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

Lifetime stress and trauma have detrimental consequences on the brain and immune system in the form of chronic inflammation that increases risk for the majority of leading causes of morbidity in Europe, such as cardiovascular diseases. Mindfulness interventions seem to be able to counteract the effects of chronic stress, and to protect mental and physical health, but the underlying mechanisms are not yet fully understood. This fellowship aims to test and further develop an interdisciplinary framework (INSPIRER) that integrates psychological, neural, genomic and immune mechanisms of mindfulness interventions. To this aim, three studies will be conducted. First, a systematic review of the extant evidence that supports the INSPIRER will be conducted. Second, long-term mindfulness meditators will be compared with non-meditators in terms of neural and immune outcome measures in a cross-sectional study. Third, these outcomes will be used to compare an 8-week mindfulness intervention with an active control group through a randomised controlled trial. The studies will apply methods from psychology (a computerised cognitive task and questionnaires), neuroscience (structural and functional MRI) and immunology (biomarkers of inflammation). In addition to testing the neural and immune mechanisms, the two empirical studies will include an experimental induction of either physiological stress or social stress to directly test if mindfulness increases resilience. The INSPIRER has the potential to influence several research areas, as well to provide practical guidelines about which interventions are the most effective in mitigating the effects of chronic stress and concomitant inflammation. Besides conducting three studies, this fellowship will include extensive training across disciplines that will get me closer to my long-term goal of creating a strong network of collaborators in Europe and becoming a leading academic in mind-body interventions and stress.

Mots clés : mindfulness, stress, inflammation, neuroimaging

Participants :
- University of Amsterdam (Pays-Bas) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 187572.48 €
Projet FungEye (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2020)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Light perception is one of the most important sources of information for life on Earth. Its importance is such, that several microbial eukaryotic lineages independently evolved analogous sub-cellular ‘eye-structures’ to achieve a similar function. In the microbial lineages we see a similar ‘recipe’ for these systems; a light occluding or refractory surface positioned next to an action potential-generating opsin rich membrane layer. These systems represent one of the most spectacular cases of multiple convergent evolution of a cellular system. Recently, one such eye-organelle structures was described in the early-diverging zoosporic fungi Blastocladiella emersonii (Be). This putative organelle relies on a unique fusion protein (CyclOp), of a rhodopsin domain and a guanylyl cyclase domain to perceive light. Due to the capability of the CyclOp protein to control the intracellular cGMP levels of the cell, it has been intensely studied as an optogenetic tool for signalling-dependent studies. These results highlight the importance of discovery science in non-standard model microbes. However, we still do not know which cellular and molecular elements compose the wider CyclOps-system and how they interact with each other. What is more, the evolutionary history and origin of the organellar protein network remains unknown. The FungEye project aims to characterize the cellular structure, proteome and evolutionary ancestry of this novel light perception organelle. For this we will reconstruct the complete 3D cell architecture of Be zoospores to understand this cellular structure and characterize the wider protein network of the CyclOps-system. Once characterized, we will be able to reconstruct the CyclOps-organelle evolutionary history through its proteome by phylogenomics. Such progress will not only allow us to study how light perception evolved in fungi but also to identify functions useful for building synthetic light perceiving cellular systems.

Mots clés : fungal eye, evolution, light perception, cyclop, phylogenomics, protein identification

Participants :
- University of Oxford (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 212933.76 €
Projet ZINCLAPS (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2016)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Light-addressable potentiometric sensors (LAPS) have great potential as a tool for functional electrochemical imaging of the attachment area of cells, providing information such as ion concentration, extracellular potentials and ion channel activity. The technique is particularly attractive for analysing cell responses of cells with planar polarisation as the cell-surface attachment area is not accessible to conventional electrophysiological measurements. However, current systems suffer either from poor resolution or slow scanning speed. In this project, we propose to develop a novel LAPS setup with high spatiotemporal resolution combined with two-photon fluorescence microscopy that allows imaging of physiological processes with submicron resolution and in real time. Novel zinc sensitive surfaces will be developed and used in conjunction with the new high-resolution and high-speed LAPS setup to investigate the role of zinc in age related macular degeneration (AMD). The retina and the underlying retinal pigment epithelium contain high concentrations of zinc. Several eye disorders are associated with altered zinc balance, and zinc supplementation has become a choice of treatment for diseases like agerelated macular degeneration. Despite its importance in health and diseases of the eye, it is still not well understood how zinc participates in cellular and molecular events and how zinc supplementation might be beneficial. We will investigate zinc fluxes at the basal side of the retinal pigment epithelium where zinc is suspected to play a key role in the formation of deposits and the initiation of AMD. The results of the study may lead to new treatments to prevent, forestall, or reverse the effects of the disease and may also help to elucidate zinc's role in other diseases including type 2 diabetes, pancreatic cancer, and Alzheimer disease and are therefore expected to impact the pharmaceutical industry and increase the quality of life for an ageing population.

Mots clés : light addressable potentiometric sensors  laps, zinc, imaging, impedance, retinal pigment, cells, age related macular degeneration  amd

Participants :
- University of London (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 195454.8 €
Projet FUTURE (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2015)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Lignocellulose is the most abundant organic matter on Earth and important constituent of agricultural and industrial wastes. Lignocellulose-derived monomeric sugars and aromatic compounds can serve as a cheap substrates for biotechnological production of numerous value-added chemicals (VAC). However, a well-defined bacterial platform that could efficiently utilize lignocellulose for biosynthesis of VAC in a single step is still missing. The saprophytic bacterium Pseudomonas putida KT2440, a robust laboratory workhorse with versatile metabolism, has wide potential to utilize lignocellulose-derived sugars and aromatics for VAC formation. But the need for enzymatic pretreatment of the recalcitrant lignocellulose components hinders the development of a cost-effective processes. This challenge could be solved by expanding the biocatalytic functions of P. putida using cellulosomes, efficient enzymatic nanomachines displayed on the surface of certain cellulolytic microorganisms. Synthetic cellulosomes were successfully engineered in biofuel-generating yeast, but never in a Gram-negative bacterium. The applicant will adopt state-of-the-art approaches and tools of synthetic biology, systems biology and metabolic engineering in order to construct P. putida displaying designer cellulosomes and forming valuable biopolymers directly from cellulosic waste. This task requires a rational orchestration of distinct physiological features of the host in order to achieve the desired qualities without compromising cell viability. In this context, the study will also propose a roadmap for massive refactoring and enrichment of native metabolic properties of environmental bacteria. Thus, the project will not only allow the applicant to enhance his research skills, but will also contribute to both understanding fundamentals of model biological systems and corporate effort aimed at establishing FUTURE knowledge-based bio-economy in Europe.

Mots clés : lignocellulose, pseudomonas putida, cellulosome, value added chemicals, synthetic biology

Participants :
- Spanish National Research Council (Espagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 170121.6 €
Projet SUBLime (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2020)
Action : Doctoral Networks
Panel : Information Science and Engineering
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Lime is one of the earliest industrial commodities known to man and it continues to be one of the essential building blocks of modern Society. The global lime market is anticipated to approach the value of 44 Billion Euros by the end of 2026 and resulting in various growth opportunities for key players. The SUBLime network aims to develop the most advanced technology in lime-based materials modelling and characterization for industrial use that will go beyond the limitations of existing solutions in new construction and conservation in the built heritage. It is firstly dedicated to recruit and train fifteen PhD students in multiple scientific and engineering fields towards a better understanding and development of sustainable innovations in both added functionalities and sustainability aspects in lime mortars and plasters, strongly based on novel biomimetic and closed-loop recycling approaches. The project covers the main features of lime-based applications analysis, including material characterization, numerical non-linear modelling of multiphysics behaviour, functionality and sustainability in lime use and performance-based design. These new developments include capacities such as: self-cleaning, (super-) hydrophobicity, self-healing, enhanced (catalysed) CO2 capture capabilities, and considers closed-loop recycling. The crossdisciplinary approach throughout the SUBLime value chain, leveraging the knowledge of the academic (6) and industrial members (11), such as lime producers, mortar/plaster/block producers, and end-users for the prioritization of industrial needs, will dramatically increase the transfer of scientific knowledge to the lime-consuming industries in the EU, ensuring their progress on social, environmental and economic aspects, and product understanding.

Mots clés : lime, mortars, plasters, multiphysics, sustainability, performance based, digital fabrication, recycling, co2 capture, self healing, numerical modelling, end users, training, knowledge transfer

Participants :
- University of Granada (Espagne) — Partner, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 501809.76 €
- Ghent University (Belgique) — Partner, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 768960.0 €
- University of Minho (Portugal) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 950880.96 €
- Technical University of Darmstadt (Allemagne) — Partner, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 505576.8 €
- Silesian University of Technology (Pologne) — Partner, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 454957.2 €
- Delft University of Technology (Pays-Bas) — Partner, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 531239.76 €
Projet VERLAN (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2020)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Information Science and Engineering
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Limitations to a programming language can be helpful in producing more readable and maintainable software. In addition, the semantic domain associated with such a limited fragment may admit more efficient algorithms for verification and analysis. A proper understanding of such algorithms starts with a characterisation of this limited semantic domain. Thus, to describe and reason about the possible behaviour of a program, we need methods to formalise the description the domain. VERLAN proposes to study the semantic domains of fragments of programming languages through the lens of formal language theory. I will study and inter-relate three mathematical frameworks to classify formal languages (varieties, covarieties, and logics). I will derive new algorithms for three fundamental problems in program verification: refactoring, equivalence checking, and learning, optimized for the class of formal languages. The Institute for Logic, Language and Computation (ILLC) is the prime location for this fellowship because of the expert knowledge already present there, such as my supervisor Dr. Nick Bezhanishvili, as well as my second supervisor, Prof. Yde Venema. My own research experience in program verification and formal languages aligns very well with the goals of this proposal. I will also collaborate with several researchers outside the ILLC, through planned research visits to institutions in France, Germany, and Canada. This proposal also includes a number of plans designed to enhance my career prospects as a researcher as well as my integration with the ILLC. These plans have been fine-tuned so as to spread the workload across the full two years of the fellowship, and include extensive progress monitoring. They include professional training for soft skills, grant writing, and teaching certification, as well as a strategy for outreach, and several activities aimed at dissemination of the research.

Mots clés : universal  co algebra, formal language theory, program verification, exact inference

Participants :
- University of Amsterdam (Pays-Bas) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 175572.48 €
Projet Speaking Freely (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2019)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Social Sciences and Humanities
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Linguistic diversity is a common feature of contemporary societies, leading political philosophers to question how best to approach such diversity and the conflicts it sometimes engenders. One morally significant phenomenon that linguistically diverse societies are prone to is linguistic domination. This occurs whenever a person or group is subject to uncontrolled interference over their linguistic status (the legal/official recognition of a language), conditions (the social conditions in which individuals and groups perform their daily linguistic practices) and use (the daily linguistic practices of individuals and groups) by some other person, group or political institution. Theories of linguistic justice have so far neglected the concept of linguistic domination, and one important aim of my project is to demonstrate that eliminating it is a necessary condition for linguistic justice. In addition to establishing the centrality of linguistic domination for theories of linguistic justice, my project will draw on insights from the study of federal societies to propose innovative mechanisms to address it. Federalism involves dividing political power amongst central government and sub-state units, including linguistic minorities, and as such can provide the basis for institutional remedies against domination.

Mots clés : normative political theory, linguistic justice, language policies, republicanism, domination, federalism

Participants :
- University of Limerick (Irlande) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 196590.72 €
Projet TRuST (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2017)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Environment and Geosciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) is a potentially deadly pathogen with the ability to grow in a wide range of ready-to-eat (RTE) food products. This pathogen is of major concern for food stakeholders, as numerous product recalls from markets and an increasing number of outbreaks are occurring in Europe. In this economic and public health context, more research is urgently needed to understand and prevent Lm growth in RTE foods. TRuST is about creating a robust growth model to predict and manage Lm growth in RTE foods, especially lightly preserved and RTE seafood where contamination with Lm is particularly high. While some mathematical models exist today for this purpose, there is a general consensus that more accurate models are needed. For example, models incorporating gene expression (GE) data and growth variability (GV) between different isolates. My approach will be to combine GE and GV data in the existing and extensively used Lm growth model developed at DTU Food (host institution). This will be obtained by using RNA sequencing techniques and innovative mathematical modelling approaches. The newly generated models will be freely available as part of the Food Safety Spoilage Predictor (FSSP) software, developed at DTU Food. FSSP is today used in more than 125 countries by more than 10,000 users, benefitting the food industry, authorities and consumers worldwide. The team at DTU Food has a solid experience with Lm in RTE foods, food safety modelling, and software development. The secondment supervisor (UZH) is an expert in the genomics and transcriptomics of Lm. I have large experience in predictive microbial modelling and analytical food microbiology techniques. With the MSCA fellowship, I will benefit from the complementary expertise at DTU Food and UZH and facilitate collaboration between the two institutions. Moreover, this fellowship will be instrumental to prepare me as an expert scientist capable to assist the resolution of future food safety issues in Europe.

Mots clés : predictive microbiology, transcriptomics, food safety

Participants :
- Technical University of Denmark (Danemark) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 200194.8 €
Projet ENGRAVINg (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2018)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - Global Fellowships
Panel : Social Sciences and Humanities
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Literacy is a fundamental human right and the foundation for lifelong learning. Acquiring a new writing system has huge consequences for our everyday life but also for our brain. However, the neural underpinnings of this unique human skill are still unclear. Understanding how the brain learns to quickly map visual configurations to sounds and concepts represents a scientific challenge with educational and clinical implications. Visual and language brain circuits are strongly influenced by the experience of literacy1. With reading acquisition, these two brain circuits have to adjust and start to interact in completely new ways. The present project will investigate the structural and functional connections between visual and language systems by combining for the first time new cutting-edge techniques of cognitive neuroscience. Modern magnetoencephalographic (MEG) methods allow us to collect fine-grained time course description about cortical activations of visual and language areas, as well as about their spatial localizations and functional connectivity. Moreover, recent advances in quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (qMRI) methods enable us to collect structural measures of the white matter tissue connecting the reading network and measure properties that affect signal conduction, such as myelination. The present proposal will combine these two methodologies in order to describe how changes in myelination of the reading brain tracts are related to the functional interactions between language and visual areas. This new knowledge will allow us to 1) tease apart interactive and modular predictions on the reading network 2) uncover how this structural-functional relation between brain areas changes in reading acquisition and reading impairment.

Mots clés : reading aquisition, qmri

Participants :
- Stanford University (Etats-Unis) — Partner, organization partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €
- Basque Center on Cognition, Brain and Language (Espagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 245732.16 €
- University of Washington (Etats-Unis) — Partner, organization partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €
Projet Neurostella (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2014)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : TERMINATED

Little is known about the genetic and developmental mechanisms that led to the evolution of the nervous system in the ancestors of eumetazoans. We plan to address the issue by studying a basal metazoan - the cnidarian Nematostella vectensis. The cnidarians are a sister group to bilaterians and possess a surprising complexity of genetic network, yet a relatively simple overall morphology including a diffuse nervous system. By studying the neural progenitors, we aim to address the problem from a developmental point of view. We propose to employ the state-of-the-art technology (transcriptome sequencing, in vivo imaging, transgenesis) in order to gain insight into the molecular characteristics of neural progenitors of Nematostella and to understand how the different populations of neural progenitors relate to neuronal diversity present in Nematostella. We will also analyse the function of a neural progenitor marker SoxB2, among others, in order to determine the role in the genetic hierarchy of the formation of the first nervous systems. Last, we will perform a comparative analysis of Nematostella neural progenitor make up with other cnidarians and bilaterians. This will elucidate the common and distinct features of cnidarian and bilateral nervous systems, which in turn will enable us to reconstruct the common ancestor.

Mots clés : development, neurogenesis, cnidarians, neural progenitors, evolution, soxb2

Participants :
- University of Vienna (Autriche) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 178156.8 €