Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-actions-marie-curie-participations-et-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Projet CYBERGEN (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2019)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Social Sciences and Humanities
Statut du projet : SIGNED

The social landslide provoked by the #metoo movement demonstrated the transnational role of digital communication tools in major societal changes. At the same time, women of Muslim background face gendered forms of othering within media and popular discourses in Western Europe. Innovative research is needed to advance our understanding of how women shape gender norms and practices through appropriation and contestation across virtual and non-virtual spaces. Yet, no empirical study has focused on the post-migration generations with the combined lenses of gender and digital studies. CyberGen examines the everyday uses of digital spaces and social media by women of Moroccan and Turkish descent, in France and Germany, in relation to gendered norms, practices and aspirations through an original methodology combining a netnography (data mining of publicly available social media data) with ethnographic methods. CyberGen breaks new ground for understanding how gendered norms, attitudes and practices fluctuate across digital and non-digital social spaces. CyberGen objectives are (1) to conceptualise patterns of engagement with digital spaces by women of Turkish and Moroccan backgrounds in European contexts; (2) to advance our understanding of transnational and local dimensions of gendered digital engagements within post-migration communities; (3) to understand the articulation between the online circulation of gendered ideas and everyday practices through a doubly comparative case-study of two communities in two different national settings; (4) to produce original and timely data for academic and policy-making realms on gendered norms and attitudes allowing for the de-construction of essentialising accounts; and (5) to contribute to the development of the emerging field of digital migration studies by theorising gendered digital engagements and setting up a new research path. CyberGen promises to inform several EU programmes in the fields of integration and gender equality.

Mots clés : post migration, gender equality, diversity, transnationalism

Participants :
- Centre national de la recherche scientifique (France) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 196707.84 €
Projet LIVERZAP (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2016)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The specialised tissue architecture of the liver is crucially important for its essential metabolic functions in the body. The liver has the unique regenerative capacity to restore lost architecture when damaged. However, this remodelling process is compromised in chronic liver disease by scarring and cirrhosis. Often the only treatment is organ transplantation, thus the development of novel therapies is of vital importance. The necessary understanding of the dynamic cell rearrangement driving restoration of liver architecture has been limited by temporally static histological analyses of fixed regenerating tissue. Real-time monitoring of the mammalian liver is hindered by tissue opacity and deep organ position, whereas the surface location of the zebrafish liver and larval transparency makes this species uniquely suited for live, in vivo imaging of regeneration. LIVERZAP will generate a detailed map of the different cell behaviours driving restoration of liver architecture by pioneering real-time, in vivo imaging of regeneration in zebrafish. This will be achieved by: i) generating a novel, photoactivatable method for rapid hepatocyte ablation and ii) developing a deep tissue, 2-photon microscopy live imaging protocol. The molecular factors controlling the identified cell behaviours will be screened for using SILAC-based proteomics. To realise LIVERZAP, expertise in liver research, deep tissue microscopy and proteomics within the host environment will be combined with the fellow’s live imaging experience. LIVERZAP will generate excellent new tools for the regeneration community and greatly enhance the fellow’s competencies in specialised techniques, including cutting-edge microscopy systems and optogenetics. The outcomes of LIVERZAP will produce essential insights into the cellular and molecular mechanisms driving restoration of liver architecture following injury, providing a platform for the long-term development of therapies for human liver pathologies.

Mots clés : liver, regeneration, live imaging, zebrafish, tissue architecture, cell ablation, injury, optogenetics, cell behaviours, morphogenesis

Participants :
- University of Copenhagen (Danemark) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 200194.8 €
Projet TopoInMulTermJJ (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2016)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Physics
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The spectrum of Andreev bound states in N-terminal Josephson Junctions (MulTJJ) may be viewed as a pseudo-bandstructure of N-1 dimension Bloch electrons. As we recently showed this pseudo-bandstructure may have interesting topological properties. (i) Topological transitions between ground states with different fermion parity may occur in a 3-terminal JJ upon varying the superconducting phases. (ii) In 4- or more terminal JJs, the pseudo-bandstructure may display Weyl nodes, that entail a non-trivial 1st Chern number in a 2D plane in the space of SC phase differences and lead to a measureable quantized transconductance under DC-bias voltage. However, questions concerning how to characterize, classify, and manipulate the topological states in MulTJJ are still open. The aim of this proposal is to continue to study this unexplored novel platform of topological matters. We start to study approaches to measure and manipulate topological states of MulTJJ in several more complicated nanostructures. These structures are interesting because topological properties are expected to be easily detected in similar experimental setups. We hope to observe exotic phenomena such as quantized transconductance, non-trivial modifications to the supercurrent and to waiting times due to the Berry phase. Moreover topological states are proposed to be manipulated in a gate-bias controllable dynamical process in a non-adiabatic driven quantum dot. We then propose to study the symmetry of MulTJJ in higher dimensions. In particular, we are interested in realizing a non-trivial 2nd Chern number, that would show up in the non-linear response of the system. For example we plan to study 6-/5-terminal JJ with/without time-reversal-symmetry in order to realize an analogue of the 4D quantum Hall effect. Finally, we seek to clarify the possible topological classes of MulTJJs. At the end of our research, we expect to obtain insights in understanding the topological properties of MulTJJs.

Mots clés : multi terminal josephson junctions, weyl singularities, topological phases, 2nd chern number, 4d quantum hall effect, andreev bound states, waiting time distribution

Participants :
- Université Grenoble Alpes (France) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 173076.0 €
Projet NAMESTRANSIS (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2015)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Physics
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The spin of an electron trapped in the binding potential of a phosphorous donor has recently shown some of the longest quantum coherence times in solid state and is now regarded as one of the most promising materials for quantum computing. However, current readout techniques rely on single-electron transistors for which millikelvin temperatures and nanoelectronic connections are needed. We propose to establish a new transduction mechanism that coherently couples silicon spin qubits to optical photons at the quantum level and hence provides optical addressing at 4K temperatures. Central to our proposed quantum transducer is a nanomechanical resonator, that acts as a conduit of quantum information. We will realize sufficiently strong interactions between the resonator and both spins and photons by exploiting nanophotonic systems, which can confine light fields and mechanical motion at the nanoscale. Our objectives are to show: (i) coupling between the spin and the mechanics by inducing spin-dependent mechanical frequency shift and read this out optically, and (ii) pulsed backaction-evading measurements of nanomechanical motion, establishing a fast single-shot qubit readout method, and allowing the creation of non-classical mechanical states through projective measurement. Doing this we create a unique three-way hybrid quantum system: spin qubit–mechanical resonator–optical cavity. The study of this new “spin-optomechanics” system is expected to both contribute to the exploration of the size-frontiers of quantum mechanics and lead to advancements in the field of quantum computation as well as ultra-sensitive magnetometry. The project allows the applicant to gain crucial expertise in nano-optomechanics and nanophotonics. Combined with his previous experience on spin qubits, the proposed research and the excellent scientific host environment will arm him with a unique skill set that will position him well for a future research position in Europe.


Participants :
- Dutch Research Council (Pays-Bas) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 165598.8 €
Projet StructuRNP (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2020)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : SIGNED

The spliceosome is a multi-megadalton enzyme that catalyses the excision of non-coding introns from nuclear pre-mRNA. It is assembled from five small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particles (snRNPs) and non-snRNP factors, while each snRNP contains a unique small nuclear RNA (snRNA, U1-U5) and is bound by the heptameric Sm-ring. Acquisition of the Sm-ring is a key quality control step in snRNP biogenesis, defects of which are linked with several human diseases. In humans, snRNP biogenesis requires at least 15 proteins, including the 9-subunit survival of motor neuron (SMN) complex. The SMN complex carries out the regulated and specific loading of the Sm ring onto snRNA. Recent studies have revealed the structure of several key proteins that play a role in snRNP assembly, however the complete structures of either the SMN complex alone or with interacting Sm ring and or the snRNP as a whole, are lacking and culminate to a big gap in our knowledge of the snRNP assembly. In this proposal, I will reconstitute key steps in snRNP biogenesis in humans and will determine their structures using cryo-electron microscopy and cross-linking mass spectrometry. I will study how the SMN complex specifically loads the Sm-ring onto U1 snRNA, as a model snRNP. Additionally, purification and structural analysis of endogenous SMN complex will reveal SMN complex stoichiometry and validate the in vitro work. The structures will reveal the interacting partners and the structural transitions within the assembled snRNP and will enable structure-guided biochemical and tissue culture validation of SMN complex function, while my background in protein biochemistry and human tissue culture makes me ideally suited to carry out this high-impact project. StructuRNP will provide first insights into the molecular events and choreography of the spliceosome, providing a leap in our understanding of spliceosome function and thus will have far reaching implications for RNA and spliceosome fields.

Mots clés : cryo em, snrnp, snrna, protein nucleic acid interaction

Participants :
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (Autriche) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Organismes privés (hors enseignement), subvention : 186167.04 €
Projet CSIT (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2019)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The stability-plasticity dilemma is a critical constraint in brain networks underlying learning and memory. The dilemma is how the brain can acquire new information (plasticity) without overriding older knowledge (stability). This project aims to understand how the brain solves this dilemma by investigating the underlying circuits that allow for the transition from the initial exploration of a behavior to its long-term storage. One possibility is that distinct brain circuits drive exploration and storage. Alternatively, a shared circuit may mediate both abilities through the transfer of behaviorally relevant information across brain regions. To rigorously test these models, we need a method to measure behaviorally relevant information transfer, something that is not possible with current methods. In this project I propose to work with Dr. Panzeri, a leading expert in applying information theory to neuroscience, to develop such a method. We will apply this method to a dataset I collected during my PhD, consisting of high-resolution, high-channel count chronic multi-site in vivo electrophysiology in the rat during novel skill learning. This dataset contains simultaneously recorded activity from motor cortex and the basal ganglia, regions that have been implicated in the exploration and the storage of behaviors, respectively. The results of this project will shed light on a fundamental principle in the brain, while providing the broader field of systems neuroscience with an important tool that we will disseminate in an open source format for maximum impact. This project is an ideal progression from my PhD and will allow me to strengthen my skills in computational neuroscience, complementing my training in experimental neuroscience, and preparing me to lead an interdisciplinary lab that combines high-quality in vivo electrophysiology with cutting-edge computational methods to investigate how interactions across brain regions generate complex behaviors.

Mots clés : stability plasticity dilemma, generalized linear models, partial information decomposition, information theory, motor skill learning, motor cortex, basal ganglia, in vivo electrophysiology

Participants :
- Italian Institute of Technology (Italie) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 85736.64 €
Projet DUAL-PHOSCAT (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2016)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Chemistry
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The stereocontrolled ring-opening polymerisation (ROP) of chiral cyclic esters for the preparation of biodegradable polymers with precise and finely-tuned properties remains a research challenge. Only Few catalysts/initiators have been reported to produce stereoregular high molecular weight polymers; most of them being highly sensitive and/or toxic organometallic species. Organocatalysed ROP produces polymers that are free of residual metal contaminates but to date, does not allow high productivities with high levels of stereocontrol. In this context, the multi-disciplinary proposal DUAL-PHOSCAT proposes to develop chiral tunable dual phosphorus-based organocatalysts to overcome these challenges. For this, a stepwise-synthesis strategy to tailor the organocatalyst architectures and an inventive combinatorial approach using self-assembled oganocatalysts will be investigated. The stepwise synthesis will bind together using chiral linkers, chiral phosphorus-based molecules and chiral thioureas molecules.The self-assembled dual organocatalysts will be obtained combining chiral amine-thioureas and chiral phosphoric acids. These systems will be investigated for the ROP of rac-lactide and rac-beta-butyrolactone. The proposed catalysts enable great advances in the preparation of isotactic polylactide (PLA) stereocomplex and highly tactic poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) in terms of catalyst stability, productivity, activity and stereoselectivity, in turn making these catalysts efficient green alternative to sensitive and /or toxic organometallic initiators for the synthesis of metal-free highly stereoregular polyesters under industrially-relevant conditions. The PLA and PHB obtained will find potential applications in packaging and fibers (as green alternative to petroleum-based plastics) or as biomedical devices that is in line with the H2020 programme (e.g. Climate action, environment, resource efficiency and raw materials and Health, Demographic and well-being).

Mots clés : ring opening polymerisation, organocatalysis, biodegradable polymers, asymmetric catalysis, self assembled catalysts

Participants :
- University of Warwick (Royaume-Uni) — Partner, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 65151.6 €
- University of Birmingham (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 130303.2 €
Projet SOLVE (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2019)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - Global Fellowships
Panel : Chemistry
Statut du projet : SIGNED

The stratospheric ozone layer absorbs harmful UV irradiation, protecting life on Earth. Only small changes are needed for significant damage to human health and agriculture, making it essential to understand the chemistry behind ozone depletion. Most of the ozone depletion has been caused by man-made emissions of the CFCs and halons, which are now banned through the Montreal Protocol and its amendments. However, due to the long-lived nature of these species, full recovery of the ozone layer is still decades away. In a changing climate, stratospheric composition, temperature and dynamics may be significantly altered, changing the catalytic ozone depletion in the future. Furthermore, new concerns regarding the ozone layer have emerged, with explosive volcanic eruptions possibly causing the largest perturbation to the ozone layer in the future. In this project, I will use different methods to determine the impact of halogen injections into the stratosphere on the ozone layer, determining the kinetics of bromine-containing species using laboratory and quantum chemical methods and incorporating them into a global chemistry and climate model. The first two years, I will be at Harvard, where I will use different atmospheric models to investigate the stratospheric impact of volcanic eruptions for a variety of future climate scenarios. I will also be carrying out experiments using cavity enhanced absorption spectroscopy to determine the kinetics of an atmospheric reservoir species for reactive bromine in the atmosphere. In the last year of the project I will be at University of Copenhagen and carry out experiments with a cold matrix setup with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy to investigate the reaction. Throughout the project, I will determine the mechanisms of halogen reactions at the molecular level using quantum chemical calculations. I will introduce the results from the kinetic experiments and quantum calculations into the models as they become available.

Mots clés : atmospheric chemistry, spectroscopy, future climate, regional and global modelling

Participants :
- Harvard University (Etats-Unis) — Partner, organization partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €
- University of Copenhagen (Danemark) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 286921.92 €
Projet DEMETROPIS (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2015)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Environment and Geosciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The stratospheric ozone layer is an important shield to protect life on earth. Most of the short-waved UVB radiation is absorbed which otherwise would cause skin cancer and genetic damage. Destruction of the ozone layer by halogen radicals was discovered in the 1970s and consequently production of many halogenated compounds was curtailed. Methyl chloride (CH3Cl) and methyl bromide (CH3Br), important contributors of halogens in the stratosphere, are emitted by both natural and anthropogenic sources but significant gaps remain in the calculated atmospheric budget due to uncertainties concerning formation mechanisms and/or overestimation of degrada-tion processes. In this study a conceptual framework will be developed to apply innovative multi-element isotope analysis (2H, 13C, 81Br, 37Cl) for delineating sources and sinks of methyl halides, reducing the budget uncertainties and discrepancies. The specific aim is to isotopically identify and characterize oxidation of methyl halides by hydroxyl radicals, the main degradation process, both to understand the fate of these important pollutants in the environment but foremost to resolve the impact on any future isotope based approach for source apportionment. The results of this project will also have broader impact as the information and interpretational frameworks developed will be applicable to research on other environmentally relevant gases, e.g. greenhouse gases. Returning to the EU the applicant will expand his own doctoral experiences obtained in Sweden, and bring to the proposed work his innovative experiences and techniques on CFCs developed through his current post-doctoral research in Canada. Therewith this project not only counteracts brain drain but, based on the unique combination of expertise of all contributors, the applicant will be able to bring his past and current research skills and insight to bear to start developing his own research career within the proposed field.

Mots clés : methyl chloride, methyl bromide, ozone depletion, source apportionment, global mass balance, hydroxyl radical reaction, multi dimensional isotope analysis, d13c, d37cl, d81br

Participants :
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (Allemagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 159460.8 €
Projet KdpFABC (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2016)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The structure-function relationships that explain the transport mechanism of membrane proteins on a molecular level are poorly understood and define one of the most complex and interdisciplinary research fields at the interface of Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Here I propose the investigation of the KdpFABC complex for the potassium uptake into the cell. It combines features of three membrane transport systems (P-type ATPases, channels and ABC transporters), which traditionally are considered to be mechanistically and structurally distinct. I propose to decipher the mechanism of action of the KdpFABC system, which is likely to overthrow the conceptual boundaries conventionally used to describe membrane transport mechanisms. The work might lead to the design of novel antibiotics, as these systems are exclusively found in prokaryotes. The structural studies will be conducted exploiting the recent breakthroughs in high-resolution single particle cryo electron microscopy (cryo-EM) that will be established by me as experienced researcher and thereby contribute to the cutting-edge research at UG. The complementary expertise of myself in structural biology and of Prof. Slotboom, as a world-leading scientist in the functional characterization of membrane proteins, are ideally suitable for the successful completion of the research objectives. Ultimately, this project will provide me a unique opportunity to establish myself as an independent researcher and use the knowledge and skills acquired to obtain an academic position within the EU.

Mots clés : high resolution single particle cryo em

Participants :
- University of Groningen (Pays-Bas) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 177598.8 €