Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Quantum magnetic sensing of neurons using nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond (NEURONQ)

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: Israel
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2013-IEF, 2013)
Start date: 2014-06-01
End date: 2016-05-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 256148.4
EU funding (EUR): 256148.4
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Brain research and quantum technology are at the focus of 21st century science. Although theoretical and experimental studies have provided some insights regarding the mechanisms of how the brain acquires, represents and stores information, a comprehensive theory of the brain and the underlying neural information processing is still missing. Experimental techniques to study brain processes on different levels of description, notably the sub-neuron (synaptic, dendritic and axonal), single neuron and neural network level, are therefore of fundamental importance for brain research. Recently, a new promising technique in solid state physics has emerged for measuring electric and magnetic fields at the nanometer scale with unprecedented spatiotemporal resolution (sub-micron and sub-ms range). The nitrogen-vacancy (NV) defect in diamond is a unique ultra-sensitive quantum device that can sense external magnetic and electrical fields via its spin states, which can be read-out optically using electron spin resonances. The NEURONQ project aims towards the development of an NV centre based neuroimaging system for real-time recording of neural activity on the sub-neuron, neuron and neuron network level under ambient conditions. The NEURONQ projects combines both disciplines, brain research and quantum technology, into an exciting multidisciplinary research effort by combining expertise from physicists, neuroscientists and nanoengineers. The NEURONQ project is expected to have impact of paramount importance for basic neuroscience research and neurotechnology, and thus, will significantly contribute to European scientific and technological competitiveness and excellency.

Keywords: optical magnetometry,diamond,nitrogen-vacancy centers,electron spin resonance,wide-field fluoresence microscope,nanodiamonds,neural network dynamics,neural activity
Iconicity and ecology of languages: new insight (ICON-ECO-SPEECH)

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: France
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2013-IIF, 2013)
Start date: 2014-09-29
End date: 2016-09-28
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 269743.8
EU funding (EUR): 269743.8
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

In the present project, we propose a pioneer research that will provide new insights into human language ecology and evolution by exploring three rarely studied natural traditional oral practices with a multidisciplinary methodology. These are alternative speech forms that always rely on a spoken language and that consist of mapping voiced speech signals into very different types of sounds, such as whistling, instrumental music and animal calls. These speech transformations are respectively called ‘whistled languages’, ‘the singing/speaking mode of musical instruments’ (or ‘instrumental speech’), and ‘onomatopoetic words named after animal calls’. One of the main focuses of the project will be to analyze the interrelations between production and perception in such emulation processes based on iconicity with voiced speech (with methods of linguistic description as well as behavioral and electrophysiological experiments). Indeed, each of these phenomena transforms speech in a way that highlights some language-specific phonetic and phonological processes as well as some key perceptual processes of human speech recognition. The second principal axe of the project will be to analyze the impact of the biotope on human language because such oral practices are the result of both productive and perceptive adaptations of speech to real ecological situations (both social and biological). We will focus on the impact of the acoustic constraints imposed by typical natural biotopes on such special speech forms (such as dense forests, plain open fields and deserts). Our project will include a study on how such environmental constraints also affect shouted and normal speech, as well as a comparison with animal communication adaptation to the same constraints. The applicant is one of the main specialists on these topics for which he has developed pioneer methodologies. This project will reinforce the Franco-Brazilian collaborations of the international network he has already built.

Keywords: acoustic iconicity,imitation,ecology of languages,bioacoustics,whistled languages,talking musical instruments,instrumental speech,perceptual integration,onomatopoeia,neurosciences,biotope
Investigating epigenetic silencing mechanisms within cancer (BET-HUIDOBRO)

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-2013-IEF, 2013)
Start date: 2014-07-01
End date: 2016-06-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 221606.4
EU funding (EUR): 221606.4
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Epigenetic silencing is essential for modulating gene expression patterns in developing organisms and has very big impact on the genome integrity. Cancer, as well as many other diseases, has been linked to the changes in transcription of regulatory genes due to the aberrant epigenetic silencing. Despite many epigenetic regulators, enzymes including histone deacetylases, methyltransferases, and DNA methyltransferases, were discovered, it is critical to bridge the gap in our understanding of the mechanisms contributing to chromatin structure modulation. We employed a phenotypic screening assay in mouse erythroid leukemia cells that harbour a silenced green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter transgene in order to isolate new components of heterochromatic silencing and identify compounds that have potential to de-repress tumour suppressor genes in cancer cells. Strikingly among the compounds with strong anti-silencing properties we found inhibitors of bromo and extra-terminal domain (BET) proteins, which recently became massively popular as new generation chemotherapy anti-cancer drugs. Since so far BET proteins were mainly considered to act as transcriptional co-activators, we have set out to investigate the molecular mechanism of action of the BET inhibitors with respect to their anti-silencing properties. Our preliminary data suggests that inhibition of BET proteins results in loss of the DNA methylation, and specific histone modifications from heterochromatic regions. The aims of this proposal are: 1) To determine which BET proteins are important for heterochromatin maintenance; 2) To determine the mechanism of action of the key BET protein(s) in epigenetic silencing; 3) To analyse chromatin changes resulting from inhibiting of the key BET protein(s) in the selected cancer cell lines. We expect that this research will not only shed light on fundamental principles of genome organization, but also will instruct cancer research and lead to new therapeutic approaches.

Keywords: synthetic epigenetics,cancer,transcription,heterochromatin,bromodomains
Spectroscopy of positronium: atom control and gravity measurements (SPECTRO-POS)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Life-long training and career development
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: United Kingdom
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2013-CIG, 2013)
Start date: 2014-03-01
End date: 2018-02-28
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The metastable atomic system Positronium (Ps) can be useful for a wide variety of scientific investigations. These include QED tests via precision spectroscopy, the formation of antihydrogen, the creation of positron-atom bound states and Ps molecules, probes of nano-porous and mesoporous materials, the generation of electron-positron plasmas and even the creation of Bose-Einstein condensed Ps. Moreover, long lived Rydberg states of Ps could provide a way to study antimatter gravity. However, being composed of a particle-antiparticle pair Ps is a short lived entity, and conducting such experiments can be very challenging. Recently the use of positron trapping technology has made it possible to generate high instantaneous positron currents, and thereby perform laser excitation of Ps and observe multipositronic effects (such as Ps-Ps scattering, Ps molecule formation and the self-polarization of a Ps gas via spin exchange quenching). This exciting work is opening the door to many new research areas, and the underlying methodology has yet to be fully refined. This project aims to build upon previous advances in this field of positronium physics by expanding the areas of study via new technological approaches and also via collaboration with other groups that have overlapping interests. In particular efforts will be made to create and manipulate longer lived (Rydberg) states of Ps using techniques that have already been developed for other atoms (especially H and He). This offers the possibility of manipulating or even trapping Ps atoms that will not self-annihilate. This in turn would bring into being a unique source of atoms for spectroscopic investigations and facilitate attempts to perform a measurement of the Ps gravitational free-fall. The latter may offer clues to help explain the apparent lack of antimatter in the Universe, which is currently one of the biggest mysteries in Physics.

Keywords: positronium,spectroscopy,antimatter,rydberg,gravity,atom-optics
Exploiting Gravitational-Wave Observations: Modeling Coalescing Black Hole Binaries and Extreme Mass Ratio Inspirals (EGO)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Life-long training and career development
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: France
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2013-CIG, 2013)
Start date: 2014-05-01
End date: 2018-04-30
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The existence of gravitational radiation is one of the most important predictions of Einstein's general theory of relativity. The successful observation of gravitational waves (GWs) will have a tremendous impact on physics, astrophysics, and cosmology. A worldwide effort is currently underway to achieve the first direct detection of GWs by using kilometer-scale, ground-based laser interferometers such as Advanced Virgo and GEO-HF in Europe, Advanced LIGO in the US and KAGRA in Japan, as well as future space-based antennas, such as the European eLISA/NGO mission. Among the most promising sources for the detection of this gravitational radiation are inspiralling and coalescing binary systems composed of black holes and/or neutron stars (compact binaries). The detection and analysis of these signals require very accurate theoretical predictions, for use as "gravitational waveforms" to be cross-correlated against the output of the detectors. The main objective of this project is to develop highly accurate and physically motivated gravitational waveforms that will model the GW emission from all compact binaries (stellar-mass compact binaries, supermassive black hole binaries, extreme mass ratio inspirals). The development of such waveforms is a prerequisite for the full scientific exploitation of current and future ground-based and space-based GW detectors. I will model the inspiral part of the orbital evolution by using black hole perturbation theory, an approximation method in general relativity. The resulting perturbative waveforms will be "hybridized" to a set of waveforms modeling the final plunge, merger, and final black hole ringdown, generated using numerical-relativity simulations of compact binaries. These hybrid waveforms will be used to build a bank of phenomenological waveforms covering the entire space of source parameters, for use in both ground-based and space-based observatories for detection and parameter estimation.

Keywords: astrophysics,cosmology,gravitation theory,general relativity,gravitational waves,compact objects,black holes,neutron stars,post-newtonian theory,perturbation theory,numerical relativity
Proteostasis of aging and stem cells (PROTEOSTASIS OF HESC)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Life-long training and career development
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: Germany
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2013-CIG, 2013)
Start date: 2014-08-01
End date: 2018-07-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

While it is has long been noted that genome stability is a central function required for survival of stem cells, the role of protein homeostasis (proteostasis) has not been explored. With the asymmetric divisions invoked by stem cells, the passage of damaged proteins to daughter cells can destroy the resulting lineage of cells and possibly accelerate the aging process. Furthermore, the possible retention of damaged proteins by the stem cell can result in diminished stem cell function and possibly premature aging. Therefore, a firm understanding of how stem cells maintain their proteostasis is of central importance. Because experiments with mammalian embryonic stem cells have clearly demonstrated their capacity to replicate continuously in the absence of senescence, we hypothesize that these cells could provide a novel paradigm to study the regulation of proteostasis and its demise in aging. We have recently described that human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) exhibit high proteasome activity compared to their differentiated counterparts. This enhanced proteasome activity is necessary for hESC function. Furthermore, we have uncovered that PSMD11/rpn-6, a key proteasomal subunit, is required for this activity and its mode of regulation and conservation in the aging process of the invertebrate C. elegans. Moreover, ectopic expression of rpn-6 protects from the symptoms associated to Huntington’s disease. We hypothesize that, in addition to its regulation of the proteasome, hESCs must differentially regulate multiple subcellular stress response pathways designed to protect the hESC from disequilibrium in the synthesis, folding, and degradation of its proteome. In this work, we will: 1) define the mechanisms by which enhanced proteasome activity controls hESC function; and 2) determine how other proteostasis pathways impinges upon hESC function 3) with an eye to understand how this network can be adapted to alleviate age-related pathologies such as Huntington’s disease.

Keywords: stem cells,aging,proteostasis,proteasome,stress responses,huntington's disease,alzheimer's disease,parkinson's disease,neural differentiation,c. elegans,lifespan,healthspan
LutEin Algae Feasibility (LEAF)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Proof of concept grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Countries involved: Ireland
Call:  (ERC-2013-PoC, 2013)
Start date: 2014-05-01
End date: 2015-07-31
Duration (months): 15.0
Total project cost (EUR): 165360.0
EU funding (EUR): 149071.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Lutein (L), a compound which is entirely of dietary origin, is essential for optimal vision and protection against the world’s leading cause of blindness (age-related macular degeneration), and also confers other health benefits related to its antioxidant activity. The global market for L ($233 million in 2010) is expected to rise to $309 million by 2018. Currently, the world’s L market depends solely on extraction of this carotenoid from the marigold flower head, and it takes circa 60 days to complete plant growth and enter into the reproductive stage, from when the flower bud appears. Marigold cultivation requires large agricultural acreage, huge volumes of water and chemicals, and traditional farm equipment and labour. In other words, extracting L from the marigold flower is a labour-intensive process that is season- and climate-dependent, in a way that excludes an EU-based industry of competitive production of L. In summary, this project will develop a method of L production from an alternative source to the Marigold, so that the resulting patentable processes will stimulate an economically viable, EU-based and more environmentally-friendly industry to meet the growing global demand for L.

Keywords: 281096
Toxicokinetics and biotransformation in aquatic invertebrates (TOXKINBIO)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Life-long training and career development
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: United Kingdom
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2013-CIG, 2013)
Start date: 2014-03-01
End date: 2018-02-28
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Pesticides, pharmaceuticals and other chemicals support our modern standard of life, but their use can have detrimental impacts on our environment. We want to study the uptake, biotransformation and elimination (toxicokinetics) of pharmaceuticals in aquatic invertebrates. We aim to identify and model biotransformation pathways in four different species. Studying the comparative toxicokinetics of small, aquatic invertebrates is of great interest because it contributes to understanding evolutionary and environmental mechanisms and causes of differences in species sensitivity to chemicals. We want to apply a cutting edge analytical method to discover and quantify biotransformation products and pathways of pharmaceuticals (Ibuprofen, Fluoxetine, Carbamazepine, Venlafaxine) in small aquatic invertebrates (Daphnia magna, Chironomus riparius, Hyalella azteca, Lymnaea stagnalis).We selected pharmaceuticals which are frequently detected in aquatic systems, have known adverse effects on aquatic invertebrates and are metabolised in humans. Test organisms are cultured and were selected based on their importance in chemical testing (ecotoxicology) as well as their diversity in respiratory strategy and phylogeny. Extracts of exposed and control organisms are analysed using high resolution mass spectrometry complemented by expert systems for the prediction of transformation pathways and products. We will carry out toxicokinetic experiments where we measure concentrations of parent compound and biotransformation products in the organism at different times during the experiment. A pulsed exposure design ensures efficient measurement and calibration of the toxicokinetic model consisting of a set of differential equations. We hope to find novel biotransformation pathways and will search for patterns in toxicokinetic parameters. Toxicokinetic differences between species will help to understand sensitivity to synthetic chemicals and quantify the importance of biotransformation.

Keywords: ecotoxicology,biotransformation,micropollutants,emerging pollutants,water quality,bioaccumulation,transformation products,modelling,tissue residues,environmental risk of chemicals
Molecular imaging of redox processes in cancer (IMAGINGREDOX)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Life-long training and career development
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: United Kingdom
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2013-CIG, 2013)
Start date: 2014-03-01
End date: 2018-02-28
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Background: The ability of cancer cells to survive extreme levels of oxidative stress, an imbalance of free radicals and antioxidants, plays a role in disease aggressiveness. However, there are currently no methods to image the spatial distribution of redox state in the clinic and few preclinical methods have the potential for translation. Our long term goal is to develop sensitive and specific imaging tools with which to study how redox processes contribute to cancer drug resistance, with a view to translating these results into clinical applications. Aims: We aim to explore the hypothesis that the ability of cancer cells to detoxify free radicals is linked to their capacity to evade cell death during therapy. We will perform our studies to test this hypothesis first using live cell microscopy, then through imaging in small animal models. Methods: Existing methods for measuring redox state in live cells, including fluorescence and Raman microscopy, will be studied during modulation of the external environment and derivation of drug resistance. These readouts will be compared to classical biochemical assays of oxidative stress upon cell harvest. A low cost, high sensitivity instrument will then be developed to image these same contrast mechanisms through endoscopy in colorectal cancer mouse models. Finally, a novel “smart” contrast agent concept will be explored to enable deep tissue redox imaging, using both fluorescence endoscopy and photoacoustic tomography. How the results of this research will be used: If elevated antioxidant capacity is causative in the development of drug resistance, the results of this work will provide new strategies for detecting relapse and may aid clinical trials of therapies to target this adaptation. Ultimately, the Marie Curie Career Integration Grant will enable the researcher to establish this novel research area at the University of Cambridge, by strengthening existing collaborations and developing new links within the EU.

Keywords: molecular imaging,cancer research,drug resistance,instrumentation,endoscopy,medical physics,oxidative stress,antioxidants,redox biology,fluorescence,raman,photoacoustic