Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Elucidation of the function of DDX3X in innate immunity (DDX3X FUNCTION)

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: Austria
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2009-IIF, 2009)
Start date: 2011-02-01
End date: 2013-01-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 159622.8
EU funding (EUR): 159622.8
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Viral infections are among the most frequent causes of human diseases and affect most people worldwide. While some viral diseases have been successfully combated, novel viral diseases like AIDS, SARS, avian influenza A H5N1, or the swine influenza A H1N1, have emerged over the last decades. Research aiming at elucidating mechanisms of viral infection and the involved immune response is, therefore, of utmost importance in order to understand viral pathogenesis and to identify novel potential drug targets. The goal of this proposal is to define the role of the RNA helicase DDX3X in the regulation of IFN-I expression. IFN-I is a central player of innate immunity and its secretion is rapidly induced upon stimulation of various receptors of the innate immune system, known as pattern recognition receptors. The current proposal aims at generating mice that lack functional DDX3X protein in specific tissues. We will test the ability of various cell types or DDX3X mutant mice to elicit effective IFN-I responses and we will assess the susceptibility to viral infections. Finally, we will examine the effect of DDX3X in acute lung injury, the main cause of death in individuals infected with SARS or influenza virus. These experiments are designed to reveal essential in vivo functions of a novel key molecule implicated in viral infections and therefore should contribute to the understanding and molecular consequences of the cellular host response to virus infections.

Keywords: innate immunity,pattern recognition receptor (prr) signalling,type i interferon,acute lung injury,knock-out mouse model
Extended metal-organic materials formed via subcomponent self-assembly (EMOMFSSA)

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-2009-IIF, 2009)
Start date: 2010-04-06
End date: 2012-04-05
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 174240.8
EU funding (EUR): 174240.8
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

This project aims to synthesise new metal-containing polymeric materials through self-assembly from simple building blocks. These self-assembled materials will be formed in water directly from diamine and dicarbonyl monomer units linked by imine bonds coordinated to copper(I) templates. The project is intrinsically multidisciplinary, building upon the techniques of organic synthesis and coordination chemistry to branch into applications in the fields of self-assembly and polymer chemistry. It spans the fields of organic and inorganic chemistry, bridging into materials science and nanotechnology. The project builds upon the experience of the applicant in metallo-supramolecular and materials chemistry to gain a deeper understanding of how subcomponent self-assembly may be used synthetically to generate complex and functional metal-organic materials. Then materials properties of the products including their electrical conductivity and light-harvesting properties will also be investigated. The materials produced will be dynamic-covalent polymers, capable of interchanging monomer units in solution. Despite their dynamic nature, the imine bonds between monomer units are not prone to rupture (C=N bond dissociation energy &gt; 600 kJ mol-1), which could lead to strong polymer chains, and it has been demonstrated that coordination to copper(I) renders imines stable to hydrolysis even in aqueous solution. Although this project builds upon concepts developed in the fields of supramolecular and coordination polymers, the robust nature of the linkages between monomer units sets this project apart from these fields. The materials that will be prepared are predicted to be stiff and strong, and initial studies indicate that they could serve as electrically conductive “molecular wires” and lead to applications as sensors, conductors, magnetic materials or light harvesting devices.

Keywords: self-assembly,synthesis,polymers,conducting materials,coordination chemistry,supramolecular chemistry
Paramagnetic Metal Complex Transistors (RADICALELECTRONICS)

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: 2010-06-14
End date: 2012-06-13
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 173240.8
EU funding (EUR): 173240.8
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Electronic materials composed of small electroactive molecules are making a growing impact in commercial and academic work on devices such as transistors, light-emitting displays and solar cells. Almost all research attention however is based on diamagnetic, closed-shell molecules typified by examples such as pentacene, fullerenes and perylene derivatives. The use of paramagnetic molecules in such applications offers unique additional possibilities, for example abrupt on-off switching in field-effect transistors due to melting of magnetic order induced by the applied gate potential giving an avalanche of charge carriers. We will prepare and study paramagnetic, electronically-delocalised transition metal complexes of planar geometry. We will characterise fully their molecular properties through electrochemical, spectroscopic, spectroelectrochemical, EPR, magnetic, structural and computational methods. The complexes will then be used to fabricate thin-films for field-effect transistors and we will study the role of the unpaired electrons in the behaviour of those devices. This has the potential to open up new paradigms in small molecule research for electronic materials and devices.

Keywords: inorganic chemistry,molecular chemistry,physical chemistry,electronic,magnetic and superconductive properties
Dynamic mechanical properties of cartilage: influence of loading conditions on properties and structure (CARTILAGE LOADING)

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: 2011-02-01
End date: 2013-01-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 171740.8
EU funding (EUR): 171740.8
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The key goals of this study are to better understand the properties that prevent articular cartilage from sustaining mechanical damage, and to determine which mechanical factors encourage cultured chondrocytes to produce structural macromolecules that enable cartilage to withstand mechanical loading. These key goals will be achieved by: (i) determining the storage and loss moduli for cartilage from lower limb joints, using cyclic loading test conditions; (ii) determining their relationship to structure (i.e. collagen orientation), using microscopy (light and electron) and x-ray diffraction techniques; (iii) culturing chondrocyte cells on modified alginate gel scaffolds, under intermittent loading. The boundary conditions applied to these cultures will be varied (i.e. loading rate, peak load) in order to determine how variations in loading alter the production of structural macromolecules that enable cartilage to withstand mechanical loading. Results from (i) and (ii) above enable predictions of trends as to how alterations in loading alter properties, and the relationship of these properties to the tissue structure. These loading conditions can then be isolated using cell cultures (iii) enabling predicted trends to be confirmed/refuted. Essentially, this study aims to determine which physical loading parameters aid the maintenance healthy cartilage. This is important because alterations to loading are thought to be involved in cartilage degeneration as occurs during osteoarthritis.

Keywords: biomedical engineering,materials engineering,biomaterial engineering,orthopaedics
Photovoltaic cells based on nano-structured CdTe (PHOTORODS)

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: 2010-05-03
End date: 2012-05-02
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 229253.2
EU funding (EUR): 229253.2
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Cadmium Telluride (CdTe) is already established as a prominent conventional solar cell semiconductor material due to its energy gap 1.5 eV with an almost perfect match to the solar spectrum. The aim of this research is to study the use of nano-structured CdTe as the absorbing layer in PV solar cells, and to evaluate the performance and industrial potential of these cells for a spread of PV applications, from low cost to high efficiency thermo-sensitive platforms and devices. It would require an investigation of processes for inexpensive fabrication of large periodic arrays of semiconductor nanostructures that will allow for (a) controlled variations in the size and composition of the nanostructures, (b) encapsulation of the semiconductor nanostructures in a rugged host material, (c) flexibility to use a variety of substrate materials, and (d) compatibility with standard silicon fabrication techniques. Additionally, the same CdTe-based PV nano-structures could be used as efficient imaging flat-panel direct-conversion semiconductor detectors for applications in such diverse fields as nuclear medicine, homeland security, astrophysics, and environmental remediation.

Keywords: materials engineering,pv cells,semiconductor material,nano-structured cdte
Robotic Gynecological Brachytherapy (ROBOGYN)

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: Austria
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2009-IIF, 2009)
Start date: 2010-08-16
End date: 2011-07-30
Duration (months): 11.0
Total project cost (EUR): 113186.8
EU funding (EUR): 113186.8
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Gynecological cancers are one of the most devastating forms of cancer in the western hemisphere as well as worldwide. The condition is effectively treated with brachytherapy that entails implanting radioactive sources into the cancer to kill it with radiation. The success of the procedure depends on the accurate visualization of the cancer and precise placement of the sources. Faulty source delivery may result in insufficient dose to the cancer and inadvertent radiation of healthy nearby tissues. The former causes a failure of treatment while the latter results in adverse side effects, such as ulceration, incontinence and chronic pain. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an excellent cancer imaging tool, but due to high magnetic field and lack of access to the patient, it has not been possible to use MRI for guiding gynecological interventions. We propose to develop the proof of concept prototype of a robotic device to allow for precise implantation of brachytherapy sources into gynecological cancers with direct MRI image guidance. We believe that this system, when fully implemented, will lead to better clinical outcomes by simultaneously improving cancer control and reducing radiation toxicity in surrounding healthy tissues. The visitor, Dr. Fichtinger, is an international leader in medical robotics applied for brachytherapy of genitourinary cancers. The host team at MUW has a stellar international standing in clinical gynecological brachytherapy, but they have no expertise in medical robotics. The combination of the host and visitor will create an ideal situation for this project. Dr. Fichtinger will spearhead the project under the Marie Curie Action. At the end of the project year, he will transfer the leadership to the host team that will continue the project toward clinical utilization.

Keywords: medical robotics,radiotherapy,brachytherapy,gynecology,cancer
Non-deterministic Matrices and their Applications for Non-classical Logics (NDMANCL)

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: Austria
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2009-IEF, 2009)
Start date: 2011-04-01
End date: 2013-03-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 163781.2
EU funding (EUR): 163781.2
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Non-deterministic multi-valued matrices (Nmatrices) are a new field of research rapidly developing towards a foundational logical theory. The idea of Nmatrices is in extending the usual algebraic deterministic semantics of logical systems by importing the idea of non-deterministic computations from Computer Science, and allowing the truth-value of a formula to be chosen non-deterministically out of a given set of options. The goal of the proposed project is to extensively develop the semantic framework which is provided by the idea of Nmatrices. This includes developing a foundational methodology for providing modular non-deterministic semantics for non-classical logics, and exploring its applications in the following directions: - Proof Theory: using Nmatrices to characterize cut-elimination and other important syntactic phenomena in various analytic calculi, including substructural calculi and hypersequents. - Automated Deduction: automatizing deduction in non-deterministic logics by extending the multi-valued expert system MULtlog, developed by the host group. - Approximating Logics: investigating effective approximations of logics using finite multi-valued Nmatrices. - Non-deterministic Fuzzy Logic: developing new non-deterministic foundations for fuzzy logics based on Nmatrices and exploring their applications.

Keywords: mathematical logic,non-classical logics,non-deterministic matrices,proof theory,automated reasoning,fuzzy logic
The role of mitotic tissues in controlling the developmental clock (TISSUE PATTERNING)

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: 2011-01-01
End date: 2013-04-30
Duration (months): 28.0
Total project cost (EUR): 166145.6
EU funding (EUR): 166145.6
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

A number of studies suggest that the larval imaginal discs, the precursors of the adult structures in the fly, play a crucial role in coordinating tissue maturation/patterning with developmental timing. Thus, disc transplantation experiments show that the transplantation of a young imaginal discs into more developmentally advanced larvae delays pupal molt, allowing the underdeveloped discs to catch up with other larval tissues. In contrast, complete ablation of the imaginal discs has no effect on developmental timing of the pupal molt. These results suggest that a signal released from imaginal discs prevents the onset of metamorphosis up until patterning/maturation of the discs is complete. Reminiscent of this, wounding of imaginal discs delays pupal molt, thereby allowing damaged tissue to regenerate before the onset of metamorphosis. So far, the mechanisms by which immature/wounded discs prevent the production of the steroid hormone ecdysone and thereby pupal molt remains elusive. The aim of the proposed project is to screen for the signals that couple patterning of mitotic tissue with the developmental clock using the power of Drosophila genetics. For this purpose we developed two different conditions for which we can induce a developmental delay by altering the expression of two selected genes specifically in the discs. These two conditions will be used at two successive levels to screen the VDRC collection of UAS-RNAi lines (12.000 lines covering 95% of the genes having a mammalian ortholog) for candidates that can revert or at least partially rescue the developmental delay.

Keywords: drosophila,tissue growth and patterning,developmental timing,regeneration
Does plant C regulate the decomposition of soil organic matter by ericoid mycorrhizal fungi? (ERICARB)

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: United Kingdom
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2009-IOF, 2009)
Start date: 2010-05-05
End date: 2013-07-04
Duration (months): 34.0
Total project cost (EUR): 245943.2
EU funding (EUR): 245943.2
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

A major determinant of climate change is the rate at which carbon (C) accumulates in soils and whether they will switch from being a sink to a source. This depends on the fate of the C contained in soil organic matter (SOM), which is released into the atmosphere mostly through the activity of soil saprotrophic microbes. Recent circumstantial evidence suggests that mycorrhizal fungi (MF), symbionts of most land plant roots, can mobilise nutrients from SOM, contributing directly to SOM decomposition. The extent to which MF interact with SOM-C, and how this interaction is regulated, is a matter of current debate which needs to be addressed to understand plant-soil C cycling. Mycorrhizal ericaceous plant species will be used as model systems to determine the link between plant labile C input belowground and involvement of MF in SOM decomposition. This will be done using a natural invasion gradient in the UNESCO world heritage site of Tongariro National Park, New Zealand, where invasion by non native Ericaceae appears to alter the MF communities hosted in native ericaceous species. Both field and laboratory-based experiments will draw upon highly innovative molecular and isotopic approaches, and will benefit from the guidance of world experts in their field, ensuring effective implementation of the project and efficient training of the fellow. The research will provide key strategic information for the understanding of soil C sinks under future climate, a proprietary objective of the FP7 environment and climate theme. The work will further European scientific excellence within the field as well as complementary fields of ecology. Moreover, the fellowship will enable the applicant to bring back to Europe high quality, specialised theoretical and technological skills, providing a decisive opportunity for carving a unique niche in the field, an essential step towards establishment as an independent researcher.

Keywords: mycorrhizal fungi,ericaceae,natural sciences,soil ecology,mycology,plant ecology,plant physiology,stable isotopes,molecular biology,carbon cycle (climate change)
Theoretical and phenomenological study of the physics of gamma-ray binaries (STUDYPHYSGRAYBIN)

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: Ireland
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2009-IEF, 2009)
Start date: 2010-07-01
End date: 2012-06-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 171174.2
EU funding (EUR): 171174.2
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Gamma-ray binaries are among the most luminous very high-energy sources of the Galaxy. They consist of a normal star and a compact object, and their radiation is strongly variable and often periodic. Gamma-ray binaries also generate radio emission of non-thermal and sometimes extended nature, and X-rays, predominantly of non-thermal nature. These objects are strongly connected with other classes of gamma-ray sources, such as supernova remnants, active galactic nuclei, gamma-ray bursts, and pulsar wind nebulae, which share many features with gamma-ray binaries, like jets, relativistic winds, particle acceleration, compact non-thermal emission, pair production and electromagnetic cascades, shocks with the environment, and extended radiation. There are many important open questions yet regarding all these phenomena in gamma-ray binaries. The power origin is not known in many sources; it may be a pulsar, accretion, or a rapidly spinning black hole. Also, the specific acceleration mechanism has not been identified in some gamma-ray binaries, and the processes producing (or processing) the non-thermal radiation are not properly understood. Finally, the properties of the outflows and jets of gamma-ray binaries, and the consequences of their interaction with the environment, have not been much explored. The proposed project has as a goal to shed light on and solve these questions. The proposal matches the program requirements for multidisciplinarity in the theoretical and in the phenomenological side, since several different topics are comprehended. The project has as well a strong contact with multiwavelength observations. The completeness of the project will allow the researcher to deepen and widen its knowledge and scientific skills, and to achieve a leading independent position in his field. The scientific profile of the host and the researcher experience give to the project a very high chance of success.

Keywords: physical sciences,astronomy,astrophysics,non-thermal processes,gamma-rays,multiwavelength,x-ray binaries