Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Xenobiotic-induced thyroid and steroid hormone disruption in wildlife (XENROID)

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: Denmark
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2012-IOF, 2012)
Start date: 2014-06-01
End date: 2017-07-12
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 294456.3
EU funding (EUR): 294456.3
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

By applying cutting-edge technologies at the very forefront of endocrine-disruption research, this XENROID project will investigate environmental xenobiotics that pose a threat to three highly sensitive vertebrate indicator species; African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis), California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) and polar bear (Ursus maritimus). Thyroid and steroid hormone systems are most often studied independently, but it is imperative to investigate the two in union, and that is the strength and focus of this study. The applicant will collaborate with 3 high-ranked research laboratories at University of California Berkeley (outgoing host), , US Marine Mammal Center, and University of Copenhagen (reintegration host). Of special note, this proposal is a revision of proposal no. 302194 from FP7-PEOPLE-2011-IOF, which scored 85.90%. The current proposal includes increased focus on the training of the applicant and on the development of new scientific tools. To enhance research collaborations and increase knowledge facilitation, the revised proposal includes three institutions within the Bay Area of California (new collaborators include high-caliber scientific laboratories at Berkeley and the Marine Mammal Center), while excluding work at the National University of Singapore and the US Environmental Protection Agency listed in the previous submission. Consequently, the ‘environmental chemistry and environment fate of thyroid hormones’ component of the previous proposal has been removed, and the project now includes a comprehensive and focused investigation of endocrine health and effects of the selected wildlife species.

Keywords: v307 environmental toxicology,v306 environmental and marine biology,l403 endocrinology,l405 metabolism
Light-phonon quantum interface with atomic arrays in a cavity (AAPLQIC)

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: Germany
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2012-IEF, 2012)
Start date: 2013-03-01
End date: 2015-02-28
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 161968.8
EU funding (EUR): 161968.8
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The control of the interaction between light and matter has made impressive progress in the latest two decades, paving the way for applications in quantum technologies. Such progress also lies on the advances in cooling and trapping techniques, which allow the preparation of atomic ensembles at very low temperatures. The coupling of light to different degrees of freedom in atomic ensembles is a very promising playground to investigate new quantum phenomena. An interesting case with a large potential to unveil new physics is that of the coupling of the multimode quantized motion of an atomic ensemble to optical modes confined in a cavity. The dynamics of the atomic motion is expected to be strongly modified by the cavity photons mediating the interactions between collective vibrational modes (phonons). In the present project I intend to construct the theoretical framework to characterize the dynamics of an atomic array inside a cavity resonator in terms of a new quantum interface between light and the collective atomic motion. I will propose the protocols to obtain squeezed phonon modes and multipartite phonon entanglement, with the use of an optical quantum reservoir. I will study the relationship between the quantum state of the intracavity phonon-photon coupled system and the light leaking out of the cavity. I will thus theoretically explore the requirements and find the optimal conditions to use this system for quantum information and metrology. In the last part of the project, I will extend the model to include the coupling of light to internal degrees of freedom of the atoms, like their spin. Such a hybrid system where the interplay between light, motion and spin can be controlled opens new avenues in the field of quantum optics, in particular with perspectives for quantum simulations of complex system. The project will be realised at the University of Saarland (Germany) in the group of G. Morigi, and will include intense exchange with experimental groups.

Keywords: p107 atomic - molecular physics,p108 optics and quantum optics,quantized motion,mechanical effect of light,quantum reservoir engineering,light-spin-motion quantum interface,quantum phases
Exploring Nuclear Localization and Functions of Arabidopsis AGO1 (NUAGO1)

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: Switzerland
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2012-IIF, 2012)
Start date: 2014-03-01
End date: 2016-02-29
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 184709.4
EU funding (EUR): 184709.4
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Plants and animals use small (s)RNA to control many developmental and physiological processes. sRNAs associate with ARGONAUTE (AGO) proteins as part of RNA-induced-silencing-complexes (RISC) to regulate gene expression at the transcriptional or post-transcriptional levels. The major effector of post-transcriptional gene silencing (PTGS) in Arabidopsis thaliana, AGO1, has been mainly implicated in cytoplasmic processes including cleavage (or ’slicing’) and translational repression of sRNA target transcripts, as well as silencing of cytoplasmically replicating viral RNA. However, several lines of recent evidence, including from the host laboratory, suggest the existence of as yet unidentified functions for AGO1 in the nucleus; conclusive evidence for nuclear PTGS was, moreover, recently obtained in soybean. This proposal outlines a series of mutually reinforcing experiments aimed at deciphering putative nuclear functions of Arabidopsis AGO1. By combining biochemical fractionation methods, AGO1 nuclear interactome exploration, deep-sequencing analyses, cell biology and forward genetics, the proposed project will: 1) analyze the nature of sRNA bound to nuclear AGO1 and identify their origin and targets; 2) study the possible contribution of nuclear AGO1 to antiviral defence and transcriptional gene silencing, and 3) explore the possible occurrence and extent of nuclear slicing. The results are expected to profoundly modify our current views of RNA silencing in plants, and perhaps in metazoans. Implications in agriculture are also anticipated, as the project may elucidate novel aspects of antiviral defence and plant developmental patterning. Finally, the knowledge on cell fractionation procedures, large-scale RNA analyses and Arabidopsis AGO biology generated during the project will contribute to European excellence and competitiveness in the field.

Keywords: l206 molecular genetics - reverse genetics and rnai,l104 rna synthesis - processing - modification and degradation,l101 molecular biology and interactions
Optical dissection of cortical dopamine signaling (ODICODAS)

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: Switzerland
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2012-IIF, 2012)
Start date: 2014-05-01
End date: 2016-04-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 184709.4
EU funding (EUR): 184709.4
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Coordination, execution and learning of skilled movements strongly depend on motor cortex function, which, in turn, depends on the modulatory action of different neurotransmitters. In particular, dopaminergic inputs to the motor cortex have been associated with synaptic plasticity, changes in cortical excitability and modulation of cortical motor maps. The integrity of dopaminergic terminals is required for the acquisition of novel motor tasks, but not for the performance of already learned ones. Despite evidence pointing to the importance of dopamine in the learning of novel motor skills, technical limitations have impeded solving several key questions. For instance, what are the exact behavioral conditions leading to dopamine release in the motor cortex during skill learning? Are dopamine fibers in the motor cortex synchronously activated affecting large cortical areas? Is dopamine necessary and/or sufficient for cortical motor learning? I will address these questions by combining my expertise in the field of dopamine signaling with the use of novel optical techniques recently developed by the European host institution and thereby dissect the role of dopamine with never-before-reached level of spatio-temporal accuracy. Specifically I aim to use in vivo two-photon imaging and optogenetic manipulations of genetically targeted dopamine axon terminals in the mouse motor cortex in combination with quantitative behavioral testing and characterize their role in the learning of novel motor skills. By recording and manipulating dopamine axon activity in the motor cortex I will test the hypothesis that dopamine acts as a necessary global signal of reward prediction error at the motor cortex level. This project will provide novel insights in the exact contribution of dopaminergic neurotransmission to motor learning and to cortical microcircuit plasticity and will further our knowledge on the basic neuronal mechanisms governing our behavior.

Keywords: motor cortex,in vivo two-photon imaging,optogenetic manipulations,goal directed action,mouse behavior,motor learning,dopamine
The bacterial C-isotope archive: Tracking the biogeosphere from past to present (BIOCTRACK)

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: Denmark
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2012-IEF, 2012)
Start date: 2013-11-01
End date: 2016-10-29
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 230809.8
EU funding (EUR): 230809.8
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The earth’s carbon record is a potential chronicle of biogeosphere evolution. Understanding how the earth and the life on it have influenced one another will help estimate how the biogeosphere will react to new natural and anthropogenic pressures. Anoxygenic phototrophic bacteria are studied as one of the earliest organisms due to their phylogenic antiquity and ability to metabolize iron and sulfur using light energy. Iron and sulfur were abundant on early earth, and their relative oxidation states and isotopic signatures in the rock record are routinely utilized as markers for the rise of oxygen. The carbon chronicle and anoxygenic phototroph evolution can be studied by anlayzing C-isotope signatures. Isotope fractionations due to bacterial carbon fixation and C-isotope signatures in ancient sedimentary rock have been studied. Yet, in order to understand how anoxygenic phototrophs evolved in their environment, the C-isotope pathways between bacterial C-fixation and organic matter burial must be elucidated. The role of organic matter in the geosphere is difficult to access isotopically as it results from a complex mixture of source organisms, biosynthetic pathways, and diagenetic transformations. Furthermore, mixed communities of microorganisms use multiple C-fixation pathways. It is unknown whether the final C-isotope composition measured in situ is determined by a dominant species, or whether the resulting signature is an integration of all. This study will determine anoxygenic phototroph C-isotope signatures under various conditions by linking lab experiments with pure strains isolated from iron-rich Lake La Cruz and sulfur-rich Lake Cadagno to in situ experiments in the lakes. Microbial cycling experiments will determine how C-isotope signature of biomass produced via bacterial C-fixation is altered by turnover and sediment burial. In particular, it aims to elucidate the preservation potential of bacterial C-isotope pathways.

Keywords: biogeochemistry,biomineralization,stable carbon isotopes,microbial element cycling,anoxygenic phototrophs,carbon flux,climate change,iron,sulfur,early earth,evolution,biogenic minerals
Determining the role of gamete small RNAs in propagating the trans-generational epigenetic silencing of transposable elements (TRANSTEARA)

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: Sweden
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2012-IOF, 2012)
Start date: 2013-03-01
End date: 2016-04-01
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 270663.6
EU funding (EUR): 270663.6
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

A great portion of organism genomes are composed of “junk” DNA that their cells must stop from transcribing. This “junk” DNA is composed of transposable elements (TEs), which will generate mutations if allowed to express. However, each cell does not need to determine de novo what regions of the genome are TEs, rather this information is passed down from a progenitor cell in a process termed epigenetic inheritance. In both plants and animals, epigenetic inheritance occurs across mitotic cell divisions and, at least in plants, it also occurs across meiotic divisions and fertilization. Plant gametophytes and embryo are the battleground for the evolutionary arms race between TE activity and host-cell suppression of TEs. The protection of the germ cells and the very young embryo of the progeny are key steps of genome integrity that require trans-generational epigenetic suppression of TEs. The conceptual base of this project is that TE derived siRNAs accumulating in the pollen sperm cells (SCs) are part of a trans-generational genome safeguard mechanism that protects TE expression and transposition in the SCs and after fertilization in the embryo. This project will specifically investigate: Aim 1)The movement of pollen TE easiRNAs to the SCs, embryo and the endosperm. Aim 2)The role of TE easiRNAs in initiation of a siRNA amplification step in the embryo. Aim 3)The role of TE easiRNAs in the protection of the embryo’s genome from the transposition of female active TEs in the endosperm or/and the embryo. Aim 4)The role of TE SC siRNAs in imprinted embryo gene regulation. In order to achieve these aims, this project will make use of several molecular and cellular biology techniques. This will enhance the knowledge of the transgenerational epigenetic regulation of plant genomes, and the results will impact the fields of epigenetics, RNA silencing, sRNA transport and others, and their applications in plant breeding and production and human healt.

Keywords: rna silencing,epigenetics,transposable elements,gene imprinting,trans-generational epigenetic inheritance
Advancing understanding of sea level change through improved vertical land movement estimates (GPS4SEALEVELS)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: International Outgoing Fellowships
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: France
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2012-IOF, 2012)
Start date: 2014-01-01
End date: 2016-12-31
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 277413.9
EU funding (EUR): 277413.9
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

This fellowship addresses the accuracy of sea level change estimates from tide gauges (TG) and satellite altimetry. In particular, it seeks to make dramatic improvement to the accuracy of vertical land motion (VLM) estimated at TGs by mitigating systematic errors in Global Positioning System (GPS) time series. The majority of sea level studies, including those that form the foundation for syntheses presented by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, use solely models of post-glacial rebound to account for VLM at TGs. These models contain known biases over regional scales (e.g. Europe), and capture only one component of VLM, neglecting various processes that exist over different spatial and temporal scales. Direct observation of VLM using GPS is therefore vital. Despite many advances in this technique, systematic errors remain unaccounted for, limiting the precision that can be achieved. This fellowship seeks: - To improve the precision and accuracy of GPS position time series. This will have a major impact not only to the sea level community, but across a broad range of geosciences (e.g., surface mass loading, reference frames). - To integrate these GPS estimates of VLM into the international satellite altimeter validation process, thus enabling accurate determination of altimeter drift biases. - To derive a VLM velocity field for application to the global network of long-running high quality TGs to improve assessment of long term sea level change at global and regional scales. This fellowship will provide high level training and international exposure from the leading geodesy and altimetry validation group at the University of Tasmania, Australia. It also represents an invaluable opportunity for knowledge transfer back to the University of La Rochelle, France, bringing a significant advance in the understanding of sea level change allowing the Fellow to continue his scientific development at the highest level in Europe.

Keywords: sea level,tide gauges,satellite altimetry,vertical land motion,global positioning system,time series,velocity field
The interaction between a butterfly, its microbiome and the environment (BXMXE)

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: United Kingdom
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2012-IOF, 2012)
Start date: 2013-07-01
End date: 2017-06-30
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 282561.0
EU funding (EUR): 282561.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Global changes in climate, habitat structure and land-use patterns all have major consequences on biodiversity and the integrity of natural ecosystems. How organisms respond and adapt to changing environmental conditions is therefore a key question in biological research. Despite a rich history of scientific literature detailing both case studies and basic science of how climate and habitat degradation affects populations, an area completely understudied in the context of changing environment conditions is the role of the bacterial microbiome. It is becoming increasingly apparent that an organism does not function alone. Individuals are actually ‘superorganisms’ both in terms of function and genomic content. Bacteria are now known to influence many aspect's of host biology including reproduction, nutrition and health. Recent human-centric research has evidenced this view but insect models can also offer important advantages and insights. Butterfly models are especially appropriate because of extensive ecological and population data and roles as agricultural pests and indicators of climate change. In this proposed research I will combine traditional ecology physiology and population studies with state of the art sequencing technologies. I will first map the geographical pattern of microbiome diversity in the butterfly Colias eurytheme and examine environmental correlates. As ectotherms butterflies are particularly thermally sensitive and so I will then assess the role of bacteria in host thermal tolerance and adaptation. Lastly I propose to investigate determinants of microbiome composition. This work will produce the first full characterisation of a butterfly microbiome, provide insights into thermal adaptation and identify candidate host genes associated with microbiome diversity. This knowledge will form the backbone of further research into the role of the microbiome in the host response to changing environmental conditions.

Keywords: symbiosis,genetics,microbiology,metabolism,population biology,ecology,climate change,entomology,molecular biology,physiology,bioinformatics
Condition specific RNA Regulatory Maps (RNAREGMAP)

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: Germany
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2012-IIF, 2012)
Start date: 2013-06-01
End date: 2015-05-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 168794.4
EU funding (EUR): 168794.4
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) regulate the processing and expression of protein-coding transcripts. The goal of the proposed research is to develop a strategy to determine specific mRNA regulatory factors and elements important for investigating any biological processes. First, we will construct a transcriptome-wide post-transcriptional regulatory map of RBP-mRNA interactions by probabilistic modeling of protein occupancy profiles and RNA sequence data, simultaneously inferring binding locations of numerous of RBPs for a specific experimental condition. Next, we will predict specific RBPs with important regulatory functions in a different experimental setting by applying our model to protein occupancy profiles generated from different cellular conditions. Specifically, we will generate protein occupancy profiles for a human adrenocortical cell line stimulated with the primary physiological regulators of adrenal steroid hormones to examine the production of mineralocorticoids, glucocorticoids, and adrenal androgens. This research proposal necessitates a combined wet/dry approach including the complete cycle of genome-wide predictive modeling and experimental validations. The research in this proposal benefits from the molecular biology and genomics background of the Experienced Researcher combined with the computational modeling expertise of the Host Laboratory. This research has transformative potential for the field by effectively learning specific RBP-mRNA interactions from computational modeling of a single experiment.

Keywords: l101 molecular biology and interactions,l104 rna synthesis - processing - modification and degradation,l211 computational biology,l403 endoc