Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Generation of asymmetry in mitotic exit network (MEN) signaling (ASYMMETRY IN MEN)

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-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

The mitotic exit network (MEN) is a signaling pathway that promotes exit from mitosis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae by maintaining the protein phosphatase Cdc14 released from the nucleolus into the nucleus and the cytoplasm, where it eventually promotes mitotic cyclin degradation. MEN resembles a RAS-like signaling cascade. The GTPase Tem1 and the two component GTPase-activating protein Bfa1-Bub2, which function at the top of the MEN, have been shown to localize only to the spindle pole body (SPB, the yeast’s centrosome) that enters the daughter cell during anaphase, while they are excluded from the SPB that stays in the mother cell. Based on our observations, the differential localization of Bfa1, Bub2, and Tem1 to SPBs is determined by a different efficiency in loading of the complex onto the SPBs that is dependent on specific microtubule-cortex interactions. We have also found that polarization of the actin cytoskeleton plays an important role in the generation of the asymmetry. However, the determinants of this asymmetry and the exact mechanism are still unknown. The objectives of this proposal are to: (i) Evaluate the role played on this asymmetry by proteins that either interact with the Tem1 complex or involved in other processes of generation of polarity; (ii) Perform genetic screens to identify genes required for the asymmetric localization of Bfa1, Bub2 and Tem1; (iii) Identify the regions within Bfa1, Bub2 and Tem1 that are necessary for their localization and for the generation of the asymmetry; (iv) Examine the consequences of disrupting the asymmetry in the Tem1 complex localization on the progression through the cell cycle. Answering these questions will increase our knowledge about the regulation of the exit from mitosis and the mechanisms that control the cell cycle. Since a key function of the MEN is to maintain ploidy, and ploidy is often affected in tumors, our research will also shed light on one of the key initiation steps in tumor formation.

Keywords: cell biology,cell cycle,mitosis,cancer research
The role of reactive oxygen species in B cell tolerization and immune memory (BNOX)

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: Portugal
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-ERG-2008, 2008)
Start date: 2009-06-01
End date: 2012-05-31
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 45000.0
EU funding (EUR): 45000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Chronic inflammation is a common feature in diseases like primary immunodeficiencies and autoimmunity. It is the consequence of the inability of the immune system to regulate and resolve the inflammatory process. Even though significant advances have been made in the past years to understand some of the mechanisms involved in chronic inflammation, which lead to the development of therapeutic strategies based on biologicals, there are still no successful therapies to fully stop the chronic inflammatory process. It is widely assumed that reactive oxygen species are part of the pro-inflammatory process, and are believed to be active players in the destructive processes associated with chronic inflammation. Therefore, the prescription of anti-oxidants has flourished in the past years. However, more evidence is being gathered from human and animal studies, that reactive oxygen species might have a regulatory effect associated with the resolution of inflammation and tolerisation of B and T cells. A significant example comes from patients with chronic granulomatous disease, which have mutations in the proteins of the NADPH-oxidase complex, which impair the production of reactive oxygen species. These patients and family members have more tendency to develop autoimmune conditions. Also, a recent model of chronic arthritis has been developed in mice and rats with defects in the production of reactive oxygen species due to a mutation in the Ncf1 gene of the NADPH-oxidase complex. Using a combination of human samples from patients with chronic inflammatory diseases and animal models of chronic inflammation, the present proposal aims at exploring the role of the NADPH-oxidase complex and the production of reactive oxygen species in the context of chronic inflammation.

Keywords: chronic diseases,rare diseases,rheumatology,immunology,infections
Control of meiosis and oocyte development by DNA damage checkpoints in Drosophila melanogaster. (MEIOSIS&DEVELOPMENT)

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: 2009-08-01
End date: 2013-07-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

DNA damage response (DDR) monitors chromosome status to ensure correct homologous recombination, genomic integrity and chromosome segregation. Thus the effect of DDR activation upon exogenous DNA breaks has been intensely studied. Less is known about the effects of such mechanisms due to endogenous breaks. In multicellular organisms meiosis is a classical example of double strand break (DSB) production and repair occurring concomitantly with gamete development. In Drosophila persistent meiotic DSBs activates the ATR/Mei-41 checkpoint, delays progression through meiosis and causes defects in DNA condensation in the oocyte nucleus. Checkpoint activation has also been linked to decreased levels of the TGFα-like molecule Gurken (GRK), which controls normal eggshell patterning. I used this easy scorable eggshell phenotype in a germ line mosaic screen to identify new genes affecting meiotic progression, DNA condensation and GRK signalling. My work on these mutants challenged the hypothesis that checkpoint activation upon persistent DSBs is exclusively mediated by ATR kinase and instead reveals a more complex network of interactions that link DSB formation, checkpoint activation, meiotic delay, DNA condensation and GRK synthesis. To understand how multicellular organisms monitor chromatin integrity during meiosis and how these surveillance mechanisms affect development I propose the study of the cohesion gene dPds5 in early and late meiosis, the characterization of two rasiRNA genes montecristo and sancho-panza in transposon silencing during oogenesis and the identification of genes downstream of checkpoint pathway mediating eggshell polarity response upon checkpoint activation. I discuss two major new ideas explored in this project: 1. cohesion is required for eggshell polarity, and 2. various branches of the DDR monitor aspects of chromatin independently of DSB.

Keywords: biological sciences,developmental biology,drosophila development,meiosis,checkpoint,tgfa,oocyte
Identifying network control elements in breast cancer oncogenic transformation via whole transcriptome analysis. (CONTROLNETONCTRANS)

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: 2009-07-01
End date: 2013-06-30
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Understanding tumorogenesis is a prerequisite to designing rational cancer therapies. Tumorogenesis, and systems biology generally, requires its own set of tools for dealing with masses of high-throughput data. I have demonstrated such abilities over the years, both in the task of single handedly integrating disparate data into the microenvironment of the mammalian thymus as well as in the integration of genome-wide data into biologic understanding through concepts of network and signalling pathways. I approach systems biology with training/research in mathematics, physics, computer science, immunology, and tumor and stem-cell biology. I recently devised a metric for characterizing cancer cells based gene pathways as the basic unit of measurement; the pathway metric was able to detect a cancer signature with 98% success, irrespective of tissue origin, grades, stages and patient clinical data. The metric also predicted patient survival. Representing a sample through its pathway profile served as a powerful tool for classification, but it also enabled process reduction to discover essential molecular mechanisms. I am now on a tenure-track process of establishing my own lab. The technological revolution in molecular biology makes it possible to follow the process of oncogenic transformation at a whole transcriptome scope, in high resolution and at relatively low cost, through RNA sequencing using next generation, massive parallel, sequencing technology. Previously, I showed how genome-wide measurements can be integrated into scientific understating of stem-cell differentiation. I will now apply this whole-transcriptome approach to study controlled oncogenic transformation in vitro. The ultimate aim is to uncover specific processes that are amenable to specific, rational drug targeting of the tumor.

Keywords: health sciences,natural sciences,systems biology,transcriptome,breast cancer,oncogenic transformation,signaling pathways
Assessing functional connectivity patterns within and among human visual cortical areas associated with contextual influences on visual perception (CONTEXT)

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-IRG-2008, 2008)
Start date: 2009-04-01
End date: 2013-03-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Neurophysiological studies in the second half of last century using simple isolated stimuli have provided invaluable groundwork to understand aspects of human visual system, and led to the classical feed-forward model of vision. In the classical model the information processing occurs in a hierarchical manner in the visual system and the direction of information flow is more or less unidirectional. However a recurring theme in recent research is that it is not always possible to predict behavioral or neural responses to stimuli embedded in real-world context based on previous measurements made to isolated stimuli. These recent studies have demonstrated that the flow of information could be much more multi-directional than the classical model has predicted. In the studies proposed here, using behavioral and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) techniques, functional connectivity patterns within and among visual cortical areas that give rise to the contextual influences on visual perception will be investigated. Cognitive neuroscience studies biological mechanisms that underlie cognitive functions, in other words, the connection between the brain and mind. A detailed understanding of the brain and mind will have a dramatic impact on all aspects of human life, from health to social wealth and to national security. Vision constitutes a particularly attractive model for cognitive neuroscience research because the input to the system can be measured precisely in physical units, such as the luminance of a surface in candelas per meter square. Furthermore, the sub processes of a visual function can be identified relatively easily. Both of these properties make well controlled experimentation possible. The findings of this project will make a significant contribution to our understanding of the brain and mind, thereby contributing to EU's scientific excellence and social competitiveness.

Keywords: cognitive science,neurosciences,cognitive neuroscience,visual perception,visual neuroscience,fmri,psychophysics
Engineering Anaerobic Mixed Microbial Communities for Biofuels Production (ENANAMMIC-BIOF)

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: 2010-01-05
End date: 2013-01-04
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 45000.0
EU funding (EUR): 45000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

A European reintegration grant is proposed to conduct a 3-year research project aiming at the development of sustainable processes for the conversion of carbohydrate rich feedstock into valuable biofuels (like hydrogen, methane, ethanol, butanol) using microorganisms in anaerobic reactors with the following two main objectives: (i) The development of trustable quantitative models to describe and control product formation from anaerobic mixed culture fermentation of glucose based on metabolic modelling and bioenergetics; (ii) The evaluation of the potential and feasibility of bioelectrochemically assisted reduction of organic acids into alcohols like ethanol and butanol by supplying power to a biocathode to facilitate the process. To achieve these objectives, experiments will be carried out together with mathematical modelling integrating fermentation bioenergetics and bioelectrochemical systems. Research results in this area can largely contribute to energy independence from fossil fuels in Europe by progressing towards the feasible large scale production of biofuels from abundant carbohydrate feedstock using open mixed microbial cultures and therefore avoiding sterilisation through the process. The applicant researcher has an excellent track record on mathematical modelling of anaerobic fermentations and of bioelectrochemical systems. These skills will enable the integration of both modelling approaches and its combination with experimental work. The project will be conducted in the Group of Environmental Engineering and Bioprocesses (GEEB) at the University of Santiago de Compostela (Spain) by the researcher and an assistant funded by this grant. The grant will highly benefit the researcher’s career by providing him with very valuable funding to develop his own research ideas, manage a project and supervise a student, all fundamental skills in a researcher focused career. The reintegration grant will also act as incentive for his permanent employment by the host.

Keywords: chemical engineering,bioprocess engineering,water resources engineering,environmental technology,water technology,biotechnology,wastewater treatment
Manipulating neuronal outgrowth using a novel pneumatic micro gene gun (MANIPULATING TILING)

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: 2009-04-01
End date: 2013-03-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Dendrites and axons show extremely diverse forms, with important implications for nervous system wiring and neuronal function. How neurons acquire their morphology is a question of great importance for understanding neuronal development and regeneration. In this project, we will explore how the innervation of the epidermis, the major sensory organ for detecting mechanical stimuli, is achieved during embryogenesis. Specifically, we will study the development of the sensory cells that respond to pressure (P) on the skin of the medicinal leech, which are uniquely advantageous for this project because their large size and small number. Their sensory arbors innervate domains (“tiles”) that are organized in very regular patterns. Hence, it is easy to detect morphological changes produced experimentally. Moreover, following crush or axotomy these neurons can regenerate their branches and synaptic connections. Previous work showed that cell-cell interactions are fundamental for setting up sensory tiling. Our preliminary results indicate that molecular cues, such as the axon guidance cue netrin, which are heterogeneously distributed in the skin, play a key role in setting up sensory tiling. The overall goal of this proposal is to formulate a new developmental scheme for sensory neurons and to implement it to promote reinnervation of transplanted skin post trauma. In the proposed study, we will modulate the expression of factors, such as leech netrin, using a novel technology that enables the delivery of reagents into live tissue accurately. The technology, a pneumatic capillary gene gun, has been recently developed at UCSD (the P.I. with colleagues) and will be brought into the lab for the proposed project. We will affect gene expression in individual cells or in small groups of cells in skin to manipulate neuronal growth. We expect that our results on the leech will illuminate the phenomenon of sensory tiling in other systems, including vertebrates.

Keywords: gene gun
Deciphering the molecular basis of regulatory T cell suppression (TREG SUPPRESSION)

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: Sweden
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-IRG-2008, 2008)
Start date: 2009-09-01
End date: 2013-08-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Regulatory T cells (TREG) comprise a subset of CD4+ T cells that maintain immunological tolerance by suppressing immune activation in a dominant manner. TREG helps shaping the immune responses to autoantigens, alloantigens, tumors, pathogens and allergens, and are thus considered a therapeutical target in a large variety of diseases. One aspect of TREG biology that remains poorly understood is what molecular program(s) are induced in cells that are being actively suppressed by TREG. The specific aims described below are designed to provide a better understanding of the molecular changes that occur as a result of TREG-mediated suppression and determine if the biochemical pathways altered by TREG-mediated suppression can be exploited for therapeutical purposes. 1. Characterize the molecular changes that occur in CD4+ T cells and dendritic cells that are being suppressed by TREG using gene profiling and cell signaling experimental approaches. 2. Evaluate the importance and therapeutical potential of genes with an expression profile altered by TREG-mediated suppression in animal models of human diseases.

Keywords: health sciences,immunology
Visual Perception of Surface Material Properties - Computational and fMRI investigations of spatio-temporal cues to perceived shininess (MATERIAL PERCEPTION)

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-IRG-2008, 2008)
Start date: 2009-04-01
End date: 2013-03-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Material qualities are an important aspect of the human visual experience, yet the neural processes by which surface material perception is mediated are still largely unstudied. This investigation focuses on one surface quality, whose underlying physical properties can be varied parametrically, namely apparent shininess. While previous studies have exclusively focused on stationary visual cues to shininess the present project departs drastically from those approaches by proposing a novel, ecologically valid direction of research that investigates spatio-temporal cues to surface shininess. The proposed work will combine computational methods, psychophysical experimentation and functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) to achieve the following objectives: 1: Determine the spatio-temporal statistical regularities in the visual environment conveying that a surface is shiny. 2: Identify and study human cortical areas involved in the processing and integration of visual dynamic cues to shininess, with an emphasis on understanding how low-level processes are integrated to give rise to the final material percept. This project is multidisciplinary in nature. Expected results of all, the computational analyses, behavioral and fMRI studies, promise to have a large impact on the fields of Cognitive Neuroscience, Computer Vision and Machine Intelligence. The study of the neural processes underlying visual function constitutes a part of Cognitive Neuroscience in whose domain the here proposed project falls. Research in this area, with its direct applications to human health and well being at the community level, is of highest relevance to the European Research Area. Being novel in scope and execution, the proposed research will make a significant contribution to European scientific excellence.

Keywords: visual perception,surface material perception,specular flow,spatio-temporal analysis & synthesis,computational vision,functional magnetic resonance imaging,neurosciences