Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
The role of the DEK1 pathway in plant epidermis cell fate specification (PLANT EPIDERMIS)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: International Re-integration Grants
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: Norway
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-IRG-2008, 2008)
Start date: 2010-01-01
End date: 2013-12-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

This proposal has three major strands to it: (i) The return of Prof Olsen from seven years of work experience in two of the major US plant Biotech companies (Pioneer Hi-Bred International, a DuPont Company and the Monsanto Company) to head up a research project and further develop strategic plans for plant research at the Norwegian University for Biosciences and Hamar University College, (ii) a specific research project, to be centered at UMB, but which will also involve the development of collaborations with Hedmark University College in Norway as well as five USA industrial and academic partners, (iii) the future development of European collaborative research projects within the KBBE program. Research program - Epidermal cell fate specification and maintenance in plants are widely recognized to occur via positional signaling, including maize aleurone cells that form exclusively in response to surface position. Three maize proteins have been implicated in position-dependant aleurone cell formation, e.i. DEK1, a membrane anchored calpain-like proteinase, CR4, a receptor kinase and SAL1, a class E vacuolar sorting protein. Recent data has suggested a model for aleurone cell fate specification in which DEK1 perceives and/or transmits a positional signal via the external loop region activating its calpain proteinase , CR4 promotes lateral movement of aleurone signaling molecules between aleurone cells in specialized aleurone cell plasmodesmata, and SAL1 maintains the proper plasma membrane concentration of DEK1 and CR4 proteins via endosome mediated recycling/degradation. Data from Arabidopsis and other plants implicate these three genes in epidermal cell fate specification in all plants and all plant organs. This project aims at (I) identifying the domain(s) of the DEK1 protein that perceives cell surface position, (II) identifying the proposed positional ligand that activates DEK1 and (III) identifying the DEK1 substrate.

Keywords: plant epidermis,cell fate specification,dek1,sal1,cr4,endosperm,cereals,arabidopsis thaliana,moss,in vitro culture,confocal microscopy,yeast 2-hybrid,plasmodesmata,endosome trafficking
The Role of Langerhans Cells in T-Cell Priming During Intradermal Naked DNA Immunization (SKINIMMUNITY)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: International Re-integration Grants
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: Israel
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-IRG-2008, 2008)
Start date: 2008-09-01
End date: 2012-08-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Dendritic cells (DCs) are specialized antigen-presenting cells (APCs) that have a dominant role in initiating T-cell responses. The skin is populated by at least two subsets of DCs: Langerhans cells (LCs), which form a contiguous network throughout the epidermis, and dermal DC. According to the conventional paradigm, LCs perform a sentinel function by detecting skin pathogens and integrating this information to T cells in the lymph nodes (LNs). However, recent data have highlighted only the importance of dermal DC in skin immunity, while the role of LCs remains an enigma. The arrival of skin DCs to the LNs and activation of CD8+ T cells are thought to take place within 24 hrs after exposure to an antigen. We have recently described that following intradermal immunization with plasmid DNA, CD8+ T cell priming initiates 4 days post-immunization and reaches its maximal level on day 15. We also showed that arrival of APCs from the skin occurs 3 days after the immunization and proceeds for almost two weeks. Such pattern of migration is consistent with the reported migration kinetics of LCs but not of dermal DCs that enter the LN within the first 24 hrs post-immunization. We recently generated unpublished data demonstrating that T-cell priming correlates with the late arrival of CD11c+DEC205med cells (LCs) and not with that of CD11c+DEC205hi cells (dermal DCs) that are first to enter the LNs. This has led us to the hypothesis that LCs might play an important role in T-cell priming during intradermal DNA immunization. Using cellular immunology approaches and langerin-DTR and CD11c-DTR transgenic mice, we will address this issue by performing experiments falling under three specific aims. (i) Characterizing the type of skin DCs involve in antigen presentation. (ii) Identifying the factors leading to the slow-rate antigen presenting activity. (iii) Assessing the quality of the elicited immunity. These complementary aims should reveal a novel role for LCs in T-cell priming.

Keywords: immunology,dendritic cells,dna vaccination,skin,t cells
Evolutionary processes behind morphological evolution and speciation: a phylogenetic approach (MOSSMORFOEVO)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: European Re-integration Grants
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: Finland
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-ERG-2008, 2008)
Start date: 2008-08-01
End date: 2011-07-31
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 45000.0
EU funding (EUR): 45000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Some features in phylogenies may enable us to point out possible evolutionary processes behind them. The convergent evolution of similar phenotypes in ecologically similar environments, rapid diversifications, and correlations between the habitat shift and the evolution of adapted phenotypes, for example, may suggest natural selection as a cause of speciation. Recently the role of developmental plasticity has taken a central role in discussion about natural selection. It may create novel phenotypes which, if they are favoured by selection, can via genetic accommodation lead to genetic differences between populations. Although plasticity and natural selection as a reason for similarity between the populations may sometimes be difficult to assess, the origin of the morphological similarity can then usually be distinguished with experimental studies. In this project I will apply a phylogenetic approach, comparative methods and greenhouse experiments for studying evolutionary processes behind morphological evolution and speciation in mosses. The project consists of case studies that deal with different evolutionary processes and their effect on morphological differentiation. It will produce important information about evolutionary processes behind morphological evolution and speciation and therefore cast light on central questions in evolutionary biology on the role of natural selection, phenotypic plasticity, hybridization, and biogeography in the speciation.

Keywords: mosses,evolution,phylogeny,natural selection,morphology,speciation,paraphyly,hybridization,plasticity,biogeography
Supramolecular Organization and Application of Functional Nanostructures of Phthalocyanine-like p-Conjugated Molecules (SOAFNPCM)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: European Re-integration Grants
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: Spain
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-ERG-2008, 2008)
Start date: 2008-10-01
End date: 2011-09-30
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 45000.0
EU funding (EUR): 45000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

We plan to use supramolecular chemistry and self-assembly as a tool to organize p-conjugated molecules of the family of the phthalocyanines in a controlled way, in order to build well-defined, nanometer-sized functional objects. More concretely, we want to synthesize phthalocyanine-like molecules that are able to aggregate by p-p stacking interactions forming stable nanowires or nanoparticles. These assemblies are expected to have unprecedented physical properties, which will be studied both in solution and in the solid state, our final goal being the incorporation into nanoscale devices for organic photovoltaics, data storage or sensors that yield an enhanced performance and/or derive in novel potential applications.

Keywords: macromolecular chemistry,photochemistry,molecular electronics,opto-electronic components
AID in adaptive immunity and beyond (AID AND BEYOND)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: International Re-integration Grants
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: Portugal
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-IRG-2008, 2008)
Start date: 2008-12-01
End date: 2012-11-30
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

This proposal revolves around the enzyme Activation-Induced Deaminase (AID). AID plays a pivotal role in adaptive immunity because it is essential to introduce the lesions in the immunoglobulin genes that ultimately lead to somatic hypermutation (SHM), class switch recombination (CSR) and immunoglobulin gene conversion (Ig GC). However, its mutagenic ability has a pernicious side effect and AID has been implicated in B lymphomas and other neoplasias. Finally, because AID belongs to a family of cytidine deaminases including members with anti-retroviral properties due to their targeting of viral cDNA, cytidine deamination of DNA is yet another unforeseen link between innate and adaptive immunity. Here, I plan to use classical molecular approaches and genetically engineered mice to discover AID co-factors for CSR, to address the rules governing AID targeting to the immunoglobulin loci and to establish murine models to evaluate the impact of ectopic expression of AID. In addition, I describe how a functional assay I developed previously to characterize orthologous AID forms can be adapted to clone molecules from distant species able to introduce lesions in DNA, with the goal of better elucidating the evolution of somatic DNA modification.

Keywords: activation induced deaminase,hypermutation,shm,class switch recombination,csr,cancer,evolution,genomic instability,mutation,adaptive immunity,immunology
Identification of the protein interactome of the A2A-adenosine receptor (ADENOSINE-RECEPTOR)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: International Re-integration Grants
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: Austria
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-IRG-2008, 2008)
Start date: 2008-09-01
End date: 2012-08-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The A2A-adenosine receptor is a Gs-coupled receptor, which has several unique structural and functional characteristics. Recently, the C-terminus of the receptor has been appreciated as a binding site for several “accessory” proteins, of which only half a dozen are established. It is clear that (i) this list cannot be exhaustive and (ii) that all these proteins cannot bind simultaneously to the receptor. The challenging, but very important task is to document which of all these interactions do occur in the living organisms. Here we propose to meet this challenge by characterizing the interactome of the A2A-receptor by using a two-step proteomics approach; i.e., the receptor will first be expressed in tagged versions in cells, which can be differentiated into neurons. This will allow for optimization of the conditions and for an initial survey of interaction partners; subsequently, we intend to generate mice, in which the receptor has been engineered to afford the isolation of receptor-complexes from native tissues, in particular the striatum. To the best of our knowledge, the proposed strategy has not yet been pursued with other GPCRs. Thus, if successful, it may set a precedent and provide the proof-of-principle for the entire family of GPCRs. At the very least, the current approach provides the ‘acid test’ for all purported interactors of the A2A-receptor.

Keywords: clinical pharmacology,cellular signalling,g-protein coupled receptor,proteomics
Functional and synaptic deficits in cerebral cortical neurons in Alzheimer’s Disease model mice (AD SYNAPTIC DEFICITS)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: European Re-integration Grants
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: Israel
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-ERG-2008, 2008)
Start date: 2008-09-01
End date: 2011-08-31
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 45000.0
EU funding (EUR): 45000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease, affecting millions of people worldwide and therefore it is fundamental to understand its underlying mechanisms. Although the neuropathologies involved in AD are well-described, the effect of those pathologies on neuronal function are poorly understood. Using a transgenic mouse model of AD that overexpresses human amyloid-beta (a-beta), we will study the effects of a-beta accumulation on neocortical synaptic function and receptive field organization using in vivo intracellular recording and in vivo 2-photon laser-scanning microscopy (2PLSM). We will measure the effect of soluble a-beta on individual synapses by imaging calcium dynamics in dendritic spines of somatosensory cortical neurons in response to whisker stimulation. Responses in transgenic animals will be compared to age-matched controls. This will measure the effects of a-beta on individual synapses in vivo. In addition, we will measure the neurotoxic effects of insoluble a-beta plaques on synaptic function by comparing the calcium dynamics in dendritic spines proximal to plaques to those distant from them. Finally, we will measure the effects of soluble a-beta and plaques on the receptive field organization of Layer II/III somatosensory cortical neurons to quantify the effects of the neuropathology on an intact neocortical network. This study will measure and differentiate between the effects of soluble a-beta and insoluble plaques on cortical function at several levels: at the level of the single synapse (calcium dynamics in dendritic spines), single neuron (electrophysiology of subthreshold inputs and spike outputs) and cortical network (receptive field organization) in the intact animal. This study will therefore fill a crucial gap between the molecular mechanisms of Alzheimer’s Disease and the symptoms of the disease, which are mediated by currently unknown neuronal events.

Keywords: neurobiology,neurology,neurophysiology,brain research,degenerative diseases
Role of aphid salivary gland proteins in plant infestation (APHID SALIVA)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: International Re-integration Grants
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: United Kingdom
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-IRG-2008, 2008)
Start date: 2008-11-01
End date: 2010-10-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 50000.0
EU funding (EUR): 50000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Aphids, like whiteflies, leafhoppers and planthoppers, are hemipteran sap-feeding insects of plants. Aphid feeding results in induction of plant defences, which during successful aphid infestation become suppressed. Several studies showed that aphid salivary gland proteins can suppress host defences and are important for aphid survival. Aphid salivary glands are complex consisting of multiple lobes with distinct cell types, each of which secrete distinct sets of proteins that could manipulate plant processes. If true, the salivary gland is a key organ that ensures delivery of effector proteins into plants via the insect stylet. Despite the importance of sap-feeding insects in agriculture, few researchers study the role of salivary gland proteins in plant infestation. Recently, genomics resources have become available, offering unprecedented opportunities for investigating the perturbations aphids cause in plants. The aim is to identify and characterize salivary gland proteins of two aphid species, Myzus persicae (green peach aphid), and Acyrthosiphon pisum (pea aphid) and to elucidate how these proteins enhance feeding and affect host range specificity. We hypothesize that aphids produce and secrete salivary gland proteins during plant infestation that 1) enable the insects to feed and survive by modulating host cell processes and 2) determine host range. We will apply a proteomics-based approach to identify and compare secreted proteins produced by M. persicae and A. pisum salivary glands and generate catalogues of salivary gland proteins with potential roles in plant infestation and host range specificity. In addition, we will functionally characterize M. persicae and A. pisum salivary gland proteins with regards to their ability to modulate host cell responses to enable plant infestation. This research will facilitate the development of aphid resistant plant varieties, which in turn, will decrease the use of insecticides and improve the environment globally.

Keywords: entomology,plant pathology,plant-insect interactions,molecular bioloby,proteomics,functional genetics.
PROPROTEIN CONVERTASE FURIN AS A REGULATOR OF IMMUNE RESPONSES (FURIN IN IMMUNITY)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: International Re-integration Grants
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: Finland
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-IRG-2008, 2008)
Start date: 2009-06-01
End date: 2013-05-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Backgound: Interleukin (IL)-12 induced T helper (Th) 1 polarization is critical for adequate cell-medated immune responses against intracellular pathogens such as M. tuberculosis. To gain insights into Th1 type immunity I performed a genome wide analysis for IL-12 target genes. The results unequivocally identified proprotein convertases (PC) furin as a novel IL-12/Stat4 target gene. Furin has been previously linked to the pathogenesis of several diseases including metastatic cancers, cystic fibrosis and infectious diseases. Consequently, furin inhibitors have been proposed as possible therapies for such diseases. I have explored furin’s physiological role in T cells using a T cell-specific furin knockout. The striking finding is that conditional deletion of furin in T cells results in loss of peripheral tolerance and systemic autoimmune disease. Objective: To evaluate the role of furin and as a regulator of immune responses; specific aims:1. Furin’s molecular mechanisms of action in T cells, 2. The role for furin in diseases of broken peripheral tolerance, 3. Furin as a regulator of innate immunity. Significance: Studying furin in T cells will help to explain the pathogenesis impaired peripheral tolerance observed in diseases like IBD and celiac disease, and understand the regulation of Th1 type immune responses that are critical in combating intracellular pathogens, such as M. tuberculosis. On the other hand, furin plays also an important role in the activation of pathogens (e.g. HIVgp160, B. Athracii toxins) and upregulates metastatic activity of cancers and pathogenesis of cystic fibrosis. This research will tackle the cell-type specific function and regulation of proportein convertase activity by identifying novel furin targets and regulators of its activity. This will enable creating more specific, cell-type specific means for furin regulation; this will be instrumental in avoiding unwarranted side effects of general furin inhibitors in clinic.

Keywords: health sciences,immunology,cell biology,gastroenterology
Learning Texture Descriptors (LEARNTEX)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: European Re-integration Grants
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: Czechia
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-ERG-2008, 2008)
Start date: 2009-01-01
End date: 2011-12-31
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 45000.0
EU funding (EUR): 45000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

We aim to develop novel computational models for describing image textures. By image textures, we mean patterns which arise when many similar structures co-occur. Humans find no difficulties in recognizing thousands of different textures, whether they are natural (grass, sand, sea waves) or artificial (textiles, manufactured surface finishes). The basic goal of this project is to develop novel algorithms for learning texture representations from images. The desiderata for the outcome are good performance (ability to successfully recognize and synthesize textures), scalability (efficient, sub-linear representation and recognition of increasing number of textures) and effectiveness (learning new patterns from small number of examples). As an integral part of the project, we also aim to design benchmarking standards which would enable us, and the computer vision community, to evaluate and compare different texture descriptors.

Keywords: texture,texture descriptors,minimum description length,complexity