Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
4D analysis of chromatin dynamics during the early stages of spermatogenesis: A journey to the stem of male infertility. (CHROMATIN IN SSCS)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Life-long training and career development
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: Netherlands
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2011-CIG, 2011)
Start date: 2012-01-01
End date: 2015-12-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Subfertility is of major clinical, social and economical concern in Western societies. In approximately half of the affected couples, subfertility is due to spermatogenic failure with complete spermatogenic arrest causing azoospermia being the most extreme clinical presentation. However, despite its clinical importance, very little is known about the etiology of spermatogenic arrest. One of the most striking features of spermatogenesis is the continuously ongoing, rapid and profound change in composition and function of chromatin, the supra-molecular complex that packages, shapes and regulates the genome. Proper chromatin architecture and dynamics steer spermatogonial selfrenewal, differentiation and meiosis and safeguard genomic stability. Consequently, changes in the spatio-temporal organization of chromatin can lead to chromosomal aberrations or aneuploidies, initiate spermatogonial apoptosis or activate a male specific checkpoint that causes spermatogenic arrest leading to male infertility or, in the worst case, even lead to congenital malformations in the offspring. Although chromatin is highly dynamic by nature, spermatogenesis has been predominately studied in fixed material because the appropriate live-cell imaging techniques and a functional in vitro culture system for human spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) were not available. In the current study we aim to combine two breakthroughs: a unique culture system for human SSCs established in the host laboratory and a live imaging method further developed by the research fellow. These will enable us to study, for the first time, the dynamic nature of chromatin during the self-renewal and early differentiation stages of living human SSCs. In addition, by inducing controlled points of DNA damage on selected chromosomal areas in human spermatogonia, our experiments will shed light on the mechanisms behind spermatogonial DNA damage repair, apoptosis and consequently spermatogenic arrest.

Keywords: infertility,spermatogonial stem cells,spermatogonial differentiation,spermatogenic arrest,chromatin dynamics,genome integrity,live-cell imaging
Compact Silicon Photonics Coherent WDM Transceiver (COWDM)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Life-long training and career development
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: Germany
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2011-CIG, 2011)
Start date: 2011-08-01
End date: 2015-07-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

It is proposed to demonstrate a Silicon Photonics WDM transceiver with phase encoding and coherent detection at the receiver. Multi-frequency light sources will be realized with nonlinear parametric generation via matched resonators at the transmitter and receiver. In order to realize this, a novel type of ultra-high-Q integrated resonator is proposed.

Keywords: nanotechnology,communication engineering,microengineering,nanophotonics,optical communications
The Moral Compass: How Moral Judgment Guides Political Attitudes (MORALCOMPASS)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Life-long training and career development
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: Israel
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2011-CIG, 2011)
Start date: 2011-08-01
End date: 2015-07-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

This multidisciplinary research program will attempt to develop a new theoretical paradigm for the understanding of morality in politics, with a particular emphasis on the role of moral conviction in political attitude formation. The innovative aspects of the research are in its attempt to form a new theoretical framework that integrates literature from philosophy, psychology, behavioural economics and neuroscience, the collection of original experimental and correlational data, designed to optimize both external and internal validity, and the use of a combination of methodological approaches to empirically test the theory. The ultimate goal of this project is to produce a book manuscript and a series of journal articles based on the novel theory, data and methods. In addition, an international conference will be organized on the topic, in order to promote and advance the research and tighten the ties in this field across the EU. Lastly, additional grant applications addressed at establishing an Experimental Laboratory of Political Studies at Hebrew University, devoted to cutting edge experimental research in political science, will be based on the products of this project. Being situated in Jerusalem, the laboratory will provide students with opportunities to apply their learning to real life political phenomena, and is expected to attract exchange students from Europe and the United States.

Keywords: social sciences,political sciences
Cognitive Adverse Effects of In Utero Exposure to Medications: Role for Impaired Delivery of Thyroid Hormones into the Fetal Brain (FETAL THYROXINE)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Life-long training and career development
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: Israel
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2011-CIG, 2011)
Start date: 2012-03-01
End date: 2016-02-29
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Adequate supply of thyroid hormones is essential for fetal brain development throughout pregnancy. Hypothyroid fetuses suffer various postnatal disorders ranging from reduced IQ to mental retardation and spasticity. Over the past decade, studies on the delivery of thyroid hormones into the fetal brain have focused on the role of placental and fetal uptake transporters, whereas little is known about the mechanisms that control hormone removal from fetal tissues. This question is clinically relevant, because efflux transport of thyroid hormones may be affected by many drugs given to pregnant women. Moreover, we and others demonstrated that drugs which have been associated with impaired postnatal cognitive development can modulate the expression and activity of efflux transporters known to be involved in the transmembranal transfer of thyroid hormones. The proposed project will evaluate for the first time the role of maternal and fetal efflux transporters in the delivery of thyroid hormones into the fetal brain. We will also assess the effects of drugs given to pregnant women on maternal and fetal transporter expression and activity. In this proposal we will focus on antiepileptic drugs which are established or suspected behavioral teratogens in humans. Contemporary biochemical and pharmacokinetic studies in pregnant mice and their fetuses will be conducted. The results from this research proposal if successful will represent an important tool for potential clinical translation reducing markedly the risks of newborn defects originated by a lack of or low thyroid hormone concentration in fetal brain.

Keywords: thyroxine,pregnancy,fetus,central nervous system,behavioral teratogens,antiepileptic drugs,blood brain barrier,placenta,abc transporters,p-glycoprotein,mrp2
Combining supramolecular chemistry, physico-chemical characterization and theoretical modeling to understand multivalent interactions at the cell-hyaluronan matrix interface (CELLMULTIVINT)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Life-long training and career development
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: Spain
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2011-CIG, 2011)
Start date: 2012-03-15
End date: 2015-03-14
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 75000.0
EU funding (EUR): 75000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Multivalent interactions are characterized by the simultaneous binding of multiple ligands on one entity to multiple receptors on another. Multivalency provides the basis for mechanisms of both agonizing and antagonizing biological interactions that are fundamentally different from those available in monovalent systems. Even though multivalent interactions occur broadly in biological systems, they are still poorly understood and assaying them remains a fundamental challenge. In this project, we propose a new approach to reveal the regulatory mechanisms underlying multivalent interactions at cell surfaces. We apply this approach to the investigation of the hydrogel-like matrices that are rich in the polysaccharide hyaluronan (HA) and surround many cell types. The supramolecular organization of the HA-rich matrix and its attachment to the cell surface has been associated to a variety of cellular functions and numerous biological processes, including fertility, inflammation and cancer. Our goal is to understand how multivalent interactions regulate the attachment of HA to the cell surface and the physico-chemical properties of HA-rich matrices, and how these mechanisms are connected to biological functions. To this end, we will develop highly controlled and tunable in vitro model systems that are based on multivalent host-guest interactions. Purpose-designed HA and solid supports will be equipped with host and/or guest functionalities using modern synthetic chemistry. The binding of HA to the supports, and the assembly and physico-chemical properties of HA-rich matrices will be interrogated using a toolbox of surface-sensitive biophysical characterization techniques. Theoretical simulations will help to obtain mechanistic insights into the regulation of multivalent interaction at the cell-HA matrix interface.

Keywords: multivalent interactions,hyaluronan rich matrix,cell membrane,host-guest chemistry,polymer chemistry,surface physico-chemistry,supramolecular structures,model systems,numerical simulations
Isotopic and molecular techniques for determining the efficiency of in-situ bioremediation and chemical oxidation of chlorinated compounds (IMOTEC-BOX)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Life-long training and career development
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: Spain
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2011-CIG, 2011)
Start date: 2011-09-01
End date: 2014-08-31
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 75000.0
EU funding (EUR): 75000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

At industrial-related polluted sites chlorinated solvents, as chloroform (CF), carbon tetrachloride (CT), trichloroethylene (TCE) and tetrachloroethylene (PCE) are common groundwater contaminants. Due to their high toxicity and mobility becomes obvious how important knowledge of their natural attenuation processes is with regard to cost-effective management of contaminated sites and accomplishing the environmental quality standards established in the field of European Water Policy. In Europe, there is currently an estimated legacy of nearly three million contaminated sites that need to be remediated. The present project constitutes a step forward from previous studies developed by the host organisation at a fractured bedrock aquifer polluted with chlorinated solvents in Odena, Catalonia, Spain. Although this site has been thoughtfully investigated with respect to geology, chemistry, and hydrogeology, it has not yet been investigated into much detail with respect to the biology. The conclusions of these studies helped to distinguish two different areas of future action in which two different remediation strategies are planned: (1) In Situ Chemical Oxidation (ISCO) and (2) bioremediation, respectively. IMOTEC-BOX aims to determine the efficiency of these two approaches from laboratory to field scale by the application of innovative stable isotopic and molecular tools. Specific objectives of this research include: (1) evaluation of different oxidation reactions to realize potentiality and limitations at field scale, (2) better understanding of the biodegradation/metabolic processes occurring naturally in the aquifer, (3) evaluation of the impact of the addition of different electron acceptors/donors on the indigenous microbial community composition and the rates of biodegradation for potential in situ biostimulation (4) tracking the efficiency of the selected remediation techniques at field scale by isotopic fractionation and molecular biomarkers.

Keywords: biochemical technology,molecular markers and recognition,pollution control,water quality monitoring,groundwater,natural attenuation,biodegradation
Stochastic Modeling of Spatially Extended Ecosystems and Ecological and Climate Data Analysis (SMSEE)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Life-long training and career development
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: Israel
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2011-CIG, 2011)
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: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The coupling between ecosystems and the climate implies that quantifying their dynamics is crucial for our attempts to prevent undesired changes in our environment. The main goal of this project is to use non-linear, stochastic modeling in the context of climate and ecosystems dynamics. This proposal combines methods from statistical physics, non-linear dynamics, game theory and random dynamical systems to study the various effects of noise on climate and ecosystems dynamics. The specific goals of this project are:(i) Using the record of past climate observations to build dynamically-weighted forecasting ensembles adjusted to specific climate variables. These ensembles will enable inter-comparison of the models. Using the sequential compound decision method will reduce the uncertainties of climate predictions. (ii) Investigating the dynamics of non-linear vegetation models, in the homoclinic snaking regime, in the presence of global and local noise. Early-warning signals and the possibility of desertification not through critical transition but through a series of transitions between localized states will be studied. (iii) Analyzing data describing the process of vegetation mortality under controlled and natural drought conditions. Spatial and temporal patterns in the mortality process will be studied and related to quantitative models. Theoretical models will be developed and tested against the data. The expected results of this research will not only improve our understanding of climate and ecosystems dynamics but will also advance fundamental physics research such as the interplay between complex non-linear dynamics and stochastic effects.

Keywords: physical sciences,statistical physics,environmental physics,stochastic modeling,vegetation mortality,prediction uncertainties,non-linear dynamics
Tracking accumulation processes in memory decisions (ACCDECMEM)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Life-long training and career development
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: Netherlands
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2011-CIG, 2011)
Start date: 2011-12-01
End date: 2015-11-30
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Every day we need to remember whether we have seen people before and adjust our decisions accordingly. The goal of the proposed research is to further our understanding of decisions based on remembered information by following those as they happen in the brain. To be able to study neural decision dynamics, we use computational models of recognition memory that provide explicit mechanisms and hypotheses to be tested in neural data. We are particularly interested in the dynamics underlying the encoding, maintenance and retrieval of to-be-remembered information. How do the decision and memory networks interact dynamically to ensure good recognition memory performance? How optimal are our memory decisions? And how do reward and motivation play into our memory decisions? We will study how a memory decision comes into being and how it is influenced by what happened on earlier trials (i.e., adaptations in performance as a result of errors). The results of this project will have important implications for malfunctions of memory-based decision making in e.g., Alzheimer's and schizophrenia.

Keywords: eeg memory decision making oscillations cognitive science modeling
The molecular process and functional consequences of adaptation (ADAPT_EVOL)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Life-long training and career development
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: Spain
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2011-CIG, 2011)
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: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Adaptation is the key concept in Evolutionary Biology. Understanding adaptation has important implications for basic and applied science since adaptation underlies processes such as the ability of species to survive in changing environments, resistance to antibiotics and cancer chemotherapies, and host-pathogen interactions. The recent increase in availability of whole genome sequences makes it possible to search for evidence of adaptation on an unprecedented scale. However, current approaches to the study of adaptation are often exclusively based on a priori candidate genes or on searching for signals of selection at the DNA level giving us a biased and incomplete picture of the adaptive process. The long-term goal of my research is to understand the molecular process of adaptation and its functional consequences. Towards this end, I will focus on the study of recent transposable element (TE)-induced adaptations in Drosophila melanogaster, which I have already shown to be common and readily detectable. I will apply a multidisciplinary approach in which I will combine genomics, population genetics, computational biology, molecular biology and experimental evolution. I will apply this integrative strategy to putatively adaptive mutations identified in populations from well-described contrasting climates, which will provide an ecological context to the identified mutations facilitating their functional characterization. Specifically, I will (i) identify putatively adaptive mutations in four nature-derived European populations with well-described contrasting climates; (ii) analyze their population genetics and evolutionary history; (iii) connect the adaptive mutations to changes in molecular function; and (iv) connect these changes to organismal phenotype and fitness. To accomplish these objectives I will use state-of-the-art techniques such as next-generation sequencing, allele-specific expression analysis, and computational pipelines.

Keywords: evolution,adaptation,transposable elements
Biologically-motivated probabilistic evolutionary models and their use for genomic analyses (REALISTIC CODON MODE)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Life-long training and career development
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: Israel
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2011-CIG, 2011)
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

Probabilistic evolutionary models have revolutionized the way sequence data are handled. The success of such models in sequence analysis resides in their ability to accurately describe the stochastic evolutionary process and to incorporate key biological phenomena as they are being discovered. Codon models, in particular, have been indispensable for meaningful biological analysis of vast amount of data because they allow differentiating between the types of selective forces that operate on the genome. Specifically, codon evolutionary models are often used for two related challenges: to detect selective forces operating on protein-coding genes and to study the association of such forces with species’ characteristics. Here, I propose developing and applying novel codon models to tackle these challenges from new perspectives. My suggested models are biologically realistic, computationally feasible, and preliminary data show that they fit sequence data better than previously available models. More specifically, the newly proposed models will relax the widespread unrealistic assumption that synonymous substitutions are free from selection. This will be achieved by explicitly accounting for the baseline selection forces acting at the RNA and DNA levels, on top of which the selection at the amino-acid level operates. This has important implications not only for positive selection inference, but also for the detection of functional elements that operate at the nucleotide level. I further propose developing a unified codon model for the analysis of phenotype-genotype evolution. This novel approach would allow inferring the relative roles of selection and mutation in causing substitution rate variation of a particular gene associated with a particular trait. The use of this novel framework promises to provide a robust approach for the understanding of species adaptation at the molecular level – an enduring goal of evolutionary biology and genomic research.

Keywords: molecular evolution,evolutionary models,codon models,ka.ks,selection forces,positive selection,adaptive evolution,phylogeny,phylogenetic analysis,ka/ks,evolutuionary rates,phenotype-genotyp