Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-actions-marie-curie-participations-et-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Projet RNAatHD (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2016)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are master regulators in cells with a complexity yet to be unraveled. By targeting one or more messenger RNAs (mRNAs) they affect a vast number of biological processes and are associated with a broad spectrum of diseases, including cancer. This makes them potential candidates for cancer-diagnostics and -therapeutics. This opportunity can only be fully exploited by a better comprehension of how and when each mRNA is targeted by a miRNA, a fact, which is currently still poorly understood. Besides regulatory RNAs, synthetic “anti-sense” oligonucleotides (AONs) are currently tested as cancer drugs. Progress in this field has been slow due to unspecific off-target-effects i.e. the lack of understanding, of the mechanism of AONs targeting mRNAs. This project focuses on overcoming this lack of knowledge of the targeting process. To understand the intermolecular interactions occurring in the cell we will, for the first time, monitor the molecular structure and structural changes (dynamics) of nucleotides (miRNAs as well as AONs) in the living cell, and link these in-cell structures to the molecule’s targeting function. Combining existing knowledge of the host in structural and molecular biology of miRNAs with the experience in methods development in Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) of the experienced researcher (ER), we will develop a set of robust and reliable in-cell NMR methods to determine cellular concentration, structure and dynamics within the cell at high resolution. The scope of the method will be demonstrated on: (i) a miRNA, miR-34a, which targets more than 50 different mRNAs, related to cancer and other cellular processes, as well as (ii) an AON drug candidate in collaboration with AstraZeneca. This project will benefit drug development against various diseases and will enable the ER to contribute to solving today's health problems and develop further towards becoming a future group leader on the interface of research in academia and industry.

Mots clés : in cell nmr, structure, dynamics, mirna, mir34a, drug development, cancer

Participants :
- Karolinska Institutet (Suède) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 185857.2 €
Projet MARY (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2020)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Microbes have evolved to make the best use of their environmental resources while retaining sufficient adaptive capacity to cope with changing conditions. However, even simple changes in the environment require major cellular rearrangements, that manifest in the transcriptome, proteome and metabolome of the cell. For instance, a change in the availability of just four non-essential nutrients affects expression of 2/3rds of all yeast genes. In essence, we do not understand the key molecular mechanisms that govern such huge plasticity, which buffering mechanisms prevent the collapse of the cellular system, and how an optimal resource allocation is achieved to allow cells to thrive in so many environments. In this project, we will analyse a large collection of yeast wild isolates grown in conditions that resemble different ecological niches. We will identify the key molecular pathways that enable environmental adaption. Thanks to unique high-throughput capacities of the host laboratory, I will be able to record proteomes, metabolomes and growth properties of the wild yeast strains. I’ll link these molecular datasets to fitness and metabolism. My background being in big data analysis and network modelling, I will use genome-scale metabolic models and machine-learning to characterize how changes in protein resource allocation impact the distribution of metabolic flux in such context, and define, what are the regulatory mechanisms influencing metabolism at its different levels. Eventually, the knowledge gained will enable me to build a predictive model to understand the drivers of adaptations to ecological niche. By deepening our understanding of the mechanisms behind metabolic niche adaptation, this project will not only answer fundamental questions about the inner working of the cell but will also increase our ability to engineer yeast for biotechnological applications and to understand the problematic resilience of fungal pathogens to therapeutic interventions.

Mots clés : metabolism, resilience, adaptation, regulatory network, omics, yeast, inter strain diversity, modelling, machine learning

Participants :
- University of Oxford (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 212933.76 €
Projet MinusMicro (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2019)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Environment and Geosciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Microplastic contamination in aquatic systems has emerged as a global issue with lasting and hazardous environmental impacts. The present research work aims at remediating microplastics in the native and secondary pollutant laden forms using biopolymer assisted coagulation technique. The novelty in this research lies in synthesizing, characterizing and applying various forms of chitosan namely, ultrasonicated (Enhanced ortho-kinetic and hydrodynamic interactions between chitosan and microplastics are expected to enhance particle removal based on the size and surrounding salinity), electrospun (development of chitosan nanofibers in native, grafted and hydroalcoholic forms for intensifying microplastic coagulation especially for the purpose of bulk recovery and upcycling based on enhancing the bridging potential), cavitated (Development of cavitated chitosan nanofibers of arbitrary sizes and correlate it with the overall gelling strength and coagulation efficiency for removal of microplastics of varying shapes) and surface imprinting (Development of a ‘double imprinted form’ of chitosan particle suspension specially meant to coagulate microplastics by dually interacting with the bound ionic heavy metals and polyaromatics, due to its high binding capacity, high selectivity, and fast mass transfer). The primary research objectives include (i) development and characterization of various functionalized forms of chitosan (ii) generate a two-way evaluation system for coagulation potential and (iii) develop suitable collaborations with waste management organizations and perform real-time application on microplastic recovery and sludge reuse (for construction materials). A wide variety of activated biopolymers would therefore be a sustainable, eco-friendly and effective alternative to synthetic and harmful coagulants used very popularly.

Mots clés : biopolymer, coagulation, cavitation, electrospining, microplastics, molecular imprinting, sonication

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

Microvilli are tube-like membrane protrusions containing bundles of actin filaments located at the apical surface of epithelial cells. A key component of these microvilli is ezrin, a member of the Ezrin/Radixin/Moesin protein family, which provides a regulated linkage between the plasma membrane and the actin cytoskeleton. The critical role of ezrin in microvillar morphogenesis has been demonstrated. However, how ezrin is recruited to the apical surface of the cells and how ezrin contributes to the stability of microvillar morphogenesis remain elusive. Recently, a few ezrin binding partners, such as EBP50 and Eps8, have been identified and shown to function synergistically with ezrin in membrane and actin remodelling in cells. The precise mechanisms and implications of their interactions in microvillar morphogenesis are not well understood. Lately, I-BAR domain protein IRSp53 was found to colocalize with ezrin in microvilli and interact with both EBP50 and Eps8, as ezrin does. Given that I-BAR domain proteins participate in the formation of many cellular protrusions, such as filopodia, ezrin and I-BAR domain proteins may work synergistically in membrane remodelling. The goal of this proposal is to better understand the interaction of ezrin, the membrane and actin, and the role of ezrin binding proteins and I-BAR domain proteins in this interaction by using reconstituted model systems based on purified proteins combined with supported lipid bilayers or giant unilamellar vesicles. In parallel, potential common binding partners of ezrin and I-BAR domain proteins will be identified, and their role in mediating the interaction of ezrin and I-BAR domain proteins on membranes will be studied. This project will thus lead to an improved understanding of the membrane and actin remodelling activity of ezrin, and advance our knowledge of cell and eventually tissue morphogenesis.

Mots clés : membrane proteins, protein membrane interaction, membrane mechanics, cell plasma membrane shape, interface physics cell biology

Participants :
- Institut Curie (France) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 173076.0 €
Projet MigrationRadar (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2018)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Environment and Geosciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Migration is a wide-spread phenomenon which allows animals of many different taxa to take advantage of seasonal variation in resource abundance . Radar is a powerful tool to observe and track migratory flights. In this action I will use the existing network of weather radars to investigate bird migration behaviour in relation to topography, weather and insect migration. A unique aspect of this action is that I will have access not only to the weather radar data, but also to complementary bird ringing and individual bird tracks, as well as data on insect migration from a small scale biological radar. The weather radars will provide data on bird migration patterns at the continental-scale; the ringing and tracking data will provide species composition and individual behaviour at specific points along the flyway; and the small-scale biological radars will provide more detailed information on insect and bird migration patterns at a specific site. Together this will give us a unique overview of the flux and behaviour of migratory animals across Europe, something that has never before been possible. Together this will give me a unique overview of the flux and behaviour of migratory animals across Europe, something that has never before been possible. The objectives of the work packages in this action will be: WP 1: To describe the flux of bird migration in relation to weather and topography across the European flyway, and relate this to insect migration, ringing and tracking data along the flyway. WP 2: To describe the flight behaviour of bird and insect migrants in relation to winds at both a continental and local scale, testing theoretical predictions of how migrants should use winds optimally. WP 3: To describe the nightly initiation and termination of bird migration across latitudes and how it changes with the seasonal progression of migration.

Mots clés : bird migration, insect migration, radar, flight behaviour, wind drift

Participants :
- University of Copenhagen (Danemark) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 219312.0 €
Projet MIGRATE (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2015)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Environment and Geosciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Migration of granitic melts through the Earth’ crust enriched the upper continental crust in incompatible and heat-producing elements, making the thin outer layer of our planet suitable for life. The emplacement of granitic bodies produces thermal anomalies that, under specific conditions of water availability and permeability, may generate valuable geothermal reservoirs providing relatively low cost renewable energy. Recent technological advances have revealed that granites and their corresponding volcanic rocks are commonly characterised by compositional and temporal heterogeneity at the mineral-scale. In this project, textural information, mineral-scale geochemical-geochronological data and thermo-mechanical numerical modelling are integrated to decode the thermochemical evolution of granites buried below the productive Larderello-Travale geothermal field (Italy). Zircon crystals will be dated by U-Pb high-precision techniques and analysed for stable (oxygen) and radiogenic (hafnium) isotopes as well as for trace elements. These multi-analytical approach will allow defining the tempo of the chemical and isotopic evolution of the system. The age distribution of zircons will be used in combination with thermal modelling to retrieve the temperature-time history of the magmatic reservoir. Further numerical simulations will investigate the fluid-dynamics of magma replenishment and will be performed during a four month secondment period. Overall, the project combines cutting-edge techniques with an innovative conceptual approach to produce a temporally-resolved, thermally-constrained petrogenetic model for the Larderello-Travale granites and to define the physico-chemical evolution of a shallow-level magmatic reservoir. This information constitutes an essential background knowledge for the understanding and possibly exploitation of geothermal fields, complementing my current geochemical expertise with a physical perspective on crustal magmatism.

Mots clés : magma migration, geochronology, high precision dating, zircon, granite, heat transfer, thermal evolution, geothermal energy

Participants :
- University of Geneva (Suisse) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 187419.6 €
Projet OsciLEDs (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2014)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Environment and Geosciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Millions of m3 per year of chemically and biologically contaminated wastewater from medical and specialty chemical sectors contaminate Europe water resources and has the potential to be reused using a novel cost-effective technology that developed in OsciLEDs. This proposal will evolve a disruptive platform technology for treatment of fluids (e.g. wastewater), which synergistically exploits two highly innovative processes: i) an oscillatory baffled column (OBC) and ii) wireless power of suspended UV light emitting diodes (WP UV-LEDs). This highly innovative combination intensifies the treatment of contaminated fluids by maximizing mixing and reactants mass transfer, while minimizing to the limit the irreducible volumetric irradiation gradients present in photoreactors. The synergistic effect of these two highly innovative processes will result in at least one-order of magnitude improvement in fluid effluent quality in comparison with the current state-of-the-art, an estimated 50% reduction of operational costs and one-order of magnitude reduction in reactor footprint. This is a completely new concept of photoreactor design, representing cutting-edge technological development for environmental applications, and in the photochemical synthesis sector (e.g., pharmaceuticals). Dr Lucas (Experienced Researcher, h-index 11, > 650 citations) has a significant background in the field of environmental remediation. Prof. Li Puma (PI, h-index 26, > 1600 citations) is a world leader in photoreactor design. During this project, an OBC recently commissioned and patented at Loughborough will be further developed to incorporate WP UV-LED sources. The performance of a new pilot-scale photoreactor will be evaluated for removal of emerging contaminants and for treatment of real hospital wastewater effluents. The purpose is to protect the IP generated and developing commercial prototypes for application in drinking and wastewater treatment, improving water quality and reuse.

Mots clés : water and wastewater treatment, oscillatory baffled column, wireless powered uv leds, emergent contaminants, hospital wastewater

Participants :
- Loughborough University (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 195454.8 €
Projet MER-CURE (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2016)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Environment and Geosciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Millions of people are exposed to harmful levels of the potent neurotoxin mercury (Hg), concretely to the organic form methylmercury (MeHg) that bio-accumulates in organisms and biomagnifies in marine food webs. Understanding Hg transformations in the ocean is critical because commercial fish are mainly marine species. While it is well known that both MeHg formation and degradation are genetically mediated by prokaryotes, there are still sizable gaps in the fundamental understanding of the organisms and mechanisms involved in Hg transformations in the environment and therefore a clear lack of available techniques for Hg removal based on the action of these genes. MER-CURE aims at filling this gap by providing the first Hg reference gene catalogue at a global ocean scale and by quantifying the individual and/or combined effect of the activity of these genes in a pilot Hg removal system. MER-CURE develops a novel and multidisciplinary methodological approach by merging omics and Hg stable isotope tracer technologies for studying the biogeochemistry and detoxification of Hg. Concretely, the fellow will take advantage of the available sequenced metagenomes and metatranscriptomes and isolates from the Global Ocean Circunnavigation Expedition Malaspina. She will carry out laboratory conducted experiments to elucidate the capacity of different marine isolates to detoxify Hg-contaminated sediments. MER-CURE will contribute to advance knowledge by identifying “where” and “which” prokaryotes in the ocean are involved in Hg cycling and to produce readily applicable results that can in the future help municipality and private industries. MER-CURE is committed to knowledge sharing and to engage the public into the action. The incorporation of metagenomic and metatranscriptomics analyses in Dr. Bravo toolbox will lead the fellow to master a rather unique combination of chemistry, biology, experimental approaches, public engagement, and knowledge sharing and communication skills.

Mots clés : mercury, prokaryotes, metagenomics, metatranscriptomics, deep ocean, malaspina, mercury removal

Participants :
- Spanish National Research Council (Espagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 158121.6 €
Projet BrainWatch (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2018)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Information Science and Engineering
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Millions of people worldwide are living with chronic brain disorder causing direct and indirect cost of 100s of billion euros for health budgets. Majority of this cost incurs during the treatment and can be eliminated by developing tools to monitor critical parameters after patients are discharged from hospital settings. Because of the absence of such technology, abnormal changes cannot be detected until the opportunity to prevent further damage to the brain has passed. Recently developments in micromachining and biodegradable materials have revolutionized sensor and drug delivery/stent industry. Advances in micromachining can be combined with the unique features of biodegradable materials to realize transient implants that do not pose infection or inflammation risk and does not require an extraction surgery. The objective of this proposal is to design, fabricate and characterize transient micromachined pressure monitoring implants capable of wireless communication for brain disorders. This technology will allow continuous monitoring outside hospital settings and development of personalized and preventative treatments which aligns with the Horizon2020 health goal of providing more effective and timely therapies. Combining biodegradability to micromachined sensors comes with challenges and limitations in design, fabrication and integration, which this proposal aims to overcome with novel approaches. Dr. Levent Beker’s expertise in micromachined and flexible sensor development combined with the expertise of the supervisor and collaborators in nano-patterning, biodegradable materials, wireless communication and neurosurgery will help to accomplish goals of the proposal. This two-year fellowship at Koc University, TR with, a secondment at ETH Zurich, CH, will help Dr. Beker to expand his scientific skill sets, develop research management skills to become an independent researcher while effectively transferring experience to host institutions.

Mots clés : mems, transient, biodegradable, pressure sensor, neural disorders

Participants :
- Koç University (Turquie) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 157355.52 €
Projet Mind4Stormwater (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2017)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - Global Fellowships
Panel : Information Science and Engineering
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Mind4Stormwater aims to help cities achieve sustainable management of their “stormwater control measures” (SCMs). These nature-based solutions (e.g. wetlands, swales, infiltration trenches, bioretention systems) have emerged worldwide in the last few decades, meaning that their long-term management is far from assured. Operational and research questions have so far largely focused on optimising hydrologic, hydraulic and water quality performance. However, there is a growing concern regarding sustainable long-term management, and its impact on performance and cost. Such concern will likely limit application and development of SCMs. On the other hand, SCM operation and maintenance could create new business opportunities related to sensors, monitoring and asset management. According to the UN, investing US$188 billion to manage stormwater and preserve water quality in the US could generate US$265 billion in economic activity and create nearly 1.9 million jobs. The situation is likely very similar with the 600,000 direct jobs in the EU water services sector. Mind4Stormwater will adapt existing low-cost technology sensors to the specific context of SCMs, and develop an innovative Expert System to guide the utility manager in selecting the best O&M actions for each SCM. The Expert System will be developed on an Australian case-study with an asset base of 500 SCMs. It will then be adapted for French cities and an adaptation draft for European cities will be developed. Mind4Stormwater tackles a major problem that is emerging worldwide. This novel research will establish the researcher and both organisations as leaders in the emerging research topic of integrated monitoring and asset management of stormwater control measures. It will reinforce their international recognition and increase opportunities to host excellent researchers. A series of outreach activities will also deliver public education and awareness of the major importance of integrated urban water management.

Mots clés : urban water, stormwater management

Participants :
- University of Melbourne (Australie) — Partner, organization partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €
- Université Claude Bernard - Lyon 1 (France) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 270918.0 €