Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Stars, plANets, and Discs in multiple Systems (SANDS)

Framework: Horizon 2020 — Excellent Science
Programme: Marie-Sklodowska-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Individual Fellowships (IF)-Standard European Fellowships
Action type: Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions
Panel: Physics
Countries involved: France
Call: Individual Fellowships (H2020-MSCA-IF-2019, 2019)
Start date: 2020-04-01
End date: 2022-03-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 184707.84
EU funding (EUR): 184707.84
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Protoplanetary discs behave as astronomical wizards that turn small sand into planets. Although no magic is involved, the process of planet formation remains utterly mysterious. On the one hand, it is known that the process of star formation leads to a very high fraction of binarity. On the other hand, thousands of exoplanets have been detected around single, binary and even multiple stellar systems. Therefore, we have to face it: the process of planet formation is very resilient! Understanding how planets form in multiple systems largely relies in our capacity to comprehend gas and dust dynamics in circumstellar, circumbinary, or even more exotic protoplanetary discs. This is the scientific goal of SANDS. During this fellowship, I plan to study disc dynamics using the state-of-the-art hydrodynamical code PHANTOM coupled to the highly optimised radiative transfer code MCFOST. This combination constitutes the most powerful numerical tool available to model disc dynamics in multiple systems. The work will be done within a large collaborative network of leading experts in both disc observations and theory. This will guarantee the high impact of the deliverables and the worldwide dissemination of the results obtained. The main scope of the SANDS project is to answer the following question: how are the initial conditions for planet formation affected by stellar multiplicity? By doing so, I expect to provide a comprehensive picture of disc dynamics in multiple systems. This will shed light on the fundamental process of planet formation around young stars and inform about the resulting planetary architectures.

Keywords: protoplanetary discs,planet formation,multiple systems,stellar encounters,stellar binaries,hydrodynamics,numerical methods,radiative transfer,synthetic observations,celestial mechanics
Neural mechanisms of body ownership and the projection of ownership onto artificial bodies. (BODY-OWNERSHIP)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Physiology, Pathophysiology and Endocrinology
Countries involved: Sweden
Call:  (ERC-2007-StG, 2007)
Start date: 2008-12-01
End date: 2013-11-30
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 909850.08
EU funding (EUR): 909850.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

How do we recognize that our limbs are part of our own body, and why do we feel that one’s self is located inside the body? These fundamental questions have been discussed in theology, philosophy and psychology for millennia. The aim of my ground-breaking research programme is to identify the neuronal mechanisms that produce the sense of ownership of the body, and the processes responsible for the feeling that the self is located inside the physical body. To solve these questions I will adopt an inter-disciplinary approach using state-of-the-art methods from the fields of imaging neuroscience, experimental psychology, computer science and robotics. My first hypothesis is that the mechanism for body ownership is the integration of information from different sensory modalities (vision, touch and muscle sense) in multi-sensory brain areas (ventral premotor and intraparietal cortex). My second hypothesis is that the sense of where you are located in the environment is mediated by allocentric spatial representations in medial temporal lobes. To test this, I will use perceptual illusions and virtual-reality techniques that allow me to manipulate body ownership and the perceived location of the self, in conjunction with non-invasive recordings of brain activity in healthy humans. Functional magnetic resonance imaging and electroencephalography will be used to identify the neuronal correlates of ownership and ‘in-body experiences’, while transcranial magnetic stimulation will be used to examine the causal relationship between neural activity and ownership. It is no overstatement to say that my pioneering work could define a new sub-field in cognitive neuroscience dealing with how the brain represents the self. These basic scientific discoveries will be used in new frontier applications. For example, the development of a prosthetic limb that feels just like a real limb, and a method of controlling humanoid robots by the illusion of ‘becoming the robot’.

Keywords: cognitive neuroscience,self-awarness,virtual body,multisensory
Study of Neutrino Oscillations at T2K (T2KQMUL)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Fundamental constituents of matter
Countries involved: United Kingdom
Call:  (ERC-2007-StG, 2007)
Start date: 2009-03-01
End date: 2014-12-31
Duration (months): 70.0
Total project cost (EUR): 950000.0
EU funding (EUR): 950000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Neutrinos are among the most intriguing, least understood and probably most abundant particles in the Universe. The most exciting discovery of the last decade is that different neutrino types do change their identity as they propagate, suggesting that they are not strictly massless as required by the Standard Model of Particle Physics. Improving our understanding of neutrinos, which is one of the main priorities of the European strategy for particle physics, has the potential to unravel some of the deepest and long-standing issues of particle and astrophysics, such as the origin of matter, the origin of heavy elements, the nature of dark energy, etc. In this project, I aim to exploit data recorded by the T2K experiment in Japan, resulting from the highest intensity muon neutrino beam in the world. T2K will start taking data in 2009 and will run for 10 years, with an upgrade after 5 years. It is an international collaboration of 62 institutions, with European countries undertaking a critical and strategic role in its design and construction. I aim to utilise a new method, which exploits the excellent T2K charged and neutral particle identification, to look for evidence of oscillations of muon into electron neutrinos, which I believe is the most exciting measurement to be made in the near future. A non-zero oscillation value could hint at CP violation in the neutrino sector, which could explain the current matter-antimatter asymmetry in the Universe. In addition, I intend to search for the presence of sterile neutrinos, which are candidates for dark matter in the Universe. I also intend to improve the neutral current pi0 cross-section measurement, which is an important background in neutrino oscillations. The project will conclude with a global model-dependent fit to the existing world-wide measurements in neutrino physics. To carry out this project, I request funds for a Research Associate, two PhD students, my research time, travel and computing equipment.

Keywords: 'neutrino' 'theta13' 'long-baseline neutrino experiment' 't2k' 'neutrino oscillations'
MOLECULAR MECHANISMS OF APPETITIVE ASSOCIATIVE MEMORY (AMPA PHOSPHORYLATION)

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-2007-4-3-IRG, 2007)
Start date: 2007-10-01
End date: 2011-09-30
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

AMPA receptors mediate the majority of fast excitatory neurotransmission in the vertebrate nervous system and recent evidence has implicated AMPA receptor regulation in long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD), cellular models of learning and memory. However, experimental evidence connecting synaptic plasticity and learning and memory remains scarce. Such evidence comes from demonstrations that behavioral performance on learning and memory tasks is impaired with manipulations of a molecular target in a relevant neural circuit. The present proposal aims to use an integrated and interdisciplinary approach, combining molecular, systems and behavioral neuroscience approaches, to investigate the role of AMPA receptor phosphorylation processes in incentive learning and memory. The specific aims of the proposal are: 1) to develop behavioral models to probe critical subprocesses involved in incentive learning and to test mice with point-mutations of AMPA-GluR1 Ser 831 and 845 phosphorylation sites on these tasks; 2) to use viral-vector mediated gene transfection to determine whether recovery (or rescue) of GluR1 phosphorylation in select brain regions will recover incentive learning processes; and 3) to study the role for GluR1 phosphorylation in the long-term effects of psychoactive drugs of abuse on incentive learning. By combining state-of-the-art molecular genetics approaches with advanced behavioral modeling to parse psychological processes that contribute to incentive learning, the experiments proposed are expected to yield new insights into the molecular basis of learning and memory, in particular incentive learning and memory. Such insights are important, as incentive learning processes play a vital role in many adaptive behaviors, as well as maladaptive conditions, such as eating disorders and drug addiction.

Keywords: neurosciences,neuropsychology,neurobiology
Physics and Applications of Graphene (GRAPHENE)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Condensed matter physics
Countries involved: United Kingdom
Call:  (ERC-2007-StG, 2007)
Start date: 2008-12-01
End date: 2013-10-31
Duration (months): 59.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1775044.0
EU funding (EUR): 1775044.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

This proposal is based on the PI’s recent work in which a conceptually new class of materials – two dimensional atomic crystals – was discovered. Such crystals can be seen as individual atomic planes “pulled out” of bulk crystals and were previously presumed not to exist in the free state. Despite being only one atom thick and unprotected from the immediate environment, these materials can be extremely stable. The PI’s work has focused on graphene, a freestanding monolayer of graphite where carbon atoms are densely packed in a honeycomb lattice. Due to its high quality and unique electronic spectrum (electrons in graphene mimic relativistic quantum particles called Dirac fermions), graphene has become a gold mine for searching for new phenomena. Graphene also offers numerous applications from smart materials to future electronics. The general objective of the proposal is to exploit the PI’s current lead in the emerging research area, so that no opportunity is missed to find new effects that are expected to be abundant in graphene, and to exploit possible applications. The project will cover three main directions, exploring most exciting features about graphene. First, the PI is planning to concentrate on graphene membranes and investigate properties induced by the unique dimensionality of these one atom thick objects. Second, charge carriers in graphene mimic massless relativistic particles, and this exceptional property allows access to the rich and subtle physics of quantum electrodynamics in a bench-top condensed matter experiment. To this end, interaction and many-body effects will be investigated. Third, graphene is considered to be a realistic candidate for electronics beyond the Si age, and one of the priorities of this project will be studies of graphene-based transistor applications. All these research directions combined should create a solid basis for a new internationally-leading research laboratory led by the PI.

Keywords: mesoscopic physics,two-dimensional atomic crystals,graphene
Coherence of Spins in Semiconductor Nanostructures (COSPSENA)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Condensed matter physics
Countries involved: Switzerland
Call:  (ERC-2007-StG, 2007)
Start date: 2008-06-01
End date: 2013-05-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1377000.0
EU funding (EUR): 1377000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Macroscopic control of quantum states is a major theme in much of modern physics because quantum coherence enables study of fundamental physics and has promising applications for quantum information processing. The potential significance of quantum computing is recognized well beyond the physics community. For electron spins in GaAs quantum dots, it has become clear that decoherence caused by interactions with the nuclear spins is a major challenge. We propose to investigate and reduce hyperfine induced decoherence with two complementary approaches: nuclear spin state narrowing and nuclear spin polarization. We propose a new projective state narrowing technique: a large, Coulomb blockaded dot measures the qubit nuclear ensemble, resulting in enhanced spin coherence times. Further, mediated by an interacting 2D electron gas via hyperfine interaction, a low temperature nuclear ferromagnetic spin state was predicted, which we propose to investigate using a quantum point contact as a nuclear polarization detector. Estimates indicate that the nuclear ferromagnetic transition occurs in the sub-Millikelvin range, well below already hard to reach temperatures around 10 mK. However, the exciting combination of interacting electron and nuclear spin physics as well as applications in spin qubits give ample incentive to strive for sub-Millikelvin temperatures in nanostructures. We propose to build a novel type of nuclear demagnetization refrigerator aiming to reach electron temperatures of 0.1 mK in semiconductor nanostructures. This interdisciplinary project combines Microkelvin and nanophysics, going well beyond the status quo. It is a challenging project that could be the beginning of a new era of coherent spin physics with unprecedented quantum control. This project requires a several year commitment and a team of two graduate students plus one postdoctoral fellow.

Keywords: quantum coherence and computation,spin physics,mesoscopic physics,low temperature physics
Molecular mechanisms of mature B cell lymphomagenesis (BCLYM)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Cellular and Developmental Biology
Countries involved: Spain
Call:  (ERC-2007-StG, 2007)
Start date: 2008-12-01
End date: 2014-11-30
Duration (months): 72.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1596000.0
EU funding (EUR): 1596000.0
Participants: 2
Project status: CLOSED

Most of the lymphomas diagnosed in the western world are originated from mature B cells. The hallmark of these malignancies is the presence of recurrent chromosome translocations that usually involve the immunoglobulin loci and a proto-oncogene. As a result of the translocation event the proto-oncogene becomes deregulated under the influence of immunoglobulin cis sequences thus playing an important role in the etiology of the disease. Upon antigen encounter mature B cells engage in the germinal center reaction, a complex differentiation program of critical importance to the development of the secondary immune response. The germinal center reaction entails the somatic remodelling of immunoglobulin genes by the somatic hypermutation and class switch recombination reactions, both of which are triggered by Activation Induced Deaminase (AID). We have previously shown that AID also initiates lymphoma-associated c-myc/IgH chromosome translocations. In addition, the germinal center reaction involves a fine-tuned balance between intense B cell proliferation and program cell death. This environment seems to render B cells particularly vulnerable to malignant transformation. We aim at studying the molecular events responsible for B cell susceptibility to lymphomagenesis from two perspectives. First, we will address the role of AID in the generation of lymphomagenic lesions in the context of AID specificity and transcriptional activation. Second, we will approach the regulatory function of microRNAs of AID-dependent, germinal center events. The proposal aims at the molecular understanding of a process that lies in the interface of immune regulation and oncogenic transformation and therefore the results will have profound implications both to basic and clinical understanding of lymphomagenesis.

Keywords: hypermutation,translocation,lymphoma,microrna,germinal center
Micro Scale Flows in Fibrous Media during Liquid Molding of High Performance Composites (MICRO SCALE FLOWS)

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: Greece
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2007-4-3-IRG, 2007)
Start date: 2007-10-01
End date: 2011-09-30
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

This research project will focus on a detailed investigation of micro-scale flows occurring during composites manufacturing with special emphasis on the filling of preform-containing mold cavities with low-viscosity resins, as encountered in the area of liquid molding of composites. This work will provide a clearer understanding of the detailed nature of micro-scale flow patterns that are specific to liquid molding - and thus guide future process design efforts. Methods: For computation we will use in-house parallel boundary element codes to solve the equations of Stokes flow across 2D and 3D microstructures that are reasonably realistic local representations of commercial fabrics used in liquid molding. The major challenge stems from the sheer size of the computational problem, since such representations can easily contain many thousands of individual fibers and millions of degrees of freedom; this will be addressed by parallel computation using the Boundary Element Method. Outcomes: A clearer understanding of the nature and extent of micro-scale flows occurring in liquid molding. Structure-Permeability correlations. Intellectual merit: The application of highly advanced numerical techniques to the given problem. The potential to result in significant advances in the state-of-the-art of modeling of liquid molding processes, including elimination of defects. Broader impacts: The development of structure-property correlations in composite and porous materials and cross-fertilization of methods and techniques between the areas of manufacturing and computational analysis of micro-scale fluid flow. The training of future engineers in these methods and techniques. The results of this work will be of direct relevance to other applications involving flow across structured fiber arrays, such as reaction engineering, biotechnology and physiological flows, filtration and membrane separations, drying of paper and wood etc.

Keywords: materials engineering,computer-aided manufacturing
Towards Protein Folding in the Cell with Single Molecule Spectroscopy (SINGLEMOLFOLDING)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Molecular and Structural Biology and Biochemistry
Countries involved: Switzerland
Call:  (ERC-2007-StG, 2007)
Start date: 2008-09-01
End date: 2014-08-31
Duration (months): 72.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1314000.0
EU funding (EUR): 1314000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Many aspects of the physical principles governing protein folding in vitro have been elucidated in the past decades. At the same time, a large number of cellular components involved in protein folding in vivo have been identified. But our mechanistic understanding of how these cellular components affect the energy landscape of the folding process has remained very limited, largely due to a lack of suitable methods. An opportunity to bridge this gap is single molecule fluorescence spectroscopy in combination with Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET), a new technique that allows the investigation of distance distributions and dynamics of individual protein molecules even in complex and heterogeneous environments. In a multi-disciplinary project employing methods ranging from molecular biology and protein biochemistry to optics, microfluidic mixing, and development of instrumentation and software, we plan to use single molecule spectroscopy for investigating the question how proteins find their native three-dimensional structure in a cell. Our initial focus will be on molecular chaperones, which assist protein folding in vivo, but the approach is applicable to a wide range of related phenomena and will be extended to other cellular components. This project is thus expected to nucleate a comprehensive biophysical analysis of intracellular protein folding and dynamics, eventually within live cells. A detailed investigation of these processes will be crucial for understanding the fine balance between protein folding and misfolding in the cell, and the large number of diseases associated with protein misfolding and aggregation.

Keywords: single molecule spectroscopy,fret,protein folding,molecular chaperones,protein misfolding,protein dynamics