Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-actions-marie-curie-participations-et-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Projet SupraCODE (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2023)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Chemistry
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Nature uses a complex chemical language between cells and their environment to sustain life. T-cells, critical players of the immune system, constantly communicate and respond to environmental signals through cell-fate decisions to protect against pathogens. Their function in the immune system is of particular interest for cancer immunotherapy where their activation and expansion can be harnessed to kill cancer cells. Low affinity CD 8+ T-cells are attractive because of their memory to prolong the duration of therapy, but they are challenging to expand unlike their high affinity counterparts. In this proposal, I will explore the multimerization of tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) through the H2-Kb-OVA peptide complex on supramolecular polymer scaffolds to potentiate the activation and expansion of low-affinity CD8+ T-cells. I will develop monomers that undergo kinetically controlled supramolecular polymerization in water and explore the potential to prepare block copolymers by modulating the monomer design with respect to hydrogen bonding and hydrophobicity. Supramolecular block copolymers will be engineered with domains of distinct sizes at the nanoscale to enable control over the TAA presentation with respect to spacing and density. Additionally, the effect of modulating OVA peptide sequence Using a library of H2-Kb-OVA peptide complex outfitted supramolecular block copolymers with various peptide sequences I will map the potential for activation and expansion of low affinity CD 8+ T-cells. Importantly, the major aim of this proposal is to develop strategies to prepare supramolecular block copolymers in water with bioactive units to broaden the application space of this materials class in the biological field.

Mots clés : programmed assembly, living supramolecular polymerization, supramolecular block copolymer, , biomaterials, immune cell activation

Participants :
- Université de Leyde (Pays-Bas) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 203464.32 €
Projet HiLi (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2024)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Information Science and Engineering
Statut du projet : SIGNED

The transition to a climate-neutral Europe relies on securing a continuous and sustainable supply of lithium, a key component in electric vehicle (EV) batteries and renewable energy storage systems. However, Europe's dependence on lithium imports, compounded by the environmentally harmful and complex extraction processes used globally, present major risks to the continent's energy and economic security. This proposal addresses the urgent need for a cost-effective, selective and sustainable method for high purity lithium hydroxide recovery for a advanced battery technology from hard-rock-ore-derived lithium sulfate (Li2SO₄) solutions. Our innovative approach leverages antisolvent crystallization to efficiently and selectively recover lithium hydroxide while minimizing environmental impact. Unlike conventional methods, which are costly, and produce significant chemical waste, our process streamlines recovery, improving yield, purity, and control over crystal size, phase, and morphology. By directly crystallizing lithium hydroxide monohydrate and sodium sulfate decahydrate, this method reduces processing steps and eliminates the need for intermediate lithium carbonate production, providing a more sustainable and cost-effective alternative. The proposal is timely and aligns with the Europe's strategic objective to strengthen its battery industry and reduce dependency on critical raw materials. As demand for lithium increases, our method offers a scalable solution that can be commercialized to benefit the entire EU battery ecosystem. With extensive experience in crystallization of pharmaceuticals and critical metals, I am well-equipped to work on this project, ensuring that the innovative process not only meets technical and environmental benchmarks but also adds significant value to Europe's industrial landscape. Our project will enhance Europe's technological sovereignty, reduce environmental impacts, and contribute to the sustainable growth of EV battery sector.

Mots clés : battery metals, critical raw materials, extractive metallurgy, hydrometallurgy, lithium, sustainable metallurgy, antisolvent crystallization

Participants :
- KU Leuven (Belgique) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 216240.0 €
- Université de Leyde (Pays-Bas) — Partner, associated partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €
Projet ALIVE (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2022)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Chemistry
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a disease of alarmingly increasing prevalence, associated with metabolic and cardiovascular complications and morbid mortality. The disease spectrum covers from a simple steatosis to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). With estimated 25% of population having NAFLD, it makes it the most common liver disease in the world. While diagnosing and stratifying NAFLD and NASH is of high priority to identify subjects with increased risk for cardio-vascular complications, the gold standard of current diagnostics is an invasive liver biopsy. Recently discovered extracellular vesicles (EVs) have shown high potential to become novel source of non-invasive biomarkers as they are loaded with the same molecular information as their parental cells (proteins, metabolites, RNAs). Molecular information of liver-derived EVs could be a great source of liver specific biomarkers, that are obtainable in circulation and are suitable for non-invasive diagnostics. However, analysing biochemical/omics profiles of tissue specific EVs in biofluids is an unsolved challenge and has not been realized in routine clinical diagnostics yet. In this project ALIVE we propose to develop a technology capable of isolating cell and organ specific EVs from biological samples and perform their omics analysis and to apply this technology in the proof-of-concept investigation of potential biomarkers of liver disease in blood. ALIVE is a great opportunity for the experience researcher Dr. Andrea Capuano to gain new technical and transferable skills, exchange knowledge with the host, an innovative European startup EXIT071 and secure a leadership position in innovative ecosystem of Europe.

Mots clés : extracellular vesicles, exosomes, mass spectrometry, liver disease

Participants :
- Exit071 bv (Pays-Bas) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Organismes privés (hors enseignement), subvention : 187624.32 €
- Université de Leyde (Pays-Bas) — Partner, associated partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €
Projet MOTOTRANS (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2023)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Chemistry
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Anion transport through membranes, mediated by transport proteins, is one of the most important processes in living cells. Recently, a number of synthetic transmembrane anion transporters have been developed. However, unlike proteins, they usually do not display responsive behaviour, making their function unspecific. There are only a few methods known for controlling the transport function of these receptors by physiochemical stimuli, with using light being one of the most well-known. These stimuli-responsive receptors, however, only alternate between distinct "on" and "off" states, while biomolecular systems are able to use the motion of motor proteins to regulate the passage of ions. Two first studies have shown that rotating molecular motors can enhance cation transport through membrane-spanning channels, possibly by influencing conformational dynamics. However, there have been no detailed studies that take advantage of subtle changes in membrane characteristics. It would be very promising to enhance and regulate anion transport across the membrane by integrating molecular machine-like entities into lipid bilayers and synthetic transport systems. MOTOTRANS is a multidisciplinary project that aims to develop transmembrane anion transport systems containing light-driven molecular motors. The out-of-equilibrium rotational dynamics of light-driven molecular motors could influence either membrane, carrier or channel properties, resulting in enhanced transport activity, which will be investigated in work packages 1-3, respectively. The project will have three major impacts: an innovative approach with profound implications in molecular machines and transmembrane anion transport; a significant impact on the fellow's academic career, acquiring new research skills, complementary skills, and scientific connections, enabling access to an academic position in Europe; and the host group and institution will benefit from the fellow's diverse scientific background and network.

Mots clés : transmembrane transport, molecular motors, anion binding, photoisomerisation

Participants :
- Université de Leyde (Pays-Bas) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 187624.32 €
Projet TAS (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2023)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Social Sciences and Humanities
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Stone architectural elements are perhaps the most ancient witnesses of an archaeological site. Among those, threshold/paving stones are elements that take place almost at the first stage during the construction of the place. Repetitive pedestrian or vehicle movement gradually leaves a mark; this is most visible on thresholds or paving stones. The use-wear can be used to estimate which places and roads were used more; archaeologists are almost always successful in identifying spaces of movement from micro to macro scales, but only rarely can they understand the intensity (frequency) of past movement. With experimental methods in the field of rock mechanics, the abrasion caused by pedestrian traffic on rocks per unit time are calculated in a controlled setting. On the other hand, such data (unless there is a written record) are unavailable for the archaeologist, and the only evidence available is an abraded stone. The main aim of this research is to understand ancient traffic flow between spaces and to go beyond descriptive mapping-based strategies. The methodology will examine the threshold/paving stones that were already unearthed and abrasion resistance data will be determined by experimental methods (rock mechanics, experimental archaeology etc.). Following the analysis phase, the project will build an agent-based model to explore movement in and between spaces; mainly to investigate emergent characteristics of urban traffic. In this way, it can be stated that the proposal of the research is innovative in this aspect, as it will create a concrete and new line of research and interpretation of archaeological contexts and will allow the testing of existing models. Finally, an other deliverable of the project is to investigate ways of reducing physical threat to cultural heritage by means of creating a new form of emergent risk assessment.

Mots clés : threshold stone, paving stone, abrasion, foot traffic, rock mechanics, agent based modelling, archaeometry, archaeology cultural heritage management

Participants :
- Université technique du Moyen-Orient (Turquie) — Partner, associated partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €
- Université de Leyde (Pays-Bas) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 187624.32 €
Projet DynaCapETI (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2023)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Plant diseases critically impact global agriculture, economies, and society, underscoring the imperative for deeper insights into plant disease resistance and sustainable protective strategies. Recent pivotal findings from my host lab reveal a synergistic enhancement between plant cell-surface and intracellular immune systems. These findings suggest a complex system where intracellular immunity intensifies cell-surface immunity via sophisticated defense gene regulation. My central goal is to discern the intricate transcriptional and translational regulations of defense genes in plant immunity and to uncover how pathogenic effectors might potentially disrupt these processes during the dynamic dance of plant-microbe co-evolution. I will be addressing three objectives: 1) the crucial role of the NAD+ cap in defense gene dynamics; 2) the intricate translational dynamics of defense genes during immune responses; and 3) how pathogens cunningly alter mRNA decapping to weaken plant defenses. Leveraging advanced sequencing tools, I am poised to comprehensively map and profile defense gene regulation during effector-triggered immunity, known as intracellular immunity. This engages multiple disciplines including biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology, and bioinformatics. I aim to probe the roles of plant NAD-RNA, Nudix hydrolases, and Nudix effectors in defense gene modulation. The overarching outcome is to elucidate the intricate gene regulation framework of intracellular immunity, placing emphasis on the dual layers of plant immunity, and thereby redefining our grasp of pathogenic effector dynamics. This project will not only enrich my academic insights into plant immunity but will also refine my research skills, promise valuable networking and personal growth in project leadership, pave the way for publication opportunities, and significantly bolster my professional trajectory. Furthermore, it has great potential to make a meaningful contribution to global food security.

Mots clés : plant innate immunity, effector triggered immunity eti , defense gene regulation, nad rna capping, mrna decapping, nudix hydrolases, nudix effectors, translational regulation, plant disease

Participants :
- Université de Leyde (Pays-Bas) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 203464.32 €
Projet ICE-CN (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2023)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Chemistry
Statut du projet : SIGNED

HCN and HNC are routinely used by astronomers to trace temperature and dense gas regions in galaxies, where stars and planetary systems form. They are key precursors of complex species, including prebiotic molecules like amino acids and nucleotides. While their gas-phase formation and evolution are well understood, their formation and destruction paths on interstellar ices remains largely unchartered territory.  The aim of this proposal is to remedy this knowledge gap by investigating the formation of HCN and HNC through CN radical hydrogenation on interstellar water and CO ices, as well as their destruction paths using state-of-the-art computational chemistry and astrochemical modelling. Including, in all cases, their deuterated counterparts. It also presents an opportunity to study the interaction of CN radicals with ice surfaces, which can occur either through physisorption or hemibonding on both types of ices. The four primary objectives of this proposal are: (i) to explore the CN to water and CO ice binding energy distribution as well as the dominant binding modes, (ii) to quantify the hydrogenation reactions of CN with atomic and molecular hydrogen forming HCN and HNC, as well as other possible hydrogenation products due to the hemibonding interactions, (iii) to investigate the destruction of the products in the previous point resulting from further hydrogenation reactions, and finally, (iv) to calculate the rate constants, including quantum tunnelling, and implement these in the UCLCHEM astrochemical model to assess the importance of surface chemistry in two specific cases: the shocked region L1157-B1 and the NGC1068 galaxy.  The novelty of this proposal lies in the combination of computational chemistry and astrochemical modelling to unveil the ice-surface formation and evolution of HCN and HNC and their deuterated counterparts for the first time, encompassing a comprehensive characterization of the CN to water and CO hemibonding interaction.

Mots clés : interstellar ice chemistry, density functional theory, astrochemical modelling, instanton theory

Participants :
- Université de Leyde (Pays-Bas) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 187624.32 €
Projet PSI-COM (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2022)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Physics
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The universality of life – i.e. the likelihood that life can form in extra-terrestrial environments – hinges upon the availability of certain molecular building blocks. Whether the biomolecules of which we are made form before or after planet formation is an open question in astrochemistry; answering this question requires an understanding of the life cycle of biomolecular precursors (BPs) in various circum- and interstellar environments. Numerous complex organic molecules (COMs) with biological significance have been identified in star- and planet-forming regions through astronomical observations, motivating laboratory studies aiming to uncover the mechanisms by which prebiotic molecules are born during the early stages of planetary evolution. However, formation of BPs can only partially answer questions regarding the likelihood of life evolving elsewhere in the universe. It is also critical to understand the stability of such species in the harsh environment of the interstellar medium (ISM).  Whether small BPs would have sufficient lifetimes in the ISM to eventually coalesce into larger COMs is the central question of this research proposal, which concerns the Photo-Stability of Ice-bound Complex Organic Molecules (PSI-COM). Laboratory experiments on interstellar ice analogues containing selected BPs will be performed using a fully operational and highly-specialized ultra-high vacuum apparatus. Ices will be bombarded with ultraviolet radiation characteristic of that produced in dense interstellar clouds as well as in the diffuse ISM, and the chemical evolution will be tracked to yield kinetic and mechanistic information useful to astronomical models of star and planet formation. The results will be compared with or used to steer observational studies, such as the James Webb Space Telescope.


Participants :
- Université de Leyde (Pays-Bas) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 187624.32 €
Projet UNICA (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2022)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - Global Fellowships
Panel : Environment and Geosciences
Statut du projet : SIGNED

In UNravelling the socioeconomic and environmental Impacts of Circularity in Latin America (UNICA), I will explore the socioeconomic and environmental implications of a Latin America (LATAM) circularity transition, and its impact on the EU economy. Using my expertise in assessing global circularity, I will contribute to understanding the potential trade-offs of a circularity transition from a multiregional perspective, which provides essential information to enhance the implementation of circular strategies in the upcoming decade. UNICA will allow me to foster my career in two main ways: 1) I will become an expert in the circularity transition in the Global South, and its connections with high-income countries, and 2) I will be able to develop a hybrid career, where I will be able to contribute to academic and non-academic institutions simultaneously.

Mots clés : sustainability quantitative assessment, industrial ecology, trade offs analysis

Participants :
- Asociacion academia de centroamerica (Costa Rica) — Partner, associated partner, Recherche, subvention : 0.0 €
- Fundación Universitaria del Espinal (Colombie) — Partner, associated partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €
- Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management (Pays-Bas) — Partner, associated partner, Organismes publics (hors enseignement & recherche), subvention : 0.0 €
- Université pontificale catholique du Pérou (Pérou) — Partner, associated partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €
- Université de Leyde (Pays-Bas) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 317048.16 €
Projet NanoC3 (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2023)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Chemistry
Statut du projet : SIGNED

The societal transformation to renewable energy necessitates more efficient ways to store energy. This can be achieved by direct energy storage in batteries or supercapacitors (SCs) or by using electrocatalysis to convert energy, e.g., to green hydrogen. The efficiency of such processes can be enhanced, by increasing the surface of the electrode. Increase of the surface can be achieved by introducing pores into the electrodes. However, in recent years the porosity has reached the nanometre scale. At this scale the pores become so small that the interfacial layer known as double-layer, as well as ions at the surface, are confined. In NanoC3, we aim to understand the effect of confinement of ions and of the double-layer on charge storage and hydrogen production. For this purpose, we will analyze materials, with unprecedented control of the pore size, provided from collaborations with material scientists, using innovative surface science techniques. These measurements are enabled by the expertise of the ER in microcalorimetry and of the host institution in spectroscopy and electrocatalysis. To study confinement of the double-layer, gold electrodes with tuneable slits will be provided by Serge Lemay (Twente, NL). Gold is a well-studied model electrode to investigate the double-layer and hydrogen evolution, allowing for comparison of the results with literature data. Theoretical calculations will be performed by Alexei Kornyshev (Imperial College, UK). To obtain the even smaller pore sizes necessary to study ion confinement, MoS2 and V2O5 electrodes will be provided by S. Fleischmann (KIT, GER). These layered materials can be tuned by intercalating molecular pillars, leading to an increase of the interlayer spacing. MoS2 can be used to substitute the expensive Pt in the hydrogen evolution, while V2O5 is a well-researched SC, exhibiting ion confinement. In summary, the goal of NanoC3 is to advance the field of electrocatalysis in a new and yet unexplored direction.

Mots clés : nanoconfinement, hydrogen evolution, charge storage, electrocatalysis

Participants :
- Université de Leyde (Pays-Bas) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 187624.32 €