Projet FusionSystems (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2015)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Mathematics
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The classification of finite simple groups is often regarded as one of the major mathematical achievements of the 20th century. Its importance lies not only in the fundamental result, but also in the methodology and conceptual framework developed for its proof. Most intriguingly, it turned out that the structure of a finite group is closely connected to the structure of the p-local subgroups, i.e. the normalizers of non-trivial p-subgroups, for a suitably chosen prime p. Of particular importance is the prime 2. Even though the proof of the classification of finite simple groups is insightful in its major conceptual approach, it is extremely long and difficult in its details. Thus, it would be of great interest to obtain a simplified proof. Moreover, to gain the maximum benefit from the methods of the proof of the classification, it is highly desirable to work in a more general context which in particular allows also for applications in the modular representation theory of finite groups. Saturated fusion systems provide a conceptual framework for this and connect to important questions in homotopy theory. A program to find a new and better proof of the classification of finite simple groups through a classification of simple fusion systems at the prime 2 has been recently outlined by Aschbacher. Two parts of our proposal concern classification problems for fusion systems. Their significance lies not only in completing important cases in Aschbacher's program, but also in giving new insight into the relative abundance of exotic examples, i.e. fusion systems not induced by any finite group. In the third part we attack a major problem in the algebraic theory of fusion systems by defining an analogue in fusion systems of centralizers of subgroups of finite groups. This will simultaneously facilitate a classification of fusion systems in the spirit of Aschbacher's program, and lead to a combinatorial understanding of maps between classifying spaces of fusion systems.

Mots clés : finite group theory, fusion systems, related homological algebra and homotopy theory

Participants :
- University of Aberdeen (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 195454.8 €
Projet VisionAtSecondGlance (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2016)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The cognitive faculties of memory and vision are heavily intertwined. Therefore, understanding the brain processes supporting these faculties critically depends on insights into vision-memory interactions. The aim of this research program is to obtain novel insights into two important aspects of this interaction. First of all, we will determine how memories change the way in which object image information is processed within the visual cortex. To this end, we will study the neural consequences of stimulus repetition and their relation to the behavioral effect of repetition priming. Second, we will determine how semantic feature encoding depth within the human inferior temporal cortex affects the formation of long term memories. New insights will be obtained by using simultaneous EEG-fMRI recordings – with which we can simultaneously measure three different hypothesized mechanisms of repetition priming – and by combining advanced behavioral experiments with state-of the art pattern analysis of fMRI and EEG data – which enables us to assess how memories affect the information content of brain response patterns and vice versa. In addition, we will investigate how stimulus repetition changes neural communication between brain areas and determine if stimulus repetition selectively reduces the extent to which brain response patterns encode non-diagnostic stimulus features. The data required to realize these objectives will be generated by two behavioral experiments (that determine the visual and semantic feature profiles for each repeated object image), two fMRI localizer sessions (with which we assess the feature tuning of fMRI voxels in the visual cortex), a combined EEG-fMRI session (with which we record stimulus repetition effects) and a subsequent memory test session (to assess subsequent memory for all repeated objects). Data integration entails the analysis of five key aspects of the data and is expected to generate five high-impact publications.

Mots clés : vision, memory, visual cortex, inferior temporal cortex, repetition priming, eeg fmri, pattern analysis, feedback, human neuroimaging, object recognition

Participants :
- Universität Hamburg (Allemagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 171460.8 €
Projet DarkSeeds (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2020)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Social Sciences and Humanities
Statut du projet : TERMINATED

The collapse of Bronze Age societies in the Aegean led to a period known as the ‘Greek Dark Ages’ (Early Iron Age, EIA) that involved major socio-economic disruptions and transformations. The causes of these changes and their impact on the agricultural economy of these societies have been matters of a long-lasting debate. The nature of agricultural management and production in this period is largely speculative due to limited bioarchaeological data and the inherent limitations involved in the analysis of available evidence. Owing to the lack of knowledge regarding the role of agriculture in these processes of socio-economic turmoil, a new approach to the debate is needed. DarkSeeds aims to re-examine the role of agriculture to provide an evidence-based understanding and a new explanatory model of the economic changes during the Late Bronze Age (LBA) – EIA, through a novel combination of traditional and newly developed methods and emerging technologies. In particular, it will employ archaeobotanical material from six sites across the Aegean to capture spatial variability and will: (1) use standard archaeobotanical approaches, including synthesis of existing data; and (2) apply and refine a new methodology, pioneered by the supervisory team, that combines 3D photogrammetry, Machine Learning-aided Geometric Morphometrics (GMM) and targeted stable isotope analysis, and uses directly the 3D shape of cereal seeds to infer agricultural practices. This combination of traditional with advanced and newly developed scientific techniques has the potential to step-change the investigation of complex issues of agricultural change and provide new, in-depth understandings of the very processes that underpinned the LBA-EIA societies. DarkSeeds will build upon the Experienced Researcher’s expertise to equip her with an excellent toolkit, through hands-on training, that can place her at the forefront of cutting-edge research and establish her at the top of her field.

Mots clés : archaeobotany, aegean, late bronze age, early iron age, stable isotopes, geometric morphometrics, machine learning

Participants :
- Institut Català d'Arqueologia Clàssica (Espagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 160932.48 €
Projet conFiRMa (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2019)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Information Science and Engineering
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The conFiRMa project is aimed at develop a suited, original numerical method, specifically formulated and validated in the open source finite element code ooFEM, for the assessment of the actual structural performances of historic masonry buildings strengthened with FRM (Fibre-Reinforced Mortar). This modern, effective and compatible reinforcement strategy, consists in plastering the walls by means of mortars with fibre-based elements embedded (meshes or textiles). The safe usability and preservation of historic masonry buildings, which constitute a significant part of the European architectural heritage, is an urgent issue, due to the intrinsic vulnerability of masonry related to durability and to accidental destructive actions (earthquakes, crushing, blasts, fracking...). However, while the study on unreinforced masonry has reached dvanced levels of definition, a specific numerical model for FRM strengthened masonry is still missing and a lack of standards concerning FRM interventions is nowadays detected. The innovative numerical model will thus be significantly useful for investigating on the actual performances of FRM strengthened masonry structures, for evaluating the applicability of the simplified modelling strategies currently adopted for unreinforced masonry in professional practice also to FRM strengthened masonry and for deriving important considerations for the standardization of the FRM design strategies. The methodology will be based on multiple-level analysis, starting with a detailed modelling (the masonry, the mortar and the reinforcement), followed by a computationally efficient intermediate level (e.g. layered macro-elements), until attain to simplified models (lumped plasticity). A significant impact is thus expected either on the scientific community, on the professional sectors (designers, fiber-based materials manufacturers) and, indirectly, on the whole society, dealing with the safety of people and the preservation of cultural heritage.

Mots clés : structural refurbishment, structural vulnerability, masonry structures, fibre based materials, composite, materials, fibre reinforced mortar, numerical analysis, computational mechanics

Participants :
- Czech Technical University in Prague (Rép. Tchèque) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 144980.64 €