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

Maintenance of tissue health requires a variety of cellular and molecular networks. The immune system comprises panoplies of cell subsets that can sense endogenous and exogenous factors to ensure efficient surveillance and defense. Similarly, the nervous system harbors distinct neuronal populations that sense and respond to ever-changing stimuli. Interestingly, discrete neuronal and immune cells in the intestine were shown to share anatomical confinements and influence each other’s function, forming neuronal immune cell units that act as rheostats of gut physiology. Nevertheless, whether brain-derived signals control enteric immune functions and intestinal homeostasis remains elusive. Importantly, neurological dysfunction induced by stroke correlates with severe intestinal problems in humans; including infections, inflammation and colon-rectal cancer. We propose to investigate how Central Nervous System (CNS) signals control intestinal immune homeostasis and how alteration of brain-derived signals induce gastrointestinal disease. We will explore how intestinal homeostasis and immune-mediated diseases are regulated in the context of stroke, which is a major Public Health concern. To achieve this, we propose to employ genetic, cellular and molecular approaches to decipher how brain signals and pathways specifically shape gastro-intestinal immune homeostasis and what is their relevance in intestinal inflammation and cancer. To this end, stroke and gastro-intestinal disease models, together with powerful tractable, chemogenetic technology, will be employed. Astonishing preliminary data revealed that stroke severely disrupts intestinal lymphocyte homeostasis, promoting their exodus from the gut to other organs. We foresee this project as groundbreaking, establishing the link between altered brain signals and intestinal physiology, shedding light into the intricate relationships between the CNS and the gastrointestinal immune system in the context of stroke, and beyond.

Mots clés : stroke, intestinal immunity, dreadd, colo rectal cancer, infections, gut brain axis

Participants :
- Champalimaud Foundation (Portugal) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 159815.04 €
Projet PRISENODE (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2018)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - Global Fellowships
Panel : Information Science and Engineering
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Major technological trends in information technology such as cloud computing, big data, and mobile computing are based on powerful computing resources. The ever-increasing demand for computing resources has led companies and cloud service providers (CSPs) such as Google, Amazon, and Microsoft to build large warehouse-sized data centers called cloud data centers (CDCs). CSPs incorporate software-defined networking (SDN) and virtualization in their CDCs to ensure full utilization of server resources and reduce the power and electricity that are consumed. Applying SDN in CDCs provides reliable Quality of Services (QoS) and satisfying the user-centric Quality of Experience (QoE) in CDCs that are called software-defined cloud data centers (SDDCs). SDDC faces resource management problem and under threaten of security and privacy issues. To the best of my knowledge, no any practical tool can provide robust solutions to these problems, and further investigation is needed. In this project, I integrate fog technology with SDDCs and design a scalable fog network to manage the cloud service demands as well as providing secure processing and traffic data privacy in SDDC. I named this project PRISENODE: Privacy- and secuRity-aware solutIons in SoftwarE-defiNed fOg Data cEnter. My project targets fog data center (FDC) which consists of SDN-enabled switches that are instantiated on an SDDC server and serving as edge switches (Fog Nodes; FNs). FNs accommodate small-size flows with limited response time and deliver high user QoE. In this way, I design a fundamental tool (open-source software) together with a holistic business model for privacy- and security-aware data traffic passed through SDN-enabled switches FDCs/CDCs. The salient feature of my project is to jointly monitor network traffic, validate network traffic policies, and detect malicious entities in the cloud system as well as introducing related security- and privacy-aware defenses in SDDCs.

Mots clés : cloud data center  cdc, fog data center  fdc, software defined networking  sdn, security and privacy issues, network traffic, resource management

Participants :
- University of Melbourne (Australie) — Partner, organization partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €
- University of Padua (Italie) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 275209.92 €
Projet ECO-DEKS (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2018)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Economic Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Majority of the current business models and production technologies are not only unsustainable, they are incapable of delivering long-term transition to low-carbon economy. Many firms are now looking beyond their internal knowledge boundaries in order to be competitive. Access to external knowledge through open innovation has thus been recognized as an important source of firm’s innovativeness. This even becomes more important for eco-innovative firms (EIs) as their knowledge bases are quite complex and diverse. As such, EIs must be willing to pursue an innovation strategy with a large portfolio of external knowledge inputs. As critical as this issue is, few evidence exist on how EIs access both synthetic and analytic external knowledge for competitive advantage. The main objective of this proposal therefore, is to examine the dynamics of alliance portfolio or external knowledge sourcing strategies for eco-innovation in the manufacturing and service sectors of Nigeria using both qualitative and quantitative data. The research will investigate and answer questions such as: to what extent do firms in Nigeria search for knowledge outside their competence before absorbing and internalise such external knowledge to eco-innovate? Is there a threshold beyond which deep search for external knowledge diminishes propensity to eco-innovate? Does R&D reduce cognitive distance between external knowledge providers and EIs? Data will be collected from the firms in both sectors using questionnaire and structured interview guide. The study will use stratified sampling technique to select firms using the National Bureau of Statistics and the Nigerian Stock Exchange registers as sampling frames. The study will borrow from evolutionary economics and national innovation system framework to analyse and discuss some of the findings. This study would contribute to policies that would remove institutional and policy barriers to inclusive and sustainable private sector driven green growth.

Mots clés : eco innovation

Participants :
- Euro-Mediterranean Center for Climate Change (Italie) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 183473.28 €
Projet YnotSing (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2015)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Environment and Geosciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Males and females often differ dramatically in phenotype, with one sex exhibiting elaborate ornaments absent in the other. Darwin suggested such dimorphism evolves through sexual selection on males to attract females and repel rival males. Ever since, this framework served to explain why males are showy and females drab. Song in songbirds was a classic example (males sing and females are silent) until our recent research showed that female song is phylogenetically widespread and probably ancestral. Thus, current sex differences in song must have at least partly resulted from females evolving away from males by losing song. Therefore, the key question is not what has led to elaboration in males, but rather, what is responsible for losses in females. I will engage a network of experts from three EU institutions and the general public to participate in addressing this new, pertinent question of trait loss in a large-scale phylogenetic analysis across songbirds. I will focus on three goals important to progress in this field: (1) develop an urgently needed single quantitative score to compare song structure among species, (2) determine how gains and losses of song structure in each sex contribute to overall dimorphism, (3) compare dimorphism to a broad range of ecological and natural history correlates. From the host and partners, I will receive expert training through research in animal communication, bioacoustics, and character evolution, including advanced sound analysis tools during a Secondment and leadership training through a major citizen science project with xeno-canto, the world’s largest bird song database. This inclusive mentorship and training will equip me with diversified and advanced skills to contribute to this important research question and embark on my career goals of leading an independent, integrated research programme in behavioural ecology and evolution.

Mots clés : selection pressures, trait loss, elaborate trait evolution, bird song, female ornamentation

Participants :
- Leiden University (Pays-Bas) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 165598.8 €
Projet OPTOFRAX (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2014)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Manipulation of neurons with light-regulated proteins and drugs has opened unprecedented possibilities for phototherapies for neurological diseases. The host laboratory has developed a powerful new optopharmacological tool: a selective photoswitchable modulator of metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR). This drug can be activated or inactivated with light so that its action can be finely patterned in space and time. We aim at developing a novel application for this optical tool: a brain functional mapping technique. We will test it at two different levels of resolution. First, we will map the therapeutic site of action at whole-brain level. Inhibition of mGluR is a promising therapeutic strategy for autism disorders, including Fragile X, but the brain region responsible for this effect is not known. We will inactivate the drug locally by illuminating specific regions of the brain and will identify which region is the target for the therapeutic effect. Second, we will map the physiological contribution of mGluR to neuronal plasticity at the minimal spatial resolution: the individual synapse. Activation of mGluR induces long-term synaptic depression at the level of neurons, but it is unknown if it is also true at the level of single synapses. We will inactivate the drug in a single synapse using laser light and will test whether this specific synapse undergoes structural depression. This project will prove the utility of optopharmacological tools to map the therapeutic and phyisological mGluR function. This original approach could open countless possibilities for scientific, medical, and commercial applications. The project is an excellent opportunity for the Researcher to further develop his knowledge and to position him in unique multidisciplinary environment that will foster his career progression towards independence. At the same time, the Researcher’s experience acquired at MIT will be extremely valuable for the host institution and the European Research Area.

Mots clés : optopharmacology, fragile x, phototherapy, brain mapping, metabotropc glutamate receptors, long term depression, synaptic plasticity

Participants :
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (Espagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 170121.6 €
Projet GEODEM (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2014)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Environment and Geosciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Mankind is profoundly altering the environments in which plant and animal populations live. An era of such massive habitat rearrangements requires ecologists to take new approaches to increase our understanding of species distribution and likelihood of persistence worldwide. Improved ecological models of range-wide persistence and response to the simultaneous threats of climate change, habitat destruction and landscape reconfiguration are required to inform management of biodiversity at large scales. GEODEM brings together global datasets of plant distribution and demography to gain insight into how the geographic configuration of habitats affects growth, survival and reproduction of more than 500 plant species worldwide. The project has two main objectives: 1. Geographic Range Pattern Analysis: Using species distribution models and global spatial statistics tools to quantify and compare spatial patterns of suitable environmental conditions across species’ biogeographic ranges. 2. Landscape Demography: Testing how the spatial arrangement of suitable habitat within the geographic space can inform population responses to environmental gradients. The fellow will be supervised by and collaborate with world leaders in spatial ecology in Ireland and other European countries to accomplish her goals. The prestigious Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellowship will enable her to develop expertise in currently disparate areas of species distribution modelling and demography and place her in a unique position to make significant contributions to the urgent problem of population persistence at large scales during this era of global change. It will enable the fellow to build an independent research program in Europe after gaining research experience in top universities in Canada and Australia.

Mots clés : spatial demography, geographic range pattern, species distribution models, geographic range limits, matrix modeling, compadre, padrino

Participants :
- Trinity College Dublin (Irlande) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 187866.0 €
Projet CutGrow (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2018)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Information Science and Engineering
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Many children suffer from bone deformities, which severely hinders their ability to walk. Some children may require invasive surgical treatment, such as cutting their bones, whilst others may recover their mobility through less invasive treatments such as guided growth surgery. However, surgeons have difficulties choosing the best treatment options because there is no reliable tool to help them predict the post-operative evolution of bone joints. CutGrow aims to provide a numerical platform whereby bone growth will be predicted virtually. The platform will rely on a novel finite element technology, CutFEM, developed by the applicant, Dr. Claus, which circumvents the need for meshing complex geometries. This algorithmic concept will bestow numerical agility upon all steps of the simulation process, from acquiring patient-specific data to handling complex contact conditions between interacting bones, the latter being the domain of excellence of the host supervisor Prof. Erleben. In the first stage of CutGrow, a seamless and robust simulation pipeline in the specific context of bone joint mechanics and growth will be created. In a second stage, the simulation will be used as a basis to develop a unifying and highly versatile model for children’s bone growth, capable of easily handling a range of mathematical growth stimulus theories. Finally, we will specialize the developments to the context of guided bone growth and prove that the proposed modelling framework can reproduce clinical data gathered by MD Wong at Hvidovre Hospital. The CutGrow simulation environment has the potential to transform paediatric orthopaedic surgery, by providing researchers with an agile tool to investigate new treatment options virtually and to design new operation planning procedures based on reliable, physics based simulation technologies.

Mots clés : finite element method, x fem, growth modelling, contact mechanics

Participants :
- University of Copenhagen (Danemark) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 207312.0 €
Projet ContestedPort (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2020)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Social Sciences and Humanities
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Many contemporary ports are threatening the very communities that previously nurtured them. This research proposal tackles the emerging phenomenon of socio-spatial conflicts arising in port cities, and argues for a new critical approach that centres the experiences and responses of those contesting the making of global ports. Over 90% of the world’s trade is carried by sea, with forecasts for further growth. The expansion of increasingly privatised and corporatised port infrastructure is creating a clash of interests between multi-scalar markets and globalised value chains on the one hand, and inhabitants of the port hinterland on the other. The making of global ports is thus transformed into an urgent societal issue, which demands a social scientific approach that acknowledges the interconnected nature of localised conflicts. Ports are not just global trade hubs, but are indispensable cogs in the complex and sometimes “predatory” machinery of the global supply chain. Increasing demand for space and water as well as greater air, soil, sonic and water pollution are only some of the reasons for the social contestations that manifest. This holds new theoretical and practical implications for social sciences, fundamental for conceiving resilient and inclusive futures for port cities away from economic disciplinary perspectives. By focusing on the new socio-spatial tensions in the inhabited fringes surrounding harbours, I expect to reveal logistics-driven mechanisms of rupture that impact people and places in the making of global ports. I will analyse two specific paradigmatic cases – Piraeus and Valencia – using ethnographic methods to understand the specific local contexts impacted by this globalised infrastructure. This project also entails the development of an online platform that maps and documents cases of contestation at the port, enabling the establishment of a “connective geography” that opens new channels of communication between port communities.

Mots clés : port cities, port communities, socio spatial conflict, urban contestation, logistics revolution, global ports

Participants :
- Delft University of Technology (Pays-Bas) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 175572.48 €
Projet MBABS (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2019)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - Global Fellowships
Panel : Social Sciences and Humanities
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Many countries worldwide have ratified the Access to Benefit Sharing (ABS) of the Nagoya Protocol under the convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The ABS ultimately seeks to fulfil the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of genetic resources. The ABS encourages opportunities to exploit genetic resources, so that benefits can be shared equally and fairly between knowledge holders and industrial companies. India has since the ratification of the Convention on Biological Diversity in 1992 granted over 1500 ABS applications; however the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) has signed only 100 ABS agreements. While the ABS seem to pave the way forward to a win-win situation between the local communities and industrial companies, little is known of the impacts on local communities. The study will explore the ABS at a micro level for medicinal and aromatic plants exploited by corporations and their impact on the farmers, growers, and rural women. It will analyse 1) the factors that determine the attribution of benefits, 2) the short, long term impact of ABS on local communities, socio-economic conditions, social status, the retention of traditional knowledge, and resource sustainability, 3) and whether women access the ABS in a context mostly controlled by male panchayat. The results will influence other entrepreneurial models beyond the Indian case study, such as the cooperative model in Morocco which still struggles to implement the ABS and other European contexts where the ABS application remains unclear. The research will contribute to the current debate of the Access of Benefit Sharing, and its impacts at a local level. The Fellowship will deliver three publications, public outreach materials to avail this new field of enquiry to a wider academic and non-academic audience to resolve issues of social exclusion. It will open up perspectives of employment for the researcher in a European academic institution or a policy research institute.

Mots clés : access to benefit sharing, conservation, gender equality, rural communities, sustainability

Participants :
- Iscte – Instituto Universitário de Lisboa (Portugal) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 135634.56 €
- University of Lucknow (Inde) — Partner, organization partner, Organismes privés (hors enseignement), subvention : 0.0 €
Projet DREAMY (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2017)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Chemistry
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Many critical processes within cells, including those that control whether a cell lives and divides or dies, are mediated by protein–protein interactions (PPIs). In certain disease states, such as cancer, these interactions can become defective in a way where disruption of the interaction has therapeutic benefit. Replacement of one of the protein partners, which often have α-helical secondary structure, with a small molecule is one method of disruption; however, the interface can often be large and shallow, making the design of competitive small molecules challenging. The saving grace is that the interaction energy is usually dominated by the interactions of a few amino acid residues, which protrude from one or more faces of the α-helical peptide. The design of α-helical mimetics that are non-peptidic in nature and that can replicate the positioning of these hotspot residues has been an active area of research. The host laboratory has recently developed a method to prepare chains of substituted carbon atoms with complete control of absolute and relative configuration. Owing to the avoidance of syn-pentane interactions, the all-syn and alternating syn–anti contiguously substituted chains fold into well-defined helical and linear conformations. The positioning of the substituents could uniquely replicate a pattern of hotspot residues that cover two or more faces of an α-helical peptide. This project will explore this possibility through the design, preparation and testing of mimetics that target the Mcl-1/Noxa-B PPI, which controls apoptosis and has leucine, arginine, isoleucine, aspartic acid, and valine at positions 11, 12, 14, 16 and 18 as hotspot residues. The project merges cutting-edge synthetic organic chemistry, multiple forms of computation, including molecular mechanics, density functional theory, and molecular dynamics, NMR spectroscopy, and medicinal chemistry.

Mots clés : drug discovery, inhibitors, protein protein interactions, synthetic methods, stereochemistry, molecular modeling, ligand and protein detected nmr, biochemical assay

Participants :
- University of Bristol (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 195454.8 €