Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
High resolution mapping of a QTL region influencing fat percentage in Spanish Churra dairy sheep. (SHEEPMILKGENES)

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-2007-2-2-ERG, 2007)
Start date: 2008-04-01
End date: 2011-03-31
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 45000.0
EU funding (EUR): 45000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Dairy sheep production in Mediterranean countries is based on the regional exploitation of a great variety of breeds, whose milk is processed into high quality cheese. The maintenance of these local breeds is strategically important from genetic diversity and environmental perspectives. Modern molecular genetics tools can be used to increase the efficiency of classic breeding programs in dairy sheep. Previously to the development of effective marker- or gene-assisted protocols, it was necessary to identify the genes controlling the production traits considered as selection targets. This project will increase the density of genetic markers at a QTL region influencing milk fat percentage in a commercial population of Churra sheep, a Spanish indigenous breed highly specialized in milk production. A combined linkage analysis and linkage disequilibrium analysis will subsequently be applied to refine the QTL position, enabling the identification of positional and functional candidate genes included in the refined QTL region. The strongest candidate genes and also inter-genic regions will be characterised further by sequence analysis for SNP discovery. The allelic variants identified will then be tested for possible relationships with milk fat percentage. This project will represent the first attempt to move genetic mapping in DAIRY sheep, from low-density linkage studies to high-density linkage disequilibrium and association methods. The project will take advantage of the information derived from the latest release of the Bovine Genome sequence (comparative approach) and the Virtual Sheep Genome sequence. This is a novel approach to gene identification in dairy sheep, which has only just become possible with the increased available information on the sheep and cattle genomes. The successful fulfilment of the project objectives may lead to the implementation of molecular information into the classic breeding program currently running in the Churra population.

Keywords: animal breeding,dairy animals,genomics,genetic mapping,molecular markers and recognition
MOLECULAR DETERMINANTS OF THE REGULATION OF LXR ALPHA TRANSCRIPTIONAL ACTIVITY BY ACETYLATION IN MACROPHAGES (LXR ALPHA REGULATION)

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
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2007-4-3-IRG, 2007)
Start date: 2008-04-01
End date: 2012-03-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Liver X receptors (LXRs) alpha (a) and beta are nuclear receptors that act as metabolic sensors for cellular cholesterol. LXR agonists increase HDL cholesterol levels, have anti-inflammatory properties and improve insulin sensitivity. Therefore LXRs are now considered promising drug development targets for the management of human metabolic diseases. The search for LXR ligands void of their deleterious hyper-triglyceridemic actions has been traditionally based on their effects on receptor binding. We propose, as an alternative strategy, that regulation of post-translational modifications of LXR could be employed. My previous studies reveal that modulation of post-translational modifications of the receptor, such as phosphorylation, regulate LXRa actions in a gene-specific manner. Our preliminary studies indicate that, in addition to phosphorylation, LXRa is subject to acetylation and that treatment with trichostatin A (TSA), an inhibitor of histone deacetylases, affects LXRa protein concentration. Thus we hypothesize that acetylation of the receptor could also affect the activity of LXRa in macrophages in a gene-selective fashion. In this proposal our main goals will be to: 1) Investigate the influence of LXRa acetylation on LXRa transcriptional activity and determine the mechanisms involved, 2) Elucidate the impact of phosphorylation and acetylation on LXRa protein stability, 3) Determine the crosstalk between phophorylation and acetylation of LXRa and 4) Identify and functionally characterize LXRa phosphorylation– and acetylation-modulated protein complexes employing a proteomic approach. In light of the pivotal role LXRa plays in cholesterol metabolism, identifying the role of acetylation in LXRa activity and the TSA-sensitive signaling pathways that acetylate LXRa is critical to our understanding of the different modes of action of these receptors. This could be exploited for the development of therapies against different metabolic diseases.

Keywords: health sciences,nuclear receptors,transcription,phosphorylation,acetylation
Determining the Epigenetic Mechanism of Centromere Propagation (EPICENTROMERE)

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-2007-4-3-IRG, 2007)
Start date: 2008-04-01
End date: 2012-03-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The centromere is a unique specialized chromatin domain responsible for the nucleation of the kinetochore, a large proteinaceous complex that, during mitosis, powers and controls chromosome movement on spindle microtubules ensuring accurate chromosome segregation, thereby preventing aneuploidy, a major hallmark of human cancers. Although directly embedded in chromatin no specific DNA sequence is either necessary or sufficient to propagate the centromere which is specified largely in an epigenetic manner. The primary candidate for centromere identification is CENP-A, a histone H3 variant that assembles specifically into centromeric nucleosomes and nucleates the assembly of the entire centromere complex. How this epigenetic “mark” is initiated and stably maintained while the underlying genome is continuously duplicated as cells divide remains a mystery. This is due, in part, to the inability to track proteins long term. I have adopted a novel fluorescent pulse labeling technique to specifically tackle this problem and established the basic long term dynamics of centromeric CENP-A chromatin. Here, I propose to build on these initial results and further develop this state-of-the-art fluorescent labeling technology combined with high-end imaging to determine how epigenetic factors are maintained and replenished across cell divisions using the centromere as a model while also expanding the analysis to include other epigenetic components. Through these new cell-biological tools in conjunction with molecular genetic and biochemical assays, I have devised a multifaceted approach to identify factors mediating CENP-A assembly as well as to determine the role of centromeric DNA in the initiation of the epigenetic mark. Collectively, these efforts are aimed at elucidating the general principles of epigenetic inheritance that are fundamental to transcription regulation, developmental programs and genome organization.

Keywords: epigenetics,mitosis,centromere,kinetochore,histone variant,chromatin,histone h3 variant,cenp-a,chromosome biology,cell biology,biological sciences
Role of spinal anti-inflammatory lipid mediators in inflammation and arthritis-induced pain (INFLAMMATIONPAIN)

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-2007-4-3-IRG, 2007)
Start date: 2008-08-04
End date: 2012-08-03
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

More than 100 million Europeans are affected by arthritis and other rheumatic diseases that cause stiffness, inflammation and swelling in the joints. Notably, pain is one of the most bothersome symptoms reported by this group of people. Pain not only impairs the ability to function and reduces the quality of life, but also forms the basis for an increasing economical burden. According to the European Pain Network, chronic and recurrent pain accounts for nearly 500 million lost working days and a €34 billion hole in the economy every year across Europe. Acute local inflammation is self-limiting and resolves through an active termination program. Lipoxins and resolvins represent novel classes of lipid mediators that function as “braking signals” in inflammation. My recent work has shown that while systemic injection of lipoxins reduces both pain and edema, spinal delivery reduces inflammatory hyperalgesia without altering the peripheral inflammatory state. The lipoxin receptor, ALXR, was found expressed on spinal astrocytes, indicating that not only neurons, but also spinal non-neuronal cells participate in the regulation of pain signaling. The aim with the proposed studies is to 1) expand this work to examine if lipoxin A4 has anti-hyperalgesic effect in models of chronic inflammatory pain using experimental models of arthritis, 2) to include a second representative of anti-inflammatory lipid mediators, resolvins E1, and 3) to explore the hypothesis that pain may be sustained due to an impaired generation of counter-regulatory mediators. In addition, possible molecular mechanism by which lipoxins control astrocyte activation will be explored in astrocyte cultures. These studies promise to provide insights into novel mechanisms of regulation of spinal sensitization and inflammatory pain, shed light onto the role of non-neuronal cells in spinal nociceptive processing and point to novel drug targets for chronic inflammatory pain.

Keywords: pain inflammation arthrits spinal astrocyte lipxoin resolvin mapk
The development of aggressive and depressive problems during adolescence (PSYCHOPATHOLOGY)

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: Cyprus
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2007-4-3-IRG, 2007)
Start date: 2008-04-01
End date: 2012-03-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The present study proposes to investigate the development of aggressive and depressive problems during adolescence using developmental psychopathology as a conceptual framework. Developmental psychopathology is concerned with individual differences in the predictors, course, and outcomes of adaptive and maladaptive developmental processes. Three objectives are proposed: (1) to identify groups of adolescents exhibiting differential levels of distinct or combined aggressive and depressive problems across time, (2) to investigate the relationship of risk and protective factors to aggressive and depressive problems, and (3) to identify differential outcomes of aggressive and depressive problems. These objectives will be tested in a sample of 700 European adolescents. To investigate co-occurrence during adolescence a longitudinal model will be employed across four consecutive years (grades 7 to 10). Data will be analyzed using the longitudinal person-oriented methodology General Growth Mixture Modeling (GGMM). This is the first study to investigate the co-occurrence between aggressive and depressive problems using GGMM, and the study is expected to provide evidence of how and why aggressive and depressive problems, two symptoms from different diagnostic classes representing separate forms of psychopathology, co-occur in children. Furthermore, findings of the current study can provide evidence that may lead to effective interventions and treatments. Moreover, using the template provided by the proposed study on how to investigate co-occurrence, future studies conducted in the EU can inform the world about co-occurring disorders and therefore enhancing EU scientific excellence. The Marie Curie International Reintegration Grant will enhance the career development of the researcher, strengthen his collaborations with researchers in the United States, and allow the researcher to offer his expertise at community level and also enhance EU competitiveness.

Keywords: psychology,developmental psychology,clinical psychology,educational psychology
Materials analysis based on partially correlated magnetic switching (MAPACOMAS)

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-2007-4-3-IRG, 2007)
Start date: 2008-04-01
End date: 2011-03-31
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 75000.0
EU funding (EUR): 75000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Nowadays, practically all high-capacity information storage is based on hard disk drive (HDD) technology, which utilizes magnetic materials as a recording media on rotating disk platters. Presently, the HDD industry is undergoing a major technology transformation towards perpendicular magnetic recording (PMR), in which the ‘magnetic bits’ are aligned perpendicularly to the disk surface. Many aspects of PMR technology, however, are only poorly understood at the present time. Specifically, there exists a severe lack of accurate characterization methods for recording media. As a consequence, the optimization process to take full advantage of PMR technology is far from being achieved today. The present proposal for an international reintegration grant for Dr. Hovorka (Drexel University, USA) is aimed at developing an accurate characterization technique for PMR media based upon a quantitatively exact analysis of their complex magnetization behavior. The challenge is to understand the physics of partially correlated reversal, which is mediated by the sufficiently strong grain-to-grain interactions. The project will build on realistic microscopic modeling for numerical and analytic method development to derive quantitatively accurate analysis schemes of magnetization reversal as the foundation for reliable characterization methods of PMR media. The main goals of this proposal are: (a) to establish Dr. Hovorka’s reintegration into the European research community while allowing him to reach a high level of professional maturity for the overall benefit of the European knowledge society, (b) to expand Dr. Hovorka´s solid basic research expertise in nano-magnetism by adding technology-oriented competencies at an advanced level, and (c) to allow nanoGUNE, the host institution, to complement its expertise in such a way that it can maintain and even extend its world-wide leadership position in PMR materials characterization.

Keywords: nanotechnology,nano-magnetism,magnetic recording,hysteresis,measurement technology,magnetization characterization and tooling
AGE - RELATED CHANGES IN CHROMOSOME SEGREGATION IN FEMALE MEIOSIS (OOAGEMEIOSIS)

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: Czechia
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2007-2-2-ERG, 2007)
Start date: 2008-12-01
End date: 2011-11-30
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 45000.0
EU funding (EUR): 45000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Gametes are produced in reduction division called meiosis, in which cells undergo one round of DNA replication followed by two successive chromosome segregations. Homologue chromosomes are segregated in first meiosis whereas sister chromatids are separated in second meiosis. Actual chromosome segregation is preceded by recombination and exchange of genetic material. In human, meiosis is associated with a surprisingly high incidence of errors, leading to numerical chromosomal aberrations, which are more prevalent in female gametes and seem to increase with maternal age. Oocyte aneuploidy has severe consequences including pregnancy loss, birth defects and mental retardation. It was shown that the cohesin complex, holding together sister chromatids, is vital for faithful chromosome segregation in meiosis as well as in mitosis. In meiosis, the cohesin complexes have to be removed sequentially from chromosomes. The enzyme separase, responsible for cohesin cleavage, is temporarily activated in both divisions, cleaving the arm cohesion in first and centromeric cohesion in the second division. Centromeric cohesion, essential for accurate segregation of sister chromatids, is protected by proteins called shugoshin or Sgo1/Sgo1 and phosphatase 2A (PP2A) against cleavage by separase. The errors in sequential removal of cohesin might play a key role in mechanism of age-related aneuploidy in oocytes. We would like to develop a system, which would allow us to study the changes of expression and distribution of molecules involved in removal or protection of cohesin complexes during mammalian meiosis. Our results will greatly aid understanding to the molecular mechanisms underlying changes in chromosome segregation related to age in mammalian meiosis.

Keywords: meiosis,oocyte,aging,cohesins,separase,chromosomes,aneuploidy,mpf,shugoshin,cdk1
Identification and role of lysophospholipids in germ cell and heart biology (LYSOPHOSPHOLIPIDS)

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: Germany
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2007-4-3-IRG, 2007)
Start date: 2008-09-01
End date: 2012-08-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Signalling between cells regulates many aspects of their behaviour. Although much work has focused on proteins, bioactive lipids also have potent effects on cells. In Drosophila lipid signalling is implicated in guiding migrating germ cells. The germ cells, which later will become sperm or eggs, undergo a stereotyped migration during embryogenesis to reach the gonad. Enzymes of the lipid phosphate phosphatase (LPP) class are expressed in regions of the embryo that germ cells normally avoid and serve to repel germ cells and regulate their survival. Later in embryonic development these enzymes are also expressed in a subset of Drosophila heart cells and are required for correct development of the heart. These data suggest that extracellular lipids are regulating the behaviour of both germ and heart cells. The aims of this project are several-fold: Firstly to discover the extracelluar lipid that is responsible for the behaviour of these two cell types. Secondly to discern it’s mode of action, in particular what are the molecular players that are necessary to detect this lipid and how they link to known pathways that regulate cell migration. The final goal is to find out if these roles are conserved outside of Drosophila. This research is important because the LPP enzymes are highly conserved in evolution but a full understanding of their function in any developmental paradigm is lacking. Secondly a number of in vitro substrate of LPPs have been shown to have important signalling roles. For example sphingosine 1-phosphate acts extracellularly to influence lymphocyte circulation and endothelial cell migration during vascular development in mice. To what extent LPPs modulate these activities is unclear. Information gained by studying lipids in model organisms will lead to a better understanding of the developmental processes of heart formation and germ cell migration and will identify new bioactive lipids that may have more widespread signalling functions.

Keywords: animal embryology,cell biology
Electromagnetic and spin wave interactions in magnetic nanostructure-based metamaterials and devices (EMSWIM)

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: Czechia
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2007-4-3-IRG, 2007)
Start date: 2008-04-01
End date: 2012-03-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The proposal is focused on the fundamental and applied research of electromagnetic and spin wave processes in laterally patterned periodic nanostructures and derived metamaterials and devices, with particular interest in magnetic materials. The research aims at the development and computer implementation of a theoretical approach capable of modeling the electromagnetic response of the nanostructures, their numerical and experimental investigation, proposing and designing novel applications, and studying related physical phenomena such as photon-spin wave interactions. Graphical, user-friendly software based on the numerical algorithm will be utilized for a commercial scatterometric system in the frame of international collaboration with Dainippon Screen Mfg. Co. Ltd., Japan. The project will use magneto-optical spectroscopy available at the host institution and other optical, magneto-optical, and complementary magnetism- and surface-science techniques provided by collaborating laboratories in the Czech Republic, Germany, and Japan. The results obtained on the nanostructures will be used to propose and design novel artificial metamaterials (such as magneto-photonic crystals) and devices (such as waveguides, microcavities, polarizing, space-modulating and other optical filters).

Keywords: electromagnetism,optics,optical and dielectric properties