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

Subduction initiation is a key turning point in the Wilson cycle. How it unfolds remains a glaring unknown in our understanding of the evolution of the Earth’s oceans and mountain belts. Tectonic inheritance acquired at passive margins imposes a major control on how subduction zones may form and propagate in Atlantic-type oceans. In particular, magma-poor rifted margins seem to share characteristics that may localize compressional deformation and lithospheric rupture. The southern North Atlantic represents a unique natural laboratory to investigate the main factors that control the early stages of passive margin reactivation, prior to the onset of subduction. This project aims to study the role of inherited structures on the reactivation of passive margins using qualitative and quantitative constraints derived from examples along the southern North Atlantic rifted margins, coupled with geodynamic models of subduction initiation. The study region encompasses a number of reactivated magma-poor rifted margins that preserve different stages of the Wilson cycle, including: 1) the pristine Newfoundland margin; 2) an incipient, dormant, subduction zone in the western Bay of Biscay; and 3) an example of passive margin reactivation in Western Iberia. We will first map different styles and stages of margin reactivation along the studied Atlantic margins. Direct observations will be used to constrain kinematic reconstructions of the spatial and temporal evolution of these margins from rift to drift to reactivation. The identified key parameters that control reactivation will then be tested and explored using numerical geodynamic models. The action will involve an experienced international and multi-disciplinary team that will work closely together to further enhance our understanding of the Earth system. This opportunity will also provide the candidate with a new set of opportunities to boost her career and to develop strong coordination and leadership skills.

Mots clés : geophysics, geodynamics, plate tectonics, subduction, magma poor rifted margins, rift inheritance, rifting, compressional reactivation

Participants :
- Fciencias.id - associacao para a investigacao e desenvolvimento de ciencias (Portugal) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 225938.88 €
- Memorial University of Newfoundland (Canada) — Partner, organization partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €
Projet EPOC (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2015)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Substantial evidence indicates that even when genetically matched, we are not created equal. The mechanisms underlying such non-Mendelian phenotype variation are sufficient to elicit complex disease but remain unknown. In this context, the regulators of chromatin state have the ability to establish cellular memory, which is encoding specific silenced gene expression states through mitosis and is involved in control phenotypic variation. Interestingly, two chromatin ‘stabilizing’ genes (Trim28 / Dnmt3a) and two obesity buffering ‘effector’ genes (Peg3 / Nnat) are involved in triggering bi-stable epigenetic obesity. This present proposal aims at intersecting all four models of polyphenism to identify the core transcriptional and chromatin machinery required to establish and switch ‘On’ or ‘Off’ the Obese state. Thus, I will to explore these four mutants [Trim28(D9/+), Dnmt3a(+/-), Peg3(+/-p), and Nnat(+/-p)], which will serve as a biological filter to reveal core requirements. First, I will define co-variation of a spectrum of complex trait phenotypes resulting from insufficiency at each of these loci. Then, I will decipher the mechanism underlying their sensitized bi-stable obesity. Third, I will assess the epigenetic basis of their buffering of polyphenism. The aim of this proposal is to precisely provide, for the first time, reference-depth phenomic and epigenomic profiling of chromatin sensitizer- (Trim28- / Dnmt3a-) and chromatin effector- (Peg3- / Nnat-) induced stochastic obesity. The work will uncover the first definitive genetic and genomic templates for probing non-Mendelian phenotypic variation and stochastic obesity and thus highlight new therapeutic perspectives.

Mots clés : stochastic disease, obesity, metabolism, chromatin, epigenetic programming, suvar s genes, trim28, dmnt3a, peg3, nnat

Participants :
- Max Planck Society (Allemagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 159460.8 €
Projet SUFISM (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2019)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Social Sciences and Humanities
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Sufism has shaped the lives of people from a wide variety of geographical regions, cultural contexts and social milieus almost from the beginning of Islam. While old and new forms of Sufism continue to exist, one can identify an interesting phenomenon in various geographical contexts since the middle of the 20th century: In various metropolises around the world, new Sufi authorities detach Sufism from its traditional organisation in “brotherhoods” (ṭuruq) and start spreading it through new media such as Sufi foundations, teaching institutes, lectures and workshops as well as through countless Sufi books and guides. An educated middle-class audience worldwide appropriates Sufism through these new forms and adopts it as a way of life that is perfectly compatible with modern urban contexts, whether secular and pluralistic or strongly dominated by a particular (state) religion. Whereas European, Arab and South Asian specificities shape the emergence of these new spiritual offerings, there seem to be formal and content-related elements that characterise a new offer of Sufi spirituality on a global level and in a cross-current manner. This study will contribute new knowledge of regional peculiarities, but also of global and cross-group aspects in this new modern Sufi spirituality and thus provide us with valuable insights into the structures, themes and institutionalisation forms of modern, global and highly successful spiritual offerings, which in a second step will allow us to understand the gaps that such offerings fill in our societies. In a detailed analysis shaped by a discourse theoretical perspective, I will compare the content, form, dissemination strategies and institutionalisation of the work of six important Sufi authors of the late 20th and early 21st century, which are embedded in different regional contexts and Sufi currents.

Mots clés : sufism, spirituality, modern religious identity, urban middle class, transnationalism, entangled histories, new age, islamic reformism, indonesia, morocco, europe

Participants :
- Aarhus University (Danemark) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 207312.0 €
Projet LOBSTER (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2018)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Chemistry
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Sulfur-containing molecules are widespread as medicines, agrochemicals and organic materials. Their preparation could be greatly facilitated by implementing sulfur-radicals, which are a class of very versatile synthetic intermediates. However, to date, difficulties associated to their generation and controlling their reactivity have severely limited their use and exploitation in synthetic settings. Here we propose the development of two conceptually novel and general ways to prepare sulfur-radicals using visible-light. These processes will capitalize on recent developments in the host group that has disclosed two novel organocatalytic ways for the generation of nitrogen-radicals. This proposal seeks to substantially expand this photochemical approach by developing methods for the generation and use of sulfur-radical. The power of this approach will be demonstrated by fast generation of 3D molecules containing atoms of sulfur. These methods will be then integrated with other reaction platforms that, taking advantage of visible-light as source of energy, will engage the sulfur-radical in new reactivity modes, to allow novel and powerful multicomponent thio-functionalization reactions. Furthermore, we will harness these activation modes to enable the direct thiolation of aromatic compounds in a single step without the use of transition metal catalysts. Through the use of this strategy, the rapid construction of many relevant and complex –sulfur-containing molecules will be possible. The development of such an innovative and ambitious project at the University of Manchester will be facilitated by generating, transferring, sharing and disseminating knowledge, and will enhance my career development following the training plan envisioned.

Mots clés : sulfur radical, radical cascade reaction, photoredox catalysis

Participants :
- University of Manchester (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 224933.76 €
Projet EngiNear-IR (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2014)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - Global Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Sunlight is the most abundant and sustainable energy source available to us. It drives photosynthesis, the source of all food and most energy resources on Earth. Phototrophic organisms use antenna complexes to absorb solar energy, and derived excitation energy migrates towards specialised pigment-protein complexes called reaction centres. Here, photosynthetic electron transfer is initiated, converting solar energy into a form that can be stored and used to power cell metabolism. The absorption characteristics of antenna and reaction centre complexes determine the specific wavelengths of light that can be captured and converted into chemical energy; light at other wavelengths is not used, representing a major limitation of light-harvesting efficiency. Improving this efficiency will play a key role in ensuring food and energy security for the future, a societal challenge to be met by the H2020 programme. EngiNear-IR is a synthetic biology project aimed at exploiting my successful engineering of photopigment biosynthesis in a bacterial host to broaden the range of wavelengths available for photosynthesis. I have diverted the native bacteriochlorophyll a biosynthetic pathway to produce bacteriochlorophyll b, the most strongly red-shifted naturally-occurring photopigment. Incorporation of this foreign pigment into antennae/reaction centres will create novel photosystems that can harness near-infrared regions of the solar spectrum that are currently unused by this host. Apart from its biotechnological potential this research will broaden current understanding of pigment biosynthesis and photosystem assembly, yielding information essential for the improvement of photosynthetic efficiency. The project forms a collaboration between two of the world’s leading photosynthesis research laboratories and exploits the multidisciplinary nature of their studies. The proposed research will provide outstanding research-led training and falls within the H2020 excellence science remit.

Mots clés : photosynthesis, synthetic biology, chlorophyll, membrane protein, solar energy, light harvesting

Participants :
- Pennsylvania State University (Etats-Unis) — Partner, organization partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €
- University of Sheffield (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 251857.8 €
Projet SuperScienceMe (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2020)
Action : European Researchers' Night
Statut du projet : CLOSED

SuperScienceMe - REsearch is your R-Evolution aims at reaching the general public of Calabria and Basilicata regions in Southern Italy, focusing in particular on the young ones. SuperScienceMe proposes a fascinating journey across several epochs of human evolution and science, to convey the message that research represents an intrinsic character of mankind, being, for this reason, free of any barrier and stereotype. Research is human richness and, just like human fantasy and imagination,can’t be confined nor limited. Research is freedom. In this historical epoch, the sensibility of people must be brought back to the values of equality and inclusion, strongly promoted and pursued by the European Union. Within this scenario, especially young people must be taken care of and educated in order to appreciate the beauty of diversity. Research can play this game successfully. Based on these considerations and on the successful previous editions of the NIGHT, SuperScienceMe expands its boundaries, including in the partnership another region of Southern Italy, to promote inclusiveness and equality through Research. The activities of the NIGHT will be developed in research centres as well as in locations which are uncommon for science,like hospitals and juvenile prisons, to explain how research revolutions have driven the fantastic evolution of mankind. To open their wings towards the general public, researchers will tell the compelling story of research speaking the language of non-experts in science, challenging each other to show that they are nothing but ordinary people, just like everyone else, doing an extraordinary job, which consists in looking at nature and trying to appreciate and understand its elusive secrets. European Union was conceived on the pillars of a society based on innovation, research, equality and inclusiveness. SuperScienceMe has been thought to reinvigorate these concepts showing the exciting journey of research through the eras of human evolution.

Mots clés : science journey, enjoing research, social inclusion, innovation promotion, dissemination of scientific culture, scientainment

Participants :
- Magna Graecia University (Italie) — Partner, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 35290.0 €
- Calabria regione (Italie) — Partner, beneficiary, Organismes publics (hors enseignement & recherche), subvention : 0.0 €
- University of Calabria (Italie) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 128950.0 €
- University of Basilicata (Italie) — Partner, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 54510.0 €
- University of Reggio Calabria (Italie) — Partner, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 29997.0 €
- National Research Council (Italie) — Partner, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 49930.0 €
Projet SNDTD (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2018)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Physics
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Supernovae are cornerstone to understand the chemical and dynamical evolution of the Universe, cosmology and fundamental physics. In spite of the great advances achieved during the last decades, key questions remain open. We propose to determine the binary fraction of progenitors of core-collapse supernovae (CC- SNe) and resolve the turn-on time of type Ia supernova (SN Ia) progenitor systems through exploiting unique trove of integral-field spectroscopy (IFS) data and by developing a new spectral synthesis model to resolve stellar age distributions from 10–200 Myr. The proposer team has access to the largest set of IFS available from the most current leading surveys: MaNGA, CALIFA, and AMUSING. We will develop a new Bayesian single stellar population fitting method which will include at the same time information of the ionized gas and UV, to help constrain the youngest stellar populations, and NIR to better disentangle the degeneracy between age and reddening by dust. We will use IFS data of around thousand galaxies and the new method to recover the star formation histories at every single observed position including the SN position, and use the method presented in Maoz et al. (2010) to recover the delay-time distribution (DTD) of both CC SN and SNe Ia and measure: (i) the shape of the late CC SN DTD tail, to check whether populations of 50–200 Myr are typically associated to CCSN locations which would prove the binary progenitor scenario; and (ii) the lower turn-on age of the SN Ia DTD, to determine the age of the youngest stars producing SNeIa. Finally, we will test the role of different star formation histories at SN Ia locations affect their precision as cosmological distance tools. This proposal is for an ambitious, competitive, and accomplishable project that will lead to significant advances in our understanding of supernova progenitors and provide a tool for wide-ranging studies of stellar populations in the new era of IFS data.

Mots clés : supernova, environments, progenitor stars

Participants :
- University of Granada (Espagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 172932.48 €
Projet BISBORONDYKAT (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2019)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Chemistry
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Suzuki−Miyaura coupling (SMC) has emerged as a powerful strategy in the field of cross-coupling reactions and is widely used in synthetic organic chemistry and drug development. Asymmetric SMC reactions employing aryl/alkenyl boronic acid is well developed; however, no general Csp3 – Csp3 Suzuki-Miyaura coupling is currently available. Furthermore, the asymmetric addition of benzylic nucleophile or 1,1-difunctionalized reagents as a nucleophile is quite rare. This proposal aims to develop a general cross-coupling procedure that will effectively allow the use of 1,1-bisboryl alkanes in asymmetric SMC reactions. We intend to utilise the rhodium and copper catalysed dynamic kinetic asymmetric transformations (DYKAT) protocol developed in the Fletcher group to achieve this transformation. The corresponding enantioenriched product would feature boronic ester moiety equipped for further modification. Furthermore, the transformation would serve as an alternative protocol for the addition of difficult to install benzylic group. The method would provide a significant advancement in asymmetric cross-coupling reactions and would fortify the broad applicability of DYKATs in SMC reactions in the field of synthesis, medicinal and materials chemistry.

Mots clés : asymmetric catalysis, suzuki miyaura coupling, dykat, organoborones

Participants :
- University of Oxford (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 212933.76 €
Projet BROS (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2016)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - Global Fellowships
Panel : Information Science and Engineering
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Swarms of robots will revolutionize many industrial applications, from targeted material delivery to precision farming. However, the characteristics that make them ideal for certain future applications —robot autonomy, decentralized control, collective emergent behavior, etc.— can also be an obstacle when transferring this technology from academic institutions to real-world problems. Blockchain, an emerging technology originating in the Bitcoin field, demonstrates that by combining peer-to-peer networks with cryptographic algorithms a group of agents can reach an agreement on a particular state of affairs without the need for a controlling authority. Using a novel combination of blockchain technology and swarm robotics systems, BROS will generate new models to address three fundamental issues by using the robots as nodes in a network and encapsulating their transactions in blocks: First, new security models and methods can be implemented in order to give data confidentiality and entity validation to robot swarms, therefore making them suitable for trust-sensitive applications. Second, distributed decision-making and collaborative missions can be easily designed, implemented, and carried out by using special transactions in the blockchain, which enable robotic agents to vote and reach agreements. Third, robots may be able to function in diverse and changing environments without any change in their control algorithm, if their operation corresponds to different blockchains that use different parameters. In the initial stage, blockchain technology will be used as a main control plane in combination with novel large-scale robot simulation tools such as ARGoS. Finally, the feasibility of the models obtained under the previous objective will be validated in real-robot swarms, outputting a prototypical system that can serve as initial step towards transferring the proposed techniques from the academia into the industry.

Mots clés : swarm robotics, blockchain, distributed systems, decentralized systems, multi agent systems

Participants :
- Université Libre de Bruxelles (Belgique) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 258530.4 €
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Etats-Unis) — Partner, organization partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €
Projet UCYN2PLAST (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2016)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - Global Fellowships
Panel : Environment and Geosciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Symbioses are evident sources of innovation in nature, critical for the evolution of plastids and the success of eukaryotes on Earth. The mechanisms promoting such relationships, however, are difficult to identify, especially between single-celled organisms, and remain largely unknown. A widespread symbiosis was recently discovered in the ocean between an unicellular cyanobacterium (UCYN-A) and single-celled eukaryotic algae (prymnesiophyte). UCYN-A lacks typical cyanobacterial features such as the capacity to perform oxygenic photosynthesis, CO2 fixation or the tricarboxylic acid cycle, and must thus rely on the supply of organic matter from the algal host. In turn, UCYN-A shows a dramatic genome reduction with a high specialization in nitrogen fixation, providing fixed nitrogen to the alga. Given the importance of nitrogen for the algal productivity, it has been hypothesized that UCYN-A could eventually give rise to a nitrogen-fixing plastid in a process analogous to the origin of chloroplasts. This project aims to study the UCYN-A symbiosis both from an evolutionary and a functional point of view: First, the identification and characterization of new associations from marine samples at a global scale through molecular techniques will allow a deep comparison of closely-related symbiotic lineages that will help to understand the evolutionary underpinnings of this symbiosis. Second, nutrient incubation experiments of seawater samples over diel cycles will be performed to identify potential factors regulating the carbon and nitrogen exchange between partners to gain knowledge on the host-symbiont coupling mechanisms. For this purpose, metatranscriptomic analysis and electron microscopy combined with molecular probes and quantitative isotopic techniques (FISH-nanoSIMS) will be applied. Elucidating the mechanisms underlying this unusual nitrogen fixing symbiosis will provide valuable insight into previously unknown processes explaining the evolution of plastids

Mots clés : single celled symbiosis, plastid evolution, nitrogen fixing microorganims, marine microbial ecology

Participants :
- Sorbonne Université (France) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 246668.4 €
- University of California System (Etats-Unis) — Partner, organization partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €