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

The need to preserve correct splicing is a major source of constraint on sequence evolution. This includes selection on the splice sites as well as on regulatory elements in exons and introns. Are all exons and introns constrained similarly by splicing related pressures? This is a crucial problem not only for understanding genome evolution but also for predicting where disease-causing mutations occur. Any variation in the prevalence of splicing information most likely reflects mechanistic variation in how the splicing process unfolds at different introns. Notably, it is often assumed that the relative importance of intronic and exonic splicing information depends on whether the splicing machinery recognizes introns or exons as the initial unit. However, this common model has never been tested directly because it is currently not possible to investigate splicing mechanism at this level of detail genome-wide. Existing studies on the distribution of splicing information are therefore based on proxies of unclear mechanistic significance, such as intron size. My host lab has developed a nascent RNA sequencing technique that allows unprecedented insight into splicing dynamics transcriptome-wide. They have recently applied this method to Drosophila melanogaster, a species thought to use a diversity of splicing strategies. I propose to use this data, combined with a machine learning approach, to conduct the first genome-wide study into exon and intron definition based on direct kinetic evidence. I will then use population genetics methods to determine how the prevalence and strength of selection on different types of splicing information covaries with splicing dynamics.

Mots clés : splicing, sequence evolution, exon and intron definition, population genetics, machine learning

Participants :
- University of Lisbon (Portugal) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 147815.04 €
Projet IndiVISUAL (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2016)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The nervous system contains thousands of morphologically and physiologically different neuronal cell types, organized in distinct circuits. Information processed by the retina is streamed into more than 10 retino-recipient brain regions through approximately 20 distinct visual channels, originating in retinal ganglion cell types. One key feature of visual processing is significant convergence and divergence of retinal ganglion cell type inputs to different brain regions. The objective of this proposal is to understand the relevance of this convergence and divergence of visual pathways. Recently, we have identified several Cre transgenic mouse lines in which labeled ganglion cells show a mosaic-like distribution pattern of ganglion cell bodies in the retina and restricted axonal projections in the retino-recipient layers of the lateral geniculate nucleus, superior colliculus, and accessory optic system. Utilizing these new cell-type-labeled mouse lines, we will first characterize the morphological and physiological properties of Cre-expressing cell types. Next, we will silence or activate the synaptic release of individual cell types at a selective terminal region, such as the visual cortex and superior colliculus, using pharmacogenetic and optogenetic tools, and test their effects on light responses by in-vivo two-photon imaging. Finally, we will investigate the effects of silencing and activation of individual synaptic terminals on behaviors that it has been proposed are mediated by specific visual pathways: visual discrimination mediated by the retino-geniculate pathway; innate escape and approach behavior by the superior colliculus; and visually evoked compensatory head and eye movements by the accessory optic pathway. We aim to link, for the first time, individual pathways of ganglion cell type function with visual computation and behavior in order to gain mechanistic insights into how neuronal circuits are functionally organized in our brain.

Mots clés : retinal ganglion cell, superior colliculus, visual cortex optogenetics, pharmacogenetics, behavior

Participants :
- Aarhus University (Danemark) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 212194.8 €
Projet MIETMAN (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2020)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Information Science and Engineering
Statut du projet : SIGNED

The neuromorphic computing paradigm, inspired by the brain's non von-Neumman architecture, constitutes the most auspicious alternative for the More than Moore era. The electronic implementation of the neuron must reproduce the nonvolatile, multilevel, and scalable properties found in the human cortex. Memristors based on two-dimensional (2D) materials are an ideal candidate to emulate the biological synapse. The investigation of the mechanical, thermal and electrical properties that lead to the memristive behaviour in 2D materials and, in particular, the rationalization of the underlying mechanisms causing the memristive effect, are subject of intense scientific debate. The gap between the experimental 2D memristors realizations and the theoretical understanding of their operating principles demand an hollistic modeling approach that is still lacking. In this project, we aim to develop a bottom-up modeling framework for studying memristive systems and its integration in neuromorphic computing networks. To this purpose, we will employ the multi-scale modeling approximation, a powerful and versatile simulation approach that has become an standard increasingly used in the physical and electronic communities and presents clear advantages regarding the level of accuracy and computational burden. The proposed model will be developed in three stages, 1) 2D Material - Ab initio level 2) Memristor - Device level and 3) Neuromorphic networks - Circuit level. The model will be validated using the experimental characterization data form the 2D memristor fabricated during the secondment phase. This project aims to implement a complete design chain able to boost the state-of-the-art technology. The relevance of this Project is based on the premise of developing a novel and disruptive technology with a great future projection, intending to explore the still insufficiently exploited and enormously promising More Than Moore type of solution.

Mots clés : neuromorphic computing, memristors, 2d materials, device fabrication, experimental characterization, density functional theory, numerical simulation, compact modeling, circuit simulations

Participants :
- University of Granada (Espagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 160932.48 €
Projet AMNEsIA (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2017)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Physics
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The neuronal membrane is the target of specific molecular interactions involved in the development of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The 2 hallmarks of the disease, extracellular amyloid β plaques and intracellular Tau neurofibrillatory tangles, are inherently linked to the membrane, as this biointerface induces and influences amyloid fibrillation. Moreover amyloid peptides selectively interact with the membrane depending of its composition, leading to toxicity mechanisms that are still poorly understood at the molecular scale. This project aims at providing a better understanding of the toxicity mechanisms of the amyloid peptides Aβ1-42 and Tau involved in AD on the neuronal membrane. Using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) with Carbon NanoTube (CNT) probes, we will obtain high-resolution imaging of these interactions at the nanometer scale. A unique functionalization of CNT tips with amyloid peptides will also allow true single molecule force spectroscopy of peptide/lipid interactions, unraveling their driving forces. With a progressive increase of the complexity in our system, we will, for the first time, investigate a potential synergy between Aβ1-42 and Tau and will develop an innovative approach to study live neurons by AFM imaging and force spectroscopy. Our study will establish new powerful methods to study the interactions of peptides with membranes or cells at the nanometer scale. We will not only contribute to the understanding of the deleterious effect of amyloid peptides on the neuronal membrane interface but also to the design of efficient preventive or therapeutic treatments, still lacking today.

Mots clés : alzheimer s disease, atomic force microscopy, carbon nanotubes, functionalization, biointerface, lipid membrane, amyloid peptides

Participants :
- Université de Bordeaux (France) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 173076.0 €
Projet MyoBan (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2016)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Information Science and Engineering
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The next generation of rehabilitation systems will require the evaluation and restoration of the motor impairment using neural information. For this purpose, noninvasive multichannel electromiographic (EMG) technologies are the most promising tools for research and clinical neurorehabilitation applications. Unfortunately, the current systems for high-density (HD) EMG recordings require long cables that impose significant restrictions on the patients and limit free movement. Moreover, the integration of such bulky systems into current rehabilitative exoskeletons may be problematic. For these reasons, the project MyoBan aims to develop an innovative portable HD EMG system based on recent standards designed for the next generation of wireless body area networks. The proposed system will exploit the spatial and temporal characteristics of the surface EMG signals to reduce the data-rate and optimize transmission parameters (e.g. transmitting power, specific absorption rate, real-time processing, etc.). The final aim will be the production of small HD EMG sensors that can be placed on the surface of multiple muscles of the patients with minimal invasiveness and high efficiency. The project will combine expertise in several fields: telecommunication, biomedical signal processing, medical information technologies and neurorehabilitation. The MyoBan is expected to produce substantial progress in the research and clinical applications of neurorehabilitation technologies for motor restoration.

Mots clés : high density, wireless, body area networks, sensors, neurorehabilitation

Participants :
- Ot bioelettronica s.r.l. (Italie) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Organismes privés (hors enseignement), subvention : 168277.2 €
Projet SPOTLESS (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2020)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : SIGNED

The novel SARS-CoV-2 is a lethal human pathogen with no FDA approved vaccines or drugs. An important step of the virus life-cycle is the viral glycoprotein S activation by Proprotein Convertases (PCs) which are proteases with a broad spectrum of cellular substrates. Inhibition of the processing step locks the virus into a form which eventually is no more pathogenic. Therefore, PCs represent attractive drug targets to fight against SARS-CoV-2. To date, there are no PCs inhibitors available for the in vivo use. Here, I propose three approaches to look for small molecule inhibitors of PCs, exploiting the virus cleavage site. Beside the classical in vitro screening, I aim to exploit novel PCs sensor platforms based on innovative ideas to ameliorate and simplify the readout. One attempt will see the use of luciferase reporters on the blueprint of sensors that I have recently published; following a second method, I will take advantage of the cellular death machinery as an on/off cleavage signal. In turn, these virtuous assays will contribute to a sustainable research approach. Novel PCs inhibitors are of great value against Covid-19 infections. Importantly, the inhibitors can be re-purposed against novel emerging pathogens, if necessary. Indeed, PCs dependence is becoming a distinctive mark of severe pathogenicity.

Mots clés : sars cov 2, covid 19, proprotein convertases, screening, inhibitors, cleavage

Participants :
- University of Padua (Italie) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 257209.92 €
Projet cesmine (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2018)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Environment and Geosciences
Statut du projet : SIGNED

The number of active quarries is increasing annually in densely populated Europe. However, their rehabilitation into post-mining landscapes proceeds with little regard for socio-economic and socio-ecological provision for the European residents. There is still practically no research tracking visitor numbers in post-mining sites and exploring the way how they use of the site and perceive it. The project addresses these issues with the aim to conceptualize and analyse the complexity of socio-economic rehabilitation after quarrying. The project analyses the preferences of social network users for post-mining sites and the real use of the sites by the residents and by external visitors in three European countries. This is framed by the real socio-economic conditions revealed directly in the mining regions. The project combines quantitative and qualitative methods, using novel techniques such as social networks analyses, public participation GIS, and spatially explicit indicators of cultural ecosystem services. This multidisciplinary framework is applied in a comparisons of different sites and countries. Understanding the complexity of socio-economic rehabilitation after quarrying will make a significant contribution to the theory and practice of quarry closure in order to establish positive post-closure legacies in European mining regions. Moreover, involving an industry partner and the development of practical measures through which the industry can drive positive outcomes of socio-economic rehabilitation after quarrying can benefit quarry industry in sustainable planning of quarry restoration and post-mining management. With regard to the innovative character of the action and the global importance of the addressed problem, the project can significantly contribute to Europe's competitiveness and attractiveness in R&I. The project is designed as a response to the goals of the EU Raw Materials Initiative and the European Landscape Convention.

Mots clés : mining industry, non material benefits, restoration, social spatial data, image based analysis, citizen science

Participants :
- University of Göttingen (Allemagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 162806.4 €
Projet Humanities Rocks (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2018)
Action : European Researchers' Night
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The objective of HUMANITIES ROCK is to bring researchers closer to the general public and to increase awareness of research and innovation activities, with a view to supporting the public recognition of researchers, creating an understanding of the impact of researchers' work on citizen’s daily life, and encouraging young people to embark on research careers. The University of Ljubljana consists of 26 faculties and academies from all fields of science, will celebrate 100 years of its existence next year. Despite well-established communication with the public in the past, particularly humanities are becoming marginalized, if not neglected, not only in the increasingly commercialized public space, but also within the research. The general disvalue of research importance is partly a consequence of the misperception of the researchers’ work, persisting stereotypes and underestimation of the role of research results for improving the quality of life for everyone. With the activities and events on 28 September 2018 in 27 September 2019, we are aiming to improve the perception and reputation of researcher profession in public and their work. The event will target the public at large: children and youth, families and older people. The preceding awareness campaign will comprise the public competition among young people, the accompanying researchers` presentations in schools across Slovenia and the establishment of personal contacts with media representatives. The researchers will be the stars of the night, but at the same time they will be presented on stage as ordinary people with extraordinary jobs. The HUMANITIES ROCK! project will offer many different and attractive events and activities in Ljubljana for children and students, families and adults. The proposed activities are consist of presentations, field trips, workshops, exhibitions, discussions and presentations, experiments, open days, a film festival, and the final award ceremony with a music concert.

Mots clés : researchers  night, science, humanities, open science, researcher  career, public at large, friday night, communicating science, eu corner, promotion of science, inclusive society

Participants :
- University of Ljubljana (Slovénie) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 238052.0 €
Projet EUSKOR (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2017)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Social Sciences and Humanities
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The objective of the EUSKOR project is twofold: firstly, to explore why the EU has so far been unwilling and incapable of becoming a credible political and security actor in North East (NE) Asia despite its declared intensions, trade power and experiences applicable for the region; secondly, to examine whether and how the EU could upgrade its political and security role in NE Asia by its increased strategic engagement on North Korea. The EUSKOR first examines the new ways in which the EU (and its Member States) can ‘download’ its foreign policy preferences and help reach denuclearization on the Korean peninsula and peace settlement between the ROK and DPRK (WP 1). Second, the EUSKOR project explores how by ‘downloading’ the EU’s preferences and policies to the North Korean issue could the EU ‘upload’ an upgraded strategic standing in NE Asia (WP 2). Given the EU’s push for free trade, particularly at the time of a growing American protectionism, WP2 also investigates whether and how the EU could better link its political and security interests with its trade leverage. The EUSKOR project’s highly topical empirical findings are complemented by theory-building through looking at who/what drives EU foreign policy and why and whether diffusion of European ideas and policies could ‘travel’ beyond Europe, hence making the link between EU internal governance and EU foreign policy. Drawing on extensive series of semi-structured interviews to be conducted in Berlin and during short visits in NE Asian capitals, the EUSKOR project is cross-sectoral and multidisciplinary, informing at least three fields (international relations, comparative politics and political economy). The KOREU project is based at the Center for European Integration at Free University Berlin and supervised by Prof. Tanja Börzel, leading to a two-way knowledge and skills transfer as well as policy impact during dissemination through a think-tank secondment at the Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik.

Mots clés : eu foreign policy, north korea, security in north east asia, south korea and international trade

Participants :
- Freie Universität Berlin (Allemagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 159460.8 €
Projet CREAM (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2014)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Physics
Statut du projet : TERMINATED

The objective of the present project is to control the energy carried out by mechanical and electromagnetic waves by means of a new type of advanced artificial structures. To achieve this control resonant cavities for the simultaneous localization of elastic and electromagnetic waves will bedeveloped. The mentioned structures will be based on artificial anisotropic and inhomogeneous materials, designed by properly engineered periodic arrangements of scattering units. The project aims to exploit the unusual properties of these complex structures for the localization of the energy carried out by mechanical and electromagnetic waves, offering in this way a new insight to the field of artificial materials (metamaterials), where less attention has been given to the problem of localization of waves, since it has focused efforts in the extraordinary propagation characteristics of waves along them (negative refraction, cloaking, transformation acoustics and electromagnetics, etc.). The objectives of the project will be accomplished by the deep understanding of a new type of structures: Radial Wave Crystals (RWC), a special type of sonic and photonic crystals which present cylindrical or spherical symmetries. It is well known that cylindrical shells of RWC present extraordinary resonant properties. However, their study has been slow given the difficulties found in their physical realization. In this proposal this feasibility will be explored, and also less restrictive versions of RWC will be seek, but trying to keep their extraordinary properties. Finally, based on RWC a new type of optomechanical cavities will be investigated, by studying the electromagnetic and mechanical properties of these structures embedded in finite substrates. An iterative discussion with experimentalists at the IEMN (the host institution) will lead to a realistic proposal for the fabrication of an efficient optomechanical cavity based on inhomogeneous and anisotropic structures.

Mots clés : periodic media, elastic waves, electromagnetic waves, phononic and photonic crystals, optomechanics, homogenization

Participants :
- Université de Lille (France) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 185076.0 €