Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Feedback Regulated Star Formation in Diverse Galactic Environments (FEEDGAL)

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: Denmark
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2013-IEF, 2013)
Start date: 2014-03-01
End date: 2016-06-06
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 308587.8
EU funding (EUR): 308587.8
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Three major unresolved issues in modern Astrophysics are the origin of the initial mass function of stars and it potential universality, the nature and interplay of physical processes that regulate the star formation rates and efficiencies in star forming molecular clouds, and the origin of turbulent motions in the clouds and in the interstellar medium. Over the last two decades, the effects of physical processes such as turbulence, magnetic fields, and stellar feedback on the structure and dynamics of molecular clouds have been modeled. However, a global analysis that incorporates all of these processes in a single set of simulations is still missing. The aim of this project is to provide a complete picture of the entire life cycle of molecular clouds that form and evolve in different galactic environments. Using high resolution numerical simulations, I will model the formation of molecular clouds from converging flows in the atomic phase of the ISM, the fragmentation of the clouds and the formation of stars within them, and the ways feedback from the newly formed stars impacts the dynamics of the clouds and leads to their dispersal. In additiona to exploring a large variety of galactic environments characterized by different gas-phase metallicities and magnetic field strengths, the simulations will include novel aspects such as the coupling of a state-of-the art magnteohydrodynamical code (RAMSES AMR code) with a state-of-the-art stellar evolution code (MESA code). This will allow me to follow very accurately and self-consistently the effects of feedback from massive stars on their parental molecular clouds. The results from this large set of simulations will allow me to evaluate the dependence of the shape of the IMF and of the star formation rates and efficiencies on the environment. I will also be able to quantify the contribution of massive stars on driving turbulent motions in molecular clouds and in the ISM.

Keywords: physical sciences,astrophysics,star formation,interstellar medium,numerical simulations,turbulence,massive stars
NAD synthesizing enzyme NMNAT1 as a fine regulator of the survival of neuron (REGUNMNAT1)

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: United Kingdom
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2013-IEF, 2013)
Start date: 2014-10-01
End date: 2016-09-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 231283.2
EU funding (EUR): 231283.2
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

We propose here to investigate the role of the nuclear NAD-synthesising enzyme nicotinamide mononucleotide adenylyltransferase 1 (NMNAT1) as a fine regulator of neuron survival, aiming at identifying new targets for intervention in age-associated pathological conditions of the nervous system. NAD synthesis is central to neuron maintenance and to the action of enzymes such as sirtuins (SIRTs), poly(ADP-ribose)polymerases (PARPs), NAD glycohydrolases and ADP-ribose cyclases, involved, via gene transcription or by signalling mechanisms, in the regulation of cell and organism lifespan, in the response of neurons to stress and in protection in models of neurodegenerative diseases. NMNAT’s involvement in these processes is rapidly emerging but has not been investigated in detail. Our preliminary studies indicate that nuclear isozyme NMNAT1 is required for neuron maintenance. Building on this, here we will test the hypothesis that NMNAT1 controls neuron survival by regulating the activity of downstream enzyme SIRT1. This project is based on the unique availability to the host laboratory of Nmnat1 genetically modified mice and on the perfect match between the expertise of the host laboratory and the complementary skills of the IEF applicant, Dr Jessica De Ingeniis, a talented researcher who has received extensive training in NAD biochemistry and metabolomics in Italy and USA. This study, which can only be accomplished by combining these skills of the IEF fellow with the mouse genetics and neurobiology expertise of the supervisor, will serve two crucial purposes. It will provide vital insights into the mechanisms of neuronal survival and the role of nuclear NAD biosynthesis, constituting a fundamental prelude to the development of specific inhibitors and activators of NMNAT1 with a pharmaceutical application; and it will fill important gaps in the competences of the IEF fellow representing a crucial, final step into the development of her independent research career.

Keywords: nad metabolism,nmnat1,sirt1,neurodegeneration,neuron survival,metabolomics,cre-loxp,compartmentalized nad metabolism,neuronal gene expression
Temporal coordination of gene expression during development (CELLCOORDINATION)

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: United Kingdom
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2013-IEF, 2013)
Start date: 2014-06-01
End date: 2016-05-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 221606.4
EU funding (EUR): 221606.4
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

During embryonic development cells coordinate spatiotemporal patterns of gene expression. A prominent example of this coordination is found in the gastrulation of amniotes, where Brachyury (Bra), a transcription factor, is synchronously and transiently expressed in a localized population, the Primitive Streak (PS). Even though the current view is that a morphogen gradient drives the spatial arrangement of Bra expression, the precise mechanisms controlling timing and coordination of cells remain to be elucidated. Recent evidence of the existence of RNA polymerase II (Pol II) pausing control in the bra locus in differentiating mammalian cells prompts the question of whether this mechanism is involved in the coordination of Bra expression. In Drosophila, Pol II pausing has been associated with developmental control genes, where it has been suggested to enhance the synchrony of expression in response to stimuli, and consequently increasing cell coordination during morphogenesis. Despite Pol II pausing is pervasive in mammalian embryonic stem cells (ESCs), its role in the fast and coordinated activation of gene expression has non been addressed yet. Here I propose to study how coordination of Bra expression is attained in differentiating mouse ESCs, which are known to recapitulate the cellular and molecular events observed in the PS. I will combine live cell imaging with theoretical modelling, to investigate the temporal dynamics of Bra activation. I surmise that Pol II pausing modulates stochasticity in the response and thus affects cellular coordination in Bra expression. To test this hypothesis, I will modify the levels of pausing in the bra promoter and correlate them with achieved cellular coordination. The results of this project will deepen our insight in the mechanisms underlying cellular synchronization during development and may uncover more general principles that govern the way in which mammalian cells coordinate their decisions at the tissue level.

Keywords: quantitative biology,live cell microscopy,mathematical modelling,systems biology,mouse embryonic stem cells,development,primitive streak,gastrulation,brachyury,wnt,beta-catenin
Developement of an AMR 3D Maxwell-Bloch code and application to coherent femto-nano-imaging (DAGON)

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: Spain
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2013-IEF, 2013)
Start date: 2015-01-07
End date: 2017-01-06
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 173370.6
EU funding (EUR): 173370.6
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The advent of ultra-intense and ultra-short soft X-ray sources has generated a major scientific leap. Free Electron Lasers (FELs), High Harmonic Generation (HHG) and laser-driven X-ray sources allow researchers to create and study exotic states of matter or to record images in 3D with femtosecond and angstrom resolution. My research project will focus on nano- femto- coherent imaging (diffraction and holography). Exciting applications are developed nowadays in this field: coherent imaging of biological samples or real-time study of the laser-induced ultra-fast demagnetization of magnetic nanostructures. Still, the development of these applications is in "exploratory" phase: reconstruction algorithms need images of excellent quality to converge to a solution, which is not possible to obtain in a quotidian way. The high intensity (~10^18 W cm-2) damages the sample, creating a plasma that will cause image blurring and loss of resolution. These a priori unknown contributions to the diffraction/holographic pattern must be taken into account to prevent artefact generation. The project aims at developing a 3D Maxwell-Bloch code using advanced techniques to model the non-linear interaction of X-ray radiation with living or inert nano-objects or plasma. Moreover, other different applications are foreseen, as research and development of plasma-based seeded soft-X ray lasers. I have a long experience as a developer and user of such complex codes (2D plasma hydrodynamics, 3D ray-tracing and 1D Maxwell-Bloch codes) being adequate to carry out this project. I will take advantage of the environment where the project will be carried out, since the Instituto de Fusión Nuclear has the knowledge and expertise in several fields (atomic physics, parallel supercomputing) that will be essential for succeeding. In addition to this, I will be able to create a small research group around this project, by supervising some engineering students.

Keywords: maxwell-bloch equations,plasma physics,atomic physics,adaptive mesh refinement (amr),high performance computig (hpc),coherent diffraction imaging (cdi),holography
Influence of the protein sequence and structure on the glycan micro-heterogeneity (GLYCAN HETEROGENEITY)

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: Switzerland
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2013-IEF, 2013)
Start date: 2014-05-01
End date: 2016-04-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 199317.6
EU funding (EUR): 199317.6
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

N-glycosylation consists in the addition of a glycan precursor onto a nascent protein in the endoplasmic reticulum. This glycan is then trimmed and matured in the Golgi by addition of various sugars motifs, leading to a large heterogeneity of glycans structures, from site to site or on the same glycosylation site. Until now the underlying causes of this micro-heterogeneity have not clearly been identified and the influence of the sugar-nucleotides pool and the glycosyltransferases present in the cell was proposed. By using high-performance technologies such as mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS), NMR and crystallography, and by using classic biochemical and molecular biology approaches to modify the glycan and/ or the structure of a set of model proteins, we propose here to prove that heterogeneity of glycan structures is also highly influenced by the three-dimensional protein structure and the interaction between the protein and the glycan. Since glycosylation can be involved in protein: folding, maturation, secretion and/or functions, the appreciation of heterogeneity mechanism is crucial to better apprehend the role of the glycans at a cellular level. In addition of paving the way to a better comprehension of the glycan structures role , this challenging project will impact European pharmaceutical company producing recombinant glycoproteins or glycopeptides as drugs, by giving them answers on how to reduce the glycan heterogeneity without multiplying high-cost purification steps. Keywords: glycosylation; biochemistry; recombinant protein

Keywords: life sciences,glycosylation,biochemistry,recombinant protein,glycans heterogeneity,molecular biology
Planet Analysis and Small Transit Investigation Software (PASTIS)

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: Portugal
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2013-IEF, 2013)
Start date: 2014-10-01
End date: 2016-09-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 153330.0
EU funding (EUR): 153330.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Detection and characterization of extrasolar low-mass planets are currently limited by several astrophysical and instrumental effects. New exoplanet-hunter instruments, with improved capabilities, are foreseen at the horizon 2016 - 2017. To find other Earths, new state-of-the-art instruments must be followed by the state-of-the-art of data analysis software that takes into account for the astrophysical limitations. Currently, the main astrophysical limitations to the detection and the precise characterization of exoplanets are the precise characterization of the host star and the existence of false-positive scenarios (such as diluted binaries or stellar activity which are able to mimic extrasolar planets. The objective of this proposal is double. First, implement into the PASTIS software (a state-of-the-art of data-analysis software, co-developed by the candidate) tools to both characterize the planet-host star and to model stellar jitter. This will be done with the help of world-leading experts present at the host institution. The second objective is to validate new small and low-mass planets among the CoRoT, Kepler and HARPS data, using the improved PASTIS software. These developments and detections will be a milestone for the detection capabilities and analysis of data currently collected at the host institution and for the search of exo-Earths with future facilities, in which Europe always played a pioneer role.

Keywords: extrasolar planets,spectroscopy,radial velocity,photometry,transit,data analysis,bayesian statistics,model comparison
Circadian timing of metabolism in C. elegans (TIMETAB)

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: Spain
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2013-IEF, 2013)
Start date: 2014-07-01
End date: 2016-06-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 223002.2
EU funding (EUR): 223002.2
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

We will investigate the role of the circadian clock in energy balance, metabolism and lifespan of C. elegans. The evolution of life on Earth has been dominated by the influence of the daily rhythms imposed by its rotational movement. As a consequence, endogenous circadian clocks are present in organisms from all phyla, helping them to anticipate the daily cycles in their environment. This endogenous clock gets information from external cues (zeitgebers) in order to synchronise internal timing to the 24 h day. Circadian clocks regulate processes from gene expression to behaviour, resulting in rhythms in metabolite levels and food intake. The disruption of circadian rhythms has been linked to many pathological conditions, including sleep disorders, depression, metabolic syndrome and cancer. As obesity becomes epidemic in industrialized societies in parallel with a well-documented disruption of our circadian rhythms, the relationship between them becomes highly relevant. We propose to investigate this problem using the nematode C. elegans, an emergent model for the study of circadian rhythms and already established for metabolic research.

Keywords: circadian clock,c. elegans,metabolism,metabolomics,obesity,fitness,longevity
Generation of Novel Cardiotropic AAV-Based Serotypes to Evade Human Humoral Immunity (IMEVAAV)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: International Incoming Fellowships
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: Germany
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2013-IIF, 2013)
Start date: 2014-10-01
End date: 2016-09-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 216952.8
EU funding (EUR): 216952.8
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Cardiovascular diseases remain the primary cause of morbidity and mortality in the western countries. Pharmacological treatment improves survival and quality of life, but does not reverse disease progression. Gene therapy could fill this void, owing to its ability to treat the underlying cause. Adeno-associated viruses (AAV) emanated in the past decade as potent vectors, owing to their tropism for specific tissues, their low immunogenicity, their lack of pathogenicity and their ability to sustain long-term expression. As a testament to their potential, the European Commission approved the first gene therapy (Glybera) and several cardiac gene therapy clinical trials, one phase IIb, are underway using AAVs for gene targeting. Despite their growing success, a major impediment is the presence of pre-existing antibodies in patient serum, which excludes almost 50% of the population from clinical trials. The currently prominent approach, generation of novel serotypes from the known cardiotropic ones (AAV6 and 9) by random mutagenesis, alters favorable serotype attributes and most importantly tropism. Our goal is to generate novel serotypes based on AAV6 and 9, using a directed mutagenesis approach, against only the amino acids involved in neutralization but not receptor binding and therefore tropism. The mutant AAVs will be tested in vitro and in vivo for neutralization, transduction efficiency and cardiac tropism. Alternatively, a semi-random mutagenesis library approach focusing on 3-5 key amino acids will be pursued. Overall, the proposed study, using standard molecular biology techniques, will produce an immunogenic map of the cardiotropic AAVs, generate a panel of novel AAVs that evade humoral immunity but retain tropism, and therefore unequivocally provide with most needed vectors for human clinical trials and the opportunity for personalized medicine. Finally, this strategy will provide a proof of principle for other serotypes and diseases.

Keywords: pre-existing antibodies,adeno-associated viral vectors,cardiac tropism,capsid engineering,evasion of neutralization,clandestine vectors,cardiotropism,cardiac gene therapy
All Solid-State Multi-Photon Generation and Quantum Manipulation at Room Temperature (MULTIQUANT)

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: United Kingdom
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2013-IEF, 2013)
Start date: 2014-05-01
End date: 2016-04-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 231283.2
EU funding (EUR): 231283.2
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Quantum computation promises an exponential acceleration of certain computational tasks, most notably, the factorization of large numbers. One of the main schemes proposed for the realization of a quantum computer is linear optical quantum computation (LOQC). In this scheme, the quantum information carriers are photons, and the computation takes place by their propagation through optical devices that change their respective states, followed by the measurement of their final state. For robust manipulation of the multi-photon states, integrated photonic circuits have been recently introduced. Up till now, however, all experimental demonstrations of multi-photon manipulation with these devices used up to four photons, due to the difficulty to create many identical photons at once. This is since the current single-photons sources are all random, having success probabilities lower than one , and thus the probability of simultaneous emission of N such sources decays exponentially with N. The exponential speed-up promised by quantum computation algorithms is therefore canceled-out. One way to overcome this could be the use of quantum-optical memories. These devices can store single photons for a pre-determined period of time. N such memories, storing N photons from one single-photon source, and releasing all of them at once, would constitute an N-photon source which rate is just N times slower than that of the single-photon source feeding it. In comparison to the use of N probabilistic single-photon sources in parallel, this constitutes an exponential improvement. Here, we propose the development of a diamond-based, all-solid-state, room-temperature multi-photon source, composed of one single photon source and several single-photon memory units. This source could then feed a photonic circuit which will manipulate the photons into desired, highly correlated quantum states of light, the detection of which will enable scalable optical quantum computation.

Keywords: multi photon source,linear optical quantum computation,solid state quantum memory,diamond nv centres,multi photon quantum manipulation,integrated photonics,multi photon detection