Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Secure Function Evaluation – from Theory to Tools (SFEROT)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Materials and Synthesis
Countries involved: Israel
Call:  (ERC-2007-StG, 2007)
Start date: 2008-10-01
End date: 2013-09-30
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 606000.0
EU funding (EUR): 606000.0
Participants: 2
Project status: CLOSED

Modern cryptography is known for the introduction of public key cryptography, which has been widely applied in practice. However, the theory of cryptography provided additional powerful (and less intuitive) tools. One of its most attractive contributions is secure computation, also known as secure function evaluation - SFE, which allows multiple participants to implement a joint computation that, in real life, may only be implemented using a trusted party. The participants, each with its own private input, communicate without the help of any trusted party, and can compute any function without revealing any information about the inputs except for the value of the function. A classic example of such a computation is the “millionaires’ problem”, in which two millionaires want to find out who is richer, without revealing their actual worth. Thus far, secure computation techniques have rarely been applied in practice, and are typically considered to have mostly theoretical significance. In this research proposal we intend to build tools that translate these theoretical results into practical applications. Our goal is that secure computation solutions, which today are usually stated as mathematical theorems, will be available as tools usable by non-experts, similar to state-of-the-art tools for technologies such as public key encryption, linear programming, or data compression. The research will proceed in two directions: First, we will develop generic tools (essentially compilers) which translate functions defined using a high-level language to distributed programs that implement secure evaluation of the defined functions. We also expect that this effort will unearth many questions of theoretical interest, which we will investigate. Our other direction of research is the design of specialized, and highly efficient, solutions to key tasks which have conflicting goals of respecting privacy and enabling legitimate usage of data.

Keywords: cryptography,privacy,secure function evaluation,multi-party computation.
The Function of inflammatory signalling pathways in acute and chronic liver disease and liver cancer (LUEDDE-MED3-AACHEN)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Immunity and infection
Countries involved: Germany
Call:  (ERC-2007-StG, 2007)
Start date: 2008-09-01
End date: 2014-08-31
Duration (months): 72.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1600356.0
EU funding (EUR): 1600356.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The aim of this proposal is to examine the role of inflammatory signalling pathways in murine models of liver and biliary disease by application of conditional gene targeting using cre/loxP technology. Previous studies have provided evidence that the NF-kB pathway and its activating kinase complex – consisting of three subunits: IKK1, IKK2 and NEMO – are crucial regulators of liver physiology and pathology, but their differential, cell specific functions in the liver are currently only poorly understood. The first part of this proposal will focus on the evaluation of molecular mechanisms underlying the development of hepatocellular carcinoma in a setting of chronic hepatitis. By using a novel mouse model of spontaneous liver cancer based on conditional deletion of NEMO in hepatocytes, the functions of cytokines, specific intracellular signalling pathways, the innate and adaptive immune system and the role of hepatic stem cells in hepatitis and carcinogenesis will be examined. In the second part of this proposal, we will extend these studies by evaluating the function of NEMO/NF-kB in other hepatic cell compartments, specifically the function of NEMO in hepatic stellate cells and liver fibrosis, the endothelial function of NEMO/NF-kB in an in vivo model of hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury and the role of the NF-kB pathway in biliary epithelial cells and inflammatory biliary diseases. Finally, in the third part of this proposal we will analyse the unknown intrahepatic role of non-canonical, IKK1-dependent signalling pathways and the function of TAK1 – a molecule at the interface between inflammatory and developmental pathways – in liver injury, fatty-liver-disease and insulin-resistance. Knowledge gained by these studies and the further understanding of the cell specific hepatic function of NF-kB and related pathways might build the basis for the development of novel pharmacological approaches for the future treatment of liver diseases and cancer in humans.

Keywords: conditional gene targeting,mouse models of liver disease,liver cancer,cytokines,nf-kappab
CAAX Protein Processing in Human DIsease: From Cancer to Progeria (CAAXPROCESSINGHUMDIS)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Immunity and infection
Countries involved: Sweden
Call:  (ERC-2007-StG, 2007)
Start date: 2008-06-01
End date: 2013-05-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1689600.0
EU funding (EUR): 1689600.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

My objective is to understand the physiologic and medical importance of the posttranslational processing of CAAX proteins (e.g., K-RAS and prelamin A) and to define the suitability of the CAAX protein processing enzymes as therapeutic targets for the treatment of cancer and progeria. CAAX proteins undergo three posttranslational processing steps at a carboxyl-terminal CAAX motif. These processing steps, which are mediated by four different enzymes (FTase, GGTase-I, RCE1, and ICMT), increase the hydrophobicity of the carboxyl terminus of the protein and thereby facilitate interactions with membrane surfaces. Somatic mutations in K-RAS deregulate cell growth and are etiologically involved in the pathogenesis of many forms of cancer. A mutation in prelamin A causes Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome—a pediatric progeroid syndrome associated with misshaped cell nuclei and a host of aging-like disease phenotypes. One strategy to render the mutant K-RAS and prelamin A less harmful is to interfere with their ability to bind to membrane surfaces (e.g., the plasma membrane and the nuclear envelope). This could be accomplished by inhibiting the enzymes that modify the CAAX motif. My Specific Aims are: (1) To define the suitability of the CAAX processing enzymes as therapeutic targets in the treatment of K-RAS-induced lung cancer and leukemia; and (2) To test the hypothesis that inactivation of FTase or ICMT will ameliorate disease phenotypes of progeria. I have developed genetic strategies to produce lung cancer or leukemia in mice by activating an oncogenic K-RAS and simultaneously inactivating different CAAX processing enzymes. I will also inactivate several CAAX processing enzymes in mice with progeria—both before the emergence of phenotypes and after the development of advanced disease phenotypes. These experiments should reveal whether the absence of the different CAAX processing enzymes affects the onset, progression, or regression of cancer and progeria.

Keywords: prelamin a,caax protein,posttranslational processing,mouse models,cancer,progeria
Recognizing Object Guided Human Actions (OBJECTGUIDEDACTIONS)

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-2007-4-3-IRG, 2007)
Start date: 2007-10-01
End date: 2011-09-30
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

This proposal addresses recognition of object guided human actions in video data. Automation of the analysis requires advances in human motion recognition, object recognition in video as well as incorporation of action-object relations. Recognition in video is challenging due to dramatic changes in appearance between frames, low resolution and blur. In this work I intend to incorporate information from multiple frames at all levels of processing to overcome these difficulties. Information from multiple frames will be incorporated to detect consistent object and body parts, to obtain high-detail representations of objects and actions, as well as to infer their contextual relations. This multi view approach draws its motivation from traditional super-resolution algorithms that incorporate multiple frames into a single high-resolution view of an object or person. My goal, however, is to integrate information from multiple views to obtain ``high resolution models’' to represent objects, actions, and their relationships.

Keywords: computer vision,video analysis,action recognition
Attosecond dynamics in molecular systems (ATTOMO)

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: Germany
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2007-2-2-ERG, 2007)
Start date: 2007-11-01
End date: 2010-10-31
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 45000.0
EU funding (EUR): 45000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Ultrafast processes in molecules with key character for the macroscopic properties of matter have been studied so far utilizing the best available tools for gaining temporal resolution, namely: femtosecond laser pulses. These pulses however, though capable of providing resolution to track the atomic motion and the formation and rupture of the chemical bond in real time, fail to track the motion of electrons which is expected to evolve on an attosecond time scale ( 1 as =10^-18 s). The project aims to employ for the first time attosecond technology in order to track and control electron dynamics in molecules opening the door to a new era of applications on a microscopic scale.

Keywords: physical sciences
In vitro pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic system for antifungal combination therapy against filamentous fungi (IN VITRO PKPD SYSTEM)

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: Greece
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2007-4-3-IRG, 2007)
Start date: 2008-06-01
End date: 2012-05-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The frequency of invasive fungal infections caused by filamentous fungi have been increased the last decades as the population of profound and prolong immunocompromised patients (transplant recipients, patients with cancer, AIDS or other immunodeficiencies) has been expanded. These infections are associated with high mortality (up to 90%) despite antifungal therapy and for difficult-to-treat mould infections surgical debridement is the only effective therapeutic approach. In search of alternative effective chemotherapeutic approaches, the interest on antifungal combination therapy with two or more antifungal agents have been increased given the availability of more systemic antifungal agents with different mechanisms of action. The objective of this proposal is the development of an in vitro pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic system for filamentous fungi that will simulate the microenvironment at the site of infection accounting for drug-host-fungus factors and their interactions. In this model drug concentrations will fluctuate over time simulating in vivo plasma pharmacokinetics, epithelial/endothelial barriers and host defense cells will be included to simulate the pathophysiology of fungal infections at different tissues and various clinical isolates with different microbiological characteristics will be tested in order to simulate differences in virulence factors, growth rates and drug susceptibilities. This system will help to study the efficacy of various combination dosing regimens and schedules against filamentous fungi and to aid the regimen design process for in vivo studies and clinical trials, which otherwise would be not easily feasible. Finally, the grant will promote reintegration of Dr. Joseph Meletiadis into European scientific community, scientific excellence in medical microbiology, knowledge transfer to Attikon Hospital of University of Athens in Greece and development of a lasting co-operation with the National Institutes of Health in the USA.

Keywords: microbiology,invasive fungal infections,life-threatening infectious diseases,immunocompomised patinets,filamentous fungi,antifungal agents,combination therapy,pharmacodynamics,pharmacokinetics
Understanding the Dark Universe with 3D Weak Gravitational Lensing (DARKMATTERDARKENERGY)

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,United Kingdom
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2007-4-3-IRG, 2007)
Start date: 2008-09-20
End date: 2014-01-27
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 2
Project status: CLOSED

Understanding the twin cosmological puzzles of dark matter and dark energy remains the most fundamental challenge in modern cosmology. Almost the entire contents of the universe consist of dark matter or dark energy, but they are invisible and almost nothing is known about them. They are most effectively probed via the gravitational deflection of light from distant galaxies, a process known as "gravitational lensing". This is a purely geometrical effect, which is uniquely clean of astrophysical assumptions. Several dedicated gravitational lensing experiements have recently begun throughout Europe, to exploit rapid developments in telescope technology on the ground and in space. These include the VST/KIDS and Pan-Starrs surveys, as well as ESA's proposed DUNE satellite. However, measurements of gravitational lensing require the extraction of a very subtle signal, and the exploitation of such data has reached a systematic floor due to limitations in data analysis techniques. A great deal of preparation is urgently needed before the scientific potential of these funded surveys can be fully exploited. My recent work in America generated the largest ever survey from the Hubble Space Telescope. Through that experience, I have built a unique toolset that can help tap Europe's new data. I have also been deeply involved in the development of proposed American satellites SNAP and GRALE, which have very similar goals to DUNE. As a member of scientific teams on both sides of the Atlantic, I will be able to foster closer links between these complementary efforts, as well as helping to advance the project in Europe. I plan to be based at the university of Edinburgh, a centre of excellence for gravitational lensing observations, and the only institute that is a member of all three major projects. With this timely confluence of new data and analysis techniques, I would expect to make a major contribution to Europe's leadership in understanding the dark universe.

Keywords: physical sciences - astronomy,astrophysics and cosmology
Physics and applications of nanocrystal - polymer nanophotonic devices (NANOPHOTONIC DEVICES)

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-2007-4-3-IRG, 2007)
Start date: 2008-01-01
End date: 2011-12-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

We propose the fabrication and optical study of new nanophotonic devices based on composite, highly transparent polymer matrices that incorporate near infrared, light emitting semiconductor nanocrystal quantum dots, on different sub-micron patterned surfaces. The devices will combine the atomic-like optical functionality of the nanocrystal quantum dots and the fabrication flexibility of the polymer host with state-of-the-art Si based and Metallic based nanophotonic platforms, such as sub-micron size Si core and air core waveguides and resonators, and sub-wavelength resonant metallic gratings. The proposed objectives are: (a) Understanding the physical mechanisms that determines the carrier dynamics in those nanocrystal quantum dots and in the nanocrystal-polymer composite. (b) A design, fabrication, and study of new active (light emitting) devices and passive nonlinear devices that are based on such hybrid nanocrystal-polymer matrices on Si based planar nano-patterned waveguide platforms. (c) Fabrication and study of nanocrystal-polymer composites incorporated into subwavelength metallic structures, to understand the coupling of the different types of resonant plasmon modes of the subwavelength metallic structure to the nanocrystal quantum dots, probe the enhanced local fields effect on the linear and nonlinear optical properties of the active composite, and identify the potential of such structures as new photonic devices. The experimental methods will include continuous wave as well as time resolved optical spectroscopy, and high-power ultrafast two beam and three beam pump-probe measurements.

Keywords: nanoscience,nonlinear optics,photonic devices,semiconductor nanocrystal,polymer,plasmons
Towards a fully quantum ab initio treatment of chemical reactions at solid surfaces (QUANTUMCRASS)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Physical and Analytical Chemical sciences
Countries involved: United Kingdom
Call:  (ERC-2007-StG, 2007)
Start date: 2008-08-01
End date: 2012-07-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 912916.0
EU funding (EUR): 912916.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The making and breaking of bonds involving hydrogen atoms at the surfaces of materials plays a major role in nature. For example, the formation and activation of C-H, N-H, and O-H bonds lies at the heart of heterogeneous catalysis and is no less important to other disciplines such as electrochemistry and astrophysics, not to mention the widely discussed “hydrogen economy” of the future. When dealing with hydrogen, quantum nuclear effects - tunnelling and quantum delocalization - can be significant at room temperature and below. Despite this fact, and despite growing economic and environmental incentives to carry out hydrogenation and dehydrogenation reactions at lower temperatures most theoretical studies neglect the role quantum nuclear effects play in such processes. Here, we will address this by developing and applying ab initio path integral techniques for the rigorous treatment of quantum nuclear effects in elementary diffusion and reaction events at solid surfaces. The path integral formalism of quantum mechanics provides a powerful approach for treating quantum nuclear effects and when done with an ab initio determination of the underlying potential energy surface highly accurate predictions can be achieved. This project will begin with ab initio path integral simulations of time independent quantum properties such as addressing the extent of quantum delocalisation of adsorbed hydrogen atoms and hydrogen atoms incorporated in molecules adsorbed on solid surfaces. Following this ab initio centroid molecular dynamics techniques specifically designed for the determination of quantum transition state theory rate constants and mechanisms of elementary reaction and diffusion processes at solid surfaces will be developed. This highly ambitious project will culminate in the fully quantum treatment of several elementary reactions at metal surfaces and in so doing open up a new research frontier: the fully quantum path integral treatment of surface chemistry.

Keywords: chemical reactions at solid surfaces,density functional theory,path integrals,adsorption
Mitigating ADverse Ecological impacts of open ocean fisheries (MADE)

Framework: FP7 — Cooperation
Programme: Food, Agriculture and Fisheries, and Biotechnology
Destination: Sustainable production and management of biological resources from land, forest, and aquatic environment
Action type: Collaborative project
Countries involved: France,Seychelles,Belgium,Spain,Greece,Brazil,France,France,France,Portugal,Italy,Italy
Call:  (FP7-KBBE-2007-1, 2007)
Start date: 2008-05-01
End date: 2012-12-31
Duration (months): 56.0
Total project cost (EUR): 4703742.6
EU funding (EUR): 2978200.0
Participants: 13
Project status: CLOSED

A particular attention has been paid worldwide on longline fisheries as they catch considerable amount of by-catch (seabirds, turtles, sharks, etc.). Seabird and turtles by-catch mitigation methods have now been established in many fisheries worldwide, but similar efforts must be put to reduce by-catch of sharks. In the same ecosystems, another issue attracts the attention of international tuna commissions: the use of drifting fish aggregating devices (FADs). These FADs are responsible for major catches of juvenile tuna and non target pelagic species (sharks). Finally, the effects of thousands of FADs released regularly in the tropical oceans are unknown, and must be studied to estimate if they impact the biology of pelagic species. The European open ocean tropical and Mediterranean pelagic fishery (Spain, France, Portugal, Italy, Greece) is one of the main sources of catch, income and employment for the European fishery, with interactions with many developing countries. The main objective of the project is to develop measures to mitigate adverse impacts of fisheries targeting large pelagic fish in the open ocean: purse seiners using FADs and longliners. Two main categories of mitigation measures will be studied: spatial management issues (e.g. closure areas) and technical solutions to reduce by-catch in these fisheries. The main concept of MADE is to follow a multi-disciplinary and comparative approach, combining biological and technological studies with economical analyses in different sites (Indian and Atlantic oceans, Mediterranean Sea), with a particular effort to closely associate fishers from the beginning of this research. High-tech technology and novel approaches will be employed (electronic tagging, in situ and in vitro experiments, etc.), and a particular effort will be devoted to disseminate results to fishers, tuna commissions, EU DG Fisheries, and scientists.

Keywords: mitigation - pelagic fisheries - longline - purse seine - fads - tuna - swordfish - sharks - turtles