Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Role of HCN ion channels in somatic sensation and pain (HCN PAIN)

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-2007-2-1-IEF, 2007)
Start date: 2008-02-15
End date: 2010-02-14
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 178874.06
EU funding (EUR): 178874.06
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Pain arises when a stimulus activates a pain-specific nerve fibre by opening an ion channel, causing a depolarisation (positive change in membrane potential) and triggering action potentials that propagate to the central nervous system to elicit a sensation of pain. The rate of depolarisation between action potentials determines their frequency, and thus the pain intensity. An important modulator of this rate is the hyperpolarisation-activated inward current, Ih. Ih ion channels are made up from combinations of four different subunits, HCN1-4. We have shown that the fast HCN1 subunits are expressed in large neurones sensing light touch, and the slower HCN2 in small pain-sensitive neurones. We aim to find out more about which subunits are expressed in which types of sensory neurones, and how their behaviour is modulated by inflammatory mediators. Neuropathic pain, an anomalous pain state characterised by ongoing pain and hypersensitivity, is not well understood and causes a substantial reduction in quality of life for those who suffer from it. There is evidence that Ih is involved in neuropathic pain, but which subunit is important and how it enhances neuropathic pain is unknown. We will tackle these and other questions by the use of mice in which each HCN subunit has been genetically deleted. We will record electrical responses from neurones in cell culture, where their behaviour can more readily be investigated. We will study the response of wild-type and HCN knockout mice to a mild painful stimulus. These studies will advance our understanding of the role of HCN subunits in pain, and if particular subunits have crucial roles in some aspects of pain (e.g. in neuropathic pain) the work will act as a stimulus to the development of novel drugs aimed at specifically blocking those subunits.

Keywords: health sciences,medical sciences,physiology,neurosciences,neurophysiology,natural sciences,biological sciences,molecular biology
Synthesis of Fluorinated Pyrrolidines (FLUPYR)

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-2007-2-1-IEF, 2007)
Start date: 2008-05-01
End date: 2010-04-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 169390.93
EU funding (EUR): 169390.93
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Fluorinated nitrogen-containing heterocycles are key targets for the pharma- and agrochemical industry. Considering the poor accessibility of these compounds, we propose to explore new synthetic methodologies to access fluoropyrrolidines. In the light of the abundant literature on electrophile-induced cyclisations, a very attractive route to access fluoro nitrogen-containing heterocycles is the electrophilic fluorocyclisation of alkenes bearing a pending nucleophilic amino group. However, this route is currently not possible because unactivated alkenes do not react with existing [easy to handle] electrophilic fluorinating N-F reagents. In this proposal, we propose two solutions to this problem based on the use of a silyl group to temporarily activate the alkene toward electrophilic fluorination. The first approach features a key electrophilic fluorocyclisation of various allylsilanes bearing a pending nucleophilic tosylated amino group. This reaction generates silylated fluoropyrrolidines which upon oxidative cleavage release the desired fluorinated pyrrolidines. This route presents the advantage to allow for modulation of the stereochemistry of the targets as a function of the E/Z geometry of the allylsilanes. The second solution features a syn selective iodoamination of allylic fluorides also bearing pending nucleophilic N-tosyl groups. The chemistry we propose to develop will be challenged with the synthesis of fluorinated biologically relevant targets.

Keywords: organic chemistry
Cage Complexes With Phosphonates (CACOPHOS)

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-2007-4-2-IIF, 2007)
Start date: 2008-09-26
End date: 2010-09-25
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 169957.94
EU funding (EUR): 169957.94
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The proposal is to learn to use polymetallic cage complexes as building blocks for larger zero-dimensional nano-objects. The approach to be adopted will be to use phosphonate and related ligands to link these cages via a carboxylate displacement reaction that has been developed in Manchester. Once made these compounds will be studied by X-ray crystallography and their magnetic properties examined using a variety of techniques.

Keywords: inorganic chemistry,molecular chemistry,nanotechnology
Investigation of a Novel Dew Point Cooling Heat and Mass Exchanger for Air Conditioning of Buildings in Europe (DEW-COOL)

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,United Kingdom
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2007-4-2-IIF, 2007)
Start date: 2008-09-15
End date: 2010-09-14
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 178874.06
EU funding (EUR): 178874.06
Participants: 2
Project status: CLOSED

The conventional air conditioning systems are neither sustainable nor environment-friendly. Evaporative cooling utilizes an ambient energy (latent heat of water evaporation) to perform air conditioning of buildings, and is therefore a potential replacement of existing systems. However, evaporative cooling has several technical difficulties that impede its wide application. Direct evaporative cooling adds moisture to room air which causes unpleasant thermal comfort. Indirect evaporative cooling limits supply air temperature to some degrees above the wet bulb of the outdoor air, which is too high to perform air conditioning of buildings. The dew point (evaporative) cooling breaks the limit of wet bulb, and allows the supply air to be cooled to a level below the wet bulb and above the dew point of the outdoor air. However, the existing exchanger for dew point cooling is still less efficient to perform air conditioning of buildings in Europe regions. The proposed research aims to optimise the design of the exchanger in terms of its material, structure and geometric sizes, and to develop a new polygonal-sheets-stacked exchager. The new exchanger will be 15 to 35% higher in cooling effectiveness that allows the dew point cooling become a widely applicable system for building air conditioning in most regions of Europe. The project objectives include (1) Optimisation of the exchanger design, (2) Construction and testing of the exchangers, and (3) Economic, environment and local acceptance analyses. The fellowship will benefit the applicant researcher in terms of enhanced research ability and integration with host institution. It will also benefit the host institution in terms of knowledge transfer and strengthening international collaboration. The project will benefit to EU in terms of reduced greenhouse gas emission and fossil fuel energy consumption, growth in economy, improved life quality, as well as enhanced industry competitiveness.

Keywords: dew point,cooling,heat and mass exchanger,air conditioning,building,europe
When bad things happen to good brands. On how to deal with product-harm crisis. (PRODUCT-HARM CRISES)

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: Netherlands
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2007-2-1-IEF, 2007)
Start date: 2008-12-01
End date: 2011-04-30
Duration (months): 29.0
Total project cost (EUR): 157831.18
EU funding (EUR): 157831.18
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Product-harm crises are prevalent in today’s marketplace. Notable examples include contaminated coca-cola in several European countries and salmonella poisoning in Brinta’s breakfast porridge. These crises can have a tremendous impact on society as well as on the affected companies. Moreover, the number of product recalls is on the rise both in the US and Europe. Not surprisingly, the European Union has realised the importance of product-harm crises to public safety and has fairly recently installed information sharing systems to facilitate the rapid diffusion of product safety information amongst its member countries. Although information on hazardous products now fairly quickly reaches the consumers, still little is known about the influence of these negative events on consumer purchases. In contrast to previous literature on this topic that mainly focused on one particular crisis event, this research proposal consists of the systematic analysis of a unique database, containing purchase data surrounding a large sample of product-harm crises in three European countries. By systematically analyzing this large sample of crisis events, we will be able to create generalizable knowledge on consumer reactions to these negative events, while accounting for the potential moderating impact of different consumer, category and crisis characteristics such as loyalty, the length of the recall period and the amount of negative news. Not only will this research thus lead to an advancement of science on the topic of product-harm crises, it will also allow us to make reliable recommendations for companies on how to effectively deal with a crisis event.

Keywords: product-harm crises,multi-level model,loyalty,marketing
Theoretical study of electronic transport in carbon nanostructures and molecular wires (NANOTRAN)

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-2007-2-1-IEF, 2007)
Start date: 2008-09-01
End date: 2010-08-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 161792.99
EU funding (EUR): 161792.99
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The study of molecular nanostructures is in the forefront of research due to their high application potential as electronic components. Recently several theoretical groups have placed large effort into developing new tools to accurately describe the electronic properties of molecular nanostructures. This proposal aims to significantly advance the limits of current capabilities and provide the theoretical tools needed to underpin research in nanoelectronics on a five to ten years timescale. The proposed research focuses on the electronic properties of nanostructures, including single-molecule wires, carbon nanotubes, and other carbon nanostructures, such as functionalized graphene strips. The theoretical tools to be used are based on the non-equilibrium Green's function formalism and density functional theory (DFT). The recently-announced code SMEAGOL (Spin and Molecular Electronics in Atomically Generated Orbital Landscapes) developed by the host institution and collaborators is to be used for the study of transport properties. This code works in conjunction with the localized orbital based, linearly scaling DFT code SIESTA (Spanish Initiative for Electronic Simulations with Thousands of Atoms). Where necessary, these calculations are to be augmented with the plane-wave based VASP (Vienna ab initio simulation pakcage) code, which the applicant has vast experience with. One focus of the project is to incorporate electron-phonon interactions into the SMEAGOL code, to enable the study of room temperature transport properties. Successful completion of the research objectives will yield significant progress in the field of molecular electronics. The impact of the planned research may potentially influence the development of applied science in the European Union, as it may eventually boost the progress of research on possible applications in the field of molecular electronics.

Keywords: electronic,magnetic and superconductive properties,computational physics,molecular electronics
Modeling Urban Growth Patterns in Central and Eastern Europe with Agent Based Systems and Cellular Automata (MUGPCEE)

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-2007-2-1-IEF, 2007)
Start date: 2008-11-01
End date: 2010-10-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 245536.33
EU funding (EUR): 245536.33
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Suburbanization in Central and Eastern European cities has become the predominant form of metropolitan growth, undermining seriously the application of sustainable urban development principles in the region. The negative impacts of sprawl are just beginning to emerge as an area of public concern in the post-socialist cities where urban growth is managed through a mixture of uncoordinated and often conflicting policies. The proposed research project is aimed at investigating the impact of contemporary public policies on the patterns of urban growth in Central and Eastern European cities. The project will employ the latest theoretical and technological advances in urban growth modeling through the application of agent-based systems and cellular automata. The following objectives define the projects scope: 1. Developing an agent-based cellular automata model of urban growth applicable to the urban development context of post-socialist cities in Central and Eastern Europe. 2. Applying the model for evaluation of different urban growth scenarios based on existing and alternative public policies in select case studies from the region. 3. Using the model output to identify key policies for the effective control of urban sprawl and the application of sustainable development principles in managing the growth of Central and Eastern European metropolitan areas. The project will be hosted by one of the world’s leading research institutions in the field of urban studies - the Center for Advanced Spatial Analysis at University College London. It is intended to provide the applicant with cutting-edge knowledge and scientific skills in a new (for the applicant) area of urban analysis. The experience from the project will become a stepping stone in setting up Dr. Stanilov’s future career development and long-term research agenda.

Keywords: urban simulation,urban modeling,suburbanization,policy evaluation,cellular automata,central and eastern europe
Study of specific cell mediated immunity and vaccine optimization against bacterial and viral infections in trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) (SMARTFISH)

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-2007-2-1-IEF, 2007)
Start date: 2008-03-01
End date: 2010-02-28
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 169957.94
EU funding (EUR): 169957.94
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Rainbow trout are one of the most valuable fish species farmed in the European Union, thus knowledge of its immune system is of practical importance. This project is focused on the study of interleukin 2 (IL2), a central cytokine in the regulation of T-cell responses, which stimulates proliferation of these cells and increases cytotoxicity of CD8+ T cells, natural killer, B cells, monocyte/macrophages and neutrophils. IL2 is an important adjuvant for inactivated or subunit viral vaccines in humans and may have a potential role in protection against bacterial and viral diseases. Initially expression studies of IL2 in head-kidney and spleen will be examined by PCR, after administration of different immunostimulants, since this molecule is not constitutively expressed. Next, the activity of the recombinant protein (rIL2) will be established. An antibody to IL2 will also be generated for subsequent use in ELISPOT assays. Thus the specific cell-mediated immune response in trout will be quantified by enumerating the number of cells secreting IL2 in response to antigen, establishing a relationship between the size of the IL2 response and protection post-vaccination using a model bacterial, Aeromonas salmonicida, and viral, haermorrhagic septicaemia virus, VHSV, pathogen. Further experiments will be carried out using the rIL2 to increase the effectiveness of fish vaccines by inclusion in the vaccine. Following vaccination, the A. salmonicida and VHSV antibody titres will be determined for the serum and correlations sought between the size of the antibody response, the IL2 secreting cell response and resistance. Finally, IL2 secreting cells will be induced and identified using the monoclonal antibodies to detect intracellular IL2 and sorted by FACS. The sorted cells will be characterized in terms of their transcriptome, by microarray analysis. The arrays will also be used with RNA from cells stimulated with rIL2 to get an overview of genes affected in target cells.

Keywords: animal physiology,il-2,trout,vaccination,elispot,microarray,cell mediated response
Cellular factors and pathways in the entry of Bunyaviridae (BUNYAVIRIDAE ENTRY)

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-2007-2-1-IEF, 2007)
Start date: 2008-06-01
End date: 2010-05-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 177596.7
EU funding (EUR): 177596.7
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Bunyaviridae are important pathogens in vertebrates and humans with over 350 members spread over many parts of the world. Many of them cause severe health problems and some are now classified as potential biological weapons in bioterrorism. Currently there are no available vaccines or treatments. Human activity and climate change are known factors favoring the emergence, reemergence, and rapid spread of virus diseases, including Bunyaviridae such as Hantavirus, a recent example that these viruses must be taken seriously as potential emerging agents of disease. Relatively little is known about Bunyaviridae. Their strategies for transmission and infection are poorly understood. The pathways and cellular factors involved in cell attachment and uptake of viral particles remain largely undefined. Part of the reason has been the large number of different virus targets and the high pathogenicity of many of the isolates. The main objective of this proposal is to identify and characterize the cellular factors involved in the attachment of Bunyaviridae at the cell surface and in the subsequent pathways taken by these viruses to enter cells and reach the cytoplasm. To achieve this goal, we will use various cell biology and molecular approaches, including light and electron microscopic methods and FACS techniques, combined with a large panel of perturbants of cellular entry pathways. To obtain a detailed list of the cellular factors involved, we will use an automated high-throughput siRNA silencing screen which has already been successfully used by our laboratory and our collaborators for many other viruses. We expect to obtain a detailed view of the cellular mechanisms involved in the Bunyaviridae entry, and contribute to a better understanding of the general cellular endocytosis machinery. The factors identified may also serve as potential targets to develop cellular-based anti-Bunyaviridae agents that block infection.

Keywords: virology,cell biology,emergent diseases,bunyaviridae,endocytosis,entry,receptor
TARGET DRIVEN DEVELOPMENT OF METAL CATALYSED C–H BOND ACTIVATION STRATEGIES FOR CHEMICAL SYNTHESIS OF ANTICANCER MOLECULES (CHACT)

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-2007-2-1-IEF, 2007)
Start date: 2008-02-15
End date: 2009-10-14
Duration (months): 20.0
Total project cost (EUR): 178307.05
EU funding (EUR): 178307.05
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Chemical synthesis relies on the presence of functional groups to control the formation of new bonds. In many cases the presence of a particular functional group is of key importance to the target molecule, however frequently the motif is simply present to provide activation for the desired chemical step. The atom economy issues involved in these steps are problematic in two ways. Firstly, the group in question is not always in the final molecule and hence is wasted atomic material. Secondly, and more importantly, the installation of the functional moiety can involve multiple steps and thus reduce the efficiency of the synthesis. A central theme of the research in our group is development of a functional group free disconnection approach to chemical synthesis that uses metal catalysed C–H bond functionalisation to build molecules around simple starting materials.2 While we are not suggesting that this approach will replace the conventional tactics3 of molecule assembly it does offer the synthetic chemist the chance to explore completely unknown strategies. More specifically, it allows us to put the standard rulebook of disconnections to one side and invent a new set of reactions that allow us to break down a molecule without needing to locate a functional group in the synthons. Breaking a C–C, C–N or C–O bond back to a number of C–H bonds represents the pinnacle of modern synthetic chemistry. To achieve this would allow metal catalysed C–H bond functionalisation strategies to offer a conceptually new approach to synthesis that will compliment conventional synthesis and enable us to move a step closer to being able to assemble any desired molecule. • Target driven methodology development inspired synthesis of dictyodendrin B via a catalytic C–H bond activation strategy. • Development of iterative catalytic C–H bond activation tactics for the total functionalisation of heteroarenes. • Investigation of oxidative Pd(II) catalysed C–H bond amination strategies

Keywords: organic chemistry,homogeneous catalysis,synthesis