Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Complexity adapted theoretical studies on surface optimisation and reaction modelling (SURFOPTIM)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: European Re-integration Grants
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: Spain
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2010-RG, 2010)
Start date: 2011-05-01
End date: 2014-04-30
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 45000.0
EU funding (EUR): 45000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The experimental techniques in the field of Surface Science are under constant upgrade according to the increasing complexity of the systems under study. Experimental developments would benefit from an improvement in their theoretical counterparts. I have wide expertise in the development of theoretical methods for the quantitative structural optimisation of surfaces using Low-Energy Electron Diffraction (LEED). My background also covers the use of Density Functional Theory (DFT) methods applied to the study of atomic structure and physical chemistry in surfaces. In the proposed research, I intend to tackle problems integrating these two areas of expertise. I will describe electron multiple scattering in surfaces under different approximations, making the formalism efficient for nanoscaled adsorbates. On the other hand, typical strategies used in DFT codes often use steepest-descent-based methods to locate total energy minima (equilibrium structures) and saddle points (transition states), which tend to stagnate at local energy minima in the configuration space. I will apply global search methods within DFT, inspired by the electron diffraction techniques I am familiar with, as well as by other areas of knowledge where optimisation techniques are more developed. I will also make use of DFT calculations to study chemical processes on metallic surfaces, focusing in those aimed at the reduction of polluting gas emissions, such as reduction of NOx species. I will attempt a more realistic modelling of the catalytic properties of the surfaces, paying special attention to the effect of defects and surface partial oxidation on the reactivity. An accurate sampling of the configuration space will be key here.

Keywords: surface chemistry,surface physics,computational physics,solid state physics
Regulation and function of IgD in systemic lupus erythematosus (ACIGDSLE)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: International Re-integration Grants
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: Spain
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2010-RG, 2010)
Start date: 2011-03-01
End date: 2015-02-28
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Anti-nuclear antibodies (ANAs) are the most common types of autoantibodies in SLE. Elevated levels of ANAs belonging to the IgD class have long been observed in SLE patients, reflecting dysregulation of the IgD compartment, but the significance of this dysregulation in SLE pathogenesis is completely unknown. IgD in healthy individuals reacts more frequently with nuclear antigens than IgG, the antibody class well-recognized in SLE pathogenesis. The unique properties of IgD, such as the positively charged amino acids in its long hinge region and its high degrees of somatic hypermutation, may enable IgD to bind many SLE-associated antigens, such as negatively charged double-stranded DNA. These features highlight the strong pathogenic potential of IgD in SLE. We recently discovered that a discrete subset of B cells undergoes a non-canonical form of IgM-to-IgD class switching upon exposure to a specific cocktail of cytokines, including interleukin-21 (IL-21). We also found that IgD binds to myeloid cells such as basophils, mast cells, monocytes and neutrophils, and induces potent inflammatory responses from these cells, including IL-1 and IL-18 production. The present project aims at elucidating the mechanism of dysregulated IgD production in SLE and the function of IgD in SLE-associated inflammation. We hypothesize that elevated IgD production in SLE originates from a pathological imbalance between IgD-inducing and IgD-restraining signals in B cells, including autoreactive B cells. We contend that such imbalance leads to an increased production of IgD antibodies highly reactive to self-antigens, including autologous double-stranded DNA. We argue that this process enhances inflammation by activating interleukin-1 and interleukin-18-processing signaling platforms in myeloid cells.

Keywords: systemic lupus erythematosus (sle),class switch recombination,autoantibodies,baff,april,cd40l,il-2,il-15,il-21,vitamin d3,inflammatory mechanisms,myeloid cells
Coordination-Activation Chemistry of Ammonia-Boranes at Multiple Metal-Metal Bonded Complexes (DGV)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: European Re-integration Grants
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: Spain
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2010-RG, 2010)
Start date: 2011-04-01
End date: 2014-03-31
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 45000.0
EU funding (EUR): 45000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

With more than 65% of the refined petroleum products exhausted by transportation in the developed countries, is vitally important to promote a shift away from carbon-based fuels and towards environmentally friendly energy sources. In this sense, hydrogen has the potential to be a clean (producing water) and source-independent energy carrier. A type of compounds which has attracted much attention in recent years as new materials for hydrogen storage are the ammonia-borane and related molecules, for which hydrogen loss is favoured over dissociation under most conditions. The primary purpose of this project is to study the coordination/activation chemistry of ammonia-borane and related organic molecules when reacted with dinuclear transition metal complexes exhibiting multiple metal-metal bonds. The interest of the project is based on: a) the absence of previous studies of the coordination chemistry of AB´s on multiply bonded dinuclear complexes, b) the interesting dehydrogenation processes of AB´s when reacted with mononuclear transition metal complexes, and c) the possible utility of this catalytic dehydrogenation of AB´s not only for hydrogen production processes, but also for the incorporation of B–N species to unsaturated organic molecules. Apart from the novelty of the research results, this project will provide a solid platform from which the applicant can begin a fully independent research career. It will enable him to carry out and lead an internationally competitive research programme in an unexplored area, gaining further experience in teaching, oral and written communication and networking. Also, timeliness will be a critical factor, with results written up expeditiously to ensure that Europe maintains a lead position in this research area. The acceptance of the project proposed by the applicant will exponentially increase its chances of success, in line with the final aim of this program that is the reintegration of the applicant to his home country.

Keywords: physical sciences,chemistry,inorganic chemistry,homogeneous catalysis
Investigation of Ferromagnetism in Ge-Based Diluted Magnetic Semiconductors (IFMGEDMS)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: International Re-integration Grants
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: Türkiye
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2010-RG, 2010)
Start date: 2011-07-01
End date: 2016-03-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The idea of using the electron spin and charge degree of freedom in semiconductors may lead to create smaller, faster, less power consuming and more versatile devices than currently available chips and circuit elements. Despite the well-established modeling of spin based semiconductor devices, these devices have not been realized due to challenges in injecting and detecting spin of electron in semiconductors. The focus of this research is to study Ge based diluted magnetic semiconductors (DMS) which are good candidates for spin injection into semiconductors and play a key role in semiconductor spintronics due to their room temperature ferromagnetic ordering. Overall goal of this project is to better understand the fundamentals of ferromagnetism in these materials. In this manner, high quality DMS will be grown on technologically significant Si substrates by molecular beam epitaxy with atomic-scale precision. The evolution of the structural and chemical properties will be explored at different stages of the growth by various state-of-the-art insitu microscopy and spectroscopy techniques. The spin resolved electronic structure of the grown films, and their surfaces and interfaces will be investigated with spin and angle resolved photoelectron spectroscopy using synchrotron radiation. Ferromagnetism and its correlations with electronic properties will be investigated through magnetization studies at elevated temperatures and high and low magnetic fields using magneto optical Kerr effect and vibrating sample measurements. An understanding of spin physics arising from this research will lead to the potential development of new spintronic devices such as ultra-sensitive magnetic field sensors, quantum-based logic, and memory and integrated chips for high speed computation. This research project will motivate and encourage graduate students realize a firmer understanding of magnetism, semiconductor physics, and spin-electronic devices.

Keywords: spintronics,ge-based diluted magnetic semiconductors,ferromagnetism,electronic band structure,molecular beam epitaxy,spin and angle resolved photoemission,synchrotron radiation
Genetics of mitral valve prolapse (MVP-GEN)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: International Re-integration Grants
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: Israel
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2010-RG, 2010)
Start date: 2011-06-01
End date: 2015-05-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Background: Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is one of the most common valvular heart disorders. Twenty percent of MVP patients will develop severe complications, including congestive heart failure, endocarditis, atrial arrhythmias, embolic events and even sudden death. MVP is the most common cause of mitral regurgitation requiring surgical repair, however, very little is known about its etiology. MVP has a strong genetic background with significant heterogeneity. Previous genetic studies have shown that non-syndromic MVP can be caused by mutations in filamin A, and the applicant’s group has identified two additional genetic loci, MMVP2 and MMVP3, on chromosomes 11 and 13. In this study we propose to identify the gene for MMVP2 using next-generation sequencing analysis, and to analyze additional families to further define the molecular pathways that lead to the development of MVP. Aims: The aims of this proposal are to 1) identify the gene for MMVP2 using next-generation sequencing and 2) identify MVP-causing mutations in families segregating the disease by whole-genome family-based linkage analysis, positional cloning and parallel sequencing. Methods: A DNA library representing MMVP2 locus of 4 affected individuals was already prepared and will be sequenced. After sequencing we will validate potential mutation by replicating in nearly 200 familial and sporadic MVP cases. Newly recruited families segregating MVP will be queued for a whole-genome linkage analysis to identify MVP susceptibility loci. DNA of the targeted regions in affected individuals will be pooled and sequenced using next-generation parallel sequencing in search for sequence variation. The pathogenicity of sequence variations will be determined by verifying their segregation with disease in the pedigree, by assessing their effect on protein structure and expression using bioinformatic tools, and by comparing their frequency in cohorts of patients and controls. Expected results and probable impl

Keywords: health sciences,mitral valve prolapse,genetic diseases,valve diseases,mitral valve,myxomatous valve degeneration,autosomal dominant disease
Role and natural host targets of Shigella IpaH during infection (IPAH FUNCTIONS)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: International Re-integration Grants
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: France
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2010-RG, 2010)
Start date: 2011-04-01
End date: 2013-09-30
Duration (months): 30.0
Total project cost (EUR): 62500.0
EU funding (EUR): 62500.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Numerous pathogens grow inside host cells. During the intracellular stage of infection, pathogen proteins establish intricate interactions with host proteins to hijack their cellular machinery. The bacterium Shigella flexneri thrives in the cytoplasm of human intestinal epithelial cells. To do so this bacterium must inject proteins that are dubbed effectors before and after cell invasion. IpaH are an uncommonly large family of effectors, comprising 9 members, for example, in S. flexneri 5. These proteins are hypothesized to interfere with normal cellular function by deregulating their degradation by the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Although IpaH9.8 has been implicated in dampening the innate immune response, diversity in the putative substrate binding domain across the IpaH family indicates that there might be other targets. Thus, the primary objectives of this project are: 1) perform a spatio-temporal study of the transcription, injection and sub cellular localization of IpaH effectors inside infected cell; 2) track the host cell protein targeted to the proteasome by the IpaH. In the frame of this project, I will develop a multidisciplinary strategy to study host-pathogen interactions by combining proteomics and cell biology approaches, pathophysiologic models of Shigellosis and computer simulations.

Keywords: shigella,e3 ubiquitine ligase,ipah,infection,epithelial cell,transcriptionnal regulation,proteomics,colon
Fluorescent biosensors of organelle morphology to study the nuclear envelope dynamics during cell division (FLUOMORPH)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: International Re-integration Grants
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: France
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2010-RG, 2010)
Start date: 2011-05-01
End date: 2015-10-29
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Eukaryotic cells are compartmentalized into membrane-bound organelles, ensuring highly specialized and essential functions such as protection of the genome, protein synthesis and packaging, intracellular calcium signalling... Most organelles harbour a complex morphology, which is an important structural feature for the achievement of their assigned function. Moreover, some organelles are constituted of distinct subcompartments exhibiting specific structures associated to specialized functions. Visualizing the fine structure of organelles is thus essential to understand many aspects of their associated functions. Importantly, organelles architecture is highly dynamic and can be subjected to dramatic rearrangements in response to cellular changes like cell division or differentiation. The methods available so far to render organelle morphology require highly specialized techniques and are most often incompatible with high-rate image acquisition. The aim of this proposal is to develop a method to distinguish organelle substructures in live cells using a simple bi-dimensional confocal imaging setup. Fluorescent probes of organelle morphology will be designed based on the striking membrane sensing properties of a family of amphitpathic helices called ALPS motifs. To establish the usefulness of these tools, we propose to study the dynamics of the nuclear envelope (NE) and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) during mitosis.

Keywords: organelle morphology,cell biology,fluorescent markers,alps,mitosis,nuclear envelope,nuclear pore complexes,endoplasmic reticulum
Implication of energy sensing pathways in prostate cancer biology (PTENLKB1)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: International Re-integration Grants
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: Spain
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2010-RG, 2010)
Start date: 2012-01-02
End date: 2016-01-01
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Prostate cancer is among the most prevalent forms of cancer in men and the fifth cause of dead from cancer in men worldwide. Therefore, the understanding of prostate cancer biology is a key step in the development of new effective therapeutic approaches. In this line, the use of genetically engineered mouse models has been critical in the understanding of the genetic cues that regulate the process of prostate epithelial cell transformation. We have previously characterized the tumor suppressive function of the tumor suppressor PTEN in different stages of prostate cancer, from precancerous lesions to invasive cancer and metastasis. Importantly, we have shown that early and acute loss of PTEN elicits senescence response that functions as a brake for the progression of prostate cancer. Notably, prostate cancer has been demonstrated to be exquisitely sensitive to metabolic changes and to cancer genes altering metabolic homeostasis. In this proposal we aim to ascertain the role of energy sensing pathways in prostate cancer progression, with special emphasis in the crosstalk between the master energy-sensing kinase LKB1 and the tumor suppressor PTEN. Using genetically modified mice and cells, as well as pharmacological agents, we will study i) the contribution of LKB1-loss to the biological features elicited by loss of PTEN, especially the activation of the cellular senescence response, ii) the role of LKB1 signaling in the development of invasive lesions and the onset of metastasis, and iii) the therapeutic relevance of the crosstalk between PTEN and LKB1 in the prostate epithelium. In turn, this proposal aims to contribute to the development of more accurate mouse models of prostate cancer progression as well as to the discovery of potential therapeutic approaches directed to modulate LKB1 signaling in prostate cancer.

Keywords: pten,lkb1 prostate cancer,metabolism,senescence,metastasis
Quality of chronic kidney disease management in people with diabetes in England after the introduction of new primary care policies for diabetes and renal disease (CKD-UK)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: European Re-integration Grants
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: United Kingdom
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2010-RG, 2010)
Start date: 2011-06-01
End date: 2015-04-07
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 45000.0
EU funding (EUR): 45000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Background: The prevalence of diabetes is increasing in epidemic proportions worldwide. Patients with diabetes are surviving vascular events, living longer, and thus experiencing other adverse outcomes. In the UK despite considerable investments in primary care aimed at identifying and treating CKD in patients with diabetes, CKD is often under-diagnosed and undertreated. Understanding this gap in the implementation and delivery of existing interventions in the UK is the most important purpose of this project. Objectives: 1. Multicentre, series of cross-sectional studies between 2006 and 2010 to describe variations in screening for CKD and resulting treatment as carried out in diabetes after the inclusion of CKD as one of the financially incentivised chronic disease management targets in the Quality and Outcomes Framework, a major pay for performance incentive in UK primary care. We aim to examine the association between patient and practice related factors and screening for CKD, resulting treatment by GPs and process of care measures. 2. Cohort study of incident patients with diabetes with or without CKD followed up over 5 years in order to describe a) longitudinal decline of renal function, b) cardiovascular events, c) all-cause mortality and d) hip fracture. We aim to identify patient and practice-related factors associated with adverse outcomes. Data: Quality Improvement in Chronic Kidney Disease dataset (930,000 patients in 129 general practices) in England. Expected results: Our research would provide population-based data on key indicators for health care systems of CKD management in diabetes for the first time after specific interventions were instituted in the UK. We aim to describe for the first time whether nationwide interventions targeting surrogate endpoints in people with diabetes had an effect on adverse clinical outcomes such as cardiovascular events, mortality and progression of CKD.

Keywords: diabetology,chronic kidney disease,primary care