Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Study of the molecular and cellular mechanisms of incentive learning (SMILE)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Advanced grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Neurosciences and neural disorders
Countries involved: France
Call:  (ERC-2009-AdG, 2009)
Start date: 2010-06-01
End date: 2016-05-31
Duration (months): 72.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2500000.0
EU funding (EUR): 2500000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Incentive learning is a universal mechanism by which animals and humans learn rewarding behavioral responses. Its diversion towards the wrong targets is involved in human conditions ranging from drug addiction to pathological gambling and obesity. Incentive learning has been studied from a behavioral standpoint and only few of the underlying molecular mechanisms have been identified. We propose innovative approaches to characterize at the molecular and cellular level incentive memory traces , i.e. stable alterations in identified neuronal populations. We focus on the striatum, a brain region crucial for incentive learning, where dopamine encodes reward-related signals. Dopamine controls the flow of information through glutamatergic synapses and its long-lasting adaptations. It regulates the balance between striatal output pathways, which underlies action selection , i.e. behavioral choices in response to a given combination of internal state and external cues and context. We will address two important issues: What are the signaling mechanisms involved in the formation and reconsolidation of incentive memory traces induced by DA and glutamate? In which neuronal populations are these traces formed and what are their time-dependent modifications? The program uses a variety of approaches including novel mouse genetic models and approaches for visualizing striatal neurons in vivo. If successful, these methods have a strong potential for more general applicability. This basic research program will allow the identification of the molecular and cellular mechanisms of a simple learning mechanism with an unprecedented precision and will provide important information related to its alterations in neurological and psychiatric conditions, including addiction.

Keywords: signal transduction,dopamine,glutamate,striatum,protein phosphorylation
The prion protein in health and disease (PRIONS)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Advanced grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Neurosciences and neural disorders
Countries involved: Switzerland
Call:  (ERC-2009-AdG, 2009)
Start date: 2010-05-01
End date: 2015-04-30
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2500000.0
EU funding (EUR): 2500000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Oligomers are toxic in an array of protein misfolding and aggregation (PMA) disorders. However, the chain of events from protein aggregation to dysfunction is poorly understood. Prion diseases are marked by accumulation of PrPSc, a misfolded variant of wild-type PrPC. PrPC mediates PrPSc neurotoxicity and counteracts toxic PrPC mutants, indicating that a subversion of normal PrPC function may underlie neurodegeneration, and this may not be limited to prion disease. Here, we propose to explore these newly discovered physiological functions of PrPC in three paradigms. We show that PrPC assembles into a multiprotein complex containing a protease; neurotoxic PrPC mutants generate a smaller complex that is uncleaved. We show that neuronal expression of PrPC is required in trans for long-term myelin maintenance in peripheral nerves. We will therefore investigate the hypothesis that a fragment of PrPC transmits signals crucial for axomyelinic integrity. We show that PrPC physically interacts with both amyloid b and islet amyloid polypeptide and attenuates functional impairment mediated by these peptides. We therefore propose to test whether subversion of normal PrPC function is involved in diverse PMA disorders. We developed an ex vivo model that accurately reproduces major features of prion infections, most notably neurodegeneration. We have identified several unexpected PrPSc-induced cellular stress pathways which may be common to other PMA disorders. Using this model system, we will clarify the role of PrPC in cell survival pathways and determine the requirement for PrPC in the pathology of other PMA disorders. This proposal capitalizes on provocative recent results and, if successful, will provide valuable insights into PMA toxicity that will go far beyond prion diseases.

Keywords: prions,prpc,knockout mice,transgenic mice
Mechanisms of Epigenetic regulation in Development, Evolution and Adaptation (MEDEA)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Advanced grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Genetics, Genomics, Bioinformatics and Systems Biology
Countries involved: Switzerland
Call:  (ERC-2009-AdG, 2009)
Start date: 2010-04-01
End date: 2015-12-31
Duration (months): 69.0
Total project cost (EUR): 2496641.0
EU funding (EUR): 2496641.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Over the last decade epigenetic gene regulation has become a major focus of scientific research as it was shown to play an important role in normal plant and animal development, but also in the ontogeny of human disease. A role of epigenetic processes in evolution, however, has found little general support to date. The goal of this project is to understand the complex interplay of epigenetic mechanisms in plant development and evolution. Many of the approaches we use rely on the recent advances in sequencing technologies, which allow the analysis of molecular characters at an unprecedented level and speed. To achieve our goal, we will focus on two epigenetic paradigms. In Program A, we will focus on dissecting the mechanisms of genomic imprinting at the MEDEA (MEA) locus in Arabidopsis, which we will investigate using genetic, molecular, and innovative biochemical approaches to gain a comprehensive picture of the complex interplay of various epigenetic pathways. In program B, we will analyze the role of epigenetic change in adaptation and evolution using (i) an experimental selection approach in Arabidopsis, where genome-wide analyses of epigenetic modifications have become possible, and (ii) a stable, heritable, epigenetic change occurring in Mimulus populations. In this system, an epigenetic switch of the pollinator syndrome leads to reproductive isolation and, therefore, has an effect on population structure and thus the evolutionary trajectory. These experimental systems each offer unique opportunities to shed light onto the underlying mechanisms controlling epigenetic states. In combination with the new methodologies used, these analyses promise to provide step change in our understanding of epigenetic processes at the level of genes, organisms, and populations.

Keywords: genomic imprinting,polycomb group gene-based repression,environmental genetics
Statistical and dynamical analysis of collective behaviour in a three-dimensional motion: Empirical studies and modelling (PASSAROLA)

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: Italy
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2009-IEF, 2009)
Start date: 2010-11-01
End date: 2012-10-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 166239.4
EU funding (EUR): 166239.4
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Collective behaviour is ubiquitous in living systems such as flocks of birds, swarms of insects or schools of fishes. It occurs for several reasons which go from predator protection to mating. To better understand those living systems it is therefore important to understand how collective behaviour emerges and its features. For large flocks of birds and swarms of insects little work has been made from the perspective of empirical and statistical analysis towards modelling of different types. This proposal aims to make a comprehensive data acquisition of three-dimensional data of position and trajectories of elements in groups of flying animals for posterior statistical, dynamical and non-linear analysis characterisation and consequent modelling. It corresponds to the first broad approach to collective phenomena starting from measuring real features in order to reproduce them. After this study it will be possible to understand to fundamental principles of aggregation of birds and some species of insects and to appraise whether those mechanisms are common in flocking and swarming. To that, a interdisciplinary approach involving the fields of Biology (Animal Behaviour),

Keywords: natural sciences,behavioural biology,numerical analysis,applied mathematics,statistical physics,chaos theory,computational physics,collective behaviour,flocking,swarming,self-organisation
Lyman-alpha Radiation Transfer simulations to prepare and analyze MUSE observations of distant galaxies (LYMAN-ALPHA UNIVERSE)

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-2009-IEF, 2009)
Start date: 2010-09-01
End date: 2012-08-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 165462.4
EU funding (EUR): 165462.4
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

MUSE is a second generation instrument for the ESO-VLT being built in Lyon. This integral field spectrograph is planned to start observing in autumn 2012. One of the major goals of MUSE is to detect thousands of high redshift galaxies thanks to their Lyman-alpha emission. MCLya is a 3D Lyman-alpha radiation transfer code developed by the applicant. It has been used to fit a small sample of observed Lyman-alpha lines from high redshift galaxies, constraining the gas and dust content and the star formation history of these galaxies. By performing Lyman-alpha radiation transfer through state-of-the-art hydrodynamic simulations of galaxy formation in cosmological volumes, we plan to make accurate predictions on MUSE detections, and influence the observation strategy. Secondly, we propose to analyze MUSE first data taking into account Lyman-alpha radiation transfer effects, to determine properties on the interstellar medium of high redshift galaxies on a statistical sample of objects, and possibly put constraints on the epoch when the Universe became reionized.

Keywords: physical sciences,astrophysics,cosmology,galaxy formation
Elliptic Submanifolds in Hyperbolic Geometry (GSCRM)

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-2009-IEF, 2009)
Start date: 2010-10-01
End date: 2012-09-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 146717.0
EU funding (EUR): 146717.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

This project studies the application of analytical tools to the resolution of geometric problems. The geometric problems proposed to be studied arise from hyperbolic geometry and representation theory. More precisely, it is proposed to investigate hyperbolic ends and flat conformal structures (FCSs). The former constitute an important part of the study of hyperbolic manifolds in general, since they arise when the Nielsen Kernel (which is bounded) is removed from a (convex, co-compact) hyperbolic manifold, nonetheless, the structure of the moduli space of hyperbolic ends as well as its compactification remains to be understood. Part of this project is devoted to the study of this problem. The latter arise as a natural geometric structure in the theory of representations. They are intimitely related to hyperbolic ends, but the properties of this identification remain to be fully understood, and part of the project is devoted to the resolution of this problem. This should also yield geometric structures on the moduli space of FCSs. Finally, in the two dimensional case, these structures yield continuous curves inside the moduli space of FCSs, whose geometric properties we propose to investigate. The tools used are mostly immersed submanifolds satisfying elliptic conditions, such as constant curvature. In particular, it is proposed to use a new concept of curvature, developed by the applicant, called special Lagrangian (SL) curvature, which captures the important convexity properties of Gaussian curvature whilst overcoming its technical limitations. In order to fully realise the potential of SL curvature as a geometric tool, various properties (especially compactness) remain to be fully understood, to which the final part of the project is devoted.

Keywords: hyperbolic geometry,flat conformal structures,special lagrangian curvature,immersed hypersurfaces
Quantum-mechanical simulations for the nanoscale (QUASINANO)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Industry-Academia Partnerships and Pathways
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: Netherlands,Germany
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2009-IAPP, 2009)
Start date: 2010-10-01
End date: 2014-09-30
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 769672.0
EU funding (EUR): 769672.0
Participants: 2
Project status: CLOSED

A leading scientific software company and a renowned university research group will jointly develop new, quantum-theory based methods and concepts to allow quantum-mechanical computer simulations of systems in the 100,000 atoms range, and apply them to study challenging applications. As a result, a new chapter of atomistic computer simulation will be opened, as quantum-mechanical simulations will become feasible to study systems and processes in nanotechnology, biochemistry, supramolecular and inorganic chemistry, and in particular interfaces between these domains. SCM N.V. is an SME founded in 1998 as a spin-off of the VU University in Amsterdam, and has developed since then into one of the market leaders for quantum chemical software. The Computational Materials Science group of Prof. Heine at Jacobs University has a long experience in nanomolecular sciences, including organic and inorganic nanomaterials, spectroscopy, dynamic effects etc. The project is based on recent developments of the Heine group, which rely on an approximate DFT (A-DFT) method which is applicable throughout the periodic table, and which is capable of dealing with systems in the 100,000 atoms range. For highly accurate simulations and spectroscopy, a related hybrid method between DFT and A-DFT (AxDFT) will be developed. The methods will be brought through secondments to SCM where they will be implemented into its software product ADF and brought into the market. The resulting software will be used for challenging applications in the fields of nanoelectromechanics, supramolecular and inorganic chemistry, and nanoporous materials. With this initiative ADF will become significantly more competitive and SCM will strengthen its position on the market of quantum-theory based computer software, which is currently dominated by US-based enterprises. Knowledge is exchanged through extensive secondments of ERs, ESRs and staff ERs. Two workshops are planned to disseminate the product.

Keywords: computational chemistry,quantum chemistry,solid state physics,computational physics
Plebiscitary Politics in European Integration: Analysing the Causes and Effects of Holding Referendums on the EU (PLEBPOLEUINT)

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-2009-IEF, 2009)
Start date: 2010-08-01
End date: 2011-07-31
Duration (months): 12.0
Total project cost (EUR): 87201.6
EU funding (EUR): 87201.6
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The primary objective of the project is to contribute to the theoretical integration of the domestic-level dynamics of plebiscitary politics into the study of European integration. Plebiscitary politics, in this context, is taken to refer to the politics by governments of voluntarily committing to popular consultations on European issues which are neither constitutionally required nor forced upon them by other domestic actors. Given the increased frequency of national referendums on EU-related issues in the post-Maastricht era, a systematic understanding both of the driving forces behind the calling of popular votes on the EU and of these votes’ implications for the future trajectory of the integration process has become a crucial prerequisite for analysing EU politics. In order to add to such an understanding, the project seeks to develop an analytical framework that can account for (1) the political rationale of governments to turn to plebiscitary politics in the field of European policy and (2) the effects of plebiscitary politics on European-level decision making and on the patterns of domestic conflicts over Europe. Specifically, this framework builds on the concept of ‘Europeanisation’ and conceives plebiscitary politics as a strategy of governments to avoid the inconvenient political effects which the increasing domestic contestation of European integration tends to inflict on them in the arenas of interparty and intraparty politics. In its empirical part, the project will investigate in how far the proposed framework can account for the record of plebiscitary politics in European integration so far. Apart from evaluating the existing qualitative and quantitative data in this regard, it will employ media content analyses and expert surveys to generate more fine-grained and systematic insights into the incentives that make governments resort to plebiscitary politics and into these politics’ (unintended) domestic and European-level feedback effects.

Keywords: eu policies,european integration,plebiscitary politics,referendums,europeanisation,party politics,depoliticisation,euroscepticism,issue salience
Development of Foundry Casting Methods for Cost-Effective Manufacture of Medical Implants (MEDCAST)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: Industry-Academia Partnerships and Pathways
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: United Kingdom,Ireland,Ireland
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2009-IAPP, 2009)
Start date: 2010-09-01
End date: 2014-08-31
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1570036.0
EU funding (EUR): 1570036.0
Participants: 3
Project status: CLOSED

This project will aim to advance the state of art in investment casting processes for medical devices by intersectoral cooperation between DePuy Ireland and University of Birmingham to develop the concept of the automated “Foundry of the Future”. Research would be carried out into the constituent process technologies, the workflow between them and the impact on the constituent materials. The objectives would be to achieve significant breakthroughs in the understanding of the processes to improve adaptability to new design requirements, reduce cycle time, increase quality yield, minimise human intervention and waste. Results should yield methods to improve new product design processes and hence to significantly reduce unit costs but most importantly allow for more complex medical products to be developed and produced in Europe. Technologies so developed would greatly enhance the effectiveness of European high level casting and promote further intersectoral research collaboration in this field. The partners have complementary skills and facilities. University of Birmingham (UoB) Mechanical Engineering Department is a leading Centre of Expertise in casting processes. DePuy Ireland is part of DePuy Corporation, a $4.5 billion global entity in medical orthopaedic implants. DePuy employ 6000 people worldwide of which some 600 are employed in DePuy Ireland. It is part of Johnson and Johnson Corporation. New innovative concepts developed in UoB’s laboratories can be tested under scaled up and automated conditions in DePuy Ireland’s medical device foundry. The project is estimated to take 48 months to complete and is based exclusively on secondments with 16 researches being seconded from UoB to DePuy and 11 researches from DePuy to UoB.

Keywords: medical technology,technological sciences,materials engineering,metallurgy engineering,process control,process engineering
High-power, low-noise, ultrafast tunable laser sources using supercontinuum generation (ULTRATUNE)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: International Incoming Fellowships
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: Switzerland
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2009-IIF, 2009)
Start date: 2010-07-01
End date: 2012-06-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 238482.4
EU funding (EUR): 238482.4
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

This proposal aims to research and develop a novel tunable ultrafast pulse laser source for use in biomedical applications. Covering the wavelength range from 400 nm to over 1650 nm, and delivering compressed pulses as short as sub-30 fs, the realisation of such a laser source will advance the state-of-the-art by achieving the combination of two key features, high-power and low-noise, which is not achievable using other current approaches. The research approach is to exploit the latest developments in solid-state lasers combined with recent advances in fiber technologies providing a new high-performance architecture. Saturable semiconductor absorber devices acting as nonlinear mirrors (SESAMs) will mode-lock an efficient solid-state ultrafast oscillator to provide compact, robust, low-noise, multi-Watt level seed pulses. Broadband tunability will be obtained via supercontinuum generation in novel microstructured fibers. This new architecture combines synergistically the skills of the host institute (stable SESAM-based lasers) and the researcher (ultrashort pulse generation, manipulation, and control). Within the project, I plan to explore biomedical applications of this novel laser technology in microscopy imaging, nanosurgery, and dentistry in collaboration with international EU partners. These laser sources are likely to have many additional applications outside of the biomedical market. The work will be performed by a researcher from USA with more than 10 years of experience in ultrafast lasers; the last 4 years were with the Ultrafast group at Coherent Inc., an established world leading commercial supplier of ultrafast lasers, and previously 5 years within the College of Optics - CREOL, in the internationally-recognized group of Prof Peter Delfyett. The researcher will be hosted by Time-Bandwidth Products AG at Zurich, Switzerland, a pioneering SME in robust, reliable, high-power, low-noise SESAM mode-locked ultrafast solid-state lasers.

Keywords: tunable ultrafast laser femtosecond supercontinuum biophotonics imaging nanosurgery solid-state fiber,applied optics,microscopy