Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-actions-marie-curie-participations-et-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Projet CLIMSATE (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2022)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Environment and Geosciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) is a complex system of upper and deep ocean currents that redistributes heat between the Southern and Northern Hemisphere. Changes in the AMOC modulate European and global climate, and represent a key uncertainty for future climate projections. Over the last decades, climate scientists have related changes in the AMOC mainly to oceanic changes in the Northern Hemisphere, though there is increasing evidence for additional Southern Hemisphere origins. Conceptual studies with numerical ocean models and paleoclimate records suggest that changes in the South Atlantic heat and salt transport due to altered exchange processes with the Indian and Pacific Ocean can impact the strength and stability of the AMOC. However, it is unclear how these processes are represented in current climate models. The overall goal of CLIMSATE is to unravel how future climate projections depend on the simulated heat and salt transports in the South Atlantic, with a focus on the role of interocean exchange processes. To achieve this, I will develop an advanced framework for analyzing the simulated South Atlantic heat and salt transports based on virtual particle tracking methods, and then apply it to a representative ensemble of state-of-the-art climate models. I will elucidate the processes that determine the mean heat and salt transport in the South Atlantic and their changes under anthropogenic climate change, and how the heat and salt transport changes in the South Atlantic are linked to the strength of AMOC. The project results will improve future climate assessments and hence directly contribute to the ‘Adaptation to climate change’ mission of Horizon Europe. The training activities (e.g., in software development) and targeted career development measures will allow me to consolidate my research profile and skill set in view of my ambition to become an independent and impactful research leader.

Mots clés : climate modelling, anthropogenic climate change, oceanic overturning circulation, lagrangian analysis, agulhas leakage, cold water route, warm water route

Participants :
- Université d'Utrecht (Pays-Bas) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 203464.32 €
Projet GAP (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2022)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : SIGNED

The mucus layer produced by the goblet cells (GCs), provides the barrier between the microbiota and the intestine preventing the occurrence of the inflammation process. Indeed, alteration in microbiota towards mucus degrading bacteria, are often associated with impaired mucus barrier properties and inflammatory bowel diseases, such as ulcerative colitis (UC). Although, the exact mechanisms behind UC are not understood, defects in luminal compartmentalisation of bacteria by mucus could play a major role in this disease etiology. The recent identification of the intercrypt goblet cells (icGCs) population has improved the understanding and modified the model of the mucus layer formed on the epithelial surface. The icGCs secrete mucus that differs from mucus produced by crypt-residing GCs, and both are required to provide a protective mucus barrier function. Deficient intercrypt mucus secretion or reduced icGC numbers leads to disruption of the mucus layer with an impaired organization at the mucus surface which correlates with increased colitis susceptibility. However, the mechanisms behind icGC defects still remain unclear. In this project, I will combine both animal and human studies to decipher the molecular mechanisms behind the loss of icGCs that occurs during UC and elucidate to what extent a deviated microbiota is involved in their modulation. The data from the research programme will underpin the development of future therapeutic strategies to improve human health. The fellow has experience in microbiota research, metabolism and nutrition. With this fellowship, he will have the opportunity to develop skills in mucin biology, evaluation of the mucus properties and imaging experiments. This grant will enable the fellow to develop his current skill set to include methodologies and approaches so that the microbiota features can be placed within a new biological context.

Mots clés : mucus layer, intercrypt goblet cells, gut microbiota, bacterial metabolites, inflammatory bowel diseases

Participants :
- Université de Göteborg (Suède) — Partner, associated partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €
- Université d'Utrecht (Pays-Bas) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 187624.32 €
Projet TuningTracks (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2023)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Kinesin-1 transports cellular cargos along microtubules as part of neuronal transport. The localisation of kinesin-1 in neurons is tightly controlled to ensure the coordinated delivery of specific cargoes to the regions where they are required. One mechanism of control is through microtubule regulation, but the details of this are not well understood. It has recently been shown that microtubule lattice spacing influences kinesin-1 localisation in U2OS cells. However, the role lattice spacing plays in neuronal transport is unclear. This project aims to investigate features of kinesin-1 based neuronal transport on multiple scales. First, this project aims to use cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) to elucidate how kinesin-1 binds to specific microtubule subsets. I will resolve the high-resolution cryo-EM structure of a dimeric kinesin-1 construct (stableMARK) bound to microtubules with different lattice states. This will explain its lattice specificity and help uncover the mechanics of kinesin-1 walking. Secondly, I will map microtubule lattice spacing in neurons using in situ cryo-electron tomography to establish the lattice diversity within this complex microtubule network. Thirdly, I will use cryo-correlative light electron microscopy and stableMARK to determine if lattice spacing influences kinesin-1 localisation in neurons. This project will answer key biological questions on cytoskeletal transport, which will be applicable to other microtubule-based motors and microtubule associated proteins. Defects in kinesin-1 based transport have been implicated in multiple neuropathies, such as Alzheimer’s disease, therefore further understanding of how neuronal transport is controlled will help uncover the mechanism of these diseases.

Mots clés : cytoskeleton, kinesin, microtubule, neuron, cryo em, cryo et, cryo clem, cell transport, neuropathy

Participants :
- Université d'Utrecht (Pays-Bas) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 187624.32 €
Projet NeMoRe (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2022)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Social Sciences and Humanities
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Acquired brain injury (ABI) represents non-progressive cerebral damage occurring after birth (eg., trauma, hypoxia, stroke). ABIs affect several domains, including cognitive functions. Specifically, up to 80% of ABI patients show attentional deficits that highly impact their quality of life and independence by hampering the execution of daily tasks. Since cognitive rehabilitation seems to be only mildly effective in treating these deficits, it is crucial to explore more effective tools for neurorehabilitation. Among emerging techniques, neurofeedback (NF) can effectively improve attentional abilities in patients with ADHD. NF is a training where a subject receives online feedback on their brainwaves, with the goal to normalize brain oscillations through operant conditioning. It is a promising tool for attention rehabilitation of ABI patients, however, currently only 30% of subjects are able to master NF techniques. Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) is a non-invasive electrical stimulation technique that, by delivering a weak current to the brain, can entrain specific frequencies in the brain. Thus, tACS (by increasing the target frequency of NF) could facilitate NF and increase its effectiveness. Our study has 2 aims: 1) to validate NF as an attentional rehabilitation tool for ABI patients; 2) to show that tACS can increase NF effectiveness. We will perform a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial with 75 subjects with ABI (with mixed etiologies, matched by cognitive profile) with 3 arms: a) NF alone, b) NF+tACS , c) Control group. Both tACS and NF will target β power. We will have measures for efficacy, transfer to daily life and motivation of the intervention. This innovative protocol will validate a new tool for ABI patients’ neurorehabilitation and open new doors for the combined use of NF+tACS in other rehabilitation fields.

Mots clés : brain injury, non invasive neuromodulation, neurorehabilitation, neurofeedback, transcranial electrical stimulation, attentional processes

Participants :
- Neuroelectrics (Espagne) — Partner, associated partner, Organismes privés (hors enseignement), subvention : 0.0 €
- Irenea neuro-rhb sociedad limitada (Espagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Organismes privés (hors enseignement), subvention : 165312.96 €
Projet ViHiHippo (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2021)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a herpesvirus that infects large parts of the population, with a prevalence of 80-100% in Europe. In healthy individuals, HCMV infection usually induces little to no symptoms. However, recent findings indicate that HCMV might contribute to a variety of diseases, including cancer and heart disease, two of the leading causes of death in Europe. The aim of this project is to uncover how and why HCMV changes the progression of cancer. To achieve this, we will investigate two HCMV-encoded viral G protein-coupled receptors (vGPCRs), US28 and UL78. Like other viral proteins, these vGPCRs hijack the signaling network of the host cell. Specifically, US28 and UL78 modulate the Hippo pathway, which controls cell proliferation and organ growth. As dysregulation of the Hippo pathway has been linked to cancer, modulation of this pathway by these vGPCRs may be a crucial determinant of HCMV on cancer progression. Our preliminary findings show that US28 and UL78 activate distinct mechanisms to hijack the Hippo pathway. US28 couples to G proteins of the Gq/G12 family, which are known to lead to Hippo modulation. Conversely, UL78 does not signal to Gq/G12, and seems to hijack the Hippo pathway via a different, undescribed mechanism. Thus, we will use a combination of biochemical readouts to investigate the signaling of US28- and UL78-expressing cells, to identify the distinct signaling mechanisms by which each vGPCR hijacks the Hippo pathway. We will also investigate the outcomes of this Hippo pathway modulation in a viral cancer setting by infecting a glioblastoma cell line with HCMV strains that either encode or lack US28 or UL78. Our findings will contribute to a fundamental understanding of how HCMV can influence progression of cancer. Moreover, these studies might potentially identify a new mechanism linking GPCRs to cell proliferation. In the long term this project may lay the groundwork for the discovery of new cancer treatments.

Mots clés : g protein coupled receptor gpcr ,  g proteins ,  cytomegalovirus cmv ,  signal transduction ,  hippo pathway

Participants :
- Université libre d'Amsterdam (Pays-Bas) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 187624.32 €
Projet BEspace (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2023)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Chemistry
Statut du projet : SIGNED

The increase of anthropogenic chemicals released by human activities poses a growing threat to natural and man-made environments. Characterizing the mixture of chemicals that an individual encounters throughout lifetime, namely exposome, is a complex analytical task that is only partially fulfilled by current state-of-the-art methods. Non-targeted analysis approaches based on liquid reversed-phase chromatography hyphenated with high-resolution mass spectrometry restrict the detectable exposome chemical space to medium-to-low polarity chemicals. The BEspace project seeks to untangle sample complexity and expand the detectable exposome through advanced separation approaches, combined in a two-dimensional fashion and hyphenated with high-resolution mass spectrometers. On this basis, it shall boost the profiling of chemicals of environmental concern in relevant exposome matrices like environmental and treated water samples, thanks to the collaboration with KWR Water Research Institute. Even though two-dimensional liquid chromatography approaches provide increased separation selectivity and capacity, boosting the detectable chemical space coverage of the aqueous samples, their application in exposomics is limited. The complex two-dimensional data structure and the lack of standardized procedures hamper the exposome chemical identification, requiring the implementation of composite cheminformatics tools. Therefore, BEspace will develop advanced wet and dry lab analytical platforms to expand the detectable chemical space of the aqueous compartment. Large-scale quali-quantitative exposomics datasets will be project final outputs, providing cutting-edge data to be publicly shared to enrich present databases and to develop novel risk assessment approaches. The implicit multidisciplinarity of the project grants multiple-way knowledge transfer among the host institution, the researcher, and the associate partner.

Mots clés : method development in chemistry, environmental health, water treatment and analysis, data mining

Participants :
- Université d'Amsterdam (Pays-Bas) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 187624.32 €
- KWR Water Research Institute (Pays-Bas) — Partner, associated partner, Recherche, subvention : 0.0 €
Projet IONTRAP (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2022)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Physics
Statut du projet : SIGNED

The simplest polyatomic molecule, trihydrogen cation, serves as a useful benchmark for fundamental quantum chemistry and has profoundly impacted astronomy. It was first detected in the interstellar medium in 1996, and has been recognized for its pivotal role as a universal proton donor and an initiator of ion-molecule chemistry producing many of the molecules detected in space.  Interstellar chemistry is an exciting chemical playground of thermodynamics and kinetics as the molecules can require up to days or even weeks to reach thermal equilibrium in the low-density cold environments. A longstanding astrochemical conundrum has been the population distribution between the two nuclear spin modifications of trihydrogen cation, ortho and para, as it has important implications for its use as a cosmic ray ionization probe. In reactions involving identical particles/fermions, like trihydrogen cation, restrictions are introduced due to the Pauli principle which can significantly increase the time required to reach a thermal equilibrium. This makes the chemistry, especially the kinetics, of the ubiquitous trihydrogen cation in these regions both exciting and challenging to understand in our terrestrial laboratories. Here, I propose to use a cryogenic ion trap to isolate the nuclear spin states of trihydrogen cation which is the first of its kind for a polyatomic molecule recently developed in the host’s group. Beyond the intriguing fundamental chemical physics of this system, isolation of the nuclear spin states will be exploited to study the quantum state-specific kinetics down to 10 K for the reaction between molecular hydrogen and trihydrogen cation which is one of the most common bimolecular reactions in the universe. Performing these challenging measurements with a critical impact on our understanding of astrophysical processes will not only increase my skill set but also contribute towards my position as an emerging leader in astrochemistry.

Mots clés : low temperature chemical kinetics, ion gas phase chemistry

Participants :
- Université de Cologne (Allemagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 189687.36 €
Projet B-STRAIN (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2022)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Chemistry
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Borylated molecules are some of the most used tools to aid molecular construction in both academia and industry, generally via the Nobel Prize winning Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling. The invention of methods to form C–B 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 bicyclo[1.1.1]pentyl motif has been identified as a valuable bioisotere 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 synthesis. 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 boryl-radicals by introducing the concept of “borylation by strain-release”: a novel reactivity that explores the unprecedented ability of boryl-radicals to react with [1.1.1]propellane and enable a unique preparation of polyfunctionalized bicyclo[1.1.1]pentanes. This reactivity will allow the modular and divergent 1-step construction of many important borylated 3D-building blocks that cannot be prepared by any other method.  This research capitalizes on recent developments of the Host group that has disclosed a novel way to generate and utilise boryl radicals and has also experience in radical strain-release.  The completion of such an innovative and ambitious project at RWTH Aachen University will be facilitated by generating, transferring, sharing and disseminating knowledge, and will enhance my future career following the training plan envisioned

Mots clés : bory radicals, strain release, radical cascade, photocatalysis, amine boranes

Participants :
- Université technique de Rhénanie-Westphalie à Aix-la-Chapelle (Allemagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 173847.36 €
Projet CelLife (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2024)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Physics
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Our understanding of diseases fundamentally depends on our knowledge of cells, the building blocks of our bodies. Single-cell analysis has evolved over recent decades, from microscopy of individual cells to modern flow cytometry allowing multiparameter analysis of tens of thousands of cells per second. Typically, these methods are limited to a single-pass analysis, offering a snapshot of cell life from which past and future behaviours are inferred. In addition, they often involve separating cells into 1D and 2D cultures, which do not accurately represent in-vivo behaviour and cell-to-cell interactions. However, 3D cultures pose an additional challenge as imaging and tracking of cells become more difficult due to increased light scattering inside the tissue. In this project, I aim to track individual heart cells throughout their life cycle using custom-made microscopic lasers. Initially, cells will ingest multiple microlasers, each serving as a unique spectral barcode for cell identification. The cells will then undergo imaging and deformability assays and a modified flow cytometer analysis to gather comprehensive data about their initial state. Subsequently, cells will be cultured into a 3D organoid, with the position and contractility of each cell tracked by the coherent emission of the microlasers they contain. Finally, the organoid will be dissociated, and the cells will be re-analysed. This approach will yield extensive data on how the environment impacts individual cells, provide a tool to gather new insights into the evolution of cell behaviour and thus enhance our understanding of cellular processes. Further, the fellowship will facilitate my professional development by allowing me to further my understanding of biophotonics. Working with novel techniques in an interdisciplinary group that has pioneered the use of biointegrated microlasers will allow me to establish myself as a leading researcher at the interface of biology, microfabrication, and photonics.

Mots clés : wgm microlasers, cardioid, deep tissue imaging, flow cytometry, self interferometry, multiomics

Participants :
- Université de Cologne (Allemagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 202125.12 €
Projet BRADOCO (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2023)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Chemistry
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Borylated molecules are some integral tools routinely used to aid molecular construction in both academia and industry. Their use in the Nobel Prize-winning Brown oxidation and Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling as well as Chan-Lam amination make them ubiquitous in organic synthesis. The invention of methods to form C–B bonds at sp3 carbons is of strategic importance to facilitate the preparation of saturated, hence 3D, molecules. As the pharmaceutical sector is aware of the greater clinical success of 3D molecules, developing methods able to prepare these materials is a topic of continuous scientific endeavour. Central to this quest is designing synthetic strategies able to deliver, in a divergent manner, building blocks that are stable and can be used in modular cross-coupling diversifications.  This project seeks to substantially expand the fields of photoredox catalysis and boron chemistry by introducing a novel class of boryl radical precursors that will enable the generation and the use of these underdeveloped species in mainstream catalysis. This strategy will constitute a divergent platform for the generation of many novel 3D borylated molecules that will then be engaged in modular cross-coupling reactivity. Importantly, this project will provide access to materials that cannot be prepared by any other method.  This research capitalizes on recent developments of the Leonori group that has experience in the generation and use of boryl radicals in synthesis.  The completion of such an innovative and ambitious project at RWTH Aachen University will be facilitated by generating, transferring, sharing and disseminating knowledge, and will enhance my future career following the training plan envisioned.

Mots clés : boryl radicals, cross couplings, organoboron synthesis

Participants :
- Université technique de Rhénanie-Westphalie à Aix-la-Chapelle (Allemagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 173847.36 €