Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Synthesis of peptide imprinted nanoparticles and their integration to ELISA-like assay for the quantification of hepcidin (PINP)

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-2012-IEF, 2012)
Start date: 2013-05-01
End date: 2015-04-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 179739.6
EU funding (EUR): 179739.6
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The development of assays based on molecular recognition for measuring biomarkers is a critical task for the diagnosis and prognosis of pathologies. The present project aims at developing synthetic nanoparticles (NP) for the quantification of the peptide biomarker hepcidin (hep) which regulates iron homeostasis. A modern strategies for mimicking receptors consists of NPs produced by molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) technology. MIPs are prepared by a template-assisted emulsion polymerization. After removal of the template, complementary cavities are exposed in the polymer. The target biomarker, hep, is a 25-residue peptide (hep25) present in urine and plasma, other N-terminus truncated isoforms such as hep20 and hep22 were also found in humans. It is known that the first 5 amino acids of the N-terminus of hep25 are essential for iron homeostasis while the role of other isoforms is still unclear. Given that the imprinting is more successful for short peptides only 2 crucial portions of the full length peptide are synthesized as templates which are also functionalized to impose a direction of imprinting. The precision of the template synthesis ensures a higher fidelity of imprinting during the NPs synthesis improving the molecular recognition. The goal of the project consist in designing an assay for the determination of serum and/or urinary hep, based on MIPs selective for hep isoforms and arranged in a pseudo-immuno assay format, further extended in sensitivity by the addition of fluorescent tags. At last, an evaluation of the assay with clinical sample is planned to be performed. The possibility of using nano-sized MIPs as plastic antibodies in ELISA-like assays has the obvious advantage of a potential widespread diffusion. The proposed ELISA-like assay with fluorescent tags is very innovative and have the potential versatility to be transposed to different applications. Moreover the deep impact of the outcomes allow the access to the diagnostic market.

Keywords: peptide synthesis - synthetic nanoparticles - molecular imprinting - hepcidin - diagnostic - nanotechnology
Identification of new colorectal cancer susceptibility genes (FINDING CRC GENES)

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: Spain
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2012-IOF, 2012)
Start date: 2013-06-17
End date: 2017-07-06
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 230389.5
EU funding (EUR): 230389.5
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The overall aim of this proposed project is to discovery new colorectal cancer (CRC) susceptibility genes to better understand the colorectal carcinogenesis process and improve the molecular diagnosis the affected families. CRC is one of the most important causes of morbidity and mortality in occidental countries. An early diagnosis of CRC as well as clinical surveillance of those with an increased risk to develop a CRC leads to an important decrease of CRC morbidity and mortality. Genetic diagnosis is a powerful tool to detect at risk patients, and although some genes have been demonstrated to cause CRC, they explain only a small proportion of cases. On these bases, a better understanding of the genetic contribution to CRC is necessary to achieve a meaningful impact on the disease. Here we propose a trans-Atlantic collaborative project to find new CRC susceptibility genes. Our first aim will be to identify new highly penetrant CRC susceptibility genes and variants using an exome-wide approach. Recent studies have demonstrated the feasibility of whole-exome sequencing (WES) as a powerful discovery tool for germline mutations in other familial cancers. By accurately selecting the families to be studied we expect to increase the gene identification rate. To this aim, we will restrict our WES analysis to highly enriched familial cases from two populations with an already demonstrated founder character (Québec –Canada– and Catalonia –Spain–). Given the recent evidences of the involvement of two spindle-assembly checkpoint (SAC) genes (BUB1B and BUB1) to hereditary colorectal carcinogenesis, our second aim is to identify new moderately penetrant CRC susceptibility genes and/or variants that are involved in the SAC pathway. From previous evidences we hypothesise that diminished expression of SAC genes may lead to carcinogenesis. To test subtle expression changes we will measure the allele-specific expression in nine SAC genes in a case-control study design.

Keywords: hereditary colorectal cancer,whole-exome sequencing,spindle-assembly checkpoint,allele-specific expression,molecular genetics diagnosis,cancer and its biological basis,diagnostic tools
Molecular and ecological characterisation of bacterial community-mediated protection against infection in the zebrafish (ZEBRAPROTECT)

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-2012-IEF, 2012)
Start date: 2013-03-01
End date: 2015-02-28
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 194046.6
EU funding (EUR): 194046.6
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Animal-associated commensal microbiota play a crucial role in protecting their hosts against invading pathogens through a process called colonisation resistance. A number of hypotheses have been proposed to explain this protective effect. These include direct competition between commensal and pathogens (barrier effect), alteration of the host immune defence (immuno-stimulation), or protection by certain species but not the whole community (membership effect). Investigations of bacterial community interactions were carried out extensively based on genomic approaches, but functional studies are still rare. Indeed, investigating bacterial interactions in vivo is often hindered by the complexity of host-associated bacterial communities and a lack of appropriate direct and reproducible experimental approaches for the analysis of community-based colonisation resistance. We propose an innovative approach using the zebrafish (Danio rerio) as a relevant vertebrate model to systematically dissect the mechanisms behind community-protection against exogenous pathogens. Our preliminary data showed that axenic and mono-colonised, but not conventional zebrafish larvae harbouring natural microbiota, rapidly die upon infection by the fish pathogen Flavobacterium columnare. We will use conventional zebrafish survival as a read-out for community-protection and will investigate its molecular and ecological bases. Culturable bacteria isolated from natural zebrafish microbiota will be transplanted into axenic fish to determine key species involved in protection and construct a minimum protective community. We will then characterise the community interactions with ecological tools and identify the molecular determinants for the protection against F. columnare. This approach will generate fundamental knowledge about microbial ecological interactions in host-associated systems and could contribute to a better understanding of strategies for pathogen control.

Keywords: zebrafish,bacterial community interactions,protection,community modelling,pathogen invasion
TV News for Promoting Interculturalism: A Novel Step towards Immigrant Integration (TVNPI)

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: Netherlands
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2012-IEF, 2012)
Start date: 2013-06-01
End date: 2015-05-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 183469.8
EU funding (EUR): 183469.8
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The purpose of this project is to show how political news contents can be used as educational materials in foreign languages classes to facilitate immigrants’ language acquisition and at the same time furthering political and social integration. Much immigration will sustain, also now integration problematic in many societies, which stemmed in large part from the creation of 'parallel societies' and lack of effective integration policies. The integration of immigrant communities in host societies is dependent upon the learning of the national language of the state in question, and on that we must insist. Besides, it is closely bound up with their knowledge on the societies in which they live. The research draws upon the concept of Interculturalism as an attempt to reinforce cultural dialogue and foster the process of immigrant integration. The first phase of the project involves an empirical content analysis of political news from four television news broadcasts in Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands and Brazil. Drawing on the insights of the analysis, we will work on the production of an online tool of educational materials to be employed in language lessons, in particular: English, Spanish, Dutch and Portuguese courses. The effectiveness of this tool for intercultural learning and integration will be evaluated drawing on focus groups formed by immigrants in the four different countries attending those language courses. By identifying most recent standards of contents production of political news developed by digital television in the four countries, we aim to obtain inherent alternatives and initiatives for learning decisive aspect in order to improve the political, cultural and identity awareness of immigrants in their host countries and foster Interculturalism.

Keywords: interculturalism - immigration - integration policies - acquisition and knowledge of languages - political communication - television news broadcasts - communication networks - focus group research
Tailored Quantum Structures (TAQUS)

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-2012-IIF, 2012)
Start date: 2013-06-01
End date: 2015-05-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 309235.2
EU funding (EUR): 309235.2
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Self-assembled semiconductor quantum structures are the subject of world-wide interest because of their potential use in quantum information technologies and nanoscale optoelectronics. This project will advance this field by obtaining nanoscale movies of III-V quantum structure formation. This will be achieved by establishing a € 1 million Low Energy Electron Microscope (LEEM) which is the only instrument in the world capable of obtaining nanoscale movies of compound semiconductor growth under arsenic flux. The understanding gained from this work will facilitate a new level of control over specific quantum features for device applications.

Keywords: low energy electron microscope,quantum structures,gallium arsenide,molecular beam epitaxy,surfaces
The Role of Dendritic Cell Subsets in the Maintenance of Effector and Regulatory T-cells in the Skin (DCMERT)

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-2012-IOF, 2012)
Start date: 2013-05-01
End date: 2016-04-30
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 282561.0
EU funding (EUR): 282561.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Tissue immune homeostasis is dependent upon a dynamic balance between effector T-cells (Teff) and regulatory T-cells (Treg). Biological variables that perturb their ratios are critical determinants in the development of autoimmunity. How this balance is established and maintained in peripheral tissues is largely unknown and is therefore essential for understanding the pathogenesis of autoimmunity and chronic tissue inflammation. Current therapies focus on reducing pathogenic Teff responses while augmenting suppressive Treg pathways. Tissue-resident dendritic cell (DC) populations are intimately associated with tissue-resident T-cells. It is well documented that inflammatory conditions alter the function of DCs, which in turn influence T-cell differentiation towards Teff and Treg cells. We hypothesize that skin DC subsets will have specific and distinct roles in establishing and maintaining peripheral Teff and Treg cells, and in doing so, play a major role in maintaining self-tolerance in the skin. Utlising a novel and unique experimental model whereby self-antigen is inducibly expressed in the skin, this proposal will dissect the role of tissue DCs in: 1) generating Teff and Treg populations in the skin in response to cutaneous self antigen expression; 2) deleting Teff cells upon persistent self antigen expression; and 3) maintaining Teff and Treg memory populations in the skin. It is becoming increasingly apparent that the dominant mechanisms of immune regulation occur within peripheral tissues at the sites of antigen expression and not in secondary lymphoid organs. To elucidate whether skin DC subsets mediate their effects in the skin or skin draining lymph nodes we will employ highly advanced two-photon laser scanning microscopy to compare DC-Teff and DC-Treg interactions at these two sites in real-time. The proposed research project will provide insights into critical DC-T-cell interactions as novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of autoimmune disease.

Keywords: l605 immunological memory and tolerance
Networking by stress signalling pathways: identification of novel regulators of combinatorial stress tolerance (SIGNSTRESSPATH)

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: Netherlands
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2012-IEF, 2012)
Start date: 2013-05-01
End date: 2015-04-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 175974.6
EU funding (EUR): 175974.6
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Biotic and abiotic stresses are major components of natural selection in the wild. In nature, plants have to cope with a wide range of biotic and abiotic stress conditions. Recent genomics research revealed that the plant’s capacity to respond to this enormous diversity of stresses is highly flexible and finely balanced. As plants have co-evolved with an enormous variety of microbial pathogens and insect herbivores under conditions with different types of abiotic stress (heat, cold, water logging, drought, toxic compounds, etc.), they harbour a fantastic reservoir of natural adaptive mechanisms to simultaneously cope with different forms of biotic and abiotic stress that until to date remained unknown or poorly understood . Using a multidisciplinary approach, I will explore the resource of natural adaptive stress responses in Arabidopsis thaliana to simultaneous interaction with biotic (necrotrophic pathogen Botrytis cinerea) and abiotic (drought) stress. With the proposed research I aim to understand how and why plants integrate different signals to effectively defend themselves against different threats. State-of-art bioinformatic tools based on whole genome expression profiling will be used to build a gene regulatory network model of the a(biotic) signal interaction. This dual approach will allow me to uncover novel regulators of pathway crosstalk by which plants steer their immune signalling network upon encounter with multiple stress and to investigate their biological significance. The future objective is to convert all this knowledge to provide novel tools for sustainable agriculture and resistance breeding, and apply these tools to crop plants.

Keywords: biological sciences,plant physiology,stress signalling,cross-talk
Bottom-up IntegRated Approach for sustainabLe grouNdwater mAnagement in rural areaS (BIR AL-NAS)

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-2012-IOF, 2012)
Start date: 2013-10-01
End date: 2016-09-30
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 212532.0
EU funding (EUR): 212532.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Groundwater resources represent the largest volume of all unfrozen fresh water on Earth. However the knowledge and understanding of this precious resource is very little, if compared to surface water, especially to the general public and policy makers. Indeed, groundwater resources if carefully managed can make a significant contribution to meet increasing water demand, agricultural needs and to adapt to global climate change, particularly in coastal regions. For this reason it is of paramount importance to promote groundwater protection and to raise awareness on its crucial role in sustaining human activities and wellbeing worldwide. Within these emerging needs, Bir Al-Nas (Bottom-up IntegRated Approach for sustainabLe grouNdwater mAnagement in rural areaS) project’s overall objective is to develop a replicable example of integrated approach for science-based groundwater management practices, by studying the aquifer system in the Cap Bon Peninsula (Tunisia). This region has been chosen as a case study being representative of increasing global water scarcity and aquifer overexploitation issues in coastal areas. The overall objective is meant to be achieved through an integrated hydrogeochemical and social analysis finalized to obtain robust and reliable information for providing advices and supporting integrated management practices for rural development. In Arabic Bir Al-Nas means the “well of people” and emphasizes the effective inclusion of the social dimension into hydrogeological investigations. Framed within European Research Area (ERA)‘s priorities as proposing a research addressing global challenges and contributing to the achievement of sustainable development goals, Bir Al-Nas will benefit of the mobility offered by the Marie Curie IOF programme, also creating the basis for long-term international cooperation between the National School of Engineering of Sfax, Tunisia (ENIS, outgoing host) and Ca’ Foscari University of Venice in Italy (UNIVE, return host).

Keywords: v101environment and sustainability,v201 geochemistry -isotope geochemistry,v201 hydrology-water and soil pollution,s114 social studies of science and technology
Understanding the functional role of Retinoic Acid Receptor Beta2 in the development of oral cancer (RARBETA2 IN OSCC)

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-2012-IIF, 2012)
Start date: 2013-10-15
End date: 2015-10-14
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 309235.2
EU funding (EUR): 309235.2
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The most common cancer in India is oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), a tumour with poor survival whose incidence has also markedly increased in the UK over the past 30 years. There has been much interest in chemoprevention of OSCC, but large clinical trials of agents such as Vitamin A analogues (retinoids) have proved disappointing. One reason is that the function of retinoids in precancerous/cancerous oral tissues is poorly understood and this is a hindrance to individualisation of therapy. It is known that expression of the retinoid receptor RARbeta2 is lost as OSCC develops and we have compelling evidence that this is due to a novel role in replicative senescence, an in-built cell division limit, which functions as an anticancer system. We have a unique panel of cells from all stages of OSCC development, some which undergo replicative senescence and others which are immortal. These cells differ in their expression of RARbeta2 and are the ideal system in which to investigate the function of this receptor. We will manipulate expression of RARbeta2 in these cells and assess the effects on senescence, proliferation, apoptosis and differentiation and generate a transcriptional network. To assess these changes in a more physiological environment we will label these manipulated cells and use them in to construct tissue engineered oral mucosa, with real time quantification of the effects of retinoids and alterations in receptor expression. We will compare these results with the pattern of RARbeta2 expression in a panel of precancerous oral lesions which may allow us to identify retinoid-sensitive lesions which are amenable to retinoid therapy. This is a timely and exciting project at the basic science/clinical interface, bringing together a rising star of Indian Oral Pathology and an international centre of excellence in OSCC research. The mobility offered by this fellowship will facilitate key collaborations and knowledge transfer between India and the EU.

Keywords: oral cancer,oral precancer,dysplasia,retinoids,chemoprevention,replicative senescence