Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Nano-particles: their application in the development of electrochemical molecular beacon biosensors. (NANOSENS)

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: Spain
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2007-2-1-IEF, 2007)
Start date: 2008-03-01
End date: 2010-02-28
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 151936.08
EU funding (EUR): 151936.08
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Affinity biosensors, due to their selectivity, sensitivity and the fact they can be developed in a reagent-less and reusable format, find large application in environmental and clinical analysis. Key elements in biosensor development are: (i) the electrode surface (transducer) chemistry/properties, (ii) the recognition element and (iii) the signal generation element. In this proposal electrodeposition of nano-particles will be investigated as a way of modifying the transducer (electrode) chemistry/properties in order to improve/optimise the performances/layout of electrochemical molecular beacon biosensor. Several applications of RnEs will be investigated. · RnEs as a possible route to improve biosensors sensitivity (due the intrinsic catalytic properties of the nano-particles) · RnEs as a way generating specific attachment sites suitable for the recognition element. · Nano-particles as physical masks (template) for patterning, at nano size level, self assembled monolayer (SAM) of thiolated molecules onto Au surface (definition free sites, suitable for the recognition element attachment, in an antifouling matrix). Furthermore the influences of nature of the redox centre over the performances of electrochemical molecular beacon will be investigated in this proposal. The knowledge generated will be applied to the realisation of electrochemical molecular beacon DNA sensors for the prenatal diagnosis of Cystic Fibrosis and Thalassemia two of the most common genetic diseases. These areas of application have been chosen because of the relevance of the two diseases and because of the necessity to simplify the pre natal diagnosis of them that currently is performed with invasive, costly and risky procedures such as amniocentesis and “chorionic villa sampling”.

Keywords: nanobiotechnology,electrochemical molecular beacon,biosensor,clinical chemistry,nano-particles,surface patterning
Function and dynamics of Lmo4-containing complexes during erythropoiesis (LMOFUNDYN)

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-2007-2-1-IEF, 2007)
Start date: 2008-04-01
End date: 2010-03-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 165996.12
EU funding (EUR): 165996.12
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Anemias and erythroid malignancies caused by impaired formation of erythrocytes (red blood cells) are common disorders. These diseases have a severe impact on the quality of life of the patients. It is essential to unravel the molecular mechanisms underlying erythropoiesis (the development of red blood cells) to be able to fully understand the etiology of these diseases and to devise novel treatments. The most important part of understanding the molecular mechanisms of erythropoiesis is the unraveling of its transcription factor network and studying how this network responds to outside signals. I propose to analyze the function and dynamics of this network through a study of the factors that are part of the Ldb1/Gata1 complex, and in particular the function of the LMO4 protein.

Keywords: health sciences,haematopoiesis,development,transcription factor complexes,haematopoietic stem cells,lmo4.
Control of cell shape in the peripodial membrane of the wing disc of Drosophila melanogaster (CELL SHAPE, FLY)

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: United Kingdom
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2007-2-1-IEF, 2007)
Start date: 2008-06-01
End date: 2010-12-31
Duration (months): 31.0
Total project cost (EUR): 169390.93
EU funding (EUR): 169390.93
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

I propose to analyze how epithelial cell shape is controlled, using the Drosophila peripodial membrane as a model system. Drosophila third instar imaginal discs are a composed of two contiguous layers of cells of distinct morphology: a pseudostratified one, called the proper epithelium (PE), and a squamous epithelium, the peripodial membrane (PM). While the PE has been deeply studied, little is known about the PM. The peripodial membrane has the ability to change its shape in response to ecdysone; it is proposed that this change is responsible for the eversion of the disc during metamorphosis. I propose to study the control of cell shape in the PM by two perspectives. First, I will look for the factors involved in specifying and maintaining the shape of the PM cells. Second, I will examine the dynamic process of disc eversion, and analyse what shape changes the cells undergo, and what factors and cellular rearrangements are responsible for this fundamental morphological process. For this purpose I have developed a technique that allows me to watch dissected live discs, and to follow the eversion in vitro using confocal live imaging. Amongst other mechanisms, I am currently analysing the role of myosin II in this process as well as looking for new factors that may be involved.

Keywords: cell biology,developmental biology
“Solid phase synthesis, biophysical study and biological evaluation of cyclic glycopeptides for inhibition of protein protein interactions” (GLYCOPEPTIDES)

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: Ireland
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2007-2-1-IEF, 2007)
Start date: 2008-11-06
End date: 2010-11-05
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 174784.33
EU funding (EUR): 174784.33
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Dr. Jarikote, an Indian national who has recently completed his PhD in Germany and is currently working with Prof. Dr. Paul Murphy. It is proposed that Dr. Jarikote will work on solid phase synthesis of cyclic glycopeptides and their biophysical characterization with a view to generating novel inhibitors of protein-protein interactions, in particular those that involve a-helices. He will also receive training in carbohydrate chemistry, scaffolds, NMR and molecular modelling and their application to the design of bioactive compounds wherever necessary. The biophysical characterisation will also carried out and techniques such as NMR and fluorescence will be used to investigate binding of synthetic ligands to targeted proteins. Such synthetic mimics could have wide pharmaceutical importance as they have potential to be bioavailable mimics of peptides that modulate protein-protein interactions. The proposal is of interdisciplinary nature, collaborating ultimately with physical chemists and cell biologists and will focus on the design, synthesis and biological evaluation of novel proteomimetics or peptidomimetics based on macrocycles comprised of saccharide structures. Mimetics of the surface of the Bak peptide (an alpha-helical peptide) based on glycopeptides will be synthesised on the solid phase and the products will be evaluated for their biophysical properties effects on promoting apoptosis in tumour cells. The solid phase synthesis approach will give rise to rapid access of numerous derivatives of target oriented glycopeptides in short time period. The glycopeptides design will be based on ensuring the presentation of pharmacophoric groups in a spatial orientation that matches that of residues at i, i+4 and i+7 of the relevant α–helical peptide, in this case the BAK peptide. The solid phase approach will faciliate efficient investigation of a number of pharmacophoric groups that will allow generation of an optimal ligand that mimics the natural peptide.

Keywords: chemical biology,solid-phase synthesis,medicinal and structural chemistry,scaffolds,biophysical study,bioactive glycopeptides,protein-protein interactions
Coupling of trapped ions via normal metal and superconductor transmission lines (QOSC2007)

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: Austria
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2007-2-1-IEF, 2007)
Start date: 2008-04-01
End date: 2010-03-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 160182.68
EU funding (EUR): 160182.68
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

In the efforts to implement an ion-trap quantum computer, there exists an urgent need to couple trapped ions and transfer quantum information between them. We are proposing an experimental investigation of coupling ions, trapped in separate ion-traps, via normal-metallic and superconducting transmission lines. Motion of a trapped ion placed in the vicinity of a conducting electrode induces currents in the electrode. This process allows coupling of different ions by tuning the ion motional frequencies. Coherent transfer of the quantum state between different ions will depend on the properties of electronic transport through the electrode. In specific, the presence of the macroscopically coherent BCS condensate in the superconductor is expected to reduce the effect of various decoherence sources on the quantum state transfer. Our investigation will focus on the degree of coherent coupling achieved at cryogenic temperatures, when the transmission line is in the normal state and as it is cooled through the superconducting transition temperature. This will be a significant step towards the realization of coupled trapped-ion qubits towards the goal of implementing a scalable quantum computer and in interfacing ion and superconducting qubits. The proposed process can also be used to cool ion-species not accessible to laser cooling. In addition, it can give rise to a new set of experimental tools for studying electronic transport and noise in normal metals and superconductors.

Keywords: quantum information,quantum optics,ion traps,super conductors
Natural variation for drought tolerance in the grass Brachypodium distachyon, a new model species for ecological genomics (VARGENDROUTOLBRACHY)

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: Spain
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2007-4-1-IOF, 2007)
Start date: 2008-06-01
End date: 2011-05-31
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 234204.75
EU funding (EUR): 234204.75
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Ecological genomics aims to understand the genetic basis of ecologically important traits which constitutes a long-term goal for evolutionary biologists. Although recent advances in genomics have revealed huge amount of segregating variation, we have little understanding of why genes segregate for polymorphisms that influence ecologically important quantitative traits. Plausible evolutionary explanations include deleterious polymorphisms, local adaptation, ongoing positive selection, and other evolutionary processes. Particularly, local adaptation is widely recognized as one of the most important influence on evolution in many plant species. Water stress is one of the major acting selective forces that promote plant adaptation. Understanding the mechanisms of how plants tolerate drought is, thus, a central topic in plant ecology and evolution. This proposed research will provide the first comprehensive evolutionary analysis of the genetic basis of the wild grass Brachypodium distachyon, a new model for functional genomics of temperate cereals, adaptation to dry environments. Specifically, we will address the following major goals: a) to examine the spectrum of genetic variation in traits determining the acquisition and allocation of resources to growth and reproduction in B. distachyon populations adapted to differing drought regimes from multiple genotypes across a naturally occurring water-stress gradient in the Iberian Peninsula and southern France; b) to infer what evolutionary forces shaping natural genetic variation in this ecologically important trait, with special emphasis on local adaptation processes. The major hypothesis to be tested in this project is that local adaptation will determine in a major extent nuclear polymorphisms for drought tolerance in B. dystachyon.

Keywords: plant ecology,evolution,ecological genomics,evolutionary biology,qtls,ecological genetics,water stress
Intuitive Ethics and Sensitive Technologies (INEST)

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: United Kingdom
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2007-2-1-IEF, 2007)
Start date: 2008-10-01
End date: 2010-10-31
Duration (months): 25.0
Total project cost (EUR): 170142.1
EU funding (EUR): 170142.1
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The broad objective of the Intuitive Ethics and Sensitive Technologies (INEST) project is to advance the understanding of factors underlying public perceptions of sensitive technologies – technologies whose implications intersect with social values and challenge presumptions about the natural order and life. It is intended to move the field beyond static descriptions of public opinion to the dynamics of intuitive (public) ethics, characterised by social values, moral dilemmas and competing world views. An interdisciplinary framework will be developed integrating findings from studies of technology perception with theories and concepts from moral psychology, social psychology, anthropology and sociology. This framework will guide a programme of empirical research that includes quantitative and qualitative analyses of intuitive ethics and a case study on synthetic biology. While it is assumed that every technology has some unique characteristics, it is also assumed that in the public mind there a ‘family resemblances’ between different technologies. Some such family resemblances are the result of challenges to widely accepted notions of the natural order and life, raising similar ethical concerns among the public – concerns that extend beyond utilities and risks. The research will identify the dimensions of sensitivity and explore their mutual interactions and conflicts. This will provide a better theoretical understanding of public perceptions of technologies, tools for the early identification of potentially controversial technologies and support for devising agendas for public engagement.

Keywords: science and technology studies,social psychology,intuitive ethics,public opinion,risk perception,moral intuition
Algorithmics for Metagenomics on Grids (METAGENOGRIDS)

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: France
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2007-4-1-IOF, 2007)
Start date: 2008-07-17
End date: 2010-07-16
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 118572.06
EU funding (EUR): 118572.06
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Numerous critical problems in bioinformatics and computational biology are computationally intensive and could benefit from being solved on a computational Grid, that is a network of geographically distributed computers. Most works that combine bioinformatics and Grids focus on biological problems that can be trivially adapted to Grids, staying clear of more complex problems. In this fellowship we propose to address, in an interdisciplinary research, the resolution on Grids of two complex and demanding problems: metagenomics assembly and metagenomics annotation. Metagenomics is the study of the genomes of an entire community of microbes; metagenomics assembly is the problem of assembling the genome of each of the microbial species in the studied community. The applicant, a Grid computing expert, proposes to work with experts in bioinformatics and experts in Grid computing to design new algorithmic solutions to solve these two metagenomics problems. In this proposal, the applicant would simultaneously visit for a year, and work with, Prof. Guylaine Poisson's Bioinformatics Lab (BiL) and Prof. Henri Casanova's Concurrent Research Group (CoRG), both located at the University of Hawai`i at Manoa, USA.

Keywords: parallel computing,distributed computing,bioinformatics
A new approach to modelling turbulent planetary circulations (CONVECT)

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: United Kingdom
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2007-2-1-IEF, 2007)
Start date: 2008-06-09
End date: 2010-06-08
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 169390.93
EU funding (EUR): 169390.93
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Observations of the Earth&apos;s atmosphere and oceans and of other planetary atmospheres have revealed highly dynamic, complex motions over a wide range of spatial and temporal scales. One of the most spectacular examples is Jupiter&apos;s atmosphere, which consists of dozens of nearly zonal counter-propagating jets of fluid along with a multitude of energetic, interacting eddies or vortices, the largest being the Great Red Spot. Somehow, in a way not well understood, these vortices not only co-exist with the counter-propagating jets but appear to play a central role in maintaining them. The key objective of this research project is to clarify how these vortices shape planetary circulations in general. This is an ambitious goal, and one which has already attracted considerable research effort worldwide. What we believe is new and worth applying in this context is a powerful numerical method, the `Contour-Advective Semi-Lagrangian&apos; (CASL), capable of simulating a range of spatial scales simply beyond the reach of conventional numerical methods --- even on the world&apos;s largest supercomputers. But in addition, we will examine more realistic ways of forcing these flows, e.g. by implanting small-scale vortices believed to result from convective processes. Nearly without exception, previous research has considered forcing in spectral space, and usually over a narrow band of wavenumbers, to similate spectral cascades and to compare with idealised theories of turbulence. We question whether such forcing is relevant to observed planetary circulations, and we aim to contrast the two approaches. To understand specifically how jets develop in response to vortex activity, we plan to comprehensively examine idealised planetary circulations subject to both large-scale and small-scale thermal forcing. The great novelty here is that we can do this efficiently and without undesireable numerical dissipation effects, by employing the CASL method.

Keywords: applied mathematics,geophysical fluid dynamics
Spatial cognition and sensory substitution (SENSORY SUBSTITUTION)

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: United Kingdom
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2007-2-1-IEF, 2007)
Start date: 2008-06-01
End date: 2010-05-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 168256.91
EU funding (EUR): 168256.91
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

This multidisciplinary research project will investigate the mechanisms underlying the distinction between bodily and distant regions of space. Tool use, by modifying the representations of our bodily and perceptual spaces, allows for an understanding of the plasticity of the limits between self and non-self. Most studies conducted to date on this issue have investigated the mechanisms that allow extension of the body to include elements located in a distant space (e.g., rubber hand illusion). However, little attention has been given to the reverse phenomenon: How stimuli received on the body can be projected to a distant space. The research project proposes to use visual-to-tactile sensory substitution in order to investigate this phenomenon. In particular, it is hypothesized that the mechanisms allowing for distant perceived localization of stimuli received on the body surface involve the automaticity of perception and exteriorisation, which corresponds to the moment when tactile stimuli provided by a sensory substitution device are no longer felt on the skin, but are rather perceived as referring to objects located at a distance. In order to characterise these mechanisms, the research project proposes a first set of experiments to investigate the level of automaticity of perception after training with a visual-to-tactile sensory substitution device. The second set of experiments investigates the mechanisms of exteriorisation and, in particular, the laws of spatial exploration allowing for the perception of objects as located in front of the observer. Finally, the third part of the project investigates the cognitive functions and brain regions that mediate processing of distant perception with sensory substitution devices. Thus, by using an empirical methodology peculiar to cognitive neuroscience, this research will provide insights into one of the main questions of contemporary philosophy, namely the question of the distinction between self and non-self.

Keywords: sensory substitution,crossmodal perception,bodily space,external space,distinction self non-self,plasticity,visual,tactile,exteriorisation,distal attribution