Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
SMOC2 in osteoarthritis (SMOOS)

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: Belgium
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2011-IEF, 2011)
Start date: 2012-05-01
End date: 2014-04-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 169800.0
EU funding (EUR): 169800.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

This project will study the role of SMOC2 in the biology and pathology of synovial joints with specific attention towards osteoarthritis (OA), one of the most common chronic diseases. SMOC2 is a novel secreted protein that can interact with bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) and Wingless-like (Wnt) signaling key pathways in joint development, homeostasis, disease and repair. We will use a translational research approach combining in vitro data with mechanistic insights obtained in a well characterized animal model and then linking this to ex vivo patient data. In addition, SMOC2 and modified versions of the protein will be specifically tested for therapeutic applications. If successful, this project will teach us how SMOC2 interacts with BMP and Wnts in joint biology and disease. The aim is to define SMOC2 biology as a therapeutic target to improve diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of osteoarthritis. Dr. Cailotto, the experience researcher candidate for the fellowship, will be trained in the use of animal models and dealing with translational research hypotheses. He will also benefit from complementary skills training and interactions with industry in order to gain further maturity and independence as a researcher. This additional training will be beneficial to his career as well as to the European Research Area as there is a great societal need for translational researcher in the field of chronic joint diseases able to make links between basic biology and clinical questions. The project pays specific attention to cross-sectorial interactions and communication with the scientific community as well as with the primary stakeholders for osteoarthritis: the patients and population at risk.

Keywords: rheumatology cartilage osteoarthritis bone wnt
Innate lymphoid cells in intestinal homeostasis and immunity (ILCHI)

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): 193594.8
EU funding (EUR): 193594.8
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The nuclear hormone receptor RORγt marks a family of pro-inflammatory lymphoid cells, which includes adaptive IL-17-producing helper T cells (Th17), as well as subsets of innate lymphoid cells (ILCs), such as lymphoid tissue inducer (LTi) cells and IL 22-producing NKp46+ cells. These cells are required for the development of lymphoid tissues, homeostasis with symbiotic microbiota and defense against pathogens. The development and activity of RORγt+ ILCs are programmed to pre-empt intestinal colonization by bacterial symbionts and in turn, symbionts regulate the activity of RORγt+ ILCs. Thus, an equilibrated crosstalk between RORγt+ ILCs, microbiota, pathogens and adaptive immunity develops that is critical for intestinal homeostasis, a loss of which leads to inflammatory immunopathology. This project aims at understanding which and how symbiotic microbes induce and regulate RORγt+ ILCs, and how these cells control microbiota during homeostasis. To that end, GF mice will be colonized with symbiotic bacteria shown to correlate with RORγt+ ILC number and activity in normal mice. The mechanisms of regulation will then be dissected in vivo in a panel of mutant or antibody treated mice as well as in in vitro experiments. This study also aims at understanding how the homeostatic crosstalk between symbionts and RORγt+ ILCs breaks down during inflammatory pathology. In mice that lack RORγt+ ILCs, the structure of the bacterial community and propensity to develop immunopathology will be determined. Conversely, it will be tested whether inflammatory immunopathology leads to a disequilibrium between microbiota and ILCs. A better understanding of the mechanisms leading to a loss of homeostasis and immunopathological reactions is necessary to the design of new and more effective preventive and therapeutic strategies against intestinal immunopathologies. The study will be carried out in the Lymphoid Tissue Development Unit at Institut Pasteur in Paris.

Keywords: health sciences,immunology,gastroenterology,commensal microbiota,innate lymphoid cells,rorgammat,intstinal homeostasis,inflammation,infection,inflammatory bowel disease
Protein tyrosine phosphatases as regulators of N-cadherin-mediated tumor cell migration (PRENCTUM)

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: 2012-04-01
End date: 2014-03-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 209033.4
EU funding (EUR): 209033.4
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The aims of this Fellowship is to identify protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) that are required for the ability of N-cadherin to increase tumor cell migration and to test whether these molecules can ultimately serve as future drug targets. A majority of cancer mortalities is due to metastases, and identifying drug targets to prevent tumor cell invasion and migration is urgent. During the epithelial to mesenchymal transition, expression of the non-epithelial N-cadherin is upregulated, whereas E-cadherin expression is downregulated- a phenomenon known as the cadherin switch. In the breast carcinoma cell line MCF-7, this process is accompanied by an increased cell motility that is directly dependent on N-cadherin expression. In vivo studies demonstrated that N-cadherin expressing MCF-7 tumors showed increased invasiveness and metastasis, as well as increased responsiveness to fibroblast growth factor (FGF). PTPs are known regulators of both receptor tyrosine kinases and cadherin function. Dynamic (de)phosphorylation of components of the N-cadherin adhesion complex may be the key event in regulating the migratory properties of breast carcinoma cells. MCF-7 cells stably expressing N-cadherin have already been obtained, which display increased migration towards FGF in vitro. From the N-cadherin expressing cell line, cells where PTPs are stably downregulated using shRNAi will be generated. With this model system, the effect of individual PTPs on N-cadherin-mediated adhesion, migration and invasion will be assayed in vitro. In addition, these cells will be used to identify PTPs regulating FGF receptor phosphorylation and signal transduction. Cell lines displaying altered properties in these assays will be selected for further in vivo studies. Following injection into nude mice, the tumor growth and metastasis will be assayed. Using state of the art multiphoton confocal microscopy, the N-cadherin-induced invasion can be visualized over time in live animals.

Keywords: tumour cell migration,protein tyrosine phosphatases,n-cadherin,fgf-signaling,tumour metastasis
Mechanisms of Neurogenesis from Drosophila to Human (ROSETTE NSC SCREEN)

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-2011-IIF, 2011)
Start date: 2013-03-01
End date: 2015-06-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 187888.2
EU funding (EUR): 187888.2
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Neurogenesis in the mammalian neocortex depends upon asymmetric cell divisions to maintain a balance between self-renewal and neuronal differentiation. This process is likely a key element governing the expansion of the human cerebral cortex, and its disruption can lead to severe developmental disorders such as microcephaly and lissencephaly. However, mechanisms of asymmetric cell division in mammalian brain development are largely unclear, and its potential role in human cortical development has not been examined. Substantial headway has been made in understanding mechanisms of asymmetric cell division in the Drosophila central nervous system. Our lab has recently published a genome-wide RNAi screen, which has identified several novel regulators of asymmetric cell division in Drosophila. To test whether these newly identified factors have conserved roles in mammals, I will use mouse neural rosettes to screen and perform functional assessments of the promising candidates. I will then perform functional studies of human neural rosettes to test our candidates, as well as previously identified regulators of asymmetric cell division. In this way, I will utilize the neural rosettes system to screen for new regulators of self-renewal and differentiation and examine the role of asymmetric cell division in human cortical development.

Keywords: neurobiology,developmental biology,evolutionary biology,cell biology
Active Self-Assembly (ACTSA)

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-2011-IOF, 2011)
Start date: 2012-08-01
End date: 2015-07-31
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 271943.7
EU funding (EUR): 271943.7
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Self-assembly is the process in which individual components spontaneously interact to form ordered structures. Biomolecules such as nucleic acids and proteins assemble in dynamic ways, for example they can change their shape, charge, orientation, and as a result they can carry out complex tasks. Experimentalists and engineers are already pursuing biomimetic materials made of reconfigurable adaptive building blocks. However, current theoretical research on self-assembly focuses on components with static shape and interactions, i.e. that do not change during the assembly process. In order to understand the way biomolecules interact and make progress in materials design, a theoretical study of active self-assembly is essential. In this proposal we aim at a deeper understanding of the self-assembly of active particles, through theory, computer simulations and collaboration with experimentalists.

Keywords: physical sciences
Neurophysiology of birdsong syntax perception (SYNTAX)

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-2011-IEF, 2011)
Start date: 2012-10-01
End date: 2014-09-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 255069.4
EU funding (EUR): 255069.4
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Like human language, birdsong is hierarchically organized according to particular syntactic constraints (phonological syntax). Interestingly, birds have also been shown to posses impressive capabilities in recognizing syntactic patterns, even artificial ones, which makes them an attractive, but as yet virtually unexplored, model for research into the neural underpinnings of syntax perception. To address this issue at the neurophysiological level, I propose to apply a high-density electrical neuroimaging technique, based on an array of intracerebral electrodes that measure action potential activity from 64 sites simultaneously, to record activity in auditory and song system nuclei during stimulation with artificial, song-like sequences. First, I will identify cortical areas that are sensitive to short term history of syllables and investigate whether the time scales at which such sensitivity is observed, matches with those necessary for syntax recognition. Second, I will test which types of short-term history sensitivity are involved. I hypothesize the involvement of both acoustic feature-specific adaptation and a distinctly different syllable-specific form of adaptation, where the former may be a causal factor in enabling the latter. Furthermore, I will test for a third form of short-term history sensitivity that has been proposed to be responsible for deviance detection as reflected in mismatch negativity (MMN) in human EEG, and that has been linked to syntactic processing of language. Together, the results may provide support for the hypothesis that phonological syntax is in part represented in activation signatures that reflect time-varying, short-term predictability of syllable occurrence within a sequence. This highly interdisciplinary project lies at the intersection of behavioural neurobiology and linguistics, and should yield an animal model system for the study of neural processes that may also underlie syntax processing in the human brain.

Keywords: behavioural biology,animal psychology,birdsong,communication,biolinguistics,perception,cognition,neurophysiology
Continuous measurements of plankton and environmental variables: towards assessment of phytoplankton community response to environmental change (CONPLANK)

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: Spain
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2011-IOF, 2011)
Start date: 2013-08-01
End date: 2016-07-31
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 256206.0
EU funding (EUR): 256206.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Phytoplankton dynamics are highly variable in coastal ecosystems because physical, chemical and biological influences are forced in complex ways. Many important processes that influence coastal phytoplankton dynamics are episodic (e.g. hurricanes, storms and seiches). However, phytoplankton variability at short-term scales is poorly understood. Despite that alteration of the magnitude and frequency of episodic events (storms, rains, droughts) is considered one of the consequences of future global climate change, the potential effects of such changes in coastal ecosystems have not been fully studied. This is due to the difficulty of studying episodic events characterized by unpredictable timing, and the inability of traditional sampling strategies to resolve the scales involved, particularly biological data. The capacity to obtain biological measurements at sufficient temporal and spatial resolution is now possible with new emerging technologies that allow autonomous data of phytoplankton at the species and group levels. The Imaging Flow-Cytobot is a submersible particle analyzer and imager that combines aspects of microscopy and flow cytometry capable of unattended long-term deployments. It produces high-quality images that allow phytoplankton cells to be identified thereby providing taxonomically resolved estimates of phytoplankton abundance with fine temporal resolution. This project will explore phytoplankton biodiversity, variability and their relation to environmental factors at relevant ecosystem timescales. Continuous planktonic and oceanographic high-frequency time series obtained with high technology sensors will be combined with a detailed statistical analysis of the measured time series and molecular analysis of phytoplankton biodiversity. Further research as proposed here is needed for a better understanding and prediction of coastal ecosystem responses to environmental change, which is essential for the appropriate management of coastal marine resources

Keywords: phytoplankton,marine biodiversity,marine technology sensors and instrumentation,coastal zone ecosystems (climate change),biological oceanography,molecular phylogeny,phytoplankton variability
LICHen population gENetics and genOMICS - Gene expression, neutral and adaptive genetic variation in natural populations of Peltigera membranacea (LICHENOMICS)

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: Iceland
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2011-IEF, 2011)
Start date: 2012-09-01
End date: 2014-08-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 208353.6
EU funding (EUR): 208353.6
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

A major question regarding climate change is whether species can respond to rapid climate change and avoid extinction. Here, we address this question by studying neutral and adaptive genetic variation in populations of the lichen-forming fungus Peltigera membranacea. Based on existing genome data (host lab), we identified hundreds of microsatellites (SSR) and 119 genes involved in fungal environmental stress responsea (ESR). Landscape-level patterns of gene movement will be studied with SSR markers, offering valuable insight on whether the species is likely to spread to sites with suitable conditions under climate change (landscape genetics). An experiment will shed light on whether gene expression differs when thalli are grown at high and low temperatures (experimental transcriptomics). The ESR genes will be investigated with Next Generation Sequencing to identify SNPs with an association to environmental variables to infer the species’ potential to adapt to the environment based on standing genetic variation within populations (landscape genomics). The results will clarify the response of lichen fungi to climate change, both in terms of the species’ potential for adaptation, tolerance of changed conditions, and spread of individuals to new sites. By performing this fascinating research, the fellow will have the valuable opportunity to receive high quality training in bioinformatics including analysis of transcriptomes, genome annotation, and training in laboratory skills, i.e. isolation of high-quality mRNA and preparation of libraries for Solexa sequencing. A long-term collaboration will be established between the laboratories in Switzerland and Iceland, as a major step in building a pan-European researcher team working on population genomics of lichens (LICHENOMICS). This project will thus contribute to European excellence by strengthening a unique discipline involving numerous fascinating biological phenomena yet to be explored.

Keywords: population genetics,mycology,environmental genomics,climate change
MADS box transcription factors: interactions between metabolic pathways and seed development. (METMADS)

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: 2012-04-01
End date: 2014-03-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 185763.6
EU funding (EUR): 185763.6
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Seed development is a complex process that requires the coordination in growth and development of the integuments, the embryo and the endosperm. The roles of integuments in seed development as well as the cross talk between the maternal tissues (the integuments) and the fertilization products (the embryo and the endosperm) represent intriguing arguments since many years. MADS-box genes have been thought to be involved in development and identity determination processes. However, there is scanty information regarding their roles in seed development. Recently it has been shown that MADS box factors like SEP3 and AP1, regulate the expression of genes controlling metabolism as well as cell elongation and proliferation. Recently the host lab has demonstrated that the MADS box transcription factor STK, besides being involved in different aspects of ovule and seed development is also controlling the expression of genes involved in polysaccharides and flavonoid metabolic pathways. STK forms a multimeric complex with other MADS-box proteins. Two of them, GOA and ABS are also involved in seeds development. Based on these results, the aim of this proposal is to employ advanced techniques like RNA seq, ChIP seq and metabolomics analysis to identify molecular links between differentiation and metabolism. The stk, abs and goa single mutants will be analyzed in detail and used for metabolomic analyses. The transcriptomes of immature seeds of three single mutants will be compared with wild-type. This analysis will allow the identification of genes that are putatively regulated by the three MADS box factors. STK ChIP-seq analysis will be performed which will contribute to find new STK target genes. The overall data will allow connecting development to metabolism. The novel proposed research will contribute to a better knowledge of the role of key regulators in the development of seeds settling the basis for further advances in quality and quantity of seed production in crops.

Keywords: plant development,transcription factors,plant reproduction,mads-box factors,seed development,metabolic pathways,seed identity,arabidopsis genetics,molecular biology,functional genomics.