Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Photoresponsive multifunctional DNA block copolymer nanocarriers for drug delivery and vaccine development (PHOMULDNAPOL)

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: Switzerland
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2010-IOF, 2010)
Start date: 2011-07-01
End date: 2014-06-30
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 236283.6
EU funding (EUR): 236283.6
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Cancer treatment and vaccine development represent two of the major challenges that contemporary medicine is confronted with. Although significant progress has been achieved in both fields, the present methodologies remain limited, in part due to the numerous specific requirements for each treatment. This proposal focuses on the development of a novel, versatile drug delivery system suitable for either purpose, combining multifunctionality and controlled molecular release using biocompatible materials. The proposed approach involves the use of self-assembled nanocarriers based on amphiphilic DNA block copolymers with a photodegradable linker (PL) as a junction point (DNA-PL-Pol). These nanocarriers combine the advantageous features of the constituents of the DNA-PL-Pol, i.e. the possibility of attaching multiple functionalities by DNA hybridization, the localized and controlled release of encapsulants by near-infrared irradiation (NIR) and the biodegradability of the polymers. The project involves on one hand the synthesis of DNA-PL-Pol and the study of their aggregation behavior and on the other hand, the testing of the systems in cancer treatment and vaccine development. The proposed work will cover diverse fields in scientific research, i.e. organic and polymer synthesis, physical organic chemistry, supramolecular chemistry, biochemistry, cancer therapy and immunology.

Keywords: photocleavage,dna block copolymer,nanocarrier,controlled drug release,vaccine development.
A Model for Predicting Perceived Quality of Audio-visual Speech based on Automatic Assessment of Intermodal Asynchrony (PERCQUALAVS)

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: Germany
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2010-IEF, 2010)
Start date: 2011-05-01
End date: 2013-04-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 155542.4
EU funding (EUR): 155542.4
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

In recent years, there has been a marked increase in communication technologies and computer interfaces that operate within the audio-visual speech domain, (e.g. video-telephony, synthesised avatars, etc). Faithful synchrony between the visual and acoustic speech elements of such technologies is of great importance in ensuring that they are perceived by end-users as operating at high and optimal quality levels. The effect of intermodal asynchrony on user-perceived quality is typically assessed using subjective evaluation techniques. A system for automatically assessing asynchrony levels, and predicting quality degradation on that basis, would therefore be both desirable and useful, and will have direct application to techniques for automatic synchrony adjustment. The proposed project will examine audio-visual speech as both spoken naturally by humans and as artificially synthesised by machines, and will employ subjective assessment techniques and machine learning in a combined iterative semi-automatic strategy for producing a Quality Prediction Model. Different levels of intermodal asynchrony will first be assessed by human subjects, who will be required to score the effect of the asynchrony levels on perceived speech quality using standardised techniques that will be modified for use with multimodal speech. Asynchrony patterns and their corresponding subjective assessment scores will be automatically learned by machines, resulting in an initial Quality Prediction Model. The initial model will be tested using data that will be simultaneously assessed by humans, using the subjective assessment techniques, above. The output from the prediction model will be directly compared with the subjective scores, providing an initial evaluation of the model's performance. The model will be adjusted on this basis, and re-trained using new data. The process of re-train, re-test, re-score, will be repeated iteratively, leading to a more robust quality prediction model.

Keywords: signal processing,quality and usability engineering,speech technology,cognitive and perceptual science,multimodal interfaces
New Transformations of Secondary Alkylboronic Esters (TASTE)

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-2010-IEF, 2010)
Start date: 2011-03-01
End date: 2013-02-28
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 209092.8
EU funding (EUR): 209092.8
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The properties of organic molecules are defined by their shape and functionality. However, the creation of such molecules with control over both of these features is highly challenging. This proposal describes novel methodology for simultaneous C-C bond formation with control over shape (stereochemistry). In particular it focuses on the stereoselective replacement of boron (which is easy to introduce) to halides and other heteroatoms, and new ways for cross-coupling to aromatics without the need for transition metals. In order to promote the electrophilic halogenation of a boronic ester, we envisaged the reaction of boronate complex with a halogen electrophile. In preliminary experiments such processes have already been found to be viable and occur with complete stereoinversion. Through tuning the nature of the aryl lithium one could envisage selective halogenation of a broad range of substrates, giving access to a myriad of stereodefined secondary alkyl halides, including fluorides. Moreover, alcohols, amines derivatives, thioethers and selenoethers could all be accessible by the reaction of these new activated boronic ester ate complexes with suitable electrophiles. The final part will focus on the (transition metal-free) cross coupling of secondary alkylboronic esters. We present a conceptually new approach to this challenging problem by considering the reaction of a secondary boronic ester with an aryl lithium reagent. Following ate complex formation, one-electron oxidation would result in dearomatization leading to a radical cation which would trigger a 1,2-migration/rearomatization sequence. High stereointegrity can be expected for such a process from the stereospecificity of the 1,2-sigmatropic rearrangement. Preliminary results have shown that the concept is again viable but needs substantial optimization. This methodology will be applied to challenges in synthesis.

Keywords: natural sciences,organic chemistry,boronic esters,boranes,ate complexes,metallate rearrangement,halogenation,cross-coupling,transmetallation.
Computational study of the interaction between inhaled carbon nanoparticles and lung membranes (PLUM)

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-2010-IEF, 2010)
Start date: 2011-06-01
End date: 2013-05-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 179548.0
EU funding (EUR): 179548.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

We hereby propose a study on the physical and biological basis of the interaction between inhaled carbon nanoparticles and lung membranes, by computational approach. The past decades have seen hundreds of new applications of nanomaterials developed and patented. At the same time, the scientific community is encouraged to devote research efforts to assess the safety of nanotechnology products. The PLUM project focuses on the effects of inhaled carbon nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes. Inhalation of carbon nanoparticles, one of the major byproducts of combustion processes, may happen to all of us, when stuck in a traffic jam in our city. Specialized workers may be exposed, as well, during the production or dispersion of carbon nanoparticles and nanofibers, or when cutting or re-processing a composite material containing carbon nanotubes. During inhalation, the first barrier which nanoparticles bump into is the lung membrane, which coats the inner surface of alveoli. Lung membranes are our first line of defense against foreign substances attempting to enter our organism via air and they are crucial for breathing, regulating gas exchange at the water-air interface of the alveoli. Understanding the mechanisms of nanoparticle interaction with lung membranes is a fundamental step for the assessment of NPs hazardousness. PLUM will pursue this objective by studying this interaction at molecular level, addressing at the same time physical and biological effects by computational techniques. We will consider both carbon nanoparticles and nanotubes, and we will investigate their influence on the membrane properties and the mechanism of permeation through lung membranes. These effects will be studied as a function of physical properties (e.g., size, shape) and chemical features (coating and functionalization). PLUM will mainly rely on Molecular Dynamics simulations, and it will devote important efforts to the development of new models at all-atom and coarse-grained level.

Keywords: molecular biophysics,computational physics,chemical physics,soft matter,membrane,lung,carbon nanoparticle,carbon nanotubes
The development of vectors for genetic manipulation and gene discovery in mammalian systems (TRANSGEN)

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-2010-IEF, 2010)
Start date: 2011-10-01
End date: 2013-09-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 200549.6
EU funding (EUR): 200549.6
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Transposons are important tools in genetics and molecular biology. They are widely used in academic and industrial settings where technical innovations continually expand the range of applications. Transposons are promising tools in synthetic biology and gene therapy applications. The amount of DNA a transposon can carry is in principal unlimited. However, in practice, when transposon length is increased, for example by the addition of a therapeutic transgene, its ability to transpose is reduced. This phenomenon is known as 'length dependence' and limits the efficiency of transposons in gene delivery applications. Although length-dependence is a well documented phenomenon, the causes have not been investigated and remain unclear. We believe that the first step in combating the problem is to understand the underlying causes. We have therefore designed biochemical and genetic assays that will reveal the stage(s) of the transposition reaction at which length-dependence operates. The assays will be used to test those transposons that are currently under the most intensive development as tools in eukaryotic systems. Some of these transposons are reported to be substantially free of length-dependence. Our assays will confirm if this is true, and if so whether this 'immunity' is a property of the respective transposases, of the DNA sequences, or due to the binding of host proteins. One of the attractive features of transposons as gene delivery vectors is that there are a lot to choose from, and different elements will have different advantages and disadvantages with different transgenes in different applications. If we can identify the causes of length-dependence in some elements, and the mechanisms by which it is minimized in others, we may be able to combine the most advantageous features in a single system. The overall aim of the work is to create a highly active transposition system that lacks length dependence.

Keywords: natural sciences,molecular biology,genetics,health sciences,medical sciences,non-drug therapy
Stochastic Optimal Control of multiscale processes with applications to energy systems (SOC-MP-ES)

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-2010-IEF, 2010)
Start date: 2011-04-08
End date: 2013-04-07
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 170901.6
EU funding (EUR): 170901.6
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The European energy policy aims to establish Europe as one of the world leaders in renewable energy and low-carbon technologies. The energy challenge consists of the set of technologies and policies that need to be developed in order to enable the transition to a low-carbon economy. The motivation for studying energy systems stems from this challenge. Studying the properties of energy systems requires the use of advanced simulation and control algorithms for the computation of the optimal system design. The purpose of optimization is to inform planning or strategic decision-making. A crucial property of energy systems is that they are not exclusively physics based. Rather, energy models combine economics, technology and engineering. Over the last forty years computer models that integrate heterogeneous subsystems have been developed. Current state of the art methodologies make simplifying assumptions about the dynamics of the processes at time scales finer or larger than the primary time-step of the model. With the introduction of new technologies, combined with the need for optimal utilization of existing infrastructures and the optimal integration of new technologies, it is becoming more and more apparent that finer time-scale processes have important feedbacks on the optimal strategy for longer time-scales that are not captured by the conventional simplifications. The overall objective of the proposed project is to develop simulation and control algorithms for integrated multiscale models. We will use the theory of singularly perturbed Markov processes for the definition of appropriate mathematical abstractions for representing multiscale dynamics in energy models. We will then develop a novel Multiscale Monte Carlo algorithm for the simulation and analysis of such systems. Finally, the theoretical framework will be applied to an integrated transportation and power systems model.

Keywords: systems engineering,environmental economics,systems theory
Molecular mechanism of empathy (MOLEMPATHY)

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: Spain
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2010-IEF, 2010)
Start date: 2011-07-01
End date: 2013-06-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 230980.0
EU funding (EUR): 230980.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Empathy plays a fundamental social role, allowing the sharing of experiences, needs, and goals across individuals. Anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder, autism, Asperger's syndrome and some cerebral damage are often characterised by an inability to empathise with others. Some studies of animal behaviour claim that empathy is not restricted to humans, and even rodents have been shown to demonstrate empathy for cagemates in pain. It is very likely that pro-social behaviour has neurological and neurochemical basis. Although recent fMRI studies on humans revealed that experience of empathy connected with activity of several regions in cerebral cortex, the molecular mechanism of empathy is still poorly understood. The current project is aimed to study the signal transduction pathways in brain involved in empathy. Given the intrinsic difficulties associated with such studies in human beings, here it is proposed to use an animal model, namely mice acutely treated with low dose of empathogens-entactogens, pharmacological agents that able to increase empathy, emotional sensitivity, loss of social inhibitions, reduced anxiety and an increased sense of closeness with other. Alteration in gene/protein expression profile of mouse cerebral cortex after single administration of widely used empathogen 1-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-N-methylpropan-2-amine will be investigated by methods of differential transcriptomics and proteomics. The co-administration of selective antagonists for 5-HT1a and oxytocin receptors, have been reported to regulate pro-social behaviour, will allow to distinguish between empathogenic and adverse effect of 1-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-N-methylpropan-2-amine. This study will further improve our knowledge about molecular mechanisms of empathy, and, possibly, may assist in elimination of side effects of existing empathogens-entactogens and in developing of therapies for patients suffering from specific neuronal pathologies.

Keywords: neurochemistry,brain research,empathy,entactogens,signal transduction
Synthesis of Homochiral Metal Organic Frameworks (HMOFs) Using Schiff-base Derivatives of Amino Acids: Use of HMOFs in Asymmetric Catalysis, Chiral Separation, and Gas Storage (FUNCHMOFS)

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-2010-IEF, 2010)
Start date: 2011-07-04
End date: 2013-01-03
Duration (months): 18.0
Total project cost (EUR): 158069.6
EU funding (EUR): 158069.6
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The proposed research is aimed on syntheses of homochiral metal organic frameworks (HMOFs) and their functional uses in asymmetric catalysis, chiral separation, and gas storage. The Schiff-base linkers will be used together with a range of metal ions (alkaline earth metals, transition metals and lanthanides) for the synthesis of HMOFs. The chirally pure amino acids will be coupled with different aldehydes in order to synthesize a variety of organic Schiff-base linkers. Three different amino acids (alanine, serine, and threonine) and four precursor aldehydes (terephthalaldehyde, pyridine-4-carboxaldehyde, 4-(4-pyridinyl)benzaldehyde, and 5-(4-formylphenyl)pyrimidine) are chosen for synthesis of 12 such different linkers. Different chirality of amino acids will broaden the choice of the ligands further. The ligands with chirally pure amino acids will add chiral pockets at the channels of the synthesized MOFs. Besides the presence of metal ions which act as Lewis-acid sites, the MOFs will be rich of Lewis-base sites due to the presence of the imino groups of the Schiff-base linkers. Based on this, the MOFs will be used as asymmetric heterogeneous catalyst for different Lewis-acid and Lewis-base catalyzed organic reactions. Besides this, the derived MOFs will be used as bifunctional catalysts. This is a new approach of using MOFs for both kinds of catalytic reactions, and will be studied for the first time. Individual Lewis-acid and Lewis-base catalyzed reactions, as well as concerted (both Lewis-acid and Lewis-base catalyzed) reactions will be studied. The derived MOFs will be also studied for chiral separation of small molecules and gas storage properties (Hydrogen and Methane). Due to the presence of the imino groups in the MOFs, they are expected to show good affinity towards binding hydrogen and methane by electrostatic interactions, and thus, to show high gas storage capacity.

Keywords: inorganic chemistry,coordination chemistry,metal-organic frameworks,heterogeneous catalysis,gas adsorption,separation,chirality,lewis-acid catalyst,lewis-base catalyst,bifunctional catalysis
Molecular mechanisms of melanoma invasion (MELANOMA INVASION)

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-2010-IEF, 2010)
Start date: 2011-06-01
End date: 2013-06-14
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 209592.8
EU funding (EUR): 209592.8
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Malignant melanoma is highly invasive and metastatic resulting in a major clinical problem in management of the disease. The aim of this project is to gain a better understanding of mechanisms of cell migration to identify novel therapeutic targets to block invasion. Disruption of cell signalling pathways that dynamically regulate the cytoskeleton underlie the altered migratory potential of tumour cells. Rho family GTPases are major regulators of the cytoskeleton dynamics during cell migration. They are regulated by activators: guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) that stimulate GTP binding and in-activators the GTPase activating proteins (GAPs). There are approximately 85 GEFs and 75 GAPs of which very little is known regarding their role in the regulation of migration machinery. Mutations of BRAF and PTEN, two key regulators of signalling are commonly found in melanoma. Mouse models of human melanoma based on the oncogenic BRAF V600E mutation alone do not get metastases, but in combination with deletion of PTEN there is a high level of metastasis. This suggests an interaction between these two pathways leads to metastasis. Preliminary work shows cell lines derived from tumours on these different genetic backgrounds have different modes of invasion in culture. Using these cell lines, I shall carry out RNAi based screens targeting major regulators of the cytoskeleton; Rho family GTPases; Rho family GEFs and GAPs. A particular emphasis will be to screen for genes regulating protrusion formation and actomyosin contractility as these are key components of cell migration. The use of mouse lines will mean that we can carry out functional analysis of hits from screens in orthotopic invasion and metastasis assays in a mouse host background to investigate targets in vivo. Through these investigations we will gain a deeper understanding of the mechanisms driving invasion and identify potential therapeutic targets or prognostic indicators of metastasis.

Keywords: melanomas,high throughput screen,contractility,invasion,rhogtpase signalling