Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-actions-marie-curie-participations-et-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Projet TM-FLPS (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2015)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Chemistry
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Catalysis is critical to the delivery of future growth in the manufacturing sector: ca. 75% of all chemicals currently require catalysts at some stage in their manufacture, with catalytic processes generating €1,000 Bn in products world-wide. This proposal targets a step-change in homogenous catalysis by approaching it from a new perspective. Frustrated Lewis Pairs (FLPs) are among the most promising new avenues for the development of future catalysts and offer important advantages in the context of sustainability. Thus the young field of FLP chemistry has experienced an enormous expansion since its founding discoveries one decade ago. However, this rapid development contrasts with the very limited number of examples in the literature in which one of the Lewis acid/base (LA/B) components is based on a transition metal. The current proposal aims to combine the rich chemistry of transition metals (ultimately Earth-abundant elements) with the powerful reactivity offered by FLP systems by substituting one of its LA/B components by a transition metal. The extraordinary structural diversity of transition metals, along with the rich variety of elementary reactions that take place over those centres, are attributes that will extend the usefulness of FLPs far beyond the present (mainly) hydrogenation reactions and should allow developing new catalytic processes unreachable for current homogeneous catalysts. The possibilities are as unexplored as unlimited. We aim to exploit Pt and Au systems, for which preliminary results are available in the host group and will give high confidence of short-term success. Subsequently we will build on the key principles so established to expand our approach to ecologically more benign first-row transition metals. The potential in bond activation and catalysis of the resulting transition metal FLP systems will be explored with the ultimate goal of developing novel catalytic cycles of industrial relevance.

Mots clés : frustrated lewis pair, first row transition metals, bond activation, terphenyl phosphine, boryl ligands, gold, platinum

Participants :
- Universidad de Sevilla (Espagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 170121.6 €
Projet ECOCAT (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2016)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Information Science and Engineering
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Catalytic pyrolysis of biomass is a process for the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass to a liquid product that has potential to be utilized as a fuel, a source of renewable chemicals and as an alternative to crude oil for upgrading to transportation fuels. ZSM-5 zeolite is the most studied catalyst for this process due to its acidity and shape-selectivity, which favour the conversion of biomass oxygenates to valuable aromatic hydrocarbons and limit the formation of coke. Among the shortcomings of the ZSM-5 zeolite is the small size of its pores; these small pores do not allow the large molecules in the pyrolysis vapours to access the active acid sites. Secondly, its sensitivity to biomass metals leads to poisoning and deterioration of its selectivity. Coupled with the high cost of the ZSM-5, the later leads to significant operating costs that arise from the necessity to replace the deactivated catalyst with fresh material at high rates. The objective of this proposal is to investigate and improve on the economics of the process by reduction of catalyst-related operating costs and optimization of catalyst selectivity towards desirable products. This is going to be achieved through utilization of microporous zeolites modified with mesoporosity. Mixed results have been reported with such zeolites in the past. To address this, a suitable experimental procedure will be developed for the systematic study of mesoporosity through assessment of multiple aspects of catalyst performance, such as activity, selectivity, coke suppression and deoxygenation. Increased activity and selectivity is expected to result from increased accessibility of larger molecules to the zeolite acid sites. In order to address the short lifetime of the catalyst, the mechanism of poisoning from biomass metals will also be studied and modification of the catalyst, tentatively with implementation of materials more reactive to biomass metals, will be investigated in order to extend its lifetime.

Mots clés : lignocellulosic biomass, catalytic pyrolysis, biofuels, mesoporous zeolites, catalyst deactivation, catalyst poisoning

Participants :
- Aston University (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 183454.8 €
Projet TAILORCAT (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2015)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - Global Fellowships
Panel : Chemistry
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Catalytic technology has advanced markedly throughout the 20th century, refining the catalytic processes that provide us with fuels and base chemicals. Presently some important challenges in catalyst development are: a) Fine tuning of the catalysts on the atomic level therewith creating unprecedented control over the performance of catalysts b) The use of base metals, countering the increasing cost and scarcity of the group VIII metals c) Efficient and short conversion routes from biomass to industrial/commodity chemicals d) (In situ) micro- and nanoscale characterization combining advanced spectroscopic techniques with the state-of-the-art in microscopy. This project describes the potential of atomic layer deposition (ALD) to tune the selectivity of base metal nanoparticles while also stabilizing them. ALD applied to catalysts is an emerging field to which the group of Prof. Dumesic, at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (UWM), is taking a pioneering role. With the continued rise of biomass-derived molecules, the development of more efficient hydrodeoxygenation and hydrogenation methods is paramount. Levoglucosenone (LGE) is an emerging bio-derived building block obtainable in one step from cellulosic biomass. Examples to its potential are the prospected use of dihydrolevoglucosenone (LGO as hydrogenated LGE) as a solvent replacement for toxic N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone and the possibility to convert LGE/LGO into 1,6-hexandiol, 1,2,6-hexantriol and caprolactone by hydrodeoxygenation (DuPont patents). ALD modified catalysts will be applied to the hydrodeoxygenation and hydrogenation of LGE and derivatives. Complementary to the first two years at UWM, the third year in the group of Prof. Weckhuysen, at Utrecht University, will add particular focus to the characterization of these ALD catalysts using advanced Raman (micro)-spectroscopic techniques. This will include in situ (micro)-spectroscopy monitoring the entire life cycle of the catalyst as the reaction progresses.

Mots clés : platform molecules, bio derived substrates

Participants :
- Utrecht University (Pays-Bas) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 260929.8 €
- University of Wisconsin System (Etats-Unis) — Partner, organization partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €
Projet CatchGel (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2018)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Chemistry
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Catch bonds are one of Nature’s truly remarkable designs, which exhibit increased adhesive force as tensile force is applied, in contrast to traditional slip bonds whose adhesive force decreases under similar conditions. On reaching a maximum applied force, the catch bond then reverts to traditional slip bond behaviour resulting in a catch-and-roll type action that bacteria and cells use to move in a targeted fashion along a particular surface. The current research project aims to transplant this behaviour from bacterial systems into bio-based synthetic polymer networks, allowing the development of truly biomimetic mechanically adaptable materials. The aims of the project will be achieved by exploring a number of recently identified bacterial catch bonds, isolating the specific amino acid sequence responsible for this behaviour and using them to functionalise bio-based polymer chains. Using the receptor-ligand complexes specific to each bacterial adhesive, dynamic polymer networks will be constructed that display an adaptable response to force as observed in bacterial catch bonds. This represents an important area of research, for whilst the observation of ‘catch’ bond behaviour is relatively recent, their ability to revolutionise biomimetic materials is enormous. Their behaviour under stress is reminiscent of that of smooth muscle during peristaltic motion and materials mimicking this behaviour have the potential to drive new developments in synthetic organ and disease model research. Thoughout this project, fundamental insights will be gained into the intrinsic workings of bacterial catch bonds, specifically environmental factors affecting their behaviour, as well as how their behaviour is modified or scaled by inclusion in a macroscale material. The interdisciplinary project aims to push the boundaries of biology and materials science, from the molecular to the macroscale.

Mots clés : molecular interactions, single molecule force spectroscopy, bio based polymers, hydrogel, catch bonds

Participants :
- University of Basel (Suisse) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 304724.16 €
Projet PHOTO-IASIS (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2019)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Information Science and Engineering
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Catheter-associated infections are characterized by the formation of a bacterial biofilm on their surface and are a major clinical problem today with huge socioeconomic implications. As a result, apart from longer hospital admissions that dramatically increase healthcare costs, in order to fight these infections increased antibiotic drug doses are used. This approach places selective pressure on pathogens and, especially in nosocomial settings, facilitates the emergence of antimicrobial resistant bacteria that are more difficult, if at all possible, to treat. In fact, catheter-associated infections by antimicrobial resistant bacteria are potentially lethal, especially in patients with compromised immune system (cancer, HIV patients). So, there is an urgent societal and clinical need to reduce such infections. The target of this project is to re-engineer catheters that exhibit anti-biofilm properties due to the presence of an antimicrobial nanocoating. This coating will consist of a photo-active material that destroys the biofilm upon visible light irradiation. The light will be delivered on the catheter surface by an optical fiber through the catheter opening. This will enable biofilm destruction with a simple push of a button. The developed catheter here will revolutionize this field by reducing such catheter-associated infections, minimizing the emergence of drug resistant bacteria and improving the public health worldwide. The supervisor’s unique expertise in nanomaterial synthesis using flame spray pyrolysis (FSP), and in applying the resulting nanoparticles to specific biomedical applications combined with that of the applicant’s in nanoparticles and photocatalysis reassures a mutual benefit between the applicant and the host institute and enhances the feasibility of this proposal.

Mots clés : flame nanoparticle synthesis, antibacterial

Participants :
- Karolinska Institutet (Suède) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 191852.16 €
Projet NEURORIGINS (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2019)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Cell lineage is an important determinant in the generation of neuronal diversity. Understanding the relation between cell lineage and neuronal identity is critical to know where and when cell fate decisions take place during development. In Drosophila, different neuronal types emerge from specific parts in the lineage tree. Some neuronal types specifically arise from certain branches (fate-restricted progenitor cells). Other neuronal types emerge from the same branch but at different times, following a temporal sequence. Whereas neuronal specification in mice seems to follow slightly different rules, the lack of appropriate tools to consistently target the same progenitor cells and following lineage progression with single-cell resolution has limited our understanding of this process. I thereby hypothesize that, similar to Drosophila, different neuronal types systematically emerge from dedicated parts of the lineage tree, although methodological limitations have impeded to prove this hypothesis. NEURORIGINS aims to fill this gap by producing tools to genetically target specific subsets of neuronal progenitors in the mouse cerebral cortex (Objective 1). To find fate-restricted neuronal progenitors and link these progenitors with specific types of projection neurons, I will use these tools to label and identify the neuronal progeny derived from these progenitor cells (Objective 2). In the last phase, I will follow the temporal progression of these sublineages, exploring whether some types of projection neurons are generated from the same sublineage over different developmental windows (Objective 3). Besides unveiling important insights on the developmental pathways resulting on neuronal diversity in the mouse brain, NEURORIGINS will provide me with a new set of technical and transferable skills that will be critical for my future as an independent researcher.

Mots clés : cell lineage, neuronal diversity, genetic drivers, gal4 lines, neural stem cells, cerebral cortex, crispr, cas9, cassa, clades, gestalt, projection neurons, mice, cell specification, development

Participants :
- Spanish National Research Council (Espagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 160932.48 €
Projet EXTREME (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2019)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Physics
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Cell membrane is the most critical element that is common to all biological systems. This five-nanometer-thick highly flexible lipid bilayer is known to govern numerous vital cellular processes including endocytosis, exocytosis, enzyme activity, ion transport, cell-cell communication and cell division. Understanding and controlling multiscale structure and dynamics of the cell membrane is, hence, the key to regulate these crucial activities. So far, proposed approaches to tuning membrane dynamics, leading to its fluidity and stiffness, are based exclusively on modification of the bilayer composition that is highly cell specific. In this project, the researcher will use his previous research experience in harmony with expertise of the supervisor to uncover a novel and mechanistic way for regulating the dynamics of the lipid bilayers via engineering complex extracellular microenvironment. Beside its highly interdisciplinary and fundamental nature, this research has a significant potential to open up a new practical pathway to cure membrane-associated diseases, including but not limited to type-2 diabetes, cancer and Alzheimer. This research action will be a great opportunity for the researcher to acquire new scientific expertise, grow his worldwide collaboration network, practice key project management skills and effectively disseminate research outcomes - all of which are essential for being a successful independent academic.

Mots clés : lipid bilayer, cell membrane, extracellular matrix, polymer, composites, viscoelasticity, membrane fluidity, biomaterials, hydrogels, crosslinking, neutron scattering, light scatte

Participants :
- Koç University (Turquie) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 145355.52 €
Projet ICSIS (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2014)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Cell senescence plays a paradoxical but important role in physiology; it protects organisms against cancer but also contributes to age-related loss of tissue function. Senescent cells accumulate during ageing, particularly at sites of age-related pathologies such as vascular tissue, contributing to fibrotic cardiovascular disease , . Therefore, the aim of this research is to understand why senescent cells accumulate later in life for the purpose of identifying potential therapeutic strategies for eliminating senescent cells. This project, founded in an emerging field of ageing research, will determine the interaction and clearance of senescent cells by ageing innate immune cells. Using in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo approaches the fellow will delineate the mechanisms of interaction between senescent vascular cells and the innate immune system and how they are impacted by age. This will significantly advance knowledge and lead to novel molecular targets to explore for eliminating age-associated vascular senescent cells. Since the field of cellular senescence is predominantly centred within molecular cell biology and cancer, this coordinated cross-disciplinary and cross-sectorial approach will provide novel insight into vascular senescence. Through an ambitious research training programme, the fellow will develop scientific, complementary and transferable skills in metabolism, innate immunity and vascular function in age-related disease from Aston, UK with intersectorial training to develop small molecule drugs from Redoxis SB, SWE; evaluate drug efficacy in models of ageing (Erasmus, NL); in the context of clinical cardiology (Aston/City Hospital, UK). It will deepen collaborations for partners, provide new techniques to the hosts and enhance the skills of exceptionally talented research fellow, with over ten years’ experience in the field of cellular senescence, forward as a research leader with experience of working effectively across sectors.

Mots clés : cell senescence, age related pathologies, therapeutic strategies, aging research, innate immune cells

Participants :
- Aston University (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 183454.8 €
Projet Glyco-Platforms (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2016)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Chemistry
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Cell surface carbohydrates play key roles in cell recognition mechanisms. Protein-carbohydrate interactions typically exhibit high specificity and weak affinities toward their carbohydrate ligand. This low affinity is compensated in nature by the architecture of the protein, the host presenting the carbohydrate ligands in a multivalent manner or as clusters on the cell or mucosal surface. O-glycosylation is a ubiquitous post-translational modification that is highly dynamic and responsive to cellular stimuli through the action of the cycling enzymes. Expression of specific O-glycans is linked to changes in gene expression in, for example, inflammatory bowel disease, cystic fibrosis and several types of cancer. Understanding these glycosylation patterns at molecular and functional levels will allow mechanisms associated with bacterial-host interactions, bowel disease and other cancers to be defined, which will facilitate the development of new effective therapeutics and diagnostic tools for these conditions. The proposal centers on the chemo-enzymatic synthesis of novel multivalent mucin-type O-glycan probes for the screening of O-glycosylation-linked interactions in health and in disease and the development of smart glyco-nanoparticles as drug delivery systems. This is a multidisciplinary project involving synthetic organic and inorganic chemistry and glycobiology.

Mots clés : oligosaccharide synthesis, nanoparticles, bioimaging, cytotoxicity, cell biology, drug delivery

Participants :
- University of Bristol (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 195454.8 €
Projet OMICS (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2016)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Chemistry
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Cell surface receptors react to a multitude of signal molecules that trigger cellular responses and regulate cell fate. The malfunction of receptors and signals in cells may lead to the development of many diseases, including cancer, diabetes, neurodegeneration or autoimmune disorders. Thus, understanding complex signal pathways is key for future therapeutic approaches and drug development. This project concerns the development of a high throughput microfluidic device for the investigation of early cell signalling, which is triggered by ligand-decorated DNA origami nanostructures, immobilized on a microarray-patterned surface inside the microfluidic device. By combining state-of-the-art top-down microstructuring and bottom-up self-assembly, this approach allows to present ligands on surfaces with a full control of their absolute number, stoichiometry and nanoscale orientation, enabling to closer mimic the natural cell environment. While the principal functioning of origami-based ligand presentation has very recently been demonstrated by the beneficiary, the here proposed implementation in a microfluidic chip will improve surface stability and robustness, as well as allow automated, on-surface assembly and cell culture processes to open the door to multiplexing and high throughput analyses.

Mots clés : microfluidics, dna origami, cell signalling, biomimetic interface, egfr, nanoscale organization, breast cancer cells

Participants :
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (Allemagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 159460.8 €