Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Structural basis of selective autophagy mediated by cargo receptors (AUTOCARGO)

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: Germany
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2012-IEF, 2012)
Start date: 2014-06-01
End date: 2016-05-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 161968.8
EU funding (EUR): 161968.8
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Autophagy is a bulk cellular degradation pathway in which double-membrane vesicles engulfe large and long-lived cytoplasmic structures and target them to lysosomal compartments. Employing an integrated structural biology approach using single-particle cryo-EM and X-ray crystallography, this proposal aims to elucidate the structural details by which the autophagosomal recognition machinery identifies and assembles its cargo for targeting to autophagosomes. It has recently become apparent that selective autophagy requires specific receptors that recognize and recruit defined cargo into molecular assemblies and target them for autophagosomal degradation. Dysfunction of this process is implicated in a number of important human pathologies, such as cancer, neurodegeneration and myopathies. A precise understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying selective autophagy requires the structural characterization of the molecular complexes involved in this process. First, the ultrastructural architecture of homo-oligomeric receptor assemblies will be established. Second, the structural organization of cargo-receptor complexes will be defined for a hetero-oligomeric, mechanosensitive model complex involved in muscle homeostasis using a combination of cryo-EM and X-ray crystallography. Third, oligomeric changes of cargo-receptor assemblies will be related to cellular function. In its aim to establish a multi-resolution view on the molecular principles of selective autophagy, this proposal has the potential to fundamentally advance our current understanding of this important degradation pathway.

Keywords: structural biology,autophagy,mechanosensing,protein crystallography,cryo-electron microscopy,biophysics
Controlled Assembly and Stabilisation of Functionalised Colloids in Nematic Liquid Crystals (NEMCODE)

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: Slovenia
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2012-IEF, 2012)
Start date: 2013-05-06
End date: 2015-05-05
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 154137.6
EU funding (EUR): 154137.6
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Herein I present a new approach towards 2D colloidal crystals with selectively created point and line defects. This project reaches beyond the state of the art in the field of colloidal crystals for photonic applications. However, in order to exploit these materials for photonic application point and line defects have to be created to guide light through the material. So far no bottom-up approaches to selectively created defects has been reported; in fact, despite the preparation of colloidal crystals usually involves self-assembly techniques the generation of point and line defects has been reached only using top-down techniques (i.e. photolithography, photochemical etching, focussed ion beam etching, etc.). The assembly will be carried out in reactive (polymerisable) liquid crystalline matrix by means of laser tweezers; UV-curing will cause the polymerisation of the reactive liquid crystal molecules yielding an aligned liquid crystalline network which will embed the assembly, stabilising it. Organic chemistry synthesis will be applied to generate photonitiator and polymerisable units to be installed on the surface of the colloids. The assembly technique reported by Prof. Muševič will ensure a one-by-one construction of the colloidal crystals. Using this technique particles with a lower interaction with the generated polymeric network can be incorporated in specific position of the assembly. These particles can subsequently be removed by means of laser tweezers, generating point and line defects in the 2D colloidal crystal. The interdisciplinarity of the proposal which combines Organic Chemistry with Experimental Physics is one of the points of strength of the project. Positive outcomes will represent a leap forward for photonic and nanotechnology industry in the ERA. The host offers great opportunities to collaborate with industry allowing the EU to increase its level of competition with other producers of this kind of photonic materials.

Keywords: liquid crystals,colloids,organic synthesis,reactive mesogens,polymerisation,colloidal crystals,photonics
Novel coatings to prevent biofilm formation on urinary catheters based on nanoantibiotics and quorum quenching compounds (NANOQUENCH)

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-2012-IEF, 2012)
Start date: 2013-03-25
End date: 2015-07-14
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 166336.2
EU funding (EUR): 166336.2
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

NanoQuench project is about the development of alternative methods to coat indewelling medical devices to control microbial biofilms with relevance to clinical drug resistance. Biofilms are bacterial communities embedded in a self-produced polymeric matrix that commonly grow on indwelling medical devices, such as catheters. This mode of growing is believed to be regulated by a quorum-sensing (QS) system, a unique mechanism of communication that bacterial cells use through the secretion and uptake of small hormone-like molecules, called autoinducers. Due to their innate resistance to the immune system and low susceptibility to antibiotics, the microbial biofilms are difficult to treat and are a major factor in the morbidity and mortality of most infectious diseases. Methods by which the initial stages of bacterial attachment and biofilm formation can be restricted or prevented are therefore needed. Technologies that avoid catheter biofilm formation are based mainly on the application of conventional antimicrobial agents. However, the high resistance of bacteria within the biofilm makes any single therapeutic intervention unlikely to have sufficient effect. This project focuses on the development of an integrated technological platform comprising quorum quenching enzymes and novel antibacterial agents (nanoantibiotics), able to counteract biofilm formation and at the same time avoid development of bacterial resistance to the therapy. These functional compounds will be coated onto catheters via layer-by-layer technique or a novel ultrasonic process.

Keywords: bacterial biofilms,quorum sensing,quorum quenching,nanoantibiotics,antimicrobial coatings,urinary catheters
Delivering non-viral silencing RNA (microRNA) using automated femtosecond lasers into stem cells for cardiac reprogramming and characterization using non-destructive optical techniques (MIR-OPTOFECTARRAY)

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: Germany
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2012-IEF, 2012)
Start date: 2013-08-01
End date: 2015-07-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 168794.4
EU funding (EUR): 168794.4
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Considerable focus has been placed on the influence of endogenous and exogenous interfering RNA on stem cell differentiation and behavior and substantial effort to elucidate the potential of reprogramming stem cells to guide of them towards a cardiomyogenic phenotype as a therapeutic option for heart disease. The majority of studies employ gain- or loss- of function experimental models or perform global microArrays to determine microRNAs that exhibit candidacy as governing dictators of differentiation. Delivery of these potentially therapeutic biomolecules can be achieved through viral vectors; which raises concerns of mutagenesis and immunogenicity, or their less efficient counterparts – non-viral vectors. The fellow presents here, the use of femtosecond laser Optotransfection to create transient nanopores in the cell membrane to allow entry of exogenous microRNAs efficiently into the cell with minimal effect on cellular viability. The fellow aims to apply this system in an automated process, combining robotics, software engineering and management of data in a multi-disciplinary project toward which he will add his expert knowledge in microRNA delivery in vitro, cardiac related microRNAs, in vitro cell culture and biomedical engineering. This project places the fellow in a unique position to apply biomedical research technology to an automated process to yield high-throughput standardized experiments which could yield potent formulations of microRNAs to reprogram stem cells towards a cardiac progenitor cell lineage. Herein, this project proposal describes the multidisciplinary nature of this project, the execution and management of this project by the fellow and the multiple collaborators that will each equip the fellow with cutting-edge research skills. The goals of the fellow’s project will place specific focus to ensure that the training of the fellow brings him to a level of competitive scientific excellence both in Europe and Internationally.

Keywords: technology systems,gene therapy,stem cell therapy,regenerative medicine,molecular genetics - reverse genetics and rnai,informatics and information systems,bioinformatics,electrophysiology
ASTROCYTE REGULATION OF NEURONAL NETWORK ACTIVITY (NEURON-ASTRO-NETS)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: International Outgoing Fellowships
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: France
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2012-IOF, 2012)
Start date: 2014-06-01
End date: 2017-05-31
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 268781.1
EU funding (EUR): 268781.1
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Healthy functionality in the brain relies on intricate neuron-glia networks. Recent data suggest that glial, including astrocytes, play a crucial role in the processing and storing on by the brain. In particular, synapses might not be bipartite, but rather tripartite structures, comprised of the pre- and the postsynaptic terminals and the surrounding astrocyte. Moreover, astrocytes, like neurons, form intricate interconnected networks that afford long-range communication via the propagation of calcium waves. Therefore, neurons and astrocytes form intertwined neuron-glial networks supporting active partnership between the two cell populations. Hence, understanding the nature of neuron-glia interactions is essential to understand how the brain functions, and will serve as a stepping stone for deciphering brain disorders. Our long-term goal is to reveal the mechanisms that control and regulates the activity of combined neuron-glia networks. The specific objectives of this application, which are fundamental in the pursuit of that goal, are (1) to determine the properties of astrocytic modulation of synaptic transmission; and (2) to characterize how such modulation shapes neuronal activity in neuron-glia networks of the brain. To pursue these aims we will employ a comprehensive theoretical investigation to develop mathematical and biophysical models in support to experiments, at the many levels and scales of action of neuron-astrocyte signaling. The significance of understanding glia-neuron interactions is several-fold as it pertains to a very wide range of applications, from basic understanding of neuronal activity, to developing therapeutic strategies toward the treatment of neurological disorders. Here, we will focus on how modulations of synaptic transmission by astrocytes could favor the emergence of synchronized neuronal, leveraging the predictions of our theoretical approach in the perspective of brain disorders, and epilepsy in particular.

Keywords: computational neuroscience,astrocytes,neuron-glia networks,modeling,modulation of synaptic plasticity,network dynamics,neural synchronization
Microfluidics-Generated Hydrogel Particles for Protein Delivery (PROTDEL)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: International Outgoing Fellowships
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: United Kingdom
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2012-IOF, 2012)
Start date: 2013-09-01
End date: 2016-08-31
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 282561.0
EU funding (EUR): 282561.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Controlled delivery of proteins is a highly promising strategy to treat pathological conditions, including myocardial infarcts, bone defects, and skin lesions, as well as inflammatory, metabolic and neurological disorders. A major roadblock to effective protein therapeutics is the lack of biocompatible and injectable carriers that deliver proteins with high bioactivity and suitable release profiles. The objective of this proposal is to engineer hydrogel microspheres with controlled size and protease-dependent degradation profiles via microfluidics for therapeutic protein delivery. The maleimide-functionalized poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG-MAL) hydrogel system is a modular platform that incorporates protease-degradable or non-degradable cross-links, bioactive ligands, and therapeutic growth factors in a ‘plug-and-play’ fashion allowing significant material tunability. In addition, PEG elicits minimal inflammatory reactions and has an excellent safety record. Importantly, the release rate of encapsulated proteins is controlled by protease-dependent cleavage of the hydrogel cross-links, providing a specific and triggerable release mechanism. Because the maleimide cross-linking reaction occurs much more rapidly than other hydrogel cross-linking chemistries, novel microfluidic-based polymerization approaches to generate microspheres of controlled size will be applied. By designing particles with different hydrogel cross-links and encapsulated proteins, a robust and flexible protein delivery platform with tunable dosing and release profiles will be established. The overall objective will be accomplished via two specific aims: Engineer PEG-MAL hydrogel microspheres with tunable dosing and release profiles for BMP2 and VEGF, and evaluate in vivo delivery profiles and bone repair in a murine segmental defect model. This model will be also used in return phase to evaluate in vivo the role of the synergistic integrin and growth factor signaling in bone repair and vascularization.

Keywords: l302 cell biology and molecular transport mechanisms,protein delivery,hydrogels,regenerative medicine,tissue healing,vascularization,l301 morphology and functional imaging of cells
The Second World in the Third: Polish Aid to Sudan and Nigeria from Comecon to EU Accession (COMECONAID)

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: Ireland
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2012-IEF, 2012)
Start date: 2014-02-03
End date: 2016-08-02
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 191359.8
EU funding (EUR): 191359.8
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Combining historical and anthropological approaches, this research will critically examine the socio-political relations linking African recipients of foreign aid with Poland, an Eastern European donor in the Soviet Bloc. The project compares Polish foreign aid provided to Sudan (now Republic of the Sudan and Republic of South Sudan) and Nigeria during the Cold War, with the aim of considering the implications for the current development cooperation between North and South and the re-emergence of new EU Member States as foreign aid donors. The results will help us understand the search for development alternatives outside of Western aid regimes, both during the Cold War era as well as in the current context of ‘emerging donors’ and the South-South Cooperation. This research will build on my existing knowledge of Polish-Sudanese relations while adding a new field site (Nigeria) to my area specialisation. The project will lay the groundwork for future long-term research on global governance, international development and the power struggle over international influence in Africa. It will be conducted at the Department of Anthropology, National University of Ireland, Maynooth.

Keywords: s112 global and transnational governance,s406 colonial history - entangled histories - global history,s105 ethnography,s109 political systems - legitimacy of governance
Genetic encoding and click chemistry with copper-chelating azides for super-resolution imaging of proteins (GECCCCA)

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: United Kingdom
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2012-IIF, 2012)
Start date: 2013-03-01
End date: 2015-02-28
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 221606.4
EU funding (EUR): 221606.4
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Super-resolution biological microscopy would benefit from a much smaller alternative to green fluorescent protein and enzyme-mediated labelling methods for imaging specific proteins in cells. To facilitate routine tagging of organic fluorophores to cellular proteins for super-resolution imaging, we aim to combine genetic code expansion (the most non-invasive tagging method) with cell-compatible CuAAC with copper-chelating azides (the fastest bio-orthogonal reaction) and extend the utilities of the method to labelling of specific proteins in different subcellular locales, including intracellular. The proposed work here is highly interdisciplinary, combining techniques from synthetic organic chemistry, in vitro evolution of novel protein function, optimizations of protein and chemical functions in mammalian cell context, and super-resolution protein imaging. The work is designed to take advantage of the fellow’s experience in protein labelling, bio-orthogonal chemistry and super-resolution imaging, along with the European host’s proficiency in in vitro evolution and genetic code expansion. The goal is to maximise the mutual transfer of knowledge while obtaining new methodologies and molecular insight into biological systems.

Keywords: biological chemistry,protein chemistry,organic chemistry,click chemistry,in vitro evolution,super-resolution imaging,bioconjugation
Banking Market Structure and Firms Financing in Financial Turmoil” (MARKET STRUCTURE)

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: Germany
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2012-IEF, 2012)
Start date: 2014-03-01
End date: 2016-02-29
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 168794.4
EU funding (EUR): 168794.4
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The proposal aims to investigate the existing relationship between banking market structures (e.g. banks’ headquarter location, efficiency and banks board of directors ) and the supply of credit to non-financial firms by looking and comparing German, French and Italian banking systems during financial turmoil. In particular, I disentangle the effects of specific characteristics of financial markets at local market level, distinguishing the factors that may have driven differences in the severity of credit constrain to different types of firms on their economic performances. One of the most debated consequences of the crisis has been the possible credit crunch caused by the contraction of the bank’s capital and the adverse liquidity shock in interbank market. Motivated by theoretical and empirical evidences at country level, whether and how financial structure influences firms’ financing and consequently their profitability remain a crucial policy issue. Despite the debate on-course the analysis of some mechanisms through which financial structures affect firms’ financing and their profitability has been left under-researched particularly in a cross-country comparing view, at local market level and after the collapse of Lehman Brothers. There are theoretical suggesting that the market structures of the banking systems have a non-trivial impact on the process of capital accumulation. Any departure from perfect competition in the credit market, driven by factors both imputable at the structure rather than at bank level, introduces inefficiencies that would harms' access to credit, thus impacting negatively on firms’ performance. The findings could identify the mechanism and possible effects as well as differences of the local market structures in the severity of credit constrain and financing across different types of firms and countries. Therefore, policy-makers could focus on implementation of policies to enhance banks efficiency and firms’ financing.

Keywords: e104 financial markets,e102 microeconomics,e101 macroeconomics,e107 industrial economics
Development of a multiplex nanofluidic assay for selective detection and monitoring of Alzheimer's disease biomarkers (NANOASSAY)

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-2012-IIF, 2012)
Start date: 2014-04-25
End date: 2018-04-24
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 168794.4
EU funding (EUR): 168794.4
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

In this work, I propose the use of a nano/microfluidic system to detect biomarkers relevant to Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The use of this system could give earlier and more accurate diagnoses, as well as provide the opportunity for therapeutic interventions and effective disease monitoring. Prior to the diagnosis of dementia and even before the appearance of plaques and tangles, it is suspected that biochemical changes have begun to occur in the brain that eventually lead to AD. Due to the brain being a particularly difficult organ to access, the search for biomarkers has focused primarily on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood. Because the available sample and biomarker levels are low, clinical tools that can measure candidate biomarkers for reproducible detection are currently insufficient. Here we propose a nanofluidic system with well-defined surface chemistry to greatly improve the sensitivity, selectivity and reproducibility in detection of biomarkers found in CSF. Our device will be fabricated using standard silicon microfabrication procedures to produce highly controlled channels for sample handling and multiplex detection. By working under continuous-flow conditions rather than in batch format, we eliminate variability due to mass transport limitations while allowing for improved standardization. Concentrating the antibodies to a discrete area will increase selectivity and allow amyloid-beta quantitation in spiked serum and real CSF of normal and Alzheimer’s donor samples to be achieved. I believe that development of a multiplex diagnostic tool will offer many more people access to better disease diagnosis management and assist in the search for better therapeutics that not only slow disease progression but potentially reverse it.

Keywords: l511 neurological disorders,l702 diagnostic tools,l701 medical engineering and technology,c121 surface modification,c127 materials for sensors