Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Formation of a giant tungsten deposit: Metal sources and fluid evolution at Panasqueira, Portugal (TUNGSTEN)

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: Switzerland
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2013-IEF, 2013)
Start date: 2014-03-01
End date: 2016-02-29
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 199317.6
EU funding (EUR): 199317.6
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Tungsten is a strategic resource crucial to a wide range of industries due to its unique physical properties, especially for the production of alloys and carbides. World tungsten supply is currently somewhat volatile owing to the market domination by a single nation (China), as well as recently imposed export quotas that contribute to market instability. The disappearance of EU tungsten would result in full dependence of several critical industries on imports from abroad. In this context, understanding the distribution of tungsten at local and regional scales within Europe has been deemed strategically important by the European Union. The regional distribution of tungsten is controlled by the location of the granites that act as the source of tungsten. The local distribution of tungsten is controlled by the mechanisms that lead to tungstate precipitation. Therefore, understanding metal provenance, and the processes of metal mobilization and deposition is essential to determining where mineralization will occur. This study will provide the first state-of-the-art quantitative data on how fluids evolve in a world-class tungsten deposits (Panasqueira) and, based on those results, will provide constraints on genetic processes and on the distribution of tungsten. Furthermore, this study will apply cutting-edge analytical techniques to define the isotopic composition and age of ore minerals, providing better understanding of the source of metals, which is also one of the defining factors in the regional distribution of tungsten. This project will position the European Union at the forefront of research in the geology of tungsten and establish a network of researchers with the background and tools to continue to advance this field in close collaboration with the industry partners.

Keywords: tungsten,fluids,isotopes,la-icpms,lead,panasqueira,ore deposits,vein,infrared microscopy,wolframite.
Long-term physiological responses of herbaceous plant species from contrasting functional groups and environments to centennial climate change (LEAFISOTRENDS)

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: Switzerland
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2013-IEF, 2013)
Start date: 2015-01-01
End date: 2017-04-22
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 207928.8
EU funding (EUR): 207928.8
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The proposed project is aimed at assessing long-term physiological responses of herbaceous plant species from diverse functional groups and environments to changes in climate that have occurred during the last centuries in Switzerland. Leaf oxygen and carbon isotopic compositions will be analyzed for a large number of specimens from the unique herbaria hold at the University of Basel, which cover 600’000 specimens collected mostly in Switzerland since the 17th century. Plant physiological responses to climate change could influence global carbon and water cycles and could ultimately drive changes in plant communities’ distribution and biodiversity. Plant physiological responses may be species specific and their magnitude was found to decrease with time, indicating possible long-term processes of acclimation and adaptation in plants and urging the need to assess the long-term responses of plants to climate change. The isotopic analysis of archive plant material offers the exceptional opportunity to reconstruct the physiological activity of plants over long time periods. The carbon isotopic composition of plants is a good proxy of leaf-level intrinsic water use efficiency and leaf oxygen isotopic composition can provide a time-integrated indication of leaf stomatal conductance during the growing season. Previous studies with similar objectives largely focused on the isotopic analyses of tree rings. Contrastingly, the isotopic analysis of herbarium samples allows to assess the long-term physiological response to climate change of a large range of different plant species from different environments. As caution was raised recently about the interpretation of the isotopic composition of plant material under certain circumstances, selected target species will be grown in climate controlled growth chambers in order to calibrate the physiological interpretation of variations in leaf isotopic composition with changes in climate and plant physiology.

Keywords: dual stable isotope approach,stomatal conductance,photosynthetic rate,ecophysiology,herbarium specimens,herbaceus plants,long-term effects of climate change,functional groups
Graphene Heterostructures by Self-Assembly:Top-down meets Bottom-up (2D-HETEROSTRUCTURES)

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-2013-IIF, 2013)
Start date: 2014-05-01
End date: 2016-04-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 221606.4
EU funding (EUR): 221606.4
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

One-atom thin two-dimensional nanomaterials possess unique properties different from their bulk counterparts. Initiated by the discovery of graphene, many stable one atom-thick layers such as boron nitride, molybdenum disulphide, tungsten disulphide etc., have been isolated and characterized. However, the individual properties of such 2D-atomic crystals (except graphene) were modest. The combination of isolated single atomic layers into designer structures, named as 2D-heterostrcutures, is predicted to give synergetic properties. In order to harness the interesting properties the combination of various 2D-atomic crystals have to offer, a method to assemble them in a simple and scalable way is required. Currently, the only method known is manual placing of the 2D-atomic crystal layers sequentially which limits the scope of the study of such structures. The objective of the proposal is to assemble layered (each layer is one atom thick) stacks of graphene superlattices and heterostructures with other 2D-atomic crystals such as BN, MoS2, WS2 etc., by deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)-mediated assembly. DNA mediated assembly is highly programmable by chemically specific interaction between nucleotides, length of the DNA, strength of the interactions in addition to the symmetry control of the assembled structures. Top-down lithography will be combined with bottom-up DNA assembly to fabricate seed layers of DNA for the guided assembly which lead to patterned heterostructures. This approach is targeted toward combinatorial screening of exotic properties of varied architectures of heterostructures with control over the composition of 2D-atomic crystals and spacing between the layers (controlled by DNA). The anticipated structures would be vertical atomic scale Legos of 2D-atomic crystal layers with DNA spacers.

Keywords: graphene dna self-assembly combinatorial patterning 2d-atomic crystals layer-by-layer solar photovoltaic light-matter interaction superlattice heterostructure
Structural and kinetic studies of XPF/ERCC1-DNA complex for drug discovery (XPF-ERCC1)

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: Czechia
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2013-IIF, 2013)
Start date: 2014-10-01
End date: 2016-09-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 146005.2
EU funding (EUR): 146005.2
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Cancer chemotherapeutic drugs, such as platinum agents, work by producing DNA damage that causes cell-cycle arrest and cell death. However, DNA repair pathways can enable tumour cells to survive DNA damage induced by chemotherapeutic treatments. Platinum resistance is a major clinical problem in cancer treatment and there is a considerable interest in inhibitors of DNA repair pathways, that can increase efficiency of chemotherapy, when administered together. An attractive target to circumvent platinum resistance is XPF/ERCC1 heterodimer. XPF/ERCC1 is a structure-specific endonuclease that cleaves double- to single-stranded DNA junctions, and its function is directly linked to repair of DNA cross-links induced by platinum agents. Here, we propose a multi-disciplinary methodology that combines structural studies by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy with kinetic studies by Kinetic Capillary Electrophoresis to elucidate the mechanisms of XPF/ERCC1 function and modulate its activity for potential therapeutic benefit. Structural and molecular insights of DNA binding will be coupled with kinetic rates of DNA cleavage and enzyme/substrate interactions. The combined information will be used to develop XPF/ERCC1 inhibitors by in silico screening. Currently structure-kinetics relationship is not well explored in drug discovery, although the residence lifetime of a drug determines the duration of a pharmacological effect. The ability to combine structural and kinetic parameters in validating computational hits should identify compounds with desired pharmacological properties at early stages and facilitate faster optimization phase. The research proposed here is highly beneficial to public health, because it would allow to develop combination therapies for cancer treatment.

Keywords: xpf/ercc1,dna repair,nmr spectroscopy,kinetic capillary electrophoresis,protein-dna interactions,protein-small molecule interactions,chemotherapy,drug screening
Structure and Dynamics of Metal Ion Transporters using Solid-State Nuclear Magnetic Resonance at High Field and Fast Magic Angle Spinning (MEM-MAS)

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: France
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2013-IIF, 2013)
Start date: 2014-03-01
End date: 2016-02-29
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 202405.8
EU funding (EUR): 202405.8
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

We propose the determination of metal transporter structures using high field and fast (>60 kHz) magic angle spinning NMR spectroscopy. Proteins provide the basis for many important biological processes. They are found as soluble protines, such as enzymes, membrane associated proteins that interact with specific locations in the cell, and transmembrane (TM) proteins that often serve as the gatekeepers of cellular compartments. Membrane proteins comprise 20 to 30 percent of all proteins, however, less than 0.1% of the structures in the protein data bank are of membrane proteins. The proposed research applies the latest developments in MAS NMR to the structure determination of membrane proteins, providing a starting point for the rational development of inhibitors. An important class of membrane proteins are metal ion transporters and symporters, which selectively move metal ions across membranes. Most of these proteins are predicted to contain about 10 TM alpha helices, and many have been functionally characterized, but 3D structural information is lacking. Although these proteins are large by MAS NMR standards, recent advances in methodology such as proton detection at 60 kHz MAS and a high magnetic field of 1GHz has made these promising targets. Even more immediate targets for structural characterization are oligomeric proteins, including human copper transporter hCTR1 and cobalt/nickel transporter CorA. Because of oligomerization, these proteins have only 2 to 3 asymetric transmembrane helices, simplifying assignment of the spectra and structure determination. The application of 60 kHz MAS at high magnetic fields of 1GHz represents a major contemporary advance in sensitivity and resolution, that will extend the upper molecular weight limit of structure determination to include many membrane proteins. We propose to develop and apply these methods to alpha helical membrane proteins of 3 to 12 TM helices.

Keywords: magic angle spinning,nmr,membrane protein,transporter,solid state nmr,structure,dynamics,protein function
Drug Discovery Initiative for the Treatment of Chronic Inflammatory Disease (NLR-STRUCTURE)

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-2013-IIF, 2013)
Start date: 2014-05-02
End date: 2015-05-01
Duration (months): 12.0
Total project cost (EUR): 154617.6
EU funding (EUR): 154617.6
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Chronic inflammation is central to disease progression and organ failure in the majority of common human diseases, including cardiovascular disease, inflammatory bowel disease, chronic kidney & liver disease, gout, asthma, arthritis and cancer. Together, these chronic conditions contribute substantially to morbidity and mortality and generate a profound socioeconomic burden. The NLRP-STRUCTURE project will pave the way for the development of first-in-class drugs that can target select NLRP inflammasome members within different diseases endemic to the EU population. World-leading protein expression technologies will be integrated with unique chemoproteomic drug discovery platforms with the purpose of achieving rationalized drug development. Structure-activity guided medicinal chemistry will allow the team to propose drug leads that can be used in the synthesis of a new generation of small molecule pharmaceuticals for chronic inflammatory disease management. The project can provide data and information sourced from health databases, basic and translational research, and in-house analysis by a network of academic/clinical/industry experts. Thus, NLRP-STRUCTURE has the potential to develop new diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic strategies that will improve the clinical care of patients across a wide range of chronic and debilitating disease. The entry of pipeline molecules will boost the anti-inflammatory therapeutics industry, thereby bringing about further economic stimulation to the therapeutics market in the coming years. The research objectives of NLRP-STRUCTURE will position the Host and partners in positions as world leader, as an acknowledged centre of global excellence in NLRP therapeutic discovery. Integral to the proposal is the development of patent landscapes and strategic partnerships that will play substantial roles in shaping the market in the future.

Keywords: structural biology,drug discovery,innate immunity,protein biochemistry,clostridium difficile,hospital-acquired infection
Animated 3D digital reconstructions of early European birds: a new window on the origin of avian flight using “state-of-the-art” techniques on exceptional fossils (AVATAR)

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-2013-IEF, 2013)
Start date: 2014-09-01
End date: 2016-08-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 309235.2
EU funding (EUR): 309235.2
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The origin of avian flight is possibly the most spectacular example of an evolutionary transition and, consequently, has aroused passionate scientific debate and fired public attention. The fossil record indicates that birds emerged within theropods (a group of carnivorous dinosaurs that includes species such as Tyrannosaurus rex) in the Late Jurassic. Mesozoic birds are extremely rare. Their fossil remains are mostly known from exceptional sites such as that of Las Hoyas, in Spain. Four beautifully preserved bird specimens (one of them unpublished), representing at least three species, have been found at Las Hoyas. They are intermediate forms between the primeval bird Archaeopteryx and modern birds both in age and evolutionary stage. The recent advances in X-ray imaging technologies and computer modelling, together with the discoveries of these key specimens, make it possible to use digital reconstructions to study the origin and evolution of flight from a biomechanical perspective. This project aims at using various "state-of-the-art" techniques to re-create digitally these early birds so as to study their preservation, chemistry, locomotion, and flight abilities. The fossil birds from Las Hoyas will be digitally brought back to life thanks to the prodigious possibilities offered by synchrotron imaging (both tomographic and chemical). The 3D musculoskeletal models will be animated according to the limitations dictated by their reconstructed anatomy, so that their flying performance can then be evaluated. The synchrotron-based imaging will also provide data to aid in the reconstruction of plumage patterns of the Las Hoyas birds. This ambitious project will bring together "state-of-the-art", interdisciplinary science to elucidate and resurrect the biology and locomotor ability of these pivotal avian species.

Keywords: bird,fossil,synchrotron,laminography,imaging,reconstruction,modelling,animation,biomechanics,functional morphology,flight,geochemistry,x-ray fluorescence,pigment,evolution
Giovanni Tortelli's Orthographia and Greek studies in Xvth century Europe (TORTELLEX)

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-2013-IEF, 2013)
Start date: 2015-09-01
End date: 2018-04-04
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 309235.2
EU funding (EUR): 309235.2
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

This project aims to study the role of Giovanni Tortelli (1400c.-1466) and of his most important work (the Orthographia) in the promotion and dissemination of the study of Greek in Italy and in Europe in the fifteenth century. Friend of Lorenzo Valla, who dedicated to him the Elegantiae, Tortelli collaborated with Pope Nicholas V in founding the Vatican Library and supervised the search for Greek manuscripts and the work of many translators hired by the pope. His work, still largely unknown, represents a crucial cross-section of the role played in the dissemination of Greek culture at that time, when the knowledge of the Hellenic language in Italy and in Europe was still the preserve of a few. My research will provide the first systematic study of the Greek sources of his Orthographia, a bulky dictionary of Greek words transposed into Latin, an enciclopedic dictionary to be used for reading and commenting on the classics. In the ms. Vat. Lat. 1478, the manuscript revised by Tortelli himself, it consists in more than 3.000 words and in about 380 ff. (760 pages). This work was widely diffused in Europe. My project will set the Orthographia in its context, and show its role in the new wave of interest in the spread of Greek studies in the West Europe during the fifteenth century; I will also compare the data coming from the Orthographia with those coming from the study of a complete course of Greek held in Veneto region in the XV century and now preserved in two manuscripts at the Bodleian Library, Oxford. My project will result also in a database devoted to Greek grammars, lexica and school books available in Europe between 1396 and 1529, whose metadata will be linked with the Perseus project catalogue of Gregory Crane's group.

Keywords: humanistic lexicography,greek studies in western europe in the xvth century,greek and latin paleography and philology,digital humanities
Optically detected magnetic resonance for ultra-sensitive chemical analysis, imaging and process monitoring (ODMR-CHEM)

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: United Kingdom
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2013-IOF, 2013)
Start date: 2014-10-01
End date: 2017-09-30
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 282109.2
EU funding (EUR): 282109.2
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

High-field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is one of the most widely used techniques in chemical analysis, featuring the abilities to elucidate molecular form, structure and function, and image chemical samples nondestructively. Although the uses of NMR are many, much of the present methodology is constrained in application due to high purchase and operating costs, space restrictions and non-portability imposed by an NMR system. This proposal focuses on the development of a high-resolution, low-field NMR system suitable for portable use in online, or "on the plant", chemical process monitoring. The approach involves sensitive low-field magnetometry devices, based on nitrogen-vacancy (NV) pairs in diamond and alkali metal vapours, combined with efficient data acquisition techniques including Bayesian sampling and image reconstruction algorithms. These methods are well adapted to sensitive chemical analysis and imaging low field. As examples, high-sensitivity, high-resolution chemical signature identification is permitted by ultra-high (millihertz) measurement of spin-spin couplings; sensitive and highly spatially resolved imaging is uniquely obtained using arrays of NV diamond sensors. The outgoing phase of this project involves the development of optically sensed NMR for molecular characterisation and imaging, and optimisation of the technology with respect to sensitivity, data acquisition time, spectral resolution and data quality in targeted applications. The return phase will see these methods applied as tools for chemical reaction optimisation and process quality control. The proposed work will cover diverse fields in scientific research, including low-field NMR and MRI, laser spectroscopy and optics, signal processing, organic reactions, fluid rheology and microfluidics.

Keywords: online chemical analysis,magnetic resonance spectroscopy,optical detection,magnetometers,flow chemistry,reaction monitoring,mri,nv diamond,low-field nmr,signal processing,bayesian mr