Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
The Cutting Edge: Insights from biomechanical tooth studies to explore the interaction of ecological diversity and evolutionary convergence. (THE CUTTING EDGE)

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-IIF-2008, 2008)
Start date: 2009-10-01
End date: 2011-09-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 181350.76
EU funding (EUR): 181350.76
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The fossil record provides a unique opportunity to study changes in ecological diversity over time. However, understanding palaeoecological structure is complicated by evolutionary convergence, which can cause morphologically distinct organisms to fill the same ecological niche. Integration of palaeobiomechanical methodology is necessary to understand changes in ecological structure at a functional level through Earth history. The goal of this project is to examine questions of palaeoecology in jawed vertebrates as it relates to functional convergence through a multidisciplinary and novel analysis of the form and function of fossil teeth. A series of biomechanical analyses (including FEA, tooth modeling and physical testing methods developed by the incoming researcher) will explore the relationship between complex tooth morphology and functional abilities. The results from the biomechanical analyses will be used to construct a comprehensive functional tooth morphospace, which will allow us to address questions of functional tooth diversity over time, and the larger relationship between morphological and ecological diversity in the fossil record. This study will offer insights into palaecological patterns, the evolution and subsequent diversification of early tooth structures, and the relationship between overall morphology and emergent functional ability. The incoming researcher has developed novel, experimental biomechanical methods, which will be integrated with the state-of-the-art computer modeling and engineering methods already in place at the University of Bristol to create a multidisciplinary approach to palaeobiomechanics not used before. The project will comprise an international collaboration between labs in Europe, the USA and Australia, with the potential to create longstanding partnerships for the exchange of students and ideas, making the university of Bristol a world-wide hub for experimental and theoretical tooth mechanics.

Keywords: paleontology,functional biology,biodiversity,palaeozoology,animal morphology
Novel strategic approach to design better vaccines (INNOVAC)

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: Finland
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-IIF-2008, 2008)
Start date: 2009-09-01
End date: 2011-08-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 250373.61
EU funding (EUR): 250373.61
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The structure and thermodynamic properties of Y. pestis capsular Caf1 antigen were studied to explain the failure of this protein to induce the cellular immune response. During the assembling of the Caf1 capsule, the collapse of Caf1 hydrophobic core results in the formation of extremely stable Caf1 fibers. This increases resistance of the Caf1 antigen to processing in macrophages and thereby abolishes the cellular immune response. Destabilization of Caf1 by heating caused a shift toward presentation by mature MHC class II. These new breakthrough findings render bases to overcome the self-protection mechanisms of the plague disease and develop effective vaccines. The essence of our approach is to make selected point mutations which do not change the overall 3D structure of the antigen but decreases its resistance to proteolytic processing inside macrophages. This results in the increase of the efficacy of presentation of CD4 T cell epitopes of antigens by macrophages to T cells while specificity of the generated antibodies will not essentially change. We have preliminary proved this theory by using such artificially designed Caf1 monomers. We forecast that knowledge-based engineered antigens will be the basis of plague vaccines of next generation. We have available molecular tools ready to explore in more detail the theoretical basis of engineered Caf1 antigen in a short time. Next we will show the applicability of the theory by developing experimental generic anti-Salmonella vaccine composed of the conservative SefD and SafD putative invasion subunits common for the main virulent strains of Salmonella spp. We strongly believe that our approach is the cutting-edge innovation to combat against dangerous pathogens in general. According to the proposal Prof. Zaviyalov is invited to Finland for 2 years to lead a European team which will investigate the applications of the new approach.

Keywords: health sciences,gram-negative infections,plague,salmonellosis,improved vaccines,novel strategy,caf1 antigen,sefb/safb subunits,self-complementation,antigen presenting cells,t-cell response
Invariants of residually finite groups: graphs, groups and dynamics (RESFINGROUP)

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: Hungary
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-IEF-2008, 2008)
Start date: 2009-09-01
End date: 2011-08-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 154797.22
EU funding (EUR): 154797.22
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Group theory is a central principle in mathematics. The set of symmetries of an arbitrary mathematical object forms a group, so groups arise virtually in all areas in mathematics (and also in certain parts of physics and chemistry). An infinite group is called residually finite, if the intersection of its subgroups of finite index is trivial. This means that finite images approximate the group structure. Important examples are finitely generated linear groups, specifically, arithmetic groups. There are various group invariants, whose asymptotic behavior on the subgroup lattice of such a group is important to understand. Besides pure group theory, questions of this type emerge naturally in algebraic topology, number theory, geometry and representation theory. Examples for these invariants include the rank, homologies and various geometric and spectral invariants of the finite quotients. Miklos Abert, the researcher of the proposal, is an expert in this area. His recent work connects seemingly far areas, like graph theory, 3-manifold theory and topological dynamics through profinite actions. His earlier work analyzes random profinite actions. He proposes to continue his research in these directions and also to engage in emerging new directions, like graph limits. Ultimately, Abert aims to build a general theory of residually finite groups acting on rooted trees. Abert currently holds a tenure track position at the University of Chicago, one of the top ranking universities in the US. He continuously receives individual NSF research grants since 2004. If funded, he intends to return to Europe and continue his research in the Renyi Institute. This would enrich the mathematical culture of Hungary, one of the new Member States to the European Union and would contribute towards reversing brain drain. The Institute has expressed its intention that the researcher joins it permanently in case the project is successfully completed.

Keywords: asymptotic group theory,groups acting on rooted trees,profinite actions,covering towers,rigidity
Appearance in Action: The interplay of perception and action as revealed by attention-related changes in phenomenological appearance (APPEARINACTION)

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-IOF-2008, 2008)
Start date: 2010-03-01
End date: 2013-02-28
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 254848.91
EU funding (EUR): 254848.91
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Perception and motor control act in concert to suit our behaviour to current needs. Most research on the interplay of perception and motor control has examined how sensory input is transformed into movement generation. Recent psychophysical and physiological evidence, however, shows that the generation of movements has considerable impact on perception. Most prominently, these interactions have been documented for vision and eye movements, whereas considerably less is known about the mutual dependencies of perception and other goal-directed movements, such as reaching. In the proposed project, we aim to find out whether and how perception and action interact by accessing the same visual representation, a saliency map, in which bottom-up stimulus characteristics are weighted by attentional mechanisms. As appearance represents the readout of integrated perceptual saliency (Carrasco et al., 2004, Nat Neurosci, 7, 308-313; Treue, 2004, Trends Cogn Sci, 8, 435-437), we will study its interactions with goal-directed eye and hand movements. In a three-fold project, we will investigate influences of (1) attention on appearance, (2) action on appearance, and (3) appearance on action. Our research will shed light on whether and how perception and motor control share visual information to coordinate behaviour in space and time and. Using functional magnetic imaging, it will reveal physiological correlates of changes in appearance. The proposed project will be based on a close, productive collaboration between the applicant Dr. Martin Rolfs, Prof. Marisa Carrasco (Psychology Department and Center of Neural Science at New York University, USA), and Dr. Eric Castet (Institut de Neurosciences Cognitives de la Méditerranée, CNRS, France). Comprehensive training at NYU will deepen and broaden the applicant’s theoretical knowledge, methodological competency, and scientific skills. It will contribute to a strong European position in the burgeoning field of Mind and Brain sciences.

Keywords: experimental psychology,psychology of vision,attention,appearance,perception,action,hand movements,eye movements,saliency
The Ecology and Immunogenetics of Parasites in Invasive Species (EIGIS)

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-IEF-2008, 2008)
Start date: 2009-11-01
End date: 2011-10-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 174702.68
EU funding (EUR): 174702.68
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Invasive species are a major threat to biodiversity and human health because they often undergo unregulated population growth, putatively because they have escaped their predators; the enemy release hypothesis. However, parasites are also ‘enemies’ and recent work has shown that invasive species lack a full parasite community. So we ask, “does the reduced parasite community contribute to invasion success?” The first step is to undertake rigorous, replicated experiments that will empirically compare the parasite community of invaders versus their native counterparts. We will examine this with respect to the bank vole, a common woodland rodent in mainland UK that has recently become invasive in Ireland. We will experimentally manipulate specific parasites and simultaneously examine the vole population and parasite community interactions. We will describe the social network of the two populations and quantify the contact rates between bank voles and the native biota. Finally, we will investigate the co-evolutionary changes that occur as a function of changes in the parasite community. We predict that invasive species will adapt to the loss of parasites by investing less in immunity and that this has a genetic basis and so we will investigate “Are there genotypic differences between the native and invaded biota?” and secondly “do invasive species undergo evolutionary compensation of the immune system?” Finally, we draw comparisons between the expected changes in the invasive species immune system and that of the ‘Hygiene Hypothesis’ which states that, in humans, a lack of childhood exposure to infectious agents leads to increased susceptibility to allergic diseases. As such we will investigate “Can invasive rodents be used as a model system for the hygiene hypothesis?” This study comprises an in depth ecological investigation of the role of parasites in ‘enemy release’, using a combination of molecular techniques, field surveys, and ecological experiments.

Keywords: medical sciences,allergology,infections,animal ethology,population biology,applied biology,social networks,graph theory,inasive species biology
Molecular Mechanisms of Cell Entry of Enveloped Viruses (VIRUS ENTRY)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Initial Training Networks
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: Germany,Netherlands,Sweden,France,Switzerland,Israel
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-ITN-2008, 2008)
Start date: 2009-10-01
End date: 2013-09-30
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 3844983.0
EU funding (EUR): 3844983.0
Participants: 9
Project status: CLOSED

Virus infections are a major cause of diseases and death among men and animals. The recent outbreak of SARS and the danger that an avian influenza virus may become pandemic, have clearly shown that members of any virus family can potentially turn into a pathogen. To combat virus infection and propagation, systematic and comprehensive studies both on viral components mediating virus-cell interactions, and on the cell biology behind virus entry are necessary. Our network, teaming academic and industrial groups, is aimed at undertaking an interdisciplinary effort to reveal the diversity of pathways and associated molecular mechanisms of cell entry of enveloped viruses. Research by experimental and theoretical approaches will be directed towards the identification of cellular receptors and of viral fusion proteins responsible for interaction with host cells. Among topics are folding, three-dimensional structure and conformational changes of viral fusion proteins as well as virus triggered signalling cascades in cells. Biophysical approaches will unravel the relationship between energetics of conformational changes of viral proteins and membrane bending and fusion. Together with industrial partners the project will identify potential targets for designed drug development, and will develop virus protein coated nanoparticles as new biotechnological and medical tools. The groups have complementary expertise at the highest standard in all required techniques of virology, molecular and cellular biology, biochemistry, proteomics, structural biology, theoretical and experimental biophysics. A challenging research and training environment in an international setting will provide young scientists with a network wide research-oriented training devoted to the specific aspects of virus entry and to structuring of industry projects and commercial exploitation of results, and a local training in soft skills and basic complementary education adapted to the personal needs.

Keywords: natural sciences,cell biology,molecular biology,structural biology,molecular biophysics,virology
Role of PPARgamma in the interstitial fluid volume regulation and contribution to cardiovascular complications of TZDs (PGFC)

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: Spain
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-IEF-2008, 2008)
Start date: 2009-10-01
End date: 2011-09-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 154102.06
EU funding (EUR): 154102.06
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) are clinically proven insulin sensitizers with anti-inflammatory benefits used in the therapy of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and atherosclerosis. TZDs can activate a transcription factor, the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARg). PPARg regulates expression of several genes involved in inflammatory pathways, lipid transport and carbohydrate metabolism. Antidiabetic effects of TZDs have been coupled to macrophages, since tissue macrophages can produce inflammatory mediators which can reduce insulin sensitivity leading to T2DM and its cardiovascular complications. Administration of TZDs spreaded rapidly recently, although serious secondary effects as fluid retention and ischemic heart disease have questioned the clear benefits of non-selective PPAR activation by TZDs in the medication of T2DM and related disorders. Kidney PPAR positively regulates sodium and water resorbtion, therefore TZD-induced fluid retention can be due to the activation of PPARγ in the kidney collecting ducts. Fluid retention can lead to backward heart failure, therefore we think that kidney PPAR is the origin of unwanted cardiac TZD effects. To test this novel hypothesis we propose a cross-disciplinary research project involving molecular genetics, in vivo imaging, and gene engineered animal models targeting the molecular mechanisms behind the cardiovascular complications of TZDs. We will determine also the contribution of tissue specific PPAR mutations to water retention and ischemic heart disease. Molecular mechanisms behind T2DM and its cardiovascular complications are among the most important and timeliness research areas in Europe, due to the growing T2DM prevalence. Understanding TZD side effects will contribute to new treatment strategies of T2DM. The success of this proposal will increase European competitiveness and will produce long term synergies and structuring community research effects.

Keywords: health sciences,diabetology,metabolic regulation,diabetes mellitus,inflammation,atherosclerosis,fluid homeostasis,nuclear receptors,kidney,heart
Quantitative real-time multi-spectral optoacoustic tomography (MSOT)

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: Germany
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-IOF-2008, 2008)
Start date: 2009-07-13
End date: 2011-08-12
Duration (months): 25.0
Total project cost (EUR): 160894.84
EU funding (EUR): 160894.84
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Multi-spectral optoacoustic tomography (MSOT) is a biomedical imaging modality which offers a combination of molecular sensitivity, penetration depth, and resolution which are unparalleled in the field biomedical instrumentation. Nonetheless, the long acquisition time associated with MSOT and difficulties in quantifying the images it produces currently limit its possible applications. The aim of the proposed project is developing quantitative high-resolution real-time MSOT techniques for in-vivo molecular imaging in entire animals and potentially in humans. Specifically, the project will focus on applying MSOT for molecular imaging of the cardiovascular system. The suggested research is inherently multidisciplinary and involves optics, acoustic, signal processing, inverse-scattering theory, biology and medicine. The ultimate goal is to bring MSOT closer to the technological maturity required for biological research and medical diagnosis.

Keywords: biomedical engineering,applied optics,signal processing,cardiology,molecular markers and recognition,acoustics
LOST AND SURVIVED CERAMIC TRADITIONS IN THE WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN: The Sardinian Case (CETRAWEM)

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-IEF-2008, 2008)
Start date: 2009-11-01
End date: 2011-10-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 173258.85
EU funding (EUR): 173258.85
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Material culture is actively used to establish, and maintain boundaries. From time to time social or political differences result in material and technological differences. The understanding of the variable relationships between material culture and social boundaries contributes to a broader anthropological and theoretical understanding of material culture as part of society and the comprehension of past socio-economical systems can lead to a better undersanding of the actual reality. The Western Mediterranean has played an important role in a crucial moment of transformation in the Mediterranean World. During this exact moment a progressive change from the “world socio-economic system” into a “close or regional socio-economic system” occurred. The study of the Late Roman Coarse Wares (LRCW&apos;s) is essential to understand these changes. However, LRCW&apos;s had not been intensively studied and the existing results raise lots of new questions and problems to deal with, regarding not only to the production and consumption patterns during Late Antiquity, but also some aspects of the theoretical fundaments of provenance. Our proposal involves a complete archaeological archaeometrical, ethnoarchaeological and ethnoarchaeometrical characterisation of LRCW&apos;s, taking as a sudy case Sardinia, an exhaustive study of raw materials, identification their technological characteristics and an extended study of their techno-functional sufficiency. This proposal, finally, aims to create a holistic methodological approach which could be applied by other specialists in the future in similar studies, also to propose a complete and standardised methodology for raw material study introducing new approaches and to construct a Digital Geological Information System (Geo-GIS), which will provide all the necessary information on raw materials and possible sources for LRCW&apos;s in the Western Mediterranean. At last, our project also aims to generate a complete digital data base.

Keywords: 21:archaeology,archeometry,ethnoarchaeology,ethnoarchaeometry,geology,pottery,chemistry,raw materials,techno-functional adequancy,mineralogy,pertography,digital library,xrf