Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
COASTAL RESOURCES AND SOUTH AMERICAN HUNTER-GATHERERS: BIOCHEMICAL PERSPECTIVES FROM BRAZILIAN SAMBAQUIS (COREBRAS)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Intra-European Fellowships
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: United Kingdom
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2010-IEF, 2010)
Start date: 2011-10-01
End date: 2013-09-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 200549.6
EU funding (EUR): 200549.6
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

In the last decade there has been an explosion of interest into the role played by coastal ecosystems in the lives of hunter-gatherers. Studies have highlighted the importance of ecological, physical and climatic conditions of coastal areas on the biological evolution, dispersion, survival and social development of earliest humans. This new research direction offered more nuanced investigations: how important are coastal resources for humans with a shared cultural identity but living in different ecosystems? Do the social response to different coastal habitats changes over space and time? COREBRAS project aims to address these interrogatives to South America archaeology and specifically to Brazilian sambaquis. Sambaquis are cultural shell middens left by hunter-gatherer-fishers (HGF) that inhabited Brazilian coasts between ca. 8-1 ka BP. They represent the world’s largest evidence of prehistoric reliance on coastal resources. By undertaking these interrogatives, COREBRAS will provide new skills on human ecology and on the global role of coastal areas in the complex humankind’s adaptation to different environmental and climate conditions. COREBRAS will for the first time transfer scientific knowledge from European developments in biomolecular archaeology to Brazilian issues by mean of an extensive program of analysis on sambaquis (Human, fauna and artefact remains). With this aims I will exploit the remarkable concentration of expertise at the University of York (UK), the world’s leader in biomolecular archaeology. The proposed project represents a unique opportunity for cross-European integration of the study of one of the major forms of prehistoric site. The trained I will receive at the BioArCh group (University of York) in different biomolecular techniques will provide me multiple skills and competences to face objectives of COREBRAS project and enhance my interdisciplinary career opportunity within and outside the European scientific community.

Keywords: humanities,natural sciences,south america,brazil,coastal areas,holocene,hunter-gatherer-fishers,archaeology,training in biomolecular archaeology,human adaptation,cultural transmission
Studying the 3D dynamic evolution of soil organic carbon driven by erosion and land use changes at the landscape scale (D3DC)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Intra-European Fellowships
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: United Kingdom
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2010-IEF, 2010)
Start date: 2012-01-01
End date: 2013-12-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 209092.8
EU funding (EUR): 209092.8
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Soil respiration is expected to make a major contribution to C cycle feedbacks in a changing climate, but the magnitude of these feedbacks are highly uncertain. One of the most important shortcomings is that soils must be viewed as spatially heterogeneous and dynamic systems at the landscape scale if we are to understand soil biogeochemistry and soil carbon cycling in particular. Consequently, improving our understanding of (i) the vertical and lateral translocation of SOC by erosion as well as its stability and (ii) the coupled effects of land use change on SOC 3 dimensional distribution becomes an important issue. In this study, we aim to couple soil respiration experiments at depth and empirical and process-based spatial models to meet these objectives. This must allow us to predict the temporal evolution of SOC at the landscape scale within a 3 dimensional context. First, parameters of the SOC depth distribution model of Meersmans et al. (2009) will be modeled as function of time, slope position variables and land use change type. The results of these empirical modeling will be compared with dynamical process-based models results, such as SPEROS-C. In order to separate the effects of erosion and land use change on SOC, we intend to study the later on profiles in equilibrium (i.e. non eroded and constant land use) and on sites characterized by changed land use and/or erosion. Secondly, the stability of organic matter at different depths in soil profiles from both eroded and depositional areas will be investigated by measuring CO2 production in incubation experiments. To refine the 3 dimensional estimation of SOC dynamics at the landscape scale the output of these first two work packages will be incorporated in existing process based C profile models (i.e. Roth C based) and spatially explicit models (i.e. SPEROS-C). In addition we aim to upscale the land surface scheme JULES by developing methods to integrate the outcomes of our study in this large scale ES model.

Keywords: soil organic carbon,temporal evolution,landscape scale,3 dimensional spatial distribution,soil respiration,c-dynamics,empirical models,process-based models,jules,speros-c,climate change
Neurobiological mechanisms of endogenous pain modulation (PAIN MODULATION)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Intra-European Fellowships
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: United Kingdom
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2010-IEF, 2010)
Start date: 2011-09-01
End date: 2013-08-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 200049.6
EU funding (EUR): 200049.6
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Chronic pain is one of the largest medical health problems in Europe, affecting about 20% of all adults. To combat chronic pain, we need an improved understanding of the mechanisms underpinning pain. We know that pain is not an invariant mapping from the physical intensity of sensory stimulation to perception, but is subject to various modulating factors that reduce or enhance pain perception. Endogenous pain modulation involves systems that originate in cortical areas, which communicate – via subcortical and brainstem structures – with the spinal cord, where nociceptive processing is controlled. Previous research has focused on anti-nociceptive mechanisms, but it is becoming increasingly clear that pro-nociceptive mechanisms also play an important role in chronic pain. This proposal will therefore be investigating the neurobiological mechanisms that underlie both directions of pain modulation, by using the models of placebo analgesia and nocebo hyperalgesia in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and magnetoencephalography (MEG) studies. A first objective is to investigate bidirectional brainstem control of spinal cord responses with dedicated fMRI tools. The second objective – which involves ultra high-field fMRI – is to characterize the subcortical-brainstem networks in detail that intervene between cortical and spinal processing. Finally, a third objective is to determine cortical pain control mechanisms by using MEG in combination with analysis of evoked and induced responses. All three objectives will put a strong emphasis on connectivity analyses. The proposal will provide important insights into pro- and anti-nociceptive pain-modulatory processes at an unprecedented level of detail. Such an endeavor is clinically important, as malfunction of pain control systems is a key underlying factor in the generation and maintenance of chronic pain, which is an enormous burden not only for the affected individual, but also for health-care systems worldwide.

Keywords: health sciences,neurobiology,human,pain modulation,placebo,nocebo,spinal cord,brainstem,cortex,functional magnetic resonance imaging,magnetoencephalography,connectivity analysis
Prevention of zoonotic tissue cyst formation in sheep using live attenuated and parapoxvirus vector based vaccines against Toxoplasma gondii (TOXPOX)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Intra-European Fellowships
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: United Kingdom
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2010-IEF, 2010)
Start date: 2012-04-01
End date: 2013-08-31
Duration (months): 17.0
Total project cost (EUR): 148982.4
EU funding (EUR): 148982.4
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Toxoplasmosis is among the most important foodborne infections worldwide. In the EU, most human infections are due to consumption of meat containing Toxoplasma gondii tissue cysts. Prevalence of Toxoplasma is higher in outdoor reared animals, such as sheep, than in animals reared indoors, and consumer interest in animal welfare and free-range meat production may contribute to a further increase in the prevalence of Toxoplasma unless control measures are implemented. Vaccination of consumption animals to prevent Toxoplasma infection and tissue cyst formation could be highly effective in reducing the disease burden in humans. The only commercially available vaccine against toxoplasmosis in sheep, Toxovax, prevents congenital disease in lambs but the effect of vaccination on tissue cyst development has not been studied. Toxovax uses a live attenuated strain of T. gondii and there may be a risk of the vaccine strain reverting back to wild-type and causing disease in animals or humans. We propose to develop a safer vaccine strategy based on a recombinant parapox-virus expressing Toxoplasma antigens (TOXPOX). We will compare efficacy of TOXPOX and Toxovax in the induction of a protective immune response and the prevention of tissue cyst development using advanced immunological and molecular methods which reduce the need for use of experimental animals. A safe vaccine effective in preventing the formation of zoonotic tissue cysts in sheep is our ultimate goal. The specialized laboratory and animal facilities at Moredun and the host expertise in parasitology, virology and immunology provide the best possible infrastructure and mentoring environment to bring this project to a success. Working on this multidisciplinary project in combination with complementary skills training offered at Moredun and its affiliated organizations in the Easter Bush Research Consortium will be of indispensable value to the applicant’s career progression.

Keywords: zoonoses,public health,foodborne,toxoplasma gondii,tissue cyst,sheep,prevention,vaccine development,live attenuated vaccine,viral vector vaccine,pcr,immunology,bioassay
NanoEngineering of Model Catalysts Based on Supported, Size-selected Nanoclusters (CLUSTERCAT)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Intra-European Fellowships
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: United Kingdom
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2010-IEF, 2010)
Start date: 2011-07-01
End date: 2014-03-28
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 209592.8
EU funding (EUR): 209592.8
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

In order to design new or refined model nanocatalyst materials for more energy efficient and economical chemical processes, the proposed project incorporates three key areas of nanoscience: (i) Nanoscale materials engineering: the synthesis of stable arrays of supported, size-selected nanoclusters (ii) Advanced characterisation techniques: Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy, and (iii) Nanoscale process engineering: investigating the reactivity/selectivity and stability of the model nanocatalysts under realistic reaction conditions. The model nanocatalysts will be prepared using the state-of-the-art apparatus based on radio-frequency magnetron plasma sputtering source, which is coupled to a lateral Time-of-Flight mass filter for size-selecting the nanoclusters. The wafer dicing method will be employed, for the first time, to convert the planar nanocatalysts to a high surface area nanocatalyst powders. The three-dimensional atomic structures and the stability of the nanoclusters during reaction conditions will be investigated by a spherical aberration-corrected Scanning Transmission Electron Microscope (pre- and post-reaction analysis). Finally, the performance of the model nanocatalysts will be explored by conducting the liquid phase hydrogenation reactions over nanocluster powder samples. The relevance of the present project within the Marie Curie Framework is reflected in the knowledge transfer between the host expertise at University of Birmingham (i and ii) and the Fellowship candidate experience from the Technical University of Munich (i and iii). This will also bring together technical innovations developed across the European Universities. In addition, the intention of this project is to motivate industrial development toward the design of new nanocatalytic processes that are less toxic and require less material and energy. The success of this project will have significant impact in advancing the field of modern catalysis in the European Research Area.

Keywords: materials engineering,heterogeneous catalysis,nanotechnology,vacuum technology,chemical engineering
Screening and Functional Analyses of Photoreceptors in Extremophilic Microbial Communities (EXTREMOPHIL)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: International Incoming Fellowships
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: Germany
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2010-IIF, 2010)
Start date: 2011-05-01
End date: 2013-04-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 164242.4
EU funding (EUR): 164242.4
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The High-Altitude Andean Lakes (HAAL) in the South American "Puna-High Andes” are an almost unexplored ecosystem of shallow lakes at altitudes from 3,000 to 6,000 m above sea level. Although exposed to a broad range of extreme conditions they harbour an abundant microbial biodiversity that thrive in environmental conditions of high resemblance to those present in Earth`s early atmosphere. As part of our team in Argentina I have investigated this wide-ranging diversity by culturable and non-culturable methods: so far we have assembled a collection of 200 extremophilic strains from shallow waters, sediments, flamingo faeces and even stromatolites (the only modern stromatolite-ecosystem on Earth recorded at such hostile environments!). The HAAL are clearly conditioned by the high intensity of UV irradiation - in addition to further extreme conditions (e.g. hypersalinity, drastic temperature changes, desiccation, high pH). The rich microbial diversity found in these lakes points to the presence of outstandingly active DNA repair systems - topics of high interest for colleagues worldwide investigating biomass for energy research. Unfortunately our scientific methods are limited - and thus I would like to use the expertise and excellent equipment at the host institute to investigate extensively the strain resistance mechanisms towards UV. These studies on indigenous extremophiles will provide important information about early life – but clearly are of biotechnological and astrobiology interest too. The research will focus on screening and molecular analyses of blue-light driven enzymatic activities such as photolyases involved in DNA-repairing systems - and in particular from the HAAL stromatolite-ecosystems. Their further overexpression and functional study will lead to their photochemical characterization and will highlight the potential of these microbial communities as valuable sources of novel bacteria and bio-molecules of biotechnology interest.

Keywords: natural sciences,biodiversity,photobiology,photoreceptors,photolyases,extremophiles,microbial ecology,environmental biology,molecular biology,microbiology,estromatolites
Sustainable Infrastructure for Resilient Urban Environments (SIRUE)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: International Incoming Fellowships
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: United Kingdom
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2010-IIF, 2010)
Start date: 2012-04-01
End date: 2014-03-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 278680.0
EU funding (EUR): 278680.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

This fellowship aim is to identify how the use of underground space and its physical infrastructure (PI) influence, interact with and impact on sustainability, vulnerability and resilience of urban areas, both now and in the future. Three case study cities (Berlin, London, Saint Petersburg) will serve as a basis for analysis of present and future interaction of Urban Underground Infrastructure (UUI) with the urban environment. Analysis of the present UUI role in the city is based on previous research results of Dr. Bobylev, including environmental assessment of underground structures and comparative analysis of UUI using urban sustainability indicators. The team at the University of Birmingham provides background for analysis of development scenarios (partly as a result of the current involvement in the Urban Futures project). Research methodology will employ Multiple Criteria Decision Analysis and Geographical Information Systems tools. Main work packages include collection of data on UUI (and other PI where needed), presenting this data in the form of quantitative indicators (e.g. volume, energy loss in network); analysis of UUI against sustainability and land use indicators; modeling indicator performance in future scenarios, developing policy recommendations for UUI planning and adaptation. It is important that feedback (in the form of expert interviews) of the case study cities relevant authorities will be integrated into policy recommendations developed during the fellowship. Dr. Bobylev is a pioneering researcher in the area of PI sustainability quantitative analysis and this fellowship will allow him to develop this idea further in a team of world leading experts on UUI.

Keywords: global change adaptation strategies (climate change),infrastructures engineering,environmental science
Contribution of calcium-independent isoforms of phospholipase A2 in the pathogenesis of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. (FRZDMD)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: International Incoming Fellowships
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: Switzerland
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2010-IIF, 2010)
Start date: 2012-06-01
End date: 2014-05-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 187028.8
EU funding (EUR): 187028.8
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The applicant proposes a 2-year project to be performed under the supervision of Prof Bernheim, a neuromuscular disease expert at the University of Geneva. The goal of this project is to determine the role of isoforms of calcium-independent isoform phospholipase A2 (iPLA2) in cytosolic calcium entry and muscle cell death during Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). DMD is the most severe case of muscle-wasting diseases of the muscular dystrophies family. It affects 1 in 3500 children, and is caused by mutations in dystrophin mRNA leading to the absence of the protein in skeletal muscles from affected patients. As dystrophin is an important player in muscle maintenance, its absence leads to skeletal muscle degeneration. To date, this is an incurable disease with 100% of fatality. Affected boys first lose the ability to walk, then breath, and finally die before being 30 years old. Although many mutations have been characterized, more research is needed to understand the molecular and signaling mechanisms underlying DMD, and increase the opportunities to find new therapeutic targets. Recent experiments have highlighted the importance of calcium entry in muscle fibers death. iPLA2 appears to have a role in this elevated cytosolic calcium, and has been shown to be upregulated both in DMD patients and dystrophic mdx mice. The applicant will 1) establish the implication and roles of the different iPLA2 isoforms in DMD by comparing calcium responses and muscle cell-death in wild-type (wt) and mdx muscle fibers, and 2) determine the effects of specific inhibitors on muscle cell survival. This project could have beneficial issues towards developing new strategies to counteract cytosolic calcium imbalance in muscle fibers from DMD patients, and thus potentially alleviate their symptoms. The applicant will benefit from the expertise of Prof Bernheim and the knowledge she previously acquired abroad to conduct this research project, and later pursue a research and teaching career in Europe.

Keywords: pharmacological sciences,cell biology,molecular markers and recognition
Examination of the relationship between microbial and plant diversity across large spatial and elevational gradients to predict community migration patterns as a function of climate change (MP-ALPS)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: International Incoming Fellowships
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: Switzerland
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2010-IIF, 2010)
Start date: 2011-09-01
End date: 2013-08-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 179101.6
EU funding (EUR): 179101.6
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The specific aims of the proposed project is to understand the relationship between microbial community structure and plant diversity across large spatial and elevational gradients in the Swiss Alps in order to predict community migration patterns as a function of climate change. The 3 objectives covered by the project will be: 1) to characterize the soil community composition of the archaeal, bacterial, and fungal groups in 200 locations across the Western Swiss Alps; 2) to determine the relationship between the microbial communities and aboveground plant communities at each of the 200 locations; and 3) to examine the microbial and plant communities across sites and at the landscape scale to determine the effect of climate change on biodiversity and migration patterns. Migration patterns will be assessed using multivariate analytical tools. Variables will include: microbial and plant species composition at each site, chemical and physical properties of each soil sample, landscape topography, elevational gradients, and migration patterns across multiple years. The proposed project will use a state-of-the-art ultra high-throughput sequencing approach using Titanium 454 pyrosequencing, alongside a coarser fingerprinting method and will involve multi-disciplinary work from areas of microbiology, fungal biology, plant biology, microbial ecology, macro-ecology, bioinformatics, and statistics. The goal is the provide data to help policy makers, alpine industry and businesses, and high-elevation agriculture, to maintain or improve sustainability and livelihood in the face of climate change. The proposed research project will bring to Europe a female Experienced Researcher from Europe’s main research competitor, the United States, with advanced cross-disciplinary training and research experience. Her goal is to bring her knowledge and experience to Europe and share them through mentorship, research, and teaching, to improve European research excellence and competitiveness.

Keywords: mountain ecosystems,biogeography,biodiversity inventory: systematics phylogeny taxonomy,soil biodiversity,computational biology,microbiology,climate change impact (climate change),plant ecology