Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Immune mechanisms that control the homeostasis of the gut and that are deregulated in intestinal pathologies cancer. (HOMEOGUT)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Consolidator grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Immunity and Infection
Countries involved: Italy
Call:  (ERC-2013-CoG, 2013)
Start date: 2014-07-01
End date: 2020-06-30
Duration (months): 72.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2000000.0
EU funding (EUR): 2000000.0
Participants: 4
Project status: CLOSED

This project stems from an ERC STG grant that I received in 2007 (DENDROworld) in which we analyzed several aspects of the homeostasis of the gut and how defects in controlling this process could result in different pathologies, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and cancer. In the present project, we will continue working on the immune homeostasis of the gut and we will focus on fundamental questions in mucosal immunity. Three important and novel questions will be addressed in this project. The first aims at understanding how the gut microbiota is restrained from reaching systemic sites and hence it is tolerated only locally. We think that we have identified a new barrier at mucosal sites that avoids systemic spreading of bacteria via the blood stream. This is a very selective barrier that resembles the blood brain barrier and occurs at the level of enteric endothelial cells. The second question is closely related and tries to identify the role of the microbiota in the establishment/maintenance of this barrier and to understand its role during infection with enteric pathogens or in other circumstances (like pregnancy, liver disease). Finally, we want to characterize the activity of an anti-inflammatory mediator that we have identified. This is a short isoform of the well-known cytokine called TSLP. We think that this isoform is the one involved in the homeostasis of the intestine as it is the only one produced by epithelial cells in health and is downregulated during chronic inflammation. This project is divided into three major aims. 1. Analysis of a putative gut vascular barrier that resembles the blood brain barrier and of the mechanisms leading to its disruption 2. Analysis of the role of the microbiota in the formation and maintenance of the Gut vascular barrier (GVB). 3. Elucidation of the activity of TSLP short isoform. This is a multidisciplinary project requiring expertise in mucosal immunology, microbiology, bioinformatics and endothelium.

Keywords: endothelial cells,dendritic cells,tslp.
Emerging electronic states and devices based on Mott insulator interfaces (MINT)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Consolidator grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Condensed Matter Physics
Countries involved: France
Call:  (ERC-2013-CoG, 2013)
Start date: 2014-10-01
End date: 2019-09-30
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1998026.4
EU funding (EUR): 1998026.4
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Transition metal oxides possess a broad range of functionalities (superconductivity, magnetism, ferroelectricity, multiferroicity) stemming from the interplay between structural effects and electronic correlations. Recent work has revealed exciting physics at their interfaces, including two-dimensional (2D) conductivity and superconductivity in the electron gas that forms at the interface between two band insulators, LaAlO3 and SrTiO3. However, to date, no interfacial system has truly shown electronic properties that are absent from the phase diagram of both bulk constituents. I argue that to fully embrace the immense potential of oxide interfaces and unveil unprecedented electronic phases, combining insulators with stronger electronic correlations is mandatory. At the crossroad between strongly-correlated electron physics, microelectronics and spintronics, the MINT project will pioneer routes toward a new realm of solid-state physics. MINT will harness electronic and magnetic instabilities in correlated oxides to craft new electronic phases controllable by external stimuli. These phases will be generated by the synergic action of strain engineering, interfacial charge/orbital/spin reconstruction and octahedra connectivity control, using rare-earth titanate RTiO3 Mott-Hubbard insulators as templates. Emerging states that are foreseen include 2D electron gases with ferroic order, superconductivity at relatively high temperature, topological states and new forms of multiferroicity and magnetoelectric coupling. The discovery of any of these new states would represent a major breakthrough in oxide electronics. They will open possibilities for innovative devices yielding giant electroresistance without ferroelectrics, and new schemes to control spin currents by electric fields. At full term, MINT will establish whether oxide interfaces will live up to their expectations and start in the coming decades a technological revolution comparable to that of silicon.

Keywords: mott insulators,oxide electronics,two-dimensional electron gases,electroresistance,voltage-controlled magnetism
Evolution of a Drosophila wing pigmentation spot, a sexual communication system (SPOT.COM)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Consolidator grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Evolutionary, Population and Environmental Biology
Countries involved: France
Call:  (ERC-2013-CoG, 2013)
Start date: 2014-07-01
End date: 2020-06-30
Duration (months): 72.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1999540.0
EU funding (EUR): 1999540.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Explaining the origin of complex morphological innovations, in particular conspicuous male ornaments, remains one of the most challenging and exciting questions in the field of evolution. Indeed, conspicuous male-specific traits, either displayed to females during courtship, or used as weapons in battles, likely represent liabilities and should be opposed by natural selection. Darwin proposed that sexual selection is responsible for the evolution of these sexual traits. Since Darwin's time this hypothesis has received considerable theoretical and empirical support. Sexual selection is now perceived as a pervasive force shaping sexual communication systems, acting both on male signaling traits and female preference for these traits. Beyond this generic setup, however, the genetic mechanisms underlying the evolution of male ornaments, and the female preference for these traits, remain largely elusive. The objective of this project is to decipher the genetic mechanisms underlying the evolution of a sexual communication system in Drosophila species that have evolved a novel male-specific wing pigmentation pattern displayed to females during courtship. We will examine the emergence, the diversification, and the independent evolution of the male wing pigmentation pattern. We will in particular (i) determine the genetic architecture underlying the formation of the male wing spot in Drosophila biarmipes; (ii) map the genetic sources of male wing spot divergence among species (shape, color, and intensity); (iii) identify the genetic and functional bases of the recurrent evolution of the wing spot, and (iv) characterize the nature of the female’s reproductive preference. By embracing a multi-scale, integrated approach, the ambition of this project is to shed a new light on the evolution of sexual communication systems in animals.

Keywords: cis-regulation,gene networks evolution,comparative genomics,sexual selection,mating behavior,animal communication system
Systematic analysis of the molecular mechanisms underlying axon growth during development and following injury (AXONGROWTH)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Consolidator grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Neurosciences and Neural Disorders
Countries involved: Israel
Call:  (ERC-2013-CoG, 2013)
Start date: 2014-03-01
End date: 2019-02-28
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2000000.0
EU funding (EUR): 2000000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Axon growth potential declines during development, contributing to the lack of effective regeneration in the adult central nervous system. What determines the intrinsic growth potential of neurites, and how such growth is regulated during development, disease and following injury is a fundamental question in neuroscience. Although multiple lines of evidence indicate that intrinsic growth capability is genetically encoded, its nature remains poorly defined. Neuronal remodeling of the Drosophila mushroom body offers a unique opportunity to study the mechanisms of various types of axon degeneration and growth. We have recently demonstrated that regrowth of axons following developmental pruning is not only distinct from initial outgrowth but also shares molecular similarities with regeneration following injury. In this proposal we combine state of the art tools from genomics, functional genetics and microscopy to perform a comprehensive study of the mechanisms underlying axon growth during development and following injury. First, we will combine genetic, biochemical and genomic studies to gain a mechanistic understanding of the developmental regrowth program. Next, we will perform extensive transcriptomic analyses and comparisons aimed at defining the genetic programs involved in initial axon growth, developmental regrowth, and regeneration following injury. Finally, we will harness the genetic power of Drosophila to perform a comprehensive functional analysis of genes and pathways, those previously known and new ones that we will discover, in various neurite growth paradigms. Importantly, these functional assays will be performed in the same organism, allowing us to use identical genetic mutations across our analyses. To this end, our identification of a new genetic program regulating developmental axon regrowth, together with emerging tools in genomics, places us in a unique position to gain a broad understanding of axon growth during development and following injury.

Keywords: axon growth,axon regeneration,drosophila,neuronal remodeling,intrinsic growth potential
Structural basis of mitochondrial inner membrane shape and dynamic (MITOSHAPE)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Consolidator grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Molecular and Structural Biology and Biochemistry
Countries involved: Germany
Call:  (ERC-2013-CoG, 2013)
Start date: 2014-07-01
End date: 2020-06-30
Duration (months): 72.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1999972.2
EU funding (EUR): 1999972.2
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Here, I propose to study the structure and mechanisms of the cellular machineries mediating the shape and dynamics of the mitochondrial inner membrane (IM). The mitochondrial IM contains membrane invaginations called cristae. These are connected by tubular openings, the crista junctions, to the remaining IM. Mitochondrial shape constantly changes due to membrane fission and fusion events, and a balance of both processes is required for proper functioning of mitochondria. Abnormal mitochondrial shape and altered dynamics are associated with severe diseases, such as cancer and neurodegeneration. Sourcing my group’s expertise in dynamin superfamily GTPases, I wish to understand the molecular mechanisms of how OPA1 can achieve mitochondrial IM fusion and cristae formation. To this end, the X-ray crystallographic structure of OPA1 will be determined and complemented by a comprehensive biochemical characterization. Cell-based assays will be employed to decipher the exact mechanism by which OPA1 carries out its two functions and how specific mutations in OPA1 disturb these processes and, thereby, induce human disease. The multiprotein MINOS complex was recently shown to be involved in the formation of crista junctions. I propose to explore the architecture of the MINOS complex. To this end, X-ray crystallographic structures of single components, subcomplexes and, eventually, the complete complex will be determined. Based on these structures, the mechanism of MINOS in mitochondrial membrane remodeling and crista junction formation will be dissected using a structure-based mutagenesis approach. Components of MINOS were shown to interact with OPA1 and with the sorting and assembly machinery (SAM) of the outer mitochondrial membrane. The interactions of MINOS with OPA1 and SAM will be biochemically mapped and structurally characterized. To understand their functions, the effect of disrupting mutations on crista junction formation and mitochondrial dynamics will be explored.

Keywords: mitochondria,membrane remodelling,dynamin gtpases,minos complex
Role of myeloid cells, their mediators and their antibody receptors in allergic shock (anaphylaxis) using humanized mouse models and clinical samples (MYELOSHOCK)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Consolidator grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Immunity and Infection
Countries involved: France
Call:  (ERC-2013-CoG, 2013)
Start date: 2014-09-01
End date: 2020-08-31
Duration (months): 72.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1999704.0
EU funding (EUR): 1999704.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Anaphylaxis is a hyperacute allergic reaction of increasing incidence that can be of fatal consequence and that has no specific treatment. Anaphylaxis is thought to rely on mechanisms involving mast cells that bear allergen-specific IgE and that release histamine when encountering allergen. Clinical cases, however, report anaphylaxis in the absence of specific IgE or medical history of allergy. We reported that murine models of anaphylaxis rely on IgG, rather than on IgE, that enable neutrophils, monocytes and basophils, rather than mast cells, to release Platelet Activating Factor following engagement of their IgG receptors. Supporting these findings, allergen-specific IgG are found in anaphylactic patients, and we reported that anaphylaxis in mice expressing a human IgG receptor relies also on circulating myeloid cells. We aim at unravelling the parameters that control anaphylaxis in a novel clinically-relevant model of drug-induced anaphylaxis, strengthened by human-based studies involved patients undergoing drug-induced anaphylaxis in collaboration with clinicians and, altogether, rethink the principles of anaphylaxis. Do allergen-specific IgG concur to anaphylaxis in humans? Do these IgG antibodies regulate IgE-induced reactions? Which IgG receptors are involved? In which tissue does the anaphylactic reaction start? Which cell type(s) are responsible? Among the mediators that are released, which ones are responsible for the shock? Can an anaphylactic reaction be stopped specifically for an allergen? We propose to address these questions by exploiting humanized mice we obtained and by establishing novel models, by visualizing anaphylactic reactions in real time in vivo, by dissecting the cascade of events leading to the shock. Finally, we aim at establishing the proof of concept of allergen capture/encapsulation and propose the first allergen-specific strategy for treating the life-threatening clinical situation that represents drug-induced anaphylaxis.

Keywords: anaphylaxis,igg,fc receptor,neutrophils,myeloid cells,paf,mouse models,in vivo imaging
Joint action expertise: Behavioral, cognitive, and neural mechanisms for joint action learning (JAXPERTISE)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Consolidator grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: The Human Mind and its Complexity
Countries involved: Hungary
Call:  (ERC-2013-CoG, 2013)
Start date: 2014-08-01
End date: 2020-07-31
Duration (months): 72.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1992331.0
EU funding (EUR): 1992331.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Human life is full of joint action and our achievements are, to a large extent, joint achievements that require the coordination of two or more individuals. Piano duets and tangos, but also complex technical and medical operations rely on and exist because of coordinated actions. In recent years, research has begun to identify the basic mechanisms of joint action. This work focused on simple tasks that can be performed together without practice. However, a striking aspect of human joint action is the expertise interaction partners acquire together. How people acquire joint expertise is still poorly understood. JAXPERTISE will break new ground by identifying the behavioural, cognitive, and neural mechanisms underlying the learning of joint action. Participating in joint activities is also a motor for individual development. Although this has long been recognized, the mechanisms underlying individual learning through engagement in joint activities remain to be spelled out from a cognitive science perspective. JAXPERTISE will make this crucial step by investigating how joint action affects source memory, semantic memory, and individual skill learning. Carefully designed experiments will optimize the balance between capturing relevant interpersonal phenomena and maximizing experimental control. The proposed studies employ behavioural measures, electroencephalography, and physiological measures. Studies tracing learning processes in novices will be complemented by studies analyzing expert performance in music and dance. New approaches, such as training participants to regulate each other’s brain activity, will lead to methodological breakthroughs. JAXPERTISE will generate basic scientific knowledge that will be relevant to a large number of different disciplines in the social sciences, cognitive sciences, and humanities. The insights gained in this project will have impact on the design of robot helpers and the development of social training interventions.

Keywords: joint action
Decentralized Markets with Informational Asymmetries (INFOASYMMARKETS)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Consolidator grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Individuals, Institutions and Markets
Countries involved: Italy
Call:  (ERC-2013-CoG, 2013)
Start date: 2014-03-01
End date: 2018-02-28
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 827410.0
EU funding (EUR): 827410.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The goal of this proposal is to advance the theory of decentralized trade with informational asymmetries and limited commitment. In most trading situations, some of the parties possess superior information about critical aspects of the environment. For example, in financial markets, professional investors are better informed about the quality of the assets that they sell to individuals. Similarly, consumers typically have private information about their willingness to pay for goods and services. It is well understood that informational asymmetries are responsible for one of the most serious forms of market inefficiency. Because of its strong assumptions in term of commitment, the standard theory of mechanism design is unsuitable for the study of many actual trading institutions. On the other hand, the focus of most of the existing literature on trading with limited commitment is the case in which the parties can trade at most once. While satisfactory in situations like the sale of a house, this assumption leaves out many important economic environments where the parties trade repeatedly over time. However, repeated transactions are natural both when the objects of trade are non-durable (e.g., services such as phone or internet plans) and when they are durable but divisible (e.g., financial assets). A crucial difference between these cases and those analyzed in the literature is the fact that the information revealed in early transactions may affect the outcome of future negotiations. We plan to provide a systematic game-theoretic analysis of decentralized markets with repeated trading and informational asymmetries. Our investigation will shed light on the properties of various commonly used trading mechanisms and will inform us about possible remedies to make them more efficient. This will contribute substantially to the design of adequate institutions and to the regulation of markets.

Keywords: informational asymmetries,decentralized trade,bargaining,mechanism design
The Highly Efficient And Reliable smart Transformer (HEART), a new Heart for the Electric Distribution System (HEART)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Consolidator grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Systems and Communication Engineering
Countries involved: Germany,Denmark
Call:  (ERC-2013-CoG, 2013)
Start date: 2014-05-01
End date: 2019-10-31
Duration (months): 66.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1996720.0
EU funding (EUR): 1996720.0
Participants: 2
Project status: CLOSED

In the last 10 years, power electronics has moved significantly towards the electric grid, making it more flexible and decentralized. Still important challenges remain. One of the most thrilling is re-inventing the distribution transformer after more than 125 years since its first use in the electrification of a city. In fact, actual distribution transformers can no longer fulfill the requirements of a modern electric grid highly dominated by distributed sources and new sizable loads, like heat pumps and electric vehicles. This project proposes the invention of a novel “Smart Transformer” (ST), based on a modular architecture of units made by power electronics converters, that will be able to manage the energy and the information flows among sources and loads in the distribution area with the goal of decoupling it from the rest of the bulk power system. Actual proposals of Smart Transformers cannot compete in terms of cost, efficiency and reliability with traditional transformers. This project has decided to take this challenge with a paradigm shift in how to approach it and a new set of methodologies. The breakthrough results of this research will be obtained taking the following high-risk high-gain bet: significantly influence the efficiency and the reliability of the Smart Transformer by routing the energy flows among its power converter units. A new understanding of how the energy flows are managed by the modular connection of power converter units will guide the design of new architectures for the ST allowing different routes for the energy. Graph theory will be used to find optimal paths for the energy flows with the goal of maximizing efficiency and reliability. The energy flows will be managed by relying on information coming from the electric distribution system sensors (requirements) and from the power module sensors (constraints). The holy grail of this research is to provide a new durable heart to the electric distribution system.

Keywords: power electronics,solid-state transformer,reliability