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

Osteomyelitis, i.e. bone infection, combined with the alarming rise in antibiotic resistance globally, is currently regarded as the most devastating clinical complication when attempting to repair bone defects. This project tackles these major challenges of modern bone tissue engineering by developing a novel technology with dual osteogenic and antimicrobial action i.e. regenerative scaffolds that can eliminate bacterial infection while simultaneously providing a bioactive environment for bone growth. The specific goal of this research proposal is to develop and evaluate a new, innovative and effective treatment for osteomyelitis by combining non-antibiotic antimicrobial nanoparticles with gene-activated scaffolds for bone regeneration. Osteoconductive collagen-nanohydroxyapatite scaffolds with proven bone-healing potential will be functionalised for the sustained delivery of genetic cargoes to improve tissue repair, i.e. plasmid DNA (pBMP-2) and microRNA (antagomiR-133a), using novel technologies pioneered at Prof O’Brien’s Lab in the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. The project will also study the incorporation of metal-ions, an innovative alternative to traditional antibiotics, into scaffolds and bioglasses developed at Prof Boccaccini’s Lab at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg. Diligently supervised by Profs. O’Brien and Boccaccini, and guided by a Personal Career Development Plan, I will develop complementary skills in project management, entrepreneurship, commercialisation, leadership and profile enhancement. Acquiring advanced research competences and complementary skills will allow me to mature as an independent scientist, enhancing my professional visibility, capacity and competitiveness in the field of regenerative medicine. This Fellowship will significantly contribute to the achievement of my long-term career goal, which is becoming an independent scientist leading my own group focused on novel biomaterial research and development.

Mots clés : bone infection, nanomedicine, antimicrobials, regenerative scaffolds

Participants :
- Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (Irlande) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 184590.72 €
Projet GOTBONE (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2016)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Osteoporosis is a major health concern characterized by reduced bone mineral density (BMD) and impaired microarchitecture leading to increased risk of fractures and mortality, especially at the hip. At least 40% of women and 15% of men will sustain one or more fragility fractures in their remaining lifetime, representing a huge economic burden in Europe. Currently available osteoporosis drugs are effective in reducing vertebral fracture risk (dependent on trabecular bone) while less effective for non-vertebral and hip fracture risk (dependent on cortical bone). This proposal aims to identify novel mechanisms regulating site-specific fracture risk, on the basis of recent human genetic findings on the determinants of cortical bone thickness (WNT16 locus) and trabecular volumetric BMD (GREM2 locus). This translational research program will study the role of the WNT lipase NOTUM in the regulation of cortical bone thickness via its interaction with WNT16, a key regulator of cortical bone identified by the proposed supervisor (Nature Medicine 2014). We will next study how the Bone Morphogenetic Protein antagonist GREM2 regulates trabecular BMD. These studies will be performed using genetically modified murine models and human cell-cultures systems. Finally, in a prospective population-based cohort study (n=3010), we will test if serum level of NOTUM predicts the risk of fractures. Our long term goal is to translate these findings into novel biomarkers and more effective therapies for the prevention of osteoporotic fractures. The applicant is an Assistant Professor of Rheumatology with a special clinical focus on osteoporosis and a complementary preclinical research background in osteoarthritis but not osteoporosis. This fellowship in a lab of excellence in the field of translational osteoporosis research will enhance his skills in both bone biology and epidemiological studies and will provide a huge added-value to his academic career with a spectrum of new collaborations.

Mots clés : osteoporosis, translational biomedicine, animal models, cohorts, clinical research

Participants :
- University of Gothenburg (Suède) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 185857.2 €
Projet STRAIN (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2016)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Environment and Geosciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Our ability to limit the societal and economic impact of the earthquakes is strongly tied to our understanding of the physics lying behind the earthquake phenomenology. Most earthquakes are generated along pre-existing faults that suddenly fail after prolonged periods of tectonic stressing. Indeed, an earthquake is generated by the imbalance between the elastic energy provided by the rocks surrounding the fault and the strength drop of the fault itself, which is degraded by progressive slip. A large number of experimental and geophysical data well characterize the first-order resistance of the rocks either before (“static” strength) or after the initiation of seismic slip (“dynamic” strength). However, there is a fundamental lack of understanding about how exactly the fault strength decrease slip (STRAIN weakening) and about the real elasticity of the rock masses around the fault, i.e. the “spring” that triggers the earthquakes. We propose the first systematic study of the changes in rock strength with progressive strain using two world-class deformation apparatuses hosted at Durham University, integrating a wide range of microstructural observations and lab seismology techniques to have insights into the microphysics of deformation. We also propose to acquire an unprecedented dataset on the elasticity of fault rocks at in situ conditions, which will be combined with shear experiments to produce empirically calibrated models of fault zone that may shed new light on the process of earthquake nucleation and of potential seismic precursors.

Mots clés : earthquake fault rock mechanics elasticity

Participants :
- Durham University (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 183454.8 €
Projet Reading BIG (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2020)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Social Sciences and Humanities
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Our ability to read is a must to navigate our current society, and despite the large variability in skill within the general population, it is often taken for granted. This project aims to help elucidate the mechanisms from genes to reading behaviour, by identifying anatomical brain imaging markers correlated to reading ability using an automated pipeline that can be used in the context of large imaging genetic datasets. We need to systematically characterise how reading expertise is reflected in the brain in order to be able to ask questions about its genetics underpinnings in large datasets without behavioural reading measures. We need to identify small genetic effects that additively contribute to the ready-to-read brain because it will pinpoint to relevant biological pathways that are the substrate of reading ability. We need to understand the extend to which the same genetic markers influence reading and its brain correlates, and whether genetic influences on reading performance are mediated through brain morphology, to help discern between different risk profiles for reading difficulties. BIG READING integrates behavioural, brain imaging and genome-wide data in automated scalable pipelines to gain a deeper understanding of the link between genes and reading behaviour. I will analyse structural imaging markers correlated to reading-related traits in deeply phenotyped datasets of the general population to systematically characterise how reading expertise is reflected in the brain. I will perform heritability and genome-wide association scans in datasets with tens of thousands of participants to identify small genetic effects that additively contribute to the ready-to-read brain. I will perform genetic overlap analyses to define the extend of shared influence of genes on reading and its brain correlates and use genes as instruments to make causal inferences between brain markers and reading ability. This project will provide a foundation for future studies on how

Mots clés : reading ability, brain imaging genetics

Participants :
- Basque Center on Cognition, Brain and Language (Espagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 172932.48 €
Projet MuStMAM (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2016)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Physics
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Our digital universe is doubling in size every two years, so that by 2020, it will contain nearly as many digital bits as there are stars in our physical universe! Existing memory technologies are approaching their physical storage limitations as miniaturisation of electronic devices continues. This requires significant development of advanced next generation data storage technologies to sustain consumer demand for increasing levels of data creation. New materials and technology to store more data in smaller area are required. There is a strong argument in favour of investing in multiferroic material that is still at a distance from a marketable position. In this proposed project we will investigate the prospect of exchange bias coupled artificial multiferroic material for high density memory device to overcome the market demand. In recent research, multiferroic tunnel junctions (MFTJ) have excited enormous interest for high-density memory devices. In this project, we propose a heterostructure of ferromagnetic (FM) and ferroelectric (FE) materials where the interface becomes antiferromagnetic layer and creates exchange bias (EB) coupling with adjacent FM layer. Due to induced EB, the system will add additional functionality giant magneto resistance (GMR) along with tunneling electro-resistance (TER) and magneto-resistance (TMR) in a single MFTJ, and allow multiple resistive states per memory element at very low dimension where multiple bits can be stored. During the proposed project magnetoelectric process in artificial multiferroic systems will be investigated to unveil possible nanoscale coupling between different ferroic parameters, magneto-electric transport processes and effect of exchange bias on them. Heterostructure thin film with high degree of quality will be studied aiming high density multistate memory device. The project will offer the opportunity to work in collaboration with other research groups both within and outside the University of Cambridge.

Mots clés : multiferroics, exchange bias, tunnel junction, magnetism, spintronics

Participants :
- University of Cambridge (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 195454.8 €
Projet Angio-NYT (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2018)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - Global Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Our limited understanding of angiogenesis, the process leading to the formation of new blood vessels from pre-existing ones, hinders the design of new treatments for associated diseases such as cancer, ischemia, and diabetic retinopathy. It is well established that sprouting angiogenesis involves a process of endothelial cell phenotype selection mediated by the interaction between vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and Notch signalling. Recently, it has been demonstrated that the Yes-associated protein (YAP) and the transcriptional coactivator with a PDZ-binding domain (TAZ), the main mediators of the Hippo signalling pathway, interact with VEGF and influence Notch signalling. However, it is still unclear how the effects of YAP/TAZ on Notch signalling contribute in regulating angiogenesis. In this project, I will adopt an approach combining experimental and computational techniques. First, I will culture endothelial cell monolayers on differently stiff substrates and I will perturb Notch via ligand-coated beads and YAP/TAZ activity via pharmacological inhibition. With the information deriving from these experiments, I will develop a unique agent-based computational model for angiogenesis, accounting for the interplay between Notch and YAP/TAZ. I will use this model to predict the effects of the Notch-YAP/TAZ crosstalk on angiogenesis. Finally, I will adapt previously established in vitro experimental systems recapitulating angiogenesis in three-dimensional environments. In these systems, I will vary the matrix stiffness, inhibit YAP/TAZ activation, perturb Notch signalling with ligand-coated beads, and measure the changes to parameters such as sprout and branch density and the dynamics of individual cell behaviour. This interplay between experimental and computational techniques will enhance our understanding of the crosstalk between Notch and Hippo-YAP/TAZ in regulating angiogenesis, with the potential to inspire new medical treatments.

Mots clés : angiogenesis, signalling pathway, microfluidics, notch signalling, mechanotransduction

Participants :
- Eindhoven University of Technology (Pays-Bas) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 170419.2 €
- Boston University (Etats-Unis) — Partner, organization partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €
Projet MECEDGE (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2017)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Our memories are arguably what make us who we are, making dementia a particularly cruel disease. Decades of research have revealed that two interconnected brain regions, the medial entorhinal cortex (MEC) and hippocampus (HP), are required for successful spatial memory formation in mammals. Each region contains specialized neurons that fire relative to the animal`s position in physical space: grid cells in the MEC have regularly-repeating spatial firing fields throughout the entire environment (“grid field”); and place cells in the CA1 region of the HP fire at a particular location within an environment (“place field”). Spatial information from the MEC grid cells reaches CA1 place cells in two ways: through an (1) indirect pathway (IP) via layer II MEC neurons, or a (2) direct pathway (DP) via the layer III MEC neurons. Thus, hippocampal neurons compare processed and unprocessed input. However, the relative roles of these two kinds of input onto hippocampal firing patterns remains elusive, largely due to the difficulty in performing layer-specific manipulations. The Kentros lab at NTNU has developed a novel and exciting genetic technology that makes such experiments possible. Therefore, I propose to conduct in vivo electrophysiological recordings in CA1 while manipulating the DP to determine the effects of direct MEC input on hippocampal network dynamics. I will then investigate the behavioral ramifications of manipulating the DP on spatial task performance. Interestingly, the superficial layers of entorhinal cortex are the first brain area to exhibit the pathological signs of Alzheimer`s Disease (AD) in patients. Therefore, I will compare the relative roles of entorhinal layer II and III neuron activity in the progression of pathology in a preclinical mouse model of AD. Thus, this proposal will provide insight into how the distinct circuit elements of the entorhinal cortex contribute to place field formation, memory performance, and disease progression.

Mots clés : place cells, hippocampus, medial entorhinal cortex, chemogenetics, enhancers, transgenics, alzheimer s disease

Participants :
- Norwegian University of Science and Technology (Norvège) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 196400.4 €
Projet WABCom (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2019)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Information Science and Engineering
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Over 70% of the Earth’s surface is covered by water, while the majority of the underwater areas are unexplored yet. Owing to growing underwater activities, e.g., undersea oil & gas exploration, and Internet of underwater things, reliable water-to-air wireless communications are urgently needed by the industry, military, and scientific communities. As it is difficult to use a single type of signal, e.g., acoustic, radio frequency (RF), or optical, for communication across a water-air interface, most existing water-to-air communications rely on sonobuoys to relay acoustic signals from underwater transmitters to RF receivers on/above the water surface. The global sonobuoy market is predicted to reach $595.9 million at a 6.62% CAGR over the period 2018-2023. Since sonobuoys might not be recovered from remote, hostile areas of the ocean, battery-powered sonobuoys (which have battery packs full of toxic metals) are posing a great threat to the marine environment. Although energy-harvesting technologies (e.g., photovoltaic, wave action, or seawater based semi-fuel cell) have been developed for sonobuoys to charge onboard energy storage systems, the challenge of miniaturizing and incorporating these technologies into the sonobuoy volume constraint remains a dominant issue. This project will develop novel water-to-air backscatter communication (WABCom) technology to enable the design of lightweight, battery-free sonobuoys by leveraging RF backscatter communications, where the RF energy harvested by the sonobuoy from an unmanned aerial vehicle’s (UAV) transmission is used to support the circuit operation at the sonobuoy, and the sonobuoy forwards the received underwater signal to the UAV via an RF backscatter link (i.e., by modulating the signal on the RF waveform reflected back to the UAV). Such miniature battery-free sonobuoys can be flexibly deployed (e.g., air-dropped by UAVs) where and when needed and are disposable with minimum impact on the marine environment.

Mots clés : water to air wireless communications, sonobuoy, radiofrequency, backscatter, underwater acoustics, energy harvesting, internet of underwater things, underwater sensor networks

Participants :
- University of Sheffield (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 212933.76 €
Projet ReCitYu (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2017)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Social Sciences and Humanities
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Over the last decade citizens of the Western Balkans region, an area interested by the enlargement of the European Union (EU), have increasingly been advocating for inclusion in decision-making affecting the restructuring of their urban habitat. This emerging activism addresses the so-called “Right to the City” (RTC), defined as the collective right to intervene to reshape the urbanisation process. A variety of citizen initiatives emerged, brought about by grassroots groups reclaiming, through different tactics, the citizens’ right to participate in decisions related to urban planning and the use of public space. These bottom-up demands have been echoed by both the United Nations’ New Urban Agenda (2016) and the European Union’s Pact of Amsterdam (2016), which called for a global commitment to sustainable urban development to be accomplished in cooperation with local communities and civil society actors. By bridging Critical Citizenship Studies with Social Movement Studies and Europeanization theories, this comparative research explores the dynamics of urban activism in the post-Yugoslav space. It examines the diverse ways in which RTC groups have responded to projects of urban restructuring of their cities and to the on-going privatisation of the public space resulting from the transition of former Yugoslav republics from socialist to market economies. By employing qualitative methods for collecting and analysing empirical data, specifically in-depth semi-structured interviews, focus groups, and participant observation as well as analysis of primary and secondary sources, this project aims at providing new theoretical insights useful in understanding how citizens in post-socialist countries enact their citizenship today. Moreover, the research illuminates the extent to which urban grassroots initiatives are shaped both by their embeddedness in European social movement networks and by the opportunities and constraints offered by the EU enlargement process.

Mots clés : western balkans, right to the city, grassroots activism, civil society, eu enlargement

Participants :
- University of Graz (Autriche) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 166156.8 €
Projet LHCbBaryonAmplitudes (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2014)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Physics
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Over the last fifteen years spectroscopy, the study of the hadronic states, has received a lot of attention. This has been driven by the observation of many new `exotic' states that do not fit into the traditional picture of mesons (composed of a quark-antiquark pair) and baryos (three quarks) in the constituent quark model. One prominent example is the Z(4430)+ particle, which was discovered in 2008 by the Belle experiment and was recently confirmed by LHCb. Its nature sparked a lot of interest in the theory community because it is charged and decays to charmonium. The LHCb analysis establishes for the first time that the Z(4430)+ is a four quark state. We propose to perform spectroscopy studies using the Lambda(b) to J/psi p K and Lambda(b) to psi(2S) p K decays of Lambda(b) baryons. Such decays are known to be mediated by strange baryon resonances that decay to a final state comprising a proton and a kaon. It turns out that the properties of many of these resonances are also poorly known. If there is structure in p psi(2S) or p J/psi mass, analogous to the Z(4430)+ in B0 decays, this would indicate the presence of a new exotic, five quark, state. Finding such a particle in Lambda(b) decays would be in itself very interesting and could help theorists understand the nature of the exotic states. In addition, the knowledge obtained of strange baryon resonances will be used to test the Standard Model of particle physics in the decay Lambda(b) to p K mu+mu-.

Mots clés : b baryon decays, baryon spectroscopy, exotic spectroscopy, amplitude analysis

Participants :
- University of Warwick (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 195454.8 €