Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-actions-marie-curie-participations-et-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Projet BEEP (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2019)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Environment and Geosciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Environmental degradation due to land-use, over-exploitation and climate change rapidly erodes Europe’s unique biodiversity, resulting in irreversible loss of valuable resources both for ecosystem functions and for human well-being. However, despite the numerous monitoring and conservation efforts, our ability to predict and mitigate the extinction risk of wild populations remains limited. Assessing the temporal variation in genetic diversity and its environmental drivers represents a powerful approach to address this challenge, but incorporating it into conservation planning has been hindered by i) lack of affordable technology, ii) lack of interdisciplinarity, and iii) disconnection between fundamental research and applied conservation. BEEP will address these gaps by combining modern sequencing technologies for quantifying species temporal genomic erosion, with satellite observations of the earth for assessing the corresponding environmental change. By bridging diverse technological fields and scientific principles, BEEP will provide an applied predictive framework for species extinction risk in response to human pressure that can be directly utilised by major environmental organisations (IUCN, EEA, IPBES). I will showcase the power and importance of this approach using the European endemic and highly threatened mountain tea species (Ironwort), that are of significant conservation interest due to their traditional and emerging medicinal properties. I will achieve BEEP's objectives at SBiK-F (Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre), a world-class centre in interdisciplinary biodiversity research, ranging from earth observations from space to species evolutionary genomics.The proposed project will provide new research and training opportunities that will bring me in a very competitive position in order to successfully establish myself as a leading and interdisciplinary European researcher in the fields of biodiversity research and conservation.


Participants :
- Leibniz Association (Allemagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 174806.4 €
Projet Microbots4Enviro (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2019)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Chemistry
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Environmental degradation issue is a global concern. Great efforts have been made to develop efficient and green approaches for wastewater treatment. Self-propelled nano/microrobots are the forefront of nanotechnology, holding great promise for environmental remediation. Visible light driven semiconductor photocatalyst would be the great catalyst to power such micromachines for environmental remediation. BiVO4 has attracted researchers’ great interest. However, its drawbacks such as significant recombination of photogenerated electron–hole pairs, poor electrical conductivity and slow hole transfer kinetics limit its applications. To enhance the photocatalytic efficiency, this project elaborately develops light-responsive tubular micromotors with smart material design strategy: BiVO4 is robust visible light absorber; ZnO nanorod arrays act as electron transfer channel; rGO films function as electron acceptor; and Co-Pi serves as hole acceptor and catalytic site. The Microbots4Enviro project aims to: (i) establish novel tubular Co-Pi/BiVO4/ZnO/rGO micromotors; (ii) study the comprehensive performance of micromotors in the polluted water with three types of contaminant models (i.e. dye, explosive and bacteria model); and (iii) integrate abundant micromotors in 3DP-motor and demonstrate the pilot-scale test in artificial 5×5m2 pool for environmental remediation. This project will bring an experienced researcher, Dr. Huaijuan Zhou to undertake this cutting-edge multidisciplinary research project at UCT Prague in Czech Republic under the supervision of Prof. Martin Pumera, Director of Center for Advanced Functional Nanorobots. This fellowship will not only restart her research career, but also broaden her knowledge and expertise in the emerging area of self-propelled autonomous nano/micromachines. This project contributes to creating a strong scientific and technical base for European science and technology, and fostering the competitiveness and growth of EU economy.

Mots clés : nanorobot, photocatalysis, wastewater decontamination, disinfection, semiconductor, charge separation, transfer

Participants :
- University of Chemistry and Technology (Rép. Tchèque) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 156980.64 €
Projet GEOCLIME (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2017)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Environment and Geosciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Environmental fluid circulation (oceans, atmosphere, hydrology) induces detectable 3D deformation of the solid Earth (several mm), known as loading effects. These are mainly seasonal, with additional shorter and longer term signals. Since climate change modifies regional and global circulation, it will also impact on loading deformation. These effects are not considered in climate projections despite their non-negligible impact e.g. for sea level rise flooding prediction. This multidisciplinary fellowship will improve understanding of the water cycle and the impact of climate change on Earth’s shape via the study of loading effects using accurate space geodesy and modelling. Combining an innovative method and highly complementary data in terms of both spatial and temporal resolution - Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) and space-borne gravity data (GRACE) - this fellowship will allow precise determination of loading effects and to invert for associated mass variations. This will identify the different sources, long term (e.g. post glacial rebound) and short term signals (e.g. recent variations in hydrology, ice sheets, extreme climate events) using long, highly accurate time series. This fellowship will: 1) estimate the impact of anelasticity in loading deformation models and improve and validate these forward models especially for rapid effects (hours to weeks); 2) use inverse modelling of deformation linked to climate change to better observe the water cycle, and assess local implications for sea level change and natural hazards. It will provide high level training and international exposure from the world-leading geodesy group at Newcastle University (UK), taking advantage of the host’s and fellow’s complementary expertise. It provides an invaluable opportunity for significant advances in the understanding of climate change driven crustal deformations allowing the fellow to enhance her scientific career prospects at the highest level in Europe.

Mots clés : gnss, crustal deformation, space gravimetry, modelling

Participants :
- Newcastle University (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 195454.8 €
Projet FosResil (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2020)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Social Sciences and Humanities
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Environmental management professionals (EMPs) have a crucial role to play in strengthening ecosystems and mitigating the effects of global warming. Given the fundamental unpredictability of climate change-associated events such as draughts or floods, however, EMPs are increasingly asked to 'foster ecosystem resilience', thereby enhancing ecosystems' capacities to bounce back from, or adapt to, unpredictable environmental stressors. As a recently emerged environmental policy paradigm, however, 'resilience' remains a contested concept. Commentators within sociology and the environmental humanities suggest that 'fostering resilience' may in fact preclude political and ethical engagement with the (man-made) stressors on environments, yet these perspectives have not paid empirical attention to resilience in actual environmental management practices. Meanwhile, studies in environmental management point to a concerning lack of comprehensive and empirical studies of the way 'resilience' is actually taking shape in environmental management practice. FosResil is designed to fill these empirical and analytical gaps. By means of a multi-sited ethnography of three pioneering resilience-based initiatives across Western Europe (UK, BE, and NL), FosResil seeks to examine and critically assess the ways in which 'resilience' is currently reshaping environmental management practice. Drawing on Science and Technology Studies in particular, it seeks to analyse how 'resilience' gives rise to novel forms of knowing, valuing, and managing environments. The first synthetic and comprehensive study of the resilience concept in environmental practice, FosResil's seeks to enhance public awareness of environmental management in an age of climate change, foster professional knowledge transfer and exchange, while its pioneering scientific achievement consists of its conceptualization of emerging notions of environmental agency and responsibility as they accompany resilience-in-practice.

Mots clés : resilience, environmental policies, environmental management, valuing and valuation studies

Participants :
- KU Leuven (Belgique) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 267480.0 €
Projet TreasureDrop (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2016)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Chemistry
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Enzymes have established as a new class of catalysts in the field of modern synthetic chemistry and continue to gain in importance. Directed evolution is currently one of the most promising approaches aiming at enzymes with desired catalytic activities and it's potentially directly correlates with the library size that can be screened. One of the most powerful approaches to overcome these limitations is arguable the recently introduced microfluidic droplet technology; this methodology not only allows to quickly screen millions of clones in a cost effective manner, but is also broadly applicable since fluorometric as well as colorimetric assays can be used. Interestingly, even though numerous publication highlight its potential, an unambiguous evidence of its ability to provide synthetically relevant biocatalysts still needs to be furnished. In addition, access to this technology is currently limited to a few academic research groups and thus, this approach requires further implementation to evolve as an easily manageable lab routine in the near future. This project is designed to unite three competencies: i) the expertise of the Hollfelder Group in regarding micro-engineering and protein engineering in droplets, ii) the empirical knowledge of (bio)chemists at Johnson Matthey in view of economically successful industrial applications of biocatalysts and iii) the strong track record of the experienced researched to successfully solve problems at the biology/chemistry-interface. The objective of the project is to perform a proof-of-principle study by improving a well-known alcohol dehydrogenase for the selective desymmetrization of a meso-diol, thereby giving access to a synthetically sophisticated alcohol. In addition, the final aim is not only to obtain an improved mutant which allows to perform the selected biotransformation efficiently, but also a comparison of varying evolution paths differing in the criteria of hit selection between mutagenesis rounds.

Mots clés : biocatalysis, green chemistry, enzyme, directed evolution, droplet microfluidics

Participants :
- Johnson Matthey (United Kingdom) (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Organismes privés (hors enseignement), subvention : 183454.8 €
Projet PAEDS (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2015)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Social Sciences and Humanities
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Epidemiological data shows that psychiatric diagnoses in childhood have limited temporal continuity. Over the course of a child’s contact with mental health services, a diagnosis received at one time can transition into a different diagnostic classification or be lost entirely. Such shifts can have profound implications for young people and their families, given the significance invested in diagnostic labels as a means of making sense of emotional and behavioural difficulties. However, no research has investigated the prevalence of diagnostic shift in Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) or explored how it is experienced by the children and families affected. PAEDS aims to provide the first such evidence through a two-stage mixed-methods design. First, a review of clinical records in an Irish CAMHS service will establish the frequency with which diagnostic shifts occur and the typical patterns through which they manifest. Second, qualitative interviews will be conducted with children and parents who have experienced diagnostic shift, to establish the narratives through which people make sense of these changes and the implications for self-concept, social identity and service engagement. To exploit the social and clinical value of the results, a Delphi process will be initiated that engages a diverse panel of stakeholders in developing evidence-based resources that help service-providers and service-users adapt to diagnostic shift. The project will thereby promote sensitive, patient-centred youth mental health policy and practice. It will also provide a platform for me to build a career pioneering the interdisciplinary study of how scientific and clinical classifications interact with identity. By fully integrating a tailored Personal Career Development Plan into the action programme, I will capitalise on the MSCA’s opportunity for the strategic development of skills and competencies valued in the current academic environment.

Mots clés : psychiatric diagnosis, youth mental health, mixed methods, case note review, qualitative interviews

Participants :
- National University of Ireland (Irlande) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 175866.0 €
Projet TEDCIP (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2016)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Chemistry
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Epigenetics is the study of heritable changes in phenotype that does not involve changes in the underlying DNA sequence. Epigenetic modifications are partly inherited, but unlike the genome itself, are cell specific, plastic, and its mechanisms are affected by different factors and processes such as aging, environmental factors or the use of drugs. The epigenetic changes are the result of epigenetic tags (chemical tags) that can determine gene expression. There are two main types of epigenetic modifications: DNA methylation and histone modifications. Many diseases such as cancer, inflammation, neurological and cardiovascular diseases can be related to aberrant histone modification patterns. Since Histone modifications are mainly carried out by three types of proteins (writers, readers and erasers) there is great therapeutic interest in these proteins, since they may influence disease onset and progression. However, the identification of potent and selective inhibitors is challenging due to structural similarities between individual domains of the ‘epigenetic’ proteins. Histone demethylases and methyl transferases, dynamically regulate the histone methylation levels. Removal of methyl groups from methylated lysines on histone tails is catalyzed by lysine demethylases (KDMs) in a sequence- and methylation-state dependent manner. Among the different KDMs, the JmjC-domain containing KDMs are Fe(II)- and 2-oxoglutarate (2OG)-dependent oxygenases. Despite some KDM inhibitors have been reported, achieving selectivity remains a major challenge. In order to achieve the required selectivity, two different approaches are considered in the current proposal: 1) development of covalent inhibitors with specific residues of certain KDMs and 2) development of Proteolysis Targeting Chimeras (PROTACs) to control intracellular protein levels by recruiting the KDMs to E3 ligases to induce their ubiquitination and subsequent proteasome mediated degradation.

Mots clés : synthesis, covalent inhibitors, chemical probes, proteolysis targeting chimeras, histone lysine demethylases, chemoproteomics

Participants :
- University of Oxford (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 183454.8 €
Projet PGXOME (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2016)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Epilepsy is a common disease characterized by recurrent seizures affecting 50 million people worldwide. For most people with epilepsy, long term treatment with antiepilepileptic drugs (AEDs) are necessary and 40% do not respond to the first line of AED, leading to a lifelong odyssey towards effective treatment. Diagnosis is the only predictor of which drug will work best however it is a poor predictor and there is a need for improved biomarkers. AEDs carry a considerable risk for adverse drug reactions (ADRs). ADRs can be minimized by careful titration towards therapeutic dose however idiosyncratic ADRs, particularly cutaneous adverse reactions, have been shown to have a genetic predisposition. However, despite the relative success of GWAS to identify predictors of hypersensitivity there are few other predictors of some more common ADRs. The applicant is aligned with large international consortia such as EpiPGX, the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) Complex Genetics Consortium and the the Canadian Pharmacogenetic Network for Drug Safety (CPNDS) who have amassed a collection of over 15,000 epilepsy cases with phenotype and genotype data. Further, over 2000 samples have whole exome sequence data available. This has provided a medium to investigate the genetic architecture of ADRs and a resource to replicate novel significant findings. This fellowship proposes to move beyond traditional GWAS into new territory for epilepsy pharmacogenomics by exploring the contribution of polygenic risk and rare variants. The aim of this fellowship proposal is to identify clinically useful genetic markers of adverse reactions to AEDs to the growing number of prognostic tests for clinicians to prescribe optimal treatment targeted to each individual patient and improve medication safety in epilepsy.

Mots clés : epilepsy

Participants :
- University Medical Center Utrecht (Pays-Bas) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 82799.4 €
Projet EpiBarrier (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2017)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Epilepsy is the most common chronic neurological disorder, affecting ~50 million people. Major challenges in epilepsy include non-responsiveness to treatment and no effect on disease progression provided by anti-epileptic drugs. Over the past decade, particular attention has been paid to dysfunction of cerebral vasculature and inflammatory processes as important players in epileptogenic processes, with a specific emphasis on failure of the blood–brain barrier (BBB). The BBB is a complex cellular network forming a continuous cellular barrier separating the CNS from the bloodstream. A functional BBB is crucial in maintaining brain homeostasis and to prevent the entry of toxic compounds and immune cells into the CNS. During pathology, however, the permeability of the BBB may increase with the resulting entry into the CNS of blood-borne molecules and cells. Leakage of the BBB is one of the earliest characteristic pathophysiological disturbances following status epilepticus and may play an important role in the development of epilepsy. Consequently, drugs targeting BBB function may represent novel treatment strategies in epilepsy. The purinergic ATP-gated P2X7 receptor has gained much attention recently as novel target in the treatment of epilepsy. Expressed on all cell types in the CNS including endothelial cells, P2X7 has been associated with numerous damaging processes pertinent to epileptogenesis, such as inflammation and opening of the BBB. ATP and the P2X7 downstream target Interleukin-1β contribute to the disruption of the BBB and P2X7 antagonism protects against BBB disruption during intracerebral hemorrhage. To date, however, we do not know whether seizure-induced changes of the BBB are dependent on P2X7 signaling, and whether this process can be targeted. By using newly developed transgenic animal models, RNA sequencing and cutting edge imaging techniques we will determine how P2X7 impacts on BBB integrity during seizures and what genes are regulated by P2X7.

Mots clés : epilepsy, status epilepticus, blood brain barrier, p2x7 receptor, transgenic mouse models, patient tissue

Participants :
- Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (Irlande) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 175866.0 €
Projet DynChan (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2019)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - Global Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Epithelial paracellular, i.e., tight junction, permeability is largely defined by the integrated functions of claudin proteins that can either seal the paracellular space or form highly-selective conductance channels. The importance of claudins is exemplified by the many human diseases caused by barrier dysregulation and claudin mutations. The host laboratory recently reported the first measurements of single channel tight junction currents, thereby demonstrating that claudin channels transition between open and closed states. The central hypothesis of this application is that claudin channel activity is regulated by specific molecular interactions. Unfortunately, the trans-tight junction patch-clamp method developed by the host laboratory is extremely labor intensive and unable to capture more than a small section of a single tight junction, making it unsuitable for comprehensive analyses. To overcome this obstacle, we first aim to develop a nanopillar array chip that will supersede the patch-clamp method. Cells grown over and around the nanopillars will form tight junctions above the nanoelectrode at the tip of each nanopillar. This will make it possible to measure large numbers of single-channel events over many junctions. The second aim will exploit the nanopillar chip to define the conductances and gating activities of claudin proteins and the mechanisms by which they are regulated. This novel technology will also allow others to analyze claudin function in health and disease. The nanopillar chip and data generated using this tool will accelerate our understanding of tight junction biology and enable development of channel modulators that, in a manner analogous to the advances enabled by transmembrane ion channel modulators, will lead to novel therapeutic approaches.

Mots clés : paracellular barrier, tight junction, claudin, ion channel, gating activity, electrophysiology, nanoelectrode, nanopillar

Participants :
- Spanish National Research Council (Espagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 245732.16 €
- Mass General Brigham (Etats-Unis) — Partner, organization partner, Recherche, subvention : 0.0 €