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

My research plan aims at generating an innovative chemogenetic/positron emission tomography (PET) imaging translational model of striatal dopamine (DA) over-reactivity, the most well-established pathophysiological mechanism underlying schizophrenia. I will use this platform to test the therapeutic efficacy of antipsychotic compounds with a totally new mechanism of action, i.e. targeting the trace amine-associated receptor 1 (TAAR1). Pre-clinical findings will have immediate translation to humans. I envisage a two-fold utility of this platform for the scientific community: 1) development of innovative therapeutic strategies for psychotic disorders; 2) ask fundamental questions about the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. A substantial share of patients treated with available antipsychotics do not respond and/or experience undesirable side effects. Available antipsychotics do not target the neurobiological mechanisms underlying schizophrenia symptoms, i.e., increased pre-synaptic DA synthesis capacity (Ki) in the striatum. They rather rely on blockade of DA receptors post-synaptically, possibly causing iatrogenic DA super-sensitivity. Therefore, there is a quest for improved therapeutic strategies, addressing DA over-reactivity. A novel target is represented by TAAR1, a G protein-coupled receptor that has been found to crosstalk with the DAergic system. Based on these premises, the objectives of this project are: -Work package 1. To develop a chemogenetic translational mouse model of increased striatal Ki. We will use [18F]-FDOPA PET imaging to determine if selective manipulation of midbrain neuron firing increases Ki. -Work package 2. To determine if TAAR1 agonists (TAAR1 toolbox) decrease striatal Ki in the model from WP1. We will ascertain whether TAAR1 is necessary for the effect on Ki, using TAAR1 knock-out (KO) mice. -Work package 3. To determine whether TAAR1 toolbox modulate Ki in patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia, applying [18F]-FDOPA PET imaging.

Mots clés : dopamine synthesis capacity, chemogenetics, positron emission tomography, antipsychotic drugs, trace amine associated receptors

Participants :
- Imperial College London (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 212933.76 €
Projet NEGOTIA (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2019)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - Global Fellowships
Panel : Social Sciences and Humanities
Statut du projet : SIGNED

NEGOTIA aims to analyse the Coptic Orthodox diaspora communities in Europe with specific regard to three key aspects: identities, needs, and relations, in order to reconstruct the theoretical-practical framework of religious mediation. Its first goal is to examine the origins and the history of these communities, their cultural heritage and the peculiarities of their religion, but above all the dynamics of deconstruction and reconstitution of the material, emotional and relational dimensions experienced by such communities in the pathways from their homeland to abroad and back. Its final goal is to define the research field of religious mediation through an integrated, methodological approach to Copts, who are a peculiar case study to conceptualise this topic, which has never been systematically studied before. At the core of NEGOTIA stands the Church of S. Giorgio Megalomartire, established in Rome as an independent Diocese in 1995, with which I have had a stable and fruitful relationship since 2017. This community includes, among others: members with a migratory background; youth groups at least partially born in the diaspora; community religious and lay agents. It was a result of the 1960s migratory processes from Egypt and its profile is strongly characterised by continuous exchanges with their homeland. Thus, this Diocese will be analysed in close connection to the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center, established in Cairo in 2008 “to preserve the rich Coptic heritage as an important epoch in Egyptian history and Christian tradition worldwide”, that exemplifies one of the most interesting, contemporary Coptic community centres of Egypt. Through a transnational comparative perspective, the data arising from the analysis of the Roman Diocese will be merged with the data collected studying the Coptic Church of St. Petrus, der letzte Märtyrer in Hamburg, the last research focus. This Church, founded in 1979, is one of the member churches of the North German Communities.

Mots clés : coptic studies, religious pluralism

Participants :
- Sapienza University of Rome (Italie) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 202749.12 €
- American University in Cairo (Égypte) — Partner, organization partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €
Projet NEQLIQ (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2020)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Physics
Statut du projet : SIGNED

NEQLIQ aims to contribute to the European Research Area (ERA) by developing new fundamental knowledge about the features of small systems. Particularly, NEQLIQ will focus on the dynamics and energetics of small systems within critical baths. Critical interactions have been proposed to play a key role in the performance of living systems, and they have great perspectives to be applied to artificial devices. NEQLIQ is based in: i) micelle-solvent mixtures to enhance the intrinsic critical features of a binary-fluid, ii) a combination of microrheology and dynamic light scattering for determining the impact of confinement or inclusion of tracers in the viscoelastic features of the fluid, and iii) the study of the statistics of the energy transfer by non-equilibrium thermodynamic protocols. The objectives of NEQLIQ have a direct impact on some of the ‘Societal Challenges’ listed in H2020 i.e. ‘Secure, Clean and Efficient Energy’ and ‘Climate Action, Environment, Resource Efficiency, and Raw Materials’. NEQLIQ will merge the expertise of the host group in surfactants, micelles, and microfluidics, together with the background of the applicant using optical micromanipulation technique to unravel the fundamental features of the energetics of small systems, to reach the scientific objectives and technological challenges, to reach the desired deliverables and milestones. An ambitious training program including several new scientific and soft skills to be transferred to the applicant is also envisaged. Moreover, the applicant will transfer his knowledge to the host group and will be the link between them to forge future collaborations. Altogether, NEQLIQ will give the candidate a challenge to gain new expertise in different areas of research and new soft skills and leadership capacities. Hence, MSCA will position him at the forefront of the young researchers in the ERA, paving his way to reach a position as a principal investigator at a University in the European Union.

Mots clés : critical systems, optical tweezers, micellar dynamics

Participants :
- Ghent University (Belgique) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 178320.0 €
Projet NIMBqUS (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2015)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Physics
Statut du projet : CLOSED

NIMBqUS addresses the need for improving the theoretical understanding of interacting quantum many-body systems caused by recent breakthroughs in the area of quantum simulators. It takes on this challenge on three different levels: 1) It will unleash the power of semidefinite programming for finding ground states of quantum systems by both producing a user friendly open source software library that makes these powerful techniques available to a wide audience of researchers - thereby increasing innovation and productivity - and applying them to gain new insights into quantum phase transitions. 2) It will make new inroads into the description of complex quantum systems with novel analytical results on many-body localization, systems with long-range interactions, and their thermodynamic properties. 3) It will push our understanding of what makes large quantum systems complex to a new level by bridging the gap between the abstract proofs of computational hardness from computer science and state-of-the-art experimental implementations of quantum simulators. All this will be achieved in a multi-disciplinary research action, involving experts from institutions in four European countries, led and coordinated by the fellow. During the project, the fellow will diversify his competences by learning a new programming language and significantly extending his area of expertise to both (quantum) complexity theory and experimental implementations of quantum simulations. He will expand and strengthen his network of scientific contacts, as well as that of the host institute ICFO, and learn from leading experts during secondments. Concrete dissemination events are planned and the fellow will be integrated into the supervision of pre- and postgraduate students. The work plan is designed to bring the researcher into an excellent position to start an independent research group after this fellowship, but also to open up alternative career paths in the high-tech industry.

Mots clés : quantum information theory, quantum statistical mechanics, quantum simulators, semidefinite programming, complexity theory, many body physics

Participants :
- Institute of Photonic Sciences (Espagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 158121.6 €
Projet NMDARETT (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2015)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

NMDA receptor (NMDAR) dysfunction has been identified in multiple genetic causes of autism and related neurodevelopmental disorders. I recently showed that loss of Mecp2, the cause of Rett syndrome and some cases of autism, differentially affects NMDAR development at cortical synapses on specific cell-types: slowing down the development in excitatory pyramidal neurons and accelerating the maturation in parvalbumin-positive (PV) inhibitory interneurons. Genetic manipulation of NMDAR expression in Mecp2-deficient mice rescued both cortical function and the premature NMDAR maturation in PV cells. Based on these findings, I hypothesize that this cell-type specific disruption of NMDAR development leads to an imbalance in excitation and inhibition in the developing cortical circuits. To test this idea, I will combine single cell genomic and cell-type specific recording techniques to elucidate how Mecp2 controls the development of synaptic receptors and the impact on network function. In Aim 1, I will use cutting-edge techniques for single-cell RNA sequencing and synaptic recordings of NMDAR maturation in cortical cultures to identify novel cell-type specific mechanisms underlying NMDAR development and the regulation by Mecp2. In Aim 2, I will investigate the functional effects of Mecp2 deficiency and altered NMDAR maturation on the development of cortical network activity using two-photon calcium imaging and multi-electrode array (MEA) recordings. As a neuroscientist and neurologist, this training will prepare me for an independent research career addressing the circuit-based defects underlying Rett syndrome and autism. I have the full support of the University of Cambridge and Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute for the proposed research and my career development. This study will improve our understanding of how loss of Mecp2 alters cortical circuits and has the potential to identify novel cell-type specific targets for developing new therapies for Rett syndrome.

Mots clés : nmda receptors, rett syndrome, development of excitatory synaptic transmission

Participants :
- University of Cambridge (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 195454.8 €
Projet NANOSLIP (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2020)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Chemistry
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Nano-fluids (NFs) are colloidal suspensions of nano-species (NS) that are electrostatically or sterically stabilised, with aqueous NFs including nanoparticle suspensions (silica, sulfate latex), polyelectrolytes, and self-assembled structures including micelles, polymersomes and liposomes. NFs are used in many industrial/practical applications, including controlling colloidal assembly of larger nano- and micro-sized species in solution, improving heat flux in industrial processes and solar collectors, reducing friction in oils and greases, enhanced drug delivery and as MRI contrast agents. A unique property of NFs is their modified spreading/flowing behaviour on surfaces due to internal structuring forces between NS, which enables NFs to displace immiscible liquids from surfaces. This enhanced spreading/flowing behaviour has demonstrated enhanced oil recovery compared to standard brine solutions and has been rationalised as due to a reduction of friction at the NF/oil interface. Aside from the presence of a stable nano-thin NF film beneath oil during displacement being confirmed optically via interferometry, there are no experiments to date that have probed this interface directly, and thus the friction/drag reducing properties at the liquid/NF interface remain unexplored. The scientific goal of this proposed project is to gain a better understanding of liquid flow at a liquid/NF interface, in particular, how the presence of an ultrathin film of NFs – with enhanced spreading and internal properties – can reduce drag in response to shear between an immiscible liquid and a solid surface via colloidal probe atomic force microscopy. Understanding this phenomenon will fill the current knowledge gap in the fields of NFs and boundary slip and will have direct impact on current applications of NFs in oil recovery, lubrication, heat dissipation, soil remediation, nanomedicine, and colloidal stability.

Mots clés : lubrication, nanofluids, colloidal probe atomic force microscopy

Participants :
- University of Bristol (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 212933.76 €
Projet NanoEnHanCeMent (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2018)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Physics
Statut du projet : CLOSED

NanoEnHanCeMent (Nanoparticle Enhanced Hadron-therapy: a comprehensive Mechanistic description) is an action aimed to apply basic Physics and Chemistry methods to uncover the microscopic mechanisms behind nanoparticle enhancement of hadron-therapy for cancer treatment (or ion beam cancer therapy). Hadron-therapy (radiotherapy using accelerated ion beams) is one of the most advanced radiotherapies available, with superior dose delivery and biological effectiveness as compared to conventional radiotherapy. The increased effectiveness of hadron-therapy relies on physico-chemical phenomena occurring on the nanoscale. There is experimental evidence pointing out to nanoparticles enhancing the biological effects of ion beams. Since nanoparticles can be tuned to target cancer cells, they might be used to further improve hadron-therapy. However, it is still unknown how nanoparticles produce this effect. A proper exploitation of the nanoparticle radioenhancement in hadron-therapy depends on improving the understanding of the physico-chemical mechanisms responsible for it. In this project, a theory and modelling approach is proposed, in which a series of semiempirical and ab initio methods will be extended and interfaced with Monte Carlo track-structure simulation tools, in order to advance the basic understanding of the nanoparticle enhanced hadron-therapy physical and chemical mechanisms. The action also encompasses an integral training program for the Experienced Researcher, with a deepening in already mastered methods and learning of new methodologies, together with the acquisition of complementary and transferable skills, all this in an environment where theory, experiment and clinical applications meet. A complete communication and outreach program is also envisaged, to disseminate the results to the scientific community and also to show to the citizenship how the investment in basic science and European cooperation pave the way for addressing societal challenges.

Mots clés : nanoparticle radiosensitisation, particle radiation therapy, radiation biophysics, track structure, simulation, radiation physics and chemistry, biophysical modelling

Participants :
- Fondazione Bruno Kessler (Italie) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 171473.28 €
Projet NanoCytox (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2014)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Chemistry
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Nanoparticles , NPs, are being used to produce novel materials with unique physico-chemical properties with many applications in fields such as medicine, energy and electronics, consumer goods, among others. Some studies have revealed that the same specific properties that make NPs so unique could also be responsible for potential harmful effects on the environment and human health. Currently, the assessment of their impact is hampered by limited analytical capabilities to detect them in complex natural matrices. New sensitive and selective analytical methods must be developed and validated in order to elucidate their toxicological effects prior to increasing and promoting the NPs production. Herein, new analytical methodologies based on inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) are proposed to evaluate the toxicity of metallic NPs in cells, one of the most powerful and attractive model systems for toxicological assays. The proposed methodology consists on the use of laser ablation (LA) coupled to ICP-MS for spatially resolved bioimaging of the distribution of NPs in single cells upon different NPs incubation experiments; furthermore, a micro-droplet generator (µDG) for sample introduction of single cells into a sector field ICP-MS will be employed to improve the NPs detection sensitivity. The expected results will give essential insights into nanoparticle/cell interactions and will have implications for the development of analytical methods based on applications of nano-particles for medical diagnostics and therapeutics.


Participants :
- Federal Institute For Materials Research and Testing (Allemagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 159460.8 €
Projet ADMAIR (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2019)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Information Science and Engineering
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Nanopatterning is the core of today’s and future semiconductor technology as it drives the downscaling of the devices below the 7 nm node, enabling higher speed, density of transistors and computing performance. In addition, nanofabricated three-dimensional patterned structures are used in devices for photonics, biotechnology and other forms of nanotechnology.[1]Beyond the 10nm node, extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUVL) with a light source of 13.5 nm, will be applied.[2],[3] Associated with nano-patterning at these dimensions, there is a long list of challenges: i) EUVL photoresists (PR) and mask infrastructure and control of the created nanoscale patterns; ii) throughput and process cost; iii) environmental footprint as it is based on litho-etch subtractive processes; iv) high complexity thus decreasing fabrication reliability; v) overlay errors and defectivity. Therefore, innovative solutions are required. Area selective deposition (ASD) offers the potential to relax downstream processing steps by enabling self-aligned processes and bottom-up lithography. The main goal of this MSCA proposal Area-selective Deposition-enabled ultiMAte extensIon of lithogRaphy (ADMAIR) is to overcome the potentially show-stopping challenges associated with EUV materials and processes at the sub-10nm scale by an additive bottom-up concept. This will be enabled by interdisciplinary joint development projects involving material suppliers and lithography stakeholders, which is a unique advantage of IMEC and will complement the expertise of the candidate in material science and characterization. Ultimately, valuable professional development opportunities for the MSCA candidate and know-how for the host will be achieved.

Mots clés : nanopatterning, extreme ultraviolet lithography  euvl, area selective deposition  asd, hard mask  hm, scaling, surface treatments, defectivity metrology, defect removal strategies

Participants :
- IMEC (Belgique) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 166320.0 €
Projet EXTREMELIGHT (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2016)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Information Science and Engineering
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Nanophotonic extreme environment sensors are expected to lead to revolutionary advancements in aerospace, nuclear, wellbore exploration and environmental bio-chemical sciences. Extreme environments are those where the physico-chemical conditions render standard materials completely unusable; including strongly ionizing radiation, high erosion, high corrosion, or temperatures beyond 1600°C in aircraft and aerospace applications. Recently, yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) crystals have been identified as harsh environment resistant optical material thanks to its unique combination of outstanding optical properties and high melting temperature (1970°C), chemical inertness and hardness. It´s use for developing extreme environment nanophotonic on-chip instruments is therefore of high interest. However, micro/nanostructuring YAG crystalline components is currently impossible due to its capability to withstand corrosion in plasma etching chambers, its hardness, and its fracturing under high micro-stress loading machining or milling industrial processes. The central question that this project aims to solve is: Is it possible to fabricate three-dimensional (3D) nanophotonic circuits inside YAG crystals so as to open a research road towards future monolithic nanophotonic sensors for industrial application in extreme-environments? By combining a unique method for 3D laser nanostructuring YAG crystals recently developed by the experienced researcher, with the recognized expertise of the academic Host in lab-on-chip photonics and ultra-short pulse laser spectroscopy, and the expertise of the Industrial Partner in high-performance integrated spectrometers, the EXTREMELIGHT project aims at demonstrating in a unique training-based multidisciplinary 2-year work-plan, the first proof-of-concept YAG nanophotonics technology, which could lead to a novel generation of high-performance integrated optical sensors capable of withstanding the most extreme environments.


Participants :
- National Research Council (Italie) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 180277.2 €