Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
SAHEL IN TRANSITION – Will the re-greening provide a way out of the poverty trap? (SAHEL IN TRANSITION)

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-2010-IEF, 2010)
Start date: 2012-02-01
End date: 2014-01-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 195064.0
EU funding (EUR): 195064.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

After the catastrophic droughts in the 1970’s and early 1980’s, the West African Sahel now seems to experience a re-greening. Analysis of satellite data from the region illustrate an increase in landscape productivity since 1983. While returning rainfall is one reason, there are areas where productivity has increased more than what could be expected when only looking at rainfall trends. This suggests that people are managing the landscape in ways that improve its potential to generate ecosystem services. The re-greening is described as a success story where local people have been able to substantially improve their welfare. However, there is a lack of scientific evidence for these benefits. This postdoctoral project aims to 1) quantify the direct effects of a greener Sahel on local smallholders’ livelihoods, and 2) answer to what degree productive and resilient agro-ecosystems can help Sahelian smallholders escape persistent poverty. For a region that is the home to some of the world’s poorest populations and where there is a large uncertainty about the impacts of climate change, but where the current re-greening may provide a window of opportunity for changing the development trajectory, this is a critical issue. The project combines participatory field research with modeling of rainfall and household welfare dynamics, to investigate the income contribution from local ecosystem services in communities situated along a non-greened to re-greened gradient in Niger and Burkina Faso. Since the region’s challenging hydro-climate implies a risk for climate-related poverty traps, special focus will be on the influence of landscape productivity on people’s capacity to cope with drought situations without having to deplete their asset holdings. Overall the project will contribute to closing the knowledge gap on the relationship between the availability of ecosystem services and human well-being, an issue at the core of the global development challenge.

Keywords: sahel,re-greening,ecosystem services,rainfall variability,household welfare,poverty traps,social-ecological interactions,resilience,transformation,development
Effect of PTPN22 on Treg to Teff equilibrium in human and murine autoimmune diabetes (PTPN22 IN T1D)

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: Italy
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2010-RG, 2010)
Start date: 2011-04-01
End date: 2015-03-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 2
Project status: CLOSED

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a chronic inflammatory disease, where predisposing genetic factors along with environmental influences result in loss of immunological tolerance and destruction of insulin-producing beta cells. Genetic studies have identified three main T1D susceptibility loci, the human leukocyte antigens (HLA), insulin and most recently PTPN22, which encodes for Lyp/Pep, a lymphoid tyrosine phosphatase. A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in PTPN22 at codon 620 leads to one amino-acid substitution, Arg to Trp (R620W), associated with an increase in T1D risk. A perturbation in the effector (Teff) to regulatory T cell (Treg) equilibrium seems to be implicated in T1D and most cases of autoimmunity. Functional analysis in individuals carrying the R620W polymorphism indicate a "gain of function mutant" resulting in reduced TCR signaling. However, it is not currently known how PTPN22 is involved in mediating T1D susceptibility: effects on Treg and/or Teff thymic selection and peripheral homeostasis may be responsible. Understanding the mechanisms involved could be a key to our understanding of T1D pathogenesis. In addition, strategies that directly target Teff or Treg by inhibiting signaling from PTPN22 could be successful in halting T1D progression. The goal of this project is to analyze the role of PTPN22 on Treg and Teff equilibrium in (pre)diabetic human individuals and selected mouse models of T1D. The specific aims of this Marie-Curie RIG are: 1. Define the role of PTPN22 (R620W allele) on Treg and Teff cells in healthy versus (pre)diabetic individuals, and 2. Determine the role of PTPN22 signaling on Teff and/or Treg in two well-characterized murine models of T1D, (virally-induced [RIP-LCMV] and spontaneous [NOD]. Objectives to be achieved: 1. Functional characterization of PTPN22 mutation on Treg and Teff cells in (pre)diabetic human individuals. 2. Dissection of PTPN22 signaling in selected murine models of T1D crossed to Lyp/Pep deficient mice.

Keywords: health sciences,autoimmuntiy,type 1 diabetes,antiviral immunity,ptpn22,lyp/pep,tyrosine phosphatase,treg,nod mice,bdc2.5,rip-lcmv,immune regulation,memory.
Linguistics as a Science - a Historical Philosophical Study (LINGUISTICSSCIENCE)

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: 2011-09-01
End date: 2015-08-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Linguistics, defined as the ‘scientific study of language’, is probably the last discipline in the humanities and in social sciences aspiring to become a science in the positivist sense. In this context, the goal of this project is to approach the scientific studies of natural languages armed with methodologies from the history of science and from the philosophy of science, as linguistics is very rarely examined from these two perspectives. This project will engage in these topics from two angles: First, it argues that applying methods from the history of science in recounting the history of linguistics in the last two centuries, from the perspective of the scientific character of this discipline, will shed interesting light on its various developments. Thus we will examine the role of the perception of linguistics as a natural science as the basis of a few turning points in the history of the field. The second part of this project focuses on contemporary linguistic, and seeks possible implementations of philosophical inquiries on linguistic theories and to explore their potential to ameliorate weaknesses in these theories. The supposition of this enterprise is that understanding the nature of a linguistic investigation and its explanatory targets, an understanding which results from the methodology of the philosophy of science, should have direct consequences on the empirical methodology. Two areas in linguistics will be studied in depth: The first involves some of the most fundamental issues in linguistics regarding the interface between the semantics (and the lexicon) and the syntax, focusing on issues related to argument realization. The second is within the field of historical linguistics, examining the concept of grammaticalization. In sum, this two-part project utilizes methodologies from various fields and requires a deep acquaintance with linguistic studies and their methodologies, philosophy of science, the history of linguistics and history of science.

Keywords: linguistics,philosophy of science,history of science,history of linguistics,semantics-syntax interface,argument realization,event-structure,historical linguistics,grammaticalization
The Role of Topoisomerase 2a in Aire-mediated Induction of Immunologic Tolerance (AIRE-TOP2A)

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

In a functional immune system, T cells serve as potent immunologic weapons, attacking foreign invaders, while tolerating the body’s own components. Unfortunately, these beneficial weapons can occasionally turn against self and attack the body’s own organs, resulting in autoimmunity. One of the most common reasons for this phenomenon is that the body fails to properly educate T cells on how to distinguish between self and non-self (foreign invader). These mis-educated cells then remain in the body where they can potentially cause autoimmunity by attacking its own organs. Recently a rare cell population of the thymic stroma, called the medullary epithelial cells (MECs), was shown to play a very fundamental role in this process. Namely, these cells have the amazing capacity to express essentially all body antigens, and in particular those, whose expression was previously thought to be restricted only to peripheral organs (e.g. pancreas). Hence, expression and a subsequent presentation of these peripheral-tissue-antigens (PTAs) to the differentiating thymocytes help to purge self-reactive T cells that could potentially cause autoimmunity. Many of these ectopic transcripts are regulated by the product of a single gene, the Autoimmune regulator (Aire), as mice with a mutation in this locus express only a fraction of the PTA repertoire and develop a multiorgan autoimmunity. Recently, we provided very significant insights into the Aire’s mode of action, by identification of its molecular partners. The research proposed herein is a direct continuation of these groundbreaking findings and specifically focuses on one of the most important and promising Aire-interacting partners – Topoisomerase 2a (TOP2a). The major objectives are to verify TOP2a significance under in vivo conditions, further delineate its mode of action, as well as to test whether its specific modulator – Etoposide could revert the onset of autoimmunity in Aire-deficient animals.

Keywords: cell biology,molecular biology,immunology,autoimmunity,aire,top2a,thymus
Measuring Levels of MHC diversity between free-ranging and potentially isolated populations of Black-backed jackals(Canis mesomelas) (JACKALS)

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-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

Among the consequences of barriers to movements of animals within and between populations are a reduction of genetic diversity and an increase in genetic differentiation between populations. Protein coding genes of the MHC have been previously identified as potentially suitable markers for estimating adaptive variability within populations. In addition to the use of traditional neutral microsatellite markers, this project “Jackals” will investigate variation in levels of allelic expression and heterozygosity at the Major Histocompatibility Complex, (MHC) in populations of Black-backed jackals (Canis mesomelas) located within and outside wildlife reserves. The project will also use spohisticated GPS tracking techniques to determine if wildlife park barrier fences present an obstacle to gene flow between park and free-ranging populations. The objectives of this research are therefore; • To compare differences between MHC allelic profiles for populations/family groups of jackals located within at least two fenced wildlife parks and from free ranging jackals from the habitat surrounding these parks. • Compare levels of MHC and neural maker heterozygosity between these populations/family groups. • Determine if park jackals do have higher ecto-parasite burdens that their free ranging counterparts. • Determine if correlations exist between presence/absence of specific MHC alleles and high ecto-parasite burdens • To assess the permeability of game fences to the movements of jackals using telemetry techniques.

Keywords: natural sciences,mhc,black-backed jackals,wildlife parks,conservation genetics,south africa,ecto-parasites
Discovering and exploiting hidden pockets at protein-protein interfaces (POCKETSPPI)

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-2010-RG, 2010)
Start date: 2011-09-01
End date: 2015-08-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Protein-protein interactions play critical roles in normal human physiology, as well as in numerous diseases such as cancers and neurodegenerative disorders. However, identifying small molecule drugs to block protein interactions is a very difficult task. One of the major difficulties is that often the proteins involved are extremely flexible and readily change shape, which greatly complicates efforts to find small molecule ligands of matching shape. In this project, we aim to exploit protein flexibility to create new opportunities for drug discovery. Interactions between a given pair of proteins commonly requires one or both partners to transiently form pockets that allow selective binding. Therefore, most protein interfaces likely possess many more binding pockets than those apparent in the static picture of a protein structure revealed by crystallographic experiments. We propose to identify these "hidden" pockets using computational methods. Thus, we will develop and validate molecular simulation methodologies to detect hidden pockets at protein interfaces and assess their small molecule "druggability" using docking calculations and binding site scoring functions. Such capacity would greatly strengthen the reliability of in silico drug design. We will perform virtual screens to find small molecule ligands binding to hidden pockets in medicinally important proteins such as FcgammaRIIA or PCNA. Finally, we will purchase or synthesize promising ligands and assay their activity against protein targets. These studies will allow us to test the utility of our computational approach in rational drug design. The objectives of this research are part of a broader program we are currently developing and whose purpose is to provide a comprehensive set of computational/biophysical methods to allow the widespread targeting of seemingly "undruggable" protein families with small molecules, thereby expanding the scope of modern molecular medicine.

Keywords: pharmaceutical chemistry,computational chemistry,molecular biophysics,structural biology
NUtrition and microVAScular dynamics in COGnitive health (NUVASCOG)

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: 2011-09-01
End date: 2015-08-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

This IRG will support my return to the EU as a Senior Lecturer in Nutrition and Neuroscience at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, bringing state-of-the-art science and technology, collaborations, and excellent prospects for reintegration and the enhancement of European competitiveness. My research aims to elucidate the metabolic basis of brain aging and develop interventions for preventing dementia and brain vascular disease. We address a timely and fundamental question regarding microvascular mechanisms of cognitive decline. Our central hypothesis is that impairment of brain microvascular plasticity due to age, diet or disease, is a pivotal mechanism of cognitive decline. Building on outstanding prior research, we predict that that folate deficiency and aging will limit brain circulation and oxygen delivery by diminishing microvascular plasticity, thus ultimately impairing cognition. Specific aims are to: 1) Test the hypothesis that impaired brain circulation and oxygen delivery due to aberrant microvascular plasticity impairs cognition in both folate-deficiency and aging; and 2) Identify folate- and age-responsive pathways that regulate brain microvascular plasticity. We will use a conceptually and technically innovative approach to measure cognitive function, brain microvascular plasticity, and brain circulation and oxygen delivery with our proprietary near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) system. These studies will help delineate the role of microvascular plasticity in cognitive function; establish a new animal model of vascular cognitive impairment; establish quantitative anatomical and non-invasive functional measures of microvascular health for basic and pre-clinical research; and identify one or more diet-responsive microvascular signaling pathways. These outcomes are significant because they will provide actionable insight into the role of nutritional factors in modifying microvascular plasticity for the prevention of age-related cognitive decline.

Keywords: health sciences,brain research,nutrition related disorders
Liquid-aperture Coulter counter for sizing oceanic particles and phytoplankton (LAC)

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-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

The size of marine particles controls many oceanic processes that ultimately affect the feedbacks between the ocean carbon cycle and the Earth's system. Among these processes the most significant are perhaps particle settling, aggregation and remineralization, because they modify the efficiency of the biological pump, i.e., the transfer of organic matter from the surface to the deep ocean. Size additionally controls the optical properties of particles that allow us to monitor the ocean carbon cycle from satellite sensors. Finally, the size of living marine particles (e.g., phytoplankton) is proportional to their carbon biomass and regulates many eco-physiological processes such as photosynthesis, respiration, nutrient uptake and grazing. Despite its relevance, the size distribution of phytoplankton and marine particles is rarely measured in the open ocean, mainly due to limitations in current instrumentation. The main objective of this application is construct a break-through instrument that will exploit novel microfluidic lab-on-a-chip technologies to overcome current instrument limitations and measure the particle and phytoplankton size distributions over an unprecedented range of sizes. The new data will eventually reduce uncertainties in the ocean carbon cycle by, among others, improving estimates of phytoplankton carbon, enhancing our understanding of phytoplankton eco-physiology in-situ and improving our knowledge of sub-micron particles. Dr. Dall'Olmo's chances of reintegrating in the European Union will be significantly improved by participation to this project. This is because, he will be able to capitalize on the newly collected data for continuing publishing in peer-reviewed journals, generating new ideas and proposal applications, as well as establishing new collaborations within and outside the European Union.

Keywords: biological oceanography,pelagic ecosystems
Star, gas and dust in star forming regions: studying Star Formation Rate tracers at small galactic scales (HER-SFR)

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: 2011-06-01
End date: 2014-09-20
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 45000.0
EU funding (EUR): 45000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Knowledge of the properties of the stellar population and the star formation activity in galaxies is essential to understand the formation and evolution of galaxies. Multi-wavelength data have been used to parameterize the star formation rate (SFR) of different types of galaxies, but most of them are strongly affected by the presence of dust in the interiors of the star forming regions. Although a considerable analysis has been carried out from a statistical point of view in identifying new SFR indicators, little has been done to corroborate the spatial correlation of the luminosities proposed as tracers of the star formation and the geometries of the gas and dust relative to the positions where the stars form in HII regions. The study of the emission distribution in HII regions at the wavelengths of the recently proposed SFR indicators and its relation to the action of the stellar winds and supernova explosions that strongly affect the distribution of the interstellar medium, offers an opportunity to test the hypotheses that have been previously assumed in the statistical studies. The research lines presented here will take advantage of the IR Telescope HERSCHEL already launched by the European Space Agency in May 2009. The observations from HERSCHEL have the best spatial resolution ever and represent a key set of data to better understand the role of the dust in star-forming regions. I present here a project that combines HERSCHEL data with multi-wavelength observations in order to perform a study of the stellar, gas and dust components in star forming regions in nearby galaxies. A key goal of this project is to prove the commonly used assumptions in the derivation of SFR indicators for galaxies of different types and environments. With this work I will significantly improve our understanding of the way massive star formation affects galaxy evolution.

Keywords: physical sciences,astrophysics,galaxies,dust,star formation,infrared