Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-actions-marie-curie-participations-et-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Projet Cells-in-drops (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2015)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Information Science and Engineering
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Tackling heterogeneous cell populations at single-cell resolution is becoming increasingly important in different branches of biology and biomedicine. Many useful techniques have been developed to profile and even selectively purify single-cells, however, the demand for techniques with better analytical performance and improved high-throughput capabilities, remains very high. Droplet microfluidics can fulfill this demand by bringing higher throughput, scalability and single molecule resolution that are hard to achieve with conventional technologies. In this project, a droplet microfluidics platform will be developed and applied for ultra-high-throughput single-cell screening and sequencing. The project will be focused on B-cells that produce therapeutic antibodies or biomolecules of industrial interest. Cell compartmentalization into microfluidic droplets together with capture beads and barcoded DNA primers will enable a direct establishment of the linkage between the genotype (genes or mRNA) and phenotype (binding, regulatory or activity of secreted proteins). The proposed work will allow the quantitative high-throughput antibody phenotyping without loosing the original heavy-light chain pairing, a significant advantage over other technologies. Like no other system available to-date this the technological approach outlined in this proposal will provide a unique way to identify the primary sequence of heavy and light IgG genes encoding functional monoclonal antibodies directly from single-cells, without a need to perform gene cloning or cell immortalization. The results of this work are likely to bring a significant impact not only in applied biological sciences but also in biotechnology and biomedicine.


Participants :
- Vilnius University (Lituanie) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 130779.6 €
Projet AnthroTax (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2020)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Social Sciences and Humanities
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Tax evasion is an economic justice issue in contemporary Croatia. Corporate tax evasion by massive conglomerates contributes to local financial volatility. Bad financial practices at the top of this chain result in economic precarity at its other end. AnthroTax conceptualizes the various local financial practices of tax evasion with a novel framing of ‘hostage barter’. It employs ethnographic field research methods to study how such practices play out between family winemakers in Istria, Croatia, and a massive agribusiness conglomerate with which they do business. This interdisciplinary project combines classic anthropological concepts with business studies to show how contemporary predatory market exchanges are constructed and how tax evasion is enacted as an apparent ‘natural’ feature of everyday business. The researcher seeks to understand how the emerging economic system works, how hostage barter has become an inevitability of everyday business, how gender influences its practice, and what hostage barter can teach us about predatory economies in wider post-socialist Europe. AnthroTax will advance theory in critical tax studies by introducing a wholly new concept into the field and bring valuable insight to tax evasion processes that will contribute to both academia and government. Placing an anthropologist at one of Europe’s best business schools, particularly for interdisciplinary, qualitative research, AnthroTax represents an unparalleled training-through-research opportunity for the scholar to advance her creative and innovative research potential. AnthroTax’s interdisciplinarity, methodological strengths, and integration into targeted CBS research groups will facilitate diversification of her competences via skills acquisition, advanced training, and mobility both internationally and intersectorally. It will enhance cooperation between networks and facilitate a transfer of knowledge not just institutionally, but outside academia to myriad relevant groups.

Mots clés : tax evasion, critical tax studies, anthropology of tax, state capture, market studies, family winemakers, croatia, barter forms, state business ties

Participants :
- Copenhagen Business School (Danemark) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 207312.0 €
Projet TIMEGG (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2016)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Social Sciences and Humanities
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Technological advancements in reproductive medicine have introduced the new concept of "FREEZING". Nowadays, healthy women are given the possibility to cryopreserve their oocytes in order to prolong their fertility, a procedure known as "social egg freezing". There is an ongoing bioethical academic and public debate on the social and ethical implications of this practice. The here proposed socio-empirical research is interested in extending our understanding of the concept of "freezing" in broader contexts, while analyzing it through the prism of 'sociology of time'. Egg freezing constitutes an extremely fascinating paradigm for studying concepts of time, timing, planning and its social-technological manipulation related to modern life science. In line with the IF work program's focus on creativity, innovation and diversity, this research aims to examine the interplay of culture and bioethics in an interdisciplinary and empirical manner, focusing on and comparing experts' and lay positions and using a cross-cultural German-Israeli comparative research framework. This cross-cultural comparison is especially interesting since the German regulatory and legal framework regarding new reproductive technologies is rather restrictive, while the Israeli regulation has been identified as extremely permissive. Using qualitative in depth interviews with relevant experts as well as users of social egg freeing, this research aims at (a) In-depth empirical analysis of time in the context of reproductive medicine; (b) A cross sectional analysis of social egg freezing by comparing two national contexts as well as experts and ordinary (lay) ethics; and (c) Theorization of the time dimension for the relationship of reproduction, labor and gender. Thus, this innovative research is expected to enhance the researcher academic competence and the transfer of new knowledge.

Mots clés : social egg freezing, empirical bioethics, sociology of time, experts  positions, lay moralities, time, timing, reproductive planning, gender, labor market, germany, israel

Participants :
- Universitätsmedizin Göttingen (Allemagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 171460.8 €
Projet PrinTendon (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2015)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Tendon/ligament (T/L) injury is a common clinical problem that can dramatically affect a patient’s quality of life. The native structure of T/L makes them have limited ability to self-repair. Current approaches for T/L substitutes include autografts, allografts and artificial prostheses although their mechanical limitations and/or the induced adverse immune responses have restricted their use, which have accelerated the development of tissue engineering strategies. However, to the date, no clinical long-standing acceptable T/L substitute is available. For this reason, the project’s overall objective is developing an innovative T/L replacement that results in a fully regenerated living tissue, mimicking the natural structure and function and with long-term viability. The unexplored approach that we want take advantage of is through 3D bioprinting and mechano-magnetic stimulation. The use of bioprinting technologies will allow to replicate the tissue structure and together with mechano-magnetic stimulation will induce cell and fibre alignment, that have been shown to induce tenogenic differentiation. Hybrid collagen-silk fibroin scaffolds will be designed and bioprinted to satisfy the mechanical and biological properties needed for T/L substitutes. Mechanical stimulation will be achieved by the inclusion of magnetic nanoparticles in the scaffolds and the use of magnetic forces. Tissue-like constructs will be tested for its mechanical properties and its capacity to induce tenogenic differentiation of human adipose derived stem cells (hASCs), prior to an in vivo assay. This proposal combines the use of bioprinting and magnetic nanoparticles in a bright and new option to create T/L substitutes. Taking into account that hASCs can be easily harvested and expanded from autologous source and that 3D printers have high reproducibility and automation, this approach will assure an easy and fast translation to clinics to improve people’s live.


Participants :
- University of Minho (Portugal) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 160635.6 €
Projet quasiTENS (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2016)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Physics
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Tensor Network States (TNS) are a class of variational wave functions whose number of parameters can be increased systematically in order to improve the accuracy of the approximation. In effectively one dimensional systems, such as certain magnetic insulators, TNS reproduce the macroscopic properties of the ground state by 1 part in 10 million. TNS are expected to eventually give rise to similar accuracies in higher dimensions, though, in this case, their numerical implementation is much more sophisticated. The overall aim of this action is to establish TNS as a standard tool to tackle strongly correlated systems. In order to do so, we want to show that for several outstanding problems in Condensed Matter Physics they allow to approximate the relevant wave functions with unprecedented accuracy. First, we want to use TNS to tackle realistic chiral topological systems, which are characterised by a quantised transport property and might eventually be used to build quantum computers. Our second objective is to employ TNS to describe many-body localised systems, characterised by the absence of heat transport. In particular, we want to analyse different situations that are relevant to experiments, namely heat diffusion when the system is weakly coupled to a heat bath, the effect of symmetries, periodically driven (Floquet) systems, and many-body localisation in two dimensions. Another objective is to use a simple TNS ansatz to approximate the phase diagram of the Fermi-Hubbard model, which is believed to describe high-temperature superconductivity. We expect that the simplicity of the ansatz will shed more light on the physical properties of its phases. Finally, we also want to apply TNS in High Energy Physics, specifically to Lattice Gauge Theories, describing the most fundamental interactions between the particles that appear in nature. Our objective is to represent realistic gauge groups to make TNS suitable for variational calculations of Lattice Gauge Theories.

Mots clés : tensor network states, quantum hall effect, chiral topological systems, many body localisation, fermi hubbard model, lattice gauge theory, quantum information and computation

Participants :
- University of Oxford (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 183454.8 €
Projet MessCa (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2017)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Social Sciences and Humanities
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The 2013 Europol Threat Assessment concerning Italian organised crime outlines how the ongoing threat that mafias pose to the EU is ‘unparalleled by any other European Organised Crime Group’. Significant successes in judicial investigations have undoubtedly contributed to a better understanding of Italian mafias over time. However, the emergence and expansion of mafia groups in non-traditional areas of settlement leave aspects of the phenomenon still unexplored. This is the case of the Sicilian mafia in the province of Messina which, despite being the object of parliamentary inquiries, court cases, and increasing media attention, has largely been neglected by scholarly literature. The proposed research aims to fill this gap. Adopting an interdisciplinary approach, this project aims to trace the history and evolution of mafia groups in the province of Messina –what the judiciary refers to as ‘The Messina Case’– examining their structure, ethos and modus operandi. It will be conducted using a qualitative methodological framework within the interpretive tradition and will involve the analysis of legal documents and judicial papers, in-depth interviews with judicial and police authorities, and state witnesses. Such an interdisciplinary approach allows us to delineate the evolution and structure of mafia groups, their external and internal relations and flux of power, as well as the role that shared cultural values and social conventions play in the dynamics of identity formation. By identifying the components that the mafia in the province of Messina shares with traditional mafia groups in Sicily and Calabria whilst simultaneously exposing a unique reality, this project will advance current research into mafia expansion in non-traditional areas. Through a number of research outputs and engagement events, it will also create impact outside academia by furthering public and policy makers’ awareness on the socio-economic liability that mafia infiltration of territory entails.

Mots clés : italian mafias, ndrangheta, cosa nostra, organised crime, grey area, rituals, identity, symbolic communication

Participants :
- University of Messina (Italie) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 168277.2 €
Projet ARCADIA (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2015)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Chemistry
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The ARCADIA project will focus on building artificial photosynthetic devices (or photoelectrochemical cells), with the aim of producing alternative fuels exploiting renewable energy sources (namely sunlight). The key strategy will involve the development of photoelectrodes able to perform the water oxidation (at the anode) and the carbon dioxide reduction (at the cathode), and their further assembly in a standalone set-up (i.e. requiring no other energy source, but sunlight). Thus, ARCADIA will contribute to the abatement of the atmospheric anthropogenic emissions of the greenhouse gas CO2 by its exploitation as a renewable carbon feedstock to obtain clean fuels and value-added chemicals as the target products.

Mots clés : artificial photosynthesis, solar fuels, photoelectrochemical cells, nanomaterials, sunlight conversion

Participants :
- University of Ferrara (Italie) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 168277.2 €
Projet ASAP (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2019)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Information Science and Engineering
Statut du projet : SIGNED

The Advanced Solutions for Asphalt Pavements (ASAP) project involves the development of a unique road paving technology which will use a bio-bitumen rejuvenator to rejuvenate aged asphalt bitumen. This technology will help to extend the lifespan of asphalt pavements (roads) and will reduce the environmental and economic impact of roads and road maintenance processes. Recycling and self-healing processes will replace fossil fuel dependent technology. Self-healing will involve rejuvenating aged asphalt bitumen using a bio-rejuvenator developed using microalgae oils (rejuvenating bio-oil). Microalgae has been selected because of its fast growth, versatility and ability to survive within hostile environments, such as wastewater. ASAP will utilise microalgae, cultivated within the wastewater treatment process, as a source of the rejuvenating bio-oil. The solvent (Soxhlet) processes will be used to extract the oil from the microalgae. To ensure the efficiency of the oil extraction process, an ultrasonication process will be used to pre-treat the microalgae. The suitability of rejuvenating bio-oil as a replacement for the bitumen rejuvenator (fossil fuel based) will be ascertained via a series of standard bituminous and accelerated tests. A rejuvenator-binder diffusion numerical model will be developed, based on the Delft Lattice concrete diffusion model, to determine the conditions required for rejuvenation to occur and to ascertain the healing rate of the asphalt binder. These parameters will facilitate the selection and optimisation of the asphalt self-healing systems (specifically the amount of bio-oil rejuvenator and time required) to achieve full rejuvenation. This novel approach will benchmark the effectiveness of this intervention against existing asphalt design and maintenance processes and assess feasibility. The ASAP project presents an opportunity to revolutionise road design and maintenance processes and reduce its environmental and financial costs.

Mots clés : asphalt pavement engineering, roads, bio bitumen, micro algae, algae cultivation and processing

Participants :
- Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (Pays-Bas) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 187572.48 €
Projet ApogeeBio (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2020)
Action : Cofund Postdoctoral programme
Statut du projet : SIGNED

The ApogeeBio programme will propose 24 post-doctoral fellowships of 24 months within 3 international competitive calls. The objective of the programme, through such an ambitious joint action, is to foster the international attractiveness and visibility of the whole biocluster of Genopole, with the aim to attract high quality international researchers from Europe and all over the world. The fellows will be recruited in a world-class research and innovation environment with more than 2,400 people employed by 83 companies, 14 academic research laboratories, and 25 technology platforms and infrastructures. The ApogeeBio project cover interdisciplinary fields of research and innovation applied to health and environment. Through ApogeeBio, a higher level is reached compared to existing high-quality post-doctoral fellowship programmes in the biocluster. -Via an attractive position, including excellent working and research conditions, the programme will provide fellows with training and networking opportunities that will enhance their career development potential and boost the relevance of their work for other sectors within and outside academia, including regular interaction with private biotechs of the biocluster Genopole. -The ApogeeBio programme will not only rise the excellence of the biocluster and its research fellows but it will also help the implementation of European standards and stimulate adopting and sharing good practices to anchor the biolcuster Genopole as an active contributor to the ERA. The aim of ApogeeBio is also to support research excellence in Europe and favour the nurturing of highly-qualified researchers; it will help the fellows recruited to : - Develop Academic Independence - Enhance their Mobility profile by experiencing different environments, widening their perspectives, expanding their international networks, and gaining new opportunities for cross-sectoral and/or multidisciplinary collaborations - Boost career development

Mots clés : biocluster, biotechnologies, genomics, biotherapies, world class research, intersectoral network, innovative infrastructures, interdisciplinary environment, career, trainings

Participants :
- Génopole (France) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 1765440.0 €
Projet CROSSGRASS (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2017)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Environment and Geosciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The Asian grasslands that stretch from the Eastern shores of the Caspian Sea to Manchuria in China are the largest continuous grassland biome worldwide and play a vital role in global carbon sequestration and in sustaining biodiversity. In recent decades, the integrity of the Asian grasslands became threatened by climate change and increasing land-use intensity, which in turn jeopardize the livelihoods of millions of residents that rely on the grassland resources for feeding their animals. To date, however, the spatial and temporal patterns of the changes in grassland resources across the region have not been systematically assessed. Moreover, it remains elusive how changing grazing intensity, climate variations, and institutional transformations have affected the grassland dynamics. This project aims to fill this gap by mapping the spatial patterns of vegetation changes across the Asian grassland biome for the past three and a half decades, and by quantifying the drivers of these changes. The dynamics of grassland greenness, as a proxy of plant growth, will be assessed using vegetation indices derived from remote sensing data. The changes in grassland greenness will then be statistically associated with climate data, subnational livestock statistics, and other control variables using spatial econometric panel analysis at fine spatial grain and annual temporal resolution. Combined, these analyses will shed light on the importance of climate variations and land-use intensity across institutional boundaries. Such insights are pertinent for deriving management options and policy solutions that simultaneously reduce grassland degradation and secure rural livelihoods in Asia. Besides the scientific goals, this action will provide a platform for the applicant and the host to share and transfer their knowledge and experiences in interdisciplinary research in human-environmental systems.

Mots clés : land use, land degradation, grassland, pastures, remote sensing, ndvi, vegetation, climate change, grazing, livestock production, cross border analysis, land use policy, spatial econometrics, asia

Participants :
- Leibniz Association (Allemagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 159460.8 €