Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Imaging liver immunopathology by intravital microscopy (IVM): a new approach to study the pathogenesis of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. (LIVER IVM AND HBV)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Advanced grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Immunity and infection
Countries involved: Italy
Call:  (ERC-2009-AdG, 2009)
Start date: 2010-09-01
End date: 2016-03-31
Duration (months): 67.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2046200.0
EU funding (EUR): 2046200.0
Participants: 2
Project status: CLOSED

Overall objective and Specific Aims. The overall objective of this proposal is to elucidate the pathogenesis of HBV infection with the ultimate hope that this knowledge will lead to the development of new therapeutic strategies to terminate persistent infection and its attendant costs and complications. Our approach is to dissect poorly understood cellular and molecular pathways responsible for both liver disease and viral clearance taking advantage of technological advances in the field of live imaging and unique mouse models of HBV infection. Three specific aims will be pursued: 1. Visualize and characterize where and how naïve and effector CTL of different specificities adhere to vessels and recognize/kill HBV-expressing hepatocytes within the “normal”, fibrotic/cirrhotic or cancerous liver. 2. Characterize the role of platelets in HBV pathogenesis. 3. Characterize the role of Kupffer cells in HBV pathogenesis.

Keywords: intravital imaging,liver,platelets,cytotoxic t cells,viral hepatitis
Regulation of the expression of odorant receptor genes in mouse (ORGENECHOICE)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Advanced grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Neurosciences and neural disorders
Countries involved: Germany
Call:  (ERC-2009-AdG, 2009)
Start date: 2010-04-01
End date: 2015-03-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2500000.0
EU funding (EUR): 2500000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Odorant receptor (OR) genes form the largest family in the mouse genome: ~1200 genes spread over ~40 loci. Each olfactory sensory neuron (OSN) expresses one OR gene, from one allele. The mechanisms of OR gene choice remain elusive. We will execute five specific aims that are interconnected but independent. We will search for homeodomain genes that we can link functionally to expression of a subset of OR genes; we will define promoter regions for the eight OR genes that are solitary, not belonging to a cluster; we will look for organizational principles among the repertoire of second choices in OSNs that express first an OR locus without a coding sequence; we will characterize the phenotype of mice with a knockout of a novel regulatory element, the P element; and we will test the distance-dependence of the activity of this and a similar element (the H region) by transplanting it within the local genomic region. Guiding hypotheses are that promoter regions for OR genes are short and close to the coding sequence; that the conserved homeodomain and O/E binding sites in OR promoter regions have a fundamental role in OR gene choice, rather than in transcription after it is chosen for expression; and that the H and P elements are two of several similar regulatory elements that each operate in cis within a cluster. The approach is based on gene targeting and transgenesis by pronuclear injection. A multipronged strategy will be taken to assay OR gene expression, with βgal-reporter mice, in situ hybridization, custom Affymetrix microarrays for mouse ORs, quantitative, real-time PCR, and Nanostring molecular bar codes. Understanding OR gene choice will have implications for our understanding of the regulation of gene expression in the mammalian genome – particularly if new mechanisms or principles are discovered.

Keywords: olfaction,odorant receptor,olfactory receptor,gene regulation,gene choice,mononallelic expression,allelic exclusion,mouse,gene targeting,transgenes
Paving the way toward HIV eradication/control (SILENT HIV)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Advanced grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Immunity and infection
Countries involved: France
Call:  (ERC-2009-AdG, 2009)
Start date: 2010-05-01
End date: 2015-04-30
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2019500.0
EU funding (EUR): 2019500.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Human Immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), the causative agent of AIDS, infects primarily cells of the immune system. The outcome of HIV-1 infection results from complex interactions between viral proteins and host cell factors (ref). In most cases, HIV-1 successfully hijacks cellular pathways and bypasses cellular restriction factors for optimal replication leading to continuous rounds of infection, replication and cell death (ref). Continuous viral replication causes the loss of CD4+T cells and progression to immunodeficiency in infected individuals. However, in certain situations virus replication can be successfully controlled. First, HAART (Highly Active AntiRetroviral Therapy) treatment revealed the existence of a pool of resting memory CD4+ T cells harbouring integrated but silent HIV-1 provirus. Although this situation occurs in a small number of cells, it suggests that intracellular defence mechanisms can be effective against HIV. This long lived viral reservoir is believed to be the major obstacle against HIV-1 eradication by HAART. Second, HIV-infected individuals who are able to control their virus to undetectable levels for many years in absence of any treatment have been identified and referred to as Elite HIV controllers EC . Again, this is a rare situation observed in 0.5% of infected patients. Still, it demonstrates that it is possible to naturally and effectively control HIV replication and disease progression. A common feature of these two situations is that virus replication is controlled at the gene expression level. A major challenge in the HIV field is to understand how these naturally occurring situations where intracellular defence and/or immune response win the battle against HIV. Our project aim at identifying the host factors and define the molecular mechanisms involved in the control of virus replication both in HAART-treated and in EC patients.

Keywords: hiv. reservoirs. transcription. chromatin. restriction factors. mirna.
New approaches to analyze and exploit the human B and T cell response against viruses (IMMUNEXPLORE)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Advanced grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Immunity and infection
Countries involved: Switzerland
Call:  (ERC-2009-AdG, 2009)
Start date: 2010-09-01
End date: 2015-08-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1979200.0
EU funding (EUR): 1979200.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Immunological memory confers long term protection against pathogens and is the basis of successful vaccination. Following antigenic stimulation long lived plasma cells and memory B cells are maintained for a lifetime, conferring immediate protection and enhanced responsiveness to the eliciting antigen. However, in the case of variable pathogens such as influenza virus, B cell memory is only partially effective, depending on the extent of similarity between the preceding and the new viruses. The B cell response is dominated by serotype-specific antibodies and heterosubtypic antibodies capable of neutralizing several serotypes appear to be extremely rare. Understanding the basis of broadly neutralizing antibody responses is a critical aspect for the development of more effective vaccines. In this project we will explore the specificity and dynamics of human antibody responses to influenza virus by using newly developed technological platforms to culture human B cells and plasma cells and to analyze the repertoire of human naïve and memory T cells. High throughput functional screenings, structural analysis and testing in animal models will provide a thorough characterization of the human immune response. The B cell and T cell analysis aims at understanding fundamental aspects of the immune response such as: the selection and diversification of memory B cells; the individual variability of the antibody response, the mechanisms of T-B cooperation and the consequences of the original antigenic sin and of aging on the immune response. This analysis will be complemented by a translational approach whereby broadly neutralizing human monoclonal antibodies will be developed and used: i) for passive vaccination against highly variable viruses; ii) for vaccine design through the identification and production of recombinant antigens to be used as effective vaccines; and iii) for active vaccination in order to facilitate T cell priming and jump start the immune responses.

Keywords: none
Epigenetic regulation and monoallelic gene expression: the X-inactivation paradigm and beyond (EPIGENETIX)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Advanced grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Genetics, Genomics, Bioinformatics and Systems Biology
Countries involved: France
Call:  (ERC-2009-AdG, 2009)
Start date: 2010-05-01
End date: 2015-10-31
Duration (months): 66.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2860000.0
EU funding (EUR): 2860000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

X-chromosome inactivation (XCI) represents a classic example of epigenetics in mammals. In this process, one of the two X chromosomes in females is converted from an active into a clonally heritable, inactive, state during early embryonic development, to ensure dosage compensation between the sexes. This process is also remarkable in that an entire chromosome is silenced while its homologue, present in the same nucleus, remains active. Thus, in addition to being an epigenetics paradigm, XCI also represents a powerful model for monoallelic gene expression and could provide important insights into the mechanisms underlying other examples of random, monoallelic regulation. The key locus underlying the initiation of XCI is the X-inactivation centre (Xic). The Xic ensures the induction and monoallelic expression of a non-coding RNA (Xist) that is responsible for triggering chromosomal silencing in cis during development. We would like to understand the mechanisms underlying the Xic&apos;s functions and define whether other, Xic-like loci exist in the genome. Once XCI is established, the inactive state is initially reversible but becomes progressively locked in as development proceeds due to numerous epigenetic marks such as DNA methylation and histone modifications, as well as nuclear compartmentalization and asynchronous replication. In the proposed program, we will exploit our expertise in XCI to develop new lines of research and use novel technologies to investigate monoallelic gene expression, nuclear organization and epigenetics during development. Our main objectives are (1) to understand how monoallelic expression states are established and maintained during early development and (2) to assess how chromosome dynamics and nuclear architecture can impact on these states.

Keywords: x inactivation,non-coding rna,nuclear organisation,chromatin
European Union Contest for Young Scientists 2009 (EUCYS2009)

Framework: FP7 — Capacities
Programme: Science in Society
Destination: Science in Society
Action type: Coordination and support actions
Countries involved: France
Call:  (FP7-Adhoc-2007-13, 2007)
Start date: 2008-11-01
End date: 2010-04-30
Duration (months): 18.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1067403.0
EU funding (EUR): 600000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The EU Contest gives students the opportunity to compete with the best of their contemporaries at European level. The young scientists also have the chance to meet others with similar abilities and interests and to be guided by some of the most prominent scientists in Europe. In this way, the Commission seeks to strengthen the efforts made in each participating country to attract young people to careers in science and technology. The EU Contest for Young Scientists is part of the Science and Society activities managed by the Directorate-General for Research of the European Commission. The 21st EU Contest for Young Scientists will take place 11-16 September 2009 in Paris, France. Host organiser is the Commissariat à l’Energie Atomique (CEA).

Keywords: young scientists,contest,40 countries
Genomics of sexual isolation and reinforcement in the house mouse (SPECIATIONGENOMICS)

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: France
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2009-RG, 2009)
Start date: 2011-01-01
End date: 2014-04-22
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 45000.0
EU funding (EUR): 45000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

One main topic in evolutionary biology is this unresolved and fascinating riddle: how do new species arise? In the last two decades, attention focused on the possibility that selection could play a major role in speciation, particularly when reproductive isolation is impeded by ongoing gene flow. Nowadays, the plausibility of adaptive speciation is accepted but the debate is shifting towards the challenges of identifying the factors favouring this process and of assessing the genetic basis of adaptive divergence. This project proposes to address the mechanisms of adaptive speciation in the house mouse, a model species for the study of speciation, by developing a genomics and candidate gene approach which will complement the behavioural and proteomics studies in progress on this biological system. Specifically, the project aims to elucidate the genetic basis of sexual isolation and reinforcement between two European subspecies of the house mouse (Mus musculus domesticus and M. m. musculus) which hybridise in nature but show some degree of prezygotic isolation in their contact zone. Sexual isolation between these two taxa originates from the divergence of the olfactory mate recognition system. Therefore, I propose that loci implicated in pheromone recognition are prime candidates for speciation in the house mouse and I will test this hypothesis by seeking for a signature of divergence under selection in genomic regions containing these candidate genes (Murine Urinary Protein and Vomeronasal Receptor gene families). My approach will be to exploit publicly available genomic resources for the house mouse and recent progress made in the characterisation of chemosensory related gene and the idea will be to combine high throughput technologies and population genetics tools in order to assess divergence both at the sequence and the expression level. Importantly, this project will include for the first time a test of a mechanism of reinforcement at the molecular level.

Keywords: evolutionary biology,speciation,genomics,reinforcement,chemosensory genes,next-generation sequencing,behaviour,olfaction,selection,major urinary protein,vomeronasal receptor
A IAPP on the Role of NCAM in Stem Cell Differentiation (STEMCAM)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Industry-Academia Partnerships and Pathways
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: Hungary,Switzerland,Germany,Canada,Denmark
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2009-IAPP, 2009)
Start date: 2010-09-01
End date: 2014-08-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1489317.0
EU funding (EUR): 1489317.0
Participants: 5
Project status: CLOSED

The STEMCAM project is a 4-years training and transfer of knowledge program between two distinguished academic groups in stem cell research, two highly innovative SMEs and a company leader in development of media for stem cell research, to foster long-term industry-academy collaboration and partnership in the field of stem cells research and applications. The scientific and industrial aim of STEMCAM is to study the role of the Neuronal Cell Adhesion Molecule NCAM and related growth factors in the maintenance, survival and differentiation of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells towards the neural and myocardial lineage, in comparison with embryonic stem cells. The project will take advantage of very unique and innovative pharmacological tools, the NCAM and growth factor mimetic peptides discovered by ENKAM. To achieve its aim STEMCAM will apply an interdisciplinary approach from cell biology (including innovative in vitro culture using bi- and three dimensional systems), immunocytochemistry, imaging, molecular biology, electrophysiology, to peptide chemistry and chemioinformatics. The project will run via a training and transfer of knowledge program structured to efficiently exploit the expertise and complementarities between the industrial and academic partners to reach the scientific goals of the project and provide high quality intersectorial training for the participating researchers. This is expected to be of high benefit for their individual career development. The STEMCAM project links intersectorial research activities in two very relevant areas of stem cell research, neurogenesis and cardiomyogenesis and will strictly collaborate with the IAPPs INDUSTEM and PARTNERS and the large FP7 IP ESNATS, complementing and expanding with its unique approach their research scope and transfer of knowledge. Thus STEMCAM will significantly contribute to progress of stem cell research in Europe with high potential impact on European competitiveness and regenerative medicine

Keywords: health sciences,r&d,toxicology,regenerative medicine
Hierarchical self-organisation in complex stochastic systems (HISOCS)

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: Netherlands
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2009-IEF, 2009)
Start date: 2010-04-01
End date: 2012-07-31
Duration (months): 28.0
Total project cost (EUR): 155048.8
EU funding (EUR): 155048.8
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The proposed research project aims at a rigorous mathematical understanding of the emergence of universal hierarchical structures and of the phenomenon of hierarchical self-organization for paradigmatic stochastic models of complex systems that involve long- and short-range interactions. For this purpose, we shall employ recent breakthroughs in understanding of multiple space-time scale collective behaviour of interacting spatio-temporal random systems. Moreover, we shall employ techniques and objects that were recently identified in the context of mathematical analysis of disordered systems. This understanding will allow us to identify the main governing parameters of the stochastic models that, in turn, will allow us to calibrate the models and to suggest ways to control real-world complex systems.

Keywords: probability theory,biomathematics,statistical physics,complex systems,interacting random spatial systems,self-organization,hierarchies,long- and short-range interactions,multiscale analysis
Intelligent recognition materials for extraction and detection (IRMED)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Industry-Academia Partnerships and Pathways
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: United Kingdom,France,France
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2009-IAPP, 2009)
Start date: 2010-07-01
End date: 2014-06-30
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 856415.0
EU funding (EUR): 856415.0
Participants: 3
Project status: CLOSED

This project will focus on the development and optimisation of intelligent recognition materials for applications in extraction and detection, focusing on the molecular imprinting approach. Three key scientific aims have been identified: (i) development and optimization of imprinted polymers; (ii) MIPs and applications to the market (iii) new concepts and innovative thinking in intelligent recognition materials. This partnership brings together three teams from France and the United Kingdom. The scientific interests of these groups have a common denominator in the application of molecular imprinting for the preparation of new intelligent materials and the use of these materials in synthesis, catalysis and assay devices while the scientific background of the groups is divergent ranging from bioengineering and nanobiotechnology to synthetic chemistry and polymer chemistry all the way to product oriented research and technology R&amp;D. The transfer of knowledge program has been devised taking into account the three main objectives of this partnership, that are (T1) scientific ToK; (T2) professional development; (T3) long term collaborations. The partnership has identified five key actions along which the program will develop, and these are i) secondment of researchers, ii) recruitment of new researchers, iii) partnerships events, iv) return home plan, v) interactions between principal investigators. The field of molecular imprinting has now reached an important stage where further technological advance will require closer interactions of academia and industry. Researchers with broad competences in chemistry, chemical technology as well as product development are needed to bring this promising and truly European technique into its new stage of application and commercialisation. The close collaboration between academic teams and an SME fully involved in this area, working together on this project will provide the ideal platform.

Keywords: molecular chemistry,molecular imprinting,detection,analytical chemistry