Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Identification of Multidrug Resistance for Chemotherapy Guidance in Cancer Using a Lab-on-a-chip Platform (tagMDR)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Societal Challenges
Programme: Health, demographic change and wellbeing
Theme: Treating and managing disease
Action type: SME instrument
Countries involved: Türkiye
Call: Supporting innovative SMEs in the healthcare biotechnology sector (H2020-SMEINST-1-2016-2017, 2016)
Start date: 2016-08-01
End date: 2016-12-31
Duration (months): 5.0
Total project cost (EUR): 71429.0
EU funding (EUR): 50000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Cancer is one of the most lethal and prevalent diseases affecting people from all ages worldwide. Despite its harmful side effects, chemotherapy is still the main course of treatment in most of the cancer types, and the success of the therapy highly depends on the early diagnosis, i.e. before metastatic progression. One of the major factors affecting the success of chemotherapy is the development of multidrug resistance (MDR), where the cancer cells become resistant to chemotherapeutic agents with distinct structures. The objective of this innovation project is to develop the first clinical device (tagMDR) for the identification of MDR prior to or during cancer treatment. Being a low cost and easy-to-operate in vitro diagnostic (IVD) device, tagMDR will provide rapid and accurate discrimination and quantification of resistant cancer cells via a label-free and target specific isolation technology. This novel system will guide the medical oncologists for picking the most effective treatment strategy in a timely manner, avoiding the deleterious side effects of inappropriate chemotherapy and the associated costs. The unique selling points of tagMDR will be the cheaper, shorter, more predictable, and more successful chemotherapy treatments, and hence yielding happier people. An initial market study has already been carried out for determining the potential customers and partners for structuring the general framework of the business plan. This study will be detailed in Phase 1, and the potential collaborators for clinical tests and marketing will be investigated, following the market potential assessment and the cost analysis of tagMDR. Meantime, the procedures for CE and IDE certifications and the suitable sterilization methods will also be identified. The major outcome of the feasibility study will be an elaborated business plan for the next 10 years, to enable accurate positioning of tagMDR in IVD and microfluidics markets.

Keywords: multidrug resistance,chemotherapy guidance,cancer,microfluidics,lab on a chip,in vitro diagnostic device,label free detection,dielectrophoresis,impedance spectroscopy
Developing SUstainable PERmanent Grassland systems and policies (SUPER-G)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Societal Challenges
Programme: Food security, sustainable agriculture and forestry, marine and maritime and inland water research and the bioeconomy
Theme: Sustainable agriculture and forestry
Action type: Research and Innovation actions
Countries involved: Germany,Spain,Italy,Switzerland,Poland,Slovenia,Sweden,Switzerland,Hungary,France,France,France,France,France,France,France,Czechia,Netherlands,Montenegro,United Kingdom,United Kingdom,United Kingdom,United Kingdom,Portugal,United Kingdom
Call: Permanent grassland – farming systems and policies (H2020-SFS-2017-2, 2017)
Start date: 2018-06-01
End date: 2024-02-29
Duration (months): 69.0
Total project cost (EUR): 9994996.83
EU funding (EUR): 9994996.83
Participants: 26
Project status: SIGNED

The existence and management of permanent grasslands (PG) is key to the delivery of multiple ecosystem services (ES) across Europe. However, PG maintenance and functions are under threat from sub-optimal management of inputs, cultivation in higher output farming systems and abandonment in remote and marginal areas. The overall objective of the SUPER-G project is to co-develop sustainable PG systems and policies with farmers and policy makers that will be effective in optimising productivity, whilst supporting biodiversity and delivering a number of other ES. SUPER-G will apply a multi-actor approach, working with farmers; land owners/managers and their advisers; third sector and civil society groups; non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and researchers, policy and business communities to achieve: 1) better understanding of the importance and functioning of PG; 2) benchmarking of PG performance across Europe; 3) co-development of integrated approaches for profitable and sustainable PG management; and 4) co-development of tools and policy mechanisms, which are inclusive of stakeholder and citizen priorities, to support the maintenance and sustainable management of PG. The project will last five years to allow time for the establishment of farm networks for data gathering and analysis; and the development of good grassland practices, innovative techniques and farm-level and policy support tools. Using a responsible research and innovation (RRI) approach, the project will develop a comprehensive European grassland typology and a shared conceptual model of how PG can deliver in terms of productivity, biodiversity and other ES such as climate regulation, water quality, mediation of water flows and erosion control. The potential of PG to deliver multiple ES will be informed by benchmarking and testing, involving a network of farms and experimental platforms in 14 countries covering the Mediterranean, Atlantic, Continental, Alpine, Pannonian and Boreal regions.

Keywords: permanent grassland,sustainability,ecosystem services,transdisciplinary,multi actor
Coevolution between bacteria and phages in soil: ecological and genetic bases of its specificity (SOILCOEV)

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: 2011-08-01
End date: 2013-07-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 280180.0
EU funding (EUR): 280180.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Antagonistic coevolution between hosts and parasites has far-reaching consequences for evolutionary ecology, agriculture and medicine. Coevolution between bacteria and virulent phages is likely to be of particularly broad significance because of the ubiquity of phages, the key role played by bacteria in ecosystem functioning, and the therapeutic use of phages as ‘evolving’ antibiotics, in both clinical and agricultural contexts. Despite the far-reaching consequences of bacteria-phage coevolution in laboratory populations, we know virtually nothing about its operation and significance in natural ecosystems. Two complimentary approaches will be taken in order to increase our understanding of evolutionary maintenance of bacteria and phages in soil, and coevolutionary dynamics within communities in natural environments. First, I will determine the significance of coevolution for driving the within-population diversity of the focal bacteria population, and in turn how changes in the focal bacterial population affects community composition, at both phenotypic and genetic levels (Objective 1). In addition, I will assess the impact of coevolution on the evolution of bacteria mutation rate, and whether phages can select for increased mutation rates in soil environments (Objective 2). Furthermore, I will determine the extent to which natural selection acts on bacterial cooperative in soil, and how these are affected by phages (Objective 3). I will also assess the impact of some ecologically relevant manipulations on the rate of coevolution (Objective 4). The second approach will allow entirely natural communities to be studied. I will directly measure coevolution between natural populations of Pseudomonas-like bacteria and associated phages in soil, by measuring interactions across time (Objective 5). This proposal will provide a crucial understanding of the role of the phages in driving ecological and evolutionary changes of bacteria in soil environments.

Keywords: natural sciences: bacteria,coevolution,ecological genetics,evolutionary ecology,evolutionary dynamics,infectivity,mutation rate,phage,resistance
Senescence and sexual conflict in a model insect species (Tribolium castaneum): a test of evolutionary ideas (AGEINGSEXUALCONFLICT)

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: 2012-06-06
End date: 2014-09-26
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 200549.6
EU funding (EUR): 200549.6
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The fundamental question 'why do organisms age?' remains among the most enduring challenges in evolutionary biology. One of the most complex aspects of ageing is sex-specific selection on ageing rates and, more generally, the dynamic link between ageing and sexual conflict. Although sexual conflict was recognized over 30 years ago, its role in adaptive evolution has only recently received theoretical and empirical attention. Sexual conflict is currently recognized as a key evolutionary process, and recent evidence suggests that it can drastically influence patterns of ageing by acting as both a catalyst of and a constraint to the evolution of sex-specific life histories. Considerations of sexual conflict are therefore fundamental to understand why males and females age at different rates, the costs of sex and, ultimately, the evolution of ageing. Unfortunately, ageing theory has largely neglected sexual conflict, while theory of sexual conflict has only begun to consider ageing. The integration of these topical areas of evolutionary biology is in its infancy and, as a consequence, comprehensive work investigating the relationship between sex-specific patterns of ageing and –simultaneously- interlocus sexual conflict (IRSC) and intralocus sexual conflict (IASC; the two fundamental mechanisms of sexual conflict) has been extremely rare. Using a model insect species (Tribolium castaneum), I propose a strongly experimental approach aimed to address some of the fundamental evolutionary questions concerning ageing and sexual conflict: a) Does the intensity of interlocus conflict (IRSC) influence ageing rates and, does senescence foster IRSC?, b) Does intralocus conflict (IASC) constrain the evolution of sex-specific ageing rates?, and c) How do IRSC and IASC interact to influence ageing? A fourth integrated objective is to identify gerontogenes underlying the evolution of sex-specific ageing rates and, in particular, gerontogenes that are target of IASC and IRSC.

Keywords: sexual conflict,ageing,senescence,gerontogenes,life-history evolution,tribolium castaneum,evolution of ageing
Metabolic Control of Puberty: Role of Epigenetic Regulatory Mechanisms (EPI-PUBERTY)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: International Outgoing Fellowships
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: Spain
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2010-IOF, 2010)
Start date: 2011-11-01
End date: 2014-10-31
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 223669.6
EU funding (EUR): 223669.6
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Puberty is under the control of complex regulatory mechanisms that are sensitive to endogenous factors and environmental cues; metabolic signals and body energy stores being key modifiers of puberty onset. While the mechanisms underlying puberty have been widely studied, our knowledge of its neurohormonal and molecular regulators remains incomplete. Compelling, but still fragmentary, evidence is emerging that epigenetic regulatory mechanisms participate in the dynamic coordination of the cascade of molecular events that leads to puberty; however, conclusive proof of their nature and physiological relevance is still missing. This project aims to characterize the mechanisms, molecular targets and functional relevance of the epigenetic regulation of puberty. Special emphasis will be paid to elucidate the role of epigenetic mechanisms in the control of expression of essential puberty-activating genes, such as Kiss1 and NKB, and their eventual interaction with members of the Polycomb group of transcriptional silencers, whose role in puberty has been recently proposed. In addition, a multi-disciplinary approach will be implemented to define the role of epigenetic changes in the metabolic control of puberty, with attention to conditions of precocious puberty due to early-onset obesity. In doing so, this project will significantly enhance our knowledge of the molecular mechanisms responsible for the control of puberty, and will define to what extend epigenetics may contribute to define pubertal timing in general, and its metabolic regulation in particular; issues of significant translational interest given the increasing trends of disorders of puberty and their potential link to the rapid rise of metabolic alterations in children. In addition to its scientific value, this project is provided of considerable formative contents, thus fostering the prospect of the fellow to pursue his independent scientific career and of collaborations between the out-going and return groups.

Keywords: health sciences,epigenetics,puberty,fertility,kiss1,nkb,metabolism,energy balance,hypothalamus,neuroendocrinology
IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON WINTERING ARCTIC SEABIRDS – AN INTER-POPULATION STUDY ON LITTLE AUKS (LIAK&CC)

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: Denmark
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2010-IEF, 2010)
Start date: 2011-03-01
End date: 2013-02-28
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 230127.2
EU funding (EUR): 230127.2
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

A clearer understanding of how Arctic marine ecosystems will react to global changes is essential and urgent. Indeed, while ecological responses to climate change are evident across many ecosystems, the largest changes are predicted in the Polar Regions, and especially in the Arctic where there is growing evidence for warming trends. I therefore propose to lead a comprehensive study of the potential consequences of ongoing and future climate change upon seabirds, an essential component of these fragile ecosystems. More specifically, I will focus this project on the little auk (Alle alle) during its mysterious wintering season. These Arctic diving seabirds that feed on zooplankton are among the smallest (150g), yet they are the most abundant (>80 million) seabird species in the North Atlantic and potentially feature powerful ecological indicators of regional food webs. I will use new and trans-disciplinary approaches combining biotelemetry, bioenergetic modelling, ice-associated biomarkers or stable isotope analysis to study impacts of climate change on the distribution, survival and population dynamics of this seabird species at a large geographical scale (the North Atlantic) by studying and comparing populations distributed across its whole range of distribution. I will firstly provide detailed knowledge of little auk wintering grounds and of their phenotypic plasticity when facing ongoing global changes. Then, I will model and predict how their winter distribution will be affected by a change of their surrounding energetic environment (including both climate and resource) and by sea-ice retreat. Finally, I will estimate indirect consequences of these environmental changes on little auk survival and on their population dynamics. This project will thereby serve seabird conservation strategies and will provide crucial information to understand future consequences of climate change upon the entire North Atlantic and Arctic food webs and ecosystems.

Keywords: animal ecology,marine ecosystems (climate change),bioenergetics,population biology
Elongator role in light-induced gene expression – from upstream activators to gene targets and mechanism behind the regulation of RNAPII transcription elongation (LIGHTER)

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: Belgium
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2010-IEF, 2010)
Start date: 2011-04-01
End date: 2013-03-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 227200.0
EU funding (EUR): 227200.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Elongator is a histone acetyltransferase (HAT) complex associated with RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) to facilitate transcription elongation. It consists of subunits Elp1-6 with Elp3 conferring HAT activity. Elongator is conserved in yeast, plants and humans. In humans, mutations in Elp genes cause neuronal diseases. In plants, Elongator is a positive regulator of cell proliferation during leaf and root growth. Elongator mutants have altered auxin signaling and responses to abscisic acid. Elongator regulates expression of specific genes, such as the light-regulated auxin response regulator IAA3/SHY2 and the clock regulator LHY during RNAPII transcription elongation. In addition, Elongator mutant seedlings show an altered light response and resemble triple phytochrome mutants. The working hypothesis is that Elongator acts as interface between phytochrome signaling and gene expression during transcription elongation to regulate processes such as the shade avoidance response. Different light qualities (low and high red/far red ratios) and seedlings of Elongator mutant or recombinant lines will be used to explore light-related Elongator target genes, pathways and interactors. In a first objective, light-regulated genome-wide targets and pathways of Elongator will be determined using microarrays, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP-on-chip or ChIP-Seq) and iTRAQ proteome analysis. In a second objective, interactors of Elongator involved in light signaling and their target-specificity will be identified using tandem affinity purification, transient split-luciferase in vivo assay and ChIP-PCR. Genetic interactions between Elongator and light signaling mutants will also be investigated. In the third objective, the mechanism of Elongator action will be studied using ChIP-qPCR to check whether Elongator target genes contain abundantly stalled RNAPII at their 5’ region. Novel insight into chromatin-related regulation of gene expression during light activation will be obtained.

Keywords: arabidopsis thaliana,chromatin,elongator,epigenetics,histone acetyltransferase complex,light regulation,transcription elongation
Analysis of Constructions of Religious Identities among Turks in Cyprus (1925-2010) (ACRIT CY)

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: Cyprus
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2010-IEF, 2010)
Start date: 2011-09-01
End date: 2013-08-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 149729.6
EU funding (EUR): 149729.6
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The Turks of Cyprus constitute the biggest non-migrant Muslim community in the EU. So far no systematic research on their religious identity has been carried out. The religious attitudes of the Cypriot Turks are usually labeled with epithets such as “halfhearted” or “lax”. The deconstruction of this label would be one of the aims of the research. The main target of the proposed project is to identify the various constructions of religious identities among Turks in Cyprus (approx. 80% of the Cypriots are Greek Orthodox, while 18% adhere to Islam) between 1925 and today, against the background of the varying political circumstances. It is self-evident that the significant political and economic changes during the sample period have exerted a decisive influence on all aspects of identity, including the religious aspect. A non-normative approach allows identifying the religious aspects of identity constructions and their changes over time. The research design is as follows: The period under consideration is divided into three units: The period when Cyprus was a Crown Colony of the British Empire (1925-1960), the unstable interim period until 1974, and finally the period from the Turkish invasion till today. The research is based on sources such as local newspapers, grey literature and, for the recent period, qualitative interviews. The project combines synchronic with diachronic analysis. Three themes will be investigated throughout all periods: The evaluation of the Kemalist Revolution by the Cypriot Turks, the equation of “Turk” and “Muslim”, and the self-perception of Cypriot Turks as “Europeans”. In the proposed project, religion is understood as functional and substantive. The underlying assumption is that by means of a non-normative approach a sound picture of the varieties of religious identity among Turks of Cyprus will emerge. It is hoped that the proposed project will contribute to a deeper socio-cultural understanding of the Turkish Cypriot community.

Keywords: turkish studies,islamic studies,contemporary history,social changes,colonial and postcolonial history,narratology,cultural anthropology,history of religions
Ecotoxicity of metal nanoparticles in soils (NANO-ECOTOXICITY)

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: 2011-05-02
End date: 2013-05-01
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 199549.6
EU funding (EUR): 199549.6
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

As a consequence of the increasing production of nanomaterials and subsequent release, there is increasing concern about their possible side effects in the environment. Due to their small size, nanoparticles (NPs) are more reactive than related non-nano materials and thus new biological effects may be expected. Metal NPs are being detected in the environment, and observations on uptake and adverse effects in organisms have already been described in the literature. Little data however, exist on the effects of NPs in soil. This study deals with the toxicity of metal NPs to soil-dwelling organisms with the aim of linking their fate and effects in terrestrial ecosystems. The work will be based on case studies with ZnO and Ag NPs, representing different fate kinetics. Toxicity tests will be performed to evaluate the effect of ZnO and Ag NPs on the earthworm Eisenia andrei and the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, using different soil types (e.g. ranges of properties influencing metal binding capacity) and different ageing conditions. Measurement of toxicokinetics and exposure will help to unravel the main routes of uptake of metal NPs in these organisms. A full characterization of properties, fate and behaviour of metal NPs in soil will be essential to properly link exposure and effects. For that purpose, the training programme will put great emphasis on gaining and expanding knowledge on the fate of metal NPs in soil and uptake in organisms. This will require training in new techniques for detecting and characterizing metal NPs in different matrices, including soil, pore water and biological tissues. Metal speciation modelling will be learned to enable linking NP fate to bioavailability and toxic effects. Training will also include learning new ecotoxicological methods and modelling biological effects to address how NPs cause their effect on tissues. This training will be obtained through the host institution and its contacts.

Keywords: metal nanoparticles,metal speciation,bioavailability,soil invertebrates,toxicokinetic,ecotoxicity