Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Unsolved problems in fracture mechanics of heterogeneous materials (INTERCRACKS)

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-2009-IEF, 2009)
Start date: 2010-08-01
End date: 2012-07-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 173903.2
EU funding (EUR): 173903.2
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The modelling of micromechanical mechanisms occurring during damage of solids is fundamental for the understanding of how materials fail and consequently structures collapse. For example, predominant mechanism of damage in brittle and quasi-brittle materials is the propagation of a pre-existing dominant crack-like defect, whereas micro-instabilities and localization are failure mechanisms in structured and multiphase materials. A challenge in the modern Solid and Structural Mechanics is the description of such mechanisms in advanced materials with complex heterogeneous microstructure. The theory of fracture for homogeneous bodies has been initiated with the pioneering work by Griffith on strength of glass fibers and, after the second world war, developed by Williams, Irwin, Rice, and others and now it is a well-developed discipline. However, for heterogeneous materials, the theory of fracture is still under development and many challenging problems are still unsolved. The motivation for the extension of the theory to heterogeneous materials comes from the observation that many natural as well as man-made composite materials may exhibit peculiar mechanical properties and high resistance to fracture propagation. The general goal of the research project is the advance in the fundamental understanding of crack propagation, localization and damage progression in complex heterogeneous materials. In this context, a special effort will be devoted to the analytical solution of still unsolved fundamental mathematical problems in view of the application to the description of material failure in composite solids.

Keywords: fracture,heterogeneous materials,composites,asymptotics methods,weight functions,stress intensity factors,singular integral equations
The role of Rab7 in axonal retrograde transport and human pathologies (RETROGRADE TRANSPORT)

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-2009-IEF, 2009)
Start date: 2011-02-01
End date: 2013-01-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 173240.8
EU funding (EUR): 173240.8
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Neurons are highly polarized cells that depend on anterograde and retrograde transport for survival, differentiation and maintenance of their morphology. Recently, impairment of axonal trafficking has been implicated as a causative agent in a number of human neurodegenerative disorders, such as Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 2B (CMT2B) neuropathy. CMT2B is characterized by the selective loss of motor and sensory neurons due to mutations in the small GTPase Rab7. Rab7 is a key component of the endocytic pathway in all eukaryotic cells and plays a major role in regulating long-range retrograde transport in motor neurons. However, we know very little about the cargoes and signalling components that enter this route, and how their transport is regulated. Furthermore, no animal model for the in vivo study of Rab7 is currently available. Therefore, the initial focus of my research project will be to generate novel mouse models, in which the activity of Rab7 is impaired. I will generate and characterise these mutant strains together with experts in the field, who kindly agreed to collaborate to this project. Furthermore, these mutant animals represent an invaluable tool to characterize the molecular and cellular role of Rab7 in axonal retrograde transport and its involvement in human neurodegeneration.

Keywords: health sciences,charcot-marie-tooth,rab7,axonal transport,endosomal dynamics,mouse conditional knockout,motor neuron,neurotrophin
Highly Functional Porous Materials for Bio-Diagnostic Sensors (POROSENS)

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-2009-IEF, 2009)
Start date: 2010-04-15
End date: 2012-04-14
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 239282.8
EU funding (EUR): 239282.8
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

A major European and worldwide challenge is tackling the spiralling costs associated with chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and cancer in the face of a growing and ageing population. A central strategy for dealing with this challenge is to develop point-of-care biodiagnostic devices that: (1) Empower people to self-mange their own care especially for chronic conditions. (2) Provide prognostic indicators well in advance of clinical symptoms so as to enable early intervention. (3) Offer reinforcing feedback to individuals regarding positive lifestyle changes they are making with respect to diet, exercise etc. To further advance point-of-care diagnostic devices new materials with improved properties and significantly enhanced detection sensitivity are required. This project aims at the development of novel highly porous and functional polymeric materials for biosensors. The focus will be on macroporous polymeric materials derived from high internal phase emulsions (HIPE) with functional interconnected pores of approximately 25 microns. This proposal addresses the central issue of optimising the porosity of a multicomponent polymer material, e.g. catalytic metal complex, biomolecule and signal enhancing metal particles/film. It spans the entire chain of knowledge from material development to device fabrication. This project brings together researchers with expertise in material science, sensor technology, device engineering, and biotechnology hosted by the School of Chemical Sciences and the Biomedical Diagnostics Institute at DCU. The applicant will find unique training opportunities both to develop new scientific as well as complementary skills.

Keywords: polymers,sensors,biodiagnostics,porous materials,point-of-care-devices
Discovery of bioactive natural compounds from Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCMs) used against Cardiovascular Disease (CVD). (TCM-VASC)

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: Austria
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2009-IIF, 2009)
Start date: 2012-07-01
End date: 2014-06-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 163622.8
EU funding (EUR): 163622.8
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Major aim of TCM-VASC is the discovery and characterisation of bioactive natural compounds from medicinal plants successfully used for centuries in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) against Cardiovascular Disease (CVD). The discovery of such compounds is of great interest since CVD is the number one cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. For many TCMs beneficial action on CVD are documented, but their mechanisms of action and the responsible bioactive compounds are largely unknown. The identification of bioactive compounds that are responsible for the efficacy of TCMs will have a big social impact since it will contribute to TCM standardization, resulting in improved effectiveness and safety benefiting patients and consumers. Furthermore, such compounds might be interesting leads for the development of new pharmaceuticals or could be used as dietary supplements with health-promoting or disease-preventing properties. To achieve TCM-VASC´s objectives, medicinal plants traditionally used in China for the treatment of CVD will be selected based on the expertise of the Applicant (Dr. Rongxia Liu) and the Return Host (Professor De-an Guo, Director of Shanghai Research Centre for TCM Modernization). For identification and characterization of the bioactive compounds TCM-VASC will apply a combination of phytochemical methods that will be established and used by the Applicant, with a set of cell-based assays relevant for CVD that are available in the lab of the Incoming Host (Professor Verena M. Dirsch, Head of the Department of Pharmacognosy at the University of Vienna). The identified/isolated pure compounds exhibiting activity in the cell models will be further investigated, to obtain indications for their mechanism of action. Several of the most promising compounds will be ultimately analyzed in in-vivo models to assess their ADME (Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion) profiles.

Keywords: cardiovascular disease,traditional chinese medicine,medicinal plants,atherosclerosis,natural products,bioactive compounds,phytochemistry,pharmacognosy,mechanism of action
New Switchable Organometallic Oligomers and Polymers (SFL-PRR)

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-2009-IEF, 2009)
Start date: 2010-03-01
End date: 2012-02-29
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 172740.8
EU funding (EUR): 172740.8
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Silicon-based microelectronics will soon reach their limit of miniaturization when feature lengths shrink below 70 nm. The next generation of electronic devices require materials that remain functional on a nanometre scale. Molecule-based integrated circuits will operate on a scale several orders of magnitude smaller than silicon-based electronics allow. The search for molecular components suitable for such applications is one of the fundamental tasks of modern science. We will develop a new class of hybrid polymer materials that will provide key components for molecular-based electronics. These new materials contain both early and late transition metal centres linked by modulating organic groups so that electrons can flow along the polymer chains. By altering the metal oxidation state or conformation of the organic groups it will be possible to switch “on” or “off” the electron flow and the materials will act as “molecular switches”. The switch will be activated by chemical means or by light irradiation or applying pressure. These new design features make these materials much more versatile than existing molecular components and would put European research at the forefront. The project involves the development of novel synthetic strategies for the new materials and the investigation of their electronic properties using cutting-edge time-resolved spectroscopic and diffraction techniques that will provide unique information on the structures of short-lived species. The project is multidisciplinary including aspects of chemistry, physics and materials science. Apart from the research objectives, this proposal will help the applicant to reach a position of professional maturity by gaining experience of organometallic polymers and in pioneering time resolved crystallographic techniques. The applicant will also develop her experience in teaching, oral and written communication and networking by interaction with leading mentors at a top rank institution.

Keywords: inorganic chemistry,organometallic chemistry,polymer chemistry,optoelectronics
Redox Regulation of Nuclear Proteins (ROXNP)

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-2009-IEF, 2009)
Start date: 2011-05-01
End date: 2013-04-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 172240.8
EU funding (EUR): 172240.8
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Abiotic stress has a major impact on plant growth and performance, crop yields being significantly decreased as a result of the cessation of growth under conditions of mild stress. Growth arrest arises from a cessation of cell division in meristems. The cell cycle stops in G1 phase in response to changes in the glutathione [GSH] pool, which is itself a measure of abiotic stress. Poly(ADP)ribose polymerase (PARP) provides a further link between abiotic stress and the cell cycle, as down-regulation of this enzyme enhances plant stress tolerance. The present project links cell cycle regulation and stress biology, building on existing expertise in redox metabolism and growth regulation at the host laboratory. This project will exploit the essential know-how in cellular redox metabolism, cell cycle regulation, proteomics and microarrays to elucidate and characterise the components that regulate the recruitment of GSH into the nucleus and influence cell cycle progression and abiotic stress tolerance, through the regulation of nuclear proteins such as PARP. The overall aim is to understand the redox regulation of nuclear proteins by GSH and specifically how the nuclear and cytoplasmic GSH pools modify nuclear gene expression and nuclear protein function/activity during the cell cycle.

Keywords: natural sciences,plant growth and defense,cell cycle,nuclear proteins,glutathione,redox regulation,transport processes
A Plasmonic Interface to Carbon Nanotube Quantum Optics (PICNQO)

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: Netherlands
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2009-IEF, 2009)
Start date: 2010-03-01
End date: 2011-09-30
Duration (months): 19.0
Total project cost (EUR): 161248.8
EU funding (EUR): 161248.8
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Since their discovery in 1991, single walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) have led to a worldwide explosion of research activities due to their outstanding electrical properties. Ten years later, the demonstration of optical emission from semiconducting SWNTs has opened a new field for nano-optics. In terms of quantum information processing, it has been recently shown that SWNTs are promising candidates for single spin quantum computing. Combined with their promising optical properties, this naturally promotes SWNTs as an ideal system to fulfil a crucial goal in quantum information processing, i.e. to link solid state qubits used for information processing (single spins) with flying qubits used for transmitting quantum information (photons). Schemes aiming at manipulating spins in semiconducting nanotubes all-optically, and more general applications of quantum optics necessitate the ability to confine electrons and holes (excitons) in a small recombination region called an optical quantum dot. One significant disadvantage of SWNTs with respect to optics is that, unlike in epitaxially grown semiconducting heterostructures, there is no obvious way to controllably confine excitons. In the proposed project, I will engineer and control an optically active quantum dot in an ultraclean suspended nanotube by means of an innovative approach aiming at exploiting the nanotube many-body interactions, and study its far-field optical properties. In a second step, I will study the coupling of the defined quantum dot to surface plasmons via metallic nanowire guides. This will constitute an important step towards future buses for transferring quantum information at the nanoscale through on chip flying qubits. These two experiments will be realised in a new type of devices recently developed in the Quantum Transport group at TU Delft, using a new technology combining a set of local electrical gates acting on single ultraclean suspended nanotubes.

Keywords: carbon nanotubes,optics,nanoelectronics,plasmonics,nanomechanics
molecular and computational analysis of the leaf margin (MOLCALM)

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-IEF-2008, 2008)
Start date: 2009-06-01
End date: 2011-05-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 181350.76
EU funding (EUR): 181350.76
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The question of how the shape and size multicellular organs is controlled is a basic question in biology. In plants, recent work from the Fleming lab has indicated that cells around the periphery of the organ (the margin cells) play a special role in influencing leaf size and shape. The peculiar shape of these cells raises the possibility that they play a mechanical role in constraining leaf size and shape. The aim of this project is to further investigate the function of cells at the leaf margin in controlling leaf size and shape and, in particular, to investigate the potential biomechanical function of these cells. The project will require expertise in specific areas of molecular biology (which I already have) and expertise in the quantitative analysis of organ size and shape (involving computational approaches) which I will learn in the host lab. The scientific output of the proposed research will be insight into a basic aspect of developmental biology, particularly the emerging area of molecular biology and mechanics.

Keywords: molecular genetics,leaf development,leaf size and shape
Coordination of European Research on ICT and Robotics in Agriculture and Related Environmental Issues (ICT-AGRI)

Framework: FP7 — Cooperation
Programme: General Activities
Destination: ERANET
Action type: Coordination and support actions
Partnership: ICT-AGRI (ERA-NET)
Countries involved: Denmark,Belgium,Finland,France,Germany,Greece,Israel,Italy,Latvia,Malta,Switzerland,Türkiye,Netherlands,Ireland,Spain
Call:  (FP7-ERANET-2008-RTD, 2008)
Start date: 2009-05-01
End date: 2014-09-30
Duration (months): 65.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2707741.75
EU funding (EUR): 2237008.26
Participants: 19
Project status: CLOSED

This horizontal ERA-NET proposal is cutting across several themes in the Cooperation Programme: Theme 2 (Food, Agriculture and Fisheries, and Biotechnology), Theme 3 (Information and Communication Technologies) and Theme 6 (Environment including Climate Change). The overall strategic objective - also beyond the time frame of the ERA-NET proposal - is a contribution to increase quality, effectiveness and efficiency of national research programmes within Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Robotics for a competitive, sustainable and environmentally friendly agriculture. The goal of the ERA-NET is to enable the creation of a European-facing open network of mutually accessible and complementary research programmes which are able to respond to the rapidly developing needs of common European policy drivers. In the pursuit of this goal the ERA-NET will review existing research and future needs, develop instruments and procedures for transnational funding activities, create a strategic transnational research agenda and programme and establish linkages to related networks and disciplines. The ERA-NET will work closely together with the Collaborative Working Group in this research area. The aim is to support the application of ICT and Robotics in the creation of environmentally efficient agro-technologies as a solution to an efficient implementation of new EU policies on mitigation and adaptation of climate changes, environmental regulations and legislation, traceability, food safety, agro-environmental and rural developments. The ERA-NET will contribute significantly to the European Research Area by improving the coherence and coordination of ICT-AGRI research programmes across Europe and the development of joint research calls at an early date. It will also bring added value and leverage to the extensive research effort undertaken by Member States' own initiatives ensuring that the research undertaken is the best and also gives the best value for money.

Keywords: agriculture,environment,ict,robotics,sustainability,competitiveness,eco-technology
Civil society and the mobilization of European human rights: Minorities and Immigrants in the Strasbourg Court (LEGAPOLIS)

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-IEF-2008, 2008)
Start date: 2010-09-01
End date: 2012-08-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 227541.01
EU funding (EUR): 227541.01
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

LEGAPOLIS seeks to understand and explain how by interpreting the Convention the European Court of Human Rights has over time expanded and transformed from a primarily political and institutionally weak international regime into a binding legal system of transnational rights review. It explores in a systematic way the causes and consequences of its expansion by specifically focusing on the Court’s burgeoning case law pertaining to minorities, immigrants and asylum seekers. Through a series of case studies and comparative analyses, LEGAPOLIS explores the proposition that the Court’s expansion and institutionalization has been spanned by processes of social mobilization and repeat litigation on the one hand, and progressively more expansive interpretations by the Strasbourg Court. LEGAPOLIS employs a fundamentally interdisciplinary approach that extensively draws from legal studies but employs a political science and political sociology perspective with insights from European integration studies. In taking a bottom-up approach centring on the role of civil society, it shall make a distinct contribution to existing research on human rights and European integration, particularly from an interdisciplinary and contextual approach to law and rights that is highly undeveloped in Europe.

Keywords: human rights,involving society