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

The goal of this project is the construction of a Negative Ion Time Projection Chamber (NITPC) with triple Gas Electron Multiplier amplification and pixel readout (GEMPix) for directional Dark Matter (DM) searches. DM is 5 times as prevalent as normal matter in the Universe, but its identity remains unknown. Its mere existence implies that our inventory of the basic building blocks of nature is incomplete: deciphering its nature is one of the most compelling tasks for fundamental physics and astronomy. Weakly Interacting Massive Particles (WIMP) are well motivated DM candidates, independently predicted by Standard Model extensions and Big Bang cosmology. Direct detection experiments aim at observing very low energy (10-100 keV) nuclear recoil of WIMP scattering in the matter. While today leading experiments have managed to reach excellent rejection for electromagnetic components, other background sources (such as neutrinos and environmental radioactivity) will forbid to even think larger mass next-generation detectors without a drastic change in technology. We believe that the combination of the large volumes and improved position and energy resolution provided by the negative ion technique, together with the excellent performances of the GEMPix can offer a significant contribution to this research field. In a NITPC, negative ions drift rather than free electrons, drastically reducing diffusion thanks to their higher mass. This is why we want to combine for the first time this idea with one of the most advanced readout, the GEMPix: a triple GEM detector coupled to a Medipix ASIC board, able to provide excellent spatial, energy and time resolutions. Its sensitivity to single ionization cluster will allow this NITPC, together with the slow motion of the anions, to function effectively as a Time Expansion Chamber, hence NITEC. It's worth noticing how NITEC could work also as neutrinoless double beta decay detector, X-ray polarimeter and microdosimeter for hadrotherapy.

Mots clés : dark matter  dm, time projection chamber, rare events, gas electron multiplier  gem, dm directional detection, negative ion

Participants :
- National Institute for Nuclear Physics (Italie) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 168277.2 €
Projet PROREAL (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2019)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Mathematics
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The goal of this project is to develop logico-algebraic and measure theoretical techniques to study the probability theory of real-valued events. The classical approach to probability only allows the study of events that at some moment will either be verified or not. In more logical terms, they will become either true or false. In order to be able to treat the intrinsic vagueness of real-life declarative statements, we will study events whose truth-value can be intermediate, varying in the real unit interval (where 0 represents absolute falseness and 1 absolute truth). Our focus will be on the state theory, i.e. probability theory, of continuous (or more generally left-continuous) t-norm based fuzzy logics. The study will be carried out by the point of view of the algebraic semantics of such logics, which has proven to be extremely fruitful in recent years, showing interesting connections to measure theory. Indeed, in different fuzzy logics it is possible to introduce a notion of probability map on the algebras of formulas in such a way that it axiomatizes the Lebesgue integral of the formulas (which, thanks to universal algebraic results, can be seen as real-valued functions). As a most challenging goal, we will investigate the minimal properties for a logic to allow the axiomatization of a probability theory axiomatizing the Lebesgue integral of formulas. Moreover, as in recent years the artificial intelligence perspective is emerging, we will develop logical frameworks for many-valued probabilistic reasoning, and study the satisfiability of the probabilistic assertions for such logics. The study will strongly ground on preliminary work of research the fellow has conducted in recent years. Moreover, it will benefit from the broad experience of the supervisor as a leading researcher in the field, and of the high level, multidisciplinary environment of the hosting institute.

Mots clés : residuated lattices, bl algebras, basic logic, mv algebras, state theory, measure theory, mathematical fuzzy logic

Participants :
- Spanish National Research Council (Espagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 160932.48 €
Projet SDGine (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2019)
Action : Cofund Doctoral programme
Statut du projet : SIGNED

The goal of “SDGine for Healthy People and Cities” will be to deliver a world-class training programme at Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM) for 12 ESRs mainly in the STEAM disciplines (Science, Technology, Engineering, Architecture, and Applied Mathematics), with a strong focus on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). SDGine's fundamental objectives will be to develop technologies and tools that accelerate the compliance with SDGs related to climate change and social transformations needed in urban contexts. ESRs will complete Industrial and International Doctorates (through UPM’s Doctoral Division & International Doctorate School and the existing 45 Doctoral Programmes) connected with the notion of innovation platform, a systemic approach aligned with major international programs in which UPM participates (EIT Digital, EIT Health, EIT Raw Materials and Climate Knowledge Innovation Community) and Horizon Europe Missions. SDGine will enhance mobility between countries, sectors and disciplines. All trained ESRs will become highly (self)-employable for future research positions in academia and non-academia. SDGine will follow the Seven EU principles on Doctoral Training and will contemplate the Triple-“i” dimension through: i) International secondments; ii) Intersectoral collaboration agreements with industry; and iii) Interdisciplinary PhD supervision. Moreover, the innovation & entrepreneurship dimension of the PhD thesis projects will be enhanced. SDGine will be aligned with the "Charter & Code" for researchers, since UPM has received the HR Excellence in Research award, and will include excellent training in research, complementary and transferable skills (cross-cutting disciplinary seminars, summer schools, writing days...). The programme will have high societal impact through SDGs as well as a positive impact not only in ESRs’ career development and future job opportunities, but also in the UPM, the region of Madrid, Spain, the EU and beyond the EU.

Mots clés : international doctorate, industrial doctorate, sustainable development goals, steam

Participants :
- Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (Espagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 976320.0 €
Projet DURCWAVE (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2017)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Information Science and Engineering
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The growth in coastal zone population increases the exposure of large numbers of people and assets to hazards related to climate change. Sea level rise and increased storminess represent major threats to coastal defences preventing the inundation of the hinterlands. This is true especially in low elevation coastal zones (LECZs). Understanding the mechanisms that govern the interaction between overtopping waves and coastal defences to changing climate conditions is of outmost importance to amend the current design criteria of coastal defences. The present project, named “DURCWAVE” (amending the Design criteria of URban defences in LECZs through Composite-modelling of WAVE overtopping under climate change scenarios), aims to identify new design criteria for wave action by modelling wave overtopping and post-overtopping processes of urban defences (storm walls, stilling wave basins, buildings along coastal boulevards). To reach these objectives the project will implement a composite-modelling approach, consisting of both physical and numerical modelling. Physical model tests will be carried out in two different wave flume facilities at the host organization (UPC), meanwhile the numerical modelling will be performed through the secondment at the partner organization (UVigo). The mesh-free DualSPHysics model will be used for the scope. The EPR data-driven technique will be used to find new correlations between wave impacts and overtopping flows. The Action will provide a methodology to help decision-makers to estimate the vulnerability of coastal zones to climate change, by assess the threats for sea frontages and buildings on the coastline. The project outcomes will trace the path at National and European levels for further extensions from urban defences in LECZs to all kind of coastal defences. Furthermore, a unique numerical model technique to simulate post-overtopping processes and estimate wave loadings on coastal defences will be release open-source for public use.

Mots clés : wave overtopping, post overtopping processes, wave loading, coastal defenses, design criteria, low elevation coastal zones, composite modelling, climate change

Participants :
- Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (Espagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 170121.6 €
Projet BPLAN (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2018)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Physics
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The growth of a bacterial colony is a fascinating example of a biological process that can be interpreted in physical terms as the interaction of a collection of elementary units - the cells - with the surrounding environment and within themselves, whereby energy is harnessed and dissipated, thus determining inherent non-equilibrium conditions. Although bacterial cells are one of the simplest forms of life, scientists have so far found difficult to build theoretical models of bacterial growth and morphology as well as to perform controlled experiments of the real systems occurring in nature. These difficulties arise from the naturally occurring conditions that are characterized by a large degree of complexity in both morphological and chemical terms. The aim of this project is to investigate through novel experimental approaches the biological physics which is at the foundation of the formation of 2D bacterial microcolony and its successive development to a 3D structure. To this purpose, several experimental techniques, from traction force microscopy, through laser ablation and soft lithography will be exploited. Furthermore, experimental results obtained from these studies will be of great relevance for the validation of numerical and theoretical models of bacterial colony morphogenesis and antibiotics exposure. The planned research activities will be carried out in one of the top research laboratory in Europe for active matter and within the wider context of École Normale Supérieure, a world renowned academic institution in the fields of statistical mechanics, soft matter and optics. This project aims thus at providing fundamental insights into the development of early stages of bacterial community formation, trying to establish what physical parameters related to the cells, the environment and their interactions determine the transitions from a 2D to a 3D structure, and lastly to gain control over these parameters.

Mots clés : cell growth, biofilms, morphogenesis, tissue, antibiotics, laser ablation, active nematics

Participants :
- Centre national de la recherche scientifique (France) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 184707.84 €
Projet qMAR (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2017)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The gut microbiome is involved in numerous processes that include protection against colonization and infection by pathogenic organisms. The extensive use of antibiotics could result in dysbiosis with detrimental effects on the health of the individual, in addition to increasing the risk of driving the emergence of multi-drug resistant organisms. This is especially concerning among paediatric transplant patient, a group of patients with special needs that are heavily reliant on antibiotics after surgery. It has been shown that determining the load of resistance genes among the gut microbial organisms could be a predictive factor for the development of pathogenic infections. Along these lines, qMAR’s main objective is to evaluate the use of qPCR for monitoring biomarkers, in terms of the intestinal load of selected antibiotic resistance genes in the resistome over time, as tools that could be used in PMed approaches for paediatric transplant patients. In order to achieve this, faecal samples and medical records will be collected from each paediatric transplant patients over a period of 12 months. Antibiotic susceptibility testing will be performed using VITEK-2. qPCR will be performed directly on the samples in order to determine the load of epidemiologically relevant resistant genes over time. Multi-locus sequence typing will be performed for determining the clonality of the isolates. Statistical analyses will also be performed in order to determine associations between clinical interventions, the load of resistance genes, and clinical outcomes. The main expected result is determining a threshold of resistance genes after which adverse clinical outcomes would be expected, and determining how clinical interventions are affecting the load of resistance genes and the microbiome.

Mots clés : qpcr, antibiotic resistance, paediatric transplant patients, load of resistance genes

Participants :
- Hospital Universitario La Paz (Espagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Autres, subvention : 158121.6 €
Projet ChemoBOOM (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2014)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Chemistry
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The heterogeneity and capacity to evolve in response to treatment of the most aggressive forms of cancer make the selective inhibition of molecular targets an insufficient strategy to reach complete neoplastic remission. In this context, the unspecificity of classic chemotherapeutic agents becomes an advantage for treatment. Nonetheless, due to dose-limiting adverse effects, chemotherapeutic drugs become ineffective against some late-stage primary tumours, which are typically responsible for the death of the patient. To tackle those difficult to treat cancers, improved chemotherapeutic strategies far beyond the one-pill paradigm are mandatory. To reduce systemic side effects while increasing the levels of drug in the disease area, a number of novel methods originated from the Chemical Biology field (rather than from conventional Medicinal Chemistry approaches) have emerged during the last year to explore the site-specific activation of cytotoxic drugs. One of those novel concepts, pioneered by the Unciti-Broceta’s group in Edinburgh, is based on the use of palladium to activate drug precursors by heterogeneous bioorthogonal organometallic (BOOM) catalysis. Using an O-propargylation strategy to mask functional groups essential for the cytotoxic mode of action of clinically-used drugs, I will investigate the development of novel bioorthogonal palladium-labile prodrugs and their reactivation in cancer cell culture by heterogeneous palladium catalysis. With the support of a MSCA-IF, I intent to explore the full scope of this exciting experimental strategy, including the first ever approach designed to release two cytotoxic drugs with synergistic pharmacological activity from a single prodrug molecule.

Mots clés : bioorthogonal chemistry, palladium, heterogeneous catalysis, chemotherapy, palladium labile prodrugs, combination therapy, bioorthogonal drug activation

Participants :
- University of Edinburgh (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 183454.8 €
Projet CIRCA3 (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2020)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : SIGNED

The hippocampus is critical for learning and memory, and the unique wiring of its CA3 area has inspired theories for neuronal mechanisms of memory storage and retrieval. CA3 pyramidal neurons form an interconnected network which could store unique experiences in specific ensembles of coactive cells. While an attractive hypothesis, many critical facets of CA3 networks remain unknown. CA3’s principal synaptic input arrives from dentate gyrus granule cells, via the powerful mossy fibre synapse. Little is known about the connectivity of individual granule cells to CA3 neurons, while their activity in vivo is very sparse, and they appear to predominantly target inhibitory interneurons rather than pyramidal neurons. Therefore, due to the technical challenge of identifying functionally connected neurons, whether the circuit properties of CA3 are sufficient for its proposed memory function is unclear. This project aims to determine the circuit mechanisms underlying information processing in CA3 at the level of individual synaptic connections. It will employ simultaneous multicellular patch-clamp recordings from CA3 neurons to identify locally connected neuronal ensembles in hippocampal slices, while driving sparse granule cell input in realistic activity patterns using optogenetic stimulation. This project will determine the synaptic connectivity of individual mossy fibre inputs into CA3 cell ensembles, characterise the role of feedforward inhibition in controlling pyramidal neuron activity, and reveal how the unique properties of each synaptic connection contributes to signal processing. Together, this study will provide an insight into the synaptic mechanisms of the hippocampus’ critical memory storage functions. The fellowship will facilitate rigorous scientific development of the researcher, including critical training in state-of-the-art circuit investigation techniques that will enable pursuit of an innovative research career, defined by the highest quality science.

Mots clés : neuronal circuits, synaptic transmission, circuit wiring, hippocampus, synaptic connectivity

Participants :
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria (Autriche) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 174167.04 €
Projet HOPE (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2020)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Environment and Geosciences
Statut du projet : SIGNED

The horse provided humankind with the ability to travel well above its own speed and changed the face of warfare, and the geographic expansion of people, languages and culture. As such, the domestication of the horse some 5,500 years ago represents not less than a turning point in human history. While domestication shaped a great diversity of horse phenotypes, fit for a wealth of human purpose, many of the underlying causative genetic variants, and the geographic and temporal locus of their associated native breeding centers remain unclear. The HOPE project is aimed at the identification and functional validation of genetic innovations that have accompanied the birth and spread of important phenotypic traits during the history of modern domestic horses. Our methodology will leverage state-of-the-art methodologies in two complementary research fields, each synergizing the core expertise of the supervising host and postdoctoral fellow. These will first consist of using the ancient DNA and population genomics toolkits for shortlisting genomic variants candidates for driving important phenotypic features, and second harnessing the full power of functional genomics to measure some of their biological mechanism in cellular. The HOPE project will, thus, fill an important gap in our knowledge of horse evolution and will mark the birth of a new era in archeo-genomics, moving away from the sole description of putative adaptive markers, currently limiting most common studies, to the investigation of the conformational, performance, physiological and medical in living animals.

Mots clés : ancient dna, horse domestication, phenotype evolution, functional validation, biological mechanism

Participants :
- Centre national de la recherche scientifique (France) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 196707.84 €
Projet MesoBrainMicr (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2017)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Physics
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The human brain is a massively complex information processing system with a hierarchy of different yet tightly integrated levels of organization. From such intricate interplay emerge our personality, emotions, memory and decision making capabilities, but unwrapping the mysteries of the brain functioning represents a huge challenge. Recent progress in microscopy, neurobiology and neuroinformatics has stimulated the launch of large research programs such as Human Brain Project and BRAIN. An open problem is how to investigate with both high resolution and high speed the brain structure over mesoscale (millimiters to centimeters) sized regions, which would provide unique insight on the neuroanatonomy across different functional areas. This research project will develop a novel dual-view inverted dual-slit confocal light sheet microscope, capable of resolving sub-cellular morphology over centimeter-sized tissues at beyond state of the art acquisition speed. This instrument will be used to perform a comparative cytoarchitectonic investigation of mesoscale human brain tissues, both healthy and affected by Focal Cortical Dysplasia, leveraging an advanced machine learning image analysis algorithm. Such study will greatly advance the medical and neurobiological understanding of the effects of neuro-degenerative pathologies and the obtained data will be contributed to existing human brain atlases as a foundation for brain models. The applicant’s well-rounded skill set, acquired in cold atom physics and ranging from optics to hardware control, is a perfect match for building the proposed setup and for a fruitful two-way transfer of knowledge with the host, expert in advanced neuro microscopy. This research project will strengthen the competitiveness of European science and shine new light on the human brain anatomy, consequently it will raise the applicant's international recognition, and establish him inside Europe as a leading researcher in this quickly evolving field.

Mots clés : microscopy, light sheet microscopy, spim, confocal detection, fluorescence, neuroimaging, neuroanatomy, cytoarchitecture, ex vivo, brain tissue, deconvolution, automated machine learning image analysis

Participants :
- University of Florence (Italie) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 180277.2 €