Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-actions-marie-curie-participations-et-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Projet NEUROMITO (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2014)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Neurons are specialized cells with polarized morphology. Efficient function dictates that the molecular events crucial for synaptic communication are not centralized at the cell body but distributed to individual subcellular compartments - dendrites, dendritic spines, axons, presynaptic terminals. Local protein synthesis in dendrites is one such mechanism that plays a significant role in synaptic plasticity and memory. However, little is known on how the high-energy demands of local protein synthesis are met at dendrites and spines.Mitochondria, the 'energy houses' of cells, are found in great abundance in neurons. Mitochondria are associated with: nuclear-encoded messenger RNAs for local translation of great majority of mitochondrial proteins; non-coding RNAs for translational regulation of its protein abundance. To meet the local energy demands of protein synthesis, it is likely that mitochondria compartmentalize at dendritic regions and undergo dynamic changes in their proteome and transcriptome. My research project aims at elucidating the dynamics of mitochondria during high-energy demands of local protein synthesis. I will be performing experiments to examine mitochondrial compartmentalization in dendrites. Since simple fluorescence time-lapse imaging is not sensitive enough to visualize mitochondrial dynamics, I will use state-of-the-art imaging tools available in Dr. Erin Schuman’s lab for my experiments. I will also exploit the special neuron culture platforms, Microfluidic chambers, co-invented in the Schuman lab, for this purpose. In addition, I will be performing proteomic and transcriptomic analysis of mitochondria isolated from somata and neurites. To this end, I will use the shared protein mass spectometry facility of the Max Planck Institute for Brain Research and Biophysics for mitochondrial proteomics and the advanced RNA sequencing techniques employed in the Schuman group for mitochondrial transcriptomics.

Mots clés : mitochondria, local protein synthesis, energy, proteomics, transcriptomics, imaging

Participants :
- Max Planck Society (Allemagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 159460.8 €
Projet BrainwideNeuroCaSens (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2019)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - Global Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Neuroscience’s ultimate goal of achieving a holistic understanding of brain function requires a cross-scale integration from single-cell physiology to global network topology. While remarkable achievements towards this goal have been made, brain research faces the challenge of incorporating molecular and cellular neurobiology into the context of macro-scale network activation. Calcium is a reliable marker of neural activity and calcium imaging is among the most widely used methods in modern biology, although the technology for measuring large-scale calcium dynamics remains limited. BrainwideNeuroCaSens seeks to pioneer magnetic calcium-responsive sensors in the context of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) as a tool for a brain-wide interrogation of neural systems, providing an order of magnitude speed increase and a neurophysiologically precise readout, thereby far surpassing other noninvasive neuroimaging methods. These magnetic calcium-responsive sensors with physicochemical properties similar to optical imaging dyes, make use of the whole-brain, noninvasive imaging capabilities of fMRI and allow to detect translationally relevant, molecular precise correlates of neuronal activity in otherwise inaccessible deep structures and large regions of the mammalian brain. While focusing on dynamic functional connectivity relationships to study stimulus-responses and intrinsic network dynamics, the proposed experiments have significance for understanding brain-wide neural circuits in health and disease, offering pre-clinical potential for neurodegenerative pathologies. BrainwideNeuroCaSens’ offers a molecular precise readout of global neural network function and thereby opens the possibility for therapeutic strategies aiming at a restoration of network disruptions, for example in but not limited to, Alzheimer’s disease. BrainwideNeuroCaSens will bring the next-generation imaging technique of molecular fMRI to the EU and make the applicant pioneer in this field.

Mots clés : molecular fmri, calcium imaging, in vivo neuroimaging, systems neuroscience, molecular and cellular neuroscience, slow wave activity, alzheimer s disease

Participants :
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Etats-Unis) — Partner, organization partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €
- Technical University of Munich (Allemagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 264669.12 €
Projet COSMOFLAGS (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2015)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Physics
Statut du projet : CLOSED

New challenges for large galaxy surveys: Forthcoming galaxy surveys will probe volumes much larger than current ones, and measuring galaxy clustering at these scales will represent a new challenge that has not been properly analyzed so far. This project aims at developing a theoretical understanding and a pipeline to maximize the scientific output of forthcoming galaxy surveys, by modeling and making available to the scientific community a way to fully use the cosmological volumes probed, without introducing any bias due to an incorrect treatment of large-scale galaxy clustering. This project plans to develop and apply an improved formalism to data from current and future galaxy surveys to perform precise cosmological tests using galaxy clustering analyses. We will also perform an accurate forecasting of performances of instruments in different configurations and for different observing strategies; this will help defining and optimizing the survey strategy and final implementation of next generation experiments like Euclid and the SKA. The interaction between the researcher and the host institution will allow the development of a formalism for describing and measuring the large-scale galaxy bispectrum, a fundamental ingredient of next generation measurements from cosmological surveys. Finally, we will investigate the optimal way to combine two future experiments of great interest for the European scientific community: Euclid and the SKA.

Mots clés : cosmology, astrophysics, galaxy surveys, telescopes, general relativity, dark energy, primordial universe, statistical analysis, mission planning

Participants :
- University of Barcelona (Espagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 158121.6 €
Projet vPERFORM (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2019)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Information Science and Engineering
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Newly embraced use of lightweight (and high-strength) materials in construction has led to development of exceptionally beautiful and slender structural forms, especially in case of landmark public structures such as footbridges as well as walkways and corridors between buildings, at airports and shopping malls. These pedestrian structures are more sensitive to human-generated dynamic loading than ever before and their design is governed by vibration serviceability limit state. Pedestrians start interacting with these structures under certain conditions resulting in vibration-dependent dynamic force and unacceptably large errors in predictions of the actual vibration response. This project, vPERFORM, will transform the current design practice by developing reliable predictive models of vibration performance of lightweight pedestrian structures. For the first time, vertical vibration conditions under which the interaction occurs will be identified and the interaction modelled to reflect experimental observations. In addition, influence of visual cue (of the environment in which structure resides) on the interaction will also be studied for the first time. I will employ a multidisciplinary approach by combining analysis techniques from human motion science and mathematical modelling with structural engineering application. I will collect unique experimental data in a purpose built VSimulators (VSim) motion platform facility that incorporates virtual reality (VR) headset for simulating realistic structure environments. I will develop and validate a model for the interaction paving the way for achieving more efficient and sustainable design solutions.

Mots clés : footbridge, pedestrian, vibration serviceability, interaction, kinematics, kinetics, locomotion, machine learning, design

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

Next generation sequencing (NGS) has become an indispensable tool for system biology and has recently been adopted in protein engineering science as well. This proposal describes the development of a highly generalizable technique, termed FUNC-NGS, which links in situ functional information of protein activity with the function-determining DNA sequence in a massively parallel manner opening exciting possibilities, e.g., in drug discovery. In this method a cell-free display platform is combined with NGS by modifying protein display units to contain unique homing oligonucleotide sequences. These units are subsequently targeted to bind monoclonal DNA clusters in the flow cell of an Illumina sequencer by complementary DNA hybridization. FUNC-NGS is readily compatible with a paired-end sequencing programme on the Illumina platform and the number of screening units is only limited by the number of DNA clusters on the flow cell. As the first application challenge, a new variant of a modified bacterial adhesin, Spycatcher, will be created with an altered specificity for synthetic biology applications. Novel Spycatcher-SpyTag pairs are intensively desired but their creation is demanding. Solving this problem will be a perfect showcase for this radically novel deep screening technology. At the mature stage FUNC-NGS will be a transformative platform in therapeutic protein development, functional genomics and personalized medicine. The proposed work will be carried out at Dr. Hollfelder´s laboratory at the University of Cambridge with a short secondment at Medimmune. Hollfelder group has developed SNAP display, which is a FUNC-NGS-compatible in vitro protein display system. Furthermore, the University hosts excellent facilities for NGS sequencing and experienced bioinformatics support is available. The planned research programme synergistically combines my expertise in molecular biology method development with the hosts expertise in cell-free display and IVC-techniques.

Mots clés : next generation sequencing, protein screening, high throughput, combinatorial libraries, protein engineering

Participants :
- University of Cambridge (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 195454.8 €
Projet N-STRAINED (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2018)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Chemistry
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Nitrogen-containing compounds underpin every aspect of our life: they form the structural basis of almost all drugs, agrochemicals and materials. The invention of methods to form C–N bonds is of strategic importance to discover and evolve molecules with direct implications on our lives. Central to this quest is designing synthetic strategies able to explore novel areas of chemical space. As the pharmaceutical sector is now aware of the greater clinical success of molecules with 3D architectures, developing methods able to assemble 3D-shaped and saturated building blocks is a topic of continuous scientific endeavour. The small and strained bicyclo[1.1.1]pentyl motif has been identified as a valuable bioisoter to replace flat (2D) aromatics and improve the potency of lead molecules. However, difficulties in preparing and modifying this structural element have severely limited its use in medicinal chemistry. There is an urgent need to develop novel methods that can effectively manipulate and introduce this motif into organic compounds. This project seeks to substantially expand the fields of photocatalysis and nitrogen-radicals by introducing the concept of “photoredox strain-release”: a novel reactivity that explores the ability of nitrogen-radicals to react with strained hydrocarbons (eg propellane) and enable a unique preparation of polyfunctionalized bicyclo[1.1.1]pentylamines. This research capitalizes on recent developments of the host group that has disclosed 2 novel ways to effectively generate nitrogen radicals. This reactivity will be integrated with other reaction platform allowing the divergent 1-step construction of many important nitrogenated 3D-building blocks that cannot be prepared by any other method. 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 future career following the training plan envisioned.

Mots clés : nitrogen radical, photoredox catalysis, single electron transfer, bioisoster preparation, cascade reaction

Participants :
- University of Manchester (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 212933.76 €
Projet NCR (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2015)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Chemistry
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Nitrogen-containing molecules are among the most important class of compounds due to their relevance as medicines, agrochemicals, organic materials and dyes. Nitrogen-centered-radicals are a class of very versatile synthetic intermediates with great potential in the synthesis of N-containing molecules. However, to date, difficulties associated to their generation have severely limited their use and exploitation. Here we propose the development of two conceptually novel and general ways to prepare Nitrogen-centered radicals using visible light as sustainable and inexpensive source of energy. These processes will capitalize on recent developments in the host group that has disclosed the use of easy-to-make aryl oximes for the organocatalytic generation of iminyl radicals. This proposal seeks to substantially expand this visible light chemistry through the development of methods for the generation and use of any known Nitrogen-centered radical. The power of this approach will be demonstrated by the short synthesis of the complex molecule legionaminic acid, responsible for the spread of hospital-acquired infections. Furthermore, these methods will be integrated with other reaction platforms that, taking advantage of visible light as source of energy, will engage the Nitrogen-centered radical in new reactivity modes, to allow novel and powerful multicomponent reactions. Through the use of this strategy, the rapid construction of many relevant and complex N-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 : c n coupling, photocatalysis, nitrogen centered radicals, hydroamination, radical chemistry

Participants :
- University of Manchester (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 183454.8 €
Projet SICK OF NOISE (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2016)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Environment and Geosciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Noise is considered a threat to human health, causing not only annoyance or hearing impairment but also hypertension, ischemic heart disease and diabetes. Like humans, many animals can be affected by noise. Marine invertebrates, in particular, can be very sensitive to sounds and, because of their limited mobility, can be exposed to the disturbing noises of boat engines, windfarms and pile drivers over long periods of time. Such underwater noise pollution is known to have detrimental effects on the activity and physiology of marine invertebrates. In addition, these stress responses are likely to intensify the effects of parasitic infections and thus reduce host health in three ways: first, stressed hosts are typically in poorer condition and may be more susceptible to infections; second, stress may increase the impact of parasitism on hosts; and third, the combined effects of stress and parasitism may affect species interactions, e.g. by increasing predation on infected/weakened hosts. Given that parasites are also exposed to the disturbance, noise pollution could influence parasite traits too, including infectivity and survival. Yet, the influence of noise pollution on disease has never been documented in any organism. The proposed research will investigate the effects of noise pollution on parasitism and predator-prey interactions of key marine invertebrates: the blue mussel Mytilus edulis and the shore crab Carcinus maenas. By the use of multidisciplinary experimental approaches, I will (1) identify behavioural and physiological stress responses of molluscs and crustaceans exposed to noise pollution, (2) investigate for the first time connections between noise pollution and parasitic disease, and (3) conduct a pioneer work on the influence of noise pollution on parasite-mediated interactions. This work will result in a set of data which will be provided during the project to resource managers and policy makers to mitigate the impact of noise pollution.

Mots clés : underwater noise pollution, host parasite interactions, molluscs, crustaceans, predation

Participants :
- Dutch Research Council (Pays-Bas) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 165598.8 €
Projet Food-PPP-NAFLD (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2018)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) affects 25% of adults, and at present there is no approved licensed medication. Oxidative stress has been recognised as an important factor in the pathological progression of NAFLD. Therefore, therapies to protect against liver redox imbalance in the progression of this disease are urgently needed. G6PD is the rate-limiting enzyme of the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP), providing the majority of the cellular NADPH necessary for most antioxidant enzymes. The host group is specialized in nutritional interventions, metabolism and associated pathologies. They have recently demonstrated that increased levels of NADPH, induced by a moderate and regulated overexpression of G6PD, protected against aging-associated ROS oxidative damage in mice. This, in combination with the experience of the applicant in the prevention of NAFLD by using bioactives compounds, create an outstanding context for the Action. This new Marie-Skłodowska-Curie Action will explore the role of G6PD in the prevention or treatment of NAFLD. Technically, a new high-throughput screening platform will be set up to discover and characterise new food bioactive compounds modulating G6PD activity. The new bioactive compounds, as well as previously characterized pharmacological agonists/antagonists of G6PD, will be tested and validated in mouse models of NAFLD, and the mechanisms of action will be assessed using different in vitro and in vivo approaches. This Action will give further insight into the novel concept of the role of the PPP in the field of metabolic diseases, almost unexplored up to date. In addition, it will encompass a very inter-disciplinary approach including the fields of Food Science and Technology, Biomedicine and Molecular Biology, establishing collaborations with different research groups. In all, this Action will constitute a conceptual advance in the field, and will become an optimal scenario for the career development of the applicant.

Mots clés : nafld, nash, g6pd, antioxidant defenses, oxidative stress

Participants :
- Madrid Institute for Advanced Studies (Espagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 172932.48 €
Projet ICI-THROUGH (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2014)
Action : Staff Exchanges
Panel : Information Science and Engineering
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Non-invasive, inexpensive, and accurate assessment of adipose tissue (BAT) activity is crucial in the fight against metabolic pandemics such as obesity, and in various industries (e.g., foods, pharmaceuticals). However, the only technique available to measure the activity of this tissue is PET/CT imaging of the glucosetracer 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose , a highly invasive technique that is harmful for human health, expensive, and requires extensive equipment and facilities. The development and validation of non-invasive and practical techniques to accurately estimate human BAT activity requires the creation of new technology and the advancement of the current state of the art. Companies (particularly SMEs) do not have the technical capabilities to conduct R&D activities at the level of excellence required for such development. Academic institutions have the capacity to conduct the necessary R&D but they lack the expertise to develop the prototype post project. To solve this intersectoral problem, the ICI-THROUGH project will create a sustainable innovation platform of intersectoral collaboration between two academic (UOT and UOP) and two industrial (IMED and CETRI) European participants to exchange knowledge on the development of non-invasive techniques to estimate human BAT activity. This will be achieved via a series of clear and measurable research and innovation objectives that will be realized via staff exchanges of experienced and early-stage researchers divided into: networking, research and training, workshop, innovation, dissemination, and public engagement activities. The ICI-THROUGH project is effectively aligned with the scope of the RISE call and its success is in the interest of all participants. Also, exploitation of the obtained tangible outcomes (e.g., prototype) will ensure the partnership’s sustainability post project. Thus, the ICI-THROUGH project has high potential to become a self-sustaining innovation incubator between the four participants.

Mots clés : brown adipose tissue, infrared thermography, heat flux, numerical analysis, simulation, image processing

Participants :
- Imedica sa (Roumanie) — Partner, beneficiary, Organismes privés (hors enseignement), subvention : 207000.0 €
- University of Porto (Portugal) — Partner, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 207000.0 €
- Centre for Technology Research & Innovation (Cyprus) (Chypre) — Partner, beneficiary, Organismes privés (hors enseignement), subvention : 207000.0 €
- University of Thessaly (Grèce) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 207000.0 €