Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
The Social Life of State Deportation Regimes: A Comparative Study of the Implementation Interface (DEPORT REGIMES)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Institutions, values, beliefs and behaviour
Countries involved: Netherlands
Call:  (ERC-2013-StG, 2013)
Start date: 2014-03-01
End date: 2019-02-28
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1488410.0
EU funding (EUR): 1488410.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The deportation of irregular migrants is a burning issue in public debates all around the world. Most states invest heavily in effective deportation regimes, but when it comes to implementation, deportation regimes are notorious for not achieving their declared goals. Everywhere, marked discrepancies persist between deportation policies and actual practices of deportation. This project compares the implementation of deportation regimes in four different states – Israel, Greece, Spain and Ecuador – in order to provide a closely researched assessment of implementation practices. It interrogates a core assumption in much of the scholarly literature on the “deportation turn”, namely, that there is a global convergence of state deportation regimes. The project adds a crucial – yet, so far underexplored – perspective on irregular migration: the interface of street-level state agents and civil-society actors in shaping practices of deportation. Existing studies look either at the “top level” of the state (policies, laws, procedures, etc.), or at the “underground level” of its “victims” (irregular migrants’ survival strategies, trafficking networks, etc.). This project privileges the “meso level” of the deportation regime, bringing to light the agency of those who exercise discretion in interpreting laws and policies at the “implementation interface”. It makes an original contribution to the anthropology of the state, by demonstrating that the territorial sovereignty of states is constantly renegotiated at this level. The project will produce knowledge on the dilemmas, tactics and occasional alliances of those who carry out and those who obstruct deportation regimes. It will provide new insights into actors’ motivations and worldviews, and explore the dynamics of both “implementation deficits” and “implementation surpluses”. The fine-grained comparative methodology is aimed at producing findings that will be of theoretical significance and of vital importance for policymakers, street-level agents and civil-society actors in dealing with the realities of irregular migration in the 21st century.

Keywords: civil society,citizenship,bureaucracy
Exploring brain intracellular space using diffusion-weighted NMR spectroscopy in vivo (INCELL)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Diagnostic tools, therapies and public health
Countries involved: France
Call:  (ERC-2013-StG, 2013)
Start date: 2013-12-01
End date: 2018-11-30
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1499052.0
EU funding (EUR): 1499052.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Alterations of the intracellular space, including intracellular protein accumulation, organelle and cytoskeleton dislocation, and modifications in cell shape, are an early hallmark of many neurodegenerative processes. The ability to assess and quantify these alterations non-invasively would be of tremendous interest, not only in a clinical context, but also for preclinical research. However, no tool currently exists allowing such measurements. Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance spectroscopy (DW-MRS) gives access to the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of brain metabolites in vivo, which is related to their average quadratic displacement. Since metabolites are purely intracellular, their ADC is solely governed by the properties of the intracellular space. The dependency of the ADC on the delay during which displacement is measured (the “diffusion time” Td) tells how metabolite motion deviates from free diffusion, which can in theory help untangle and quantify the different factors governing motion. So far, DW-MRS has only been performed in a limited number of studies, for Td ranging from ~10 to ~100 milliseconds, and has not yet demonstrated its ability to quantitatively assess the intracellular space. In the present work, we will develop cutting-edge DW-MRS methods to probe brain metabolite motion for Td varying over several orders of magnitude (from ~0.1 milliseconds to ~10 seconds). The dependency of the ADC over Td will provide unique insights about the mechanisms governing metabolite motion at very different scales. Data will be modeled to quantitatively extract parameters such as the intracellular viscosity, the size of intracellular structures, and cell shape and size. Estimated parameter values will be compared to values derived from other techniques, such as microscopy. Finally, developed methods will be used to investigate early alterations of the intracellular space in animal models of neurodegeneration.

Keywords: magnetic resonance spectroscopy diffusion brain neurodegeneration
Interpreting the irrecoverable microbiota in digestive ecosystems (MICRODE)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Applied life sciences and biotechnology
Countries involved: Norway
Call:  (ERC-2013-StG, 2013)
Start date: 2014-02-01
End date: 2019-01-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1467175.6
EU funding (EUR): 1467175.6
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Currently available enzyme technology is insufficient to economically degrade plant biomass, and presumably will remain so whilst fundamental questions are inadequately answered, the most evident being: “how do microbes and their enzymes interact with plant cell walls?” Compounding these difficulties is the “cultivability bottleneck”. The microbes that harbor the answers to these questions are largely irrecoverable in isolate form, which restricts access to their genetic and metabolic machinery. The present project will address these issues by applying a progressive interdisciplinary approach to study and compare natural and engineered digestive ecosystems that are linked together via overlapping phenotypic and functional traits (i.e. biomass degradation). The project aims to generate insight into diverse uncultured microbial lineages and uncover core enzyme systems for biomass degradation that are present in multiple environments. To achieve its objectives the project will employ a combination of predictive genome-reconstruction technologies, as well as metagenome-directed isolation strategies to target dominant and novel saccharolytic species. Furthermore we will develop and take advantage of advanced software for enzyme annotation and phylogenetic binning as it is being developed. Relevant genes identified from reconstructed genomes and/or transcriptome data for isolates will be cloned, over-expressed and their gene products tested using state-of-the-art carbohydrate microarray technologies, prior to being characterized in detail. The project will complement existing activities at the PI’s university on (1) polysaccharide converting enzymes in a biorefining context, (2) the impact of intestinal fiber deconstruction on satiety and (3) enhanced production of biogas. We expect to unravel novel aspects of the microbial ecology within these systems/processes. Furthermore, it is envisaged that novel isolates and enzymes will enter into live bioenergy projects.

Keywords: metagenomics,genome-directed isolation,enzyme discovery
Anionic PhosPhoLipids in plant receptor kinase signaling (APPL)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Cellular and Developmental Biology
Countries involved: France
Call:  (ERC-2013-StG, 2013)
Start date: 2014-02-01
End date: 2019-01-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1797840.0
EU funding (EUR): 1797840.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

In plants, receptor kinases form the largest family of plasma membrane (PM) receptors and they are involved in virtually all aspects of the plant life, including development, immunity and reproduction. In animals, key molecules that orchestrate the recruitment of signaling proteins to membranes are anionic phospholipids (e.g. phosphatidylinositol phosphate or PIPs). Besides, recent reports in animal and yeast cells suggest the existence of PM nanodomains that are independent of cholesterol and lipid phase and rely on anionic phospholipids as well as electrostatic protein/lipid interactions. Strikingly, we know very little on the role of anionic phospholipids in plant signaling. However, our preliminary data suggest that BKI1, an inhibitory protein of the steroid receptor kinase BRI1, interacts with various PIPs in vitro and is likely targeted to the PM by electrostatic interactions with these anionic lipids. These results open the possibility that BRI1, but also other receptor kinases, might be regulated by anionic phospholipids in plants. Here, we propose to analyze the function of anionic phospholipids in BRI1 signaling, using the root epidermis as a model system. First, we will ask what are the lipids that control membrane surface charge in this tissue and recruit BR-signaling component to the PM. Second, we will probe the presence of PIP-enriched nanodomains at the plant PM using super-resolution microscopy techniques and investigate the roles of these domains in BRI1 signaling. Finally, we will analyze the function of the BKI1-related plant-specific family of anionic phospholipid effectors in plant development. In summary, using a transversal approach ranging from in vitro studies to in vivo validation and whole organism physiology, this work will unravel the interplay between anionic phospholipids and receptor signaling in plants.

Keywords: plant cell signaling,receptor kinases,plasma membrane nanodomains,phosphoinositides,brassinosteroid signaling,root epidermis
Clinical ultrasound platform for the quantitative and longitudinal imaging of theranostics and cellular therapy (CONQUEST)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Diagnostic tools, therapies and public health
Countries involved: Netherlands
Call:  (ERC-2013-StG, 2013)
Start date: 2014-04-01
End date: 2019-03-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1199882.0
EU funding (EUR): 1199882.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The success of modern medical treatments such as cellular therapy and targeted treatments requires appropriate tools for in vivo monitoring. Imaging modalities, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET) are key candidates due to their noninvasive nature. However, these imaging techniques are extremely expensive and can involve radiation, both of which hinder their longitudinal and repetitive use. Ultrasound has so far been unsuitable due to the absence of a label to differentiate regions of interest from tissue background, the main problem being that current ultrasound contrast agents (CAs) have active lifetimes in the order of minutes. The CoNQUeST platform (Clinical Nanoparticles for Quantitative Ultrasound with high STability) proposed here is an entirely new type of ultrasound CA that is extremely stable (lifetime of a year) and is not affected by insonation. This mechanism of contrast generation appears completely novel: The polymeric particles are under 200nm in diameter and must contain a soluble metal (M.Srinivas et al., patent pending, filed 09/2012). Based on the current state of the art, these particles are too small and do not contain the requisite gaseous component for ultrasound contrast. CoNQUeST particles are applicable to longitudinal and repeated imaging, as is necessary for cell tracking, due to their stability. Furthermore, these particles can be chemically bound to targeting agents, dyes and drugs, and are suitable for multimodal imaging, including MRI (both 1H and 19F), fluorescence and SPECT. Finally, the CoNQUeST agents are suitable for clinical use. I propose the application of the CoNQUeST agents to a clinical trial for tracking dendritic cell therapy in melanoma patients, longitudinal theranostic imaging in preclinical models and thorough characterisation of this novel mechanism of ultrasound contrast generation.

Keywords: in vivo imaging,cell tracking,ultrasound,mri,19f mri,multimodal imaging,clinical trial,contrast agents
Algorithms and Complexity of Highly Decentralized Computations (ACDC)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Computer science and informatics
Countries involved: Germany
Call:  (ERC-2013-StG, 2013)
Start date: 2013-11-01
End date: 2018-10-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1148000.0
EU funding (EUR): 1148000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Many of today's and tomorrow's computer systems are built on top of large-scale networks such as, e.g., the Internet, the world wide web, wireless ad hoc and sensor networks, or peer-to-peer networks. Driven by technological advances, new kinds of networks and applications have become possible and we can safely assume that this trend is going to continue. Often modern systems are envisioned to consist of a potentially large number of individual components that are organized in a completely decentralized way. There is no central authority that controls the topology of the network, how nodes join or leave the system, or in which way nodes communicate with each other. Also, many future distributed applications will be built using wireless devices that communicate via radio. The general objective of the proposed project is to improve our understanding of the algorithmic and theoretical foundations of decentralized distributed systems. From an algorithmic point of view, decentralized networks and computations pose a number of fascinating and unique challenges that are not present in sequential or more standard distributed systems. As communication is limited and mostly between nearby nodes, each node of a large network can only maintain a very restricted view of the global state of the system. This is particularly true if the network can change dynamically, either by nodes joining or leaving the system or if the topology changes over time, e.g., because of the mobility of the devices in case of a wireless network. Nevertheless, the nodes of a network need to coordinate in order to achieve some global goal. In particular, we plan to study algorithms and lower bounds for basic computation and information dissemination tasks in such systems. In addition, we are particularly interested in the complexity of distributed computations in dynamic and wireless networks.

Keywords: distributed algorithms,distributed complexity,dynamic networks,wireless networks
What is the engine of biodiversity? Comparative and Functional Speciation Genetics in the Post-genomic Era (FUNCSPECGEN)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Evolutionary, population and environmental biology
Countries involved: Sweden
Call:  (ERC-2013-StG, 2013)
Start date: 2014-04-01
End date: 2019-03-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1494300.0
EU funding (EUR): 1494300.0
Participants: 2
Project status: CLOSED

More than 150 years after the seminal works of Charles Darwin on speciation, we are beginning to unravel the genetic underpinnings of the splitting process (Ellegren H [..] JBW Wolf, Nature, in press). The genomic revolution is progressing at full speed, and for the first time in history we are equipped with the necessary tools to investigate the genomic architecture of speciation at base-pair resolution in any organisms of our choice. When integrated to the mature theoretical framework of the evolutionary sciences, this wealth of genome-scale data will produce fundamental insights into the processes governing adaptation and speciation. Here, I identify a novel evolutionary model system - crows and ravens of the genus Corvus - and demonstrate its potential for speciation genetic and functional genomic research. Central to this system is the phylogenetically independent recurrence of a pied colour-pattern in several species that stands in contrasts to the predominant all-black plumage in the clade. Building on the idea that colour polymorphism can promote speciation through sexual selection, I choose a number of black and pied species pairs that can be positioned along a time line representing different stages of the speciation process. This comparative framework is unrivalled in its setup and is uniquely suited to study the genetics of speciation across different stages of species divergence. It also provides a promising entry point to the fascinating theme of parallel evolution. This research program is among the first to harness the possibilities of the post-genomic era in a wild organism. Using a combination of population- and phylo-genomic approaches, single sperm sequencing, experimental work in a breeding population, systems biology approaches and in situ mRNA quantification at cellular resolution, this interdisciplinary program covers novel ground in the nascent field of functional avian genomics and pushes the boundaries of speciation genetic research.

Keywords: speciation genetics,population genetics,molecular ecology,hybridization,hybrid fitness,reproductive isolation,gene expression,rna-seq,genome re-sequencing,mrna in situ
Enzymology of oxidative sulfur transfers (ERGOX)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Applied life sciences and biotechnology
Countries involved: Switzerland
Call:  (ERC-2013-StG, 2013)
Start date: 2014-02-01
End date: 2019-01-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1497201.6
EU funding (EUR): 1497201.6
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Oxidative stress causes cancer, cardiovascular, neurodegenerative and infective disease. Much of cellular oxidative stress is mediated, communicated, mitigated or amplified by a complex system of sulphur containing small metabolites or protein based cysteines. Characterization of key players and reactions in this network is crucial for preventive and therapeutic interventions. I propose a new perspective on sulphur biochemistry. The reactivity of sulphur with the oxidative stressors superoxide, peroxides or hydroxyl radicals is well established, but far less is known about reactions between sulphur and molecular oxygen. I shall demonstrate that this reaction is fundamental to cellular life, and how advances in this field provide new options in medicine, biotechnology and the food industry. Assisted by a team of three PhD students and a postdoctoral researcher I intend to establish this new research field by identification, characterization and engineering of enzymatic activities which catalyse oxidative carbon-sulfur bond formation and cleavage. Specific systems in this study include the biosynthetic enzymes for ergothioneine, sparsomycine and alliin, all of which are sulphur containing secondary metabolites with potent activities on cellular functions.

Keywords: sulfur biochemistry - ergothioneine - non-heme iron enzymes
Precision Lepton Flavour Conservation Tests in Kaon Decays (KAONLEPTON)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Fundamental constituents of matter
Countries involved: United Kingdom
Call:  (ERC-2013-StG, 2013)
Start date: 2014-01-01
End date: 2019-06-30
Duration (months): 66.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1617546.0
EU funding (EUR): 1617546.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

A unique and innovative test of a cornerstone principle of the Standard Model of particle physics, the Lepton Favour (LF) conservation, is proposed in the framework of the NA62 experiment at CERN. The search for nine decay modes of the charged kaon and the neutral pion forbidden in the Standard Model by LF conservation will be carried out at a record sensitivity of one part in a trillion. Such sensitivity will be achieved due to the uniquely intense kaon beam that will become available to the experiment in 2014, as well as a range of novel particle detection technologies employed. The collection of the LF violating decay candidates will take place in "parasitic" mode alongside main NA62 data taking, which guarantees the feasibility, high data quality and cost-effectiveness. The project will bridge a significant research gap that has developed due to the absence of dedicated LF projects in the kaon sector, in sharp contrast with B-meson, lepton and neutrinoless double beta decay experiments. Any observed LF violating process will unambiguously point to physical phenomena beyond the Standard Model description, and will thus represent a major discovery. The Standard Model extensions that will be probed include those involving heavy Majorana neutrinos and R-parity breaking supersymmetry. Entire classes of new physics models will be confirmed, rigorously constrained or eliminated.

Keywords: kaon physics,lepton flavour conservation