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

In utero development is critical for normal skeletal and cardiac muscle function throughout life. Many diseases, such as distal arthrogryposis (affecting 1/3000 live births) and clubfoot (1/1000) in skeletal muscle and arrhythmias in cardiac muscle (1/4000), manifest in the embryonic and foetal period. They permanently affect longevity and quality of life. Because the effects of these diseases are present at birth, the study of in utero samples is essential to understanding the diseases’ properties and effects on the developing muscle tissues. Additionally, many of these afflictions are caused by mutations in the isoforms of troponin or myosin II that are predominantly expressed during human development. Studying the native muscle is all the more important as a control in furthering research on the effects of mutations in troponin and myosin. In particular, human foetal-specific isoforms of myosin II expressed in these muscle are poorly understood and very little has been published about these isoforms. We do know from the literature that myosin’s use of its substrate, ATP, varies widely between isoforms and that the myosin expression changes during times of physiological distress, such as heart failure. Because congenital abnormalities of the heart and skeletal muscle both can originate in the foetal muscle, further investigation is needed into the myosins’ biophysical and biomechanical mechanisms. The overarching goal of this project is to improve understanding of how foetal forms of skeletal and cardiac myosins work and are regulated by troponin in muscle, using biophysical-biochemical, molecular biology and computational modelling techniques. The fellow will do this by experimentally determining the kinetics of myosin-ATP, myosin-actin and myosin-actin-troponin-tropomyosin interactions using stopped-flow kinetic analysis, and then use the parameters defined to inform the computational models developed by Dr. Geeves.

Mots clés : muscle biology, developmental biology, protein structure function relationships

Participants :
- University of Kent (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 195454.8 €
Projet CANCERPREV (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2019)
Action : Doctoral Networks
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Incidence and prevalence of many cancer types are significantly increasing worldwide, with substantial differences between the sexes. Environmental influences in concert with genetic and epigenetic factors are still poorly understood. Simultaneously, more sophisticated and expensive treatments cannot be afforded by society, increasing urgency of efforts in cancer prevention. CANCERPREV is an innovative interdisciplinary research and training program gathering seven academic beneficiaries and nine partner organizations : (one leading pharmaceutical company, one leading technology company, a health insurance, an internationally known nursing school, three foundations and two universities) in nine European countries. CANCERPREV aims to establish new strategies in cancer prevention, with a focus on two key determinants of cancer risk: sex hormone signaling and chronic inflammation, in breast and skin as benchmarks of early steps of cancer development in organs with reproductive and non-reproductive functions, respectively. Fifteen Early Stage Researchers (ESRs) will benefit from the complementary expertise of participating organizations and Principal Investigators in: basic cancer research, xenografts and genetic mouse models, bioinformatics and mathematical algorithms, epidemiology / human genetics, biomarkers, pharmacological approaches, behavioral / societal issues and outreach. This network provides ESRs with unique future career opportunities in both academic and private sectors, through research training for PhD thesis projects with secondments and short and long visits to other participating research institutions, and yearly courses / formal lectures on various aspects of cancer prevention, including global health and occupational / behavioral issues. CANCERPREV will ensure that more knowledge and ideas are converted into products and services, and that a new generation of scientists is trained to contribute to the knowledge-based economy and society.

Mots clés : cancer prevention, sex hormones, inflammation, tumor stroma, breast cancer, skin cancer, xenografts, mouse models, population genetics, biomarkers, drug development, epigenetics, gene regulation

Participants :
- Fondazione Edo ed Elvo Tempia (Italie) — Partner, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 522999.36 €
- University of Helsinki (Finlande) — Partner, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 561611.52 €
- Board of the Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology (Suisse) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 843829.92 €
- Karolinska Institutet (Suède) — Partner, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 563965.92 €
- Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie (Belgique) — Partner, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 512640.0 €
- Medical University of Vienna (Autriche) — Partner, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 528414.48 €
- University of Lausanne (Suisse) — Partner, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 562553.28 €
Projet GRAHAM (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2017)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Incidents of cancer, respiratory, and circulatory disease are the highest causes of death among members of the European Union (EU). Elements of these diseases have been linked to the human microbiota, the complex ecosystem of microorganisms which live on and in the human body. Understanding the disruptions to the human microbiota which cause disease is important in furthering our knowledge of these diseases. Although advances in sequencing technology have allowed the exploration of "who" is present in these communities, we still do not have a proper understanding of "what" is present in terms of genetic elements (genomes, operons, genes, and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)) due to a lack of computaional tools. In GRAHAM, I propose to apply network analysis to the study of disruptions to the human microbiota in order to develop tools and answer questions related to human health and disease. Under this research programme, I will model interactions between genetic elements in publicly available metagenomic datasets of the human microbiota using networks. My background in metagenomic sequencing technologies will be combined with the excellence of a research environment and supervisor rich in experience with applications of network analyses. Deliverables will include open-source software packages, and results of this research will be disseminated via publications, conferences, workshops, and public seminars.

Mots clés : human microbiome, metagenomics, gene networks

Participants :
- University of Nottingham (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 195454.8 €
Projet RaceCareEurope (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2020)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Social Sciences and Humanities
Statut du projet : TERMINATED

Inclusion and diversity are currently topical subjects in health research, care and policy in Europe. In recent years there have been calls at the national and EU-level for health care professionals, health researchers and policymakers to attend to diversity and inclusion in health care, research and policy. Here, in addition to gender, migration, sex, religion, language, SES, education, and sexuality, ethnicity and race have become focus points within this so-called inclusion paradigm. With regard to race, one way in which inclusion and diversity has been approached in health care is to introduce race-based health diagnostics. These are diagnostic techniques, tools, and calculations in which different actions are included for different 'racial' groups. 'Race' is, however, a highly contested construct, of which the use in research and medicine has been highly debated, especially in the US. The recent introduction and use of race-based health diagnostics in Europe has to date not been critically examined. The proposed fellowship, RaceCareEurope, will be the first comparative multi-country investigation of the recent introduction and use of race based health diagnostics in general practice (GP) in three different European countries (France, Belgium and the Netherlands), and the effects and consequences of using such race-based diagnostics in Europe. Ultimately, the aim of the proposed research project is to understand the knowledge sources and scientific considerations by which race-based health technologies are coming to be included in Europe, how such race-based diagnostics are used in daily general practice, and what the individual and societal consequences of this use are. The insights generated with the proposed project will provide for a much needed foundation to critically reflect on the contemporary use of the construct of race in care and medicine in Europe.

Mots clés : race based care, science and technology studies, postcolonial science studies, health inequalities

Participants :
- KU Leuven (Belgique) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 267480.0 €
Projet MILEAGE (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2016)
Action : Staff Exchanges
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Increased longevity with a high quality of life is desirable not only for personal life-satisfaction but also for reducing healthcare costs and for increasing the socioeconomic contributions of individuals in countries with ageing population demographics. Lifelong lifestyle has an important impact on health status in older age and adequate nutrition plays a key role in maintaining cellular functions within normal limits. Microelements such as zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) are essential for life and are involved in the normal functioning of thousands of proteins. The dysregulation of these metals leads to perturbed homeostasis, disease and diminished quality of life. In this study, the molecular mechanisms by which ageing affects Zn and Cu absorption and excretion will be determined, and the consequent impact on metal flux and transport kinetics will be expressed by mathematical modelling. The project output will include a predictive model for the impact of ageing on Zn and Cu homeostasis, informing intervention with dietary advice or supplementation to improve longevity. The consortium combines intersectoral and interdisciplinary expertise from 3 EU and 2 partner countries with established links and clear potential for knowledge exchange and transfer of skills. The consortium objectives are: 1. To determine the impact of dietary Zn and Cu on the microbiota and also age-related changes in the microbiota composition on the absorption of Zn and Cu. 2. To understand the influence of senescence on the regulation of Zn and Cu flux into and out of key cells controlling their homeostasis (gut mucosal cells, pancreatic acinar cells and hepatocytes) and its impact on the expression of related genes such as transporters. 3. To determine how senescence affects the transporter proteins, channels and chaperones involved in regulating Zn and Cu trafficking through the key absorptive and excretory cells affecting body metal homeostasis.

Mots clés : zinc, copper, nutrition, transporters, ion channels, kinetics, microbiota, modelling

Participants :
- Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (France) — Partner, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 112500.0 €
- University of the West Indies System (Jamaïque) — Partner, organization partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €
- Université de Picardie Jules-Verne (France) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 247500.0 €
- Limited liability company research and production enterprise i.f. lab (Ukraine) — Partner, beneficiary, Organismes privés (hors enseignement), subvention : 211500.0 €
- Instituto Nacional de Higiene, Epidemiología y Microbiología (Cuba) — Partner, organization partner, Organismes publics (hors enseignement & recherche), subvention : 0.0 €
- University of Aberdeen (Royaume-Uni) — Partner, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 292500.0 €
- University of Chile (Chili) — Partner, organization partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €
Projet MOCC (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2020)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - Global Fellowships
Panel : Social Sciences and Humanities
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Increases in cultural and linguistic diversity worldwide pose major challenges for universities to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Universities prioritize safety on campuses, but that process is severely hindered as many students of color face racial microaggressions daily, which impairs interethnic relationships and socio-academic adjustment. Thus although diversity is often expected to enhance inclusion and academic excellence of ethnic minorities, it is paradoxically linked to their exclusion and academic failure instead. This raises the question: How can universities create sustainable academic communities that promote DEI for all students? A promising method is living-learning communities (LLCs) which, unlike traditional residential housings, are specialized social settings centered on distinct academic themes that connect students’ experiences. LLC advocates argue that students develop a strong sense of belonging, learn how to think critically about social justice, and take multiple perspectives and develop a greater connection and better communication with other students. If this is true, do LLCs help prevent racial microaggressions among students who participate in such communities? And if so, how? That is, what are the key mechanisms? This study answers these questions through an innovative social network approach. Findings and mechanisms may be applicable to develop network interventions for integrated communities.

Mots clés : microaggression, race, ethnicity, diversity, intergroup relations, higher education

Participants :
- Utrecht University (Pays-Bas) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 253052.16 €
- University of Michigan–Ann Arbor (Etats-Unis) — Partner, organization partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €
Projet Biogas2Syngas (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2018)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Information Science and Engineering
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Increasing energy & chemical demands, rising CO2 emission and depleting fossil reserves have necessitated a search for an alternative technology to mitigate environmental issues, reduce oil consumption and satisfy energy and chemical demand. Production of biogas (mainly methane & CO2) from animal farms in Europe and discovery of shale gas (~ 90% methane) worldwide has led researchers to revisit dry reforming of methane (DRM) into syngas (CO+H2). The use of biogas as feed for chemical production not only curb the global carbon footprint, but also open up avenues for the exploration of new concepts and opportunities for catalytic and industrial developments. Despite the significant potential, DRM has not been commercialized due to catalyst instability leading high operational cost. The key challenges in the field are to increase lifetime and performance of the catalyst by preventing coke formation. Knowledge of structural/morphological changes of catalyst under reaction conditions is important for rational design. To address these issues, concepts based on combined experiment and theory are proposed. Understanding catalyst structure-activity relationship, and mechanistic insights into the DRM process will be developed through operando Raman experiments and Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations. Raman data will provide electronic state of the catalyst, catalyst structural information, nature of carbon deposits and structure-activity relationship. While, DFT studies will give reaction energy and activation barrier, which will help in understanding the reaction pathways and mechanism of coke formation. Multiscale kinetic modeling will be executed for rationalize experimental trends and establish catalyst structure-activity relationship. The knowledge obtained from this project will not only provide an insight about the effective catalyst design but also offer an avenue to explore new concepts and opportunities for industrial catalysis development.

Mots clés : biogas, syngas, operand raman spectroscopy, multiscale analysis, dft calculation

Participants :
- Politecnico di Milano (Italie) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 171473.28 €
Projet xCLASS (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2017)
Action : Doctoral Networks - Industrial Doctorates
Panel : Physics
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Increasing health and environmental awareness of European citizens has led to an urgent demand for spectral analysis of matter. However, what is missing are novel and cost-effective methods to sense the desired analytes with high sensitivity and high reliability using small and portable devices. Moreover, there is a severe shortage in the European spectroscopy industry of graduates and PhDs with the right expertise along the complete technology supply chain for the development of such micro-spectrometer systems. Training and education in all its aspects, namely in optical modeling and design, fabrication and prototyping, measurements and characterization, sensor readout and data analysis towards proof-of concept demonstration up to industrial valorisation of the micro-spectrometer systems is crucial, but to our knowledge not offered today as a whole. In response, xCLASS sets up a training through research programme, provided by a consortium of a leading academic centre (VUB) and a leading industrial partner (Anteryon), in which four ESRs will work on a disruptive compact high-performance micro-spectrometer concept, broadly applicable in various application domains. All ESRs will be enrolled in the PhD programme at VUB, the academic partner of xCLASS. The recruited researchers will be exposed to an integrated highly collaborative and interdisciplinary research environment where VUB and Anteryon together cover the complete supply chain. The combination of a broad and in-depth education and training in the complete technology supply chain of optical spectrometer systems and the extensive training in transferable skills that the ESRs will experience in xCLASS will optimally prepare them for a successful career as photonic scientists in European academy and the photonics industry. Beyond the impact on the structural training programme, xCLASS will result in a significant societal and economic impact in healthcare, environmental and food safety sectors for whole Europe.

Mots clés : photonics, photonic sensors, optical spectroscopy, miniaturization and assembly, advanced signal processing

Participants :
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel (Belgique) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 501120.0 €
- Anteryon bv (Pays-Bas) — Partner, beneficiary, Organismes privés (hors enseignement), subvention : 510748.56 €
Projet FRIENDS2 (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2014)
Action : Staff Exchanges
Panel : Information Science and Engineering
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Increasing the share of renewables in the European energy mix has a key function for the security of energy supply and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels. This proposal is entitled “Framework of Innovation for Engineering of New Durable Solar Surfaces”, (acronym FRIENDS2) and aims at achieving a European network for the transfer of knowledge to establish a shared culture of research and innovation which allows turning creative ideas in the field of surface engineering into innovative solutions for concentrating solar power (CSP) applications. FRIENDS2 will be led by one large European industry (Abengoa) who is a world leader in the development of CSP plants. The other FRIENDS2 participants are two well-recognized academic organizations (the University of Cranfield and the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf e.V.), and one SME (Metal Estalki). The purpose of FRIENDS2 is to strengthen the inter-sectoral capabilities in research and development of coating designs in order to improve the performance of CSP key components (reflectors, receivers and containers for heat storage) for high temperature applications. The methodology of this joint research proposal contains aspects of very high novelty. It includes computer modelling, multi-technique coating deposition, use of advanced characterization techniques, and the possibility of scaling-up new coating developments. Special attention is paid to the intersectoral transfer of knowledge and to the establishment of a long-lasting international network with global impact. It is worth noting that a substantial fraction of secondments (51%) will be carried out from the industrial to the academic sector. With the proposed approach, there will be an effective transfer of knowledge among the partners which will pave the road from fundamental research to applied innovation of surface engineering solutions for further CSP development.

Mots clés : thermosolar energy, reflective coatings, heat storage, absorber coatings, surface engineering, csp plants, corrosion resistance, on field evaluation, industrial scale up, in situ characterization

Participants :
- Profactor (Austria) (Autriche) — Partner, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 9000.0 €
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (Allemagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 108000.0 €
- Nano4energy slne (Espagne) — Partner, beneficiary, Organismes privés (hors enseignement), subvention : 63000.0 €
- Abengoa (Spain) (Espagne) — Partner, beneficiary, Organismes privés (hors enseignement), subvention : 36000.0 €
- Metal estalki sl (Espagne) — Partner, beneficiary, Organismes privés (hors enseignement), subvention : 18000.0 €
- Cranfield University (Royaume-Uni) — Partner, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 112500.0 €