Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Terrestrial organic matter characterization in Arctic River through molecular and isotopic analyses (TOMCAR-PERMAFROST)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: International Re-integration Grants
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: France
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2010-RG, 2010)
Start date: 2012-02-01
End date: 2016-01-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Climate change is one of the major environmental modifications related to the industrial era. Global warming is not uniform and global climate models project the strongest future warming in the high latitudes. Until now these environments were far less studied than environments at lower latitudes. Most of Arctic rivers drain large permafrost or seasonally frozen areas. The top of the permafrost soils thaws during summer. This active layer plays a crucial role in arctic regions because most ecological, hydrological, biogeochemical and pedogenic activities take place within it. With the expected warming temperature in these regions, the overall area of permafrost is decreasing along with the increasing depth of the active layer. The combination of these two direct consequences of climate change will drastically modify biogeochemical cycles (particularly carbon cycle) of the region. With climate change, and subsequent increasing depth of the active layer, a larger proportion of accumulated soil organic carbon is released to freshwater ecosystems. Beyond organic matter quantities, this last assessment stresses the need of further research on composition and quality of these increasing organic carbon fluxes. Indeed, if most of the organic carbon transferred to the Arctic Ocean is labile and available for degradation, its fate is crucial for biogeochemistry and climate researchers, since it would constitute a positive feedback of climate change through CO2 and CH4 emissions. The object of this research project is to improve our understanding of organic carbon cycle in Arctic River basins, with a particular focus on carbon transfer from soils to rivers based on morphoedaphic characteristics. In order to achieve this goal we decided to work on watersheds with various permafrost influences and with the combination of two complementary tools: Geographic Information System and biogeochemical analysis of river organic carbon (elemental, isotopic and molecular).

Keywords: biogeochemistry,fresh water ecosystems,biochemical and hydrological cycles,carbon cycle,permafrost,boreal forests
The mechanism of retrograde trafficking by retromer. (RETROMER)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: International Re-integration Grants
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: France
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2010-RG, 2010)
Start date: 2011-03-01
End date: 2015-02-28
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Transportation of proteins and lipids between membrane-enclosed organelles by vesicle formation is a fundamental task in eukaryote cells. The least understood protein complex involved in membrane remodelling for vesiculation, but with a wide range of medical implications, is the retromer complex. The objective of this proposal is: First, to identify the mechanistic principles of membrane bending and scission by retromer, and second to characterize temporal and morphological aspects of retromer and cargo molecules (Shiga toxin (STx) and Alzheimer’s amyloid-beta-cleaving enzyme (BACE)). I will exploit two approaches: First, in vitro reconstitution of the retromer complex using giant unilamellar vesicles to deploy biophysical methods. Second, I will provide a molecular choreography and anatomy of retrograde transport of STx, BACE and retromer by implementing a new imaging technique, structured-illumination microscopy combined with single particle tracking. The proposed interdisciplinary research will break new ground for membrane mechanics and trafficking of disease related cargo molecules.

Keywords: cell biology,bacteriology,membrane biophysics,infections,retrograde vesicle trafficking
Active and Passive Exploitation of Light at the Nanometre Scale (APEX-SPP)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: International Re-integration Grants
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: United Kingdom
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2010-RG, 2010)
Start date: 2011-10-01
End date: 2015-09-30
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Light and the various ways it interacts with matter is our primary means of sensing the world around us and it's no surprise that many technologies today are based on light. However, light cannot be imaged or focused to sizes below half its wavelength - known as the diffraction limit. To see smaller objects we must use shorter wavelengths. However, metals can shatter the diffraction limit of light and are now very promising for new technologies that expand the capabilities of computers and the internet and deliver new sensor technologies for healthcare, defense and security. We often take for granted just how strongly light interacts with metals. Electricity, oscillating at 50 Hz has a wavelength of thousands of kilometers, yet an electrical socket is no larger than a few centimeters; well below the diffraction limit! By structuring metal surfaces on the nanometre scale, this same phenomenon allows us to beat the diffraction limit in the visible spectrum. This approach has recently re-invigorated the study of optics at the nano-scale. I believe the paradigm of nano-optics is the capability to shrink light down to the length scales of molecular, solid state and atomic electronic states for the first time. With nano-optics, light-matter interactions are not only greatly strengthened but weak effects once difficult to detect are dramatically enhanced. If we can strengthen such weak effects we can use them to realize new capabilities in optics. Last year, I reported in Nature that metal-based lasers can generate light below the diffraction limit and sustain it by amplification thus overcoming the inherent resistance of metals. While conventional lasers transmit light over large distances, it is the light inside these metal lasers that is unique. I want to use this light for new types of spectroscopy on the scale of individual molecules. Exploring optics at untouched length scales is an exciting opportunity with the potential for fundamentally new discoveries.

Keywords: physical sciences,experimental physics,applied optics,nanodevices,nanosystems,quantum technology,spectroscopy,solid state physics
Mental Retardation: Harnessing the Glutamate Hypofunction Hypothesis (MERE-GLU)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: International Re-integration Grants
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: Netherlands
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2010-RG, 2010)
Start date: 2011-04-01
End date: 2015-03-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Mental retardation (MR) imposes a major medical and social-economical problem in our society. It is defined as a global reduction in cognitive and intellectual abilities, which manifests before the age of 18, and is estimated to affect 1-3% of the population. The causes of MR are extremely heterogeneous and include non-genetic factors as well as genetic changes that include chromosomal abnormalities and single-gene mutations. Great progress has been made over recent years towards the identification of MR-related genes, resulting in a list of approximately 400 genes. A largely remaining challenge, however, is to connect the genetic causes of MR to processes that establish and/or modify neuronal circuit function. Because learning deficit is a constant feature of those patients, it is tempting to attribute some of MR traits to alterations in synaptic functions. This research proposal is geared towards unravelling the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying MR, focusing on the synaptic deficits of the disease. First, I will test the hypothesis that at the cellular level, MR proteins often impinge on synaptic function, and more specifically affect glutamate receptors expression and/or trafficking. Second, I will investigate in detail how genetic deficits found in MR lead to synaptic dysfunction in vivo. Several of the currently identified genes associated with MR code for regulators and effectors of the Rho GTPase family. These findings have led to the hypothesis that abnormal Rho GTPase signaling may be a prominent cause of MR. However, how alterations in Rho signaling result in changes in neuronal connectivity and/or plasticity that give rise to MR remain elusive. To gain insight into these pathways I will use a combination of molecular biology, optical imaging and physiology together with viral-mediated gene transfer methods to manipulate the molecular composition of single neurons in a spatial and temporal controlled manner.

Keywords: neurobiology,mental retardation,synaptic plasticity,glutamate receptors,rho gtpases,signalling
Investigating the Role of Abnormal Hemichannel Activities of Cx26 Mutations on Epidermal Keratinocyte Calcium Homeostasis and Differentiation (SKINCONNECTION)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: International Re-integration Grants
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: Türkiye
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2010-RG, 2010)
Start date: 2011-03-01
End date: 2015-09-30
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The skin protects the body against environmental insults and to function properly, epidermal keratinocytes maintain a perfect balance between proliferation and differentiation. Alteration of this balance leads to disorders. Some of these diseases are linked to connexin (Cx) mutations. Connexins are widely expressed in all layers of the epidermis but exact roles of connexins in the epidermis are not known. Analysis of disease mutations can be invaluable for understanding connexin function. Connexin mutations causing skin disorders acquired novel properties and some resulted in active hemichannels that caused release of signaling molecules into the extracellular space and alteration of calcium (Ca2+) mechanisms in adjacent cells. Ca2+ plays roles in keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation and alteration of Ca2+ in the epidermis causes skin disorders. Changes in extracellular Ca2+ levels influence keratinocyte intercellular Ca2+ signals and affect their cellular events. Here it is proposed that aberrant hemichannel activities of Cx26 mutations can alter the epidermal Ca2+ balance by releasing metabolites into the extracellular space and interfere with keratinocyte differentiation programs . For this, normal human keratinocyte cell lines transfected with mutant Cx26 will be used to analyze cellular events, changes in metabolites level and Ca2+ metabolism in cells. Further, keratinocytes with mutant Cx26 will be grown to 3D structures that mimic the normal epidermis and effects of mutant channels on cells in 3D configuration and on Ca2+ signaling will be characterized. The ultimate aim is to understand roles of Cx26 in the skin and its disease. This proposal provides an integration opportunity for the applicant to the host organization in order for her to create her own research laboratory and to transfer her knowledge, research and teaching experiences acquired in USA to the host country and research communities in Europe while retaining her partners in USA.

Keywords: gap junctions,intercellular communication,connexin26,hemichannel,skin disorders,calcium signaling
Molecular basis for root-root interactions between wheat and weed (INTERACTROOT)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: International Re-integration Grants
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: United Kingdom
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2010-RG, 2010)
Start date: 2011-07-01
End date: 2013-12-29
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 50000.0
EU funding (EUR): 50000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

In natural and managed ecosystems such as agricultural fields, plants seldom grow alone, rather, they interact with individuals that belong to the same or different plant species. In an agricultural field, wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) plants interact with weedy species such as Alopecurus myosuroides (black-grass), and others. Wheat-weed interactions are detrimental to the crop and can lead to substantial yield loss. Gaining a better understanding of these interactions in particular belowground interactions is critical to develop wheat that can be grown under sustainable conditions. The main objectives for this proposal are (1) to establish whether roots from wheat can display different growth patterns in the presence of roots from weed species independently from resources availability, (2) to test whether root exudates contain a signal involved in root-root interactions and to possibly identify the specific compounds detected by the crop, and (3) to identify mechanisms of root interspecific interactions by studying root gene expression profiles and identifying potential regulatory genes and response pathways. A successful outcome of the described research would provide significant additional momentum to developing the root-root interaction theme into broader investigation including other rhizosphere interactions. Building a more complete model for below-ground interactions will be of interest for both ecological and agricultural research.

Keywords: natural sciences,plant science,root biology,biotic interactions,transcriptomic
Protein-based ATRP catalysts: From Nanoreactors to ATRPases (PROTEINATRP)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: European Re-integration Grants
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: Switzerland
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2010-RG, 2010)
Start date: 2011-03-01
End date: 2014-02-28
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 45000.0
EU funding (EUR): 45000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization (ATRP) is the most successful and widely applied controlled radical polymerization process and has emerged as one of the most powerful synthetic techniques in polymer science. Chain termination reactions are suppressed and the growth of the chains proceeds in a controlled way. It allows precise control of the polymer’s molecular weight, achieving a narrow molecular weight distribution and synthesis of polymers with complex molecular architectures, such as block copolymers. However, the major drawback of ATRP is the residual toxic copper ions found in the final polymer products. I propose to investigate protein-based catalysts for the mediation of ATRP. The methodology developed during my Marie Curie fellowship, the conjugation of appropriate ligands to defined sites on protein surfaces, will be used. ATRP catalysts will be obtained in which the active complex is encapsulated in a cage like protein nanoreactor, or where the catalyst is exposed on the surface of fluorescent proteins. The nanoreactors will be explored to synthesize individual amphiphilic block copolymer chains in a hydrophilic nanocompartment. This system allows studying the folding of individual amphiphilic block copolymer chains. On the other hand, fluorescent proteins will be explored as efficient means to remove copper from the polymerization solution, and to monitor such removal by observing the location of fluorescence. With this system, homo and block copolymers will be synthesized that are acceptable for application in biomedical and food-grade applications because of their low copper ion content. Last but not least, naturally occurring metalloproteins, such as hemoglobin, peroxidase and cytochromes, will be explored as ATRP catalysts in aqueous and in nonaqueous solutions. As these proteins are non-toxic and available in large quantities, they could become the ATRP catalysts of the future.

Keywords: polymer chemistry,atom transfer radical polymerization,atrp,protein cage,nanoreactor,artificial metalloenzyme,non-natural enzyme activity,blockcopolymer,polymer folding
The Growth of New Entrepreneurial Ventures and the Internal Dynamics of Resources (ORGGROWTH)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: International Re-integration Grants
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: Netherlands
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2010-RG, 2010)
Start date: 2011-04-01
End date: 2015-03-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

How can newly established organizations grow successfully? This question has captivated researchers in entrepreneurship and organization theory for decades. This literature has documented that such diverse issues as competition at founding, firm strategies, and the size and composition of the management team can predict organizational growth (e.g. Eisenhardt and Schoonhoven, 1990). Underlying these diverse results is the premise that gaining access to necessary resources and managing these resources successfully is critical to realize organizational growth, yet the dynamics of the resources within entrepreneurial ventures, once obtained, are still poorly understood. In this project, we focus specifically on physical, material resources, a type of resource that has received little empirical attention compared to other types, such as human or knowledge-based resources. Focusing on material resources, this study aims to contribute to organization theory and entrepreneurship research by answering the following research questions: First, how do we explain diversity and change in the resource portfolios of entrepreneurial ventures in terms of these firms’ founding conditions? Second, how does diversity and change in such resource portfolios affect new venture growth? In short, this study intends to focus both on the antecedents (i.e. founding conditions) and consequences (i.e. organizational growth) of resource dynamics within new start-ups. This study’s research questions will be tested with data on the U.K. airline industry, 1919-1975, where aircraft are considered to be the critical resources to start-up airlines. The dataset will include over 350 -typically small- airline companies that existed throughout this period and over 3,500 aircraft held by these airlines.

Keywords: social sciences,entrepreneurship,organization theory,resources,organizational growth
Value Added Utilization of Black Tea By-products using Pressurized Low Polarity Water Extraction for the Development of Bioactive Extracts (PLPWETEA)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: International Re-integration Grants
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: Türkiye
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2010-RG, 2010)
Start date: 2011-03-01
End date: 2015-02-28
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Value added utilization of agricultural and food industry by-products for the recovery of bioactive compounds has been widely recognized as an important area of research due to economic and environmental considerations. Main objective of this research project is to develop a sustainable processing methodology using pressurized low polarity water (PLPW) extraction for the recovery of bioactive extracts from black tea by-products focusing on tea polyphenols and tea saponins, bioactive compounds of great commercial significance. Multiple analytical and biological methods will be adapted for the analysis of the extracts to determine their polyphenol and saponin contents and their bioactivity (antioxidant and antibacterial activity). PLPW extraction conditions (temperature, time, sample pretreatment) will be optimized with respect to the bioactivity of the extracts and extract yields. Fractional extraction (at constant temperature and with a temperature gradient of 100-250˚C) will be carried out to investigate the selective recovery of bioactive components to obtain a spectrum of unique fractions with different compositions and activities. The use of elevated temperatures during PLPW extraction enables the investigation of the dual role of PLPW as a reaction medium and an extraction/fractionation solvent and its potential for the development of novel bioactive products. Mass transfer during PLPW extraction of tea polyphenols and saponins will be investigated to determine the mechanism that controls the extraction rate providing direction for further studies on the scale-up of the extraction process for industrial scale processing. Fractional PLPW extraction of polyphenols and saponins will be carried out at different solvent flow rates to investigate the mass tranfer during PLPW extraction. Two mathematical models will be used to describe PLPW extraction behavior: 1) a thermodynamic model (based on partition coefficient) and 2) the two-site kinetic (desorption) model

Keywords: extraction,pressurized low polarity water,subcritical water,saponins,polyphenols,black tea,by-products,bioprocessing,bioactivity,value added,mass transfer,modeling,antioxidant