Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-actions-marie-curie-participations-et-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Projet Mr.PARTS (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2016)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Environment and Geosciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Mr.PARTS investigates plant belowground carbon investment and the timing of root development . Root turnover is an important part of global carbon (C) cycles and plants may alter investment into root systems due to nutrient imbalances or droughts as well as under anthropogenic global change. However, soils are difficult to study and root biomass is highly spatially and temporally variable, especially as seasonal timing (phenology) of aboveground plant events may affect resource investment and growth periods belowground. I focus on advancing specially designed camera systems for belowground observatories (minirhizotrons; MR) for non-destructive root/soil system observation and repeatable quantification of root biomass, life/death status and traits, using frequent automated data collection and automatic data processing. I will develop new MR instruments and deploy them first in a greenhouse-based mesocosm at the host institution in a controlled and well monitored setting, then a transfer to the field in a thoroughly instrumented (e.g. multiple height eddy covariance CO2, above-ground phenology cameras, soil lysimeters) study site as part of an ecosystem-scale experiment manipulating nutrient stoichiometry in a seasonally dry savanna in Spain. Data streams from the MR instruments will be processed by machine learning techniques and compared and calibrated against manual measurements of root biomass and root traits made via conventional destructive soil coring as well as whole system above-ground phenology, water and carbon budgets, to identify links between above- and belowground phenology as well as root control over ecosystem C fluxes. In addition, a paired 13C isotope labelling experiment will investigate C partitioning to non- root biomass building pools (e.g. root exudates, mycorrhizal fungi, maintenance respiration) to produce an integrated budget of plant belowground C investment and the controls on root production.

Mots clés : minirhizotron, roots, carbon cycle, nitrogen cycle, phosphorus cycle, stoichometry, soil science, mediterranean tree grass ecosystem

Participants :
- Max Planck Society (Allemagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 159460.8 €
Projet PlantOleogels (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2017)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Chemistry
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) continue to be the major cause of death in the EU, it accounts for over 1.8 million deaths and estimated economic burden of €210 billion a year to EU. One main dietary risk factor long associated with CVDs is the consumption of hardstock fats. Substitution of saturated fats by unsaturated fats is not always possible since it brings major technological challenges such as products that leak oil and have overall poor quality. To overcome this, a promising strategy is to promote oil gelation to form a type of soft condensed matter termed ‘oleogel’. Despite major breakthroughs in this field, there is a strong need for: creating oleogels derived from all-natural and economical biomaterials that display excellent rheology, shear stability and temperature-responsiveness, while meeting increasing consumer expectations for “clean” and natural labels and establishing structure-rheology relationships in such systems. This proposal aims to create novel hybrid oleogels using plant derived native cellulose- and starch- colloidal particles via two main soft matter approaches: colloidal glass-gel networks and bicontinuous gel with interpenetrated particle networks. Colloidal classes and gels are two types of colloidal systems, with differing structure and that display solid-like characteristics which we seek to exploit under these schemes. To incorporate temperature responsiveness, we will prepare oil continuous colloidal gel and glass in coexistence with fat crystal network. Such hybrid systems will be prepared by simultaneous addition of plant particles at high volume fraction and fat particles at low volume fraction (plant particles entrapped within the fat network), and gel-gel networks will be made by separate aggregation, first of the plant particles and then of fat particles. Structure, rheology, physical properties and phase behaviour will be investigated to identify formulations and soft matter systems with potential for food oil structuring.

Mots clés : colloids, colloidal gel, colloidal glass, oleogel, oil gel, lipid gels, bicontinuous gels, hybrid gels, structure, rheology, linear, nonlinear, viscoelasticity

Participants :
- Unilever (Netherlands) (Pays-Bas) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Organismes privés (hors enseignement), subvention : 165598.8 €
Projet ZEBRA-VALVE (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2015)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) take a huge toll on the world population. An estimated 19 million people died from CVDs in 2010, representing 30% of all global deaths. Abnormal blood circulation is widely recognized as a cardiovascular risk factor and mechanotransduction has been shown to trigger pathologies such as atherosclerosis1, cardiomyopathies2 and valvulopathies3. Mechanotransduction is the conversion of a mechanical stimulus into a biological response. It is central to the coordination between mechanical forces generated by flowing blood and heart valve morphogenesis. In the developing heart, the heartbeat and the blood flow signal to endocardial cell (EdC) progenitors through mechanosensitive proteins which in turn modulate the genetic program controlling cardiogenesis4. It is essential to determine how mechanical forces control pathway activation and morphogenesis in vivo because the mechanical stimuli experienced by EdCs are too complex to be faithfully reproduced in vitro. This timely proposal aims to uncover the cellular molecular programs activated in EdCs in response to mechanical forces during normal heart valve development and address their potential function in valve regeneration. My hypothesis is that endocardial mechanotransduction and mechanical forces are not only key for the morphogenesis of the valve, but also for their maintenance and repair. Specifically I aim to investigate the spatial and temporal nature of endocardial cellular behaviors necessary for cardiac valve morphogenesis in normal, pathological and regenerative contexts.

Mots clés : cardiac valves, valvulogenesis, mechanotransduction

Participants :
- Centre européen de recherche en biologie et en médecine (France) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 173076.0 €
Projet 3DPRINT-VASCU-CHIP (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2017)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Cardiovascular diseases cause over 14 million deaths worldwide each year, particularly in the form of heart attacks and strokes. Such diseases have been commonly studied by employing in vitro and in vivo models which are not able to completely recapitulate the human physiology/disease, therefore undermining the search for efficient new treatments. High resolution 3D printing has the potential to revolutionize the study of cardiovascular diseases by means of organ-on-chip approaches. Unlike conventional 2D wafer-based microfabrication techniques, 3D printing can generate truly 3D, organically shaped, highly accurate microfluidic replicas of blood vessels. These replicas can further be lined with cells and perfused with blood, disease-like events can be studied in detail, and therapeutic molecules can be tested. In this project, the potential of such methodology will be explored by developing a software tool that enables automated application-specific customization of the on-chip study platform and by utilizing more complex and biologically relevant materials in the devices' fabrication. The added value of the devices will be further testified by comparison with well-established protocols/methods in the study of angiogenesis, namely in high throughput screening settings. Finally, the commercial viability of such approach will also be assessed, and translation to market will be pursued.

Mots clés : 3d printing, biofabrication, organs on chips, microfluidics, cardiovascular disease models, angiogenesis, parametric 3d design, translation to market

Participants :
- Biofabics lda (Portugal) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Organismes privés (hors enseignement), subvention : 148635.6 €
Projet ACOUSTIC (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2017)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death in the world and has a tremendous impact on our society. Since major diseases are associated with dysfunction of the left ventricle, the accurate assessment of ventricular function during all phases of the heart cycle is fundamental. This goal may be facilitated by ultrasound imaging, which is in general appreciated for its bedside applicability, good temporal resolution, real-time operation, low cost and absence of ionizing radiation. The overall objective of this project is to improve cardiac ultrasound diagnostics by developing an innovative system for imaging at very high temporal and spatial resolution. This will be achieved through innovative developments in: ultrasound image formation, ultrasound signal processing, and real-time applications. Each of them will be first simulated, then experimented in-vitro, and finally tested in-vivo on human subjects. These developments will add diagnostic and prognostic information to the cardiac ultrasound examination and will enable clinicians to better study cardiac blood-wall interactions. The objectives are in line with those of H2020 EU: improving the “life-long health and well-being of all while maintaining economically sustainable care systems”; and “boosting Europe's industrial leadership through research, technological development, demonstration and innovation”. The project will also pursue the experienced researcher’s professional maturity so as to improve his career. In fact, the training and research program is highly multidisciplinary and integrates leading expertise in the fields of ultrasound and electronic engineering, signal/image processing and clinical cardiology provided by host and secondment institutions. At the same time, the researcher will share his system-oriented knowledge with the host institution to build a background in advanced US technology.

Mots clés : ultrasound, high frame rate, cardiac, real time, clinical, strain, blood flow, ventricle, development, validation, innovative

Participants :
- KU Leuven (Belgique) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 127300.0 €
Projet Career-FIT (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2015)
Action : Cofund Postdoctoral programme
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Career-FIT is a new trans-national scheme that offers an opportunity for experienced researchers to develop their careers n market focused applied research in Ireland's Technology Centres. Covering a wide range of academic and industry areas aligned with Ireland's Smart Specialisation Strategy, the 15 Centres were established to encourage greater efficiency in the interaction between researchers, industry, and the public sector, in research that promotes economic growth by its direct relevance to industry agendas. Each multidisciplinary Centre offers excellent facilities and equipment for Fellow use: experienced scientific staff to support the Fellow’s research, and extensive enterprise relationships on which market focused applied research can be progressed. Following two widely publicised calls that seek to attract the highest quality researchers with their own research proposals, the Career-FIT programme offers 50 fellowships of 36 months’ duration for incoming mobility to the Centre Hosts, with an enterprise secondment option during the Fellowship. Selection is through a transparent process based on demonstrated excellence of the applicant, potential of the research programme, host organisation capacity to provide a developmental environment, and training/career development impact of the Fellowship. Fellows are mentored by an experienced Centre mentor(s) concerned not just for their scientific progress but also their training and development in line with agreed career goals. They will also have support from a Professional Development Advisor and will further benefit from participation in a structured development training programme that targets enhancement of personal effectiveness as well as competencies relating to innovation management. As a new programme offering interdisciplinary, intersectoral and international features, the Career-FIT human resource development objectives will guarantee the development of future research and innovation leaders.

Mots clés : technology centre, industrial development, enterprise, innovation, career plan

Participants :
- Enterprise Ireland (Irlande) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Organismes publics (hors enseignement & recherche), subvention : 5310000.0 €
Projet PHOTOCATH (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2020)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Chemistry
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Catheter-associated urinary infections (CAUTIs) are among the most common nosocomial infections, leading to substantial morbidity and mortality. They prolong hospital stays and significantly increase the economic cost of the disease. Despite the many techniques that have been developed to prevent them, spanning from the training of health professionals to the intraluminal use of antibiotics or "classical" microbicide coatings, the problem is still largely unsolved. A smart strategy to address the problem would be the development of a universal microbicide coating that only exercises its effect on the indwelling catheter when activated with visible light travelling through the catheter itself, the latter playing as a hollow optical fibre if made of transparent polymer. In this context, we aim to prepare self-disinfecting photoactive (urinary) catheters using the advanced components that modern chemistry and technology provide us, namely, (i) low-power super-bright cheap LEDs and laser diodes, (ii) highly transparent biocompatible polymers (silicones), (iii) versatile surface functionalisation techniques (plasma, silanisation) and (iv) tailored photosensitising dyes capable of generating large amounts of singlet oxygen upon illumination. This reactive oxygen species leads to the destruction of the microorganisms and, therefore, the incipient biofilm (antimicrobial photodynamic inactivation, aPDI), leaving unharmed any cell not contacting the catheter. The combination of the researcher knowledge (photochemistry, dye derivatisation and photodynamic effect), and some of the strongest areas of expertise within the host groups and collaborators (applied photonics, silicones and microbiology), provides all the necessary tools to tackle this challenging interdisciplinary proposal. The project success will benefit both the researchers involved and the entire society, as it contributes to overcome the problem of CAUTIs occurring in hospitals and long-term care facilities.

Mots clés : photochemistry, singlet oxygen, photosensitiser dyes, photodynamic effect, catheter, microorganisms inactivation, disinfection, silicone

Participants :
- Universidad Complutense de Madrid (Espagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 160932.48 €
Projet 3Dconvert (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2014)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Cell fate conversion processes bear considerable therapeutic potential yet are poorly understood, and have thus remained slow, inefficient and difficult to translate into medical applications. The low conversion frequency in current systems, such as classic reprogramming to ‘induced’ pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, has precluded a molecular study of the critical early conversion events. We propose an interdisciplinary, exhaustive and unbiased approach to unravel the molecular events that accompany cell fate conversion processes, in particular during the early phase, using two uniquely efficient and controllable experimental systems. Special emphasis will be put on documenting the dynamics of three-dimensional genome topology, as this potential epigenetic conversion barrier has not yet been systemically characterized during cell fate conversions. We will apply genome-wide chromosome conformation capture and other genomic technologies on B cells undergoing nearly 100% efficient transdifferentiation into macrophages or reprogramming into iPS cells. In-depth computational analyses and dataset integration will reveal the dynamic relationships between transcription factor binding, key epigenetic regulatory mechanisms including genome topology, and the gene expression changes that ultimately lead to the implementation of a new cellular phenotype. Acquiring such insights will signify a breakthrough in our understanding of the epigenetic features that underpin cell identity and plasticity. Besides significantly advancing the state-of-the-art, the proposed action will maximize the applicant’s capacity of reaching professional maturity and scientific independence.

Mots clés : transdifferentiation, reprogramming, gene regulation, epigenetics, genomics

Participants :
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (Espagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 158121.6 €
Projet LamelliActin (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2016)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Cell migration is centrally involved in embryonic development, regeneration and immune surveillance. However, when misguided it also contributes to the pathogenesis of Europe’s socioeconomic most relevant diseases including cancer, cardiovascular diseases and chronic inflammation. Accordingly, better understanding the fundamental mechanisms of cell migration is of direct clinical relevance. In order to migrate within a multicellular context, cells have to negotiate physical constraints, such as other cells and the extracellular matrix and effectively integrate mechanical challenges into directional decision-making. This proposal suggests a combined cell biological and biophysical approach to provide a quantitative understanding of the underlying molecular and mechanical principles. We will focus on the prototypic force-generating structure of migrating cells the lamellipodium - a flat sheet-like protrusion of dendritic actin networks at the leading front of migrating cells. We will decipher the ultrastructural adaptations of lamellipodial actin networks with single filament resolution and characterize how nucleation, elongation, depolymerization and crosslinking of actin filaments coordinate circumnavigation of mechanical obstacles. Technically, these questions will be addressed in a multidisciplinary approach by employing correlative fluorescence and electron tomography in combination with artificial environments engineered using microfluidics and substrate micropatterning, as well as genetic approaches and biological modelling. Importantly, findings will ultimately be challenged in living tissues. The expected results will generate an integrated view of force-adaptations of actin networks in living cells and will not only impact the fields of cell biology and biophysics but also cancer biology, immunology and developmental biology.

Mots clés : cell migration, lamellipodium, actin networks, actin regulatory proteins, fish keratocytes, dendritic cells, correlative fluorescence and electron tomography

Participants :
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria (Autriche) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 178156.8 €
Projet INTEPOL (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2017)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Cell polarity is essential for normal cell function and for various developmental processes, such as axis determination, asymmetric stem cell divisions, and cell migration. Polarity is integral for tissue organization and failure in this process is a hallmark of human malignancies. Extensive studies in diverse model systems have helped to establish recurring mechanisms that drive polarity in various cell types. Yet, these conserved polarity regulators are not universally required and it emerges that some cells use distinct polarity mechanisms in a context dependent manner. For example, the polarization of the Drosophila intestinal epithelium does not require any of the canonical polarity regulators, unlike all other well-characterized Drosophila epithelia. However, little is known about how this unconventional polarity is established. This proposal aims to elucidate novel alternative polarity pathways in the intestinal epithelium of Drosophila. I will conduct a large--scale forward genetic screen to identify novel polarity regulators in the fly gut epithelium. Furthermore, I will examine the functional conservation of the newly identified polarity regulators in the murine intestinal stem cell organoids. Overall, this proposal will shed novel insights into the epithelial biology of the intestinal system.

Mots clés : cell polarity, epithelial biology, in vivo imaging, drosophila, 3d culture, organoids, adult intestine

Participants :
- University of Cambridge (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 183454.8 €
Projet STARTlight (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2017)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Cells across all kingdoms of life have developed exquisite control mechanisms to achieve and maintain the balance between cell growth and division. The decision to commit to cell division is a ubiquitous and essential process, whose dysregulation can dramatically affect cell viability in simple eukaryotes, while leading to tumorigenesis in mammalian cells. In budding yeast, the short interval in late G1 where commitment to cell division is decided, is known as START. Despite years of research, it is still unclear how the transition through START is triggered, and many mutually conflicting hypotheses have been proposed. Recent developments in microfluidics and single-cell microscopy have opened up new avenues for investigating START at the single-cell level. Moreover, thanks to the rapid development of optogenetic tools in the last few years offers the possibility to apply dynamic single-cell perturbations, with great potential for untangling complex intracellular networks. By combining single-cell time-course data on key components of the START network with targeted, reversible and dynamic perturbation of their activities using optogenetic tools, the aim of this proposal is to unravel the mechanisms that trigger START in budding yeast and to quantitatively describe these processes in a mathematical model. The results of this project will thus provide new fundamental knowledge on cell cycle regulation which, thanks to the high degree of conservation between yeast and higher eukaryotes, will be transferrable to other organisms as well.

Mots clés : optogenetics, single cell, time lapse microscopy, dynamical systems

Participants :
- University of Groningen (Pays-Bas) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 165598.8 €