Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-actions-marie-curie-participations-et-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Projet PredInCon (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2022)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Posing the brain as a predictive system has become a guiding principle that has proven to be particularly fruitful in the study of perceptual processes. Perception is understood as an inferential process in which the brain combines its noisy sensory input with predictions generated by internal models. In this way, the contents of conscious experience would be determined by the hypothesis about the state of the world, with the highest posterior probability. One popular algorithmic incarnation of the predictive processing ideas is predictive coding, in which the brain implements a hierarchy of generative models, where feedback connections carry predictions and feedforward connections carry prediction errors. The brain would minimize these prediction error by updating its internal models. While compelling, this proposal leaves open several issues. It is not yet clear how a predictive perceptual system could be both sensitive to expected and to surprising stimuli. Bayesian integration of sensory evidence and prior probability of the hypotheses (predictions) might offer an optimal solution. But some authors have argued that Bayesian integration would result in a bias toward the expected. Therefore, the question of how conscious experience emanates from the interaction between predictions and prediction errors remains open. Predictive coding assumes separate neuronal populations representing predictions and prediction errors, which would reside in different cortical layers. This proposal remains largely untested in humans, in particular in the auditory domain. This project focuses on the auditory domain, where the ability to predict the incoming sensory stream is fundamental for making sense of everyday auditory scenes, especially in the presence of noise. I will tackle the aforementioned open questions by implementing challenging auditory signal detection tasks, and by combining fMRI data at ultra-high field (7 Tesla), and cutting-edge computational modelling.

Mots clés : predictive coding, fmri ultra high field, dynamic causal modelling, auditory processing

Participants :
- Université Radboud de Nimègue (Pays-Bas) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 187624.32 €
Projet SignBack (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2022)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Social Sciences and Humanities
Statut du projet : SIGNED

1 in 1000 deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals in the EU communicates in one of 31 national or regional signed languages (SLs) as their first language. Understanding how deaf signers of different SLs coordinate their interaction to build and maintain mutual understanding, known as grounding, is thus a key issue in unveiling the highly cooperative nature of human communication. However, research on the interactional infrastructure of SLs is still understudied. Combining insights from comparative linguistics, computational and conversational analysis, SignBack describes how deaf signers from two unrelated SLs, namely, Norwegian SL (NTS) and French Belgian SL (LSFB) achieve mutual understanding in conversation. To achieve this, I will analyse one core mechanism recognised for providing positive evidence of understanding in interaction, namely backchannels. This project will be the first cross-linguistic study to adopt a synchronic, corpus-based approach to SLs by combining quantitative statistical processing with a qualitative, interactional view on language to achieve a better understanding of human interaction in context. The integration of these methods across SLs will provide key insights into the interactional practices of two linguistic minorities, thereby further contributing to a more dynamic and semiotically diverse view of language. SignBack will make a major contribution to the field of (SL) linguistics by further documenting two under described SLs. It will provide vital implications to a range of domains including (i) curriculum design for SL interpreters, (ii) effective development of SL-based human-computer interaction and (iii) baselines for clinical research investigating impaired social functioning. The innovation of this project therefore lies not only in its object of study, which includes an overlooked side of linguistics but also in its cross-linguistic scope by being more socially inclusive towards two endangered linguistic minorities.

Mots clés : signed language linguistics, conversation analysis, corpus linguistics

Participants :
- Université norvégienne de sciences et de technologie (Norvège) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 220173.04 €
- Université Radboud de Nimègue (Pays-Bas) — Partner, associated partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €
Projet SEXWARC (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2023)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Social Sciences and Humanities
Statut du projet : SIGNED

SEXWARC contributes to a paradigm shift in the archaeology of prostitution. The discipline has thus far mainly been limited to a description of the structural features of which brothels are constituted, but struggles to make meaningful observations when it comes to the people who have worked in these environments. This project aims to put female sex workers back at the centre of our scientific work, by focussing on human remains as a new source of information for the study of past sex work. The main objective is to get a grip on the health and living conditions of these women in the Middle Ages. I will do this by combining – for the very first time – recent advances in ancient DNA research of pathogens with some unique skeletal populations excavated in identified red light districts of medieval cities in the County of Flanders. As a crossover between the archaeology of sex work and ancient pathogen genomics, I will integrate both the Division of Medieval Archaeology and the Archaeo- and Paleogenetics group at the University of Tübingen. Under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Natascha Mehler and mentoring of Prof. Dr. Cosimo Posth, globally acknowledged as experts in their respective domains, this Action will allow to establish myself as an independent scholar with a highly strategic profile and as a future leader of an interdisciplinary research group in historical archaeology.

Mots clés : sex work osteoarchaeology middle ages pathogens ancient dna

Participants :
- Université Eberhard Karl de Tübingen (Allemagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 189687.36 €
Projet TELLchloroplasts (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2022)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Plants have evolved a sophisticated system to perceive and transmit external stimuli to the cell interior and inform growth and defense. The host lab discovered a new pathway linking the PM to chloroplasts and regulating defence, based on inducible protein re-localization, co-opted by pathogens during evolution. Both the plant protein CALCIUM DEPENDENT PROTEIN KINASE 16 (CPK16) and the viral protein C4 from tomato yellow leaf curl virus re-localize from the PM to chloroplasts upon activation of pathogen associated molecular pattern (PAMP)-triggered immunity (PTI); from the organelle, CPK16 acts as a positive regulator of downstream defence responses, while C4 acts as a suppressor. However, the molecular and cellular events enabling and regulating protein trafficking from PM to chloroplasts remain elusive. Preliminary data in the host lab found the colocalization of C4 with SYP61- and Ara7-positive compartments upon flg22 treatment; among them, C4 colocalizes with Ara7 at the periphery of chloroplasts. Upon flg22 treatment, CPK16 was also able to form mobile dots in the cytoplasm. These results suggest that endocytosis is likely to be involved in C4/CPK16 trafficking from the PM to chloroplasts. In addition, phosphorylation regulation and N-terminal cleavage could also regulate the PM-to-chloroplast protein trafficking as evidenced by mass spectrometry analyses. In this project, I will utilize both CPK16 and C4 to investigate the molecular determinants underlying the protein trafficking from the cell surface to chloroplasts, including how proteins are transported from the PM to chloroplasts (Objective 1) and how N-myristoylated C4 and CPK16 are released from membrane compartments prior to chloroplast import (Objectives 2). By using cell biology, protein biochemistry, molecular biology, and plant genetic methods, this project will expand our understanding of the PM-to-chloroplast protein trafficking and serve as stepping stone for the engineering of immune responses.

Mots clés : geminivirus plant defense membrane trafficking endocytosis chloroplast

Participants :
- Université Eberhard Karl de Tübingen (Allemagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 189687.36 €
Projet VIRALS (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2022)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Due to their limited protein-coding capacity, viruses have evolved sophisticated mechanisms to hijack the host molecular machinery for their own benefit; among these strategies, splicing of the viral transcripts allows them to increase their transcriptome and proteome diversity, and has been described in several virus families, including plant DNA viruses, such as geminiviruses. Geminiviruses, which cause devastating problems for the agriculture worldwide, belong to the circular, replication-associated protein (Rep)-encoding (CRESS) viruses, a phylum infecting organisms from all three domains of life and potentially sharing analogous mechanisms for genome replication. Importantly, Rep is the only protein required for viral replication, and is structurally conserved across CRESS viruses. Splicing of Rep transcripts has been anecdotally reported in circoviruses and a few minor genera of geminiviruses, with some splicing events required for a full infectivity. On the other hand, unpublished work in the host group has uncovered that i) Rep from different begomoviruses, the major genus within the Geminiviridae family, associate with the plant splicing machinery; and ii) tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) Rep transcripts are spliced during the infection, giving rise to at least five unknown Rep protein isoforms, lacking either the oligomerization domain or part of the N-terminal DNA binding domain. We propose to uncover the importance of Rep splicing in TYLCV and to establish its relevance during the viral replication, by characterizing Rep spliced variants interactome and functions. We will also analyze the conservation of Rep splicing landscape in different geminiviruses and CRESS viruses, potentially outlining an unknown layer in the regulation of the replication of these cross-kingdom infecting viruses.

Mots clés : ssdna alternative splicing rep nanovirus circovirus

Participants :
- Université Eberhard Karl de Tübingen (Allemagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 173847.36 €
Projet MinOx (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2022)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Environment and Geosciences
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Nitrate-Reducing Iron-Oxidizing (NRFeOx) microorganisms, which couple Fe(II) oxidation to nitrate reduction using organic matter or carbon dioxide as a carbon source, play an essential role on a global scale in three of the most important biogeochemical cycles: iron, carbon and nitrogen. From an ecological point of view, NRFeOx microorganisms are key players in several processes such as the biological oxidation of Fe in anoxic and dark environments, the reduction of atmospheric carbon dioxide and the removal of nitrate from polluted groundwater aquifers. The aim of this project is to analyze the ability of NRFeOx communities to thrive using Fe(II)-bearing minerals as an energy source, the ecological consequences of the mineral transformation, and to explore the mechanism of microorganism-mineral interaction, which is crucial to fully understand their role in natural environments. First, culture techniques will be applied to identify Fe(II)- bearing minerals that can be oxidized by NRFeOx communities. Subsequently, Molecular Biology techniques will be applied to analyze the structure and distribution of NRFeOx communities when they grow using minerals as an energy source and to determine the main actors in the process. Finally, analytical microscopy techniques will be used to study, at the nanometer scale, the interaction between specific microorganisms with the mineral surface. For this purpose, state-of-the-art techniques such as Confocal Raman Microscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy-Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy and X-Ray Photoemission Electron Microscopy will be correlated with Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization and Fluorescence Microscopy. The data obtained in the MinOx project could not only be applied to biotechnological processes and integrated into predictive models for the management of nitrate-contaminated waters but will also unveil a totally unknown area of geomicrobiology: the transformation of Fe(II) minerals by NRFeOx microorganisms.

Mots clés : geomicrobiology, iron mineral transformation, correlative microscopy, fish, confocal raman microscopy, xpeem, sem edx, molecular biology, nitrate removal, carbon fixation

Participants :
- Université Eberhard Karl de Tübingen (Allemagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 173847.36 €
Projet BIOFARM (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2023)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Chemistry
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Responding to the growing population in times of climate change, new techniques are essential to transform agriculture into a sustainable but even more productive system. Agrochemical delivery based on micro- and nanocarriers emerged as an efficient tool to decrease pesticide need against various plant diseases. However, these formulations also need non-degradable additives, such as spreading agents or adhesives. While studies underline that the widely used polymeric carriers in agrochemical delivery can release microplastics, research on additive-free or fully biodegradable formulations is very scarce. The aim of BIOFARM is to understand and develop new nanocarriers for agriculture that omit all non-degradable ingredients and release their payload only on-demand. Fully biobased and biodegradable nanocarriers will be designed as efficient vehicles to deliver and selectively release actives, without the danger of microplastics-formation. More importantly, I will design the nanocarriers surface in such a way to optimize spreading on the leaves and achieve effective adhesion to prevent other non-degradable additives. A general approach for encapsulated plant protection products in designed nanocarriers will be devised for foliar spraying. Without adding environmentally problematic additives, the enhanced adhesion of the proposed nanocarriers will be tailored through bio-polymer modification and green formulation design. The designed nanocarriers will not only be examined by various plant pathogens through vitro tests, but also will be tested on plant leaves on the field. A set of analytical techniques will be used to investigate various characteristics of the prepared nanocarriers, such as the adhesion on the leaves, biodegradation and efficiency. The proposed fully biodegradable nanocarriers represent a general concept and green formulation to replace non-degradable micro- and nanocarriers in the important foliar-spraying market of modern plant protection.

Mots clés : biodegradable, biopolymer, nanocarrier, encapsulation, agrochemical delivery

Participants :
- Université de Twente (Pays-Bas) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 187624.32 €
Projet MOM-ART (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2023)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : TERMINATED

Infertility is a major societal problem and one in six people must use assisted reproductive technologies (ART) to conceive. However, ART success rates remain low (ca. 20%), which represents a significant burden for the patients due to the heavy treatments and high risk of miscarriage. Recent studies have revealed that the mechanical properties of female gametes (oocytes) are tightly regulated and can change with advancing maternal age (AMA), leading to a higher risk of miscarriage or congenital diseases. Mechanical biomarkers have thus been proposed to score “high-quality” oocytes in ART. However, their use is hampered by (1) the lack of precise knowledge of mechanical phenotype(s) associated with AMA and oocyte quality, and (2) the absence of appropriate technology to measure oocyte mechanical properties in medical settings. In MOM-ART, I propose to develop a user-friendly and non-invasive approach for the mechanical phenotyping of oocytes based on an innovative miniaturized measurement system with computational analysis. I will characterize mechanical phenotypes associated with AMA and/or developmental defects in mouse models to establish the predictive value of mechanical biomarkers for oocyte quality. I will finally evaluate the proposed microfluidic approach in a reproductive medicine department, in the frame of a non-academic placement, and aim thereby to identify minimal requirements that my approach and device must meet to be applied for oocyte mechanical scoring in medical setting. This comprehensive and interdisciplinary project will bring significant technological, fundamental, and medical advances in oocyte mechanobiology, directly applicable to oocyte quality assessment and personalized diagnostics in ART. In MOM-ART, I will interact with experts in microfluidics, developmental biology, and human reproduction. Upon completion of the fellowship, I will have consolidated my interdisciplinary and intersectional profile, which is key for my future career.

Mots clés : prediction of oocyte development potential, mechanobiology, cell mechanical phenotyping, diagnostic tools, lab on a chip technology, in vitro fertilization, advanced maternal age

Participants :
- Hospices civils de Lyon (France) — Partner, associated partner, Organismes publics (hors enseignement & recherche), subvention : 0.0 €
- Collège de France (France) — Partner, associated partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €
- Université de Twente (Pays-Bas) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 234530.4 €
Projet RHYTHM (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2021)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Chemistry
Statut du projet : SIGNED

In this project, a micro-engineered heart tissue (EHT) device that will advance the physiological relevance of current in vitro 3D cardiac tissue models will be developed. In moving towards this goal, this project will synthesize conductive guanosine-quadruplex (GQ) hydrogels and implement them as cell scaffolds in EHT devices. Key aspects of biomaterials design are the unique conductive and hierarchical 3D fibrous network and the good biocompatibility of GQ hydrogels, which will support cardiac cell culture. Upon integration in the EHT platform, the mentioned properties of GQ hydrogels will enable electrical stimulation of embedded cardiac cells under mild pacing voltages, thereby promoting the formation of morphologically and functionally mature cardiac tissue. GQ hydrogels will demonstrate high flexibility and potentially broad utility as a biocompatible and conductive biomaterial for in vitro cell experimentation. The outcomes of this project will expand the horizon of pre-clinical 3D cardiac tissue models, paving the way for future approaches to drug testing and personalized cardiovascular medicine.

Mots clés : g quadruplex, conducting hydrogels, 3d cardiac models, engineered heart tissue eht , rhythmic beating

Participants :
- Université de Bayreuth (Allemagne) — Partner, associated partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €
- Université de Twente (Pays-Bas) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 187624.32 €
Projet REvive (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2023)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Environment and Geosciences
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Nature and river restoration are high on the political agendas; the EU Biodiversity Strategy and Nature Restoration Law stipulate ambitious goals. However, in practice, river restoration projects – including barrier removal, implementation of ecological baseflows, and others – are contested. Different human and nonhuman actors have diverging ideas about what the future of rivers should look like. Underlying are multiple ontologies about what rivers are, can and should be; and epistemologies that define how rivers can be known. Through innovatively analysing river restoration as a political and contentious encounter of multiple ontologies and epistemologies, this project goes beyond the state-of-the art. Based on the study of restoration initiatives in three rivers in Spain, the project will generate new interdisciplinary knowledge about the complexities of river restoration. Rigorous and critical academic analysis will be combined with the exploration of pathways for constructive engagement: with local actors, the project will organize restoration design labs to develop methodologies for co-designing just and robust river conviviality. The project goes beyond mainstream formats of multi-stakeholder platforms through a focus on the ‘politics of design’ and ‘design justice’ that includes humans and nonhumans alike. This is a highly ambitious undertaking, which is made feasible through a careful methodological and conceptual set-up. The placement at the University of Girona and the secondment at the University of Twente will allow the researcher to develop a wide range of knowledges and professional skills; while she will use the project results and her expertise to stimulate transdisciplinary and critical debate in academia and practice. The non-academic placement with the Catalan Water Agency allows to make the generated scientific knowledge actionable and vice versa, to let action inform continuous knowledge production about just river restoration.

Mots clés : water governance, river restoration, political ecology, co design, ontologies, epistemologies, transdisciplinarity

Participants :
- Catalan Water Agency (Espagne) — Partner, associated partner, Organismes publics (hors enseignement & recherche), subvention : 0.0 €
- Université de Gérone (Espagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 206641.2 €
- Université de Twente (Pays-Bas) — Partner, associated partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €