Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Analysis of the cellular function of type III secretion effectors of Chlamydia trachomatis (CHLTRT3SE)

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: Portugal
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-ERG-2008, 2008)
Start date: 2009-01-01
End date: 2011-12-31
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 45000.0
EU funding (EUR): 45000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Chlamydiales are a large group of highly related obligate intracellular bacteria that includes the human pathogens Chlamydia trachomatis and Chlamydophila pneumoniae. C. trachomatis is an agent of genital and ocular infections, and Cph. pneumoniae causes atypical pneumonias. All Chlamydiae use a type III secretion (T3S) apparatus to translocate ~ 60-90 effector proteins into host cells. These effectors are thought to play crucial roles in chlamydial dissemination but little is known about their functions because Chlamydiae are intractable to genetic manipulation. I aim to identify new C. trachomatis T3S effectors and to further understand the secretion and function of known effectors. I will explore the ability of T3S systems to recognise substrates from heterologous systems and use Yersinia and Salmonella to: screen for T3S signals in potential effectors of C. trachomatis; examine the function and expression of a few uncharacterised C. trachomatis T3S effectors, by conducting yeast two-hybrid screens and producing specific polyclonal antibodies; establish a “proof-of-principle” for the long-term goal of using a Salmonella T3S effector poly-mutant strain capable of translocating chlamydial T3S effectors into host cells. This will be done by using Yersinia to determine the requirements for T3S of full-length C. trachomatis Inc proteins, which localise to the vacuole enclosing intracellular bacteria, and by using Salmonella effector poly-mutant strains to study the biological function of the chlamydial effector Tarp. This promises important advances in our understanding of the virulence of intracellular pathogens, ultimately helping to combat infectious diseases. The execution of this work will therefore have an impact on European health research and will help me to establish an independent research position upon return to my home country, Portugal, after benefiting from an Intra-European Marie Curie Fellowship.

Keywords: health sciences,infections,natural sciences,biological sciences,cell biology,microbiology,bacteriology,chlamydia,type iii secretion,effectors
Emergence and intensification of tropical cyclones (EITC)

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: Greece
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-IRG-2008, 2008)
Start date: 2009-11-01
End date: 2012-10-31
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 75000.0
EU funding (EUR): 75000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

This proposal seeks support to develop a comprehensive theory for the interaction between tropical cyclones and turbulence and to apply this theory to understand the emergence and persistence of tropical cyclones. The goal is first of all to explain the relatively rare transformation of a small disturbance into a tropical cyclone of sufficient intensity, even if most such disturbances form under climatological conditions favoring cyclogenesis. The scales and characteristics of the emergent tropical cyclones with then be addressed and their intensification, along with their transition towards equilibration will be investigated. Finally the equilibrium vortex structure will be obtained and the sensitivity of these equilibria to changes in the vortex structure will be assessed. The physical mechanisms underlying the emergence and intensification of tropical cyclones is important to understand because of the catastrophic effects that tropical cyclones have in terms of damage and loss of life, especially in light of growing evidence that tropical cyclone activity is linked to human activity and greenhouse forcing. Moreover, development of this theory addressing the emergence of coherent vortices from turbulence as a general phenomenon, might benefit other fields in which interaction between vortices and turbulence is important such as in laboratory and industrial turbulence and astrophysical fluid dynamics.

Keywords: tropical cyclones,cyclogenesis,natural hazards
Integrating modeling into plant systems biology: Applications to auxin-driven plant morphogenesis (PLANTSYSMODEL)

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: Netherlands
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-ERG-2008, 2008)
Start date: 2008-09-01
End date: 2011-08-31
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 45000.0
EU funding (EUR): 45000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Plant science is evolving from a reductionistic view on gene function to an integrated systems biology approach. Gene function of genes is now studied in the context of the dynamic behavior of physiological, cellular or developmental processes. Mathematical and computational modeling play a central role in this approach. During the initial Marie Curie Fellowship, I worked as a biomodeller at the primarily experimental VIB Department of Plant Systems Biology (PSB) in Ghent, Belgium. Based on this work, PSB has awarded me a “Young Leader” position, which includes a five year position as a group leader and budget for a PhD student. In this position, I have started up the group “Plant Systems Modeling” that is currently composed of myself (PI), a postdoc, three PhD students, and two Master’s students. The European Reintegration Grant would support further development of this group and thus ensure full reintegration. The Plant Systems Modeling group aims to build predictive models of auxin-driven tissue morphogenesis that can act as hypothesis-generators for wet-lab research. The project consists of the following two work packages: WP 1 To predict from first principles the spatio-temporal expression patterns of the major players of early vascular patterning in Arabidopsis, including PIN, AUX and auxin. This model will extend on the traveling-wave mechanism for auxin canalization that we have proposed recently (Merks et al, Trends in Plant Science, 2007). WP 2 To unravel the molecular mechanisms behind the recent observation that auxin oscillations regulate lateral root initiation (De Smet et al., Development 2007). For this we will develop a growing, multicellular model of auxin-flux-regulated patterning in the root basal meristem.

Keywords: systems biology,modeling,biological systems analysis,computational biology,plant development,biophysics,cell-based modeling,bioenergy
SRF target genes in epilepsy. (EPITARGENE)

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: Poland
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-IRG-2008, 2008)
Start date: 2009-06-01
End date: 2013-11-29
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The aim of this project is to identify genes regulated by SRF (Serum Response Factor) in the epilepsy. Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder, affecting 1-3% of human population with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) being the most common type in adults. Unfortunately, current anti-epileptic drugs are ineffective in more than 70% of TLE patients. Therefore, it is very important to understand the molecular mechanism underlying the pathology. Multiple pieces of evidence imply that aberrant synaptic plasticity may underlay epilepsy. Inactivation of SRF was shown to cause deficiency in hippocampal synaptic plasticity and learning. In addition, impaired axonal outgrowth, guidance and synaptic targeting has been reported. SRF was also suggested to be crucially involved in neurological disorders like epilepsy. The proposed project is based on the hypothesis that regulation of gene transcription by SRF, will play a crucial role in the aberrant plasticity observed in epilepsy. To confirm this hypothesis we will (i) identify new target genes regulated by SRF in the animal model of aberrant neuronal plasticity by microarray studies, (ii) confirm results obtained by global gene expression analysis using methods Q-RT-PCR, CHIP assay, in situ hybrydization and immunohistochemistry, (iii) further characterize the function of SRF-dependent effector proteins in synaptic plasticity (dendritic spines formation / neurite outgrowth). Our data will have an impact on the current understanding of the pathogenesis of epilepsy, as well as influence the development of new therapeutic opportunities by selectively targeting aberrant plasticity-related SRF effectors. Moreover, the results obtained by global analysis may become an excellent starting point of many new basic research avenues. We will use a multidisciplinary approach in which inducible gene inactivation methods will be combined with the elements of bioinformatic analysis, molecular biology as well as high resolution imaging.

Keywords: health sciences,epilepsy,serum response factor,regulation of transcription
Molecular basis of the recognition of foreign nucleic acids in innate immunity (NUCLEIC ACIDS SENSOR)

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: Portugal
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-IRG-2008, 2008)
Start date: 2008-12-01
End date: 2012-11-30
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The innate immunity system for vertebrates represents the front-end of their defense against invading viruses and bacteria. Its activation is based on the recognition of pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) by specialized receptors. Central in the pathogen recognition process is the detection of nucleic acids. However, how exactly foreign nucleic acids are distinguished from host DNA and RNA is poorly understood and of great importance since false recognition leads to severe auto-immune disorders. DAI is a protein which recently was identified as a receptor for dsDNA in the cytoplasm. It belongs to a small family of interferon response related proteins which share DNA/RNA binding domains called Z-domains due to their unusual ability to bind left-handed helices of nucleic acids. Here we propose structural and biochemical work aiming to clarify the molecular basis of the interaction of DAI with nucleic acids as well as to define the role of Z-domains in the context of the interferon inducible RNA editing enzyme ADAR1 and the viral inhibitor of interferon response E3L. This work will build upon extensive crystallographic, NMR and biochemical work on individual isolated Z-domains and aims to clarify how those domains combine and function in the context of the corresponding full length proteins. As part of this work the determination of the structure of DAI in complex with DNA is expected to become a powerful tool for the extensive immunological studies related to the interferon response activation by nucleic acids in the cytoplasm. The work is to be carried out in conjunction at two affiliated institutions: IGC and ITQB both located at Oeiras/Portugal, the first highly respected in immunology and the second in structural biology.

Keywords: structural biology,immunology,protein-nucleic acid interactions,receptors
Self-Assembled Nanostructures for Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Nanomaterials (NANO-MAT)

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-IRG-2008, 2008)
Start date: 2009-02-01
End date: 2013-01-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Bio-inspired self-assembled nanostructures comprises one of the most exciting developments in the fields of chemistry, physics, biology and materials science. These materials are vastly ordered structures with high-aspect ratio and are used as scaffolds to create chemically functionalized surfaces with control at the atomic level. The chemical properties of the materials are highly tailorable based on the choice of organic struts. These remarkable characteristics and properties have interesting applications such as photovoltaic cells, selective catalysis, adsorption, sensing, and bio-recognition. Herein, it is now proposed to extend the range of properties of self-assembled nanomaterials to encompass presentation of chemically functional groups on novel nanostructures. Our design approach relies upon hydrogen bonding, amphiphilic and metal chelating small molecules programmed to form nanostructures upon need. The work to be performed will encompass design, synthesis and characterization of self-assembled nanoscale materials in variuos architectures. Quantitative experimental studies of metal binding capability and systematic experimental use of the nanostructures will be studied for building devices for practical applications. The proposed interdisciplinary studies will accumulate knowledge that may lead to novel highly selective catalytic ensembles, chemical sensors, chemically smart coatings and alternative renewable energy products.

Keywords: chemistry,macromolecular chemistry
Anisotropy Distributions in Nanomagnetic Arrays for Patterned Media (ANDIST)

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: United Kingdom
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-IRG-2008, 2008)
Start date: 2008-11-01
End date: 2012-10-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

This proposal is aimed at understanding why nominally identical nanomagnetic elements switch at different values of applied magnetic field, and providing material solutions that will allow the switching field distribution (SFD) to be reduced. The width of the SFD is a critical problem in any nanomagnetic device that depends for its functionality on reversal of magnetisation, but is particularly pressing in the case of bit patterned media (BPM). BPM is currently a leading contender to become the new paradigm for data storage in the $30bn hard disk drive (HDD) industry when recording on granular, perpendicular media reaches its limit at ~1 Tbit/in2 (~155 Gbit/cm2). The timeliness and relevance of the proposed research is amply demonstrated by the realisation that the best current materials for BPM have an intrinsic distribution of anisotropy that is a factor of two greater than modelling shows is required to successfully build a BPM device operating at 1 Tbit/in2. BPM provides strong motivation of the proposed research, but the benefits for other areas of nanomagnetism are also significant, since it is generally true that as the size of nanomagnetic devices decreases the SFD increases. As an example, successful development of high density Magnetic Random Access Memory (MRAM) will crucially depend on control of the SFD. Hence, if the full potential of nanomagnetism as a practical technology is to be realised, control of the SFD will be a key enabling requirement. The research ideas contained in this proposal are firmly focussed on providing a new and detailed understanding of a critical problem in nanomagnetics. The principal investigator has a significant record of achievement in this important research area, gained while working in the US. The purpose of this re-integration proposal is to provide resources that will allow this extensive expertise and experience to be exploited to the full in a timely fashion.

Keywords: physical sciences,materials engineering,nanodevices,electronic,magnetic and superconductive properties
Scaled TeleRobotics for EnhAnced Microsurgery (STREAM)

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: Belgium
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-IRG-2008, 2008)
Start date: 2008-09-01
End date: 2011-10-31
Duration (months): 38.0
Total project cost (EUR): 79166.67
EU funding (EUR): 79166.67
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The overall goal of STREAM is to create a breakthrough in microsurgery by supplying innovative robotic tools to enhance the surgeon’s manipulation accuracy. During the project a novel framework for the design of bilateral teleoperation controllers will be elaborated. The framework supports the synthesis of controllers that guarantee robust interaction with objects of arbitrary complexity and impedance (from soft tissue over veins up to bones) and importantly enable online adaptation of velocity and force scale factors: "variable-scale teleoperation". In such a way enhancement of the surgeon’s skill and improved efficiency can be achieved, as the surgeon can specify at each moment the desired force and velocity range of the interacting slave robot, allowing fast and swift motions, but also precise manipulation of the tissue. To achieve the intended accuracy and efficiency advancements with respect to existing hardware solutions are essential. During the project novel robotic systems will be developed, including a haptic master featuring impulse generation capability and an innovative lightweight backdrivable MIS-robot. Collaboration with the university hospital will be organized to test and validate the novel teleoperation system and the concept of variable-scale teleoperation. Industrial partners will be sought to commercialise systems and/or system components. The novel slave-robot will be patented and the patentability of other elements will be investigated.

Keywords: surgical robotics,bilateral teleoperation,robust hinfinity-based control,variable-scale teleoperation,haptic simulation,mis slave-design,impulse-based haptics.
Long time behavior for motion in random media (MOTIONRANDOMMEDIA)

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-IRG-2008, 2008)
Start date: 2008-09-01
End date: 2012-08-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Models of random motion in random media have received significant scientific attention in the past 30 years. The interest in these models stems from two main reasons: (1) In physics, most processes of diffusion take place in environments that are not regular. Thus the standard theory of random motion does not necessarily apply to them, and a new methodology needs to be created. (2) These models, despite their simplicity, pose a challenging Mathematical difficulty, because the traditional methods used for studying random motion rely strongly on the regularity of the medium. The proposed project is aimed at achieving a number of goals: (1) quantifying the slowdown effect of the random medium, and more precisely determine what type of random traps provide the most significant slowdown of the particle. (2) Understand the scaling limit of the motion of the particle. In particular, determine when a central limit theorem holds and when it doesn't.

Keywords: random walk,random environment,quenched invariance principle,corrector,supercritical percolation,ballisticity,point of view of the particle.
MEDICAL IMAGE ANALYSIS FOR CANCER TREATMENT MONITORING AND TUMOR ATLAS FORMATION (MICAT)

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-IRG-2008, 2008)
Start date: 2009-09-01
End date: 2013-08-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

We present a research program for career development and reintegration of the principal investigator (PI) to the host institution and European Research Area (ERA). The PI has left her research scientist position at Siemens USA to return back to Europe, and established strong knowledge, experience, and collaborations with both US academia and industry. She will capitalize on these strengths and start her knowledge transfer to ERA using this Marie-Curie International Reintegration Grant (IRG) as seed funding. As medical imaging has become an indispensible tool in clinical environments, development of computer tools to efficiently extract meaningful information about the diseases from medical image data became more important. In this project the PI will work on development of new medical computational methods as well as creation of a medical image analysis framework for cancer treatment monitoring including potential novel tumor response measures and a novel brain tumor atlas formation. This IRG grant will further strengthen the PI’s knowledge in medical image analysis field, particularly in developing image-based quantitative tools to aid in cancer treatment and measures of tumor response. It will complement her expertise, whose specialty is mathematical methods of segmentation and registration, during studies of tumor atlas formation. It will also help her work closely with collaborating physicians from two leading hospitals, where the techniques developed in this research program will be deployed for efficient monitoring of cancer therapy in patients. This IRG grant is also crucial for the PI to network and establish new collaborations within ERA, to continue her existing collaborations in the USA, to hire graduate students, to attend conferences within Europe, and to continue to publish her research results. Through these, she will continue to transfer knowledge to ERA and build a human and knowledge capacity at the host institution.

Keywords: technological sciences,health sciences,medical image analysis,computer aided diagnosis and prognosis,tumor response measure,probabilistic brain tumor atlas,cancer treatment monitoring