Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
On the trails of new neutrino properties (NUTRAILS)

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: Germany
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2011-IEF, 2011)
Start date: 2012-10-01
End date: 2014-09-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 231547.2
EU funding (EUR): 231547.2
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Neutrino masses and mixing are the most tangible evidence for the shortcomings of the Standard Model and finding a more complete theory remains the most challenging task for elementary particle physics. Neutrinos can lead us on the trail to new physics, together with experiments at the LHC, flavor physics and cosmology. The best time for carrying out this project is now. Neutrino physics is more vibrant than ever as a renewed flow of key data has just begun. First evidence that the hitherto unknown value of the third neutrino mixing angle theta(13) is sizeable raises concrete hopes of observing CP-violation in the lepton sector, triggering new ideas for model building. Moreover, the entire neutrino community is intrigued by several experimental anomalies that hint at unexpected neutrino properties. This animated scenery provides an ideal stage for the "NuTrails" project, having neutrinos as its main actors. Following the trails of these elusive particles to the smallest scales will serve as a formidable guide to new discoveries. More specifically, this project will focus on two different classes of standard-model extensions. First, signs for new physics originating from heavy mediators at the TeV scale will be studied. Second, manifestations of a new low-energy scale will be sought, hunting for light "sterile" neutrinos with mass in the eV range. Theoretical questions related to neutrino flavor conversion in the presence of such new properties will be addressed. Furthermore, observable consequences for present and future experiments will be quantified. These results will have far-reaching implications, extending from particle phenomenology to astrophysics and cosmology. Most importantly, the quantitative simulations will decisively influence the next round of experimental strategies.

Keywords: particle physics,neutrinos,physics beyond the standard model,astroparticle physics
The autonomous assessment of aircraft sound power and position (SOUNDTRACK)

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: Norway
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2011-IEF, 2011)
Start date: 2013-03-05
End date: 2015-03-04
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 208353.6
EU funding (EUR): 208353.6
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Noise is a main pollutant of airports. At present there are two main tools used to manage the impact of airport noise – computer simulated noise contour maps (NCM) and aircraft noise monitoring systems (NMS). Currently both systems have shortcomings. The aim of this research project is to overcome these and improve the accuracy of both systems. NCMs describe the area around the airport affected by a given noise level (allowing the straightforward calculation of the exposed population) while NMSs provide discrete information on the noise level at individual locations near the airport. NCMs rely on noise data extrapolated from aircraft certification tests, which often do not represent accurately the noise encountered on the ground. NMSs overcome this by measuring the actual noise levels. However, NMS data may be influenced by the background noise at measurement sites. The objective of this project is to develop an improved NMS that can supply accurate and timely data to noise simulation software. By combining the two methods, it would be possible to design a comprehensive tool for managing the noise impact of airports. There are three key advantages of the improved NMS: the provision of accurate aircraft sound power data for the entire aircraft trajectory, the removal of background noise influence on measurements, and independence from airport radar systems. This project will place European research on the acoustic impact of airports in a leading position by improving European aircraft noise prediction models. In addition, it will have an economic impact on the industry, allowing European vendors to offer such an enhanced system to airport management entities globally. Finally, it will have an effect on European airport noise policy by providing a reliable method of detecting high noise flyovers. On this basis, the application of noise charges can be properly used as an incentive to follow pre-determined minimum noise flight paths and use quieter aircraft.

Keywords: technological sciences,transportation,noise pollution,aircraft noise,noise monitoring system,airport acoustic impact,aircraft tracking,microphone arrays
Studying the Mechanisms of Enhanced Pathogenesis in Polymicrobial Respiratory Co-Infection (RECOIN)

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-2011-IIF, 2011)
Start date: 2012-03-07
End date: 2014-03-06
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 209033.4
EU funding (EUR): 209033.4
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Illness caused by respiratory infection with Influenza viruses represents a vast healthcare and economic burden in the modern world. It is well established that respiratory viral infections are often complicated by secondary bacterial infections, however co-infection often causes a much more severe disease than either microorganism would individually. The mechanisms behind this synergy are not fully understood, however adhesion; the first step in bacterial colonisation, has been shown to be enhanced in virus-infected cells. We hypothesise that early events following Influenza infection of lung epithelium promote bacterial adhesion by regulating primary receptor trafficking and may offer new targets for anti-bacterial intervention. The aims of this project are to dynamically characterise the adhesion of individual bacteria to airway epithelial cells with high-temporal and spatial resolution and to study the effects of Influenza A co-infection on this phenomenon. We will develop new protocols to track bacteria in three dimensions in order to study individual adhesion events and will calculate diffusion modes during and after bacterial contact with the host cells. These studies will provide novel insights into the processes underlying bacterial adhesion and will explore the mechanism of viral-bacterial synergy to discover new targets for the prevention and treatment of serious respiratory infections.

Keywords: microbiology,coinfection,cell biology,respiratory infection,influenza,streptococcus
Development of fungal conjugate vaccines based on synthetic oligosaccharide structures (CRYPTOVACC)

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: Ireland
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2011-IEF, 2011)
Start date: 2012-10-18
End date: 2014-10-17
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 191938.2
EU funding (EUR): 191938.2
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Attempts to prepare conjugate vaccines based on native capsular polysaccharide structures against Cryptococcus neoformans, a fungi increasingly recognized as a major health issue, has been ineffective due to the heterogeneity of the native material. In this project well defined synthetic oligosaccharide structures will be used instead. A library of structures corresponding to native structures will be synthesized and utilized in the production of glycomicroarrays. These will be employed to screen monoclonal antibodies raised against the native polysaccharide to determine their specificity and to identify protective carbohydrate epitopes. Recognized hits will be conjugated to carrier proteins using various spacers and conjugation techniques to produce a selection of vaccine candidates which efficiency will be evaluated in immunizing experiments in mice by collaborators. The training will be multidisciplinary covering complex oligosaccharide synthesis, conjugation techniques, microarray construction, protein and antibody purification and labelling, macromolecular characterisation and biological screening methods. The project is an international collaboration between chemists, immunologists and vaccine industry.

Keywords: oligosaccharide synthesis,conjugate vaccines,glycomicroarrays,protecting antibodies,glycoconjugates,glycoscience,cryptococcus neoformans
Alphavirus-specific mechanisms of OAS/RNAse L pathway inhibition, study of non-structural proteins and search for inhibitors. (ALPHA)

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: France
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2011-IEF, 2011)
Start date: 2012-07-01
End date: 2014-06-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 201932.4
EU funding (EUR): 201932.4
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Emerging and re-emerging Infectious Diseases (EIDs) are defined as "infections that have newly appeared in a population or have existed previously but are rapidly increasing in incidence or geographic range". Over the last decades, a number of new emerging diseases, such as HIV/AIDS and SARS, as well as re emerging diseases that increase in incidence or whose geographic range is changing, such as chikungunya or dengue fever, continue to pose a significant threat to populations in Europe and world wide. Some of these EID are caused by the Alphavirus which are emergent arthropod borne viruses with a worldwide distribution. One of the most established antiviral pathways induced by dsRNAs is the Interferon inducible 2’5’ oligoadenylate synthetase (OAS) / endoribonuclease L (RNAse L) system. OAS is activated upon binding to dsRNA and generates, from ATP, short 2’-5’ linked oligoadenylates (2’5’A) which activate a latent RNAse L. RNAse L cleaves ribosomal and viral RNA, inducing apoptosis and blocking viral infection. In turn, viruses developed means to escape the host antiviral response. Studies on Ebola, HCV, Influenza, Vaccinia and HIV showed that viral nsPs can inhibit RNAse L/OAS system through direct binding to one of these enzymes or through the sequestration of dsRNA, 2’5’A or other cellular mediators. However, mechanisms involved in the anti-apoptotic action of several RNA viruses including alphaviruses are unknown. I will unravel the molecular aspects of the viral evasion produced via the inhibition of OAS/ RNAse L pathway by non-structural proteins of alphavirus. Subsequenlty, I will determine the structure and biophysical properties of these nsPs. The ultimate goal is to know which nsPs or subdomains of these proteins are important in the inhibition of OAS/ RNAse L pathway through molecular and cell biology experiments and relate to the structure obtained by crystalography possibiliting the design of future inhibitors targeting these proteins or sub-domains.
Identification of Rab GTPase cascades in the post-Golgi trafficking of mammalian cells (RAB GTPASE CASCADES)

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: France
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2011-IEF, 2011)
Start date: 2012-04-01
End date: 2014-03-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 193594.8
EU funding (EUR): 193594.8
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Throughout the last thirty years, research on Rab GTPase proteins has brought light to their pivotal role in the regulation of several steps of intracellular trafficking. However, recent findings indicate that Rab proteins not only regulate individual transport steps, but they also function in a coordinated fashion in Rab GTPase cascades. Such cascades appear to be crucial for orchestrating sequential steps along transport pathways and for ensuring continuity in membrane traffic. Rab cascades have been found in the endocytic pathway of mammalian cells (Rab5/Rab7) as well as in the secretory pathway of yeast (Ypt32p/Sec4p) but none have been, so far, identified in the secretory pathways of the former. Therefore, the main goal of this research project is to identify Rab GTPase cascades in the post-Golgi trafficking of mammalian cells. By using a multidisciplinary approach, we propose to: 1) establish a comprehensive list of Rab GTPases involved in the post-Golgi trafficking from the trans-Golgi network to the plasma membrane and to the endolysosomal compartments; 2) determine the temporal recruitment of Rab GTPases to the post-Golgi vesicles associated with each one of the pathways and identify Rab cascades; 3) identify the Guanine nucleotide Exchange Factor (GEF) proteins involved in the cascades previously found. Achieving this work plan will increase our knowledge on the regulation of sequential trafficking steps, essential for the full understanding of human pathologies, like cancer and neurological diseases. Therefore, we will be contributing to the scientific European excellence by reaching one of the main goals of the Seventh Framework Programme regarding Health.

Keywords: rab gtpases,intracellular transport,golgi complex,rab cascade,guanine nucleotide exchange factors
The role of mitochondrial DNA double-strand break repair in human disease and normal ageing (MITODSBR)

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: Sweden,Sweden
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2011-IOF, 2011)
Start date: 2012-09-11
End date: 2015-09-10
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 358326.6
EU funding (EUR): 358326.6
Participants: 2
Project status: CLOSED

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) deletions accumulate in aged post-mitotic tissue and in individuals with neurodegenerative diseases, leading to local energy defects. Understanding the mechanism of mtDNA deletion formation is an essential step in trying to prevent their occurrence. My hypothesis is that mtDNA deletions occur during mtDNA repair via a double strand break (DSB) repair pathway. I will address the different components of this hypothesis by mechanistic studies of cell lines derived from patients, transgenic cell culture and in vitro biochemistry. This project also aims to identify and characterize novel mtDNA DSB repair factors. We will study candidate mtDSB genes by RNAi and confirm that the proteins are recruited to mtDNA after specific induction of mtDSBs. In a complementary approach we will search for protein interactions partners of the already identified mtDSB repair proteins by immunoprecipitations. Identified proteins will be analyzed in vitro, with the long-term goal to reveal the molecular details of human mtDSB repair. Further we will use patient cell lines and transgenic cell culture to identify new therapeutic pathways that can be used to counteract mtDNA deletion formation in neurodegenerative disease and normal ageing. If we can show as I propose that repair is the mechanism underlying mtDNA deletion formation, increasing levels of antioxidants could prevent the induction of DSBs and mtDNA deletions in neurodegenerative disease.

Keywords: mtdna,mitochondria,mtdna repair,double-strand break repair
Genetic, biochemical and cell biological mechanisms of virus silencing in plants (MEVISP)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: International Incoming Fellowships
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: Switzerland
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2011-IIF, 2011)
Start date: 2013-03-01
End date: 2015-02-28
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 184709.4
EU funding (EUR): 184709.4
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

RNA silencing pathways exist in most eukaryotes and regulate endogenes to integrate development and environmental responses, and protect organisms against foreign nucleic acids including viruses and transposons. In plants, small interfering RNA (siRNA) and microRNA (miRNA) duplexes of 21-24bp are produced from double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) precursors by Dicer-like RNaseIII enzymes (DCL1-4). Selected si/miRNA strands are then loaded into Argonaute proteins (AGO1-10), which guide an RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) to mediate sequence-specific post-transcriptional gene silencing (PTGS) at the RNA level, and transcriptional gene silencing (TGS) at the chromatin level. Plant resistance to RNA viruses requires these same components, notably DCL2 and 4 for production of viral-derived siRNAs, AGO1 and 2 to guide viral-targeted RISCs, and an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RDR6) and the RNA binding protein SGS3 for amplification of viral dsRNA. While the central role of these factors is well-established, the molecular mode of action that enables these proteins to restrict viral replication is unknown; in fact, the field of RNA silencing is actively studying the extent to which endogenous mRNAs are silenced by AGO-mediated cleavage (“slicing”) or by translational repression (TR) coupled to mRNA decay. In addition, many questions regarding the cell biological and genetic basis for viral silencing have yet to be addressed in a satisfactory manner. This proposal outlines a series of interdisciplinary and mutually-reinforcing experiments to 1) test the mode of action of viral silencing, specifically the relative contributions of slicing and TR during resistance; 2) discover cell biological aspects of viral silencing, particularly where in cells RNA silencing components target viral RNA, and which forms of viral RNA are targeted; and 3) conduct the first large-scale forward genetic screen designed exclusively to reveal components required for viral silencing and its suppression.

Keywords: cell biology,plant genetics,viral diseases of plants
ROle of crustacean zooplankton on prokaryotic community composition in the MEsopelagic Ocean (ROMEO)

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: Austria
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2011-IEF, 2011)
Start date: 2012-04-03
End date: 2014-04-02
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 180191.4
EU funding (EUR): 180191.4
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The ROMEO proposal aims at linking aspects of two scientific fields, traditionally separated, zooplankton ecology and microbial oceanography. ROMEO will investigate the influence of zooplankton activity on the prokaryotic community composition and activity in the open North Atlantic. During a four-week expedition in North Atlantic, the dominant crustacean zooplankton will be collected and the community composition of the resident and the transient gut prokaryotes determined during their nocturnal feeding in the surface waters and at daytime when they are residing at mesopelagic depths. Focus will be put on the two dominant calanoid copepod species in the North Atlantic, Calanus finmarchicus and C. helgolandicus. Also, the prokaryotic community and activity will be assessed in the fecal pellets and the successional changes in the community composition and activity followed during the decomposition of the fecal material. For the determination of the prokaryotic community composition, next generation sequencing will be applied on a metagenomic and –transcriptomic level. The hetero- and the autotrophic activity of the archaea will be differentiated from that of the bacteria using selective inhibitors, erythromycin for bacteria, diphtheria toxin for archaea. Bulk activity measurements as well as single-cell analyses will be performed and compared with the activity patterns in the ambient waters. Overall, the project will involve a substantial amount of bioinformatics work, which is the main training part of the researcher in ROMEO. The project will lead to an advancement of our understanding of the interaction between the main food source for North Atlantic fish, the calanoid zooplankton, and the main drivers of the biogeochemical cycles, the prokaryotes. Therefore, the expected results of this project will have impact on our understanding on the interactions between two different functional groups of organisms, playing major roles in the functioning of pelagic systems.

Keywords: natural sciences,microbiology,ecology,bacteria,archaea,zooplankton,interaction,mesopelagic,metagenomics,transcriptomics.
Role of cholesterol in neurotransmitter receptor trafficking and synaptic plasticity (SYNAPTOCHOL)

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: Spain
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2011-IEF, 2011)
Start date: 2012-08-01
End date: 2014-11-20
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 168896.4
EU funding (EUR): 168896.4
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Synaptic connections in the brain are continuously remodeled in response to neuronal activity. This process, known as synaptic plasticity, is widely thought to underlie learning and memory, and to be altered in several cognitive disorders. An important aspect of synaptic plasticity is the regulated movement of neurotransmitter receptors in and out of the synaptic membrane. Cholesterol is an essential membrane component, and it plays a major role in membrane compartmentalization and trafficking. Although cholesterol only accounts for 2% of the body’s weight, the brain contains 25% of the body’s total cholesterol. The enrichment in cholesterol suggests a relevant role for this lipid in brain function. In fact, it, it is being increasingly recognized that cholesterol homeostasis have a role in neurological diseases. However, the precise role of lipids in neurotransmitter receptor trafficking is virtually unexplored. Here, we hypothesize that cholesterol plays a direct role in neurotransmitter receptor trafficking and therefore contributes to synaptic plasticity. To test this hypothesis, we are developing genetic tools to manipulate cholesterol levels in living neurons. We take advantage of the fact that neurons possess a unique strategy to metabolize the cholesterol originally provided by astrocytes, through the expression of the enzyme CYP46A1. To alter cholesterol content in a cell autonomous way, we will manipulate the levels of CYP46A1 exclusively in neurons. To evaluate the physiological consequences, electrophysiological recordings and cell biological studies will be performed in organotypic hippocampal slice cultures. Hence, this proposal involves the use of a multidisciplinary approach. We believe that this project will contribute to define the influence of cholesterol in synaptic plasticity. In addition to its intrinsic value, the knowledge generated should help to understand the cognitive deficits typical of disorders due cholesterol homeostasis genes.

Keywords: neurobiology,cell biology,neurophysiology,synapse,ampa receptors,synaptic plasticity,ion channel trafficking,neuron,cholesterol,lipid,organotypic cultures,electrophysiology,imaging