Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
The synaptic development of cortical circuitry in the young brain (YOUNG MINDS)

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: United Kingdom
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

The neuronal circuits that underlie higher brain function are created and refined early in life. Since early life experiences strongly influence the circuit maturation process, every single person is subject to the lifelong impact of their neonatal sensory environment. My research investigates when and how specific neuronal circuits form and the impact of sensory experience on circuit maturation. Ultimately, understanding these developmental processes will lead to optimal design of neonatal care and targeted intervention in neuro-developmental diseases, such as autism. My research brings together fine-scale analysis of synapses and broad-scale understanding of the neuronal networks that they form. This approach allows direct and detailed measurement of the role of synaptic plasticity in driving circuit maturation. I use high resolution optical (2-photon) stimulation and recording combined with molecular, genetic and electrophysiological methods to analyse rapid, developmental changes in defined, local circuits of the rodent somatosensory cortex. These cutting-edge approaches will underpin projects investigating synaptic mechanisms driving the earliest circuit formation, network properties underlying pathological circuit formation and interventions designed to aid functional recovery of circuitry damaged by sensory perturbation. Having recently returned to Europe following a successful postdoctoral position in the USA, I am now building my new, independent research group at the University of Bristol, UK. My successful re-integration into the European research community will allow me to transfer my skills, build my own research group, help train the next generation of research scientists and contribute important biological findings that will impact subsequent research and, ultimately, help shape our approach to managing neurological health.

Keywords: neurobiology,neurophysiology,development,synaptic plasticity,neuronal circuit,photostimulation,2-photon imaging,electrophysiology,sensory experience,network architecture
Water-gas shift reaction on metal-oxide nanocatalysts for hydrogen production (NANOWGS)

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,Spain
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: 2
Project status: CLOSED

Hydrogen is a clean energy carrier, which used in highly efficient energy conversion technologies such as fuel cells, has the potential to satisfy many of our future energy needs in a sustainable way. The water-gas shift (WGS) reaction (CO + H2O --> H2 + CO2) is a critical process in providing pure hydrogen for catalytic processes in the chemical industry and fuel cells. Nevertheless, the design and optimization of WGS catalysts depends on a better basic understanding of catalyst structure and function. New generation WGS catalysts are base on metal-oxide bifunctional systems with the metal and oxide catalyzing different parts of the reaction. The aim of this project is precisely to understand and optimize the performance of the metal and oxide phases in order to develop the ability to predict, and ultimately design, improved cost-effective WGS catalysts. To this end, we propose to create models for these catalysts and apply state-of-the-art computational chemistry methods. We will apply first principles calculations to understand the nature of the active sites in each component of the catalysts and determine how they interact with the reactants and possible intermediates of the WGS reaction. We will be able to establish why metal particle size matters for this reaction and why some metals or oxides are better than others. Calculations will be performed for catalysts that have been studied in detail by our experimental colleagues, making them more meaningful. Theory will not only be used for the explanation of experimental data, but also for pre-screening the behavior of catalysts. Overall, our approach will develop basic principles for the rational design and optimization of WGS nanocatalysts vital for the production of clean hydrogen. These studies will contribute to the long-term goal of the EU of developing new concepts for a better use of chemical processes and materials associated with energy-related problems.

Keywords: computational chemistry,heterogeneous catalysis,reaction mechanisms and dynamics,physical chemistry,surface chemistry,quantum chemistry
Spin effects in transport through magnetic nanostructures in the Kondo regime (SPINKOND)

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: Poland
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2011-CIG, 2011)
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

The unavoidable limitations of further miniaturization of electronic circuits stimulate the search for new information and storage technologies. Spintronics is one of the major new directions that emerged in recent years - it aims at using the additional degree of freedom, namely the spin, to store and process information. One of the most promising candidates for future spintronics devices are nanostructures such as molecules and quantum dots. However, in order to exploit such devices in spin nanolelectronics, it is crucial to fully understand their behaviour and properties. The main objective of this research project is to gain further insight into spin-resolved transport properties of complex quantum dot and molecular structures coupled to leads exhibiting either ferromagnetic or superconducting correlations. The emphasis will be put on the strong coupling regime, where electronic correlations lead to the Kondo effect. In particular, the considerations will include the analysis of the SU(4) Kondo effect in double quantum dots and carbon nanotube dots and thermoelectric effects in spin-resolved transport through Kondo quantum dots and molecules. The transport characteristics of hybrid quantum dots, in which one of the leads is ferromagnetic while the other one is superconducting, will be also considered. All these nanostructures have become particularly interesting in view of recent experiments. The calculation of transport properties will be performed by using the numerical renormalization group methods with state-of-the-art improvements – these are known as the most powerful and exact methods to address transport through quantum dot and molecular systems. The results obtained will provide new insight and understanding of current and future experiments on transport through various magnetic nanostructures in the Kondo regime. They will be also published in refereed scientific journals and presented at international conferences and workshops.

Keywords: solid state physics,electronic,magnetic and superconductive properties,electron-based nano-devices,molecular electronics,spintronics,thermoelectric properties,kondo effect
Towards Engineered Multicomponent Polysaccharide Hydrogels for Surrogate Extracellular Matrices (EMP-ECM)

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

Current effort in the engineering of synthetic extracellular matrixes has focused on installing molecular features (peptides, proteins and bio-interactive polymers) within insoluble scaffolds, either by self-assembly or through covalent modifications of polymer or biopolymer networks. Apart from their direct role in cell interaction, bioactive molecules or peptide sequences affect the hierarchical structural organization and mechanical properties of the resulting material, thus indirectly affecting the cellular response. The overall aim of the proposed research is to develop a fundamental understanding of the structure-mechanical properties-function relations of multicomponent polysaccharide hydrogels used in tissue engineering applications and to apply this understanding in the development of engineering principles that can serve as a generic guide for the design of polysaccharide-based materials for biological applications. Three specific aims will be addressed: 1) Characterization of the interrelations between the chemical compositions of the building blocks (both polymers and peptides) and the resulting structure of the bioactive gels; 2) Systematic investigation of the effect of the different structures on the physical properties of the hydrogel constructs; and 3) Evaluation of the cellular response of the synthesized hydrogels. A methodical study correlating the effect of the bioactive molecules on the resulting hierarchical structure (explored by small angle scattering) and consequent properties will be performed to elucidate the synergetic interactions among the components that determine scaffold effectiveness. A systematic exploration of the polysaccharide type, method of peptide incorporation and gelling parameters will reveal the key factors involved in structure-function relations of the synthetic ECMs. These factors will be employed to create general guidelines for the design of multi-component polysaccharide hydrogels for desired applications.

Keywords: polysaccharides,self-assembly,supramolecular structure,small angle scattering,hydrogels,elasticity
Transcriptional regulation of IL-9-producing CD4 T cells: use in cancer immunotherapy (T9CAN)

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: France
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2011-CIG, 2011)
Start date: 2012-04-01
End date: 2016-03-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Differentiation of naïve CD4 T cells in presence of TGF-beta and IL-4 has led to the identification of a novel IL-9-secreting-population of CD4 T cells, Th9 cells, which are characterized by their potent IL-9 release and their ability to induce proinflammatory responses in vivo. Co-transfer of in vitro differentiated Th9 cells from naïve T cells along with effector cells increase the severity of colitis in mice. Proinflammatory functions of Th9 cells have also been documented in the mouse model of human multiple sclerosis, Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis (EAE), in asthma and the existence of Th9 cells has been confirmed in humans. Nevertheless, while the transcription factors PU.1 and irf4 have been involved in Th9 cell development in mouse and humans, the mechanisms leading to the generation of these cells remain incompletely understood. In addition, the function of Th9 cells in cancer has never been explored. Our preliminary work suggests that the addition of a proinflammatory factor IL-1 beta during Th9 cell differentiation triggers the high expression of a transcription factor, which might cooperate with irf4 and PU.1 to dramatically enhance Th9 cell effector functions. Generation of Th9 cells in the presence of IL-1 beta also enhances the antitumor properties of Th9 cells in vivo. In this project, we aim to decipher the molecular mechanisms responsible for the effect of IL-1 beta on Th9 cells and identify the factors responsible for the anticancer efficacy of Th9 cells in vivo. Unraveling the mechanisms responsible for the enhanced anticancer efficacy of Th9 cells would not only provide a better characterization of Th9 cell development but would also urge scientists to contemplate their use in cancer immunotherapy.

Keywords: immunology,cancer,inflammation,t-cells,il-1
Steroid Receptors in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic Implications (SRLUNG)

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: Greece
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2011-CIG, 2011)
Start date: 2012-03-03
End date: 2015-03-02
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 75000.0
EU funding (EUR): 75000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Lung cancer is currently the most common malignancy and the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, varying significantly among geographical areas, sex of patients and distinct populations. Since 1970, incidence, and specific histological characteristics of lung cancer have been significantly modified; however, a disappointing survival rate still persists. A potential steroid relation of lung cancer might be of interest, in view of hormone replacement therapies and contraception strategies followed by a wide part of female population. Hence, the lung remains a favorite site for distant metastases of prostate and breast carcinomas and within this context, a well-established steroid receptor profiling could be crucial in differential diagnosis of primary lung tumors from metastatic foci. Aim of this study is the investigation of the function and the role of sex steroid receptors (both nuclear and extranuclear) in Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinomas (NSCLCs) and their possible prognostic, diagnostic and therapeutic relevance, in association with survival and therapeutic response of patients. Our approach includes three distinct but interrelated objectives: (1) Detection and action of ER and AR in NSCLC cell lines. In this objective, basic research on cells will be initiated. Different ER and AR (intracellular, nuclear and membrane-associated) receptors will be assayed by different methodologies, providing a receptor spectrum of each cell line and providing the more appropriate tools for the detection of the same parameters in human specimens; (2) performing pre-clinical pharmacology studies of SR implication in animal models; (3) validating our findings in clinical specimens and their relation with other established biomarkers, in view of their implementation as potential diagnostic, prognostic or tailored therapeutic targets.

Keywords: pathological anatomy,oncology,endocrinology
Insight into the synergistic interactions between Aβ amyloid, α-synuclein and Tau (ABETAALPHASYNTAU)

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

Protein aggregation is associated with numerous incurable diseases, including Aβ and tau proteins in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and α-synuclein in Parkinson’s disease (PD). In vivo studies illustrate that these proteins appear in the brains of both AD and PD patients and that there are synergistic interactions between α-synuclein and tau, Aβ and tau, and α-synuclein and Aβ. Despite the accumulating in vivo evidence of the synergistic interactions between α-synuclein and tau, Aβ and tau, and α-synuclein and Aβ, the mechanism through which the protein pairs aggregate remains controversial. How and which interactions between two types of protein could be involved in protein aggregation is not completely understood. Moreover, it is still not clear which domains in these proteins can interact and what effects result from these interactions. To understand the mechanism of the aggregation between two types of protein, it is necessary to probe and characterize the molecular interactions between oligomers of these proteins. The challenge and the focus of this proposal are to identify the specific interactions between these protein pairs and to probe the oligomeric structures of the proteins at the molecular level. This proposal relies basically on computational tools (molecular modeling and molecular dynamics simulations). The modeling procedure will be based on experiemntal data (ssNMR, cryo-EM) and the constructed oligomeric structures will be validated by collaborative experimental work. The output of this project will be a detailed description of the interactions between proteins that are related to neurodegenerative diseases. Moreover, this proposal may provide insight into the link between AD and PD, and will pave the way to the development of potential drugs to alleviate/prevent the symptoms of neurodegenerative diseases by impending/preventing the interaction between the proteins.

Keywords: computational biology,structural biology,biophysics
Detection and manipulation of Majorana modes in topological superconductors (DMMMTS)

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: 2012-10-01
End date: 2016-09-30
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

In recent years there has been a fast growing interest in Majorana fermions in condensed matter systems. These elusive particles, first predicted in the 1930s, are still awaiting experimental verification. It was recently realized that certain interacting systems in condensed matter physics hold a great promise for realizing Majorana fermions as emergent degrees of freedom. The candidate systems are known as topological superconductors. Vortices in these superconductors trap neutral zero energy Majorana modes, whose presence renders the exchange statistics of the host vortices non-Abelian. Interest in these states stems from the fundamental physics derived from this novel type of quantum statistics and from their possible use in future applications to fault-tolerant quantum computation. The main goal of the research described here is to devise methods to detect the presence of Majorana modes in topological superconductors. Three main objectives will be considered. The first is to detect the presence of Majorana modes via the non-Abelian vortex exchange statistics they give rise to; the behavior of Josephson vortices will be explored in arrays of superconducting islands to establish the mechanism through which they trap Majorana modes, with the aims to determine their coherence properties and to devise methods to coherently manipulate them. The second objective is to detect Majorana fermions using transport properties, particularly through their effect on noise and thermoelectric phenomena such as the Nernst coefficient. Finally, I will explore the effect of neutral modes on the dynamics following a quench in topological liquids, including their traces in the entanglement entropy. The candidate states that will be considered include strontium ruthenium oxide, the superconducting state of bismuth-selenide, the quantum Hall effect at filling factor 5/2 (which realizes a topological superconductor of composite fermions) and semiconductor-superconductor heterostructures.

Keywords: physical sciences,condensed matter physics,superconductivity,topological states of matter,majorana modes,non-abelian statistics,topological quantum computation,quantum hall effect
FAST AND HIGH FIDELITY EEG FORWARD SOLUTIONS FOR HIGH DEFINITION SOURCE IMAGING OF FOCAL EPILEPTIC ACTIVITY (NEUROIMAGEEG)

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: France
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2011-CIG, 2011)
Start date: 2012-04-01
End date: 2016-03-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Electroencephalography (EEG) from scalp potentials has affirmed itself as one of the primary non-invasive techniques to map and study the brain electric activity. EEG imaging is of crucial importance in the electric characterization of epileptic seizures. This is especially true for patients affected by focal epilepsy, when source characterization and localization is a key step of a pre-surgical protocol that precedes the removal of the patient’s brain area that shows an abnormal electric activity. This project will investigate innovative tools for solving the EEG neuroimaging problem that will sensibly advance the EEG’s state of the art by: (i) Investigating a new Boundary Element solver for the direct EEG problem that will combine the benefits of Finite and Boundary Element approaches, currently used in literature, without sharing their deficiencies. (ii) Developing the first EEG direct problem solution tool providing non-iterative (direct inverse) solutions in linear time. (iii) Interfacing the new solver with the most advanced inverse scattering algorithms and designing the complete neuroimaging tool in order to efficiently work on low-cost GPU hardware accelerators. This will make available very high definition and potentially real-time EEGs even in low-budget medical environments. (iv) Pursuing an optimization study (made possible by the new technology developed in i-iii) of the density and placement of EEG electrodes with high electrode numbers and in the presence of very high resolution head models. The impact of the novel technology developed in this project will be demonstrated by a thorough analysis in both canonical and real case scenarios rising from the medical practice. After the completion of this project the newly developed EEG neuroimaging tool will be made available for the benefit of the scientific community and of the EU citizenship.

Keywords: applied and computational electromagnetics,neuro imaging,electroencephalography