Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
SYNAPTIC TRAFFICKING OF KAINATE RECEPTORS IN HIPPOCAMPAL CA3 PYRAMIDAL CELLS IN VIVO (KARTRAF)

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: France
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-IEF-2008, 2008)
Start date: 2009-05-01
End date: 2011-04-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 165444.54
EU funding (EUR): 165444.54
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The proper function of neurotransmitters receptors is highly dependent on their precise subcellular localization in neurons. The molecular and cellular mechanisms that govern the synaptic localization of glutamate receptors both depend on the molecular structure of receptors and on interactions with cytoplasmic and extracellular proteins. These mechanisms have been widely studied using a variety of techniques applied to nonneuronal cells and to dissociated neurons in cultures. In contrast, our aim is to approach this question in an experimental situation which approximates polarized trafficking of receptors in an in vivo situation. Excitatory synaptic transmission in the mammalian brain is primarily mediated by ionotropic glutamate receptors (iGluRs) which fall into three classes: AMPA, NMDA and KARs. These ligand gated ion channels share common architecture, but display divergent functions. Kainate receptors have recently appeared to play an important role in the regulation of the activity of synaptic networks. Kainate receptors are involved in synaptic integration, in synaptic plasticity, in the regulation of neurotransmitter release and in the control of neuronal excitability. These functions require the proper subcellular localization of kainate receptors in specific functional domains of the neuron, necessitating complex cellular and molecular trafficking events. We will study the mechanisms that account for the highly restricted localization of kainate receptors (KARs) in the proximal dendrites of hippocampal CA3 pyramidal cells, at mossy fiber (MF) synapses. For this purpose, we will take advantage of a multidisciplinary integrated approach combining molecular and cellular tools (transgenic mice, organotypic cultures, biolistic transfection) with electrophysiological and imaging techniques.

Keywords: hippocampus,kainate receptors,glur6 knock-out mouse,pyramidal cell,mossy fiber,organotypic slice culture,gene gun.
The reward system in healthy ageing and its modulation by gonadal steroid hormones: multimodal neuroimaging studies (fMRI/PET) (AGING_HORMONE)

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: Ireland
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-IEF-2008, 2008)
Start date: 2009-05-01
End date: 2011-04-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 245450.82
EU funding (EUR): 245450.82
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Reward processing plays a fundamental role in motivation, learning and cognition. Using fMRI in humans, we recently identified the neural structures involved when anticipating uncertain rewards. Cognitive impairments and dysfunction of the dopaminergic system are observed in healthy aging and in several neurological and psychiatric disorders. Moreover, damage from stroke and neurodegeneration in dementia may be retarded by estrogen and estrogens may prevent the deleterious effects of aging on cognition when administered soon after the cessation of ovarian function. However little is known about the effects of ageing and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on the reward system and dopamine synthesis. The goals of this research program are to investigate the role of ageing in men and women and the effect of age-related hormonal decline in post-menopausal women with and without hormone replacement therapy on activation of the reward system and on dopaminergic. Using both fMRI and fDOPA PET, we shall investigate: 1) the activation of the reward system with fMRI in our monetary reward task; 2) dopamine synthesis in the midbrain and the striatum using F-DOPA PET; 3) the relationships between activation of the reward system and the levels of midbrain/striatum dopamine synthesis by combining fMRI and F-DOPA PET results in the same individuals; 4) the effect of HRT on the reward system and the dopaminergic function in post-menopausal women. Our findings should clarify the relationships between activation of the reward system, dopamine synthesis and the effect of ageing and HRT.

Keywords: health sciences,hormone,menopause,aging,brain imaging
The role of hypothalamic thyroid hormone in the neuroendocrine regulation of appetite, energy balance and glucose homeostasis. (HYPOTHALAMIC T3)

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: 2009-05-01
End date: 2011-04-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 171867.63
EU funding (EUR): 171867.63
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Obesity is a global epidemic. The number of people who are obese or overweight increases annually. Being obese or overweight significantly increases the risk of co-morbidities that are currently amongst the major health problems of modern times, including diabetes and cardiovascular disease, collectively known as the metabolic syndrome. Currently 2-7% of European healthcare budgets are consumed addressing health problems arising from excess body weight, and this is predicted to increase. Body weight regulation is complex. In order to find successful therapeutic interventions it is essential that we understand the molecular basis and mechanisms of appetite and energy balance regulation. For decades thyroid hormone deficiency has been known to cause obesity. It has been assumed that the principal cause of obesity by hypothyroidism is reduced energy expenditure in peripheral tissues. But there is now compelling evidence that thyroid hormone has a direct role in regulating neural mechanisms involved appetite and energy expenditure. The objectives of this project are 1. To show that T3 chronically released in the hypothalamus of the rat causes increased food intake, body weight with potential to develop into metabolic syndrome. 2. To identify thyroid hormone-regulated genes involved in hypothalamic control of appetite and energy balance. These objectives will be met by using state-of-the-art approaches including brain implant technology and microarray analysis of hypothalamic gene expression. The work will be carried out at the University of Aberdeen Rowett Institute of Health and Nutrition, an institute with a wealth of experience in nutrition research. The project is expected to provide significant new information on involvement and mechanism of thyroid hormone in appetite and energy balance, and to contribute to priorities identified in EU work programmes of FP5, FP6 and the current FP7 work programme for Health.

Keywords: natural sciences,animal endocrinology,animal physiology,neurosciences,neurobiology,neurophysiology,genomics,molecular genetics,nutritional sciences
Exciton-polaritons in microcavities: physics and devices (CLERMONT4)

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: Italy,France,United Kingdom,United Kingdom,United Kingdom,United Kingdom,Spain,Greece,Switzerland
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-ITN-2008, 2008)
Start date: 2009-09-01
End date: 2013-08-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 4278121.76
EU funding (EUR): 4278121.76
Participants: 10
Project status: CLOSED

The discovery of Bose-Einstein condensation (BEC) of exciton-polaritons in 2006 and the demonstration of room-temperature polariton lasing in 2007 have opened the way to realisation of a new generation of optoelectronic devices referred to as polariton devices. The research on exciton-polaritons and polaritonics allows the quantum effects of superfluidity, entanglement, squeezing of light to be brought to the everyday life and used in new light sources, optical switches, modulators and memory elements. The fundamental principles of polariton physics have been established by our previous networks &quot;CLERMONT&quot; and &quot;CLERMONT2&quot; within the 5th and 6th FP. The breakthrough achieved in 2006-2007 brings the polaritonics on a new level and makes its rapid development in Europe an overall strategic priority. Our present consortium composed by 10 European academic teams and supported by 6 leading industrial groups has a critical mass in polariton physics and technology. We intend to form a new generation of solid state physicists able to maintain the European leadership in this rapidly developing interdisciplinary research field. Four of the present partners took part in the discovery of the BEC of polaritons and polariton lasing, six others have given key contributions into polaritonics over the last decade. The Coordinator of the project holds the Marie Curie Chair of Excellence &quot;Polariton Devices&quot; at the university of Rome. We propose 16 full term PhD and 3 postdoc projects to be realized at two network nodes each with a compulsary training in industry. We shall organize the international conference on Optics of Excitons in Confined Systems in 2009, 3 international conferences on Physics of Light-Matter Coupling in Nanostructures and 2 Summer Schools on Nanophotonics. The project will form a world-leading international team of researchers capable to implement the ideas of polaritonics in a new generation of optoelectronic devices.

Keywords: physics of semiconductors,optical and dielectric properties,solid state physics
Role of ABA in root meristem maintenance (RAM)

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: 2010-03-05
End date: 2012-03-04
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 239201.24
EU funding (EUR): 239201.24
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The continuous function of (root and shoot) meristems is fundamental to the post-embryonic development, adaptation and survival of higher plants. Understanding the mechanisms of meristem maintenance represents a key challenge in plant science research. In the past decade, considerable knowledge has been gained about the importance of auxin in root meristem maintenance. However, the role of other hormones in this process is much less clear. This project will seek to fill this knowledge gap by studying the role of another hormone, abscisic acid (ABA) in root meristem maintenance. The project is based on our preliminary finding that ABA rescues the root meristem failure in the alf3-1 mutant. We have established that this ABA function is not mediated by currently known ABA signalling components such as the ABI genes and also have obtained mutants, known as aabi (for alf3-1 ABA insensitive), that are insensitive to this ABA regulation. These mutants are interesting in several aspects: 1) they likely carry mutations in novel ABA signalling genes; 2) they are defective in several fundamental mechanisms related to root meristem maintenance such as the maintenance of the stem cell niche and positional regulation over cell differentiation fate. The project focuses on one MABI gene, MABI8, and aims at identifying/and characterising this gene and also establishing the cellular and molecular events associated with the root meristem failure in the alf3-1 and aabi mutants.

Keywords: root meristem,aba
Effects of climate-induced habitat fragmentation on high alpine biodiversity (ALPINEFRAGMENTATION)

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: 2010-02-01
End date: 2012-01-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 235138.95
EU funding (EUR): 235138.95
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Alpine biodiversity is especially vulnerable to climate change; warmer temperatures are forecast to cause altitudinal shifts in vegetation zones and vertical advance of the treeline. Such effects will result in a lower area of suitable habitat for high alpine specialists as their optimal habitat becomes increasingly small. In addition, populations on separate high altitude areas will become increasingly fragmented and isolated from one-another as suitable habitat towards the lower end of their altitudinal range becomes unsuitable. For many alpine specialists, mountain tops may be considered as islands separated by unsuitable habitat, and the size and spacing of these can greatly affect the regional occurrence of species. This project will determine the effects of high alpine habitat patch size and isolation on the abundance and species richness of different animal taxa (birds, butterflies and carabids, representing different dispersal abilities) by carrying out surveys in habitat patches representing a gradient of different sizes and levels of isolation, where patches are defined by the treeline and a range of high altitude species of open grassland habitats are surveyed. Effects of fragmentation will be examined by analysing the relationship between species abundance/richness and patch size and isolation. Resulting statistical models will then be used to examine the potential consequences of climate change on alpine communities by considering differing scenarios of altitudinal shifts in vegetation zones. The project will produce predictions of the effects of habitat fragmentation and therefore enable recommendations about the size and location of any protected areas that are designated to ameliorate climate change effects.

Keywords: climate change,fragmentation,biodiversity,ornithology,entomology
Toward the development of peptide-based hydrogels for tissue regeneration applications with inherent antibacterial activity (PEPTIDEBASEDHYDROGEL)

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: Portugal
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-IOF-2008, 2008)
Start date: 2009-11-01
End date: 2012-10-31
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 235102.89
EU funding (EUR): 235102.89
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Hydrogels are heavily hydrated materials finding use as delivery vehicles in autologous tissue engineering. In one approach, healthy cells are first isolated from the patient and expanded in the lab. The cells are then encapsulated in a hydrogel and the resulting gel/cell construct is injected into the wound site where healing is catalyzed by the implanted cells. Although early efforts show promise, implant-centered infections can be problematic since the microenvironment of many hydrogels are not only ideal for the intended mammalian cells but also for opportunistic bacteria. In this proposal, a multidisciplinary approach entailing structure-based peptide design, biophysical and materials properties analysis as well as mammalian and bacterial cell culturing will be used to formulate a peptide-based hydrogel that meets the stringent requirements for mammalian cell encapsulation and delivery, yet is also inherently antibacterial. This work will result in novel materials that will find immediate use in tissue engineering.

Keywords: hydrogel,peptide,self-assembly,stem cell,tissue engineering,antimicrobial peptides
CYRTANTHUS-DRUGS: the predictive power of phylogenies in plant drug discovery - a case study of the genus Cyrtanthus (Amaryllidaceae) (CYRTANTHUS-DRUGS)

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: Denmark
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-IIF-2008, 2008)
Start date: 2010-08-01
End date: 2012-07-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 204951.55
EU funding (EUR): 204951.55
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

This proposal, CYRTANTHUS-DRUGS, consists of a 24 months incoming phase to the Pharmacognosy Laboratory, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Copenhagen, Denmark (host institution). CYRTANTHUS-DRUGS is very interdisciplinary and will use an array of molecular, chemical, biological, analytical and interview techniques, to produce a phylogeny of Cyrtanthus (Amaryllidaceae), as well as chemical profiles and central nervous system related biological activity profiles for at least 25 or half of the circa 50 species. The phylogeny and the chemical and activity profiles will then be used to evaluate the predictive power of a genus level phylogeny in plant drug discovery.

Keywords: systematic botany,drug discovery,natural sciences,biodiversity inventory: systematics phylogeny taxonomy,pharmacognosy,pharmacology,phylogeny,medicine
Development of Benign Metal Alkoxide Initiators for Stereoselective Synthesis of Polyesters for Application as Scaffolds in Tissue Engineering (DGV)

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: 2009-03-01
End date: 2011-02-28
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 171867.63
EU funding (EUR): 171867.63
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

During the last years an intense research has been done in pursuit of the development of highly active and stereoselective initiators for the ring opening polymerization of cyclic esters such as rac-lactide, e-caprolactone, etc. However, there is still a need to develop a new generation of catalyst which shows higher activities and stereoselectivity. Furthermore, one of the most important applications of these polyesters is for biomedical applications, and therefore the need of “benign” initiators is also very high, if the final polymer is intended to be used for these purposes. Thus, in the initial part of this project we will synthesized a new range of metal alkoxide initiators for the polymerization of cyclic esters, which will allow us to obtain a library of polyesters of varying properties by fine tuning the ligands in the first coordination sphere of the metal centers of the initiator. We will focus on the molecular weights, polydispersity, stereochemistry (i.e. atactic, stereotactic or isotactic), composition, block-lenghts, etc. of the new polymers in view of its posterior applications. Thus, in the second part of this project we will prepare new scaffolds for Tissue Engineering, based on the library of polymers previously synthesized. In this part of the project we will fabricate flat sheets and hollow fibers with the different polyesters and evaluate its applicability in cell culture (both attachment and proliferation) in order to improve the current scaffolds based in the commercial polymers. Apart from these research objectives, this proposal is expected that will help the applicant to reach a position of professional maturity by gain experience in the area of controlled polymerization, scaffold fabrication. Also is expected for the applicant a development of his experience in teaching, oral and written communication and networking by interaction with leading mentors in a top rank institution.

Keywords: homogeneous catalysis,inorganic chemistry,polymer chemistry,biomaterial engineering
Geometry and analysis of the first eigenvalue functional (GAFEF)

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: France
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-IEF-2008, 2008)
Start date: 2009-11-01
End date: 2011-10-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 156712.58
EU funding (EUR): 156712.58
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The project is devoted to the study of the first eigenvalue problem for the Laplace operator in geometric settings. The starting ideology is to regard the first eigenvalue as a functional defined on a suitable set of Riemannian metrics, and the main objects of the study are the corresponding extremals. More precisely, the objectives are to study the existence and the properties of extremal metrics. The methods and intuition are both analytic and geometric and involve, for example, the analysis of the concentration phenomenon and the development of the regularity theory. The project is on a quickly developing area which borders with a number of disciplines, and at the moment only isolated results are proved on the rigorous level. Therefore, any progress would be interesting for experts and would advance the researcher greatly towards attaining an independent position.

Keywords: geometry,mathematical analysis,laplace operator,first eigenvalue