Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-actions-marie-curie-participations-et-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Projet ESAIRE (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2014)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Social Sciences and Humanities
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Participatory sensing initiatives for monitoring air and environmental quality are flourishing as a result of the citizens’ growing concern about pollution. Scientific teams and Do it Yourself communities are developing personal sensor kits and data aggregation platforms, leveraging smartphones to gather environmental data. However, the human and social aspects that have the power to sustain these citizen science projects do not receive enough attention. ESAIRE aims at addressing the citizen engagement challenges that affect the viability and impact of citizen science and participatory sensing projects. In collaboration with the Air Pollution program of CREAL and the UCL’s Extreme Citizen Science research group, the researcher will apply a novel human-centered approach to participatory sensing, based on a case study in Barcelona. ESAIRE is a multidisciplinary project lying at the intersection of Society and technological systems, with applications in public health and environmental research and potential to impact policy decisions. First, ESAIRE will develop a public engagement strategy and media dissemination plan to involve citizens and local authorities in a participatory sensing project from the early stages of design. Secondly, ESAIRE will explore innovative methodologies to incorporate citizens’ contributions into the design of participatory sensing: from novel visualization solutions to community building strategies, and the creation of communication channels with the authorities. Finally, ESAIRE will contribute to advancing the state-of-the-art in participatory sensing with a conceptual framework of citizen science, human-centered methodological guidelines, and evaluation measures to assess impact.

Mots clés : participatory sensing, participatory science, citizen science, human computer interaction, air quality monitoring, environment, information services, social media, sensors, mobile phones

Participants :
- CERCA Institution (Espagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 170121.6 €
Projet RESILIENCE (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2018)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Social Sciences and Humanities
Statut du projet : CLOSED

People are increasingly moving across national borders, where many of these people are refugees fleeing natural disasters, war, and persecution. This proposed project will investigate the impact of refugee-run small-scale businesses on resilience of marketing systems within refugee settlements, where resilience is the ability of a system to recover in the face of disturbances. This project will specifically seek to understand the resource sets in the marketing system in relation to resilience through employing an integrated capitals framework that includes nine resources (financial, physical, social, natural, human, cultural, public, political, and health) and bridges seven existing capitals frameworks from academia and practice. This work will be qualitative in nature: The researcher will engage in longitudinal fieldwork to collect observational and interview-based data in a refugee settlement in Europe and inductively analyse this data towards the creation of theoretical models. The resulting theory will further academic understanding of resilience, marketing systems, and involved resources, while aiming to create actionable models that can be used to strengthen economic activities related to refugees. This work aligns with the European Commission’s (EC) 2018-2020 Work Programme research priorities related to social and economic effects of migration (SC6). Further, the running of small businesses is considered by the EC to be of key importance towards supporting refugees’ integration in Europe, while resilience is named as a part of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals related to communities. As such, furthering our understanding of refugee-run businesses in relation to resilience within marketing systems is important to the refugees themselves, their host countries, and the public and private sector, and thus to the future of Europe and for the wider global community.

Mots clés : resilience, community resources, capitals, refugees, migrants, marketing, marketing systems

Participants :
- IE University (Espagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 172932.48 €
Projet GASTRIC (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2019)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Statut du projet : CLOSED

People can only ingest food through the oral cavity, and oral administration remains the preferred route for the delivery of drugs or dietary supplements. However, orally ingested compounds must first survive digestion and then be absorbed at the small intestine to reach the systemic circulation. This proposal aims to develop and fabricate the first automated microfluidics-based device for complete simulation of the processes of digestion and intestinal absorption of orally ingested bioactive compounds. The innovation lies on the capacity to simulate the process in full and, on the introduction of integrated sensors for online, real-time monitoring of the pH, barrier integrity, intestinal permeation and cellular responses. In addition, the use of primary cells will allow to create disease models and patient-specific tissues for personalised medicine. Co-cultures with the gut microbiome will allow to assess the effect of the ingested compounds on commensal bacteria and of the latter in nutrient digestion. The work will be conducted at the International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory in Portugal, with two secondments projected at the University of Southampton for 4 months, and intersectorally at GlaxoSmithKline, in Stevenage, UK for 2 months. The device will offer the possibility to study minute sample amounts, with high resolution and with the potential for high-throughput analysis, which is key for its adoption by large pharmaceutical and food industries with high economic and social impact. The proposal aligns with the societal challenges 1 (Health, demographic change and wellbeing) and 2 (Food security) of the current Horizon 2020 work programme. The work is multidisciplinary and the combination of learning through research and a comprehensive training plan will strongly improve the applicant's researcher profile and career prospects.

Mots clés : microfluidics, organ on chip, in vitro models

Participants :
- International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (Portugal) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 159815.04 €
Projet MapInCSC (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2019)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : SIGNED

People, places and things have "meaning" that we use to know who/what they are and what we can do with them. Our ability to use that knowledge –our "Semantic Cognition"– is essential for making sense of what we see, enabling us to interact appropriately with the world. This important ability depends on two separate brain systems: the system of representations that encodes our conceptual knowledge and the system of control that manipulates activation within the representational system, generating appropriated behaviours. However, we do not yet know how the two systems interact. A fuller understanding of the semantic cognition depends on us uncovering this relationship in healthy behaviours and to know how is reshaped after brain damage/disruption. A joint account of both subsystems has been recently proposed by my supervisor: the Controlled Semantic Cognition (CSC). The key goal of this project is the neural computational modelling of the CSC and its disorders. I will model both semantic subsystems jointly for the first time by testing one healthy group and two patient groups with dissociated semantic disorders: semantic dementia (impaired in semantic representations); and semantic aphasia (impaired in semantic control). I will use different neuroimaging techniques such as DWMRI, fMRI and TMS in combination with the comparison between healthy controls and patients to model the dynamical causal networks, cross-validate the models and pinpoint the interactions between the semantic subnetworks, understanding how and under what circumstances they recruit each other. Our results will bring insights into how the brain manipulates information that gives rise semantic behaviours, advancing knowledge about a critical part of the human experience. Also in the implementation of methods for multimodal neuroimaging integration in the study of dynamics and plasticity in highly-distributed cognitive systems, such as CSC, in healthy and dysfunctional brains.

Mots clés : semantic representation and control, resting state fmri, dw mri, structural and effective connectivity, dynamic causal modelling, network based statistic, multimodal neuroimaging integration

Participants :
- University of Cambridge (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 224933.76 €
Projet ELECTROSULF (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2018)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Chemistry
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Peptides are important molecules, ubiquitous in biological systems. Their relevance in the pharmaceutical sector is proven by the constant increase which the global market of peptide-based drugs is experiencing in the last years. As a consequence, several methods have been developed to modify peptides (e.g. condensation, cross-coupling, transition-metal catalysis, and photocatalysis), being lysine with its free amine one of the most preferred handles used by chemists to introduce a new moieties, e.g. cytotoxic drugs or fluorescent labels. Several transformations as alkylation, arylation, oxidation, acylation and condensation have been described for lysine. However, it would be very appealing to introduce selectively a sulfonyl group, which would result in the formation of a sulfonamide, a functionality which is widely employed in drugs. Although several oxidative sulfonylations are reported in the literature, their drawbacks motivate me to look for greener synthetic strategies. Electrosynthesis represents an advantageous alternative, which has been re-discovered in the last years also thanks to its employment in continuous-flow microreactors. With the support of this modern technology, it is possible to minimize the difficulties connected to older electrochemical processes (such as mass-transfer limitation, the need of a supporting electrolyte,and the difficult scale-up). ELECTROSULF aims at developing a novel sulfonylation of lysine by electrochemical means with the use of a flow microreactor. The reaction mechanism will be also properly studied. My strong background in organic chemistry together with Prof. Timothy Noël’s expertise in flow processes and reaction miniaturization will guarantee the success of ELECTROSULF, whose achievement will have a great impact on the pharmaceutical sector, paving the path to a new approach for peptide modification.

Mots clés : electrochemical sulfonylation, flow processes

Participants :
- Eindhoven University of Technology (Pays-Bas) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 175572.48 €
Projet INTEREP (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2017)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Perception is shaped both by sensory information and internal variables. Our brain uses regularities of environmental factors to make predictions, and combines them with sensory stimuli to form percepts. However, where and how the statistical knowledge of the environment is stored and learned remains unexplored. Visual perception arises from a set of hierarchically-organized cortical areas, with abundant feedback connections from higher to lower areas. In this proposal, I will test if knowledge of the world is stored in the connectional specificity of feedback projections. I hypothesize that the tuning-specific wiring pattern of feedback projections terminating in mouse primary visual cortex (V1) reflects spatiotemporal statistics of the visual environment. To do so, I will first assess the role of sensory experience in feedback wiring. I will visually-deprive mice or raise them in artificial environments with altered visual statistics. Using a novel combination of dual-color optical recordings, I will measure how connectional specificity of functionally characterized feedback axons in V1 relates to the animal’s visual experience. I will also determine if spatiotemporal patterns of neuronal activity are sufficient for establishing the wiring organization. Shedding light on the enigmatic role of feedback connections will also provide a mechanistic description of how internal factors shape perception. The specific deficits in feedback function could have a potential bearing on behavioral disorders like schizophrenia in which patients manifest a difficulty in learning and representing behaviorally relevant percepts when the selection of relevant information is determined by prior knowledge. Thus, this work will not only be imperative for a better understanding of how prior knowledge influence perception, but also for getting a deeper insight into brain disorders.

Mots clés : feedback connexions, optogenetics, in vivo calcium imaging, circuits

Participants :
- Champalimaud Foundation (Portugal) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 148635.6 €
Projet PERMTHAW (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2014)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Environment and Geosciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Permafrost soils contain approximately 1672 Petagram carbon (C), twice the amount of the current atmosphere, and constitute 50% of the world’s belowground C pool. Along with the current change in climate these high latitudinal soils experience increased temperatures, more than any other region, with permafrost degradation as a result. Such thaw of permafrost releases ancient organic matter that has been stored in the frozen soils for centuries. Following microbial degradation, this organic matter can be released to the atmosphere as carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O), further influencing the climate systems. Thus, a changed climate leads to server alterations of the carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) balance in Arctic and high altitude ecosystems. However, research up to today has mostly focused on the impact of permafrost thaw and the time horizon immediately following this degradation. The proposed project aims for understanding the future that lies ahead, following thaw and establishment of new non-permafrost ecosystems, and how the predicted climate variability will influence these soils on a decadal timescale. By using a natural occurring permafrost degradation transects, this project investigates how the C and N cycling changes following thaw. Moreover, by using laboratory incubation the project will provide unique insights of how these cycles will respond to the changing climate long after the formation of the ‘new’ ecosystems, giving a decadal perspective on permafrost thaw.

Mots clés : permafrost, soil microbiology, carbon cycle, nitrogen cycle, permafrost thaw, radio carbon

Participants :
- University of Gothenburg (Suède) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 185857.2 €
Projet StabPerov (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2018)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Chemistry
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Perovskites have shown impressively outstanding performance in solar cells and light emitting diodes (LEDs) but are still limited by the non-negligible stability issues. With high efficiency achieved, now it is time to fill the research gap for pursuing stable perovskites. My priority goal for the StabPerov project is to obtain highly stable perovskite nanocrystals by using amphiphilic molecules such as liposomes. Upon successful realized, more stable optoelectrical devices can be explored targeting one of the most serious concern for commercialization of perovskite based applications. At the beginning of my project, I will optimize the synthesis of perovskites nanocrystals. For coating perovskites, amphiphilic molecules are used as coating materials. The amphiphilic molecules may also function as ligands. Different types of amphiphilic molecules will be introduced. Detailed and comprehensive characterizations of (HR)TEM, XRD and optical spectroscopy of materials will be carried out before and after degradation. The stability improvement of perovskite nanocrystals is now urgent, whilst getting the insight of how perovskites are decomposed is also necessary with regard to optimize synthesis and to evaluate protected nanocrystals. At the next stage, the as-prepared high quality stable perovskite nanocrystals will serve as emitters and catalysts for the demonstration of applications. My results are of great feasibility and practical significance, which pave the way towards the applications of stable high performance perovskite based devices. Combining my background with the training of optical spectroscopy offered by the host as well as being an independent investigator of this project, the Marie Curie fellowship will not only provide an excellent chance for me to become a research group leader in my future career, but also offer a markedly benefit to the development of sustainable energy for society by more efficient and more stable solar cells and LEDs.

Mots clés : perovskite, nanocrystals, stability, synthesis, photoluminescence, amphiphilic molecule

Participants :
- Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (Allemagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 174806.4 €
Projet EMIGRATE (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2016)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Environment and Geosciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Pesticides constitute priority pollutants for natural resources. Microbes, mostly in the form of microbial consortia are pivotal in the in situ pesticide biodegradation. EMIGRATE aims to investigate the complex interactions driving the coherence and biodegradation capacity of natural bacterial consortia, and through this, enable the production of biotechnological and bioengineering tools for novel environmental clean-up strategies. A microbial consortium degrading the fungicide thiabendazole used in fruit-packaging plants will be used as a model. This choice is based on the high biotechnological potential of this consortium considering the environmental risk associated with the use pattern, recalcitrance and toxicity of this fungicide and the complete lack of information regarding its microbial metabolism. Through its innovative research EMIGRATE will facilitate the re-integration of the fellow to the local and EU research community. Project's objectives will be achieved through 7 work-packages: WP1 will deal with project management, IPR and results exploitation, WP2 will focus on fellow's training and WP3 on the dissemination and public engagement of project's findings. WP4 will focus on the in-depth phylogenetic characterization of the bacterial consortium and the identification of the roles of consortium members on pesticide metabolism (Stable Isotope Probing - amplicon sequencing). WP5 will assign wider functional roles to consortium members, identify key catabolic genes and elucidate the metabolic pathway of the fungicide via a meta-genomics, -transcriptomics, -metabolomics approach. Finally, WP6 and WP7 will exploit the bacterial consortium for isolation of novel enzymes-biocatalysts and the development of an innovative biological process for the depuration of the relevant agro-industrial effluents. Secondments to academic and industrial partners will be carried out for skill development of the fellow on isotopic techniques, metabolomics and bioengineering.

Mots clés : pesticides microbial degradation, microbial consortia, agro industrial effluents, biodepuration, metagenomics, metatranscriptomics, metabolomics, metabolic pathways, stable isotope probing

Participants :
- University of Thessaly (Grèce) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 152653.2 €
Projet REALMAX (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2019)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Chemistry
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Phase stability is likely to be the single most important specification which determines the lifetime of materials operating in extreme environments. Whether a phase will react with the environment or decompose at high temperature is an essential limitation for the use of the material for any given applications. MAX phases are a family of layered ternary ceramics currently being developed for extreme environment applications because of their tolerance to heat, their ceramic-metallic hybrid properties and more importantly because of their self-healing behaviour. However, similarly to other self-healing materials, aluminium-based MAX phases tend to decompose locally as soon as Al reacts to form the protective oxide scale. Upon decomposition, the unique set of properties deteriorates rapidly. The REALMAX project will tackle the outward diffusion of Al from MAX phase coatings in oxidising environments, by providing solutions for supplying Al to the coating from a MAX phase substrate which will act as Al-reservoir. Furthermore, the REALMAX project will engage in ground-breaking research to develop multifunctional coatings and validate the concept of “high-entropy” MAX phases. In fact, these multielement MAX phases constitute a new and exciting research line which is in the early stages of being developed. The REALMAX project will be carried out by the experienced researcher (ER) who has gained experience on MAX phase coatings during her current postdoctoral position. The ER has aligned a team of experts in MAX phases, coatings and material processing who will collaborate to offer innovative solutions to increase phase stability in MAX phase systems while mentoring her to achieve her career plans. In fact, she will be well positioned to pursue her academic career in Europe, while simultaneously adding genuinely novel expertise approaches to the research environment and the group she will be joining. Therefore, the mutual benefit and impact of this proposal is extensive.

Mots clés : max phases, oxidation, bulk processing

Participants :
- RWTH Aachen University (Allemagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 162806.4 €