Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-actions-marie-curie-participations-et-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Projet ProDelivery (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2018)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Chemistry
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The delivery of therapeutic protein drugs in biological environments is hampered by their relative sensitivity to a broad range of physical and chemical factors. To address this loss in therapeutic efficacy, chemical formulations using polymers as stabilising agents have been proposed. Unfortunately, systematic studies of these formulations are often limited in scope owing to the relatively high cost of protein therapeutics as well as restrictions on the types of chemical transformations that can be performed without loss of protein activity. Hosted within Prof. Molly Stevens' labs at Imperial College London (www.stevensgroup.org, recognised by >25 major awards), the overall goal of this proposal is therefore to develop a versatile chemical synthetic platform enabling the efficient synthesis of protein encapsulated polymeric vesicles. This will be achieved by exploiting low volume, high throughput polymer chemistry to allow for a cost and time efficient study of vesicle structure-activity relationships in the context of protein stabilisation and efficacious delivery of proteins to biological targets. The proposed combinatorial approach is highly versatile and can, in principle, be applied for the study of a broad range of proteins or other biologically relevant therapeutics. The versatility and translation potential of this project will be fully evaluated within the excellent infrastructure available within the Stevens Group.


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

The demand for electric vehicles (EVs) is expected to rise significantly to ~55% of all new car sales by 2040. This would necessitate ~0.8 million metric tons of Li-metal for standard lithium ion battery (LIB) production. However, a market dominant EV-industry would only have sufficient Li-supply for at most 17 years due to inevitable shortfalls on sustainable-supply of lithium. Aluminium based rechargeable batteries (AlBs) offer tantalising prospect of high energy density batteries using components that can facilitate safe-by-design production of cheaper, durable and sustainable batteries. This battery technology, while having enormous potential as a replacement for LIBs, has not yet demonstrated viability due to critical limitations, primarily the lack of an efficient cathode material that can cycle Al3+ or Al-ion complexes for high energy density and stability. By far, the most plausible cathodes for AlBs are based on graphitic materials. However, present graphitic cathodes are inefficient due to serious design flaws. This project will develop a rapid synthesis protocol to fabricate a very unique graphitic material with unprecedented brain-like morphology and also develop mechanisms to control the intrinsic nanopore architecture. The project will conduct a detailed structural analysis and characterisation of the novel graphitic framework as a cathode for AlBs. This novel graphite holds the key to a significant breakthrough and will advance the development of AlBs by: 1) addressing the issue of poor electrolyte penetration and improve the sluggish reversible ion intercalation to boost rate performance and cycling, 2) improve the weak electronic/electrical conductivity properties of present cathodes, 3) overcome the problematic abrupt cathode disintegrating during cell operation, and 4) unveil the hidden cathode redox chemistry. The ER will emerge from this project with new/advanced skill-set and the capability to launch his own high-level scientific research.

Mots clés : novel porous graphite, tuneable architecture, cathodes, aluminum ion batteries, high energy density

Participants :
- University of Limerick (Irlande) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 196590.72 €
Projet FI4P (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2019)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Chemistry
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The demand for sustainable methods to build chemical bonds has led to the rise of catalytic reactions, especially using abundant and benign metals. In this context, iron has emerged as a powerful catalyst to mediate various transformations including cross-couplings between (pseudo)halide electrophilic partners and organometallic nucleophiles, usually Grignard reagents. We aim to develop a modular and versatile Flow-enabled Iron-catalysed cross-coupling protocol for Pharmaceutical applications (FI4P), leveraging the unique properties of flow chemistry to implement cross-couplings between organolithium derivatives and electrophiles. Building on the significant expertise of the academic host in this field, we will seek to harness flow technology to exert spatiotemporal control over reactive intermediates, thus ensuring the functionalisation of halide precursors with reactive lithium organyls generated in situ. The particularly high reaction rates observed in iron-catalysed cross-couplings will allow the incorporation of valuable functional groups usually incompatible with organolithium derivatives. This approach will deliver a sustainable method to assemble relevant molecular scaffolds of interest to the pharmaceutical industry. With the involvement of NovAliX, an industrial partner specialised in transferring academic innovations into industrial processes, we will eventually apply our synthetic protocol to the large-scale manufacture of valuable APIs and the generation of a small collection of molecules designed to complement our existing library for Fragment Based Drug Design.

Mots clés : flow chemistry

Participants :
- University of Liège (Belgique) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 166320.0 €
Projet THIAZOLIUMenzyme (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2018)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Chemistry
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The design of enzymatic catalysts and protein therapeutics with tailored, new-to-nature properties is a long-standing goal in enzymology and cell biology. Nature generally uses 20 amino acids as building blocks for protein synthesis. However, this portfolio limits the options for engineering proteins with ‘un-natural’ activities. Recent developments in the expansion of the genetic code have the potential to revolutionise the design of novel enzymes; by reprogramming the genetic code, we could convey novel functionality into proteins and extend their properties. This project aims at incorporating thiazolium amino acids into the active site of a promiscuous and highly evolvable de novo enzyme, namely the RA95 (retro)-aldolase, for orchestrating organocatalytic transformations of clinical and industrial interest. Such reactions, conventionally mediated by non-enzymatic, small molecule N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) catalysts require high temperature and catalyst loading. An engineered enzyme with the ability to catalyse such chemistry may overcome the drawbacks of these abiological catalysts, serving as a ‘greener’ biocatalytic alternative, and also perform the desired reactions in cells for medicinal purposes. This initiative will pave the way for development of general strategies for creating enzymes with unique properties and provide a tool-box for efficient, environmentally-friendly and bioorthogonal organocatalysed reactions. It is anticipated that the generated artificial biocatalysts will have attractive applications in research, medicine and industry.

Mots clés : directed evolution, enzyme design, protein engineering, non canonical amino acids, biocatalysis

Participants :
- Board of the Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology (Suisse) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 191149.44 €
Projet InertialSensors (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2015)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Physics
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The detection of gravitational waves is expected within the decade and it will start a new era in astronomy. A limiting factor for all earth-based gravitational-wave detectors is isolation from ground motion that limits both low frequency sensitivity and detector operation. We propose to develop a new kind of extremely low-noise inertial sensors using laser-interferometer readout that can drastically improve active seismic isolation systems. The interferometric readout developed at Birmingham has low noise, huge dynamic range, and highly linear readout. This combination of properties allows a radical redesign and simplification of the mechanical components of an inertial sensor, and the removal of many common sources of noise. The technology required to build these sensors has many potential applications outside the field. The experienced researcher, Dr Mow-Lowry, will lead the experimental work and manage the project under the guidance of Professor Freise, and by the end of the proposal he will have proven his ability to deliver key instrumentation, making the transition from scientific contributor to principal investigator. In the years following, he will be ideally placed to exploit the project outcomes through scientific collaboration and commercialisation.

Mots clés : gravitational waves

Participants :
- University of Birmingham (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 183454.8 €
Projet ICELEARNING (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2018)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Environment and Geosciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The detection of insoluble particles trapped in ice or sediment cores, like pollen grains, foraminiferal and diatom assemblages, volcanic and dust particles represents the basis for paleoresearch on the biosphere, volcanism and oceanic and atmospheric realms. To date, except for ice core dust, this analytical goal is achieved during years of particle observations by manual microscopy. Artificial Intelligence predictive models are already applied to several research fields within geoscience, but up to date its implementation to paleoclimate is missing. With ICELEARNING, I aim to develop a two-phase routine for the automatic quantification of insoluble particles trapped in ice cores. The routine is based on a commercial Flow Imaging Microscope producing particle images from within melted ice samples. The images are then analyzed by Pattern Recognition algorithms which will be developed for automatic particle classification and counting. The routine will be specifically developed in order to be implemented in Continuous Flow Analysis (CFA) systems, therefore surpassing the traditional methods by providing continuous particle records from ice cores. ICELEARNING methodology is suitable to any diluted sample, thus representing a ground-breaking analytical advancement from ice core science to marine geology. This innovative routine is automatic and non-destructive, imperative prerequisites for the future Antarctic ice core project analytical measurements, aiming to retrieve a continuous climatic and environmental record covering the last 1.5 Myr. ICELERNING will be developed at Ca’ Foscari University of Venice with Prof. Carlo Barbante, leading expert in trace and ultra-trace level impurity detections in ice cores and with the University of Bergen, a top institution in marine geology and paleoceanography. This unique synergy, in addition to the proposer’s knowledge of CFA systems and machine learning techniques will provide the best preconditions for the project success.

Mots clés : pattern recognition, image analysis, core

Participants :
- Ca' Foscari University of Venice (Italie) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 171473.28 €
Projet CONTESTED URBANISM (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2014)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Social Sciences and Humanities
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The proposed project’s meta-objectives are twofold, first; from a theoretical perspective the starting point of the project is the suggestion that rather than limiting the 'extreme divided’ city label to a selected number of contested places, there is an increasing need to broaden the category itself in order to deepen the understanding of contested urbanism across the spectrum. Secondly, to construct an innovative interdisciplinary research method connecting the long overdue qualitative and quantitative divide within urban segregation research (Vertovec 2006). Within this discussion, there is a still significant lacuna as to how researchers and policymakers themselves conceptualize and prioritize the socially and politically contentious issues of urban segregation in different cities and the impact of urban space on social outcomes (Vaughan 2007). This research project suggests there is a need to re-think labels and concepts attributed to cities and neighborhoods, to better adapt planning policy and practice to ethnic minorities and migrants in an ever more fractured urban reality. Following a broad assessment of 'urban segregation' the research will focus on two nations with diverse forms of contested urbanism with the aim of "learning through differences, rather than seeking out similarities" (Robinson 2011); namely Sweden (known for its comprehensive welfare system) and Israel (known for its ethnically based policies); selecting four case study cities (two from each country) with high levels of ethnic minorities for further in-depth analysis. With the aim of establishing a multi-level multidisciplinary comparative framework (engaging spatial and qualitative analysis); the project will integrate three main scales of investigation: (1) the nation state role in planning for urban segregation, (2) urban segregation at the city scale, and (3) the role of local community and civil society in, and their perception of, these urban processes.

Mots clés : urban segregation, urban planning, contested cities, mixed cities, space syntax, comparative, urbanism, multidisciplinary research methods, spatial analysis, political context, sweden, israel

Participants :
- University of London (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 195454.8 €
Projet OPERACQC (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2014)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Physics
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The proposed research aims at the operational characterization of features of correlations specific to quantum systems. This will lead to a deeper understanding of Quantum Mechanics (QM) and of the behaviour of correlated systems, and contribute to the development of revolutionary Quantum Information Processing (QIP) technologies. QIP applications include the efficient simulation of quantum systems, more precise sensors, secure communications, and, ultimately, incomparably faster computers. QIP was born from the recognition that information can be processed according to the laws of QM. At the core of the advantage of QIP over classical information processing lie quantum correlations, in which Dr Piani is an expert. Dr Piani will characterize several forms of quantum correlations in a systematic and unified way. The results will directly link to operational scenarios and applications, for example in metrology and communication. Where relevant, the characterization will take into account physical and practical constraints and limitations deriving from, e.g., the finite energy involved in physical processes and the necessarily incomplete information accessible to experimentalists. The host organization, the University of Strathclyde, will provide Dr Piani with the opportunity to establish a new research line in QIP at the Department of Physics, a stepping-stone towards a senior academic position. Thanks to his conceptual, mathematical and information-theoretic approach, Dr Piani will develop a research programme that will integrate and complement the research activities of the Computational Nonlinear and Quantum Optics (CNQO) group. As a member of the CNQO group, and especially through the collaboration with the supervisor Prof A. J. Daley, which is directed to the study and verification of quantum correlations in Atomic, Molecular, and Optical (AMO) physical systems, Dr Piani will develop and apply his expertise to AMO physics at the highest international level.

Mots clés : entanglement, quantum correlations, quantum nonlocality, quantum steering, channel discrimination, cold atoms, orbital angular momentum

Participants :
- University of Strathclyde (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 195454.8 €
Projet WeCENT (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2019)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Social Sciences and Humanities
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The proposed research aims to fill a niche in the weather/climate/environment information tailored to the usual tourist interests, in the same time reaching beyond the conventional exploitation paths of Earth Observation data. The proposal addresses several challenges identified by EU policy in tourism - economic competitiveness, technological challenges, markets and competition – and focuses on the development of innovative environmental products for the tourism sector, including a framework for their free/commercial delivery. The specific research objectives, each leading to a novel result, are as follows: (1) quantify user interests related to environmental features for 4 destination types (novelty: basis for development of a new index for rural areas); (2) select and shape relevant climate and environmental information based on site-, season- and leisure activity specifics (novelty: fine-tuned, individualized information); (3) translate EO data into friendlyto- use information (novelty: EO products adapted for tourism); (4) deliver it to the user in a compact and timely manner (novelty: user-fitted communication form). The research work toward these objectives will involve literature reviews, questionnaires, processing climate data into specific tourism and bio-meteorological indices, processing and ‘packing’ of satellite products employing a user-oriented formulation, as well as a strong component on stakeholders involvement. At career level, the work will allow to build a unique scientific expertise comprising interdisciplinary and inter-sectoral research capabilities and transferable aptitudes, to be further exploited through existing and new collaboration projects and networks. The scientific results will lead to development of innovative downstream integrated information addressing tourism actors, new directions for innovative applications of satellite-based information in the day-to-day life, knowledge conversion into products and services.

Mots clés : tourism, rural natural beauty, climate, satellite products, environmental information

Participants :
- Ca' Foscari University of Venice (Italie) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 183473.28 €
Projet AnticipatoryLedgers (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2017)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Social Sciences and Humanities
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The proposed research analyzes the current “blockchain paradox,” also described as a “governance crisis” in the emerging DLTs (Distributed Ledger Technologies), as a challenge of connecting prototyping practices with policy analysis and ethical deliberation, which is also an important goal for the STS (Science, Technology and Society studies) scholarship reflecting emerging technologies. The research will contribute to the fields of Design methods, STS scholarship and DLTs development by offering a method for involving stakeholders in the DLT design, which combines prototyping, reflection and stakeholder panels. In this attempt to integrate technology, ethics and governance we plan to identify and categorize the assumptions behind various coins and DLTs’ protocols and reflect upon their connections to current social and political realities. The objective is to create, test and evaluate an experimental framework described as “anticipatory design” of DLTs applications, which involves the public and various stakeholders directly in the design process rather than only the adoption and implementation of “smart contracts”. This experimental, design and policy driven research will and focus on private health/body data, but also sensor data related to the environment as “oracles” and “escrows” in the smart contracts over Ethereum and IOTA platforms. With anticipatory design of “smart contracts” we will evaluate the neglected issues of DLTs governance (accountability, shared responsibility, division of powers or solidarity), but also ethical principles (deontological versus utilitarian rules and laws) and future scenarios and use cases (smart contracts with AI, smart contracts for wearables or IoTs with a focus on environmental sensors).

Mots clés : blockchain, distributed ledger technologies, design methods, anticipatory governance

Participants :
- Universidad de Salamanca (Espagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 170121.6 €
Projet MRECS (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2016)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Social Sciences and Humanities
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The proposed research at Durham investigates the role of pastoral mobility in the rise of urban societies and large, integrated supra-regional economies in western Syria during the 3rd millennium BC through isotopic analysis of skeletal remains. During this period, state-level political systems developed and there was a massive expansion of urban settlement into the arid Syrian steppe. Scholars at Durham have proposed that elite exploitation of the economic opportunities provided by the humble sheep for the development of a vast new livestock-based economy lay at the heart of this transformation, representing a fundamental shift in socio-political networks, economic resilience and risk management strategies. Although material culture and texts provide clear indications about the vital significance of the wool industry in these major socio-economic changes, the proposed research will provide the first reliable means of directly testing these hypotheses by using multi-element isotopic analysis of archaeological animal enamel and bone to examine changes in animal management and herding strategies in Syria-Palestine in the 4th-2nd millennia BC. Two case studies will represent areas close to the core of this emerging system of economic intensification, and more peripheral areas that were likely impacted by these changes in more subtle ways.

Mots clés : near east, syria palestine, isotopic analysis, animal management, complex societies

Participants :
- Durham University (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 183454.8 €