Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
mechanical regulation of congenital heart defects (HEMODYNAMICS IN CHD)

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: Türkiye
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2010-RG, 2010)
Start date: 2011-04-01
End date: 2015-03-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Congenital Heart Defects (CHD) are defects in the heart at birth affecting 1% of the population. Majority of CHD do not have genetic origins suggesting that abnormal forces inside the developing heart due to altered blood flow is a major source. Recent evidence via ultrasonography on suspected fetal hearts with cardiac defects has documented the worsening effects of cardiac malformations over gestation. This has motivated the development of in utero interventions for CHD where the potential exists for restoring blood flow inside fetal heart, which would lead to rescuing altered morphogenesis before birth. Progress to date has been limited because of the inadequacy of embryonic animal studies investigating how disease is progressing under altered blood flow and how defects are rescued under restored blood flow. Avian embryos are ideal to study CHD because of the resemblance between human and avian hearts. The applicant has recently generated techniques for visualizing blood flow inside chicken embryo hearts and computationally simulating this flow to quantify blood flow related forces inside these hearts. In this proposal he will be applying these techniques for a well established animal model for a severe CHD, hypoplastic left heart syndrome, to dissect the contribution of blood flow related forces on this disease. He will also evaluate the rescue potential of restoring blood flow for this disease. The results will highlight hemodynamics environment in the heart for progression and potentially rescue for a severe CHD. The techniques will also provide a rationalistic methodology for researchers studying heart disease. This will be the first study on the cardiovascular developmental bioengineering field in the associated country (Turkey). Technical guidance from applicant’s previous mentors in USA will enable timely adaptation of new developments in the field. Collaborations with other groups working in this field in Europe will contribute to European excellence

Keywords: hemodynamics,heart,chick embryo,morphogenesis,congenital heart defects,computational modeling,blood flow,shear stress,ultrasonography,cardiology,microsurgery,developmental biology
Large displays in museums (DISPLAYS IN MUSEUMS)

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-2010-RG, 2010)
Start date: 2011-06-01
End date: 2014-05-31
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 75000.0
EU funding (EUR): 75000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The goal of this project is to examine novel ways in which large situated displays can be used in cultural heritage sites for the benefit of visitors. Museums and cultural heritage sites today are augmented with technologies aimed to enhance the visitor’s experience. Handheld devices are often used as a personalized device, which provide visitors with context-aware multimedia information. However, they also isolate the visitors from the environment and their peers. Socialization has been shown to be a key factor in the museum experience as many visitors often come to museums in small groups, mainly with family and friends. Handheld devices being limited by their screen size and the amount of information they can provide are not suited to support a small group of people. Large displays, on the other hand, provide a contextually situated surface that can provide both extra screen space, and a shared group display for collaborative activity. Many museums already employ large displays, mostly as information kiosks or bulletin boards. However, museums and existing research have not yet examined the use of large displays in the museum in the context of a museum mobile guide. The proposed work will fill this gap by examining ways in which a small group of people would collaboratively view information on both personal and public displays. The objective is to design and implement museum technologies that would support small groups of visitors. Technology developed will be deployed and evaluated with actual visitors in the Hecht museum, located at the University of Haifa campus.

Keywords: intelligent interfaces,large displays,mobile guides,museum technologies
Role of microRNAs 143 and 145 in cardiovascular physiology and disease: from bench to bedside (FROM BENCH TO BEDSIDE)

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: Italy
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2010-RG, 2010)
Start date: 2011-08-01
End date: 2015-07-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 2
Project status: CLOSED

Cardiometabolic diseases (CMD) (such as atherosclerosis, hypertension) are the primary cause of death and disability in the Western world. Although lifestyle programmes and therapeutic approaches have significantly reduced the socio-economic burden of CMD, a large number of events still cannot be avoided (residual risk). Neointimal hyperplasia is the principal pathogenic occurrence underlying atherosclerosis, restenosis. The common feature in these disorders is de novo tissue formation in the intimal layer due to inappropriate vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation and migration. MicroRNAs (miRs) are short, non-coding RNAs that negatively regulate the proteins expression by binding to the 3’ UTR of target mRNAs. Bioinformatic analysis predicts that each miR may regulate hundreds of targets, suggesting that they might play roles in almost every biological process, including those of the cardiovascular system. Studies are beginning to unravel their fundamental importance in vessel biology. In this grant, we propose to study the role of 2 clustered miRs, miR-143 and -145, in vessel SMC and pericyte biology, and their possible application as biomarkers of vessel diseases and as a therapeutic tool for curing occlusive vasculopathies. These 2 miRs are part of the same bicistronic unit; we previously found that they are particularly expressed in the vasculature and are able to regulate vascular homeostasis and SMC migration and proliferation: thus, their modulation may have clinical implications in the pathogenesis of vessel disease. Previous data revealed that vascular stress is associated with down-regulation of these miRs in SMCs: their modulation was found to be responsible for SMC phenotypic switch from a contractile/non proliferative to a migratory/proliferative state. We intend, therefore, to characterize the role of these miRs in atherosclerosis development with a combination of molecular biology, cellular biology, bioinformatic and proteomic techniques.

Keywords: microrna,arteriosclerosis,smooth muscle cell biology,molecular biomarkers
In the brain, at the level of a single synapse an individual astrocyte releases several gliotransmitters (SYNTWOGLIOTS)

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: France
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2010-RG, 2010)
Start date: 2011-06-01
End date: 2015-05-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

In the brain, information is transmitted from one neuron to a second one at the level of a specialized structure, the synapse. During a long time, the transmission of information in the brain was only a neuronal story. Indeed, it was considered that the synapse was made of only two neuronal components: a presynaptic terminal that releases neurotransmitters and a postsynaptic element that receives and integrates information. However, since the last two decades, a third protagonist, the astrocyte, has entered this story. This third partner plays crucial role as regulator. To do that, the astrocyte detects the synaptic signal, encodes activity and in turn modulates the transfer of information by releasing active substances name gliotransmitters. By releasing distinct gliotransmitters like purines, D-serine, or glutamate, the astrocyte modulates several levels of synaptic communication in the brain. However, we do not still know if an individual astrocyte releases several gliotransmitters and thus modulates several forms of synaptic communication at the level of synapses it covered. To push further the boundaries understanding of the processing of information in the brain, first, I propose to establish if an individual astrocyte releases several gliotransmitters. Then, in a second time, using state-of-the-art cellular imaging techniques during electrophysiological experiments, I will determine if at the level of a single synapse the astrocyte releases these gliotransmitters and if their respective release depends on distinct calcium dependent mechanisms. This project will have strong consequences on our current vision of the tripartite synapse. Indeed, if several gliotransmitters are released at the level of a single synapse, the third element will modulate appropriately distinct form of synaptic communication. Nowadays, if we want to understand how information is transmitted in the brain we have to understand how the tripartite synapse works.

Keywords: neurosciences,astrocyte,gliotransmission,synpatic transmission,hippocampus
Chemotherapy of neuroblastoma (NEUROBLASTOMA CHEMO)

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: Spain
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2010-RG, 2010)
Start date: 2011-04-01
End date: 2015-03-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Background/Main objective: Neuroblastoma, a solid tumor of the childhood, is the cause of 15% of deaths by cancer in children under the age of 15. Survival of advanced stage neuroblastoma patients remains poor (around 30%), because these tumors rapidly develop resistance to conventional treatments. The poor penetration of chemotherapy agents to the target tumor cells is considered one of the main mechanisms of drug resistance in solid malignancies. Therefore, the main objective of this project is to design pharmacological treatments that circumvent some of the resistance mechanisms and penetrate more efficiently to the neuroblastoma tumor cells. Methodology: We hypothesize that the penetration and activity of the genotoxic drug SN-38 in neuroblastoma tumor xenografts will be improved by its formulation as micelles and by the administration of concomitant nutlin and vandetanib (two new drugs with remarkable anti-neuroblastoma effect). To address this hypothesis, we will prepare SN-38 micelles by the self-assembly of amphiphilic polymers in water. To evaluate the penetration of SN-38 micelles to neuroblastoma xenografts, we will apply a microdialysis technique to sample the extracellular fluid of the tumors and we will analyze drug concentrations in the dialyzates. We will evaluate the effect of nutlin and vandetanib on the tumor penetration and activity of SN-38. Finally, we will test the efficacy of our treatments in a neuroblastoma tumor model and will correlate drug concentrations in plasma and tumor with the observed antineoplastic activity. Expected results: We will identify more effective therapies than the currently available for the treatment of neuroblastoma. We expect that our research will be able to rapidly be translated to the clinic and help rationally design clinical trials for the multidrug resistant neuroblastoma.

Keywords: neuroblastoma,chemotherapy,drug resistance,micelles,sn-38,irinotecan,drug penetration,microdialysis,pharmacology,anticancer drugs,preclinical research,xenografts,nanoparticles,vandetanib,nutlin
Microbially enhanced geologic carbon capture, trapping and storage (CO2TRAP) (CO2TRAP)

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: United Kingdom
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2010-RG, 2010)
Start date: 2012-01-01
End date: 2015-12-31
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 45000.0
EU funding (EUR): 45000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Geologic sequestration of carbon dioxide, also known as carbon capture and storage (CCS), is one strategy to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases generated through the combustion of fossil fuels. Geologic sequestration of CO2 involves the injection of supercritical CO2 into underground brine formations such as oil bearing formations, deep un-mineable coal seams, and deep saline aquifers. Sites where CO2 is stored could be closed and responsibility transferred with lower risk, higher confidence, thus greater insurability, if technologies existed that: i) would hasten the rate of CO2 trapping so long term stability could be reached in decades rather than centuries and ii) if rock formations could be sealed near wells, to prevent leakage through degraded steel and concrete in the closed injection well. Previous work by the fellow (Mitchell et al., 2008, 2009, 2010) has demonstrated such technology – via carbonate mineral forming bacteria and biofilms in the subsurface. Here, we have shown that carbonate mineral forming microorganisms and biofilms can enhance CCS via solubility-trapping, mineral-trapping, and CO2(g) leakage reduction. Such work has however, been performed under low pressure conditions for a simple brine composition. The CO2TRAP project aims to develop this green-technology further to address these knowledge gaps. We will; (i) Investigate the effectof brine composition on the biomineralization process (ii) Determine the effect of pressure on the biomineralization process (iii) Determine the stability of carbonate minerals to SC-CO2 / brine mixtures under reservoir conditions These data will enhance the EU’s ability to develop energy efficient, low carbon water and air treatment technologies through the 21st century for a long term environmentally sustainable future.

Keywords: co2 sequestration,biogeochemistry,geochemistry,biomaterial engineering,environmental biology
Cognitive mechanisms that lead to age related memory deficits (CHARM)

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: Türkiye
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2010-RG, 2010)
Start date: 2011-03-01
End date: 2015-02-28
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

It is well established that aging results in deficits in memory functioning in a variety of memory tasks. However, there is a debate over the specificity of the mechanisms that lead to the pattern of age-related deficits. The aim of the proposed project is to contrast two major classes of theories in an important but somewhat understudied empirical domain: retrieval dynamics, which can allow a direct test for the distinct predictions of the theories. Proposed studies use the speed-accuracy tradeoff (SAT) procedure to evaluate differences between young and old adult groups in terms of asymptotic accuracy and speed of retrieval. This procedure allows the separate assessment of the contributions of automatic and controlled processes to memory performance discrepancy between the two groups. In doing so, this project have promise to better inform computational models of the effects of aging on memory.

Keywords: psychological sciences,aging,memory retrieval
Virtual Reality Intervention for Stroke Rehabilitation (VR STROKE REHAB)

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-2010-RG, 2010)
Start date: 2011-05-01
End date: 2015-04-30
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Stroke has been recognized by the Israeli Health-Care policy planners as a top priority disease. Individuals who have sustained a stroke constitute a large population with significant needs for rehabilitation. The most common symptom following stroke is paresis or paralysis to half of the body, contralateral to the side of brain lesion. These individuals experience difficulties performing basic activities of daily life such as dressing and walking, in addition to instrumental activities of daily life such as shopping and cooking. Participation in regular physical activity is strongly recommended for individuals with stroke to maintain their functional level and prevent secondary conditions and a recurrent stroke. However, recent findings suggest that people with stroke do not perform enough physical activity. Virtual Reality (VR) enables the interaction with virtual objects in virtual environments which encourages movement and motivates the participant. The use of VR for rehabilitation has been reported to have potential for individuals with stroke. The aim of this proposed study is to assess the effectiveness of VR therapy to promote the participation in daily physical activity of individuals with stroke. A Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) comparing VR therapy to traditional therapy will be applied for Step 1 (Community) and Step 2 (Home). Eligible participants will be randomly allocated to the experimental or the control group. Blind assessors will assess their ability pre and post a 3-month intervention and at 3-month follow-up. Novel instrumentation of VR systems and video-game consoles will be applied for the intervention of the experimental group and accelerometers (that measure the intensity and duration of movement) will be utilized for assessing ‘free-living’ daily physical activity of the upper and lower extremities of both groups. In addition clinical assessments will be administered to assess the motor and functional ability of these individuals.

Keywords: stroke,rehabilitation,daily physical activity,virtual reality,randomised controlled trial,community,home based therapy,accelerometers.
Celiac Disease autoantibodies targeted against transglutaminase 2: repercussions in vascular biology, disease pathogenesis and treatment (TRANSVASCED)

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-2010-RG, 2010)
Start date: 2011-08-01
End date: 2014-07-31
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 45000.0
EU funding (EUR): 45000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Celiac disease (CD) is a common heritable autoimmune disorder triggered by gluten-containing cereals which induce a massive immune reaction and destruction of the small bowel mucosa. The disease is hallmarked by the production of antibodies against transglutaminase 2 (TG2), an enzyme involved in angiogenesis. Interestingly CD presents an entire disorganization of the intestinal vasculature where the TG2 autoantibodies are deposited. We recently demonstrated that anti-TG2 antibodies can disrupt and affect the vascular functionality in vitro. Therefore we aimed to study whether antibodies against TG2 can affect vasculature in vivo by increasing TG2 enzymatic activity affecting the extracellular matrix composition and signaling intracellularly. In addition, the inhibition of TG2 enzymatic activity and other molecular pathways can ameliorate the anti-angiogenic effect of CD autoantibodies, offering a potential therapeutical target ordered by the primary users of our study, patients. The results find of the present project will be a step forward in the knowledge of the disease and the pathogenic mechanisms especially those related with the vascular development. To achieve this question, different models of angiogenesis and other molecular methods will be used. Multidisciplinarity is the main strength of the present research combining the knowledge of different fields (molecular biology, clinical observations) as well many collaborations with other researchers and companies. Applicant will contribute with his knowledge about angiogenesis and inflammation while host institution provided the experience in celiac disease research as well the facilities need it making the project feasible. The amount apply is 15,000 € year during 36 month (total 45,000€) to cover consumables, travel and other costs. The present reintegration grant will have a very big impact on applicant future career giving him the possibility to incorporate as a docent in his host organization.

Keywords: health sciences,chronic diseases,celiac disease,transglutaminases,extracellular matrix,angiogenesis,vascular biology,animal models of celiac disease,translational research