Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Evolvability and drivers of photosynthetic transitions in flowering plants (PHOTOTRANS)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: International Outgoing Fellowships
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: United Kingdom
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2009-IOF, 2009)
Start date: 2011-01-01
End date: 2013-12-31
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 261334.2
EU funding (EUR): 261334.2
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Several carbon concentrating mechanisms (CCM) have evolved to counteract the deficiencies of the classical photosynthetic pathway (C3 photosynthesis). Their multiple origins represent one of the most striking examples of convergent evolution and make them especially suitable for comparative evolutionary studies. In land plants, the two main CCM are CAM and C4 photosynthesis, which confer an advantage in arid and warm environments. These CCM are ecologically and economically very important, but their evolutionary history remains poorly understood. In particular, the number of transitions between the different photosynthetic types and their directions are still unknown. In this project, a multi-scale phylogenetic approach will be used to address the evolvability and reversibility of the different photosynthetic types together with the factors that influence the probability of a given plant group evolving one or the other CCM. Using two plant groups with a high variability in the photosynthetic types (Poaceae and core Caryophyllales), the genetic changes on an enyzme involved in both CAM and C4 pathways will be identified and, in combination with species phylogenies, will serve to retrace past photosynthetic transitions. The effect of different plant characteristics on CCM evolvability will be tested through comparative analyses in the generated phylogenetic framework. This approach will finally be transferred to a grass genus extremely variable in its photosynthetic characteristics, to shed light on CCM microevolutionary processes. Overall, this project will bring important insights about the causes and consequences of one of the greatest ecological and evolutionary successes in plant history.

Keywords: evolution,phylogeny,systematic botany,plant physiology,photosynthesis,genetics,convergence,evolvability,ecology,cam,poaceae,caryophyllales
Characterizing Surface-Supported Microdroplets for Optofluidics Applications (MICRODROPLETS)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Intra-European Fellowships
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: Türkiye
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2009-IEF, 2009)
Start date: 2010-08-05
End date: 2012-08-04
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 187284.4
EU funding (EUR): 187284.4
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Liquid microdroplets have a spherical geometry, smooth surface, and their size and shape can be easily tuned. These properties make them ideally suited for many optical applications. However, microdroplets have up to date found only a limited use, mainly due to the difficulty in their position stabilization. Traditional position stabilization techniques such as electrodynamic levitation, optical levitation, and optical tweezing suffer from fragility and do not allow integration with other optoelectronic components. Superhydrophobic supporting surfaces provide a natural solution to this critical problem. In addition to preserving the spherical geometry of microdroplets of water and other hydrophilic liquids, they provide a highly robust position stabilization mechanism and allow interfacing with other necessary components of integrated lab-on-a-chip systems. The main scientific objective of the proposed research project is the exploration of the intriguing optical properties of surface-supported liquid microdroplets that can act as ultrahigh-quality tunable optical microcavities. Using tapered fiber coupling of a tunable-wavelength laser light into the droplets, we will explore their ultrahigh-quality optical modes for various combinations of droplet size, shape, and refractive index. We will build upon the existing expertise that has already been obtained in the host laboratory and extend the fundamental knowledge that is crucial for applications of supported microdroplets in integrated optofluidic systems. Subsequently, we will also investigate the potential of microdroplet-based resonant cavities for molecular sensing applications. We expect that our results will pave way for practical utilization of microdroplets as highly-flexible micro-optical components of integrated lab-on-a-chip systems in a variety of research fields, e.g. quantum and nonlinear optics, aerosol physics and chemistry, and chemical and biological sensing.

Keywords: applied optics,experimental physics,microscopy,sensors,microsystems,photonic components,laser technology
Integrated tactile surface actuator design (INTERACT)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Intra-European Fellowships
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: Netherlands
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2009-IEF, 2009)
Start date: 2010-08-01
End date: 2012-07-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 168035.2
EU funding (EUR): 168035.2
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

User interfaces that incorporate the sense of touch, or Haptic user interfaces, promise to revolutionize the way we interact with everyday devices in our environment. The iPhone has shown the world that well-design touch interaction can make breakthrough easy-of-use as well as a lot of revenue. However, current touch screens suffer from a lack of feedback, as the user can only operate the device while looking at it. The Interact project pursues a breakthrough haptic interface that solves this problem, by making programmable surface topology or shape; real ‘physical’ buttons that can appear on the user interface and optionally give force feedback when needed. This is made possible by applying state-of-the-art dielectric polymer actuators surfaces. The application of dielectric polymer actuators to user-interfaces is very novel, and the question of how to design an adaptive haptic user interface with these materials remains unanswered. The Interact project will address this issue using a new research methodology combining user-centered design approaches with finite element modelling and user-testing to come to a first-time-right design of the interface, which will subsequently be built &amp; tested. The Interact project will give Marc Matysek, a talented researcher currently finishing his PhD at Darmstadt University in Germany, the opportunity to join Philips Research in the Netherlands for a 2 year fellowship. It will extend his already excellent competences on dielectric polymer actuators with experience in user-testing/perception, finite element modelling, application know-how and user-centric design. The business focus, application skills, as well as the intellectual property and project management experience that he will gain at Philips will facilitate his growth from an excellent researcher into a great innovator. After the Interact project, Marc Matysek will be a mobile innovator with a strong and relevant scientific background.

Keywords: interactive surfaces,dielectric polymer actuators,user-interfaces.
Boronic acids as building blocks for construction of molecular nanostructures and polymeric materials (BOROMAT)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Intra-European Fellowships
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: Switzerland
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2009-IEF, 2009)
Start date: 2011-02-01
End date: 2013-01-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 181970.8
EU funding (EUR): 181970.8
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

This project describes the design and syntheses of new classes of boron-based compounds such as macrocycles, cages, and polymers, made by multicomponent self-assembly through simultaneous condensation of boronic acids with other molecular building blocks. The central goal is the formation of new materials with high porosity and low crystal density. Molecularly defined compounds such as macrocycles and cages can form porous solid state structures upon removal of encapsulated guest molecules (e.g. residual solvent molecules). Similarly, 2- and 3-dimensional polymeric networks may form porous structures if the geometry and the rigidity of the molecular building blocks are correctly chosen. Compared to classical approaches, which involve transition metals, our materials will display rather low densities because we will exclusively use molecules composed of light elements such as B, C, N, and H. This should result in intrinsic advantages for potential applications (e.g. gas storage).

Keywords: supramolecular chemistry,self-assembly,boronic acids,multicomponent reactions,macrocycles,cages,polymers
Multifunctional and multifactorial approaches to study physical, chemical and sensory stability of oil-in-water emulsions based on olive oil (OLIVE OIL EMULSIONS)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Intra-European Fellowships
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: Italy
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2009-IEF, 2009)
Start date: 2010-09-27
End date: 2012-09-26
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 165458.6
EU funding (EUR): 165458.6
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

An emulsion consists on two immiscible liquids, usually oil and water, with one of the liquids dispersed as small spherical droplets into the other. Chemical properties of the dispersed phase determine the type of emulsion:Oil-in-Water(O/W) or Water-in-Oil(W/O). Research studies carried out in this field based on the use of different types of lipids, mainly low cost and worldwide distributed ones:soybean, sunflower and colza oils. However, studies about extra virgin olive oil(EVOO), that represents one of the most important European agricultural products, are very limited. Also the peculiar fatty acid composition and the high content of bioactive compounds (phenols and tocopherols) make EVOO more resistant to oxidation than other vegetable oils. The general approach of this research will be based on a gradual acquisition of knowledge from the results regarding the effect of single components (principal and minor compounds) on the properties of olive O/W emulsions and on the physical,chemical and sensory stability. The project will be carried out in two successive and dependent steps;A) on emulsified and simplified model systems and B) on &quot;real&quot; food formulations. During the first months the researcher will use the wide knowledge provided by UNIBO research group on major and minor components of EVOO to identify, collect and eventually synthesize/isolate components that are not possible to purchase, but essentials for the preparation of model systems. The preparation of model systems will be performed in different timings upon the overall duration of the project. Step by step new information, that will help the consecutive formulation of systems with increasing complexity, will be obtained. For each model system the oxidation step will take 5-12 weeks depending on the oxidative levels set as a final point. Finally on the basis of the results obtained in the first 20 months,real food formulations will be set up to test their sensory profile.

Keywords: olive oil,emulsions,natural antioxidants,phenolic compounds
Neurobiology of the persistence of traumatic memories (FEAR AND TRAUMA)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Intra-European Fellowships
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: Switzerland
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2009-IEF, 2009)
Start date: 2010-05-01
End date: 2011-04-30
Duration (months): 12.0
Total project cost (EUR): 172565.2
EU funding (EUR): 172565.2
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Fearful traumatic experiences can lead to the formation of traumatic memories that are frequently associated with persistent psychopathologies. The main aim of the present proposal is to identify key neural mechanisms whereby behavioral principles which are essential for the psychological integrity of the individual, get impaired under certain emotional and stressful conditions, eventually leading to psychopathology. We hypothesize that some of the key behavioral distortions leading to emotional disturbances (e.g., generalization of conditioned fear and the inefficiency of extinction processes when applied to recent fear memories) share common underlying neurobiological mechanisms which critically involve special properties of amygdala functioning under conditions of high or extreme emotional distress. We also hypothesize that individual differences in amygdala reactivity will be implicated in individuals’ proneness to develop these behavioral distortions. By focusing on the inefficiency of extinction processes when applied to recent fear memories as a working model to understand the mediating mechanisms, we will investigate in rats the involvement of corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) and of synaptic proteins (glutamate receptor subunits, cell adhesion molecules) with a role in circuit and memory formation. In addition, we aim to apply a developmental perspective to assess whether early life experiences can be effective, when reactivated in adulthood, to overcome these behavioral distortions. These objectives will be tackled by using a multidisciplinary technical approach within state-of-the-art facilities in the laboratory of Prof. C. Sandi at the Brain Mind Institute in Lausanne. This project will be a major step in my career towards becoming an independent researcher, and the ideal basis for the establishment of collaborations extremely valuable for my future career.

Keywords: health sciences,fear conditioning,traumatic memories,learning,psychopathology,anxiety disorders,ptsd,extinction,basolateral amygdala,crf,cell adhesion molecules,infancy,rodent
Self-Replication in Dynamic Combinatorial Libraries (DYNAREP)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Intra-European Fellowships
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: Netherlands
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2009-IEF, 2009)
Start date: 2011-02-01
End date: 2013-01-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 169035.2
EU funding (EUR): 169035.2
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The host group has recently made a remarkable discovery: the spontaneous emergence of self-replicating molecules from a complex mixture of continuously interconverting peptide-derived compounds (dynamic combinatorial libraries). This project builds on this discovery and aims to come to a complete understanding of the mechanism of replication. Based on this understanding new replicators will then be developed. In the final stage the process of replication will be studied inside bilayer vesicles. If successful this will be the first example of a fully synthetic system that combines three important elements found in living systems: metabolism, replication and compartmentalization. Success of the project is critically dependent on combining the expertise of the host on dynamic combinatorial chemistry with the expertise of the researcher on the permeation of peptides through bilayer membranes.

Keywords: organic chemistry,nanosystems,combinatorial chemistry,molecular chemistry,supramolecular chemistry,origin of life
Roles of Class I PI 3-kinase isoforms in signalling and cancer (PI3K/SIGNAL-CANCER)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: International Incoming Fellowships
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: United Kingdom
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2009-IIF, 2009)
Start date: 2010-10-01
End date: 2013-03-09
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 177603.2
EU funding (EUR): 177603.2
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

PI 3-kinases (PI3Ks) generate intracellular lipid second messengers that regulate many cellular processes including cell survival, proliferation, migration and differentiation. The PI3K signalling pathway has been implicated in diseases such as cancer, inflammation and diabetes, and PI3Ks are therefore considered as attractive new therapeutic targets in the pharmaceutical and biotech industry. Mammals have 8 isoforms of PI3K, and therapeutic interference with PI3K signalling may have to be targeted at individual (or groups of) PI3K isoforms, in order to overcome systemic toxicity. This research proposal aims to gain insight in the role of PI3K isoforms in cell transformation by selected oncogenes, and the associated signalling mechanisms. We also aim to uncover mechanisms by which cells can resist inactivation of one or more isoforms of PI3K, in order to gain insight into PI3K isoform-selective signalling pathways, but also as a prelude to understand possible therapeutic resistance to PI3K inhibitors. This study will make use of a series of unique PI3K gene-targeted mice, made in the Host Laboratory, and which are seen as the ‘gold standard’ in the field. For the signalling studies, we will make used of a new phosphoproteomic technique, called Targeted In-depth QUAntification of Signalling (TIQUAS; unpublished; patents pending), recently developed by the Host Laboratory. The overall aim is to identify isoform-specific protein kinase/phospho-peptide signatures that could also be used as biomarkers.

Keywords: health sciences,cancer,biomarkers,signal transduction,kinase,phospholipides
Novel approach to toxicity testing of nanoparticles mimicing lung exposure. Possible protective effect of omega-3 acids (NANOMEGA)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Intra-European Fellowships
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: Norway
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2009-IEF, 2009)
Start date: 2010-04-01
End date: 2013-12-12
Duration (months): 34.0
Total project cost (EUR): 204568.0
EU funding (EUR): 204568.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

As nanotechnology and materials science have progressed, large quantities of engineered nanoparticles (NPs) have been produced. NPs promise to revolutionize our lifestyles by improving many industrial and consumer products. However, there is considerable concern about their unknown impact on human health: with their unique physicochemical properties (size less than 100 nm), NPs differ from the corresponding bulk material. Here we address the urgent need to determine the potential effects of NPs on human health and environmental safety. Our objectives are: a) To develop and optimize a novel approach to in vitro NP testing using an epithelial cell culture model that mimics in vivo interactions of particles with cells; b) To study mechanisms of NP toxicity using cardiovascular/cardiopulmonary cell models to identify specific markers of oxidative stress and their role in activating signal pathways associated with the inflammatory response, DNA damage and repair; c) To investigate protection by omega-3 fatty acids against inflammatory effects of NPs, and possible modulation of DNA repair, in an in vitro model. This research will provide information on mechanisms of action of metal oxide NPs, and specifically on their effect on risk of cardiovascular/cardiopulmonary diseases. The results will contribute to protecting European public health, and will be crucially important for formulating policy on safety of nanotechnology. The ambitious research tasks provide an excellent opportunity for the career development of Dr. Rinna in this new field. By developing innovative techniques mimicking in vivo conditions, carrying out experiments on potential NP toxicity, and investigating how cells and DNA can be protected against injury, she will acquire an impressive range of expertise. By supervising master and co-supervising PhD students, she will improve her management and teaching skills and thus establish a base for a longer term position as a research team leader in Norway

Keywords: nanotoxicology,molecular biology,genotoxicology
Development of novel quantum dot based materials for compact laser devices for potential telecommunication and biophotonic applications (QDLASER)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: International Incoming Fellowships
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: Denmark
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2009-IIF, 2009)
Start date: 2011-01-01
End date: 2014-05-03
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 204629.0
EU funding (EUR): 204629.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The goal of the project is the development of portable, low-cost, reliable and highly-efficient ultrashort pulse (down to 100 fs) laser sources based on quantum dot (QD) material working in the spectral range 1.0-1.6 microns. This new generation of QD based mode-locked lasers has to become an alternative to the conventionally used ultrafast solid-state lasers, which are very expensive, cumbersome and complex to operate. The proposed research has a very high practical significance because it creates the possibility for evolution in different science and medical areas, in particular, advanced telecommunication, terahertz generation, optical sampling, biophotonics, non-invasive medical diagnosis and therapeutics. By placing a primary emphasis on novel materials, devices and system designs, this project will encompass a range of challenging and cutting-edge research directions that exploit QD-based semiconductor structures. The work in the frame of this project will mainly be focused on epitaxial growth of QD-based laser structures. It will be devoted to the optimisation of the epitaxial growth procedure, testing optical, structural and transport measurements and working on the design of epitaxial structure and design of the final devices. This research is in the area of interest of the host organisation and is interdependent with other projects running at the department. I will closely collaborate with other researchers in the fields of laser device design, laser characterisation and discuss results at every stage of the project. Moving to DTU, I bring all of my knowledge gained during my PhD and postdoctoral research work in Russia and France, which will lead to new scientific achievements at DTU. My connections to international scientists will increase the collaboration of DTU with other European and Russian Universities as well as research laboratories.

Keywords: semiconductors lasers,ultrashort optical pulses,quantum dots,epitaxial growth,biophotonics,optoelectronics,telecommunications technology,nanotechnology