Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Understanding the Nature of Exotic Hadrons - Charmonium Spectroscopy at BESIII (BESIII-XYZ)

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: Germany
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2013-IIF, 2013)
Start date: 2014-03-01
End date: 2016-02-29
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 161968.8
EU funding (EUR): 161968.8
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The field of charmonium spectroscopy is one of the most exciting areas of research in particle physics. In the past years a whole series of mysterious discoveries were made. These totally unexpected states are called XYZ particles as the quark content of these states might be exotic. An exotic hadron is classified as a bound object of quarks with a quark content different from the well known meson (consisting of a quark and an anti-quark) or baryon (consisting of three quarks) states. XYZ particles are indeed candidates for exotic hadrons. The situation has dramatically changed with the discovery of the Zc(3900) particle at the BESIII experiment in China. The fact that the Zc(3900) particle has an electric charge different from zero is a clear proof of its exotic nature. This discovery, together with a series of additional findings in the recent past, proofs that BESIII is the world leading facility for XYZ physics. There are very good chances that the high statistics and quality of data at BESIII will lead to a final explanation of one of the most urgent puzzles in particle physics: Are there particles in the Universe with an exotic quark content and can we quantitatively understand their quark binding? The applicant of this proposal is the leading scientists at BESIII in the field of charmonium spectroscopy and will bring to Europe the expertise regarding XYZ physics. To keep track of these fascinating new results is of utmost for European research. Europe in near future will invest in major projects itself in this field. For instance in Darmstadt/Germany the PANDA experiment will investigate XYZ particles at the FAIR facility. Dr. Liu will cooperate with the PANDA team in order to shape its physics program. Secondly, theoreticians in Europe will have a chance to cooperate with Dr. Liu and together with his experimental results, and the nature of XYZ particles can be clarified. Mainz is ideally suited for this project thanks to various possible synergies.

Keywords: xyz particles,besiii,charmonium,hadron spectroscopy,electron-positron physics,exotic hadron
A two-photon electrochemical and fluorescence microscope for imaging of cell-surface interactions (FLUOLAPS)

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): 221606.4
EU funding (EUR): 221606.4
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Traditional microscopy provides information about structure, but is blind to functional dielectric and electric properties of a system. In contrast, microelectrode arrays, which can provide high sensitivity electrophysiological recordings, are difficult to combine with imaging. A two-photon electrochemical and fluorescence microscope capable of producing high-resolution, two-dimensional electrochemical images of parameters such as extracellular potentials, surface charges and impedance and two-photon fluorescence images of the cell-attachment area simultaneously will be developed and used to investigate cell-surface interactions and cell signalling. The instrument will incorporate the capabilities of the impedance imaging technique, Scanning Photo-induced Impedance Microscopy (SPIM), Light-Addressable Potentiometric Sensors (LAPS) and two–photon fluorescence microscopy. The proposed technology has a unique twist in that the semiconductor substrate used as the LAPS/SPIM substrate also serves as the fluorescence detector providing a simple, elegant solution to a complex measurement problem. As the laser beams used for the excitation of LAPS/SPIM and fluorescence signals are focused through the same microscope objective, we will, for the first time, be able to access the same micro-environment with two photon fluorescence microscopy and electrical imaging simultaneously, enabling us to monitor dynamic changes in cell morphology and electrical properties in real time. The strengths of the technique lie in the fact, that cell-surface interactions can be investigated on any material that can be deposited onto a semiconductor substrate, that any point on the substrate can be addressed with a focused laser beam, i.e. the resolution is not limited by the miniaturisation of an electrode or transistor array, and LAPS and SPIM measurements can be performed with high sensitivity due to the use of an organic monolayer as the insulator.

Keywords: light-addressable potentiometric sensors (laps),scanning photo-induced impedance microscopy (spim),cell attachment area,fluorescence imaging,laser scanning,impedance and potential imaging
A laser made entirely of living cells and materials derived from living organisms (LIVINGLASER)

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: Slovenia
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2013-IOF, 2013)
Start date: 2014-11-01
End date: 2017-04-30
Duration (months): 30.0
Total project cost (EUR): 214227.9
EU funding (EUR): 214227.9
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The aim of this proposal is to make a laser composed entirely of living cells and materials derived from living organisms. The central part of the laser will consist of human embryonic kidney cells engineered to produce enhanced green fluorescent protein. The cells will provide gain for the laser. The resonant cavity will be made in three different ways, either using butterfly wings as highly reflective mirrors or using a droplet of water to circulate light or by highly scattering particles that will induce random lasing. This project goes well beyond bio-inspired technologies, which are based on principles from nature, but use artificial materials. A step forward is to use biocompatible materials or materials derived from living organisms. By using live cells this proposal goes even further. The advantage of this concept is self-assembly, self-healing, self-reproduction, scalability, self-reproduction, evolvability and adaptability of such living laser. The use of the living laser spans a variety of possible applications. The lasing spectrum emitted by the living laser has a unique pattern, which can be used to study the processes in the cell as well as for sensing external substances affecting the cell. We also suggest possible medical applications. Doctors today shine lasers into the body to gather images or to treat disease. The living lasers could instead generate or amplify the light inside the body, so it could penetrate the relevant tissues more deeply. Finally, future optical circuits could be made entirely of living tissues enabling their integration into living organisms.

Keywords: laser,human cell,butterfly wing,natural materials,fluorescent protein
Rac1 function in Intestinal stem cells (RAC1ISC)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Intra-European Fellowships
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: Denmark
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2013-IEF, 2013)
Start date: 2014-04-01
End date: 2016-03-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 230809.8
EU funding (EUR): 230809.8
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Diseases that affect the digestive system are the most common causes of mortality. The intestinal epithelium is a highly proliferative tissue, where most cells are replaced on a weekly basis. Intestinal stem cells (ISCs) are crucial for tissue maintenance and regeneration after wounding. Homeostasis within the stem cell compartment is controlled by extrinsic and intrinsic signals. The intrinsic cellular machinery that coordinates stem cell division, expansion and final differentiation is poorly understood and only little is known about the regulation of these pathways in vivo. The aim of our work is to understand the molecular mechanisms that control the behaviour of ISCs during tissue homeostasis in physiological and pathological conditions. We will focus on Rac GTPase signalling pathway: Is Rac1 involved in ISC homeostasis and tumour initiation? Which downstream signalling pathways are regulated by Rac1 activity in ISC in vivo? Does the loss of Rac1 modulate an inflammatory response in the intestinal mucosa? In the epidermis, Rac1 is essential for normal differentiation and maintenance of hair follicle stem cells, while under pathological conditions, Rac1 is crucial for keratinocyte hyper-proliferation in vivo. We will analyse the effect of Rac1 depletion in ISCs in vivo by generating Rac1 conditional KO in ISCs. In parallel we will generate Rac1 conditional KO in ISCs on Apcmin/+ mutant background and study Rac1 function during intestinal inflammation and tumour formation. The use of a multidisciplinary approach and the combination of in vitro and in vivo studies will help to explore our hypothesis of Rac function in the maintenance of a healthy intestinal mucosa. Characterising an intrinsic molecular mechanism that connects external signals from the microenvironment to the cellular response will have an important impact for helping us to design, as a long term aim, novel anti-tumour strategies to limit the progression of cancer.

Keywords: rac gtpases,stem cells,cancer,inflammation,intestinal mucosa,transgenic mice,imaging.
Scaffold Based Supramolecular Architectures as Protein Epitope Mimetics for Biomedical Applications (3D BIOMIMETICS)

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: Italy
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2013-IOF, 2013)
Start date: 2014-03-01
End date: 2016-08-31
Duration (months): 30.0
Total project cost (EUR): 218349.3
EU funding (EUR): 218349.3
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Synthetic molecules that mimic the structure of the part of a folded protein involved in recognition events (protein epitope mimetics, PEMs) can access biological targets previously deemed as “undruggable” and are considered as a potential source of future therapeutics. So far, PEMs could effectively mimic only individual secondary structure elements of peptides and proteins. The major goal of this project is the development of a novel versatile platform for the design of multifaceted 3D architectures as PEMs of higher order structure elements and discontinuous epitopes of bioactive protein surfaces. The platform is based on cyclic pseudopeptide scaffolds comprising triazole rings linked by conventional amide bonds that are designed to allow for precise topological positioning of biomolecules. The synthetic strategy relies on sequential assembly on solid support of tailor-made building blocks through cycles of alternated amide coupling and Copper(I)-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition reactions. The building blocks will be prepared in solution and using solid phase synthesis (SPS) to produce macromolecular units bearing bioactive peptide segments. Conclusively, these PEM systems can provide further insight into protein folding mechanism and recognition processes of bioactive protein surfaces. On the other side, improving pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties of natural peptides and proteins, a number of biomedical applications can be targeted. Specific focus will be devoted to the development of PEM anti-infective agents and the mimicry of structural and functional properties of trimeric HR1 complex of the HIV-1 protein gp41. Moreover, the developed platform can allow for the design of chimeric PEM systems that present saccharide and peptide units in a convergent manner as in the surface of native glycoproteins. This “discontinuous epitope” approach will be applied to improve pharmacological properties of the antimicrobial PEM systems.

Keywords: protein epitope mimetics,pseudopeptide scaffold,supramolecular architectures,antimicrobial peptides,hiv fusion proteins,glycoproteins
Membrane lipid composition as new antitumor therapeutic target: sphingomyelin synthase (SGMS) at the basis of Minerval® mechanism of action and design of new Minerval®-related drugs. (MEMBRANELIPIDTHERAPY)

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-2013-IEF, 2013)
Start date: 2014-09-01
End date: 2017-05-02
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 173370.6
EU funding (EUR): 173370.6
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

MembraneLipidTherapy proposal is a translational research project introducing an innovative therapeutic approach for fighting cancer disease that takes advantage of inter-sectoral industry-academia strengths and international cooperation. Membrane Lipid Therapy relies on the specific lipid composition from the cell membrane in tumour cells as a strong element controlling tumour growth surpassing oncogene activation or tumour suppressor inactivation. Particularly the ratio of membrane lipids phosphatidilethanol-amine:sphingomyelin (PE:SM) is ten times higher in tumour cells when compared to wild type cells. This finding allowed the host group to rationally design the new antitumor drug Minerval®, first known activator of sphingomyelin synthase (SGMS-1 and -2), the protein responsible for maintaining the balance between PE and SM in the membrane by using the former as substrate to synthesize the latter. Minerval®, developed by Lipopharma Therapeutics (spin-off company from University of the Balearic Islands), is currently in multicenter phase II clinical trial for treatment of gliomas and other solid tumours. All of the above supports Minerval® relevance as new antitumor therapy; however, further characterization of the molecular mechanism underlying Minerval® action is needed for approval and distribution of Minerval in the next future. The aim of this project is to gain more insight in this issue. Laboratory animal models combined with histology techniques, microscopy and imaging and molecular biology techniques together with analytical chemistry, molecule structure techniques and computer-aided drug design will be used to determine: 1. The molecular mechanism underlying the altered PE:SM ratio in tumour cells. 2. The domains in SGMS interacting with Minerval. 3. The molecular pathway implicated in SGMS regulation. Last but not least, the generated knowledge will be used for the ultimate aim of designing new drugs targeting SGMS1 and SGMS2 for antitumor therapy.

Keywords: antitumor therapy,clinical trial,orphan drug ema,2-hydroxyoleic acid,cell membrane lipid composition and structure,translational project.
The neural circuit mechanisms of anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis: revealing the role of NMDA receptors in spatial memory in mice. (ISOLM)

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: Spain
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2013-IIF, 2013)
Start date: 2015-04-09
End date: 2017-04-08
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 223002.2
EU funding (EUR): 223002.2
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Since the discovery of the anti-NMDA receptor (anti-NMDAr) encephalitis (Dalmau et al., 2007) there has been a rapid expansion in both the number of patients diagnosed with this potentially fatal but treatable disease, and the identification of other autoimmune synaptic disorders (Lancaster & Dalmau 2012). Given the established central role of NMDAr in learning and memory, memory deficits are among the predominant symptoms of this disorder. Based on classical human studies, it is well established that the hippocampus is critical for long-term memory. Since the discovery of place-cells in the hippocampus of rodents (O’Keefe et al. 1971) the main focus of research on the neural basis of memory formation has become the understanding of how memory is encoded in the neural activity of these cells. We hypothesize that (i) NMDAr function is necessary for generation of new spatial representations of novel environments (Kentros et al. 1998) and (ii) for the retrieval of existing spatial representations on familiar environments. We will test this two-fold hypothesis using a recently established mouse model of human NMDAr antibody-mediated memory deficits (Mannara et al 2013). We will continuously inject anti-NMDAr antibodies obtained from patients with anti-NMDAr encephalitis while we image the simultaneous activity of hundreds of place-cells (Ziv et al 2013) as mice learn to navigate and differentiate between environments in order to find reward (Jercog et al. 2013). We will characterize the time course of the memory impairments and their neural-activity signature while animals are both recalling previously consolidated spatial memories and creating new ones. Our results will (i) help to understand the circuit mechanisms underlying some of the symptoms observed in patients with anti- NMDAr encephalitis and (ii) elucidate the exact role of NMDAr in the formation and retrieval of spatial memories in HP circuits.

Keywords: anti nmda-receptor encephalitis,long-term memory formation and retrieval,hippocampus,mouse,spatial navigation,memory deficits,autoimmune diseases.
Multi-biofunctional implants for in-situ cartilage regeneration for traumatic and early osteoarthritic lesions (MICARTREGEN)

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)
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 231283.2
EU funding (EUR): 231283.2
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

MICartRegen is a multidisciplinary and highly innovative project aimed at designing and producing a novel multi-biofunctional, cell-free prototype orthopaedic implant able to induce, stimulate and sustain self-repair of injured cartilage tissue. This implant would be used to promote the in-situ regeneration of functional articular cartilage in lesions caused by trauma and early stage osteoarthritis. The proposed implant is novel, cell-free and differs in its mode of action from other devices on the market. In brief, the implant will contain a) Bioactive molecules to recruit and retain "repair cells" (mesenchymal stem cells) from the joint fluid or released by the orthopaedic surgeon by subchondral drilling; b) Bioactive factors to promote maturation of the recruited stem cells into cartilage cells (chondrocytes) to produce the required extracellular matrix components. The technologies used to fabricate the prototype implant are adaptable, therefore custom fabrication of sophisticated bioactive scaffolds for different biomaterials containing various bioactive factors would be possible The success of the project relies on the strong background in biomaterials science, largely in bio-functionalisation and genetic activation of materials, of the candidate, combined with complimentary skills and infrastructure of the host. MICartRegen will also give the candidate an opportunity to be trained in new methods on biological evolution of biomaterials, and transferable skills that will greatly boost her career. Furthermore, it will help her to become an independent and experienced researcher able to plan and manage her research, disseminate the results, up to industrial exploitation, through participation in courses and cooperation with experienced scientists.

Keywords: tissue engineering,cartilage regeneration,bio-functionalisation,scaffolds,gene activated matrix,stem cell recruitment,chemotactic factor,chondrogenic factor,osteoarthritis
Couples and childbearing: new approaches to the study of fertility outcomes and family formation across Europe. (COUPFER)

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: Austria
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2013-IIF, 2013)
Start date: 2014-08-18
End date: 2016-08-17
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 186783.6
EU funding (EUR): 186783.6
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

In order to understand childbearing behavior, it seems intuitively important to include partnership formation and the characteristics, behavior and interactions of both partners into the scholarly analyses of fertility. The empirical literature in this field, however, has so far overwhelmingly studied fertility outcomes from the perspective of the woman only (for example: how does her education affect her childbearing behavior and vice versa). Only very recently have studies integrated the (male) partner and couple-dynamics into models of childbearing behavior, and this 'couple perspective approach' is now an up-and coming area in social demography. A few pioneering studies have been published on the topic so far, but many open questions in the literature remain. Among them are the question of 1) how her and his educational attainment and employment behavior interact with each other in relating to childbearing behavior in many European nations not yet studied from a couple perspective, 2) if these relative resources may play a crucial role for partnership formation and union stability, and in turn be significant for childbearing behavior through selecting which couples find and remain together only 3) and how such couple dynamics may depend upon the surrounding social structure and greater gender equality in the society in relating to fertility outcomes and union stability. The proposed project aims at tackling all of these questions. Besides using state-of the art event history modeling and multi-level models, it will use cutting-edge structural equation methodology for event history data in order to integrate the complex social process of union formation and childbearing behavior in couples into one model. This will allow for a deeper and more detailed understanding of family formation and fertility outcomes in Europe, and not only greatly advance the field substantively but also make a significant contribution to the methodological advancement of the field.

Keywords: fertility childbearing europe couples gender equity multi-level micro macro education work family gender attitudes longitudinal structural equation family formation union stability