Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Systems biology approaches to novel Tumour Suppressors (SYSTUMS)

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: Finland
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2009-RG, 2009)
Start date: 2010-06-01
End date: 2014-05-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Cells contain in-built checkpoint mechanisms to halt division when cells are somehow compromised in their ability to replicate properly, allowing time to repair or adjust the inflicted machinery. If the damage signal persists, cells eventually undergo irreversible cellular faiths, including cellular senescence or apoptosis. Of interest to cancer researchers, apoptosis and senescence upon prolonged oncogene activation or loss of tumor suppression is an emerging paradigm, and is even detected in early stage human tumors. I reasoned that a senescence screen should reveal novel cancer genes, and undertook a kinome siRNA screen employing a cell based morphology screen in diploid, untransformed epithelial cells. One of the candidate tumor suppressors thus identified was the EPHA3 receptor tyrosine kinase gene, which is found to be frequently mutated in human lung and colorectal cancers in several cancer genome sequencing efforts. However the details of how receptor mutation contributes to tumour formation remain unclear. We aim to further explore these research angles through studying molecular networks around and cell system responses to the manipulation of EphA3 receptor signalling. Considering the role of Eph receptors in cell shape and migration, it will be essential to study its putative tumour suppressive functions in a system resembling in vivo architecture. The integration of molecular, cell biological and epithelial cellular system approaches with genomic profiling will add to our understanding of this poorly studied cancer pathway. Furthermore, an understanding of checkpoint responses to cancer mutations, including EphA3 pathway alterations, may enable us to shift responses towards apoptosis or prevent checkpoint escape and reveal cancer prevention strategies.

Keywords: cell biology,cancer biology,biochemistry,cell cycle,epha3,tumor suppressor,lentivirus,lung adenocarcinomas
The Effects of Work-Life Balance on Companies, Individuals, and Their Families from Around the World (NIFREI)

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: Spain
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2009-RG, 2009)
Start date: 2010-04-01
End date: 2014-03-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Europe in the last two decades, as with the many parts of the world, has witnessed a substantial increase of the presence of women in the workplace. It has also witnessed a major change in the nature of the workplace, which is ever increasingly more constructed on knowledge-based and service industries. Despite this change in the demographics and in the nature of work, the workplace has not changed substantially. As a consequence, currently, more often than not, corporate and social infrastructures are not ready to welcome people in double earning careers that need to care for children or for elder parents. This study seeks to understand how family-friendly policies affect employees’ lives and their work performance. This ambitious study explores how the organizational, managerial, and individual levels interact, both facilitating or else hindering work-life integration, and the effects of those interactions. There is very limited research that examines the joint effects of flexible policies, supervisor styles, and personal resources on performance both in the workplace and in family life. Similarly, there is a lack of research that examines different effects of those variables depending on the cultural and legal environment in which the company operates. This study seeks to shed light in both questions. The goal of this work is to understand which policies and practices, coupled with cultural values and leadership styles, assist both men and women to integrate their family commitments with their career responsibilities. The Researcher will evaluate, through a multi-country, multi-continent survey, the effects of flexible workplace policies, leadership styles, and personal coping strategies, on the performance and the well-being of both the individual and his or her family. The purpose is to gauge the relationship between work performance and corporate family-friendly policies and to determine their effects on individuals, their families, and their companies.

Keywords: human resources management,management of living resources,organizational knowledge management,social sciences,organizational science
A Novel Biomimetic Bone-like Material (BONEMIM)

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: Türkiye
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2009-RG, 2009)
Start date: 2010-08-01
End date: 2014-07-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Conventional orthopedic implants and dental filling approaches are only partly successful in preventing load-bearing failures and long-term durability, respectively. The problem in the current materials for bone repair and regeneration is that none of them has the hierarchical structure of natural bone that incorporates inorganic crystals with organic molecules. Any long-lasting biomimetic bone-like material should be designed from a well-dispersed inorganic nanoparticle phase in an organic matrix. This work is going to accomplish the following objectives: 1) Development of organic/apatite hybrid biomaterials based on apatite nanoparticles dispersed in a polymer gel. 2) Determination of physicochemical factors affecting the self-assembly of the hybrid material. 3) Characterization of micro- and nano-structure of the hybrid material. 4) Evaluation of mechanical strength and interfacial characteristics of the self-assembled biomaterial. Micro-/nano-structural characterization of this new biohybrid material will be done by using several techniques to investigate material composition and morphology. The mechanical properties of the designed biomaterial will be tested. The outcomes of this research will provide a novel approach for bone regeneration and will serve as a basis for future in-vivo experiments with the long-term goal of repairing bone defects.

Keywords: coacervation,hydroxyapatite,chitosan,hyaluronic acid,polyelectrolyte,bone,biomimetic,material,polyelectrolyte brush,nanoparticle,self-assembly,electrostatics,bone morphogenetic protein
Analysis of evolutionary conserved signalling pathways mediating polar leaf development in dicotyledonous plants (EVOSIGNAL)

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: Germany
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2009-RG, 2009)
Start date: 2010-06-01
End date: 2014-05-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Like all seed plants, the body of the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana consists of two distinct systems, the root and the shoot. The shoot system contains the shoot apical meristem (SAM) harboring a population of plant stem cells. During the vegetative growth phase the population of stem cells in the SAM divides asymmetrically and produces the cells that will eventually form new organs. Leaves are initiated at the periphery of the SAM in a circular fashion. Proper establishment of the ad/abaxial (top/bottom) axis is of great importance because shape and size of the outgrowing leaf blade highly depends on the juxtaposition of ad/abaxial tissue. Several genes have been isolated that are involved in specifying either adaxial or abaxial cell fate. These genes often act as master regulators. As a postdoctoral fellow I have generated transgenic Arabidopsis plants expressing inducible versions of some of these master regulators. Using microarrays, we have identified target genes of these master regulators in Arabidopsis. In order to validate unknown or hypothetical proteins which are targets of these master regulators I am proposing experiments directed to identify evolutionary conserved signaling pathways. Therefore I have established transgenic Cardamine plants, which are closely related to Arabidopsis, expressing these inducible master regulators. Transformation of a more distant plant species, Aquilegia, is currently in progress. Using a combination of microarray and next generation sequencing approaches we aim to identify target genes of these master regulators in Cardamine and Aquilegia plants. The identification of these target genes will allow us to study evolutionary conserved signaling modules as well as to define unique signaling pathways. These investigations will be complemented by protein evolution studies of the master regulators and by analyzing cis-element evolution of the target genes they control. The identification of conserved and unique signaling pathways in a diverse range of species will further our understanding of how the three-dimensional shape of leaves is controlled and modulated at the molecular level.

Keywords: natural sciences,plant developmental biology,leaf polarity,signaling,evolution
Self-Assembled Thermo-NanoProbes on Hollow Gold Nanoparticles For Theragnostic Applications (TNP-HGNS)

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: Türkiye
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2009-RG, 2009)
Start date: 2010-06-01
End date: 2013-05-31
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 75000.0
EU funding (EUR): 75000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The functionally controllable molecules that are activated upon irradiation, have received a significant attention as nano-scale delivery tools in biomedical applications. Among these, photolabile caged therapeutic molecules are chemically blocked species which can be liberated in their active form by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. By precise tuning of UV source, the use of these photosensitive probes becomes a unique tool to treat a selected biological target spatially and temporally. This technique has been successfully employed in a variety of biological studies; however, it is mostly limited to in vitro applications. The restriction is mainly due to the destructive effects of UV light which has shallow tissue penetration with strong absorption. Quite the contrary, near-infrared (NIR) radiation is known to have deep tissue penetration with minimum absorption. This outstanding property of NIR, with the aid of strong NIR absorbers, can be utilized to trigger a mechanism in cells for therapeutic and diagnostic (theragnostic) purposes. Among other metal nanoparticles that have been extensively studied for such purposes, gold nanoparticles, such as hollow gold nanostructures (HGNs), emerge as ideal tools for these applications since they possess optical tunability, easy functionalization, inertness, non-toxic behavior, accumulation in tissues, and intense absorption of NIR light. During the NIR absorption process, the absorbed energy by HGNs will be transferred into thermal energy that consequently heats the surroundings. This NIR mediated heating process can be employed for thermal cleavage of chemical bonds within the molecules, so called “thermolabile caged compounds”. This project proposes a novel design and synthesis of NIR driven thermolabile caged molecules as a nano-scale delivery tool, and their self-assembly on HGNs for targeted therapy and optical imaging applications.

Keywords: nanoparticles,hollow gold nanostructures,photothermal heating,caged molecules,thermolabile bonds,chemotherapy,nir radiation,prostate cancer
Digital Generation of High Resolution Objects (DIGHIRO)

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: Finland
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2009-RG, 2009)
Start date: 2010-05-01
End date: 2014-04-30
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

This proposal presents a development project for a micro scale Additive Manufacturing (AM) system. AM systems can take computer designed or scanned files describing 3-dimensional shapes and make physical (often plastic or metallic ) objects. Typical AM systems make objects that have feature sizes suitable for human interaction; the low end being a fraction of a millimeter. The proposal presents research into systems that are capable to smaller features down to few micrometer sizes. The proposal describes inexpensive technology that is capable to few micrometer features. Part of the research program is also background experiments that verify the material capability. The plan is to study many applications of micro scale AM technology, including micro fluid diagnostics (lab-on-the-chip) and medical applications.

Keywords: additive manufacturing,microscopic scale,micro machining,stereolithography,rapid prototyping,rapid manufacturing,free form fabrication
Genomic sequence variants that correlate with gene expression and different epigenetic patterns modify risk for mTLE+HS (MTLE-HS)

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-2009-RG, 2009)
Start date: 2010-04-01
End date: 2012-06-30
Duration (months): 27.0
Total project cost (EUR): 56250.0
EU funding (EUR): 56250.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Epilepsy is the second most common neurological disorder after stroke and mesial temporal lobe epilepsy with hippocampal sclerosis (mTLE+HS) represents the most common epilepsy syndrome in adult patient with medically intractable partial epilepsy. Studies of genome-wide association (GWA) with epilepsy are critical to provide an unbiased assessment of genes contributing to disease risk and/or response to treatment. However the results of GWA studies give little information about the underlying disease mechanisms. The proposed research project will try to identify those genomic sequence variants that correlate with gene expression and different epigenetic patterns that could modify risk for mTLE+HS. Starting with an already established epilepsy GWA study, we propose to obtain gene expression and methylation data from 100 biopsy specimens obtained from well-characterized chronic pharmacoresistant mTLE+HS patients, who underwent resection of the temporal lobe at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery (NHNN) and for whom we already have whole-genotyping data. Individuals will be matched for age, gender and ethnic background with healthy controls from two ongoing whole genome expression and methylation studies at UCL. The integration of gene expression with genetic variability will provide insights into the causal variants and how this may lead to mTLE+HS. In addition, we will investigate an additional biological mechanism, methylation that could alter an individual&apos;s susceptibility to mTLE+HS risk. Our interdisciplinary approach will contribute to the understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying mTLE+HS pathology. In the long term, this understanding will lead to the preventative identification of high-risk patients and the development of novel therapies, aimed at the prevention of seizures and the cognitive impairment suffered by these patients.

Keywords: mesial temporal lobe epilepsy,hippocampal sclerosis,gwa,gene expression,methylation,brain,cognition
Analysis of signalling mechanisms that integrate environmental stimuli into plant growth regulatory processes (PLANT ENVI DEVI)

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: Hungary
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2009-RG, 2009)
Start date: 2010-09-01
End date: 2014-01-31
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 45000.0
EU funding (EUR): 45000.0
Participants: 2
Project status: CLOSED

Plant growth is remarkably flexible in response to changing environmental conditions, which is especially important as human life depends on the production of plant materials and they are now also being explored as a source of non-fossil fuels. The proposed project aims to reveal novel regulatory mechanisms that control developmental processes in response to environmental stresses. Mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase pathways have been in the focus of stress signalling research in plants for over a decade. On the other hand our recent results strongly suggest a role for a MAP kinase pathway in the regulation of meristem activity. We propose that the underlying mechanism is the regulation of transcription factors that are key regulators of stem cell identity and meristem development by direct MAP kinase phosphorylation. This notion is supported by our bioinformatics prediction of potential MAP kinase substrates as well as by proteomics data. Our goal is to generate biochemical and functional genetics evidence for the cross-talk between known MAP kinase and meristem regulatory pathways in the model plant Arabidopsis. To this end we will commence with testing the phosphorylation status of candidate MAP kinase substrates using efficient novel approaches. In the second part of the project a couple of the most intriguing substrates and their relation to MAP kinase pathways will be genetically analysed. Thus the proposed experimental program can provide important novel biological information of major agricultural significance.

Keywords: biological sciences,plant development,environmental stress,map kinase,meristem,signal transduction
Microstructure of Takeover Markets (MERGERMICROSTRUCTURE)

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: Türkiye
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2009-RG, 2009)
Start date: 2010-04-01
End date: 2013-03-31
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 75000.0
EU funding (EUR): 75000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

This project aims to contribute to the financial M&amp;A literature by analyzing the microstructure of corporate takeovers. The primary tool used in this project for examining the merger process is the concept of deal initiation. Recent research shows that there is a significant difference between buyer-initiated deals and seller-initiated deals. In buyer-initiated deals, buyer firms contact target firms and propose takeovers even though target firm managers and shareholders have no prior intentions of selling their firms. In seller-initiated deals, target firm managers and shareholders decide to put their firms up for sale, and contact potential buyers for that purpose. The first objective of this project is to analyze the relationship between deal initiation and competition in mergers. We aim to answer the following questions: How does the number of buyer firms competing to acquire targets differ in buyer-initiated and in seller-initiated deals? Do buyer firms prevent outside competition by offering high premiums to target firms? The second objective is to analyze managerial incentives during the merger process. Merging firm CEOs receive compensation when mergers consummate, which might lead them involve in deals that are value decreasing from shareholders’ perspective but income generating from their perspective. We aim to answer the following questions: Do target firm managers initiate deals and sell their firms in order to maximize their own benefits? How do their compensations differ across initiation groups? The final objective is to analyze the relationship between earnings management and deal initiation. Recent research shows that acquirers engage in earnings management practices, especially in stock-for-stock mergers. We aim to answer the following questions: Is earnings management by target firms more prevalent in seller-initiated deals? Do acquirers manage earnings first, so that the financials of their firms look much stronger, and then initiate deals?

Keywords: financial management,corporate finance,corporate takeovers,m&a,corporate governance,ceo compensation,earnings management,event study
A deformable, multi-domain, numerical muscular neck model for orthopaedics and ergonomics applications (DEMU2NECK)

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: France
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2009-RG, 2009)
Start date: 2010-11-15
End date: 2014-11-14
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Numerical modelling has become an essential tool in the biomechanics research field. Multi-segment rigid-body and FE models are being used extensively in the context of automotive safety. These models provide objective means to assess the behaviour and associated injury risk of a representative sample of the population in a given crash scenario. In a clinical context, similar objective biomechanical parameters are required; however, these parameters have to be patient-specific. In this context, there is a need for detailed models that could describe the morphology and behaviour of a given subject. At this stage, the scientific challenge is to design and integrate 3D, deformable muscle segments that are both robust and time-efficient in these models. The human neck is a complex structure, for which an optimal posture as well as the combined mobility and stability of the cervical spine are intrinsically related to one’s ability to mobilize his muscles harmoniously. Trauma, degenerative diseases, surgery or ageing will affect this balance, and may result in pain or in a loss or excess of mobility. In the global framework of designing detailed numerical models that allow exploring such musculo-skeletal interactions, the aim of the project is to develop a deformable, contractile numerical muscular neck model, by (1) creating a subject-specific geometry of the head/neck/upper torso complex and its musculature, (2) designing a relevant muscle activation model, and (3) building and validating an efficient and robust model for use in clinical and ergonomics/impact applications. This research will contribute to improve the current strategies of muscular model design. The design of a subject-specific model will create a framework to assist the clinician in his analysis and decision making within the problematics described above. In a broader sense it will allow exploring the influence of the neck’s muscular contribution in the normal, pathological or ageing subject.

Keywords: mechanical engineering,biomedical engineering,3 d modelling