Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Roads and the politics of thought: Ethnographic approaches to infrastructure development in South Asia (ROADS)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Consolidator grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Institutions, Values, Beliefs and behaviour
Countries involved: United Kingdom,United Kingdom,India
Call:  (ERC-2013-CoG, 2013)
Start date: 2015-02-01
End date: 2020-01-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1998158.8
EU funding (EUR): 1998158.8
Participants: 3
Project status: CLOSED

New roads are being constructed at unprecedented rates in certain parts of the world. The proposed research will ask: Why? To what end? Who benefits? What ideas lie in the foundations of this new infrastructure? Roads are presented as solutions to poverty, ‘development’ and economic growth? Are they? In what ways? What else might roads do? As cheap oil dwindles and questions of climate change remain, why are so many international institutions cultivating new roads? The project will provide the first ethnographic account of the culture of road builders, their knowledge practices, inter-relations and motivations. The research will be rooted in case studies of particular road projects in Pakistan, India, Maldives and Sri Lanka. These sites have been selected to bring to the fore how nation-building, neo-liberalism, ambition, environmental vulnerability and modernity feature in contemporary road-building. We will look at the organisation of road building on the ground, in offices, and within a broader array of institutions and state bodies in national and international contexts in order to understand the global cultures of road-building practice. The project is academic in design and will contribute to various pressing and critical debates relating to power, global justice and environmental futures. The subject also merits wider discussion and at the core of the research design is an innovative collaboration between anthropologists and leading contemporary artists.

Keywords: roads,ethnography,oil,global futures,infrastructure,south asia,social engineering,knowledge systems,cultural practice,development
Modeling Disease through Cell Reprogramming: a Translational Approach to the Pathogenesis of Syndromes Caused by Symmetrical Gene Dosage Imbalances (DISEASEAVATARS)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Consolidator grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Diagnostic Tools, Therapies and Public Health
Countries involved: Italy,Switzerland
Call:  (ERC-2013-CoG, 2013)
Start date: 2014-09-01
End date: 2019-08-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1997804.0
EU funding (EUR): 1997804.0
Participants: 3
Project status: CLOSED

The fundamental limitation in our ability to dissect human diseases is the scarce availability of human tissues at relevant disease stages, which is particularly salient for neural disorders. Somatic cell reprogramming is overcoming this limitation through the derivation of patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) that can be differentiated into disease-relevant cell-types. Despite these tantalizing possibilities, there are critical issues to be addressed in order to secure iPSC-modeling as a robust platform for the interrogation of disease aetiology and the development of new therapies. These concern the taming of human genetic variation, the identification of differentiation stages in which to uncover and validate phenotypes, and finally their translational into drug discovery assays. This project confronts these challenges focusing on the paradigmatic case of two rare but uniquely informative disorders caused by symmetric gene dosage imbalances at 7q11.23: Williams Beuren Syndrome and the subset of autism spectrum disorders associated to 7q11.23 microduplication. The hallmark of WBS is a unique behavioral-cognitive profile characterized by hypersociability and intellectual disability in the face of comparatively well-preserved language abilities. Hence, the striking symmetry in genotype and phenotype between WBS and 7dupASD points to the 7q11.23 cluster as a surprisingly small subset of dosage-sensitive genes affecting social behaviour and cognition. We build on a large panel of iPSC lines that we already reprogrammed from a unique cohort of WBS and 7dupASD patients and whose characterization points to specific derangements at the level of transcriptional/epigenetic control, protein synthesis and synaptic dysfunction. Through the integration of transcriptomic and epigenomic profiling with targeted mass spectrometry and gene network prediction we propose an innovative drug discovery pipeline for the identification of new therapeutic leads.

Keywords: induced pluripotent stem cells (ipsc),disease modeling,somatic cell reprogramming,drug discovery,small molecules high throughput screening (hts),neurodevelopmental disorders,gene dosage
Global Dynamics of Proteolytic Quality Control Networks in Stress Response and Aging (PROTEODYNAMICS)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Consolidator grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Cellular and Developmental Biology
Countries involved: Germany
Call:  (ERC-2013-CoG, 2013)
Start date: 2014-06-01
End date: 2020-05-31
Duration (months): 72.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1992960.0
EU funding (EUR): 1992960.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Accumulation of damaged and aggregated proteins is associated with age-related neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s patients. The ubiquitin/proteasome system (UPS) is a major proteolytic route functioning in a cellular network that maintains the proteome during stress and aging. Degradation of damaged proteins is mediated by the 26S proteasome upon attachment of ubiquitin (Ub) proteins (ubiquitylation). Another proteolytic system supporting protein homeostasis (proteostasis) is the autophagy-lysosome pathway that degrades proteins inside activated autophagosomes. An age-related impairment of either of these systems causes enhanced protein aggregation and affects lifespan, suggesting functional overlap and cooperation between UPS and autophagy in stress and aging. Despite the progress made in searching for key substrates that are destined for degradation, the major challenge in the field is to understand how these proteolytic systems are mechanistically coordinated to overcome age-related proteotoxicity. The ultimate goal of the proposed research is to assemble a global picture of stress-induced proteolytic networks critical for aging of multicellular organisms. The tissue-specific regulation of protein degradation pathways will be addressed using the powerful genetic model of Caenorhabditis elegans. The suggested project will systematically analyze: inducible protein degradation pathways (Aim 1), the regulation of UPS and autophagy by microRNAs (miRNAs) (Aim 2), and tissue-specific adaptation of proteolytic networks (Aim 3) in stress response and aging. To this end, comprehensive transcriptome analysis, large-scale genetic screenings combined with deep-sequencing technology, and candidate approaches based on in vivo imaging and degradation assays will be performed. Together, we propose a highly complementary research plan that aims to break new grounds in the understanding of proteolytic networks in aging and disease.

Keywords: aging,longevity,ubiquitin,ups,autophagy,c. elegans,proteostasis,protein quality control,protein aggregation,neurodegeneration
Nanoscale spin interactions and dynamics on superconducting surfaces (NANOSPIN)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Consolidator grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Condensed Matter Physics
Countries involved: Germany
Call:  (ERC-2013-CoG, 2013)
Start date: 2014-05-01
End date: 2019-12-31
Duration (months): 68.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1999468.8
EU funding (EUR): 1999468.8
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The latest concepts for quantum computing and data storage envision the use of single spins, which can be addressed and manipulated reliably. One of the main limitations towards this challenging goal is the ultra-short lifetime of excited spin states due to the interaction with the contacting leads. Another limitation is that coherence between individual spins is quickly lost. Already the measurement process for resolving coherent electron-spin interactions at the single atom level is highly challenging and has not been achieved so far. Within our proposal, we will construct a low-temperature scanning tunneling microscope with a radio-frequency current detection system and a microwave source close to the tip. With this unique machine, we will be able to carry out state-of-the-art STM experiments combined with atomic-scale precision of measuring electron-spin resonance signals. With the approach of measuring in the frequency domain, we increase our energy resolution beyond the thermal energy level broadening into the µeV range and can thus investigate magnetic coupling, hyperfine interactions and spin coherence properties, which are not accessible in conventional STM experiments. We will also be able to probe the timescales of spin-lattice and spin-spin relaxations by pump-probe excitation schemes. We will use this machine for resolving magnetic properties of single atoms and atomic-size nanostructures on superconducting substrates. These substrates exhibit two peculiarities, which are of crucial importance for quantum information processing. The spin lifetimes are orders of magnitudes larger than on normal metal surfaces. Furthermore, the long coherence length of Cooper pairs mediates coherent coupling of the spin states of paramagnetic atoms. We will manipulate the spin states by the intrinsic Josephson current as well as with external microwave radiation. Our model systems on superconductors will provide crucial steps towards quantum spin processing.

Keywords: scanning tunneling microscopy,atomic-scale magnetism
ANAEROBIC POLLUTANT DEGRADATION WITH OXYGEN (POLLOX)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Consolidator grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Medical Biotechnology
Countries involved: Germany
Call:  (ERC-2013-CoG, 2013)
Start date: 2014-05-01
End date: 2020-04-30
Duration (months): 72.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1888920.0
EU funding (EUR): 1888920.0
Participants: 2
Project status: CLOSED

Contamination with organic pollutants is widespread in nature and a notorious threat to our water resources. Two central paradigms are currently understood to control biodegradation in groundwater and sediments: (i) Redox gradients and interphases between compartments are hot-spots for contaminant breakdown, and (ii) biodegradation is primarily limited by local electron acceptor availability, in particular of oxygen. My group has published leading contributions to this understanding in recent years, especially in elucidating the ecology of anaerobic toluene degraders in aquifers. This project now aims to question these established paradigms and to elaborate a ground-breaking new perspective of the role of molecular oxygen in pollutant degradation in anoxic compartments. The hypotheses at the heart of the project originate from a combination of own recent findings, partially inconsistent with the current understanding of process and degrader stratification at redox gradients. These are now interpreted in the light of exciting recent advances in the fields of electromicrobiology and oxygenic anaerobic respiration. POLLOX postulates that oxygen-dependent degradation of pollutants in anaerobic compartments is possible by two unrecognised physiological adaptations of degraders. I want to verify the hypothesis that filamentous Desulfobulbaceae can anaerobically oxidise toluene via long-distance (1-2 cm) electron transfer to oxygen across redox gradients (aim 1). Furthermore, I postulate that monooxygenase-dependent toluene degraders, in absence of external oxygen, can be active via self-sustained production of oxygen by nitric oxide dismutation (aim 2). POLLOX proposes to perform targeted lab experiments and field surveys to verify both hypotheses and to elaborate the ecological niches in which respective degraders and processes are relevant in situ (aim 3). The generic mechanisms to be elaborated here have the potential to open new doors for bioremediation in the future.

Keywords: groundwater,aromatic hydrocarbons,anaerobic degradation
Non-Invasive In-Vivo Histology in Health and Disease Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) (HMRI)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Consolidator grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Neurosciences and Neural Disorders
Countries involved: United Kingdom
Call:  (ERC-2013-CoG, 2013)
Start date: 2014-09-01
End date: 2020-02-29
Duration (months): 66.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2000000.0
EU funding (EUR): 2000000.0
Participants: 2
Project status: CLOSED

Understanding of the normal and diseased brain crucially depends on reliable knowledge of its microstructure. Important functions are mediated by small cortical units (columns) and even small changes in the microstructure can cause debilitating diseases. So far, this microstructure can only be determined using invasive methods such as, e.g., ex-vivo histology. This limits neuroscience, clinical research and diagnosis. My research vision is to develop novel methods for high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 3T-9.4T to reliably characterize and quantify the detailed microstructure of the human cortex. This MRI-based histology will be used to investigate the cortical microstructure in health and focal cortical degeneration. Structure-function relationships in visual cortex will be elucidated in-vivo, particularly, ocular dominance columns and stripes. Specific microstructural changes in focal cortical degeneration due to Alzheimer’s disease and monocular blindness will be determined, including amyloid plaque imaging. To resolve the subtle structures and disease related changes, which have not previously been delineated in-vivo by anatomical MRI, unprecedented isotropic imaging resolution of up to 250 µm is essential. Methods for high-resolution myelin and iron mapping will be developed from novel quantitative MRI approaches that I have previously established. Super-resolution diffusion and susceptibility imaging will be developed to capture the neuropil microstructure. Anatomical imaging will be complemented by advanced high-resolution functional MRI. The multi-modal MRI data will be integrated into a unified model of MRI contrasts, cortical anatomy and tissue microstructure. My ambitious goal of developing in vivo MRI-based histology can only be achieved by an integrative approach combining innovations in MR physics, modelling and tailored (clinical) neuroscience experiments. If successful, the project will transform research and clinical imaging.

Keywords: magnetic resonance imaging,non-invasive,in-vivo,high resolution,quantitative,super-resolution,tissue model,microstructure,structure-function relationship
Nanofiber Quantum Networks (NANOQUANT)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Consolidator grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Fundamental Constituents of Matter
Countries involved: Austria
Call:  (ERC-2013-CoG, 2013)
Start date: 2014-06-01
End date: 2019-05-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1993526.0
EU funding (EUR): 1993526.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

We propose to establish nanofiber-based atom-light interfaces as quantum-enabled fiber-optical components for quantum information processing and communication (QIPC). The key ingredient of this interface is a nanofiber-based optical dipole trap which stores laser-cooled atoms in the evanescent field surrounding the nanofiber. In this evanescently coupled atom-waveguide-system, even a few hundred atoms are already optically dense for near-resonant photons propagating through the nanofiber. In combination with the proven good coherence properties of nanofiber-trapped atoms, these highly efficient light-matter interfaces are thus perfectly suited for the implementation of practical QIPC devices. More specifically, the first goal of this project is to realize quantum memories which allow one to directly store and retrieve the quantum state of fiber-guided photons. The efficiency of the retrieval process will highly benefit from the fact that conservation of energy and momentum stabilizes the emission of the stored light into the nanofiber-guided mode. Furthermore, nanofiber-coupled atomic ensembles can provide a strong optical non-linearity which, due to the waveguide-geometry, scales with the square root of the length of the sample and can be much larger than for freely propagating light beams. The second goal of this project is to explore and to maximize this non-linearity until it prevails down to the single photon level. This single-photon non-linearity would enable optical quantum switches and photon-photon quantum gates which are essential for implementing deterministic optical quantum computation. The final goal is then to interconnect these components in order to demonstrate three different fiber-optical quantum network applications: highly efficient photon counting using fiber-coupled quantum memories, highly efficient heralded entanglement of two fiber-coupled quantum memories, and a non-linear interaction between two single-photon pulses.

Keywords: quantum network,optical quantum memory,quantum repeater,optical quantum switch,photon-photon quantum gate,hybrid quantum system,optical nanofiber,cavity quantum electrodynamics
Neural bases of action chunking in basal ganglia subcircuits (NEURALCHUNK)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Consolidator grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Neurosciences and Neural Disorders
Countries involved: Portugal
Call:  (ERC-2013-CoG, 2013)
Start date: 2014-11-01
End date: 2019-10-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1998600.0
EU funding (EUR): 1998600.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Chunking allows the brain to efficiently organize memories and actions. Although basal ganglia circuits have been implicated in action chunking, little is known about how individual elements are concatenated into a behavioral unit at the neuronal level. Using a differential reinforcement procedure where mice learn to chunk rapid action sequences, we uncovered neuronal activity encoding entire sequences as single actions in basal ganglia circuits. Besides activity signaling sequence initiation (start), we found neurons with sustained or inhibited activity throughout the execution of an entire sequence. These findings clearly show that basal ganglia circuits display neural activity related to the execution of whole action sequences, rather than unitary elements. Neurons with start, sustained and inhibited sequence-related activity were observed throughout the basal ganglia, namely in the main input (striatum), and output (substantia nigra reticulata) nuclei of the basal ganglia. However, the basal ganglia have different cell types/subcircuits linking input to output, the so called direct ves. indirect pathways. Furthermore, basal ganglia output projects to different target areas. Here we will 1) determine if these correlates of motor concatenation are differentially expressed in direct versus indirect basal ganglia pathways by optogenetic identification of cell types in the striatum and in vivo imaging, 2) test the necessity and sufficiency of these two pathways in action sequence initiation and performance, and 3) test if different basal ganglia output circuits express and mediate different aspects of action chunking. These experiments will dissect with unprecedented spatial and temporal precision the role of basal ganglia subcircuits in the initiation and performance of action chunks.

Keywords: basal ganglia,motor learning,habits,actions,sequences,optogenetics,electrophysiology,imaging.
HSC-based therapies for LSDs: understanding the modalities of cell replacement in the LSD brain for improving therapeutic efficacy (HSCSFORLSDBRAIN)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Consolidator grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Diagnostic Tools, Therapies and Public Health
Countries involved: Italy
Call:  (ERC-2013-CoG, 2013)
Start date: 2014-06-01
End date: 2020-05-31
Duration (months): 72.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1751147.0
EU funding (EUR): 1751147.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The recent hypothesis that postnatal microglia are maintained independently of circulating monocytes by local precursors that colonize the brain before birth has relevant implications for the treatment of various neurological diseases, including lysosomal storage disorders (LSDs). LSDs are fatal diseases of childhood occurring in 1:5000-7000 live births; in >50% of the cases, LSD patients experience a severe neurological deterioration. Most LSDs with central nervous system (CNS) involvement lack a curative treatment. Hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) form healthy donors is applied to LSD patients in order to repopulate the recipient myeloid compartment, including CNS microglia, with donor-derived cells expressing the defective functional hydrolase. Over the past three decades, about 1000 HCTs have been performed for patients with LSDs with a variable benefit exerted on the CNS. The positive results obtained in Hurler syndrome and few other LSDs and the benefit observed in our on going Phase I/II clinical trial of HSC gene therapy for the demyelinating LSD metachromatic leukodystrophy indicate that migration of the transplanted Hematopoietic Stem Cells (HSCs)/their progeny into the affected human brain occurs. However, timing of resident CNS macrophages and microglia replacement by the transplanted cell progeny is frequently too slow for clinical benefit due to the rapid progression of the primary neurological disease, particularly in the most aggressive LSD variants. Thus, a deep understanding of the modalities, time course and factors that affect this phenomenon might allow enhancing clinical benefit of HSC-based approaches for treating the LSD brain disease. The proposed work, combining basic and innovative preclinical research with the information derived from a pioneering clinical experience, will generate the basis for designing more efficacious and safer transplant approaches for these fatal diseases.

Keywords: hematopoietic stem cells,transplantation,microglia,lysosomal storage disorders