Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Transmembrane Molecular Machines (TRANSPORET)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Materials and Synthesis
Countries involved: United Kingdom,Belgium
Call:  (ERC-2013-StG, 2013)
Start date: 2013-09-01
End date: 2018-08-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1499780.0
EU funding (EUR): 1499780.0
Participants: 2
Project status: CLOSED

This research programme is dedicated to the development of rationally designed transmembrane molecular machines. Proteins that undergo nanomechanical transitions to facilitate transmembrane communication, or that operate as transmembrane pumps, rotary motors, and molecular transporters are ubiquitous in nature. Despite much progress in the development of solid-state and chemical nanomechanical devices such as molecular rotors, walkers and logic devices, no such systems have been developed that operate across lipid membranes. Thus, by exploiting our knowledge of biological and synthetic supramolecular components we seek to construct some of the first ever transmembrane molecular machines built to man-made specifications. Mirroring the operation of biological transmembrane molecular machines, compartmentalisation facilitates the construction of nanomechanical devices that can be driven by electrochemical gradients, or those that operate in the reverse sense by turning over chemical fuels to establish non-equilibrium conditions. We intend to demonstrate these principles by combining nanopore-based techniques and DNA-recognition processes to assemble a range of membrane-spanning nanomechanical devices that can be operated, controlled and monitored down to single-molecule levels: Project 1 – Transmembrane logic & signalling on the single-molecule level. Project 2 – A transmembrane transporter. Project 3 – A transmembrane reciprocating pump. Project 4 – A transmembrane rotary motor.
Next-generation on-chip supercontinuum light sources based on graphene-enabled extreme nonlinear optics (NEXCENTRIC)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Systems and communication engineering
Countries involved: Belgium
Call:  (ERC-2013-StG, 2013)
Start date: 2013-10-01
End date: 2019-03-31
Duration (months): 66.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1477980.0
EU funding (EUR): 1477980.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

With this ERC project I want to induce a paradigm shift in the development of integrated nonlinear optical devices. Nonlinear optics, the scientific discipline in which nonlinear light-matter interactions are studied, has been a very active area of research ever since the invention of the laser in 1960. Although this scientific branch has great application potential when implemented in on-chip optical waveguides, its promise for the development of widely usable integrated optical devices has not yet been fulfilled. The state-of-the-art of integrated nonlinear optical devices indeed does not comply with the requirements for widespread deployment as these devices rely on non-standard waveguide designs, large on-chip foot prints and/or impractical pump lasers. Therefore, I propose in this project to eliminate the issues of the state-of-the-art devices by introducing novel material and device physics. More specifically, my goal is to exploit extreme, but practically unexplored, nonlinear optical properties of graphene-covered silicon waveguides to develop next-generation near-infrared-pumped nonlinear supercontinuum light sources. These will truly be “next-generation” sources as they will rely on standard waveguide design, ultra-compact foot prints and practical near-infrared pump lasers, while exhibiting unprecedented performances. The concrete objectives of my project are to theoretically study, model, fabricate and experimentally demonstrate three novel graphene-on-silicon-based nonlinear optical devices that rely on three different nonlinear optical effects, and the on-chip cascading of these novel devices to create the targeted “next-generation” near-infrared-pumped supercontinuum sources with up to four emission bands. Based on my theoretical and experimental research experience with nonlinearities in waveguides and my preliminary modeling results supporting the feasibility of these objectives, I believe that, with this ERC starting grant, I will be able to carry out this original “high-gain/high-risk” project. By doing so, I will introduce a paradigm shift in the development of integrated nonlinear optical devices enabling them to fulfill their long-awaited promise, and at the same time initiate a new era in the research on graphene and its nonlinear optical applications.

Keywords: integrated nonlinear optics,silicon photonics,supercontinuum light sources,graphene-based nonlinear optics
Changing Structures of Islamic Authority and Consequences for Social Change: A Transnational Review (CSIASC)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Institutions, values, beliefs and behaviour
Countries involved: United Kingdom
Call:  (ERC-2013-StG, 2013)
Start date: 2014-03-01
End date: 2019-12-31
Duration (months): 70.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1376704.0
EU funding (EUR): 1376704.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Research on Muslims in Europe or in the Muslim majority countries has since September 11, mainly focused on understanding the causes of religious radicalization. Largely ignored in the public debates, as well as in academic scholarship, is recognition of the rapid growth in a number of prominent initiatives emerging within Muslims in the west that are aimed at initiating intellectual revival within Islam. Drawing inspiration from the thinkers such as Al-Ghazali or Ibn-Rushd (associated with the ‘rationalist tradition’ in Islam), the Muslim intellectuals and scholars at the center of this movement for intellectual revival in Islam are arguing for ‘indigenizing Islam in the West.’ This project is aimed at understanding the emergence and growth of this movement, the methodology different actors within this movement adopt to initiate reform while remaining loyal to the Islamic ethical spirit, and the implications of these attempts at intellectual reform for individual behavior and social change within Muslims in the west as well as in Muslim majority countries. The project will situate the emergence of this movement within the broader shifts being witnessed in the traditional structures of Islamic authority— such as Al-Azhar University, Dar-ul Uloom, Deoband, Diyanat, and Al-Medina University— that dominate the teaching and interpretation of Islam globally but are under pressure to reform. By developing detailed ethnographic accounts of these new and old institutions of Islamic authority, examining the intellectual discourse of their scholars, observing the argumentations through which they socially advance their conception of Islam, and analyzing how these discourses impact real life choices, this project will shed light on the complexity of Islamic thought and changes in contemporary Muslim societies. It will also highlight the spaces that are emerging for engagement between the Islamic and western tradition and inform theory of religious behavior.

Keywords: intellectual reform in islamic thought,islamic educational institutions in the west,orthodox centers of islamic learning,transnational islamic networks,religion and social policy.
How Membrane Physical Properties and Cortical Actin Regulate Protein Interactions During T Cell Signalling (MEMREGPRO)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Immunity and infection
Countries involved: United Kingdom
Call:  (ERC-2013-StG, 2013)
Start date: 2014-02-01
End date: 2019-01-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1402513.0
EU funding (EUR): 1402513.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The overall aim of this project is to identify key biophysical mechanisms that control the spatial arrangement of signalling proteins and membrane lipids in the regulation of T cell activation. During an immune response, T cells are activated in response to antigenic peptides in a process that requires the formation of multi-molecular signalling complexes. It is known that many T cell signalling proteins (such as the kinase Lck and the scaffold protein LAT) are not randomly distributed within the plasma membrane thus giving rise to lateral organization which affects signalling efficiency. However, the biophysical mechanism(s) that control protein distributions and hence the rate of molecular interactions remains poorly understood. Two of the principal mechanisms are compartmentalisation of the membrane by lipid microdomains (the ‘lipid raft’ hypothesis) and by the cortical actin meshwork (the ‘picket-fence’ model). The two key technologies needed to unravel how protein clustering and the biophysical properties of the lipid bilayer regulate specific interactions at the molecular level have now been developed. These are single-molecule, super-resolution localisation microscopy and quantification of membrane biophysical properties using new-generation environmentally sensitive fluorescent probes. Using these methods, the proposed project will generate unique insights into the biophysical mechanisms that govern the formation of the protein clusters and complexes during early T cell signalling events. This knowledge is critical to our understanding of the molecular basis of T cell activation during the immune response and has potential applications in the development of therapeutic treatments for a range of conditions.
Biological Membranes in Action: A Unified Approach to Complexation, Scaffolding and Active Transport (MEMBRANESACT)

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: Germany,Croatia
Call:  (ERC-2013-StG, 2013)
Start date: 2013-10-01
End date: 2019-09-30
Duration (months): 72.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1500000.0
EU funding (EUR): 1500000.0
Participants: 2
Project status: CLOSED

In recent breakthrough publications, the effect of fluctuations on the affinity of membrane-confined molecules has been evaluated, and a quantitative model for the time evolution of small adhesion domains has been developed under my leadership. Now I propose to bring my research to a new level by tackling the problem of active and passive organisation of proteins into macromolecular structures on fluctuating fluid membranes, using a physicist’s approach across established disciplinary boundaries. The formation and transport of supramolecular complexes in membranes is ubiquitous to nearly all functions of biological cells. Today, there is a variety of experiments suggesting that macromolecular complexes act as scaffolds for free proteins, overall yielding obstructed diffusion, counterbalanced by active transport by molecular motors. However, an integrative view connecting complexation and transport is largely missing. Furthermore, the effects of membrane mediated interactions and (non)-thermal fluctuations were so far overlooked. Gaining a quantitative insight into these processes is key to understanding the fundamental functioning of cells. Together with my carefully selected team, I will address these intrinsically biological problems, by means of theoretical physics. Phenomena such as active and anomalous transport, as well as complexation are also currently subject to intense research in the statistical and soft matter physics communities. In this context, the aim of this proposal is to bridge the divide between the two worlds and significantly contribute to both physics and the life sciences by developing general principles that can be applied to processes in cells. Resolving these issues is of fundamental importance since it would identify how interactions on the cell surface arise, and may translate directly into pharmaceutical applications.

Keywords: fluid membranes,(non)thermal fluctuations,dynamics of complexation,passive and active diffusion,effective interactions between proteins
Mitochondria, Peroxisomes and Lysosomes - the "menage a trois" of cellular metabolism (MITOPEXLYSONETWORK)

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: Germany
Call:  (ERC-2013-StG, 2013)
Start date: 2014-02-01
End date: 2019-07-31
Duration (months): 66.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1345200.0
EU funding (EUR): 1345200.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The metabolic roles of mitochondria, peroxisomes and lysosomes are well established. Numerous genetic defects affecting the function of these organelles result in a wide spectrum of metabolic diseases. The involvement of these organelles in signalling pathways is receiving increasing attention. Furthermore, interactions between them and other cellular components have been elucidated. Evidence is now emerging that dysfunction in mitochondria, peroxisomes or lysosomes causes secondary perturbations in the other two organelles. The fundamental hypothesis presiding to this proposal is that mitochondria, peroxisomes and lysosomes form an interdependent network (MytoPexLyso), which is likely to have fundamental roles in cell biology, metabolism and metabolic diseases. To test this hypothesis and elucidate the role of the MitoPexLyso network in physiology and disease, we will employ state-of-the-art imaging and systems biology approaches. First, we will uncover how dysfunction of each MitoPexLyso organelle affects the network. We will test if mitochondrial dysfunction can trigger lysosome biogenesis, and also systematically address how perturbations in one organelle affect the other two. Second, we will identify signalling pathways sensing perturbations on the MytoPexLyso network, and elucidate their pathologic significance, both in cell lines and in animal models of metabolic diseases. Third, we will test a novel strategy to cure mitochondrial diseases: enhanced removal of damaged mitochondria through increased lysosomal autophagic capacity. We will generate a novel mouse model with higher lysosomal capacity in the skeletal muscle, and use a mouse model of mitochondrial myopathy, to test this premise in vivo. This proposal addresses key questions in cell biology and metabolism, and will lay the foundation for a new field of “organelle networks” which will profoundly impact our understanding of metabolism and metabolic diseases and drive future research endeavours.
Towards understanding cerebral small vessel disease: Innovative, MRI-based, functional markers to discover the terra incognita between large vessels and macroscopic brain lesions (SMALLVESSELMRI)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Diagnostic tools, therapies and public health
Countries involved: Netherlands
Call:  (ERC-2013-StG, 2013)
Start date: 2013-12-01
End date: 2018-11-30
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1499560.8
EU funding (EUR): 1499560.8
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Small vessel disease (SVD) causes 25% of all cerebral strokes and is a major cause of cognitive decline (dementia) and functional disability (ageing) in the elderly. Two important challenges hamper the development of effective treatments. First, still little is known about the mechanism by which SVD leads to macroscopic, ischemic brain damage and, thus, to cognitive decline. Second, the current clinical markers and image-based markers of SVD do not reflect SVD itself, but macroscopic brain damage secondary to SVD. Unlike large vessels, small vessels are not visible with current imaging techniques, which leave, thus, a ‘terra incognita’ of small vessel pathology between large vessels on the one hand, and macroscopic brain damage on the other. The aim of this program is to remove the major current obstacle towards developing effective treatments for SVD, by innovative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques that yield non-invasive markers of small vessel (dys)function in the human brain. I will use two innovative sets of image-based markers to discover the ‘terra incognita’. The first set comprises pulsatile tissue motion, strain and potential pulsations in the capillary flow, recognizing the role of stress and strain in cell function (including endothelial cells and neurons). The second set uses the perivascular fluid as an endogenous marker of the blood-brain-barrier function, which is located in the endothelium of the small vessels. These innovative, image-based markers will open a window towards the mechanism by which SVD leads to brain damage. Further, these markers will enable the selection and monitoring of patients who are eligible for new treatments. I will obtain the required sensitivity and resolution, by exploiting the benefits of high field MRI (7T). I am experienced in cardiac strain imaging, high field brain imaging, and have been successful in multiple translational projects that have introduced new MRI technology into patient studies.
Welding Metallurgy and Cracking in Superalloys (WELDMECS)

Framework: FP7 — Cooperation
Programme: Joint Technology Initiatives (Annex IV-SP1)
Theme: Public-private partnerships
Destination: Clean Sky
Action type: Article 171 of the Treaty
Partnership: CLEAN-SKY (Art-185)
Countries involved: Sweden,Sweden
Call:  (SP1-JTI-CS-2012-03, 2012)
Start date: 2013-03-01
End date: 2015-08-31
Duration (months): 30.0
Total project cost (EUR): 596749.63
EU funding (EUR): 441510.0
Participants: 3
Project status: CLOSED

Predictive, metallurgy informed crack criteria will be developed within the WELDMECS project. These crack criteria are developed in a format appropriate for implementation to finite element software. It will be useful for general thermo-mechanical simulations estimating the risk for various crack formations. The primary target in current topic description (JTI-CS-2012-3-SAGE-02-029) is to utilize the crack criteria for both welding and heat treatment simulations. Since cracking during welding or heat treatment is a many-faceted problem, care has been taken to strongly incorporate fundamental metallurgical understanding and testing into the models. The model will be based on actual failure mechanisms, metallurgical changes and their relations to the material response and prevailing thermo-mechanical conditions. Up to date – simulations have focused on geometric tolerances and/or prediction of residual stresses. Only simpler, limited defect criteria have been used in this context. The current project is expected to further the modeling of manufacturing processes in the area of predicting crack formations.

Keywords: cracking criteria,finite element,modelling,simulation,metallurgy,testing,weldability
Aircraft lightning thtRreat Reduction thrOugh Wiring optimization (ARROW)

Framework: FP7 — Cooperation
Programme: Joint Technology Initiatives (Annex IV-SP1)
Theme: Public-private partnerships
Destination: Clean Sky
Action type: Article 171 of the Treaty
Partnership: CLEAN-SKY (Art-185)
Countries involved: Italy,France,Italy,Italy
Call:  (SP1-JTI-CS-2012-03, 2012)
Start date: 2013-05-06
End date: 2015-03-05
Duration (months): 22.0
Total project cost (EUR): 799313.6
EU funding (EUR): 415318.0
Participants: 4
Project status: CLOSED

ARROW project aims at developing a numerical methodology and a SW tool to model indirect effects of lightning on cable-harness configurations installed aboard aircrafts made of composite materials and equipped with a “current return network” (ALEEN, ALmost Equipotential Electrical Network). The Tool shall be able to: • input geometry and material properties of the aircraft and of ALEEN from CAD (CATIA); • input harness “space allocation” areas from CAD and input cable-harness representation from SGO WP Leader DB • define lightning entry/exit points and waveforms, model the electromagnetic interactions between lightning and aircraft/ALEEN and evaluate E and H near-field induced on sampling points into the “harness space allocation areas” • interface the MTLN (Multiconductor Transmission Lines Network) based code named CRIPTE by providing it the equivalent Vs and Is distributed generators, from proper elaboration of the E and H fields • run CRIPTE to evaluate Voc (Open Circuit voltages) and Isc (Short Circuit currents) at equipment terminals. For any critical situation with respect to the EM compatibility to lightning threat the Tool will be able to allow modifications of the harness (different routing, improved shielding…) and to effectively repeat Voc and Isc evaluation up to a safe configuration is found. A 3D full-wave solver based on PEEC method (Partial Element Equivalent Circuit) for the modeling of the lightning-aircraft interactions and the evaluation of E and H, well-conditioned for the involved low-frequency range (from DC to some MHz), will be delivered. The computational modules will be integrated, together with pre-processing and post-processing modules, into a SW CAE tool named “ALEEN-L Modeling Tool” providing user-friendly working procedures, projects management, data storing and data navigation. A general “client-server” HW configuration will be allowed. The procedure will be validated against experimental data measured on an SGO WP Leader mock-up.

Keywords: indirect effects of lightning,almost equipotential electrical network,aircrafts,composite materials,electromagnetic modeling,cable-harness,emc,peec,mom