Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Cross-Border Regional Innovation System Integration (CRISI)

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-2013-IEF, 2013)
Start date: 2014-10-01
End date: 2016-09-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 221606.4
EU funding (EUR): 221606.4
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

This project will provide insightful knowledge on cross-border regional cooperation in terms of how different types of proximity and levels of integration of cross-border regional innovation systems (CBRIS) impact on knowledge transfer mechanisms and levels of innovativeness in SMEs. More specifically, the study will address the following objectives: 1) Compare the effects of different types of proximity on knowledge transfer and innovativeness amongst SMEs in cross-border regions (CBRs), 2) Develop a methodology for measuring the levels of integration of CBRISs and 3) Evaluate the success of INTERREG cross-border cooperation projects in facilitating cross-border knowledge flows and innovation in the service industries, through a tourism case study. The study will utilize both quantitative and qualitative methods, as well as both comparative EU-level data and in depth case study materials (statistical, survey and interview data). This project will make an original theoretical and empirical contribution, through being the first substantial empirical study of the theoretical underpinnings of CBRISs, levels of integration of CBRs and knowledge transfer and joint innovation in tourism cross-border cooperation projects. These original contributions are highly policy relevant as the long term success of CBRs depends on collective efforts to further integration on a trans-regional level in order to develop common innovation systems. This underlines the importance of investigating the possibilities of (sustainable) socio-economic and socio-cultural development in these regions to meet the cohesion goals of the EU. Therefore, the study will provide an analysis of `best practices´ not only for the case study policy makers but also for other EU CBRs and cross-border cooperation projects in order to enhance European competitiveness as a whole.

Keywords: cross-border regional innovation system,integration,knowledge transfer,proximity
Chimeric Influenza-VLP used as vaccine platform for presentation of foreign antigens - Application to Malaria antigens (FLU-MAL VLP)

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: France
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2013-IIF, 2013)
Start date: 2014-09-01
End date: 2016-12-21
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 194046.6
EU funding (EUR): 194046.6
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The goal of this project is to provide a new antigen delivery system for vaccination purpose. We want to develop a vaccine platform based on pseudo-viral particles (VLP), able to enhance antigen immunogenicity and allow for screening multiple antigens independently or simultaneously. A chimeric influenza-VLP platform will be construct, where hemagglutinin (HA) protein will be modified to accommodate exogenous peptides containing B- and/or T- cell epitopes, thus allowing foreign antigen incorporation. The first objective is to select the best chimeric influenza-VLP construction to increase immunogenicity of vectorized antigens. The second objective is to provide a robust and scalable production process and a well-characterized chimeric influenza-VLP platform. The third objective is to validate our vaccination strategy by assaying its efficacy with malaria antigens to immunize against parasite infection and/or blood-stage development of the disease. The strength of this project and its high likelihood of success are based on a synergistic collaboration between three internationally recognized laboratories that would bring their complementary expertise to reach the ultimate goal of the project: delivering a new malaria vaccine-candidate. This will be supported by a complete characterization of the production process and of the final product for transfer to industrial manufacturing. The laboratory VirPath of Pr. Lina, will bring its expertise on influenza virus and vaccine production. Laboratory of Dr. Kamen NRC-Montréal developed for 2-3 years an influenza-VLP production technology based on HEK293 cells. We will transfer and exploit this know-how to select the best production process for chimeric influenza-VLPs and further optimize it. Choice of malaria target antigens and immunology tests on mouse models will be performed by the Malaria Immunology Laboratory of Dr. Rénia in Singapore, bringing its expertise and know-how of malaria immunopathology and vaccines.

Keywords: virus-like particles (vlp) / vaccine production platform / hek293 cells / malaria / protein engineering / antigen presentation
An innovative semiochemical based tool for monitoring and control of biting midge vectors of bluetongue and Schmallenberg disease (MIDGETRAP)

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: Sweden
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2013-IEF, 2013)
Start date: 2014-08-18
End date: 2016-08-17
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 266599.6
EU funding (EUR): 266599.6
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

This proposal responds to an urgent need to increase agricultural production by improving monitoring and control of animal diseases. This will be achieved through development of a new tool for capturing biting midges: vectors of Bluetongue and Schmallenberg disease which threaten food production across Europe. The key deliverable will be a lure that uses odours isolated from manure and urine to attract midges to a non-powered trap. This represents a major advance from the state of the art, as there is currently no suitable tool for sustainable, wide-spread monitoring of biting midges. The project is an international collaboration between a highly-talented researcher (Dr Daniel Bray, Keele University, UK) and a world-class scientist (Prof. Rickard Ignell, SLU, Sweden), which will draw on the expertise of an SME to determine how this innovation can be marketed to achieve maximum benefit across Europe. Through training and research, the project will: (a) advance the fellow’s skills in entomology through engagement with an interdisciplinary project team (b) improve the fellow’s capacity to lead research projects targeting insect disease vectors (c) produce a cost-effective trap for sustainable monitoring of biting midges (d) foster collaboration between academia and industry through translational research (e) allow the fellow to carry out a placement in industry, to understand how to work in this sector and gain entrepreneurial skills and (f) implement outreach activities which will disseminate our results to those that need them. Greater interaction with SMEs and meeting the societal challenge of sustainable food production are key aims of the Europe 2020 programme addressed by this proposal. The training and networking opportunities will advance the researcher towards his career goal of obtaining an independent position in integrated pest management, and enhance the capacity of the ERA to conduct world-leading agricultural and entomological research.

Keywords: bioeconomy,culicoides,food production,habitat cues,integrated pest management,semiochemicals
Investigation of the molecular mechanisms ensuring precision and reproducibility of Sonic Hedgehog mediated patterning in the vertebrate ventral neural tube (NEURALNETWORKNOISE)

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-2013-IEF, 2013)
Start date: 2015-04-01
End date: 2017-03-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 231283.2
EU funding (EUR): 231283.2
Participants: 2
Project status: CLOSED

Morphogens are locally produced molecules that act over long distances in tissues to control the pattern of gene expression. A particularly well-understood model system for studying the mechanisms of morphogen-mediated patterning is the vertebrate neural tube. Here, Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) induces discrete neuronal progenitor domains through regulation of a combinatorial code of transcription factors. The observed precision and reproducibility of gene expression appears greater than can be accounted for by the precision of Shh signalling alone. Thus, mechanisms must exist that filter signaling noise. We hypothesize that this involves either the properties of the downstream transcriptional network regulated by Shh signaling or active cell sorting. The proposed research project aims at quantifying the amount of noise in the pattern of gene expression in the vertebrate neural tube, and investigating how, at which level, and to which extent this noise is buffered. To achieve this goal, I will generate fluorescent reporters for the expression of three key Shh target genes, Nkx2.2, Olig2 and Pax6, and spatiotemporally correlate the activity of these reporters with Shh pathway activity. In parallel, a quantitative analysis of the behaviour of cells will be performed to elucidate the contribution of differential cell adhesion and active cell sorting. The combined results will be integrated into a theoretical framework to account qualitatively and quantitatively for Shh-mediated patterning of the neural tube. Due to the iterative deployment of Hedgehog (Hh) signalling during animal development and the evolutionary conservation of the Hh pathway, the types of mechanisms deduced from our quantitative analysis will probably not only apply to Shh-mediated patterning in the neural tube, but to a broad range Hh-mediated patterning processes. Furthermore, similar mechanisms of noise compensation may be also deployed by other morphogen systems.

Keywords: sonic hedgehog,neural tube development,developmental precision,transcriptional networks,differential cell adhesion
Coupling of One-Dimensional TiO2 with Hydrogenase: Simultaneous Visible-Light Driven H2 Production and Treatment of an Organic Pollutant (1DH2OP)

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-2013-IEF, 2013)
Start date: 2014-03-01
End date: 2015-08-31
Duration (months): 18.0
Total project cost (EUR): 231926.4
EU funding (EUR): 231926.4
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Sunlight is a vastly abundant energy form and provides an attractive possible energy-input to produce hydrogen through the splitting of water into its elements via the process of artificial photosynthesis. Within this theme, the proposal defines a new approach of coupling semiconductor nanomaterials with catalytically active biological enzymes to reduce protons to hydrogen in an aqueous electrolyte under visible light irradiation. Building upon current state-of-the-art systems involving enzymes attached to dye-sensitized titanium dioxide nanoparticulates, herein we propose the use of one-dimensional titanium dioxide nanostructures. Benefitting from the intrinsic property of efficient directional electron transport, these structures will reduce charge recombination and hence could lead to improved performance. The visible light driven response via anion doping will eliminate the need for a ruthenium dye as photosensitizer, offering promise of a low cost and greatly simplified hybrid design. Moreover, upon suitable valence band position engineering, the addition of an organic pollutant could act as electron donor to enhance hydrogen production, while simultaneously being photodegraded. This project brings innovation and advancement to the concept and design of more efficient and cost effective biomimetic artificial photosynthesis increasing the competitiveness of the European Research Area in renewable energy research. In line with action 2 of the FP7 Work Program-PEOPLE, this multidisciplinary project (4 major thematic areas: energy, nanoscience, biotechnology, and environmental) intends to train and develop Dr. Lee personally and professionally, reinforcing his career development.

Keywords: solar fuels,nanomaterials,1-dimensional,nanotubes,nanowires,hydrogen,visible light,hydrogenase,enzymes,catalysis,pollutant,electrochemistry,energy
Extracellular Matrix Remodeling and Muscle Insulin Resistance: Role of Hyaluronan-CD44 Interaction (EMRAMIR)

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: United Kingdom
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2013-IIF, 2013)
Start date: 2014-06-01
End date: 2016-05-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 309235.2
EU funding (EUR): 309235.2
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The rapid increase in the worldwide prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and metabolic diseases has led to a high demand for identifying new and more effective treatments. Skeletal muscle insulin resistance, a hallmark of T2D and metabolic syndrome, has been primarily studied for the identification of novel therapeutic targets and the development of cost-effective drugs. Our previous results have established a novel link between extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling around muscle fibers and endothelial dysfunction which culminates in muscle insulin resistance. This concept is groundbreaking as the field of insulin resistance has been traditionally focused on intracellular insulin signaling. The main goal of this project is to define the role of hyaluronan, a major ECM constitute and its interaction with CD44, main cell surface receptor for hyaluronan in the pathogenesis of muscle insulin resistance. Results from my own work have shown that an increase in muscle hyaluronan contributes to muscle insulin resistance in high fat-fed obese mice and normalization of hyaluronan by long-acting pegylated human recombinant PH-20 hyaluronidase (PEGPH20) reverses muscle insulin resistance. As the underlying mechanisms are still unknown, studies of CD44 null mice combined with high fat diet intervention and pharmacological treatment with PEGPH20 by the state-of-the-art technique “hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp” coupled with isotopic tracers, the gold-standard for in vivo measurement of insulin sensitivity will methodically and quantitatively reveal the role of hyaluronan-CD44 interaction in insulin resistance. Furthermore, the coupling of vascular endothelial dysfunction in these processes will also be assessed by cutting-edge techniques including laser Doppler imaging. These studies are important in providing mechanistic insight into the role of ECM remodeling in muscle insulin resistance and will open doors for new treatments for insulin resistance.

Keywords: extracellular matrix,hyaluronan,cd44,muscle insulin resistance,endothelial dysfunction,muscle perfusion.
Ultrafast dual-comb multidimensional lidar (ULTRA-COMELI)

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: Sweden
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2013-IEF, 2013)
Start date: 2014-06-01
End date: 2016-05-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 197811.6
EU funding (EUR): 197811.6
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Since its inception in 2000, the femtosecond frequency comb has revolutionized the field of optical synthesis and metrology, leading to an expanding range of applications. However, the ideal characteristics of an optical frequency comb are application dependent. The scientific goal of this project is to realize a distance-resolved laser ranging system by combining frequency comb technology operating at high (> 10 GHz) repetition rates with techniques formerly developed for coherent fiber-optic communications. This original synergy shall provide a laser radar instrument (LIDAR) operating at unprecedented speeds (1 MHz refresh rate), capable to retrieve information from a target in multiple dimensions (amplitude, phase and polarization) simultaneously. These advances represent a three orders-of-magnitude improvement with respect to state-of-the-art LIDAR systems. This ambitious project shall be developed at Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden, in the group of Prof. Peter A. Andrekson, a world-recognized expert with long tradition in the field of fiber-optic communications and related applications. This project will help to broaden the candidate’s expertise in non-conventional imaging systems and get hands-on training in fiber-optic communication instrumentation. Most importantly, this project offers a unique opportunity for the candidate to dedicate full-time to scientific research for the first time in ten years. The high-quality scientific skills and complementary competences to be acquired within this project will undoubtedly become a leap forward in the candidate’s professional career.

Keywords: photonics,fiber-optic communications,optical frequency combs,coherent optical communications,optical metrology,lidar,electro-optic modulators,coherent receivers,phase measurement,polarimetry
DIGITAL Devices for mUltimodal Expression Through vocal Synthesis (DIGITAL DUETS)

Framework: FP7 — People
Programme: Marie-Curie Actions
Theme: Marie Skłodowska-Curie
Destination: International Outgoing Fellowships
Action type: Support for training and career development of researchers (Marie Curie)
Countries involved: Italy
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2013-IOF, 2013)
Start date: 2015-02-01
End date: 2018-01-31
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 250935.0
EU funding (EUR): 250935.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Artistic and musical expression is an important part of human experience, and can be considered a universal language above any cultural diversities. In particular, the communicative power of voice is worldwide known, since voice is the first musical instrument ever exploited to create and perform music. During the last twenty years, novel scientific and technological achievements have given birth to several systems able to generate synthetic speech and singing voices, unleashing the exploration of innovative performative possibilities. Strong of the experience in the field of the involved researchers, the objectives of this project consist in the prosecution of these studies, extending the current “state of the art” with innovative technologies and techniques to enhance naturalness, intelligibility, expressivity and controllability of vocal synthesis, in thoughtful and insightful multimodal performances. The object of the first part of the project is the design and development of a novel musical instrument for excellent vocal synthesis in real-time; the core of the instrument will be an articulatory vocal synthesizer, composed by three parallel algorithms for physical modeling synthesis based on an unprecedented joint bio-mechanical and acoustic simulation of the human upper airways. Synthesis will be controlled by means of hand and finger gestures, making use of machine learning techniques to enhance usability and bandwidth of the instrument. The second part of the project aims at the integration of the instrument in a multimodal platform for audio/visual performances; making use of novel Virtual and Mixed Reality technologies, we want to define choreographies in which, by means of gestures, performers are able to control speech and song synthesis, multichannel sound diffusion, processed images and real-time 2D and stereoscopic projections. It is our intent to exhibit such performances on stages within theaters and concert halls, in Europe and North America.

Keywords: vocal synthesizer,gesture,tracking,motion capture,physical modeling synthesis,speech synthesis,performance,music,multimodal,audio/video
Bioplastic production from tomato peel residues (BIOPROTO)

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-2013-IEF, 2013)
Start date: 2014-04-01
End date: 2016-03-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 187414.8
EU funding (EUR): 187414.8
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

This proposal aims to develop an integral re-exploitation of the tomato fruit peels from processing tomato industries. In particular, the project is focus on the bio-mimicry of the plant cuticle, in order to obtain bioplastics with commercial purposes. Tomato fruits were chosen for, first, their high proportion of cuticular components, second, the inexpensive price of their peel, and, third, the high industrial volume of work (European tomato processing industry processed 11,380,100 tonnes of raw tomatoes in 2004). The plant cuticle is an essential component of terrestrial plant life, providing protection against the dehydrating atmosphere. The cuticle has been modified and refined in various plant lineages to fill an impressive range of multi-functional purposes and interesting properties (e.g., it is hydrophobic, viscoelastic, moderately flexible, chemically inert and has high values of specific heat and good mechanical properties). This is the result of the combination of their main components: polysaccharides and the long-chain polyester cutin. The aim in this proposal is the exploitation of these biopolymers from tomato fruit peel residues to bio-mimic the plant cuticle, producing plant cuticle-like plastics. For this, initially, the combination and reactivity of model substances (commercial cutin monomer and cellulose) will be studied, characterizing the resultant products. Subsequently, the properties will be improved and adapted to industrial necessities. The second stage of the project will be the integral refinery of the tomato peel residues and the production of bioplastics from the natural components. Likewise, the properties of these bioplastics will be tailored. This proposal is novel because no previous studies have developed a strategy to bio-mimic the plant cuticles, and timely because, in times of economic crisis, of the opportunity of revaluing the inexpensive tomato residues into bioplastics with added value.

Keywords: biomimetics,plant cuticle,plant residues,tomato peel,plastics