Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-actions-marie-curie-participations-et-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Projet AREOZONE (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2024)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Physics
Statut du projet : SIGNED

For decades, Mars exploration has focused on evidence for life to answer the fundamental question: Are we alone in the universe? I will investigate the possibility of life on early Mars by leveraging decades of research on Earth’s atmosphere to understand that of the red planet. I will use a well-established photochemical model constrained by observations from complementary missions to explore whether ancient Mars ever had a protective ozone layer that could have shielded surface-dwelling life.  The ozone layer is critical on Earth, securing surface habitability from DNA-damaging UV radiation and controlling the temperature structure of the middle atmosphere, with important climatic effects. Our understanding of how Earth’s ozone levels have changed has quickly expanded in recent decades. Here, I will apply lessons learned from Earth to the evolution of a second system—Mars—which will provide unique insights into factors that control planetary atmospheres and the search for life in the universe. Specifically, I will investigate the utility of ratios of the three oxygen isotopes, used extensively to understand oxidative chemistry and atmospheric composition changes on Earth, to constrain Mars ozone densities through the following three objectives. I will: 1) predict triple oxygen isotope signatures for the present-day Mars atmosphere and compare to observations, to better understand controls on isotope composition; 2) determine realistic palaeo-atmospheric conditions conducive to an ozone layer; and 3) predict the oxygen isotope composition of select geological materials for potential early Mars conditions and prioritise options for future exploration.  We are in the midst of a revolutionary accumulation of spacecraft data and unprecedented Mars exploration, making this work perfectly timed. Preparation for interpretation of measurements from Mars via my proposed modelling is critical to focus future observational efforts from space agencies globally.

Mots clés : planetary science, mars, atmospheric science, atmospheric modelling, ozone, habitability

Participants :
- Université d'Oxford (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 260347.92 €
- Université du Colorado (system) (Etats-Unis) — Partner, associated partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €
Projet LABIMO (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2023)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Physics
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Dysregulated interactions between biomolecules can lead to changes in cell signalling and gene expression, both common drivers of human disease. A detailed understanding of these interactions is vital for drug development, often targeting such interactions for therapeutic effects. In this project, I aim to develop an optical microscopy tool to observe interactions of highly diverse biomolecules in terms of e.g. weight or size, in real-time on a single-molecule level without the use of labels or immobilization, which limits many current established methods. This will allow the study of dynamic interactions between complex biomolecules of varying sizes and with a wide range of properties. The tool will be capable of researching various biological systems that are not easily accessible by established methods. This could contribute to breakthroughs in the research of severe diseases such as diabetes mellitus, Alzheimer's, or Parkinson's disease.

Mots clés : nanofluidic scattering microscopy, nanofluidics, nanochannels, computer modelling, biomolecule interactions, ribosome chaperone interactions, protein free floating membrane interactions

Participants :
- FZU  Institute of Physics of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic (Rép. Tchèque) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 166278.72 €
Projet AMPER (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2024)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Physics
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Magnetospheres of neutron stars (NSs) represent unique plasma-physics labs of extreme environments characterized by ultra-high magnetic field strengths, relativistic processes, and the presence of quantum electrodynamic effects – parameters far unreachable on the Earth. Detailed information on these processes comes to us via coherent radio emissions of pulsars and possibly fast radio bursts (FRBs), being observed by fast-developing sophisticated instruments of radio astronomy like FAST, CHIME, ALMA, and in near future, SKA. However, no agreement has been reached on their exact coherent radio emission mechanism that can interpret the observations, mainly because the modeling of the radio emissions requires operation of the extreme-physical processes and simultaneous consideration of the wave coherency at plasma kinetic micro-scales.  This project addresses the question of which specific mechanisms are responsible for coherent radio emissions of NSs; in detail, which qualitative radio emission properties of pulsar pair-creation events and propagating kinetic Alfvén waves in the magnetospheres of NSs can lead to the interpretation of pulsars and transient events like fast radio bursts. The mechanisms will be investigated by combination of my expertise in first-principle particle-in-cell simulations of the micro-kinetic instabilities with the long-term experience in advanced dispersion and coherency analyses of radio waves in the simulations at the host institute.  This combination of skills will allow me to make predictions on coherent properties of radio waves in terms of their total power, luminosity spectrum, its directivity and polarization as they escape the emission sources. I will distinguish, for the first time, how the extreme plasma instabilities lead to the coherent and incoherent radio emissions of pulsars and FRBs. After the project, the obtained properties can be utilized in radiative transfer codes to get specific predictions on NS radio observables.

Mots clés : pulsars, fast radio bursts, neutron stars, radio emission mechanisms, particle in cell kinetic simulations, space plasma simulations, plasma astrophysics

Participants :
- Astronomical Institute (Rép. Tchèque) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 207758.16 €
Projet SubCAN (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2023)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - Global Fellowships
Panel : Environment and Geosciences
Statut du projet : TERMINATED

Submarine canyons are dynamic systems that are ubiquitous across continental margins and play a key role in the transport of material into the deep ocean. This transport is primarily facilitated through submarine landslides and turbidity currents, which can mobilise large volumes of sediment at high speeds across great distances. While some submarine canyons are flushed by low volume turbidity currents multiple times each year, others in similar tectonic settings remain inactive for multiple decades between higher-magnitude canyon flushing events. Nonetheless, such rapid change can dwarf the effect of other geomorphic processes, such as biological erosion or bedform migration, whose action over decades or centuries can bring about significant change in canyon morphology and also precondition slopes for failure. SubCAN will make use of a suite of acoustic (multibeam echosounder, subbottom and seismic) data and sediment cores, as well as numerical modelling, to investigate the agents that bring about change in submarine canyons over a variety of spatial and temporal scales. This work has implications for understanding and predicting margin evolution, and will provide important constraints on margin stability and hazards. In particular, SubCAN will (i) Use repeat mapping and monitoring to quantify fine-scale geomorphic changes and processes over up to 25 years in two end-member submarine canyons: one low-event-magnitude, high-event-frequency system, and one high-event-magnitude, low-event-frequency system; (ii) Implement hierarchical reduced-order numerical modelling to model canyon evolution and stratigraphic change in response to the action of geomorphic processes on a margin-scale using those two systems as end members; and (iii) Reconstruct geomorphic processes and evolution of a canyon where high resolution and repeat data are not available to reveal the universality of the key processes that bring about change in submarine canyons.

Mots clés : submarine canyons geomorphometry landscape and margin evolution geomorphic change

Participants :
- Earth Sciences New Zealand (Nouvelle-Zélande) — Partner, associated partner, Recherche, subvention : 0.0 €
- Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (Etats-Unis) — Partner, associated partner, Recherche, subvention : 0.0 €
- Université Christian Albrecht de Kiel (Allemagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 220966.8 €
Projet SPECIFY (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2024)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Environment and Geosciences
Statut du projet : SIGNED

SPECIFY aims to address the urgent global challenge of food security by enhancing wheat resistance to Zymoseptoria tritici, the pathogen responsible for Septoria tritici blotch (STB). STB significantly threatens wheat production, leading to substantial annual losses. Current management strategies, including resistant cultivars and fungicides, are increasingly ineffective due to the pathogen's rapid development of resistance. Our research seeks to explore diversity in wild wheat relatives and their septoria pathogens to uncover the genetic basis of host-pathogen interactions in Z. tritici. We will leverage a unique collection of Z. tritici isolates from Iran and integrate genome-wide association studies (GWAS) with map-based cloning to identify key effector genes. This dual approach will provide robust insights into pathogen adaptation mechanisms, guiding the development of targeted breeding strategies for resistant crops and novel fungicides. Additionally, we will explore the transcriptome and genome data of native Iranian Aegilops species infected by Z. tritici to identify resistance genes (R-genes). By comparing gene expression profiles between resistant and susceptible Aegilops samples, we aim to pinpoint key genes involved in the resistance response. These discoveries will be validated through functional assays and potentially introduced into wheat varieties to enhance STB resistance. Our interdisciplinary methodology combines genetics, genomics, plant pathology, molecular biology, and bioinformatics to comprehensively understand host-pathogen interactions. This project not only aims to advance scientific knowledge but also to translate findings into practical solutions for sustainable agriculture, ultimately enhancing global wheat production resilience. Moreover, undertaking this research will significantly contribute to my career development by providing me with advanced skills in cutting-edge genomic and bioinformatics techniques.

Mots clés : wheat septoria tritici blotch host pathogen interactions disease management sustainable agriculture

Participants :
- Université Christian Albrecht de Kiel (Allemagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 217965.12 €
Projet CONVERSIO (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2024)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - Global Fellowships
Panel : Social Sciences and Humanities
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Cultural clashes, encounters and exchanges are part and parcel of what makes us humans. Throughout the history of humanity, uncountable encounters are documented, and even though these exchanges are not always equal in terms of the consequences they have for the groups involved, it is certain they all mutually influence each other, a process that brings about change. Religious conversion is one example of such encounters and exchanges, in which an old faith and world view must be substituted by a new one. The process of religious conversion can be highly diverse, but one feature remains the same: a converter that changes from one religion to another will inevitably be also an apostate. Thus, conversion and apostasy are two sides of the same coin. CONVERSIO will study the complex phenomenon of religious conversion and apostasy in Early Medieval Iberia, a region that offers an interesting case study because it witnessed multiple waves of migrations and conversions across its history. CONVERSIO puts contemporary discussions of culture clashes and the role of religion in society into historical context through a thorough reappraisal of earlier episodes of momentous religious change. This project aims to analyse Christian Latin sources relating to the conversion and apostasy of other peoples to Christianity and vice-versa, focusing on the interaction between Christians, Jews and Muslims from the 5th to the 9th century in Early medieval Iberia during the Visigothic Kingdom and the first period of Islamic domination. The analysis will investigate legal and religious discourse about apostates in order to understand how and why apostates were seen and dealt with, with so harsh measures. Ultimately, I aim to understand how the significance that religious communities ascribe to the ‘crime’ of apostasy can provide precious information about the solidity and coherence of their own religious identity.

Mots clés : early medieval history, iberian studies, trans cultural studies, religious conversion

Participants :
- Université Ca' Foscari de Venise (Italie) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 407584.02 €
- Université de Northern Illinois (Etats-Unis) — Partner, associated partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €
Projet Climate-Pave (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2024)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Information Science and Engineering
Statut du projet : SIGNED

The Climate-Pave project aims to train a researcher through interdisciplinary research focused on understanding the ultraviolet (UV) radiation ageing mechanisms of bitumen, the key binding material in pavements. This initiative addresses the challenges posed by climate change by enhancing the durability and performance of road infrastructure under increasing UV exposure. The project will investigate the impact of UV radiation on bitumen ageing and develop innovative UV-resistant materials and technologies, ensuring longer-lasting and more sustainable pavements. The main outcomes of Climate-Pave will include a comprehensive understanding of the ageing processes accelerated by UV radiation, a performance prediction framework for UV-aged bituminous materials, and the development of advanced UV-resistant bitumen blends and technologies. This research will lead to updated protocols for applying these novel materials in road construction, contributing to creating more resilient and sustainable infrastructure. Additionally, the project will provide the Fellow with extensive training in material science, chemistry, and experimental characterization, enhancing his expertise in pavement engineering. Complementary skills training in project management, intellectual property, networking, and teaching will also be provided, promoting collaboration between academia and industry. By strengthening the EU’s leadership in developing climate-resilient infrastructure, Climate-Pave will contribute to reduced maintenance costs, resource conservation, and lower greenhouse gas emissions associated with the pavement. The fellowship will equip the Fellow with interdisciplinary expertise and complementary skills, fostering a successful independent research career in sustainable infrastructure materials, with strong connections to European academic and industrial networks.

Mots clés : climate change, pavement durability, ultraviolet radiation, bitumen ageing, sustainable infrastructure, uv scattering materials

Participants :
- Université de Nottingham (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 276187.92 €
- Université d'Anvers (Belgique) — Partner, associated partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €
- Aecom limited (Royaume-Uni) — Partner, associated partner, Organismes privés (hors enseignement), subvention : 0.0 €
Projet RAVASI (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2021)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Physics
Statut du projet : SIGNED

A major challenge in biomolecular research is the investigation of biomolecular interaction at single-molecule level. Biomolecules possess heterogeneities of high physiological relevance that can only be unravelled with single-molecule tools. All current single-molecule imaging methods, however, require chemical modifications, such as fluorescent labelling or immobilization onto a surface, which might alter the biomolecule’s natural behaviour.  Recently, I have developed a ground-breaking optical microscopy method – Nanofluidic Scattering Microscopy (NSM) – whose unprecedented resolution enabled me to bypass those limitations and to image individual small proteins in free motion without any label. Despite these attractive attributes, in its current form, NSM does not allow for quantitative study of interaction kinetics between individual molecules. Due to the inherently fast Brownian motion, the time that a molecule spends on average in the optically probed volume – a nanofluidic channel – is substantially shorter than the time required to record a statistically relevant number of association and dissociation events.  In this project, we will develop an essential nanoscopic component – a rapid nanofluidic valve – that will enable to confine and release interacting biomolecules to and from the nanofluidic volume. The nanofluidic valves will be based on the principles of thermo-responsive polymer hydrogel in combination with nanoplasmonic heating. The integration of the nanofluidic valves with NSM will enable to track evolution of individual biomolecules at single molecule level, without the need of chemical modifications and in conditions that mimic an in-vivo state.  The project will deliver a unique bioanalytical tool that will make key contributions to the fundamental understanding of biomolecular interactions, which is needed in basic research as well as in the pharmaceutical industry.

Mots clés : label free optical microscopy, single biomolecule imaging, nanofluidics, nanoplasmonics, optical actuators, thermo responsive polymers, biomolecular interactions

Participants :
- FZU  Institute of Physics of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic (Rép. Tchèque) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 166278.72 €
Projet GasSPR (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2024)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Information Science and Engineering
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are one of the actual major threats of the humanity. These emissions need to be reduced and are monitored by reference sensors’ systems, which are highly sensitive and selective, costly, complex and require specific installation conditions. Due to these limitations, only few of these systems are installed. To complement them and provide high spatial resolution gas sensor maps, the deployment of a large number of sensors is required. This can be achieved thanks to Internet of Things (IoT), but which poses stringent conditions of low power consumption and miniaturisation. The GasSPR project aims at developing advanced optical gas sensing devices suitable for IoT. These innovative sensors will be based on the combination of Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) sensing principle with Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) as the gas absorbent material. Three different configurations will be studied: planar grating-coupled (GC-SPR), peeled optical fibre (OF-SPR) and fibre Bragg gratings (FBG-SPR) SPR sensors, on top of which various MOFs as absorbing materials will be deposited to achieve, simultaneously, the highest GHG adsorption and the largest refractive index variation. In this way, we aim at the highest sensitivity of these devices. The goal is to detect, at least, one of the 3 main GHGs, namely CO2, CH4, and N2O, at a level below the atmospheric concentration. The proposed methodology involves interdisciplinary collaboration across various fields, including physics, chemistry, nanotechnology, electronic engineering, photonics and information processing and has been carefully designed to optimise the bidirectional exchange of competences and skills between the host and the researcher and to boost the researchers’ carreer.

Mots clés : greenhouse gases ghgs , gas sensors, surface plasmon resonance spr , metalorganic frameworks mofs , fibre optic, plasmonics, gratings, internet of things iot

Participants :
- Université de Barcelone (Espagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 209914.56 €
Projet Waste2Drug (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2023)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Chemistry
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Sustainability is a major concern worldwide, resulting in the launch of Bioeconomy as a global strategy with trillions of euros invested in waste valorisation policies. Agricultural waste is rich in terpenes, a class of organic molecules that can be used as chemical feedstocks for the chemical and pharmaceutical industry, contributing to a circular bioeconomy scheme through reduce, reuse and recycle. Waste2Drug will contribute to the agriwaste valorisation in two ways; first, it will focus on the valorisation of the terpene-derived p-isopropyltoluene (commonly known as p-cymene), through its pharmaceutical development as a potent anticancer agent, by identifying its biological target and optimizing its anticancer activity. In parallel, Waste2Drug will contribute to the optimization of the p-cymene access from terpene-rich biomass, through theoretical investigation of the terpene deoxydehydration reaction that will aid the development of a more efficient catalytic procedure. The theoretical insights provided by the researcher will be used by synthetic chemists first on model molecules and then on actual agriwaste. The fellowship will be carried out at NovaMechanics Ltd (NvM), under the supervision of Dr Andreas Afantitis (AA), while a secondment will take place in the University of Burgos (UBU), under the supervision of Prof. Roberto Sanz Diez (RSD). The researcher, Dr Sofia Kiriakidi, will lead the computational line of the project, while gaining valuable experience in terms of leadership and project management, by collaborating with experimental scientists and coordinating this multidisciplinary approach. Waste2Drug connects theory to experiment, academia to industry and promotes the EU Bioeconomy strategy by both developing anticancer agents based on p-cymene and by facilitating its access from biomass terpenes, converting agricultural waste to novel drug molecules.

Mots clés : target identification, drug design, pharmacophore modelling, reaction mechanism investigation, catalysis, cheminformatics, quantum chemistry, machine learning

Participants :
- NovaMechanics (Cyprus) (Chypre) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Organismes privés (hors enseignement), subvention : 164328.0 €
- Université de Burgos (Espagne) — Partner, associated partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €