Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-actions-marie-curie-participations-et-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Projet TIMEnzyme (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2015)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Chemistry
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The proposed research project aims at implementing enzymatic activity in a de novo designed, unbiased protein scaffold. First, simplified active site arrangements deduced from two previously evolved model enzymes (Kemp eliminase and retro-aldolase) will be implanted in the scaffold. This will allow evaluating the extent to which a fully computationally designed and naïve protein can be functionalized and evolved. A recently established fluorescence-based microfluidics setup will be utilized to screen large DNA libraries of several million clones per round of laboratory evolution. The artificial protein scaffold, kindly provided by Prof. David Baker (University of Washington), has been designed to adopt a minimalist TIM barrel fold, which is the most abundant and diversely evolved protein fold found for natural enzymes. Here, the substrate binding pocket is usually formed by an extended loop region on one side of the scaffold, which is not yet present in the naïve, designed variant. Thus, in the second step, I will generate a randomized library of loop fragments, insert into the scaffold and screen for improved activity. This approach can be extended from the retro-aldolase model reaction towards synthetic aldolases that catalyze the stereospecific formation of a new carbon-carbon bond. Ultimately, the aim is to evaluate whether loop libraries are an appropriate tool to broaden the substrate scope of these enzymes. Furthermore, the proposal contains a second, independent approach to equip the artificial scaffold with novel enzymatic functionality. Here, I plan to design a covalent dimer of two artificial TIM barrels carrying a cofactor-dependent active site in the dimeric interface. This work will not only generate fundamental insight into the evolution of catalytic activity, it also has great potential to contribute to the development of general strategies for creating enzymes with novel functionality, and thus, prospective applications in industry or medicine.

Mots clés : enzyme design, directed evolution, protein engineering

Participants :
- Board of the Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology (Suisse) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 175419.6 €
Projet GOADS (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2020)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Mathematics
Statut du projet : SIGNED

The proposed research project fits into the broad programme of studying C*-algebras and groups dynamical origin, and is highly interdisciplinary in nature; it advances novel interactions among operator algebras, group theory, and topological dynamics. This project has two facets: First, I shall initiate the systematic study of a class of C*-algebras associated with algebraic semigroup actions, including example classes coming from group subshifts of finite type, modules over polynomial rings, rings of algebraic integers, and algebraic groups over number fields. After investigating structural properties of these C*-algebras, including ideal structure, pure infiniteness, Cartans, classifiability, and K-theory, I shall give a careful analysis of the Kubo--Martin--Schwinger (KMS) states for canonical time evolutions on these C*-algebras, and explore a mysterious connection between KMS states and K-theory that has manifested itself in the context of ax+b-semigroups. I will also look for connections between KMS states and entropy of algebraic actions. Second, I shall begin the study of the topological full groups associated with algebraic semigroup actions: I want to establish rigidity results and classify embeddings between these full groups, and I will study group-theoretic properties, including (co)homological finiteness conditions and the Haagerup property. I will then investigate Matui's AH conjecture in this setting, and explore whether non-sofic full groups exist. The project will strengthen my career by giving me the opportunity to work with leading experts in C*-algebras, group theory, and topological dynamics. It will also give me management skills by co-organising an international workshop, it will provide new possibilities for collaboration, and it will advance my ability as a researcher, so that I can obtain a permanent position at a research-oriented university. It will also open up new opportunities for collaboration between Glasgow, Lyon, Oslo, and the US.

Mots clés : c  algebras, semigroups, kms states, k theory, groupoids, topological full groups

Participants :
- University of Glasgow (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 212933.76 €
Projet RRSPCGBP (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2020)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Social Sciences and Humanities
Statut du projet : SIGNED

The proposed research project plans to explore the rationale and ramification of sentencing and punishment in contemporary China through investigating cases concerning gender and sexual identity, that is, sexual violence, sexual assault of minors/girls, and domestic violence, as well as the abuse of the criminal law in incriminating acts promoting the rights of sexual minorities. This research will provide a much-needed while still under-studied evidence-base, examining the relationship between gender and sexual identity and the criminal justice system in China, analysing to what extent the criminal law is utilised and/or abused in causing human rights violations. Based on the examination, the project will study civil society activism advocating for gender equality and the rights of sexual minorities in China as a critical bottom-up approach to address rights violations in individual cases as well as to advance the protection of human rights more broadly. This in-depth inquiry into civil society activism in the cases concerning gender and sexual identity will form a crucial basis for raising targeted plans and strategies addressing the potential restraints and strengthening its forces in working out effective social changes. This socio-legal research, drawing upon the qualitative analysis of cases, quantitative analysis of data, desk-based research on multiple disciplines including feminist jurisprudence, criminology, and human rights, and qualitative analysis of primary data obtained through interviews, aims at shedding light on the relationship and interplay between the state and individual citizen, between power and rights, as well as between patriarchy and authoritarianism. It carries a special significance against the current backdrop that democracy and liberalism have been facing intensifying backlash in Europe and also globally.

Mots clés : sentencing, punishment, criminal justice, criminology, gender, sexual identity, civil society activism, patriarchy, authoritarianism, women s rights, lgbt rights, china

Participants :
- University of London (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 124497.93 €
- Newcastle University (Royaume-Uni) — Partner, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 88435.83 €
Projet ARCVIS (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2018)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Social Sciences and Humanities
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The proposed research project “Arctic Visible: Picturing Indigenous Communities in the Nineteenth-Century Western Arctic” (ARCVIS) investigates the visual representation of indigenous people and their local Arctic environment in the nineteenth century, a period that saw intense exploration in the region. Hundreds of sketches, paintings, and prints of indigenous people and places in the Arctic were created by travellers from lower latitudes. Yet, the dominant and enduring imaginary of the Arctic is of a space devoid of people. The project will counteract the critical focus on ice and hostile environments in the sciences and humanities and present the peopled western Arctic (Greenland, Canada, Alaska) that was encountered by ‘explorers.’ Through the analysis of picture and text in archives and published nineteenth-century texts, it will strive to give ‘voice,’ to the indigenous people who were key to the success or failure of expeditions from the south. The research is highly topical, at a time when rapidly warming Arctic regions are threatened by intense exploitation for their resources. A key element of the innovative project is the collation and interpretation of the material through an open access online geospatial platform, which combines the visuality of exploration and travel with digital methods that seek to bring out the richly contextual information often bypassed in visual documentary records. The production of the online portal will make the material accessible, contextualised, and relevant for communities in the Arctic, educators, and interested members of the public, as well as academic researchers across disciplines. In contrast to enduring images of ice and vast empty landscapes, the project will show the Arctic as a peopled environment with a rich history and heritage. The indigenous contribution to Arctic exploration in the nineteenth century, often thought to be ‘invisible,’ will be made visible by the research.

Mots clés : visual culture, arctic exploration, indigenous peoples, digital humanities, nineteenth century, travel literature, mapping, sketches, portraits, travel narratives, personal journals

Participants :
- Umeå University (Suède) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 203852.16 €
Projet HEIM (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2014)
Action : Staff Exchanges
Panel : Social Sciences and Humanities
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The proposed research/innovation project (HEIM) focuses on how principles of equity and inclusion can be applied to internationalisation strategies and programmes in higher education, at both staff and student levels. It focuses on the Roma community in Europe as a critical example of a marginalised group. HEIM will interrogate and develop the concept and practices of higher education internationalisation in Europe through questions about who is able to participate in and benefit from policy initiatives and strategic interventions. It asks whether certain social groups are disadvantaged or excluded from the opportunities that mobility offers. It will examine motivations and experiences, and the hidden costs of border crossings in terms of socio-political and affective considerations. Its objectives include comparative investigation of data on who is participating in selected internationalisation programmes; producing accounts based on literature, statistical data and empirical research. It will create a set of guidelines for reflexive and inclusive approaches to the internationalisation of higher education. Through its interdisciplinary and intersectoral approaches, it will contribute to methodological innovation across different fields. It will build research and innovation capacity by constructing teams and sharing knowledge between early stage and experienced researchers. It will exchange knowledge about internationalisation programmes in the partner organisations via co-written papers, statistical datasets, literature reviews, training and workshops. The Partnership is between three universities (Sussex, Umeå and Seville) and a non-academic organisation, the Roma Education Fund (REF). Via secondments, staff exchange, training and collaborative inquiry, the project will investigate internationalisation policies, interventions and methodologies in different national locations.

Mots clés : internationalisation of higher education, equity, inclusion and diversity, mobility, roma community in europe

Participants :
- Roma oktatasi alap (Hongrie) — Partner, beneficiary, Autres, subvention : 135000.0 €
- Universidad de Sevilla (Espagne) — Partner, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 22500.0 €
- Umeå University (Suède) — Partner, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 22500.0 €
- University of Sussex (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 27000.0 €
Projet DIM (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2017)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The protein interferon stimulated gene 15 (ISG15) is a highly conserved ubiquitin-like modifier important for innate immune responses in mammals. ISG15 is highly abundant in cell lysates and enriched on the phagosome of interferon-activated macrophages. In humans, lack of ISG15 leads to increased susceptibility to infection by mycobacterial pathogens that reside in the phagosome of macrophages. However, both ISGylation events and their role are poorly characterized. This is partly due to the lack of analytical tools for the identification of ISGylation sites in cells. Here, I propose to develop a proteomics strategy to enrich and identify ISG15 targets that will also allow characterizing the interplay of ISG15 with ubiquitin. I will apply this method to analyze how ISGylation changes in response to Salmonella infection in macrophages. In order to understand the mechanisms that lead to susceptibility to intracellular pathogens, I will further use these approaches to test how ISGylation affects phagosome biogenesis in macrophages. ISG15 substrates identified in my proteomics screens will be validated and further characterized using biochemical, cell biological and immunological tools. Altogether, this data will provide new functional insights how ISG15 regulates defense mechanisms against bacterial infections.

Mots clés : isg15, isgylation, ubiquitin like modifiers, phagosome, macrophages, mycobacterium tuberculosis

Participants :
- Newcastle University (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 183454.8 €
Projet EduHubMig (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2015)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Social Sciences and Humanities
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The provision of higher education is a key priority for countries around the world, given that knowledge production, innovation and skills are crucial for thriving societies and economies. Even though the number of university enrollments is forecast to rise by 21 million between 2011 and 2020, many countries are struggling to meet demand. Thus different types of knowledge migration are emerging, more students are studying abroad and institutions are establishing offshore branch campuses. Research has been conducted on international student migration and transnational education, but nothing is known about the intersection of these two literatures, i.e. instances when both students and institutions cross international borders. EduHubMig addresses the paucity on this topic through the study of international students enrolled at British and Indian branch campuses in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Statistical analyses of secondary data and an online survey will identify the characteristics and size of this under-studied young migrant group. In addition, a range of qualitative research methods, such as in-depth interviews with students and other stakeholders (n=130), an institutional ethnography of offshore universities and a netnography of the website materials and social media, will uncover the various ways in which different actors shape knowledge flows within education hubs. EduHubMig will enable the Experienced Researcher to develop important new research skills and enhance her career development. The project will provide intensive training and facilitate knowledge exchange between the Experienced Researcher and the colleagues at Utrecht University with whom she shares research interests. The training plan will be closely monitored by her supervisor and supported by dedicated academic and administrative colleagues. The research and excellent training integrated in EduHubMig will help the Experienced Researcher accomplish her career objective of a tenure-track position.

Mots clés : migration studies, international student migration, transnational education, international branch campuses, united arab emirates, india, the uk

Participants :
- Utrecht University (Pays-Bas) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 165598.8 €
Projet PEAI (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2017)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Social Sciences and Humanities
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The purpose of this project is therefore to compile palaeo-Italic public inscriptions to analyze their use as a means of social communication from the third to the first centuries B.C. Public epigraphy comprises the inscriptions intended for public display regardless of whether they were the result of an official or private initiative. These texts constitute a peculiar form of social communication which was quite typical in the ancient world. They were used for self representation and to spread and perpetuate a series of solemn messages linked to the fundamental values of society, in particular, the values of its élite. The chosen period, prior to the shaping of the so-called imperial epigraphic culture –which began under Augustus and involved an exponential increase in the ‘epigraphic habit’– is characterized by an incipient proclivity to produce public types of texts and, above all, by a diversity of epigraphic cultures, both with regard to language and script. The work plan consists of producing a census of public inscriptions and cataloguing them in an online database, including the direct analysis of a significant part of the inscriptions. These documents also allow us to study three specific aspects: linguistic changes and the ensuing possible implications on identity; the social groups which promoted them; and the privileged spheres of epigraphic and public communication. The result of my research will be disseminated through publication of papers, a seminar, a conference (PEI) and a monograph. Communication includes a booklet, QR codes, an Instagram account and a didactic activity. As regards my training, this project is fundamental as collaboration with my Supervisor will result in gaining linguistic knowledge to complete my interdisciplinary training, and the secondment will allow me to gain significant experience in Digital Humanities. The MSC allowing me to become a more mature and accomplished researcher capable of directing a research project.

Mots clés : epigraphy, pre roman languages, epigraphic culture, ancient italy, fragmentary languages, social communication, oscan, etruscan, venetic, messapian, celtic

Participants :
- University of Rome Tor Vergata (Italie) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 168277.2 €
Projet FAST-RAP (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2014)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The purpose of this project is three-fold. The main aim is to elucidate the structure of two novel RNA binding folds: the helical FAST motifs and the small RAP domain that are predicted in the Fas-activated Serine/Threonine Kinase (FASTK) protein family. To this purpose, I will employ protein crystallography and small angle X-ray scattering to obtain models of FASTK proteins and their domains. The second objective is to understand the function of the FASTK family of mitochondrial RNA-binding proteins that were originally annotated as atypical kinases. The eponymous FASTK engages in processes similar to its interaction partner, the post-transcriptional regulator TIA-1, whereas some of the other five human paralogs are necessary for cellular respiration. I will use purified FASTK proteins to study their enzymatic activities and RNA-binding properties in vitro, which should clarify their functional classification as kinases or post-transcriptional regulators. Additionally, follow-up studies may include validation of the findings through informed mutagenesis, identification of RNA targets, protein partners, and selected phenotypes in RNA biology. The final goal of this project is to enable a young researcher to establish herself as an independent researcher, creating a group which will focus on mitochondrial RNA-binding proteins and employ X-ray crystallography as the main tool. Altogether, this interdisciplinary project will 1) Impact various fields of research, such as structural and RNA biology 2) Has the potential for applications in human health due to the connections of the FASTK family to mitochondrial and inflammatory diseases, 3) Significantly develop the career of a talented researcher and 4) Contribute to the academic and research excellence at the University of Warsaw by establishing a new research group, introducing structural biology expertise, and bringing together local and international collaborations.

Mots clés : protein crystallography, rna binding domain, helical repeats, post transcriptional regulation, atypical kinase, mitochondrial disease

Participants :
- University of Warsaw (Pologne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 134462.4 €
Projet ROBERT (Horizon 2020, appel à projets 2018)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Social Sciences and Humanities
Statut du projet : CLOSED

The purpose of this project is to analyze the conflicts and strategies of adjustment emanating from the encounter of international education, seeking to overcome national bias, with nation building efforts in post-Ottoman Turkey. Efforts to imbue students with a sense of internationalism in the aftermath of WW1 had to be reconciled with those of emerging nation states. Using the case of Robert College, an American private institution in Istanbul, which aimed to foster a future social and political elite of a native student body drawn from different ethnic and religious communities in Turkey, I will shed light on an understudied aspect of Turkish nationalism and education in the early Kemalist era, namely the relation between this institution's internationalist ideals and the tenets of a Westernizing yet ethnocentric national ideology. The never before analyzed material is drawn from the archives of Robert College as well as private collections of its teaching staff. Using this material, I will address the educational philosophy and intentions of the faculty, the strategies and arguments developed in its dealings with Turkish authorities, and the reasons for the demise of international education in Turkey as well as students' understanding of internationalism, patriotism and modernization. This is a perspective that has been largely absent in scholarship on this critical phase of modern Turkish history, owing to the hegemony of Kemalist discourse during the interwar years. The project thus contributes new knowledge and a more nuanced understanding of the roots of the current AKP government's backlash against "Western" modernity, and the continuity between today's Islamist traditionalism and the alleged secularism of Kemalism, with regard to tolerance of ethnic and religious diversity. As an internationally recognized scholar of the legacies of late Ottoman mass violence, nationalism and the use of history, I am well suited to see this project through.

Mots clés : nationalism, turkey, 20th century, international education

Participants :
- University of Copenhagen (Danemark) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 219312.0 €