Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Structure-function analysis of the human plasma glycoprotein afamin, a potential drug target in the treatment of metabolic syndrome. (SAXCESS)

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: Austria
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2011-IIF, 2011)
Start date: 2013-02-01
End date: 2015-01-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 249890.2
EU funding (EUR): 249890.2
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The proposed project (SAXCESS - Structure-function of Afamin by X-ray Crystallography Enabled Structure Solution) builds on preliminary results of a collaborative effort between the applicant (B. Rupp), an experienced structural biologist and crystallographer, based in California, with the group of Dr. Dieplinger, Associate Professor at the host institution (Department of Medical Genetics, Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University Innsbruck). The SAXCESS project centers around the determination and analysis of the detailed molecular structure the human glycoprotein afamin, a vitamin E transporting protein, whose elevated levels are associated with all major parameters for the metabolic syndrome such as high blood glucose, hyperlipemia, obesity and high blood pressure. The immediate objective of this high-risk, high-reward project is the elucidation of the structure-function relationships of afamin following a flexible approach including parallel strategies and fall-back options. In the long term, the transfer of knowledge enabling the successful structure determination of afamin will open an entirely new direction of research at the European host laboratory and build the basis for a long-term collaboration between applicant and host on potential therapeutic applications. Detailed knowledge of the afamin structure will ultimately reveal the origin of its functional diversity and allow critical evaluation of its potential as a therapeutic target within already known but also yet unknown pathophysiological areas. In addition to an excellent scientific record, the applicant has substantial experience as an educator, workshop organizer, and text book author. Special emphasis is placed on public awareness raising outreach activities and transfer of knowledge to the European host laboratory as well as overall enhancement of competitiveness and excellence in the European Research Area.

Keywords: structure determination,protein structure,glycoprotein,structure-function relationship,tocopherol transport,infertilty,metabolic syndrome,neurogenerative disease
The charm and the beauty of LHC (HFQGP)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Intra-European Fellowships
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: Italy
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2011-IEF, 2011)
Start date: 2012-06-01
End date: 2014-12-01
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 257874.8
EU funding (EUR): 257874.8
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

One of the main goals in the field of high-energy nuclear physics is to understand the behavior of hadrons and their constituents in vacuum and under extreme conditions of temperature and density. Quarks in Nature have never been observed free, but always confined into hadrons by the gluon field; however inelastic electron scattering at high momentum transfer indicates that quarks inside the nucleon behave as point-like non interacting particles.One prediction of QCD is a phase transition from standard nuclear matter to a plasma of free quarks and gluons (Quark Gluon Plasma) at high temperatures and densities. The necessary conditions of high energy density are experimentally realized by heavy ion reactions at ultrarelativistic energies. Among the signatures to study the properties of the QGP, the suppression of hard partons due to energy loss in the medium should provide information on the properties of the medium, and on the interaction between the parton and the medium. Energy loss, expected to increase with parton color-charge and decrease with increasing parton mass, leads to a pattern of gradually decreasing suppression when going from gluon-originated light-flavor hadrons to charm and to beauty mesons is expected. In addition the heavy-flavor hadro-chemistry allows to assess the initial temperature and the degree of thermal equilibration of the partons, which may cause heavy quarks to thermalize and hadronize inside the medium via coalescence with another quark from the medium itself.This project aims to measure beauty and to disentangle it from charm with the ALICE detector at LHC, using the new most sophisticated analysis techniques as well as new detector upgrades. Our objectives combine the experience of the applicant in the heavy-flavor physics gained at lower energy experiment at RHIC and the expertise of the host as a leading institute in the proposed subjects to form and present a coherent picture of the fundamental properties of nuclear matter.

Keywords: high energy heavy ion physics,heavy flavour
Ernst Jünger's Intercultural Encounters (EJICEN)

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-2011-IEF, 2011)
Start date: 2012-10-01
End date: 2014-09-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 200371.8
EU funding (EUR): 200371.8
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Ernst Jünger (1895-1998) is one of the most significant writers and thinkers of 20th-century Europe. This project is concerned with the extensive travel diaries that Jünger wrote after World War II and with their depictions of intercultural encounters. The project will contribute significantly to one of the key developing strands of Jünger scholarship, the exploration of his decades-long inquiries into the mysteries of a world beyond rationalist and imperialist conceptions of centre and periphery. The project will show that, for Jünger, the existence of the cultural differences revealed so strongly in his travels is a mark of a liberal, ‘un-modern’ lifestyle, by which is meant a lifestyle not in thrall to material modernity. This is less a position predicated on nostalgia than a sceptical, critical position – itself therefore in fact in many senses a ‘modern’ view. Being based on recent research in phenomenology, the project will highlight the literary and interpretive (historically situated, complex, open-ended) qualities of an intercultural encounter. The project is original in its choice of subject-matter (Jünger’s travel writings) and its central concepts (applying phenomenological research to hermeneutic literature). It will include an archival research component to highlight hermeneutic processes on the level of textual genesis. The project will have implications for the definition of the European project‘s cultural dimensions. European integration – a key concern of Jünger’s – was, for Jünger, a way of safeguarding difference through the recognition of cultural identities under a stable intellectual and institutional roof. Calls for a fundamental re-evaluation of Jünger’s writing, two extensive and commercially successful biographies, and a large exhibition centred on Jünger’s papers indicate a major shift in the reception of Jünger’s works – a shift that will require the detailed examination of his travel writings, the long-neglected backbone of his work.
The Economics of Frugality Between Ancient Rome and Contemporary Western Society (ECOFRUGAL)

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-2011-IEF, 2011)
Start date: 2013-01-01
End date: 2014-12-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 209033.4
EU funding (EUR): 209033.4
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The ECOFRUGAL project explores the relationship between ancient Roman values, behaviours, and laws regarding “material sobriety” and modern conceptions of such that have emerged in conjunction with the crisis now facing advanced capitalism. Using an interdisciplinary, comparative framework that draws on economic anthropology and cultural history, the project aims at a better understanding of Roman culture’s native concepts of frugality and a contextualization of “frugal” theories and practices now developing in Western political, economic, and social thought. Beginning with a lexicographic analysis of Roman concepts of “frugality” and an assessment of the impact of normative “frugal” values on the economic and cultural history of Rome (from the archaic age to the early empire), ECOFRUGAL goes on to articulate a more precise definition of the notions of frugality that have, in recent years, been at the centre of cultural and economic debate, especially in Western Europe. Through a cultural comparison between Roman models of behaviour concerning the limitation of material needs and desires – including their historical transformation – and contemporary Western notions of frugality, the project aims, in particular, to: First, increase significantly the field’s knowledge of the cultural codes according to which the Romans elaborated their conceptions of economy and of the historical dynamics of these conceptions; Second, better understand the relationship between Roman forms of materials sobriety and ideas of frugality that have emerged in the economic and socio-political thought of contemporary society; Third, re-evaluate Roman economic culture as a “resource of experience” for rethinking and thus understanding how the modern world can usefully re-appropriate ancient experience to resolve certain existing problems, and; Finally, to contribute to the intellectual profile of the European Research Area by engaging with a topic of such immediate societal relevance.

Keywords: humanities,classics,economic anthropology of ancient rome,economic history,cultural history,anthropology of the ancient world,comparative studies,roman history,social anthropology
Deciphering RNAi machineries required for miRNAs Cell-to-Cell Transfer in Mammals (DRIMTIM)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Intra-European Fellowships
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: Switzerland
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2011-IEF, 2011)
Start date: 2012-07-01
End date: 2014-06-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 192622.2
EU funding (EUR): 192622.2
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Small RNAs are key post-transcriptional regulators of eukaryotic gene expression. Among the most fascinating aspects of small RNAs is their ability to cross cell boundaries owing to their non-cell-autonomy. Recently, the host laboratory demonstrated that 21-24bp siRNAs could act as mobile silencing signals in Arabidopsis. Interestingly, in C. Elegans, systemic silencing requires SID1, a transmembrane channel through which endogenous double-stranded RNA may be communicated to adjacent cells. Functional SID1 homologues and miRNAs found in secreted exosomes in mammals suggest that systemic RNA silencing might also operate in these organisms, raising the question of how this process might be regulated? Tight regulation is indeed anticipated given the exquisite expression patterns and developmental roles of many mammalian miRNAs. A first possibility for regulated miRNA movement entails that it might mostly occur between compatible “emitting” and “receiving” cells. This might be achieved via qualitatively differences in miRNAs effector complexes, localization or shear availability of silencing transporter systems. A second, non-mutually exclusive possibility is that release of miRNA through membranes might be polarized. The identification, in the host laboratory, of a requirement for multi-vesicular bodies for the assembly of miRNA effector complexes supports this idea. In fact, we propose that both mechanisms could be at work in specialized cells, such as secreting epithelia, to direct the selective release of miRNAs either along the epithelial cell layer or in body fluids. Using the mammary gland as a model system we will (i) decipher the molecular requirements for cell to “emit” or “receive” systemic miRNAs (ii) study how cell-polarization might affect miRNA cell-to-cell transfer (iii) investigate the in vivo relevance of our findings by characterizing miRNAs contained in milk, and by studying potential effects of systemic miRNA arising from grafted tumors in mice.

Keywords: small rna,rna silencing,systemic mirnas,non-cell automomous effect,breast cancer cell lines,mammary gland,polarization,milk,cancer
Sulfate Reduction dependent Anaerobic Methane Oxidation in Novel Membrane and Electrochemical Bioreactors (SUREANMETOX)

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: France
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2011-IEF, 2011)
Start date: 2013-05-30
End date: 2015-05-29
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 255069.4
EU funding (EUR): 255069.4
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Methane (CH4) is a potent greenhouse gas produced in diverse terrestrial subsurface and marine ecosystems. However, the amount of CH4 emitted to the atmosphere from these ecosystems is largely reduced by methanotrophic microorganisms –microbes that oxidize CH4 to obtain energy and carbon source for their metabolism. Methane oxidation can occur aerobically or anaerobically. While extensive information is available on aerobic methanotrophs’ biochemistry, physiology and ecology, little is known about anaerobic methanotrophs. Anaerobic CH4 oxidation has thus far mostly been investigated in marine ecosystems. There, CH4 oxidation is coupled to the reduction of sulfate. It is believed that the reaction occurs via a syntrophic cooperation in which anaerobic methanotrophs transfer electrons to a sulfate reducing bacterium thus the overall reaction is energetically feasible. However, the exact nature of the syntrophy and the identity of the electron transfer compound(s) remain unknown. Moreover, no pure culture or defined consortium of these microorganisms is available. This hampers detailed metabolic and physiology understanding of the process. Here we propose using innovative bubble-less membrane and electrochemical bioreactors to obtain robust enrichment cultures and to explore the mechanism of electron transfer. The nature of the syntrophy of the microorganisms involved will be assessed using stable isotopes labeled substrates. Incorporation of labeled atoms into biomass –lipids and –fatty acids (LFA) will be determined after cell-sorting of fluorescent labeled various archaea, and bacteria cells types. This new approach may allow exploiting the high sensitivity of stable isotope probing of LFA while attaining good microorganisms’ identity resolution. Metabolomic studies of anaerobic CH4 oxidation will be conducted using in vivo 13C-NMR. The results should result in novel strategies to isolate these not yet isolated key players in the global CH4 cycle.

Keywords: anaerobic methane oxidation,archaea-bacteria consortia,membrane bioreactor,bio-electrochemical cell,sulfate reducing bacteria,stable isotope probing,micro-autoradiography,lipid biomarkers
Dynamic control of membrane curvature and its role in membrane protein assembly (MEMCURV)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: International Incoming Fellowships
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: United Kingdom
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2011-IIF, 2011)
Start date: 2013-02-01
End date: 2015-01-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 278807.4
EU funding (EUR): 278807.4
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Changes in the curvature of the cell membrane play an important role in many important biological processes, including cell division, vesicle trafficking, and neurotransmission. These changes in morphology are not just a passive consequence of other events in the cell, but can also drive the action of other proteins. For example, changes in curvature are thought to affect protein binding, the gating kinetics of ion channels, and to direct the localisation of proteins in vivo. Although current methods can measure the presence of such interactions, they cannot directly measure real-time changes in membrane curvature or correlate individual protein binding events with changes in curvature. Dr Junhong Lu has a proven track record in Biological Atomic Force Microscopy. We propose to combine his expertise with new synthetic mimics of the cell membrane recently produced in the laboratory of Dr Mark Wallace at Oxford University. This combination of methods will enable us to manipulate and characterize the curvature of the cell membrane, and study its effects on protein function using single-molecule methods.

Keywords: molecular biophysics,biochemistry,molecular design,de novo design
The pluton-volcano connection: Integrating processes, volumes and time scales in magma plumbing systems (IMAPS)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: International Incoming Fellowships
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: United Kingdom
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2011-IIF, 2011)
Start date: 2012-06-01
End date: 2014-05-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 209033.4
EU funding (EUR): 209033.4
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Volcanoes frequently affect our lives and thus have been studied since people started living and farming on their nutrient-rich, ash-covered flanks. The processes that cause eruptions also control the compositions and volumes of erupted material and ultimately the eruption styles. These processes and the time scales at which they operate are not well understood. Part of the reason is that many processes controlling eruptions occur in magma reservoirs deep below the volcano. These reservoirs are not easily accessible until they are solidified forming plutons and exposed millions of years later, when volcanic cover rocks are removed through uplift and erosion. The proposed study will, for the first time, integrate research on a fully exposed magma plumbing system in Colorado, USA. Here, volcanic materials are juxtaposed with their plutonic equivalents. The broadly educated applicant, who has carried out field, geochronology and geochemistry studies of plutons in the USA, is teaming up with the host, who has focused his research on volcanic rocks worldwide. The idea is to converge their respective expertise and conduct an interdisciplinary, multilevel analytical study on both volcanic and plutonic rocks. Research will commence with field work, petrographic studies and determination of relative ages. The main element of this study employs novel mineral-scale analyses of crystals from both rock types. The recovery of geochemical information from single crystals, in particular, will be used to provide a record of the processes and timescales operating during magma evolution. The host institution at Durham University has built a state-of-the-art geochemical laboratory for single mineral studies where such detailed crystal scale information recorded during crystal growth can be deciphered. This international study is designed to enhance scientific exchange between the UK and USA, the quality of research and results, and to improve mutual training in the respective fields.

Keywords: geochemistry,petrology,geology,volcanology
Integrated Microfluidic System for Long-Term Cell Cultivation, Monitoring and Analysis (BIOCELLCHIP)

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: Lithuania
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2011-IOF, 2011)
Start date: 2013-03-01
End date: 2016-02-29
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 238962.3
EU funding (EUR): 238962.3
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

A wide range of microfluidic systems are emerging as powerful tools for various studies in physics, chemistry and biology. Due to their unique liquid handling capabilities, outstanding analytical performance, miniaturization and automation microfluidics have attracted a special attention among biomedicine and biological disciplines. For cell-based assays in particular, this new technology can bring an unprecedented level of control over single-cells and their populations, provide precise control of cellular microenvironments and enable typical laboratory operations using only minute amounts of samples. However, despite these exciting promises, the vast majority of cell-based microfluidic devices available today are still in the proof-of-concept state. Accordingly, there is a growing demand for microfluidic systems that support long-term cell growth in well-controlled conditions and allow reproducible and sequential multi-step operations in an automated fashion. This project is aiming to fulfill these needs through the development of an integrated microfluidic device consisting of multiple individual bioreactors, which will allow single-cell entrapment, cultivation, monitoring and analysis under strictly controlled conditions and long periods of time. By utilizing the developed system with genetically identical yeast cells we will investigate how epigenetic and genetic factors interact to enhance the adaptation process and how the adapted state is maintained in populations. The multidisciplinary approach of this project will make it possible to tackle these and other questions in a quantitative and systematic way. The results of this work should improve our basic understanding of the relationship between genetic and epigenetic inheritance systems and their role in the evolution of organisms, while the integrated microfluidic platform we will develop during this fellowship will undoubtedly find a myriad of applications in fundamental and applied biological sciences.

Keywords: biochemical technology,microsystems,chemical engineering,microengineering,experimental physics,functional biology,population biology,molecular evolution,population genetics,biotechnology