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

Fibres and textiles have been used as biomaterials for thousands of years, mainly as sutures and in dressings for wound care. Recently, it has become of increasing interest to use fibres as implantable materials to support the repair of damaged tissues and organs. In particular, the emergence of nanoscale electrospun fibres has allowed the fabrication of scaffolds that mimic the architecture of native biological tissues. Many studies have demonstrated that these biomimetic nanofibrous materials have the ability to promote cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation. However, mixed results have been observed in vivo with regards to their biological effects, including the inflammatory response. Therefore, there is a strong need to understand better the mechanisms involved in the cell response to nanofibres and to come up with better in vitro models for predicting the biocompatibility of electrospun materials in vivo. In tissue healing processes, oxidative stress has been identified as one of the key pathophysiological elements. Therefore, this project will evaluate the biocompatibility of electrospun yarns, a new and promising generation of electrospun materials, from an oxidative stress perspective. Human fibroblasts will be grown on the materials under standard and induced oxidative stress conditions. The cell response to the materials will be assessed, in particular in respect to the induction of 4-hydroxynonenal, a major bioactive marker of lipid peroxidation known as the "second messenger of free radicals". Particular attention will be given to the effects of material degradation and of added antioxidants on the onset of oxidative stress. This interdisciplinary project will contribute to understand the mechanisms underlying interactions between cells and nanofibres that occur upon implantation. Additionally, it will guide the development of electrospun yarns with improved biocompatibility and will aid to evaluate the risks associated to their implantation.

Mots clés : oxidative stress, 4 hydroxynonenal, redox signaling, growth control, healing promotion, electrospinning, nanofibres, advanced biomaterials, homeostasis, hormesis

Participants :
- Rudjer Boskovic Institute (Croatie) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 170010.0 €
Projet SavINGS (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2015)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Fine motor skills, such as singing or playing an instrument, require precise neural control of the musculature that executes the task. This high level of precision can only be acquired through extensive practice, while both the brain and the peripheral musculature adapt to the task. Although the level of motor performance decreases when a skill is not used, once acquired, previous levels of performance can be regained quickly with only little practice, a phenomenon called ‘savings’. It is unclear, however, what mechanisms underlie savings, and where the information is stored that enables the quick retrieval of previously learned skills. To investigate these questions we propose to use our recently developed model system that allows us to experimentally control the acquisition, discontinuation, and re-acquisition of vocal motor performance in songbirds. This novel model system provides us with an excellent opportunity to untangle the contributions of the central nervous system and the peripheral musculature involved in song production to the savings of vocal motor skills. Using in vivo two-photon microscopy, we will study dynamic changes in the dendritic arborization of motor neurons in the songbird brain during the development, discontinuation, and rapid retrieval of vocal motor performance. At these different stages of skill utilization we will also investigate structural changes to the vocal organ with in vivo x-ray microtomography (µCT) and quantify the mechanical performance of isolated muscle bundles in vitro afterwards. Together these approaches will demonstrate whether modifications to the brain, the vocal musculature, or both, contribute to the savings of vocal motor skills, and enhance our understanding of the neural and peripheral mechanisms that are responsible for memorization and recall of motor skills.

Mots clés : savings, songbird, syrinx, brain, motor memory, 2 photon microscopy, muscle performance, in vivo imaging

Participants :
- University of Southern Denmark (Danemark) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 212194.8 €
Projet NOCMOC (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2020)
Action : European Researchers' Night
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Firmly supported by local, regional and national media, the awareness campaign Waters' Might introduces the project "Noc ima svojo moc" (NOCMOC) to Slovenian and other EU citizens. The core objectives of the NOCMOC project is to raise awareness about the research and its benefits, overcome stereotypes, stimulate curiosity and excite youngsters to take up the research careers. Efficient communication tools, successfully used in previous project editions, TV and radio broadcasts, press-releases in printed and social media tend to reach over 700.000 people. Generated by past experiences, the awareness campaign will explore Waters and include 1.200 groups, families and individuals to participate in Citizens Science project. Citizens' contribution to the research methodology practice will be implemented by the use "hands-on" and/or other research tools in a basic and user-friendly way. Previous NOCMOC editions have developed a strong and sustainable growing network of interested partnering institutions in more than 25 cities in Slovenia, attracting even other EU cities in a year of Slovenian presidency of the European Union Council. The project will bring together over 40 research-related institutions to raise awareness about research and innovation, its relevance to implement the Green Dealgoals, its social and economic benefits, and its variety of careers. We aim for 35.000 visitors from different target groups to participate in the NOCMOC activities spread all over Slovenia. Over 200 activities: science festivals on the main squares of four Slovenian cities, science shows, simulations, research and technical days in primary and secondary schools, lectures and workshops in public spaces (libraries, retirement homes, museums), science espressos, STEAM events, EU corners, on-line events and open doors of science, research and cultural institutions will attract the audience from dawn to late evening on 24th of September 2021.

Mots clés : research, innovation, science communication, researchers, participatory events, citizens science project, science careers, research careers, waters  might

Participants :
- Geological Survey of Slovenia (Slovénie) — Partner, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 29375.0 €
- Tehniski muzej slovenije (Slovénie) — Partner, beneficiary, Organismes publics (hors enseignement & recherche), subvention : 31687.5 €
- National Institute of Biology (Slovénie) — Partner, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 30000.0 €
- Jožef Stefan Institute (Slovénie) — Partner, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 29375.0 €
- National Institute of Chemistry (Slovénie) — Partner, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 29250.0 €
- House of Experiments (Slovénie) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 54375.0 €
Projet MaGMa (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2017)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and devastating form of malignant brain tumour, containing self-renewing, tumorigenic cancer stem cells (CSCs) that contribute to tumour initiation and therapeutic resistance. The survival of such patients has not improved so much in the last 60 years, and we are still far to get any cure. Therefore, new methods for prognosis and diagnosis are needed, and it could come from better understanding of glioma biology. The link between cancer and altered metabolism is not new. Many observations were made during the early period of cancer biology research, identifying metabolic changes as a common feature of cancerous tissues to adapt to the necessities of the tumour. GBM comprises several phenotypic subtypes, each with distinguishing hallmark mutations, copy number alterations, epigenetic alterations, and clinical features, generating a different treatment efficacy. We believe that GBM subtypes will produce different patterns in the metabolite fingerprint and moreover the use of treatments will change them. In the present project we will use a metabolomic approach on a model of human CSCs isolated from fresh surgical tissue, to characterize two of the most extreme phenotypes; proneural and mesenchymal. We will map the tumour metabolite profile and the translation of this knowledge may lead to more personalized therapies. Besides that, we are interested in studying the metabolite profile of the extracellular vesicles (EV) released by those subtypes. This research effort is not only necessary to map the metabolome of EVs from different origins, but also to elucidate whether or not the metabolites are directly packaged into specific EVs, their possible function in surrounding cells, as the possibility of finding different metabolite profiles characteristic of tumour subtypes and moreover with a differential response to drugs that could be use as biomarkers.

Mots clés : glioblastoma multiforme, extracellular vesicles

Participants :
- Fundación Universitaria San Pablo CEU (Espagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 158121.6 €
Projet TargetGBM (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2018)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Chemistry
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most prevalent deadly brain tumour and is currently incurable. Patients die from recurrent tumours that grow from cells surviving the first round of treatment. This is mainly due to the narrow therapeutic window of current drugs and to the low permeability of these drugs across the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Targeted non-viral delivery systems have shown great promise to decrease side effects of therapeutics and to enable the transport across biological barriers. The main objective in this proposal is to generate a dually targeted nanoparticle loaded with mRNA encoding a conditionally toxic protein to treat brain cancer. The nanoparticle will be modified with two ligands: an antibody for targeting tumour cells and a peptide that enables transport across the BBB. In addition, I will develop an acid-labile coating that enhances the stability of the polyplex in blood and is released upon internalization. This coating will present the ligands in a defined orientation using bioorthogonal chemistry, thereby maximising their targeting efficiency. The chemical handles will be introduced using genetic code expansion in the antibody and solid-phase synthesis in the peptide. A variety of formulations will be screened in vitro to evaluate their stability and transfection efficiency, and BBB permeability will be assessed in a human cell-based BBB model. Subsequently, the efficacy of the most promising candidates will be tested in a GBM mouse model. The combination of a polyplex having high transfection efficiency with a sheddable coating and oriented targeting ligands is designed to generate the first efficient non-viral gene delivery system for the systemic treatment of GBM, reaching all tumour cells to provide a more efficient treatment and potentially prevent recurrence.

Mots clés : blood brain barrier, glioblastoma, gene delivery, polymeric nanoparticles, bioorthogonal chemistry, peptide chemistry, site specific protein modification

Participants :
- Ramon Llull University (Espagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 160932.48 €
Projet EcoEvoClim (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2016)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Environment and Geosciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Global Climate Change (CC) is affecting the phenotype, abundance, and distribution of animal and plant populations as well as their interactions, e.g. phenological shifts affecting predator-prey time match-mismatch. Understanding how organisms cope with change is a fundamental objective of biologists. Scientists are now increasingly aware that ecological and evolutionary change in response to CC can occur concurrently, while their interaction can affect populations in a process called eco-evolutionary dynamics. However, we know little about the role of genetic and correlated traits variation and their relations to plasticity in the ability of organisms to cope with CC. The main goal of EcoEvoClim is to assess the role of genetic variation and plasticity in the eco-evolutionary response to CC of (mis)timed predator populations with a genetically determined colour polymorphism that covaries with behavioural traits. To this aim, I will use observational and theoretical approaches, by combining state-of-the art technology (fine-resolution GPS telemetry and bird migration radar), long-term field datasets, and latest population modelling tools (Integral Projection Models). This challenging goal will be achieved by joining a research group where world renowned experts at the forefront of developing and applying these techniques and concepts proposed here will collaborate to develop this project. EcoEvoClim, at the interface of behavioural ecology and evolutionary biology, will follow a multidisciplinary approach, synthetizing concepts from the fields of movement ecology, meteorology, remote sensing, genetics and population dynamics. The Fellowship will provide me with a unique opportunity to deepen my knowledge on eco-evolutionary research, as well as expertise in the use of modern technology for field research and analytical tools that integrate population ecology, life history theory and evolution to evaluate the likelihood of persistence of populations facing CC.

Mots clés : phenotypic plasciticy, genetic colour polymorphism, eco evolutionary dynamics, climate change, predator prey systems, migration

Participants :
- University of Amsterdam (Pays-Bas) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 165598.8 €
Projet TraChange (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2019)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Environment and Geosciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Global concern about human impact on biological diversity has triggered an intense research agenda on drivers and consequences of biodiversity change in the Anthropocene. Recent evidence across biomes and taxonomic groups has revealed variable spatial patterns of losses and gains. However, little is known about the characteristics (i.e., traits) of the outgoing and incoming species in local assemblages undergoing rapid compositional turnover. Nor is it known how the magnitude of the different environmental drivers (e.g., climate change, land use change) influence such patterns. This points to a clear need for a deeper understanding of (I) identities and traits of incoming and outgoing species, (II) spatio-temporal differences in community trait distributions, and (III) the possible drivers behind such differences. The project aims to tackle this knowledge gap by determining whether there are consistent and directional changes in community traits unfolding in the Anthropocene. I will conduct in-depth studies at two different levels of ecological organization (species and community), using a range of modelling approaches to further our understanding of large-scale trait changes and test key assemblage trait distributions hypotheses. This will require the integration of research from diverse disciplines, including the development of new methods and tools. The research is proposed as a 2-year EF. USTAN will be the beneficiary host, while UoN will host me for two 2-month-long secondments. This MSCA will allow me to build a novel scientific profile, consolidate my position in the field, and progress towards achieving professional maturity. This research has great potential for scientific advancement and it will open up the best career possibilities for my career and new collaboration opportunities for me and the host organisations.

Mots clés : functional traits, community change, macroecology, time, global, biodiversity change

Participants :
- University of St Andrews (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 212933.76 €
Projet POWERSHIFTS (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2016)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Social Sciences and Humanities
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Global energy transitions are progressing rapidly. Over half of new generation capacity in 2014 came from renewable energy. Individual, community and co-operative decentralized renewable energy (DRE) producers are capturing a growing share of energy markets (e.g. solar, wind, biomass). As their market share increases, DRE producers are becoming increasingly effective political actors. The traditional political privilege enjoyed by incumbent industries is challenged by these DRE actors as they shift control over jobs, economic growth and energy supplies. Political struggles between competing interests are increasing. However, the nature and extent of these power shifts (e.g. changes in access to policy makers, media influence), and their consequences for political systems and their outcomes (e.g. contested carbon targets, renewable energy subsidies) are poorly understood. This project addresses how and why DRE transitions are shifting political power relations, and the consequences of those shifts for political systems and outcomes. Using an interdisciplinary approach grounded in theory on sustainability transitions (i.e. Multi-Level Perspective), power (e.g. Lukes, Foucault) and institutions (i.e. institutional logics) the project will: (1) examine the conditions leading to shifts in political power by analyzing existing political power relations in regimes where DRE transitions are expected, occurring, or stalled; (2) assess the mechanisms by which political power shifts resulting from these DRE transitions are occurring; and, (3) identify the consequences of DRE-related political power shifts for political systems and their outcomes. Objectives will be explored using a global survey of 20 DRE regimes. Survey insights will be expanded in 5 international comparative cases. Findings will address urgent questions highlighted by academics, the EU, and global economic bodies about the political, economic and social impacts of the changing energy landscape.

Mots clés : political power, energy transitions, distributed renewable energy, international comparison, institutions, institutional logics, multi level perspective

Participants :
- Utrecht University (Pays-Bas) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 165598.8 €
Projet TeleoLogic (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2016)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Social Sciences and Humanities
Statut du projet : TERMINATED

How can we understand sentences we’ve never heard before? What distinguishes meaningful things from nonmeaningful things? These questions pose the problems of productivity and intentionality, respectively. These questions have typically been addressed independently. While this modular approach certainly has advantages, no solution to either problem is fully adequate unless it satisfactorily integrates with a solution to the other. Moreover, work on these problems, especially the problem of productivity, has traditionally interacted only peripherally with psychological work on language understanding and language development. This project will explore the prospects of a leading theory of intentionality, teleosemantics, in addressing the problem of productivity. It will build a recent psychological theory of information management into the core of the theory of productivity. A growing body of literature surrounds the problem of productivity for teleosemantics, but the theory is not yet adequately predictive. By contrast, the traditional approach to the problem of productivity uses mathematical logic in the analysis of natural language. This clear formal structure allows for precise formulation and testing of hypotheses. Teleosemantics cannot be a legitimate alternative unless it provides similar predictive power. The project’s overarching question, “What should logic look like for a teleosemanticist?”. I will draw on my background in formal semantics and developmental psychology. Existing psychological theory of information management (a) faces similar problems as teleosemantics w.r.t. the problem of productivity and (b) has substantial resources for addressing those problems. Bringing these fields together provides a novel perspective on the overarching question. This will yield a teleosemantic theory where precise semantic hypotheses can be developed and tested and, ultimately, an alternative model of the fundamental mechanics of language.

Mots clés : developmental psychology

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

How did life first emerge on Earth? What type of environments did gather all the ingredients for life to occur? Did Mars ever host life? These challenging questions are the base of the Mars Phosphorus and LifE (MaPLE) project, outlined in this proposal. It emerges from the exciting idea that carbonate-rich lakes might have been terrestrial cradles of life, as very recently proposed, with strong implications for the inception of life on Mars. The MaPLE project is an interdisciplinary research that will be carried out at the Spanish Centre for Astrobiology (CAB), in Madrid. Field work, lab simulations, geochemical modelling and space missions data analysis will be combined to study dissolved phosphorus (P), the key element in all forms of life, in a terrestrial carbonate-rich lake, to approach the environmental conditions required for life on Earth and its applicability on early Mars. Results will be compared to data from the recently launched NASA Mars2020 mission, which will land at the Jezero crater in February 2021, one of the few places on Mars where carbonates have been identified. This makes the MaPLE project extremely timely and novel as it will be the first time that both Martian and terrestrial rocks, where life could have arisen, may be evaluated simultaneously. Results may open a new exciting line of investigation that sets carbonate-rich environments as preferential targets in future planetary missions to other planets or moons. This project will be carried out by F. Cañadas, who bets on a return strategy to Spain after a MSc and PhD in UK. It will bring her an exceptional opportunity to thrive in an exciting scientific environment, ideal to expand her solid geochemical background with complementary methodologies and personal skills. Altogether, the MaPLE project will place her in an extraordinary position to become an independent scientist of high international visibility in the very promising and rapidly growing field of Astrobiology.

Mots clés : mars, life, phosphorous, archean lakes, carbonate rocks

Participants :
- Spanish National Research Council (Espagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 172932.48 €