Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
POLAR BEAR RESPONSE TO GLOBAL WARMING: Insights from shotgun sequencing of the Polar Bear Genome (POLAR BEAR GENOME)

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: Denmark
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2009-IOF, 2009)
Start date: 2011-11-01
End date: 2015-10-21
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 258163.9
EU funding (EUR): 258163.9
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The polar bear (Ursus maritimus) is the top predator of the northern hemisphere polar regions and the human iconic symbol of the Arctic and climate change itself. Due to projections of accelerated global environmental changes leading to dramatic reductions in range size over the next 50–100 years, global warming is believed to be the most important long-term threat to the polar bear’s future survival. However, these current projections are based on short-term ecological, behavioural, and genetic studies, and no scientific studies exist that directly quantify the effect of climate-induced environmental changes on the species. This study will apply novel shotgun sequencing methods to build a genome-wide SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism) library of the polar bear genome, initially using modern populations, and subsequently transferring these methods to subfossil samples. By projecting the temporal genetic data against precise estimates of past climatic events derived from Arctic ice and lake cores, we will be able to estimate the precise timing, duration, and effects of past demographic changes. By understanding the significance of how environmental perturbations affected the species in the past, the first informed predictions can be made of how polar bears, and ultimately other Arctic marine mammals, will respond to the ongoing global warming that is threatening their ecosystem. This study will generate the first population genomic dataset of its kind, using both ancient and modern samples. The refinement of current laboratory methods and the development of analytical methods during the statistical analysis of the data will significantly contribute to the fields of evolutionary genetics and ancient DNA. In addition, the study will make an important contribution to polar bear research by answering the fundamentally important question of how polar bears responded to past climate changes.

Keywords: natural sciences,population genomics,ancient dna,shotgun sequencing,polar bear climate change response,wildlife biology,conservation
Condition based maintenance of agitators using advanced condition monitoring and Internet/wireless technologies (AGITATORCBM)

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-2009-IIF, 2009)
Start date: 2011-10-18
End date: 2012-10-17
Duration (months): 12.0
Total project cost (EUR): 120144.8
EU funding (EUR): 120144.8
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

This project aims to develop an online system for condition based maintenance (CBM) of agitators. Agitators are used to mix contents inside vessels, or so called tanks, and have been widely applied in various manufacturing sectors, such as chemical & petrochemical, pharmaceutical, polymer, biotechnology and food & grain processing industries. A typical agitator system consists of a power input unit, a gearbox and an impeller. The failure of the agitator causes the failure of the processing system, which may cost millions of pounds. In current practice, the inspection/maintenance is carried out in fixed schedules, which is costly. With the CBM system to be developed, the maintenance is carried out based on the health condition of the agitation system, rather than fixed schedules. This will not only considerably reduce the maintenance cost, but also greatly enhance the safety of the processing system. The Agitator CBM system includes three modules: data collection, diagnostic & prognostic, and condition based maintenance. Within the data collection module, the embedded sensors collect the signals from the agitator and send the data in a digitised form over the Internet to a centralised diagnostic and prognostic module for data analysis. Based on the experience developed, prognostic and diagnostic decisions are made and sent directly to the CBM plan. The required maintenance is then scheduled in a suitable time to replace any parts or conduct the necessary maintenance. The work to be conducted includes: (1) refinement of the data collection module, (2) Development of the diagnostic and prognostic module, (3) Develop the Internet communication for the agitator CBM, and (4) System integration and testing.

Keywords: technological sciences,engineering,mechanical engineering
In-vitro system for mammalian miRNA function (MIRNA MECHANISM)

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-2009-IIF, 2009)
Start date: 2010-04-01
End date: 2012-03-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 159661.0
EU funding (EUR): 159661.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Over the past decade, micro (mi) RNAs have emerged as key regulators of gene expression. Many miRNAs have been linked to diseases, such as cancer or diabetes. MiRNAs bind to specific sequences in the 3’-untranslated region (UTR) of mRNAs, thereby causing inhibition of translation and/or mRNA degradation. However, the detailed molecular mechanism and the factors involved in miRNA-mediated gene silencing are still incompletely understood. The primary research objective of the current proposal is the generation of a novel mammalian in-vitro system that will allow a detailed biochemical dissection of the molecular mechanisms underlying medical relevant miRNA-guided gene silencing. In particular, we will characterize repression mediated by the tumorsuppressor miRNA let-7. We will elucidate the role of cis- and trans-acting factors in miRNA mediated repression and use the system to purify native miRISC-RNP-complexes (Ribonucleoprotein-complexes) and subsequently identify and characterize the components of the complex. Thus, the knowledge gained from this proposal will enhance our understanding of miRNA function and provide novel insights into the role of RNA metabolism in disease, which will be applicable to the development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies targeting miRNA-associated pathologies.

Keywords: natural sciences,mirna,cancer
Novel sunlight-active nanoarquitectures for environmental and human health protection studied with a new multi-technique methodology at operando conditions (SUNARQ)

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-2009-IEF, 2009)
Start date: 2010-09-03
End date: 2012-09-02
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 154417.0
EU funding (EUR): 154417.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The main goal of this project is to develop novel environmental friendly photocatalysts. The work would follow three principal directions: 1.Synthesis of novel heterogeneous TiO2 catalysts 2.Identification of the reaction mechanism 3.Applications in environmental/human-health problems, such as priority organic pollutants and harmful microorganisms in gas and liquid phase. Many of the photocatalytic reactions reported so far are activated by UV light and do not exploit the “green” potential of the method. Here, new TiO2 catalysts will be developed to achieve efficient photocatalytic activity in the visible light range based on: i) the exhaustive exploration of co-doping of TiO2 controlled nanoarquitectures (size/shape) with metallic (Fe, V, W) and nonmetallic (N) ions. ii) Synthesis of novel hybrid TiO2 based biomaterial with an inorganic component based in step i) or alternative sunlight-active photocatalysts. These materials pose extended antimicrobial activities and will allow production of thin films and/or membranes. Polymer-oxide materials act as true “remote” photocatalytic systems, eliminating the need of direct contact between the photoactive oxide and the pollutants. They will be used for biological and/or chemical depollution, with easy recovery and reuse and long term stability, eliminating most of the drawbacks of powder TiO2 based photocatalysts. For the solid characterization and the identification of the reaction mechanism a joint and not explored Electron Paramagnetic Resonance, Diffuse Reflectance Infrared Spectroscopy, X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy and computational chemistry approach will be used. Emphasis will be put on the innovative use of time-resolved spectroscopies in a “differential mode” at real “operando” conditions and theoretical interpretation to unravel most important aspects of charge carrier handling, e.g. capture and fate while at surface and to firmly establish structure-activity relationships.

Keywords: physical sciences,technological sciences,tio2-based oxides,polymer-oxide nanocomposite/hybrid photocatalysts,time-resolved spectroscopy,renewable energy,environmental depollution,disinfection
New techniques in the simulation of quantum many-body systems in two dimensions: methods and applications (PEPS-PROPOSAL)

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-2009-IIF, 2009)
Start date: 2010-12-01
End date: 2012-11-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 163661.0
EU funding (EUR): 163661.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

A number of recent results in the field of quantum information science have lead to new and fresh ideas to attack old, long-standing problems in condensed matter physics. The study of quantum correlations (or entanglement) has motivated the development of a host of new promising methods to numerically simulate the physics of quantum many-body systems. Based on this, the aim of this project is to build new techniques to understand the physics of strongly correlated quantum systems in two dimensions. The expected outcome is a numerical package that will be amongst the best tools to understand the quantum-mechanical properties of these systems, in turn contributing to the study of the universal theory of quantum phase transitions and our understanding of quantum states of matter in Nature. These methods are also expected to a have significant impact in fields such as condensed matter physics, quantum-atom optics, lattice high-energy physics, quantum information and computation, and nanotechnology.

Keywords: quantum information,strongly correlated systems,quantum entanglement,computational physics,quantum phase transitions,quantum lattice systems
Effects of pleiotropy and drift on adaptation in static and changing environments (PLEIOCHANGE)

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: 2010-07-01
End date: 2012-06-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 232089.6
EU funding (EUR): 232089.6
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

A species response to environmental change is one of today’s most challenging issues for life scientists; it contributes to determine the extent to which human-induced environmental perturbations will affect human society. While theory is expected to play a key role in the understanding this complex and topical issue, current investigations are typically limited to the study of evolution of a single trait. This sharply contrasts with our usual understanding that a species response to environmental change is likely to involve many traits, where many genes pleiotropically affect several characters. Interestingly, the only brief attempt to investigate the effect of pleiotropy has demonstrated that adaptation of a single trait to a gradual environmental change can be substantially impeded by selection on a second pleiotropic trait. However, Waxman and Peck have shown that in a static environment, a qualitatively new phenomenon occurs when mutations pleiotropically affect not two, but three or more traits in an effectively infinite asexual population. When this holds, the genotypic distribution has a different equilibrium form to usual (where all genetic sequences are rare): a single optimal genetic sequence become predominant. Since the genotypic distribution is a key factor to adaptation, such a qualitative change will have significant impacts on the response of a population to a changing environment. In this proposal, we plan to theoretically investigate evolutionary adaptation to environmental change when the number of pleiotropic traits is larger than two. This first implies the need to generalize the theory of Waxman and Peck, in a static environment, by extending the analysis to: (i) finite populations, (ii) haploid sexual populations and (iii) diploid sexual populations. We will then be able to introduce environmental changes into this theory, in order to investigate how pleiotropy and drift combine to affect the adaptive response of a population to such changes.

Keywords: natural sciences,biological sciences,biology,evolutionary biology,quantitative traits,genetics,pleiotropy,adaptation,drift,changing environment
Prediction and control of porosity in laser welding of non-ferrous metals (PCPLAS)

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-2009-IIF, 2009)
Start date: 2011-10-10
End date: 2013-10-09
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 240289.6
EU funding (EUR): 240289.6
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Laser welding is a robust process for producing full penetration welds in steels. Welds in non-ferrous materials (such as Al and Ti), achieving acceptable weld quality is less straightforward. Of particular concern is porosity formation in the deep penetration. Achieving low levels of porosity in a reproducible way is currently preventing acceptance of laser welding in the aerospace and to some extent, in the automotive industries, in spite of the economic and manufacturing benefits. The porosity problem in laser welds is well documented in published literature but it is often very difficult to compare the results. Recent developments in high brightness solid-state lasers such as Yb-fibre and Yb:YAG disc lasers increase the possibilities for laser welding in these fields. In comparison to the other lasers, the fibre laser represents a better beam quality, higher cost efficiency and more flexible integrated system with a promising future. There is very little results available using the latest high brightness lasers. There is a clear need for better understanding the beam-materials interactions when welding with these high brightness lasers. The objective of this project is to develop technical solutions for achieving high quality (low porosity) laser welds and to establish guideline for using fibre laser welding in non-ferrous metals including aluminium and titanium. The specific objectives are:  To carry out numerical modelling to simulate the interactions between the laser beam and molten metal and to understand the formation of porosity in laser welds in non-ferrous metals;  To develop monitoring techniques for direct observing the weld pool behaviours in laser welding and hybrid laser-MIG welding, using high speed camera;  To establish the characteristics of plume formations during laser welding and to develop techniques for effective suppression of plumes in laser welding;  To produce recommendations for eliminating porosity in laser welded non-ferrou

Keywords: non-ferrous metals,laser welding,hybrid laser-arc welding,computer modelling,in-process monitoring,plume suppression,porosity formation
Molecular architecture of the neuronal synapse (SYNAPSE ARCHITECTURE)

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-2009-IEF, 2009)
Start date: 2010-04-01
End date: 2011-03-31
Duration (months): 12.0
Total project cost (EUR): 81580.5
EU funding (EUR): 81580.5
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

This project aims to unravel the molecular architecture of the structural components of the presynaptic terminal of hippocampal neurons grown in culture and to elucidate their functional properties. These are closely related to the synaptic vesicle release, one of the central questions in synaptic function, as well as with the development and maturation of synapses. The investigation of the structural relations among synaptic vesicles and between synaptic vesicles as well as other membranous and cytoskeletal structures at the presynaptic terminals are of consequence for the apprehension of neurotransmitter pools and will eventually help explain the neuronal behaviour in physiological stimulus experiments. More specifically, the project sets out to elucidate the role of large dense-core vesicles in the transport of the presynaptic scaffolding protein Bassoon Packets of dense core vesicles, together with vesicular and tubulovesicular structures, are thought to transport presynaptic scaffolding molecules such as Bassoon and Piccolo, as well as other proteins needed for the assembly of presynaptic terminals. Although these packets are mostly mobile, they can be stabilized when a stable contact with a dendrite is formed, presumably forming a nascent synapse. It has been proposed that such as the fusions of dense core vesicles with the presynaptic plasma membrane are required for the development of functional presynaptic terminals from these contacts. To achieve these objectives we are to use a cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET) approach. Prior to the knowledge acquisition, the conditions and developing methods needed to detect synapses suitable for cryo-ET investigations in an efficient and reproducible manner must be established.

Keywords: synapse,presynaptic vesicles,molecular architecture,cryo-electron tomography
Rydberg Interactions at Nanostructured Surfaces (RIANS)

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: 2010-07-01
End date: 2012-06-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 179603.2
EU funding (EUR): 179603.2
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The applicant will move from France to the UK to carry out novel experimental studies of the interaction and ionization of laser-excited Rydberg atoms and molecules at a nanostructured metallic surface under UHV conditions. Of primary interest is to understand how the charge transfer process occurring is dependent on the spectroscopically selected quantum states of the Rydberg species, the electronic and geometrical structure of the surface, and on the relative sizes of the nanoparticles and the Rydberg orbital. The experimental work will be backed up with theoretical wavepacket calculations of the Rydberg electron dynamics. The Fellow will transfer his expertise and experience built up in atom-chip, ultracold atom and molecule experiments in Physics laboratories in France and China to the Oxford host research group and its collaborators, while gaining new experience and knowledge of surface science, molecular laser spectroscopy techniques and theory in the Chemistry department at Oxford. The objective is to prepare him for interdisciplinary experimentation in the future, and for an academic career. He will be enrolled on the Preparation for Academic Practice course at Oxford in support of his objective to obtain an academic career.

Keywords: molecular physics,atomic physics,rydberg molecule,charge transfer,nanostructured surface
Total Synthesis of (+)-Aspercyclide A and Analogues (TSASPERA)

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: 2011-03-13
End date: 2013-03-12
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 180103.2
EU funding (EUR): 180103.2
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The incidence of allergic disease, from hay fever to asthma and anaphylactic shock, is increasing world-wide, nowhere more than in the UK where it has risen three-fold in 20 years and is now the highest in the world. Allergies including asthma afflict 40% of the UK population and bronchial asthma currently affects 5.2 million. The yearly cost to the UK National Health System in primary care alone exceeds €1,200M, and the loss of 18 million working days costs a further €1,400M. The quality of life for many sufferers is severely impaired. Historical medications (e.g. steroids) simply alleviate the side effects of allergy and are associated with debilitating side-effects. Recently, the humanised monoclonal antibody Zolair® has been approved for treatment of chronic asthma; this acts by inhibiting a specific protein-protein interaction (PPI) common to all allergic responses and is very effective but it is highly expensive and is administered via injection in a regime that is unsustainable for many body sizes. This research is aimed at the development of new a series of small, drug-like molecules based on a natural product lead as potential anti-asthma therapeutic leads with the same mode of action as Zolair®. The molecules will be prepared by synthesis and tested for activity in Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) assays and promising candidates subjected to co-crystallisation studies with their protein partner.

Keywords: chemistry,organic chemistry,organic synthesis,organometallic chemistry,heterogeneous catalysis,allergology,medicinal chemistry,total synthesis,solid phase synthesis,combinatorial chemistry