Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
T Helper cell lineages and their Cytokines in Autoimmune SKin Disease (THC-ASKID)

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: 2011-06-01
End date: 2014-05-31
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 75000.0
EU funding (EUR): 75000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Autoimmune skin diseases like psoriasis and atopic dermatitis are in part CD4 T cell mediated. After stimulation, CD4 T cells differentiate into different T helper cell lineages with distinct cytokine profiles. While in atopic dermatitis for example skin infiltrating T cells mainly show a Th2-polarization, in psoriasis, which is mediated by autoreactive T cells of the Th1-phenotype, recent evidence indicates an important pathogenic role for Th17 cells. However, it is not fully understood why a particular disease setting leads to a certain predominant T helper cell polarization and the consecutive skin phenotype. Given the high prevalence of psoriasis and atopic dermatitis in western countries, it is of great interest to elucidate the mechanisms of disease development and how they can be manipulated therapeutically. Previously I have shown that Scurfy mice harbor autoreactive T cells recognizing antigens in the skin and developed the “Scurfy Transfer Model”. In this model autoreactive CD4 T cells from Scurfy mice are transferred into RAG-/- recipients and induce skin disease within 4 weeks. Thus I am now able to transfer either naive or different types of pre-differentiated CD4 T helper cells and to analyse the resulting skin phenotype. The following questions will be addressed: Which T helper cell polarization will spontaneously occur after transfer of naïve auto-reactive T cells into RAG-/- recipients? Which factors lead to that particular development? Which skin phenotype is induced after transfer of pre-differentiated Th1, Th2, Th9 and Th17 T helper cells? Are there shared phenotypic features of the induced skin phenotype and human autoimmune skin diseases? How can T helper cell polarization be manipulated in vivo? In conclusion, the general objective of this research proposal is to evaluate the distinct skin pathologies induced by different T helper cell lineages derived from skin-autoreactive CD4 T cells in the “Scurfy Transfer Model”.

Keywords: dermatology,immunology
Floc modelling in activated sludge and beyond (FLOMAS)

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: Romania
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 “Floc modelling in activated sludge and beyond” (FLOMAS) is a multidisciplinary proposal that seeks to obtain, through mathematical modelling backed by experimental evidence, a thorough understanding of the microbial community in activated sludge. In the present urbanized world the energy demand is increasing and need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to tackle climate change grows ever more urgent. In environmental engineering in general, and in wastewater treatment in particular, meeting this challenge requires a revaluation of existing processes. The most common wastewater treatment processes have been largely, though not entirely, developed empirically. It is not at all certain that such technologies are sustainable in the long term. A sustainable answer can be based only on a better understanding throughout modelling of the processes taking place in such treatment plants. FLOMAS will consider the relationships between physical, chemical and biological processes and take into account how they occur at different spatial and temporal scales. This implies, and requires, a powerful synthesis of applied mathematics, numerical methods, microbiology, environmental engineering, hydrodynamics and software developments skills. This powerful synthesis could find application, not just in activated sludge but any analogous microbial system be it engineered, such as granules in an upward flow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor, or a natural system such as marine snow. Thus this proposal, if successful, could represent the first generic step to a wide variety of applications. At the same time, the project will give the coordinator the opportunity to continue and develop the research theme she initiated and lead during the Marie Curie postodoctoral period at Newcastle University, allowing her simultaneously a better reintegration in the host institute (University Politehnica of Bucharest). The research will go on in close collaboration with the previous Marie Curie host.

Keywords: wastewater treatment,activated sludge,floc modelling
Intra-Vehicular Wireless Sensor Networks (IVWSN)

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: 2010-06-01
End date: 2014-05-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

As the number of powerful electronic control units (ECU) and associated distributed sensor and actuator components inside the car keep increasing every year, the manufacturing and installation of wiring harnesses for transmission of data and power for all these components require considerable engineering effort. Eliminating the number of wires can potentially provide cost savings, fuel efficiency due to decreased weight and flexibility to accommodate the growing demand for on-board sensors without adding physical capacity. A great challenge for the wireless communication in intra-vehicle environment is to provide the same level of reliability, end-to-end latency and data rate as that offered by wiring system in transmitting real-time sensing data. A properly selected reliable physical layer technology is crucial in the design and construction of such a network. The first goal of this project is to provide the mathematical model of the intra-vehicle radio frequency (RF) propagation channel crucial for the design of a robust communication system by building an experimental set up on a real car. This will be the first such experimental platform in Europe. Moreover, intra-vehicular wireless sensor networks bring a set of challenges to the protocol design that have not been investigated before. Unlike unattended wireless sensor networks, energy-efficiency is not the only major challenge. The high level of reliability may require error rate of 10^-8 for mission critical applications whereas the latency and data rate requirements of automotive sensors cover a wide spectrum. The second goal of this project is to build the first systematic methodology to MAC protocol design that considers all possible intra-vehicle sensor applications together based on a deep analysis of their requirements for delay, throughput and reliability.

Keywords: technological sciences,communication engineering,telecommunications engineering
INTeracting effects of Abiotics and Carnivores shape herbivore Top-down effects (INTACT)

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: Poland
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2009-RG, 2009)
Start date: 2010-09-01
End date: 2013-08-31
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 45000.0
EU funding (EUR): 45000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Herbivore top-down effects and abiotic bottom-up effects are important in structuring forest systems. Recent studies showed that carnivores may shape indirectly herbivore effects. It is largely unknown how these factors interact in complete ecosystems. The project aims to understand how large canivores and abiotics shape herbivore top-down effects. The study area is one of the most complete forest systems in Europe, the Białowieża Primeval Forest in Poland, harbouring two large carnivores (wolf, lynx) and five ungulates (bison, moose, red deer, roe deer, wild boar). To test the interactions between herbivory and abiotics we will use an experiment that was started during the previous Marie Curie Fellowship of the applicant. In this full-factorial experiment the effects of both factors on ungulates and growth of trees have been measured. Also the work started by the applicant on &apos;browsing lawns&apos; will be expanded. This new concept was recently described for African systems where intensive foraging by herbivores leads to a positive feed-back on food availability and quality. By means of video cameras and small exclosures in browsing lawns we will study if similar principles operate in temperate forest systems. The interactions between carnivores and herbivores will be studied by relating data on predator presence (scats, tracks, dens) to existing data of radio-collared ungulates from the host institute. Small-scale experiments should reveal whether olfactory cues or habitat visibility are important factors in predator avoidance. The applicant will work at the institute of his previous Marie Curie Fellowship. Hence the project allows for a continuation of the established contacts within and outside the Polish institute as well as international cooperation (Netherlands, Norway). The proposed work will form the habilitation thesis of the applicant which greatly facilitates his long-term reintegration in the Polish scientific community after the duration of the project.

Keywords: biological sciences,biodiversity,nature conservation,ecology,community ecology,ecosystems
POLYGLUTAMINE DISEASES: IMPACT OF PROTEIN AND CELL CONTEXT ON NEUROTOXICITY (POLYQ/AR)

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: 2010-06-01
End date: 2014-05-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA) is one of nine polyglutamine diseases and is caused by expansion of CAG in the androgen receptor (AR) gene. Despite the widespread distribution of polyglutamine proteins in the central nervous system, specific populations of neurons are vulnerable in each disease, suggesting that selective neuronal vulnerability arises from intrinsic properties of the mutant proteins. The central hypothesis of this proposal, based on preliminary data, is that neurotoxicity is influenced by protein context, aberrant protein-protein interactions and cell context. The applicant will test this hypothesis at the Italian Institute of Technology (Genoa, Italy) in collaboration with the National Institutes of Health (MD, USA), from where she returns, and the St Jude Children’s Hospital (TN, USA), by pursuing the following Aims: 1) To characterize the impact of phosphorylation on mutant AR toxicity. The applicant will test the hypothesis that protein kinase A reduces mutant AR toxicity by a mechanism that involves modification of mutant protein phosphorylation in SBMA cells. 2) To characterize the role of FOXO in polyglutamine disease. The applicant will test the hypothesis that IGF-1/Akt signalling promotes neuronal survival through inhibition of FOXO in mouse models of SBMA. 3) To determine the impact of tissue-specificity of mutant protein expression. The applicant will test the hypothesis that expression of the disease protein in a tissue-specific fashion influences SBMA pathogenesis. The applicant will use the LoxP-Cre system. Transgenic LoxP-AR mice have been generated in Memphis. This collaboraive project between the host Institution, the Italian Institute of Technology and the Institution from which the fellow returns, NIH USA, and the St Jude Children Hospital, USA, is expected to provide novel insights into the mechanisms of disease pathogenesis in neurodegenerative diseases and to contribute to the transfer of knowldge to Europe.

Keywords: health sciences,neurobiology,neurochemistry,neurophysiology
Mapping of Hepatitis C virus NS4B protein interactions with its host network (HCV PATHOLOGY)

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

Over 150 million individuals are infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) worldwide. HCV is involved in chronic liver inflammation, fibrosis and formation of liver tumors. Similarly to other positive strand RNA viruses, HCV is believed to replicate its genome in association with cytoplasmic membranes. Nevertheless, the mechanisms of assembly and maintenance of the RNA replication complex as well as the mechanisms of cell transformation remain largely unknown. While previously characterized by a complete lack of known function, the HCV non-structural (NS) protein NS4B has emerged as the key player in the initiation of this critical process of membrane-associated complex assembly. We would like to map NS4B interaction with the human proteome. We hypothesize that some of the interactions discovered in this high-throughput screen will lead us to better understand the mechanism behind NS4B&apos;s role in HCV replication and cell transformation.

Keywords: biological engineering,virus host interaction,system biology,microfluidics
The development and evolution of the mesoderm in basal bilaterian acoel worms (MESODERM EVOLUTION)

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: Norway
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2009-RG, 2009)
Start date: 2010-11-01
End date: 2014-10-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Understanding the evolution of the diversity of animal forms is one of the major tasks in biology. The use of molecular biology led to a better understanding of how evolutionary changes in the development can result in changes in the body plan. Modifications of the wiring between genes caused the adoption and co-option of gene regulatory networks that shape the morphology of the adult during the development. To get a better picture of how these changes led to evolutionary novelties one has to investigate animals that are representatives of key-nodes in the animal tree of life. A fundamental innovation of complex animals is the third germ layer – the mesoderm, that is characteristic for all bilateral symmetric animals that include flies, worms and humans. The mesoderm gives rise to important organ systems such as skeletal elements, musculature, heart and kidneys. Recent insights gained from studies of the development of cnidarians – the most closely related group of the bilaterians – suggest, that the mesoderm evolved from the internal germ layer the endoderm. Comparative studies between animals can reveal how the gene regulatory network that specifies the endoderm of cnidarians has been changed so that it gives rise to a novel germ layer, the mesoderm. The ideal organisms to investigate for answering this question are the simple acoel worms, which form the earliest evolutionary branch of all bilaterian animals. The proposed research project has the aim to investigate the gene regulatory network that specifies the endoderm and mesoderm of the acoel species Convolutriloba longifissura using modern molecular tools. By describing the detailed temporal and spatial expression of key regulatory genes and a following functional analysis important information will be gained that delivers the basis for a comparisons to identify the changes in the gene regulatory network that promoted the evolution of three germ layers and thus the evolution of more complex animals.

Keywords: developmental biology,evolutionary biology,molecular evolution
Revealing the neural mechanisms of attentional selection in the human visual cortex (VISUAL ATTENTION)

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: Netherlands
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

Imagine you are watching a soccer game, carefully attending to the player on your favourite team to determine which direction he will go. In studies on visual perception, the player is considered an “object”, which has multiple features: direction of motion, the colour of his outfit, etc. Can you voluntarily restrict attention to just the player’s direction of motion, the feature that is relevant for your decision, or does your attention unintentionally spread to also enhance the particular shade of orange in his shirt? Major theories of visual attention assume that attending to one feature of a visual object automatically results in selection of the whole object, including task-irrelevant features, but are they correct in assuming that the complete object comprises the basic unit of selection? The overall aim of this proposal is to reveal the neural mechanisms of selective attention by addressing this issue. I will focus on three major research questions: what is the unit of selective attention, how is attentional selection implemented in the visual cortex, and how does selective attention impact perceptual learning? I will address these questions using a combination of behavioural, computational modelling, and neuroimaging techniques, together with novel “decoding” methods to analyze brain activity patterns. This multifaceted approach will allow me to rigorously investigate how cortical selectivity for visual features changes with top-down attention, and to address these unresolved questions regarding the neural mechanisms of human visual attention.

Keywords: neurosciences,psychonomics,visual perception,attention,fmri
Graphene Based Radio Frequency Electronics (GRAPHENERF)

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: 2010-04-01
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

The specific aim of the present project is to initiate a research afford in collaboration with other European scientist to develop graphene based high performance thin film transistors (TFT) for radio frequency (RF) electronics. High performance TFTs operating at radio frequencies are of considerable interest in the area of thin film electronics. Amorphous silicon and organic semiconductors are widely used materials for recent designs. Due to the very limited electronic performance of these materials, thin film electronic circuits working at ultrahigh frequency range still remain as a technological challenge. Thus, new types of high performance semiconducting materials are of great interest for the recent research in this area. Extraordinary electronic properties together with the ability to be printed on large scales make graphene a promising candidate for these types of applications. Our long term goal is to develop a new graphene based technology for high frequency electronic applications.

Keywords: physical sciences
In vivo characterisation of Follicular Helper T cells (TFHCELLS)

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: France
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2009-RG, 2009)
Start date: 2010-06-01
End date: 2014-05-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

An effective immune response relies on the helper T cell (TH) regulated development of high-affinity B cell memory. Follicular Helper T (TFH) cells are the critical regulators of the B cell response. Until recently, TFH cells were considered fully differentiated cells prone to apoptosis. However, we showed that protein vaccination selects locally effector TFH cells that become memory TFH cells and that remain in draining lymphoid tissue. Long-term cellular depots of antigen in the form of peptide-MHC complexes (pMHCII) and continued expression of the C-type lectin CD69 provide a mechanism for retaining TFH cells. Much is still to be learnt about the phenotype, function and ultimate fate of TFH cells. The relationship of effector TFH cells to other effector TH cell subsets and the mechanisms that control TFH cell differentiation are still uncovered. The genetic program imprinted in TFH cells by unique transcription factor(s), the role of cytokines or co-stimulatory signals and the impact of the inflammatory context in vivo in controlling TFH differentation will be assessed in the specific aim 1. Furthermore, unraveling the development and appropriate placement of memory TFH cells becomes an important issue. In specific aim 2, we will clarify the mechanism and role of memory TFH cell retention locally. First, we will assess the role of pMHCII depot by identifying which Antigen Presenting Cells (APC) express these depots. Next, we will confirm the importance of those APC in mice rendered deficient for this distinct population and test its physiological role. Finally, we will examine the role of CD69 as a potential retention mechanism in CD69-deficient mice. Over the course of these studies we will provide fundamental new insights into the mechanisms controlling adaptive immunity and help to define the best means to obtain long-lasting high-affinity B cell immunity to protein antigens with potentially high impact on the public health initiative of vaccine design.

Keywords: health sciences,medical sciences,immunology,vaccines,cell biology