Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Pax8 as a marker of Ovarian cancer Originating in the Fallopian tube (PASCAL)

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-2013-CIG, 2013)
Start date: 2014-12-01
End date: 2018-11-30
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Epithelial ovarian cancer is a disease with grim prognosis and high-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC) is its most common subtype. Recent literature suggests that HGSC arises in the fallopian tube (FT) epithelium, rather then in the ovary, and metastasizes to the ovary early on in the process of transformation. This hypothesis is based, among other findings, on common morphologic and immunophenotypic traits between HGSC and the fallopian tube secretory epithelial cell (FTSEC). One of the shared markers between HGSC and FTSEC is the transcription factor PAX8. PAX8 is known to play a critical role in FT organogenesis and as we have shown it is highly conserved in HGSC. I propose to study the role of PAX8 in FTSEC and in HGSC, thereby establishing its role as an essential lineage marker. In Aim 1 I will investigate whether PAX8 is a critical factor in cells of the FTSEC lineage. For this purpose we will use PAX8 knock down in HGSC cell lines and immortalized FTSEC lines to reveal PAX8’s activity in benign and malignant cells. As part of this aim (Aim 1b) we will test whether BCL2 is a target gene of PAX8 and a direct mediator of PAX8’s anti apoptotic role in FTSEC and HGSC. I will then use expression profiling to suggest and validate additional mediators of PAX8’s activity, thereby defining additional serous determinants. In Aim 2 I will reveal the genomic binding locations of PAX8 in benign, non-invasive and invasive carcinomas. Towards this aim we will use our unique genetically engineered mouse model of HGSC arising from the FTSEC. We will study PAX8 as a model to ask whether a transcription factor lineage marker, which is conserved throughout transformation, preserves its DNA binding profile, its target genes and its transcriptional regulatory network. Taken together, the results generated in this study will allow better understanding of the role of PAX8 in FT transformation, and will clarify the role of a transcription factor lineage marker during transformation.

Keywords: high grade serous carcinoma,ovarian cancer,fallopian tube secretory epithelial cell,fallopian tube cell-of-origin,pax8,lineage marker,pathogenesis
Fractional Phases and Non-Abelian Anyons in Quantum Wires (FRACWIRE)

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-2013-CIG, 2013)
Start date: 2013-08-01
End date: 2017-07-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

I propose to explore how strong interactions between electrons moving in a one dimensional wire with spin-orbit coupling lead to creation of novel fractional helical phases that carry particles with fractional charges. This allows situations where, similar to the fractional quantum Hall effect, the charge fractionalization leads to conductance with quantized fractional numbers of the von Klitzing conductance e^2/h. Recently, it was shown both theoretically and experimentally that when a (non-interacting) wire is put in proximity to a superconductor, zero energy Majorana fermion states are formed at the wire ends. These observations attract a lot of attention as in contrast to the known particles, fermions or bosons, when the zero Majoranas state are exchanged the state of the system is modified - forming the seed requirement for a reliable topological quantum computer. I will study situations where the interacting system is proximity-coupled to a superconductor, in which fractional Majorana bound states (similar to the ones discussed on edges of fractional quantum Hall systems in proximity to a superconductor) may be stabilized. Having in mind real experimental realization of the novel phases we discuss how disorder destabilizes these fractional phases. In addition to the novel phases that I propose to explore, and the detailed description of their experimental consequences, this proposal forms a new theoretical platform for construction of novel states of matter. Based on this idea I plan to study how combination of more than one (interacting) wire in proximity to a superconductor may lead to the fractional states forming a universal quantum computer.

Keywords: topological insulators,fractional quantum hall effect,nonabelian statistics,majorana fermions,luttinger liquids
Forecasting Economic Time Series in Changing Environments (BREAKMETRICS)

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-2013-CIG, 2013)
Start date: 2013-09-01
End date: 2017-08-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The general objective of this project is to improve economic forecasts with evolutionary econometric models, i.e. models that adapt to structural changes in the economic environment. They are also called change-point models. The need for these adaptive models is obvious in the light of the current economic downturn. Economic forecasting is essential for decision making with respect to fiscal and monetary policy, public spending, and investment. The three research objectives are theoretical and empirical. First, we will study and develop change-point models for time series. In fact, it is crucial to understand why and which change-point models seem to forecast well. Second, we will develop efficient Bayesian inference methods and software. Finally, we will provide a large variety of forecasting applications using European macroeconomic and financial data. To transfer knowledge to a forecasters, software and explanations to implement the models will be made available via a website. The contributions of this proposal will be substantial for academic researchers, and users of forecasting models in the public sector (for example the EU Commission, the European Central Bank, and national institutions) and the private sector. A better understanding of the economic and financial system together with more reliable forecasts of its variables should help the conduct of finer public policies and the design of more efficient and reliable financial markets. This is especially important in view of the changes likely to be triggered by the current economic depression. The output of this proposal will be reported in the best academic journals of the field.

Keywords: econometrics,finance,macroeconomics,forecasting,structural breaks,time series models
Development and Application of Super-resolution Localization Microscopy (STORM)

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: Hungary
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2013-CIG, 2013)
Start date: 2013-09-01
End date: 2017-08-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The objective of the present integration proposal is to establish PI’s career potential via the transfer of a state-of-the-art optical microscopy technique called localisation based single molecule detection, at the host institute. This method can enhance the spatial resolution of traditional optical microscopes by an order of magnitude, and can image samples with structures of sub-10 nm. It can be used for the examination of biological (cells, tissues, etc.) and other samples labelled with traditional fluorescent dyes or photoactive proteins. The main objective of system development is to implement polarisation sensitive multicolour imaging in 3D. Furthermore, we aim to minimise the acquisition time, which is currently the key limitation of the method. These developments will make it possible to monitor the dimer, oligomer and fibre formation of proteins. The scientific background established and the equipment procured earlier at the host institute will provide a solid foundation for the implementation of the objectives, however we aim to use the grant for the procurement of additional equipment specifically required for the project. The method proposed in the system will organically supplement the ongoing microscopy research activities at the department with single molecule detection. Wider national and international cooperation would provide the biological background required for applications. The grant would also significantly contribute to the personal career of the applicant, who has been developing similar systems. With the help of the reintegration grant the applicant would transfer the necessary knowledge and know-how to the host institute and the local research community. Based on his existing cooperation the host institute can join the “super-resolution microscopy” research network in Europe. Through his teaching and scientific activities he can contribute to the scientific excellence of Szeged in the narrower context, and that of the EU in a wider one.

Keywords: single molecule detection,super-resolution,fluorescence microscopy
Judging Political Violence: Histories, Norms and Contestations (JUDGEPOL)

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-2013-CIG, 2013)
Start date: 2013-10-01
End date: 2017-09-30
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

This research project aims to advance Political Theory’s contribution to the interdisciplinary study of political violence. The 21st century presents us with new forms of political violence that challenge our moral and cognitive capacities. Faced with controversies over genocide, terrorism, and torture, scholars must both reflect on what is actually happening and offer guidelines about how to alleviate the harm. Yet, the academic field in Political Theory appears to be at a standstill. Torn between an intransigent moralism and a complacent realism, it does not offer useful tools for grasping the fluid nature of violence and for re-imagining our world as a better place. While moralists overemphasize the binding force of ethical principles in political decision-making, realists state that no definition of genocide, terrorism and torture can be shielded from abuse and manipulation. And whereas moralists lose sight of what actually motivates people to engage in politics, realists insist that there are no evaluative standards external to politics. Building on insights from the philosophy of judgment and the pragmatist tradition, I will sketch a normative middle position between moralism and realism. The project’s main goal is to work towards a reinvigorated Political Theory, one that recognizes the guidance of ethical principles without disregarding real politics. This goal will be reached through a pragmatically grounded account of judgment. A set of case studies from a variety of contexts will supplement the theoretical work. While the project aims to contribute primarily to Political Theory, its approach is interdisciplinary in nature. The project will also benefit from a variety of dissemination measures, which will creatively combine academic knowledge production, institutional recommendations and outreach activities. These measures will deepen the project’s impact on civil society and decision-makers.

Keywords: genocide,judgment,political theory,pragmatism,terrorism,torture.
Evolution of Continental Strength from Rifting to Collision - A Journey through the Wilson Cycle (EVOCOS)

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-2013-CIG, 2013)
Start date: 2013-08-01
End date: 2017-07-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Our knowledge of the geological evolution of continents, as well as of earthquake cycles and distribution, depends on a thorough understanding of continental strength and rheology. However, there is no scientific consensus about variation of strength with depth, and it seems unlikely that a single rheological model can be applied to the continental lithosphere. A key aspect is the strength of the continental lower crust, which is thought to depend on the water content of rocks and its effect on their creep strength. The distribution of deformation and strength in the continental lithosphere is likely to depend critically on the tectonic environment. This proposal aims to model the strength evolution of the lower crust from rifting to continental collision, and to do so with an innovative multi-disciplinary and multi-scale approach. The project will: test whether the strength evolution of the lower crust is determined by cycles of dehydration and hydration; determine the quantities of water required to weaken the lower crust and promote viscous flow; assess the duration of dehydration/hydration events in the lower crust, and the provenance of infiltrated fluids by means of isotopic studies. The focus of the project will be high-strain zones in granulite bodies that record rifting and subsequent continental collision. A combination of structural geology, petrology, infrared spectroscopy and isotope geochemistry will shed light on the rheology of such lower crustal rocks. The research dataset will be used to apply geodynamic models assessing the relation between collision styles and varying crustal creep strength, as well as the validation of experimental flow laws to geological temporal and spatial scales. The project will thus bridge the gap between detailed grain-scale investigation of deformation mechanisms and plate-scale structures. This will facilitate quantification of rheological parameters of the lower crust in different tectonic settings.

Keywords: geodynamics,continental lithosphere,lower crust,tectonics,rheology,rock deformation,fluid-rock interaction,high-strain zones,granulites,mountain building processes,earthquakes
New epigenetic therapy for high-risk neuroblastoma (MIRNATHERAPYNBL)

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-2013-CIG, 2013)
Start date: 2013-10-01
End date: 2017-09-30
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Neuroblastoma (NBL) is the most common solid tumor of infancy. Nearly 45% of all children with NBL are designated as high-risk patients and 60% of them die. Therefore, there is an urgent need to identify and target the molecular programs that are responsible for NBL aggressiveness, especially those that contribute to metastasis and resistance to chemotherapy. Recently, it has become evident that microRNAs (miRNAs) are deregulated in numerous diseases including cancer. Particularly in NBL, there is a global reduction of miRNA levels, especially in high-risk patients, and the expression of miRNA processing machinery components (i.e. Drosha, Dicer) impact on patient outcome. MiRNA restoration can be the basis for novel forms of therapy, by limiting the metastatic potential of NBL tumor cells and/or enhancing their sensitivity to current forms of treatment. The overall goal of my research will be to restore the levels of miRNA using a full miRNA library (1200 miRNAs) in highly chemoresistant NBL cells, and monitor the response with the miRNA alone or in combination with currently used chemotherapy drugs. The effect of the miRNA(s) will be validated in a expanded panel of NBL cell lines. Furthermore, we plan to develop a therapeutic tool based on nanoparticles, to target NBL cells in vivo and overexpress the target miRNA. Finally, the levels of those miRNA are going to be evaluated retrospectively in FFPE archived samples, in order to determine if the expression of a particular miRNA (or a signature) can be a biomarker of disease, indicator of minimal-residual disease or response to therapy and, correlation with overall or post-recurrence survival.

Keywords: microrna,neuroblastoma,chemotherapy,cancer stem cells,tumor initiating cells,metastasis,nanoparticles,therapy
Scanning Tunneling Microscopy Studies at High Magnetic Fields: Visualizing Pnictide and Heavy Fermion Superconductivity (EXTREMEFIELDIMAGING)

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-2013-CIG, 2013)
Start date: 2013-09-01
End date: 2017-08-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The purpose of this project is to provide basic knowledge about how the properties of superconductors vary at the local level under strong magnetic fields. New phases such as the FFLO state in Pauli limited superconductors or fully polarized vortex phase in ferromagnetic heavy fermions have been predicted. However, no direct observation of such phases using real space imaging has been reported yet. The goals of the project are to investigate unconventional high magnetic field superconducting phases and to understand their relationship with the normal state electronic structure. In particular, we will directly image the spatial variations in the superconducting pair function and determine the electronic structure through Landau level spectroscopic measurements. The latter is a new local technique which we will first implement here. To achieve these objectives, dilution refrigerator Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (STM) studies will be performed down to the mK regime and under magnetic fields up to 17 T. Within the project, a compact STM device will be built to operate at the highest available magnetic fields and enable the possibility of future STM measurements in international high field facilities. The microscopic approach to high field superconductivity proposed here will bring about new challenges and opportunities through the combination of local studies and novel superconducting properties.

Keywords: superconductivity,high magnetic fields,very low temperatures,scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy,vortex matter,landau quantization
Physics of synthetic small-scale propulsion in complex fluids for biomedical applications (SWIMSYNTHETIC)

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-2013-CIG, 2013)
Start date: 2013-08-01
End date: 2017-07-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 100000.0
EU funding (EUR): 100000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The future of medicine requires the development of novel devices and methods enabling detection, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases. These tasks, especially targeted therapy and diagnostics, could be achieved through the action of synthetic self-propelled swimmers at the micrometer and nanometer scale. In this project, I combine two of the thematic areas from the 7th framework program (health and nanosciences) and propose to conduct theoretical studies to discover the physical principles behind such artificially-propelled small-scale swimmers in complex fluids. Specifically I propose to quantify the dynamics and stability of artificial swimmers driven by magnetic or acoustic fields, model the dynamics of synthetic swimmers in complex fluids as relevant to the biomedical world, and derive a mathematical framework quantifying the role of stochastic forces on the dynamics of artificial swimmers. The research approach is fundamental and consists of theoretical and computational studies purposely positioned upstream of experiments. The ultimate goal of this project is to advance our knowledge in the fundamental physical principles of small-scale locomotion while deriving the guiding principles necessary to design of a wide class of artificial swimmers for use in biomedicine. The support of the CIG will allow me to return to Europe after a productive 12-year academic career in the United States; provide a financial support for my research activities in an outstanding scientific environment (the University of Cambridge); enable the communication of my past expertise and the knowledge acquired during the project to my immediate environment and broadly in the European Union; establish new collaborations in Europe; build on my track record in teaching by educating European students; reach the general public through extensive outreach efforts; and encourage further research in the development of novel nanotechnologies relevant to the future of healthcare in Europe.

Keywords: fluid mechanics,low reynolds number,locomotion,artificial swimming,complex fluids,theoretical mechanics,continuum physics,biomedical devices,magnetic particles,acoustic fields,biophysics.