Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Pathogen derived Immunomodulatory components as potential mediators of transplant tolerance. (TOLEROGENIC PAMPS)

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: Ireland
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2009-RG, 2009)
Start date: 2009-10-15
End date: 2013-10-14
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Pathogenic organisms such as bacteria, viruses and parasitic worms have evolved strategies to actively subvert the host immune system, facilitating their persistence. As a consequence, the identification of specific pathogen derived immunomodulatory molecules has become an intense area of research with a number of such molecules having been found to offer potential as immunotherapeutics in animal models of autoimmune disease and allergy. As there is considerable overlap between the cellular immune responses mounted against &apos;self&apos; antigens in the case of autoimmunity, and alloantigens in the context of transplantation, we will examine whether immunomodulatory components identified from the excretory secretory (ES) products of the helminth parasite, Fasciola hepatica can alter the generation of an alloimmune response. We will examine the influence of specific immunomodulatory ES components on the generation of alloresponses by examining their specific effects on both antigen presenting cells and T cells. Furthermore we will examine the efficacy of specific ES products in promoting transplant tolerance in models of graft versus host disease and organ transplantation.

Keywords: transplant tolerance,graft versus host,helminth,parasite,immunomodulation
EXCELMEAT:an international research network for the genetic improvement of pigmeat quality and the development of biosensing technologies as rapid and cost-effective tools for meat quality evaluation (EXCELMEAT)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: International Research Staff Exchange Scheme
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: Spain,United Kingdom,Spain,Italy,Belgium
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2009-IRSES, 2009)
Start date: 2011-02-08
End date: 2015-02-07
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 84600.0
EU funding (EUR): 84600.0
Participants: 5
Project status: CLOSED

EXCELMEAT puts forward the collaboration between 8 research groups (from Belgium, China, Italy, Spain, UK, Ukraine and USA) with international projection in the field of pig genetics. EXCELMEAT aims at creating an International Pig Genetics and Meat Quality Network to (i) increase worldwide cooperation in the area of pigmeat quality; (ii) provide long-term training schemes for scientists; (iii) stimulate academia-industry interaction; (iv) develop multidisciplinary collaborative projects on the genetics of pork quality; (v) develop new biomarkers and technologies (biosensors) for rapid evaluation of pigmeat quality traits. Pork quality is a complex term defined by a plethora of traits related to pig carcass and performance, sensory and texture attributes, fatty acid content and composition and muscle fibre types. Sensory traits, of especial relevance for consumers, depend mostly on meat composition traits (mainly muscle fibre types and fat distribution and composition). EXCELMEAT includes a collaborative working plan based on the exchange of research staff aiming at optimising and improving pigmeat tenderness via marker selection for the relevant sensory, nutritional and technological traits. To maximise the training and research outcome of each stage, researcher exchanges are based on partners’ complementarity on skills, technology and biological resources. In parallel to developing new genetic markers for pork quality, we will explore the use of novel and low cost technologies (biosensors) for rapid evaluation of pork quality traits on-line or at retailers, which could potentially be adapted for evaluation of genetic selection on live animals. As part of this network we plan to organise two workshops (on biosensor development and on the genetic aspects of pork quality) and one general conference, which will include academy, industry and stakeholder delegates to promote interaction and facilitate transfer of scientific results and new technologies to the end-users.

Keywords: natural sciences,animal breeding,molecular biology,molecular genetics,genomics,proteomics,bioassays,meat producing animals,animal growth,genetic selection
Interactions between prefrontal cortex and area V4 in attention (VISATT)

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: Greece
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2009-RG, 2009)
Start date: 2010-03-01
End date: 2014-02-28
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

A visual scene is typically crowded containing many different objects which cannot all be processed simultaneously by our visual system. Attention is employed to select behaviorally relevant stimuli and facilitate further visual processing. Studies in humans and non human primates have implicated numerous brain areas in visual attention but how activity in each one of those influences activity in other areas of the network remains largely unknown. Current theories on visual attention suggest that prefrontal and parietal cortical brain areas are part of an attentional control system. Accordingly, it has been suggested that these areas provide “top-down” signals that modulate sensory processing in early visual areas in favor of attended objects and/or locations that require further analysis by our visual system. To test the hypothesis that the prefrontal cortex is a source of top-down signals to early visual areas we will conduct neurophysiological experiments in non human primates engaged in a behavioral task in which attention is guided on the basis of object features. We will carry out extracellular recordings in the prefrontal cortex and area V4 simultaneously in order to study how neurons across the two areas interact and how their interaction is modulated during attention. Moreover, to establish the anatomical and functional substrates that mediate attention in the prefrontal cortex and area V4 we will examine the contribution of distinct classes of neurons in attentional mechanisms. The proposed study is expected to enhance our understanding of the neural basis of selective attention and reveal more general principles of brain function. Understanding the neural basis of attentional mechanisms is critical in order to find better cures for attentional deficits that accompany cognitive impairments as well as for developing a visual prosthesis for people with visual impairments.

Keywords: neurophysiology,extracellular recording,visual attention,feedback,prefrontal cortex,visual cortex,monkey
Revolutionising Organic Synthesis: Efficient One-Pot Synthesis of Complex Organic Molecules for Non-Experts (ROSEPOT)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Advanced grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Materials and Synthesis
Countries involved: United Kingdom
Call:  (ERC-2009-AdG, 2009)
Start date: 2010-04-01
End date: 2015-03-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1579277.0
EU funding (EUR): 1579277.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The creation of new molecular entities and subsequent exploitation of their properties is central to a broad spectrum of research disciplines from medicine to materials. However, despite substantial progress, the problems and difficulties associated with chemical syntheses severely limits the development of these disciplines. In order to meet the emerging challenges across new disciplinary boundaries in a rapidly changing scientific landscape we require a step-change in the development of more rapid and robust techniques in organic synthesis. Our plan is to develop new reactions and strategies which enable us to essentially grow a carbon chain with complete control over its shape (stereochemistry) and functionality (which groups are incorporated). Specifically, we propose to create a family of chiral carbanions with good leaving groups attached which can be inserted into C-B bonds sequentially and in one pot so that at the end of the operation a complex natural product, pharmaceutical or material will be produced. Our ultimate vision is to render complex organic synthesis as easy as peptide/oligonucleotide synthesis is now by attaching the boronic esters to a solid support and automating the steps. This would enable complex organic molecules to be accessible even by non-experts in synthesis. Furthermore, by variation of the reagents and their stereochemistry any compound and any stereoisomer will be accessible thus allowing diversity elements to be introduced without additional cost. The impact for organic synthesis and the wider scientific community is immense as it will allow the properties and potential function of complex molecules (from pharmaceuticals to materials) to be studied and then exploited. It is enabling science.

Keywords: organic synthesis,asymmetric synthesis,stereocontrol,natural products
Genetic diversity of Stone Fruit trees (Peach, Apricot and Cherry) in Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia (STONE)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: International Research Staff Exchange Scheme
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: France,Germany,Türkiye
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2009-IRSES, 2009)
Start date: 2011-01-01
End date: 2014-12-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 223200.0
EU funding (EUR): 223200.0
Participants: 3
Project status: CLOSED

The STONE project addresses scientific issues related to stone fruit (Prunus species) biodiversity. In a worldwide competitive context, stone fruit breeding programmes have to face new challenges regarding the maintenance of high quality fruit production under a changing climatic environment and increasing threats from pathogens, especially the sharka disease. STONE is a four years coordinated joint programme of staff exchange for short and medium periods between two European organisations, an associated and two ICPC third countries. The IRSES scheme is designed to provide opportunities of mobility to researchers and support research organisations. It integrates existing bilateral collaborative activities into a coherent long-term multinational programme addressing a key issue to two high priorities on the political agenda of the EU, i.e sustainable agricultural fruit production and biodiversity. The programme of exchange is intended to develop common tools and to jointly use these tools for the comparison of the genetic biodiversity in the European, Caucasian and Central Asian Apricot, Peach and Cherry germplasms. The project objectives include the assessment of the genetic diversity at selected loci directly affecting response to virus infection and to climate changes. The range of common fruit tree species of interest and of climatic conditions, as well as the strategic importance of fresh fruit production in all the countries involved will provide a coherent framework and socio-economic background for the planned research activities. Three topics have been identified as most relevant for all partners involved in the STONE project: assessment of the broad genetic diversity at the centers of origin and along the expansion routes of Prunus species after domestication and analysis of the genetic variability at loci related to Plum pox virus resistance and at loci controlling winter chilling-dependent floral induction.

Keywords: biodiversity status and trends,molecular genetics,resource studies,arboriculture
Galaxy formation models for the next generation of evolutionary and cosmological surveys (GALFORMOD)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Advanced grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Universe sciences
Countries involved: Germany
Call:  (ERC-2009-AdG, 2009)
Start date: 2010-01-01
End date: 2014-12-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1830000.0
EU funding (EUR): 1830000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Over the next decade, much effort on major astronomical facilities will be dedicated to large-scale surveys of the galaxy population. Their aim is two-fold: understanding the origin and evolution of galaxies and their central supermassive black holes, and clarifying the nature of dark matter, dark energy and the process that produced all cosmic structure. Achieving these goals will require powerful and flexible modelling tools that can simulate galaxy evolution in all viable cosmologies and under a wide variety of assumptions about the governing physical processes. Such capabilities do not currently exist. I propose to develop them through a major expansion of the functionality and scope of the Millennium Simulation archive. New simulations, new theoretical approaches and new web services will allow users to study galaxy formation across the full range of galaxy masses (from dwarf spheroidals to giant cDs). Remote users will be able to change parameters and modelling prescriptions at will, creating virtual surveys of universes with any chosen cosmology and galaxy formation model. Matching to multiwavelength surveys of real galaxies will make it possible to isolate the physical processes driving galaxy evolution, and to characterize the systematic errors that uncertain galaxy formation physics induce in precision estimates of cosmological parameters. Scientific problems where these new capabilities may be decisive in enabling progress include: the role of supermassive black holes in shaping galaxy formation; the origin of diversity in the forms of galaxies and in their nuclear activity; the effects of environment on galaxy structure; the formation history of our own Milky Way; the nature of the first galaxies and their effects on later and more easily observable generations of galaxies; the distribution and nature of dark matter; the origin of all cosmic structure; and the nature of dark energy.

Keywords: supercomputer simulations virtual observatory services
The Influence of Interfaces, Confinement and Compartmentalization on Chemical Reactions (INTERCOM)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Advanced grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Physical and Analytical Chemical sciences
Countries involved: Netherlands
Call:  (ERC-2009-AdG, 2009)
Start date: 2010-05-01
End date: 2015-04-30
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2147726.0
EU funding (EUR): 2147726.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Water is essential for life on our planet and is the solvent of choice for Nature to carry out her syntheses. In contrast, our methods of making complex organic molecules have taken us far away from the watery milieu of biosynthesis. Indeed, it is fair to say that most organic reactions commonly used both in academic laboratories and in industry fail in the presence of water or oxygen. At the same time of course, chemical reactors are very different from the cellular environment where Nature s synthesis is carried out. This research proposal aims to incorporate some of the key characteristic of cellular reactors, i.e. confinement, compartmentalization and interfaces, into model droplet-based reactors. The envisioned reactors will comprise of monodisperse aqueous droplets in oil carrier phases with volumes ranging from pL to nL, produced in microfluidics devices or in tubing, in very large numbers. These droplets will have precisely determined interfacial areas, which can be used for the study of so-called on water reactions, a new area of synthetic chemistry rapidly gaining in interest. Furthermore, the interfaces can be functionalized with catalytically active surfactants and by confining the droplets into ever decreasing volumes, the effect of nanoconfinement on enzymatic and other reactions can be studied. Finally, individual droplets provide a completely compartmentalized environment, suitable for the study of single enzymes in a crowded environment, but also for systematic studies into communication between compartmentalized, mutually incompatible, reaction systems. This proposal presents a radically new approach to increasing our understanding of chemical reactions in confined spaces and at interfaces and provides a technological platform for the creation of chemically linked networks with emerging complexity.

Keywords: microfluidics,microdroplets
From Supramolecular Polymers to Compartmentalized Systems (SUPOCOSYS)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Advanced grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Materials and Synthesis
Countries involved: Netherlands
Call:  (ERC-2009-AdG, 2009)
Start date: 2010-04-01
End date: 2015-03-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1947937.0
EU funding (EUR): 1947937.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

This ERC Grant proposal aims to explore the many challenges offered by non-covalent synthesis of functional supramolecular systems. This proposal will use the many possibilities of supramolecular polymers and how we envisage the construction of supramolecular compartmentalized systems based on specific secondary interactions. By studying the mechanisms of the formation of supramolecular polymers, new entrees are foreseen to limit the degree of supramolecular polymers by anti-cooperative mechanisms and to control both the depolymerization and polymerization aiming at supramolecular polymerization processes out of equilibrium. These insights will be used to design, synthesize and self-assembly materials that dynamically adapt their properties to cells that are brought in contact with these biomaterials. With these materials, parts of a bioartificial kidney will be made. With all the knowledge obtained through the years, we have recently introduced a concept to stepwise create folded macromolecules making use of our well-known supramolecular units. These single chain nanoparticles with internal structure are now proposed to be the starting point for making compartmentalized three-dimensional systems that possess functionality similar to proteins. Therefore, also novel techniques to synthesize well-defined polymers are introduced.

Keywords: supramolecular polymers,self-assembly,materials chemistry
Design of Novel Catalysis by Metal Complexes (NOVCAT)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Advanced grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Materials and Synthesis
Countries involved: Israel
Call:  (ERC-2009-AdG, 2009)
Start date: 2010-04-01
End date: 2015-03-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1912018.0
EU funding (EUR): 1912018.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Global concerns regarding the economy, environment and sustainable energy resources dictate an urgent need for the design of novel catalytic reactions. We have recently discovered novel, environmentally benign reactions catalyzed by pincer complexes, including an entirely new reaction, namely the direct coupling of alcohols with amines to produce amides and H2 (Science, 2007, 317, 790). We believe that the mechanisms of these reactions involve a new concept in catalysis: metal-ligand cooperation by aromatization-dearomatization of the ligand. Such cooperation can play key roles also in the activation of H2, C-H, and other bonds. Remarkably, we have very recently discovered a new strategy towards light-induced water splitting into H2 and O2, also based on metal-ligand cooperation in a pincer system, and have observed an unprecedented O-O bond formation process (Science, in press). The design of efficient catalytic systems for splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen, driven by sunlight, and without use of sacrificial reagents, is among the most important challenges facing science today, underpinning the potential of hydrogen as a clean, sustainable fuel. In this context, it is essential to enhance our understanding of the fundamental chemical steps involved in such processes. We plan to (a) explore the scope of bond activation and catalysis based on the new concept of metal ligand cooperation by aromatization-dearomatization (b) study the mechanism and scope of the newly discovered novel approach towards water splitting by light (c) develop novel environmentally benign catalytic reactions involving O-H, C-H and other bonds, such as anti-Markovnikov hydration of alkenes (d) develop unprecedented asymmetric catalysis using chiral cooperating ligands (e) develop new CO2 chemistry, including its hydrogenation to methanol and photolytic splitting to CO and O2. The research is expected to lead to novel catalysis, of importance to environment and sustainable energy.

Keywords: organometallic chemistry,green chemistry,water splitting,pincer complexes,bond activation,cooperating ligands,co2
Doping, Charge Transfer and Energy Flow in Hybrid Nanoparticle Systems (DCENSY)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Advanced grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Physical and Analytical Chemical sciences
Countries involved: Israel
Call:  (ERC-2009-AdG, 2009)
Start date: 2010-06-01
End date: 2015-05-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2499000.0
EU funding (EUR): 2499000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

We target a frontier in nanocrystal science of combining disparate materials into a single hybrid nanosystem. This offers an intriguing route to engineer nanomaterials with multiple functionalities in ways that are not accessible in bulk materials or in molecules. Such control of novel material combinations on a single nanoparticle or in a super-structure of assembled nanoparticles, presents alongside with the synthesis challenges, fundamental questions concerning the physical attributes of nanoscale systems. My goals are to create new highly controlled hybrid nanoparticle systems, focusing on combinations of semiconductors and metals, and to decipher the fundamental principles governing doping in nanoparticles and charge and energy transfer processes among components of the hybrid systems. The research addresses several key challenges: First, in synthesis, combining disparate material components into one hybrid nanoparticle system. Second, in self assembly, organizing a combination of semiconductor (SC) and metal nanoparticle building blocks into hybrid systems with controlled architecture. Third in fundamental physico-chemical questions pertaining to the unique attributes of the hybrid systems, constituting a key component of the research. A first aspect concerns doping of SC nanoparticles with metal atoms. A second aspect concerns light-induced charge transfer between the SC part and metal parts of the hybrid constructs. A third related aspect concerns energy transfer processes between the SC and metal components and the interplay between near-field enhancement and fluorescence quenching effects. Due to the new properties, significant impact on nanocrystal applications in solar energy harvesting, biological tagging, sensing, optics and electropotics is expected.

Keywords: nanocrystals,quantum dots,quantum rods,semiconductors doping,charge transfer,energy transfer,fluorescence,near field microscopy,single molecule spectroscopy