Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Synergy of milk oligosaccharides and Bifidobacterium infantis in modulating gut epithelial cell function; impact on gut barrier function and the brain-gut axis (SYMOBIGUT)

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-2011-IOF, 2011)
Start date: 2012-05-01
End date: 2013-10-31
Duration (months): 18.0
Total project cost (EUR): 121177.67
EU funding (EUR): 121177.67
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The role of gut microbiota in modulating the brain-gut axis and in control of food intake and obesity has recently emerged. My out-going phase host, Dr Raybould at UC Davis (USA), is an internationally renowned scientist in the field of gut chemosensing by entero-endocrine cells (EEC) and signalling to the brain through vagal afferents. Preliminary experiments in her laboratory demonstrate a synergetic effect of milk oligosaccharides (MO) and a commensal bacteria, Bifdobacterium infantis in activating EEC. Using a multi-disciplinary approach and state-of-the art techniques, I aim to investigate i) how MO potentiate adhesion of B. infantis on epithelial cells through specific surface proteins and ii) what are the functional consequences at the intestinal epithelial cells and the brain-gut axis levels of such interactions. This will train me in methods and knowledge on EEC and vagal afferent signaling which I need to get in order to lead a small scientific group in the newly created ADNC unit at INRA, Rennes (France). This innovative project will provide basic knowledge on microbiota-EEC-vagal afferent interactions critical in the understanding of obesity and metabolic disorders, chronic diseases which are becoming a burden in our societies. It is also a unique ability for Europe to accelerate translation of a protective mechanism from human milk into wide-reaching nutritional strategies aimed at gut and metabolic health in humans. Moreover, the complementary skills (management of a multi-disciplinary project, student supervision, grant writing and creation of a multidisciplinary network within the Milk Bioactive Program at UC Davis) I will be trained in, ensured by the mentoring experience and the highly interactive environment of both host laboratories, will reinforce my position as a group leader in the ADNC unit. The proposed project is a great opportunity for Europe to support and prepare a young researcher to become a group leader in gut neurophysiology.

Keywords: neurophysiology,gastroenterology,brain-gut axis,gut microbiota,probiotic,milk oligosaccharides,entero-endocrine cells
Microscopic Plasma Sources: Novel Diagnostics and Circuit Integration. (MICPLASMAS)

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: 2012-08-20
End date: 2013-08-19
Duration (months): 12.0
Total project cost (EUR): 134548.2
EU funding (EUR): 134548.2
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

It is proposed that Lawrence J. Overzet (LJO), Professor and Assoc. Depart. Chair of Electrical Engineering at The Univ. of Texas at Dallas, move to work with R. Dussart, P. Lefaucheux and their team at CNRS-GREMI / Polytech Orleans for 12 months. The work will focus on micro-plasma source diagnostics and development. In particular, the team will research novel and quantitative diagnostics of micro plasma sources (MPSs) and Micro-Cathode Sustained Discharges (MCSDs). The objective will be to develop MPSs and MCSDs as sources of beneficial chemical species and as tools for the abatement of detrimental chemical species. The longer-term goal is to integrate electronic circuitry with the MPSs and MCSDs to add new capability as well as control. Combining skills and knowledge for one year will greatly increase the progress in this important and interdisciplinary area of plasma science, as well as solidify a long-term international collaboration on this topic. Already, the group at GREMI is fabricating micro-plasma source arrays in silicon. LJO has needed expertise on Si fabrication and plasma diagnostics which will help to springboard this research to world leading level. Therefore the goals of the project are: [1] The transfer to GREMI of Radio Frequency diagnostics, including training on and further development of the techniques, as well as use in diagnosing MPSs and MCSDs; [2] The establishment at GREMI of FTIR diagnostics of MPSs and MCSDs by combining LJO’s expertise and GREMI equipment (new but presently unused); [3] Joint research using UV-Visible Optical Spectroscopic diagnostics of MPSs and MCSDs; [4] Joint research on integrating electronic devices with MPSs and MCSDs; and [5] Outreach activities to Polytech Orleans students as well as local high school students along the lines of the “Marie Curie Ambassador” model. Each goal is expected to lead to results that are high impact.

Keywords: experimental physics,electrical engineering,electronic discharges,microelectronics,micro discharges,micro plasmas,glow discharge diagnostics,gaseous electronics
Aza-Claisen-Sakurai Approach to Cyclopentylamines (ACSAC)

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: 2012-07-04
End date: 2014-07-03
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 209033.4
EU funding (EUR): 209033.4
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Cyclopentylamines are ubiquitous compounds within nature and many pharmaceutical products. Their synthesis can be problematic with length and unselective sequences plaguing them. We aim to overcome this shortcoming by developing a new approach whereby we couple two well known reactions; the Aza-Claisen (or Aza-Cope) rearrangement and the Sakurai allylation. The expected outcomes of this research are a new method which is both rapid and selective for the synthesis of cyclopentylamines. We also intend to achieve the total synthesis of the compound (-)-Altemicidin, a highly substituted cyclopentylamine which exhibits potent antitumor and acaricidal properties. Any compounds produced will be screened against various disease states either here at Queen’s using the Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology or with our academic and industrial partners.

Keywords: physical sciences,organic chemistry
Dynamics of Loop Quantum Gravity (LQG DYNAMICS)

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: 2012-09-01
End date: 2014-08-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 201932.4
EU funding (EUR): 201932.4
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Loop Quantum Gravity (LQG) is an approach toward the background-independent quantization of the gravitational field. It is an exciting research area with many recent breakthroughs. LQG predicts the discreteness of the quantum geometry at the Planck scale, thus provides us new understandings of the spacetime structure in the fundamental physics. The dynamical properties of LQG plays a crucial role in the framework of LQG. However there are many key issues in the dynamics of LQG, which have not been clarified yet, including the low-energy effective theory, the continuum limit, and the relation between different formulations. In the project proposed here, my main objective is to clarify the key issues in the LQG dynamics, and develop the theory of LQG toward a complete formulation that could be empirically tested. The present project is based on a well-established results and techniques. The investigation will be carried out with a systematic programme. In the proposal, a detailed work plan is presented to describe the research programme toward the objective of the project. The project proposed here will be hosted by the Centre de Physique Theorique (CPT) in Marseille. Prof. Carlo Rovelli will be the supervisor of this project. The project will be carried out mainly by the independent research, with the support from the supervisor and scientific collaborators. The project proposed here will enhance my competence of independent research, build a new basis for the further achievement in the long-term, and develop my scientific career.

Keywords: relativity,quantum field theory,mathematical physics
Exciton-Polariton Optoelectronic and Quantum Employment in Semiconductors (EPOQUES)

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: 2012-03-01
End date: 2014-02-28
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 185763.6
EU funding (EUR): 185763.6
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Both electrons and photons have emerged as essential particles in our information age. Electrons interact strongly with each other and form the basis for computational architectures, while photons interact weakly and are the ideal candidates for communication. While the strength of each particle can also be viewed as a weakness, an emerging research field has focused on the fundamental physics of hybrid particles between electrons and photons. Known as exciton-polaritons, such particles can be generated in solid-state nanostructures such as semiconductor microcavites. Naturally, exciton-polaritons exhibit a mix of properties of electrons and photons and recent fundamental studies have revealed their Bose-Einstein condensation, superfluidity and a rich spin dynamics. With a range of basic physical effects now known, the potential for constructing devices from these hybrid particles has appeared, yet remains largely unstudied. Optical or electrical spin control of exciton-polaritons has a perspective for information processing, where the strong non-linear interactions between excitons could be sufficient for a complete logical functionality. Going beyond classical effects, exciton-polaritons are quantum particles and seem to be realistic candidates for quantum information processing. Unfortunately the field of exciton-polariton physics has evolved rather separately from the field of quantum information science, likely due to the difficulty in applying the most basic ideas of quantum information theory to exciton-polaritons. Namely, it is not known how to isolate exciton-polaritons as qubits (since they are bosons) such that more advanced schemes based on continuous variables are required. The aim of this project is to design and study theoretically exciton-polariton based devices. To understand the promise and limitations of these particles an interdisciplinary project between condensed matter physics, quantum optics and quantum information theory is essential.

Keywords: electronic,magnetic and superconductive properties,optical and dielectric properties,physics of semiconductors,quantum mechanics,nanodevices,quantum technology,solid state physics
Design and testing of Gd3+-Loaded Ultrasmall Hollow Mesoporous Silica Nanosphere Platform as High Sensitivity Probes for Targeted Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Tumor In Vivo (UHMSNMRI)

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: Italy
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2011-IIF, 2011)
Start date: 2013-01-28
End date: 2015-01-27
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 193726.8
EU funding (EUR): 193726.8
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The widespread use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology in clinical and scientific research has attracted great interest in designing high relaxivity contrast agents to improve their sensitivity for the early stage detection of cancer. A number of nanostructure-based T1 contrast agents have been reported in recent years but they are still suffering some limitations for an efficient translation to in vivo applications. In this proposal, we’ll develop a novel Gd3+-loaded ultrasmall hollow mesoporous silica nanosphere (Gd-UHMSNs) platform as high sensitivity MRI probes for targeting T1-MRI of small animal tumor xenografts and potentially, of cancer patient. The specific aims for the proposal are (1) synthesize UHMSNs, and design routes to couple the particles with Gd-complexes, PEG, RGD or other targeting vectors ; (2) evaluate the relaxivity, toxicity, specific targeting capabilities of Gd-UHMSNs-RGD through tests in cell culture; and (3) evaluate the targeting agents for MRI detection of tumors in different types of mice models. Compared to the current contrast agents, the Gd-UHMSNs-RGD hopefully will show many advantages such as (1) the nanoporous and hollow structural will offer effective geometrical confinement of the Gd-complex and water molecular for enhances the r1 relaxivity, (2) the small particle size < 50 nm, high dispersivity and low toxicity is expected to avoid the RES uptake and efficiently prolong the half-time of circulation in body, (3) the RGD vectors will allow the accumulation of the particles at the tumor endothelium and at the tumor cells. Success of this project can not only provide theoretical insight to the development of nanoparticle-based high relaxivity and targeting contrast agents, but also guide us to develop a novel contrast agent for pre-scanning patients and personalized nanomedicine, resulting in great commercialization potentials.

Keywords: magnetic resonance imaging,mesoporous silica,hollow structure,nanobiotechnology,biomedical materials,inorganic chemistry
Mode of action and selectivity of pyrethroids on economically important mites and ticks (PYNAMITE)

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: 2012-09-01
End date: 2014-08-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 278807.4
EU funding (EUR): 278807.4
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

There are over 45,000 species of mites/ticks (class: Arachnida, taxon: Acari). Amongst these are a number of important agricultural, horticultural, domestic animal and human pests. Economic losses inside the European Union caused by several of these species can reach hundreds of million euros every year. In the UK, mites have been reported in 72 % of farm stores, 81 % of commercial grain stores, 89 % of animal feed mills and 89 % of oilseed rape stores. The damage caused by a mite infestation can lead to direct financial loss through the deterioration of food quality, downgrading of products, customer complaints and rejection of stock. Synthetic pyrethroid compounds are frequently used as acaricides to control tick/mite infestations in agricultural, veterinary and domestic (home/garden) settings, and command a large market share. Understanding their mechanism of action and selectivity on mites/ticks is clearly important for the design of next generation compounds. Selectivity may be highly desirable in situations where there is a need to target one species only, leaving a second species unharmed - a good example being the control of varroa mites on honeybees. This proposal entails the characterization of pyrethroids interactions with tick/mite Na channels at the molecular level since it is important to be able to establish why certain pyrethroid acaricides are more lethal than others, and why some have differing effects on different species. In addition, as resistance development in pest populations threatens the long-term success of currently effective compounds, it is urgent to screen field populations of ticks/mites to identify novel resistance mutations. Eventually, with the information generated from the screening performed, it will be feasible to develop rapid, high throughput DNA-based assays for diagnosing the presence/absence of resistance mutations in field populations of ticks/mites.

Keywords: pesticide resistance,pesticide chemistry,crop protection,animal health
Hierarchical Electroactive Hybrids exploiting Biological Motifs (BIOBRIDs) (BIOBRIDS)

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)
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 209033.4
EU funding (EUR): 209033.4
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

We here propose a new approach to the formation of Hierarchical Electroactive Hybrids exploiting Biological Motifs, which will provide new strategies and tools for control that will define future bottom-up 3D construction of materials in the field of functional nanomaterials for nanoelectronics. Functional electroactive oligo(aniline)s, combined with guanine hydrogen-bonding units, will be combined with single-stranded DNA block copolymers in rationally designed ways, so that information encoded in the biological materials will control spatial placement and orientation, interactions and level of functionality in three dimensions within the formed complex and hierarchical superstructures. This groundbreaking approach will utilise combinations of DNA block copolymer (BCP) self-assembly, electroactivity and encoded self-assembly, and will open unexplored avenues in the priority areas of nanotechnology, nanoelectronics and advanced materials through its interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary approach. This proposed research will rely on modern synthetic protocols of organic chemistry, chemicophysical analyses of optoelectronic properties and structure-property interplay, self-assembly in the solid state, device fabrication and testing. It is expected that the outcomes of this proposed research will impact across these disciplines, and contribute knowledge to a high priority area for both society and the research community within the EU and beyond. This fellowship and project will be an important step forward in the research career of Dr. Dasgupta, who has experience and a very strong track record in the synthesis and assembly of functional molecular architectures and supramolecular aggregation. Dr. Dasgupta will therefore be enabled, through this Marie Curie fellowship, to systematically investigate this highly relevant research area that has been left unexplored to date, and thus develop his independent scientific career fully.

Keywords: molecular chemistry,nanodevices,polymer chemistry,organic chemistry,nanosystems,opto-electronic components,physics of semiconductors,molecular design,de novo design
Phosphate transport and signaling in Arabidopsis (PHOSTASIA)

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: 2012-05-01
End date: 2014-04-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 184709.4
EU funding (EUR): 184709.4
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Phosphate (Pi)-based fertilizers are essential to agriculture but are a non-renewable resource and a major cause of water pollution. Understanding how plants sense and adapt to Pi deficiency is key to attain sustainable agriculture. Contrary to Pi import, mechanisms regulating Pi export are unknown despite being essential for Pi homeostasis in most eukaryotes (e.g. human kidney or mychorizzal roots). The only protein known to mediate Pi efflux is the Arabidopsis thaliana PHO1. PHO1 mediates Pi efflux when expressed in Xenopus oocytes and is responsible for loading Pi into the root xylem. PHO1 is also involved in Pi deficiency signaling, linking low Pi to reduced growth and gene activation. PHO1 has thus a dual function in transport and signaling, a feature typical of transceptors. The protein contains two distinct domains, called SPX and EXS, and is localized to endosomes. Plant PHO1 homologues have functions other than Pi homeostasis; PHO1;H4 (SHB1) is associated with the nucleus and modulates hypocotyl growth under blue light. This project aims on a detailed structure-function analysis of PHO1 to determine; 1- its topology in endosomes; 2- the domains responsible for Pi export, Pi signaling, and the distinct sub-cellular localization and function of PHO1 and PHO1;H4, 3- the role of phosphorylation on PHO1 localization and activity. Membrane topology will be determined by bimolecular fluorescence and redox-sensitive GFP. Mutagenized and truncated versions of PHO1, as well as chimeras between PHO1 and PHO1;H4 will be expressed, their localization determined by confocal and two-photon microscopy, and their Pi export activity performed in Xenopus oocytes and plants. Signal transduction for Pi deficiency and blue light will be determined by growth assays and gene expression profiling. The information will be transferred to other PHO1-family members with poorly determined function, such as the human XRP1 and other plant proteins containing SPX or EXS domains.

Keywords: natural sciences,phosphate,transport,export,signaling,plants,arabidopsis,protein domains,pho1,shb1,xpr1,spx,exs,structure-function