Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Salmonella enterica abortusovis is able during the infection to hide itself to the host immune system using unknown mechanisms (SALMONELLA)

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: Italy
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2009-RG, 2009)
Start date: 2010-11-01
End date: 2013-10-31
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 75000.0
EU funding (EUR): 75000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Abortion in sheep due to Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica serovar Abortusovis is an important animal health problem in areas of the Mediterranean, where the sheep industry has a significant economy impact. The pathogen is host restricted to ovines where it invades the intestinal epithelium and causes a systemic infection that often goes undetected, until it manifest as an abortion. In animals that are not pregnant, there are no overt signs of disease, suggesting that the organism can evade detection by the innate immune system during invasion, but the underlying mechanisms are currently unknown. The long-term goal of this study is to elucidate mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of S. Abortusovis infection. Our central hypothesis is that S. Abortusovis prevents recognition through Toll-like receptors, which renders the host unable to control infection before pathogens reach the uterus and cause abortions. We will contrast S. Abortusovis to a closely related pathogen, S. enterica serovar Typhimurium , whose invasion of the intestinal epithelium is detected by the innate immune system, resulting in overt signs of disease associated with intestinal inflammation. Aim 1, we will determine whether S. Abortusovis evades recognition by TLR5 during invasion of the intestinal epithelium. Aim 2, we will determine whether S. Abortusovis evades recognition by TLR4 during its persistence in tissue macrophages. The proposed studies will take an innovative approach that links clinical observations to molecular virulence mechanisms. By establishing these connections, our studies are to demonstrate that innate immune evasion is a S. Abortusovis-specific virulence mechanism that can explain S. Abortusovis infection in sheep differs drastically from gastroenteritis caused by S. Typhimurium. This outcome is significant because it will establish a new paradigm in Salmonella pathogenesis, which is expected to have a measurable impact on the field of bacterial pathogenesis.

Keywords: medical microbiology
Connectivity Brokerage for Collaborative Optimization of Heterogeneous Wireless Networks (CONN-BRO)

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-2009-RG, 2009)
Start date: 2010-09-01
End date: 2014-08-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Traditional approach to resource allocation is inefficient, and optimal mapping of them to different applications is a promising alternative in order to meet the stringent requirements of some future wireless network applications. Recent developments such as opportunistic spectrum access have brought new resources on the table. Collaborative optimization of heterogeneous technologies is an important direction as well. For the real life implementation of such algorithms, practical considerations such as dynamically varying conditions and the overhead of collaboration also need to be considered. For this purpose, a distributed, scalable, universal, dynamic and extendable software architecture that enables information sharing between different technologies is needed. The strategic objective “Network of the Future” of FP7 ICT puts such technologies as key components of future networks, which fostered many projects. Before returning to Europe, Dr. Ercan had been working on collaborative optimization algorithms for wireless networks and a novel software architecture for their real life implementation with colleagues from UC Berkeley, TU Berlin, and UP Madrid. CONN-BRO project will enable Dr. Ercan to contribute to the European excellence in these topics by transferring the expertise that he gained in USA to Europe. He will design novel implementable collaborative optimization algorithms for heterogeneous wireless networks. He will continue collaboration with UC Berkeley, TU Berlin and UP Madrid on the software architecture development jointly with the optimization algorithm design. At this phase, he will explore and utilize the architectures proposed by the European projects as well. He will setup a test-bed similar to the one in UC Berkeley and implement the designed optimization algorithms and software architectures on the test-bed. A wireless sensor and camera network application will also be demonstrated on the test-bed.

Keywords: opportunistic spectrum access,collaborative wireless network optimization,connectivity brokerage,software architectures,sensor and camera network applications
HyGuide (HYGUIDE)

Framework: FP7 — Cooperation
Programme: Joint Technology Initiatives (Annex IV-SP1)
Theme: Public-private partnerships
Destination: Fuel Cells and Hydrogen
Action type: Coordination and support actions
Partnership: FCH (Art-185)
Countries involved: Germany,Germany,Germany,Italy,European organisations area
Call:  (FCH-JU-2009-1, 2009)
Start date: 2010-10-01
End date: 2011-09-30
Duration (months): 12.0
Total project cost (EUR): 524793.0
EU funding (EUR): 366318.0
Participants: 5
Project status: CLOSED

The overall goal of the call “SP1-JTI-FCH.2009.5.5 LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT (LCA)” is to develop a specific guidance document for application to hydrogen and fuel cell technologies and related training material with courses for practitioners in industry and research. This is to be based on and in line with the International Reference Life Cycle Data System (ILCD) Handbook, co-developed by the European Commission's JRC-IES. Our concept for this guidance document relates back to an international standardized procedure: the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) System (ISO 14025), providing consistent information using common program and product category rules (PCR). HyGuide will be similar to a PCR. To further improve acceptance and applicability, a strong and active involvement of all relevant stakeholders is foreseen. To ensure compatibility with related tools in policy and industry context, the HyGuide will be prepared in line with the ILCD Handbook, in advice by the EC JRC-IES' “European Platform on LCA”. The HyGuide will equally be coordinated with the consortium of the JTI call “Technology Monitoring and Assessment”. The balanced, multidisciplinary project consortium features specifically experienced research, consultancy and industry partners and the EC: PE INT, USTUTT, KIT-G, the JRC-IE and the European Hydrogen Association (EHA). The EHA's key role is to involve industry members and support dissemination of the results to a broad audience (supporting action). The expected outcomes of HyGuide include: • A PCR-type guidance document - based on the ILCD handbook - that is scientifically sound, industry accepted and quality assured (reviewed), • LCA study reporting templates, tailor-made to hydrogen and fuel cell technologies, • Broad dissemination among LCA practitioners and industry, and • A website, as a central information point and as a fully integrated component of the ILCD Data Network, with public and restricted access areas.

Keywords: ilcd,lci,lca,fuel cell,hydrogen,guidance document
Homotopy algebras in homotopy theory and higher category theory (HOMALGHIGH)

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,Czechia
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2009-RG, 2009)
Start date: 2011-09-01
End date: 2015-08-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 2
Project status: CLOSED

We will study in this project exciting new interactions and applications between two fundamental modern research areas of mathematics, homotopy theory and higher category theory. These areas of mathematics are used in applied sciences. For instance, homotopy theory is used in robotics and in computer science. Higher category theory studies the way in which complex structures arising for instance in physics, computer science, biology, can be described by a common language, the one of ‘weak n-categories’. In this project, we apply ideas and techniques from homotopy theory to higher category theory. This will provide new and groundbreaking insights into the latter and will return homotopical applications. We will study certain structures which resembles simple algebraic ones but which are in fact much more complex because the defining data are specified ‘up to homotopy’. These structures are called homotopy algebras. We will then study ways in which a homotoy algebra can be made suitably equivalent to a simpler structure, a strict algebra. This process is called rigidification. We will then apply this theory to weak n-categories. We will view one of the models of weak n-categories, due to Tamsamani, as homotopy algebras, and study its rigidification. This will produce a new important type of higher categorical structure, called weakly globular n-fold categories. These will then be used in applications. We will obtain a new way to describe the building blocks of topological spaces, called n-types, and we will understand their connection with iterated loop spaces. We will also pursue other homotopical applications which will lead to the computation of important invariants used to describe topological spaces.

Keywords: homotopy theory,higher category theory,homotopy coherence,weak n-categories,n-fold categories,models of n-types,higher groupoids
Regulation of hepatic CD1d-restricted antigen presentation and Natural Killer T cell homeostasis by the microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (HEPATOCYTE MTP)

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: Germany
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2009-RG, 2009)
Start date: 2010-04-01
End date: 2014-03-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Natural Killer T (NKT) cells are unconventional T cells which recognize lipid antigens presented by the atypical MHC class I molecule CD1d. While NKT cells are abundant in the human and murine liver and play important roles in liver diseases such as autoimmune hepatitis and primary biliary cirrhosis, little is know about their regulation. The microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) is an endoplasmic reticulum-resident protein which catalyzes lipid transfer onto Apolipoprotein B and assists in the assembly of chylomicrons and very low density lipoproteins. In addition, MTP can transfer phospholipids onto CD1d and regulate CD1d antigen presentation and NKT cell activation thus establishing a link between metabolism and immune function. Here, I propose to investigate the regulation of hepatic CD1d-restricted lipid antigen presentation by MTP and its role in NKT cell activation and homeostasis in the liver. Using two unique mouse models that allow for tissue-specific deletion of MTP in hepatocytes and tracking of NKT cells via green fluorescent protein, I will study the regulation of CD1d biosynthesis, stability, and antigen presentation by hepatocyte MTP. In addition, I propose to investigate NKT cell activation and homeostasis in mice with hepatocyte-specific MTP deletion. These studies will provide, for the first time, insight into the regulation of lipid antigen presentation by hepatocytes and will provide the basis for therapeutic targeting of MTP and CD1d in NKT cell-mediated liver diseases. In addition, these studies will significantly extend our knowledge about the mechanisms of cross-regulation of metabolic and immune pathways. The Marie Curie International Reintegration Grant will provide essential funding for this project and will ensure my successful scientific reintegration thereby supporting scientific excellence in Europe.

Keywords: health sciences,natural killer t cell,cd1d,microsomal triglyceride transfer protein,lipid antigen presentation
Freeze Control in Food by Ice Binding Proteins (FREEZECONTROL BY IBP)

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: Israel
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2009-RG, 2009)
Start date: 2010-07-01
End date: 2014-06-30
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The freezing processes play a main role in food science. The storage of food in a frozen form has become one of the most common ways to elongate the shelf-time of many food products. Nevertheless, during freezing and thawing, cell walls can be ruptured by the ice crystals or can be separated by extra-cellular ice growth during the recrystalization process. Ice binding proteins (IBP), which include antifreeze proteins, ice nucleating proteins, and recrystalization inhibitors, hold great promise for improvements in food supply and quality through the prevention of frost damage to crops and the enhancement of preservation technology. The interaction of IBPs with ice crystals suggests that these proteins can be use as a means of controlling ice in food in each level of its production and processing. I propose to investigate freeze control in food by ice binding proteins. My background includes a PhD in ice physics and in particular optical investigation of crystal growth, a post-doctorate work in biophysics and biotechnology and academic position in Ohio University in where I investigate IBPs. In my post-doctorate work at Caltech, I developed instrumentation that was the basis for the biotechnology company Helicos Bioscience, which led to the development of the first instrumentation that can sequence DNA at the single molecule level. In the past few years at Ohio University, I have combined the subjects of ice physics and biophysics and have developed methods for investigating antifreeze proteins in novel ways. I have developed unique instrumentation to assess the activity of the proteins, in particular microfluidics and fluorescence microscopy. At the Hebrew University Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment I intend to establish a Food Biophysics lab in which I will continue my basic research on the mechanism of freeze control and investigate the potential of IBPs to improve the quality of different food materials upon cooling, freezing and thawing.

Keywords: food biophysics,antifreeze proteins,crop protection,cryobiology,food biotechnology
Tools and methods for in vivo electroporation (TAMIVIVE)

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: Spain
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2009-RG, 2009)
Start date: 2010-07-01
End date: 2014-06-30
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Electroporation (EP) is the phenomenon in which cell membrane permeability to molecules is increased after exposing the cell to high electric field short pulses. Depending on various factors, such permeabilization will be temporary and will not compromise cell viability (&quot;reversible EP&quot;) or will be permanent, or too intense, so that homeostasis will be severely disrupted and the cell will end up dying by necrotic or apoptotic processes (&quot;irreversible EP&quot;). Both EP modes have important applications in biotechnology and in medicine. For instance, reversible EP is now a routine technique in microbiology labs for in vitro DNA transfection. My interest in EP was stimulated during my postdoctoral position at the University of California at Berkeley (2005-2009). There I had the opportunity to participate in the process in which Prof. Rubinsky brought the concept of using irreversible EP as an ablation technique from a mere idea into a clinical reality. In May 2009 I moved to Prof. Mir&apos;s lab at Villejuif (France) as a preliminary step in order to reintegrate myself into the EP European research arena. During the 90s, Prof. Mir pioneered the use of EP for enhancing the penetration of anti-tumor drugs. Control over the field magnitude that develops in tissues is crucial for EP therapies. During my postdoctoral position I introduced a set of techniques for such a purpose based on the concept of employing conductive gels. Feasibility of this method was demonstrated experimentally in superficial tumors and I anticipate that this methodology could be also useful for the treatment of different cancers, particularly those located in hollow organs such as esophagus, stomach and colon, which in some occasions are inoperable with current techniques. One specific objective of the project will be to explore in depth this opportunity. The other objectives are also related to in vivo EP applications. Numerical simulations and in vitro models will be used as research tools.

Keywords: biomedical engineering,medical technology,anticancer therapy,electroporation,electrical engineering
Multi-criteria assessment and optimization of geothermal heat pump systems (ECO-GHP)

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-2009-RG, 2009)
Start date: 2010-06-01
End date: 2013-05-31
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 45000.0
EU funding (EUR): 45000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The use of shallow geothermal energy is continuously rising and, in particular, the application of vertical ground source heat pump (GHP) systems is expanding. Such applications are attractive for their potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while offering economic advantages in comparison to fossil-fuel based space-heating. Single GHP systems are well established for small residencies. Growing interest is directed towards bigger scale applications with galleries of multiple GHPs, for which much less experience exists and little research on appropriate planning and design is available. During the proposed reintegration phase at the Engineering Geology Institute at the ETH Zurich, a three-year project is planned that develops an innovative computer-based assessment/optimization methodology. It benefits from the previous Marie Curie Intra-European Fellowship by setting up a state-of-the-art full environmental assessment procedure according to Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) standards. Further, it contrasts the LCA-based evaluation of GHP systems with respect to different impact categories with technico-economic criteria. The different criteria will be quantified in a flexible manner for a broad range of multiple GHP configurations. By implementation of the assessment procedures into a mathematical optimization problem, optimal GHP gallery design and operation will be computed. The methodology will allow categorising sensitive status, design and control parameters with respect to various, potentially contradicting criteria. In the final phase, demonstration to two prominent real cases is planned in order to show applicability and to examine the potential of the new approach to improve current multiple GHP system planning practice.

Keywords: natural sciences,hydrogeology (geophysics),environmental geology,energy environmental impact,water system modelling,geothermal energy technology,artificial intelligence
Mechanistic insights into protein degradation by Lon, a AAA+ protease (AAA+LON)

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: Israel
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2009-RG, 2009)
Start date: 2010-04-01
End date: 2014-03-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Background: AAA+ proteases are ubiquitous molecular machines that execute regulated protein degradation in cells. Their activity is necessary for regulation of many cellular processes, as well as to clear the cell of misfolded, potentially harmful proteins. Failure to combat protein unfolding in unicellular organisms often leads to reduced viability, and in humans, accumulation of misfolded proteins may result in prion diseases, cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. Conserved in bacteria and eukaryotic organelles, the major enzyme responsible for degrading damaged proteins is a hexameric AAA+ protease known as Lon. Despite its central role in most living organisms, the mechanism of substrate degradation by this protease is poorly understood. Objectives &amp; Work Plan: To reveal the detailed molecular mechanism of protein degradation by Lon and related AAA+ proteases by studying the Lon protease of Escherichia coli as a model system. The research will exploit the fact that Lon is the only AAA+ protease for which a natural protein inhibitor – PinA, a T4-bacteriophage protein – is known. Genetic screens will be conducted for the isolation of Lon mutants with improved mechanistic properties that result in faster substrate processing, and for active mutants that are resistant to PinA inhibition (aim 1). To obtain insight into the mechanistic properties of the mutants, biochemical characterization will be carried out using native and unfolded protein substrates, a wide variety of peptide substrates, and sensitive assays for the detection of binding and degradation (aim 2). To solve the 3D structure of Lon, primary crystallization screens will be set-up to optimize the crystallization conditions so as to obtain crystals that diffract at high resolution (aim 3). Relevance to Work Programme: The reintegration grant will aid me to establish an independent laboratory conducting top-level protein research and thereby to obtain a permanent position in university in the ERA.

Keywords: aaa+ proteins,lon,protease,atp-dependent,pina,protein quality control,misfolded proteins,proteolysis