Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Beyond cynicism and bare life: practices of citizenship against migrants' inclusive exclusion (MIGPRO)

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: Italy
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2011-IEF, 2011)
Start date: 2012-07-23
End date: 2014-07-22
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 185763.6
EU funding (EUR): 185763.6
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The proposed research addresses themes of current social relevance, such as the politics of migration and its governance, and their relation to emerging forms of engaged citizenship and sovereignty. The researcher shall investigate ethnographically modes of protest and solidarity that seek to contrast states' regulation of migrant movement (with a special focus on detention and deportation), and labour regimes based on the disposability of migrant bodies in contemporary Europe. Forms of resistance and flight are widespread across different EU countries, and take the form of attempted escapes from detention centres, hunger strikes, dirty protests, the sowing of one's lips, and episodes of self-harming, as well as labour strikes and dramatic acts that capture media attention, such as the occupation of rooftops and the climbing of cranes. Anti-racist solidarity networks are also active in supporting undocumented migrants, through demonstrations, boycotts, and the provision of alternative media coverage on the issue. The research will take Italy as the main research location, but a comparative perspective will be brought into the project by creating an interdisciplinary research network gathering scholars who work on related issues across Europe. The project will investigate the relationship between subjective experiences of migration, detention, protest and solidarity, in the light of multiple historical trajectories and personal narratives. Affective and intimate relations will be explored together with the workings of institutions and structures of power, their limitations and possible alternative modes of sociality.

Keywords: humanities,european studies,social anthropology,italian studies,migration,subjectivity,citizenship,protest
Role of the PfAlbas, a novel DNA and RNA binding protein family, in Plasmodium falciparum chromatin biology and RNA regulation (PFALBA)

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: France
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2011-IIF, 2011)
Start date: 2013-02-01
End date: 2015-01-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 193594.8
EU funding (EUR): 193594.8
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Antigenic variation is a common strategy utilized by intracellular pathogens to evade immune detection. Plasmodium falciparum, the causal agent of the most lethal form of malaria, modulates antigenic variation of the ~60 member 'var' virulence gene family by exhibiting mutually exclusive, monoallelic expression. This is achieved by spatially and epigenetically regulating var transcription such that silent var loci cluster at the nuclear periphery and are associated with nucleosomes modified by silencing epigenetic marks such as hypoacetylation and trimethylation of histone 3 lysine 9. However, the exact mechanism of clustering and placement of histone marks at var genes is poorly understood. The recent identification of the novel DNA- and RNA-binding protein family PfAlba in P. falciparum may provide new insights into these mechanisms. The PfAlbas bind to DNA and RNA in vitro, and localize to either the nuclear periphery or the parasite cytoplasm in a stage-dependent manner during intra-erythrocytic development. We therefore postulate a role for these proteins in var regulation and more generally, in chromatin biology and RNA metabolism. To determine this, we propose to: (1) Analyze the genome-wide localization of the PfAlbas using CHIP-seq and qPCR assays, (2) Identify PfAlba RNA substrates using in vitro and in vivo techniques such as SNAAP and iCLIP, and (3) Examine the effect of PfAlba knockdown on var regulation and RNA metabolism by qPCR assays and RNA-seq, respectively. The research will take place in Dr. Artur Scherf's laboratory at Insitut Pasteur, Paris. The host has the technological know-how to perform the assays described in this proposal while the fellow has the biochemical and genetic skills required to successfully achieve the goals. Overall, this study will result in the transfer of knowledge from the US to Europe and simultaneously train the fellow to become an independent researcher.

Keywords: biological sciences
Probing the evolution of promiscuity and functional diversification among ancient gene duplicates (FUNCEVODUPLIGENES)

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-2011-IIF, 2011)
Start date: 2013-02-22
End date: 2015-02-21
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 209033.4
EU funding (EUR): 209033.4
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Gene duplication followed by sequence divergence is recognized as a key mechanism in evolution to generate functional innovations and enrich the complexity of genetic networks. Though gene duplication is frequently observed, the ensuing process leading to functional differentiation among gene duplicates remains obscure. Lack of this critical information has limited not just our fundamental understanding of protein evolution, but the success in engineering enzymes for industrial applications and our ability to predict evolution, for instance, mutations accessible to pathogens against antibiotic treatments. To fill this knowledge gap, I propose an integrative approach to bring mechanistic insights into the functional diversification among flavoprotein disulfide reductases (FDRs), namely glutathione reductases, lipoamide reductases, soluble transhydrogenases, and mercuric reductases. Diverged before the split between prokaryotes and eukaryotes, these ancient gene duplicates now participate in distinct branches of cell metabolism but maintain remarkable sequence and structure conservation. Furthermore, they exhibit the ability to turn over secondary substrates (i.e. promiscuity). I will address the evolutionary history, functional divergence, and mechanistic basis of promiscuity of FDRs, and explore their utility for biotechnology through the following steps: (1) phylogenetic reconstruction of ancestral FDRs to examine the functional shift from ancestral to extant FDRs, (3) directed evolution of one or more FDRs toward novel functions, (4) replaying gene duplication and functional divergence of FDRs in real-time by microbial evolution experiments. This project is aimed at answering core questions in molecular evolution and exploring the utility of promiscuous enzymes by bringing the applicant’s expertise in evolutionary analysis and microbial genetics to the host group that masters enzymology, chemical biology, and cutting-edge directed evolution techniques.

Keywords: molecular evolution,phylogeny,enzymology,biological engineering
Function of the transcription factors Olig3 and Lbx1 in brainstem respiratory nuclei (OLIG3-LBX1 BREATHING)

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-2011-IEF, 2011)
Start date: 2012-07-01
End date: 2014-06-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 167390.4
EU funding (EUR): 167390.4
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Congenital Central Hypoventilation Syndrome (CCHS also known as Ondine’s curse) is a lethal condition in newborn children characterized by respiratory arrest during sleep. The understanding of breathing disorders is currently limited due to our scarce knowledge of the developmental program that controls the establishment of respiratory centers in the brainstem. The solitary tract (NTS) and retrotrapezoid (RTN) nuclei are essential for the relay and sensing of O2 and CO2 levels, respectively. NTS also participates in the initiation of inspiration, whereas RTN acts as an oscillator for the generation of respiratory rhythm activity. In the present proposal, I suggest to investigate the function of Olig3 and Lbx1 in development and physiology of the NTS and RTN, respectively. Olig3 is proposed to generate NTS neurons. My preliminary observations reveal that Olig3 (Olig3-/-) mutant mice die within few hours after birth from an apparent failure to maintain respiration. Anatomical examinations showed absence of NTS in Olig3-/- mice, suggesting that they die from a failure of the central relay neurons that transmit O2 information and control inspiration. Lbx1 is of relevance for the development of the respiratory rhythm oscillator and CO2 sensor. In a genetic screen of patients with CCHS, I identified a frameshift mutation in exon 2 of their LBX1 gene. To re-create this condition in mice and study its consequences further, I have generated a targeting vector to introduce this mutation into the mouse genome. Given the relevance of this presumptive pathological mutation for humans, it is necessary to understand its implications in development of respiratory centers such as the RTN. In envisage that the knowledge gained will contribute to defining strategies for future pharmacological treatment of breathing disorders. This project will represent an excellent opportunity to establish myself as a leading scientist in the field of mouse genetics and developmental neurobiology.

Keywords: olig3,lbx1,transcription factors,nts,rtn,breathing centers,lbx1-frameshift mutation,cchs,respiratory disorders,mouse genetics,intersectional strategies,development,control of breathing
Insights from heavy stable isotopes to the study of Ag (and Ag-nanoparticles), Cu and Zn contaminations and biogeochemical processes in the Gironde Watershed and Estuary (ISOGIRE)

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: France
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2011-IEF, 2011)
Start date: 2012-03-01
End date: 2014-02-28
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 201932.4
EU funding (EUR): 201932.4
Participants: 2
Project status: CLOSED

The use of heavy stable isotopes for tracing the source of Metallic Trace Elements (MTE) in the environment has been well established during the last decade but focused mostly on simple cases (local point source pollutions), while Ag has remained unexploited in this respect. The ISOGIRE project aims at investigating heavy stable Cu, Zn and Ag isotope fractionation in the large scale (80000 km²) and well constrained Gironde continuum (as a model case system). The objective is to use MTE isotopes to identify and discriminate different (diffuse and point) source of pollutions and their evolution in time, accounting for biogeochemical processes (non-conservative behaviour by reactive estuarine mixing and biological uptake by oysters) that may modify their isotopic signatures. The ISOGIRE project relies on a multidisciplinary approach linking metallic trace elements isotope geochemistry, biology/ecotoxicology and mineralogical in situ analysis. The ISOGIRE project will address the recent issue of emerging Ag contamination observed in the Gironde estuary and surface waters worldwide, presumably due to the rise of Ag (and Ag nanoparticles (NP)) in consummer’s goods. A versatile analytical methodology for Ag isotopes measurements by MC-ICP-MS will be developed for various environmental matrices in order to evaluate the possibility of identifying and discriminating Ag and Ag-NP sources and follow their environmental route using their isotopic compositions. In addition of being complementary to the “nanosafetycluster” group, promoting studies on the environmental impact of NP at the European level, the ISOGIRE project is consistent with the priority objectives related to Environment from the work programme with respect to the multidisciplinary approach and development of new monitoring methodologies.

Keywords: coastal ecosystems,biogeochemistry,mc-icp-ms,heavy stable isotopes,silver,copper,zinc,nanoparticles,non-conservative behaviour,watershed,estuary,emerging pollutions,biomonitoring
Forecasting the climatic and health consequences of global warming on permafrost environments (PERMATHREAT)

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-2011-IEF, 2011)
Start date: 2012-09-17
End date: 2014-09-16
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 228082.2
EU funding (EUR): 228082.2
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Fifteen percent of the world’s soil carbon stock is currently kept frozen in permafrost soils from the arctic region. Recent climatic projections have indicated that this environment is particularly at risk due to global warming, with up to 90% of the near surface that could be thawed by 2100. Related revival in microbial activities could initiate the most dangerous amplifying feedback in the entire carbon cycle, boosting global warming as a result of a massive release in greenhouse gas. Permafrost also represent a potentially massive repository of viruses, genes and naked DNA fragments, that sometimes have been preserved in situ for up to hundreds of thousands years. While representing a fantastic potential for innovative biotechnological applications, this genetic reservoir could turn as a major threat to human health as once thawed, vast amounts of new antibiotic-resistant determinants might be made available for horizontal gene transfer, promoting the emergence of new resistant pathogens worldwide. The potential extent of greenhouse gas production and bacterial outbreaks will ultimately depend of the metabolic, cellular and molecular complexity present in permafrost. Here, we propose to characterize the permafrost microbial and viral communities, as well as the extent of the antibiotic resistome, using massively parallel next-generation sequencing. In addition, ancient DNA technologies will be used in order to track back permafrost response to previous episodes of global warming, which will serve as a proxy for the ongoing global warming. This project will reveal the true balance between sources and sinks of greenhouse gas in permafrost. Potential future escape routes to current therapeutic agents will be identified through the characterization of new allelic variants in major antibiotic resistance genes; hence, this project will improve our ability to predict and fight the future effects of global warming and related emergence of new infection types.

Keywords: climate change,permafrost,metagenomics,bioinformatics,next-generation sequencing,ancient dna,antibiotic resistance and human health (global change)
The fate and behaviour of volatiles during subduction of oceanic crustal material towards greater mantle depths (FATEMANTLE)

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-2011-IIF, 2011)
Start date: 2012-09-10
End date: 2015-08-23
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 167390.4
EU funding (EUR): 167390.4
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The world’s oceans contain up to 5.5 times less water by mass than is believed to exist in the Earth’s interior (i.e. Earth’s mantle and core). Yet the presence of volatiles such as H2O, CO2, C, CH4 (i.e. H-C-O) in the Earth’s interior are often overlooked despite critical for life on Earth. The chief means of replenishment of the Earth’s interior with volatiles over geological time is via subduction (i.e. the transport of crustal material into the Earth’s deep interior by large-scale tectonic processes) but constraints are very poor as natural samples from the deep Earth’s interior subduction zones are inaccessible. High pressure experimental investigations however can overcome that problem by simulating deep Earth’s mantle conditions and processes. The research proposed here will experimentally determine the maximum storage capacity, solubility and behaviour of volatile components (CHO) in nominally anhydrous minerals (NAMs; minerals which do not contain essential structural H2O) during subduction of carbonated, hydrated oceanic crustal material into the mantle’s transition zone (410-660 km depth) and lower mantle, by applying a novel experimental approach. This new experimental approach will for the first time enable determination of maximum H2O contents of NAMs in equilibrium with the full phase assemblage in volatile-bearing subducted oceanic crust. This was not achieved in numerous previous studies which concentrated on simple, monomineralic systems. This fundamental research will allow constraints to be placed on the fluxes of H2O but also CO2 recycled into the mantle at subduction zones, a critical step in the Earth’s overall volatile budget. It will also allow assessment of the influence of such volatiles on many mantle processes including partial melting, metasomatism, litholigical density and seismic velocity variations and others, as volatiles exert a major control on the way mantle lithologies behave chemically and physically.

Keywords: natural sciences,physical sciences,subduction,earth's volatile cycle,water,carbon,deep earth interior,experimental petrology,mantle processes,nominally anhydrous minerals
Environmental & Dynamical Effects in Computational Photochemistry (ENPHOC)

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-2011-IEF, 2011)
Start date: 2013-03-25
End date: 2015-03-24
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 200371.8
EU funding (EUR): 200371.8
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The use of light pulses in chemistry offers the perspective to finely control atomic and molecular motion in a way that not only redefines the vision of a chemical reaction in itself, but also opens a broad new field of applications and functional device miniaturization, generically called nanotechnology. In order to deliver upon this promise, it must be possible to accurately predict, not only individual molecular behaviour of excited states, but also its time evolution and how this behaviour is changed through the interaction of the molecule with its environment. The aim of the current proposal is to go beyond the individual molecule static picture, and advance our knowledge on the dynamics of photochemical systems and the effects of an environment upon them, but also to consolidate methodology and procedures that allow predictability and transferability of simulation results. This will be done by systematic comparison and assessment of different simulation methods at distinct levels of theory. This proposal combines high level electronic structure calculations and state of the art dynamics simulation methods to study the photochemical reactivity of Protonated Schiff Bases, a prototypical cis-trans isomerizing system, relevant for many photobiological processes. Namely the effect of a solvent environment on the reaction paths of multiple izomerization and on the extended crossing seam will be studied in detail. Dynamics of the system will be studied, using quantum dynamics and QM/MM methodologies, for the individual molecule and the environment. This proposal builds upon the highly complementary skills of the researcher in solvent effects and non-adiabatic dynamics, and the expertises of one of the world leading research groups in the development of electronic structure solutions in photochemistry. The training provided by the fellowship will empower the researcher with a very complete set of tools which will be instrumental in achieving professional maturity.

Keywords: photochemistry,computational chemistry,conical intersection,solvent effects,quantum dynamics,simulations,qm/mm,protonated schiff base
Run-time Model Projections for Software Failure Prediction (RUNMORE)

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-2011-IEF, 2011)
Start date: 2013-01-01
End date: 2014-12-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 184709.4
EU funding (EUR): 184709.4
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The scope of this project is to contribute to the development of conceptual foundations, engineering techniques, and computing infrastructure for the systematic development of dynamically adaptive software systems. Current Software Engineering aims at designing self-adaptive systems which are able to react and reconfigure themselves minimizing human intervention and ideally guaranteeing a lifelong requirement fulfillment. Current software engineering paradigms, systems do not anticipate events which may lead to failures, but only react accordingly to them. The RunMore project introduces the novel concept of Run-Time Model Projection for Failure Prediction. By this we mean the ability of a software system at run-time to automatically forecast potentially dangerous events by reasoning on models which represent the expected future behavior of the system (i.e., models projections) and thus work around predicted failures before their occurrence. This approach empowers self-adaptation capabilities of software systems obtaining an increased degree of dependability and availability. The project focuses on software self-adaptation in terms of performance and reliability and relies on statistical algorithms to predict the future behavior of the system and run-time model-checking to verify such behavior with respect to desired requirements.

Keywords: technological sciences,software engineering,self-adaptive software systems,run-time software models