Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Role of gene silencing pathways in C. elegans nicotine dependence (CELNIC)

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: Sweden
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2011-IIF, 2011)
Start date: 2012-05-01
End date: 2014-04-30
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 241042.4
EU funding (EUR): 241042.4
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Drug dependence is a complex behavior induced by psychostimulatory drugs, which affect the central brain reward circuitry by associating themselves with environmental cues. Long-term administration of the drugs results in the development of neural and behavioral plasticity, leading to addiction relapse even after long-term abstinence. Very little is known about the molecular and cellular adaptation that takes place during the processes. There is increasingly growing evidence indicating that small RNA pathways (microRNA and small interfering RNA) modulate drug-dependent behaviors however not much is known about the small RNAs and up or downstream targets of these pathways in these behaviors. C. elegans is a well established model for nicotine dependence and exhibits a variety of behavioral responses to nicotine, including acute response, adaptation, withdrawal and sensitization. In addition to that gene silencing pathways are also well studied in C. elegans thereby making it a perfect experimental model for this project. This project will focus on investigating the role of gene silencing pathways in nicotine dependence using C. elegans as model organism. The project will exploit the power of both forward/reverse genetic methods, and microarray technology along with mass spectrometry (MS) technique to eventually identify the genes that are up- or downregulated during nicotine dependence. Latest imaging techniques such as calcium-imaging for monitoring neuronal activity, and photo-activation or inhibition to stimulate or inhibit specific neurons, will be also utilized to better understand the function of the small RNA pathways at the subcellular level. The findings of this project will help in understanding the role of gene silencing pathways and its targets during nicotine dependence. In the long run the results could have a medical application, in developing therapeutics aimed to lessen withdrawal symptoms and thereby reducing drug dependence relapses.

Keywords: c. elegans,nicotine,addiction,microrna,gene silencing,behavior,drug dependence,behavioural biology,neurobiology,rnai,withdrawal,drug sensitization,gene regulation
A Non-Contractive Theory of Naive Semantic Properties: Logical Developments and Metaphysical Foundations (NTNSP)

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-2011-IEF, 2011)
Start date: 2012-09-01
End date: 2014-08-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 168896.4
EU funding (EUR): 168896.4
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

NTNSP concerns the logical developments and metaphysical foundations of a theory of naive truth (i.e. a theory validating the unrestricted equivalence between ‘P’ and ‘ ‘P’ is true’) which blocks the semantic paradoxes by restricting the structural rule of contraction. NTNSP’s main aim is to raise such theory to the status of a serious competitor in the debate among naive theories. This will be achieved by meeting four research objectives in progressive order. The theory will first be provided with the necessary technical framework (in particular an algebraic semantics and consistency proof). The theory will then be extended to a theory of naive reference, showing that it affords an innovative solution to the paradoxes of reference. The theory will subsequently be argued to enjoy substantial philosophical advantages over its naive rivals, in particular in its treatment of various conditionals (from one that allows for a definition of logical consequence in terms of naive-truth preservation to one that allows for a smooth treatment of restricted quantification). Finally, the theory will be given solid metaphysical foundations: failure of contraction will be explained in terms of the instability of the states-of-affairs expressed by paradoxical sentences, and failure of distributivity will be justified in terms of an original, global conception of indeterminacy. NTNSP will be carried out in the highly congenial collaborative research environment offered by LOGOS, involving the organisation of a regular research seminar and a final international workshop. NTNSP aims at the publication of papers on all the issues mentioned, plus the preparation of a monograph and of the workshop’s proceedings. NTNSP will consolidate the applicant’s expertise in philosophy of logic, language and metaphysics (and mathematical logic), as well as improving several of his research and communication skills, thus allowing him to reach a higher level of research autonomy and leadership.

Keywords: conditionals,contraction,distributivity,indeterminacy,logical consequence,reference,residuated lattices,restricted quantification,semantic paradoxes,substructural logics,truth,vagueness
Role of TAM receptors in the differentiation and function of tissue macrophage subpopulations: Implications for the development of inflammatory disease (TAM IMMUNOLOGY)

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-2011-IOF, 2011)
Start date: 2012-10-01
End date: 2017-01-20
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 343786.0
EU funding (EUR): 343786.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Chronic inflammation and dysregulation of the immune response underlie multiple human pathologies, including rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. Autoimmune disorders comprise more that 50 distinct diseases and affect about 5% of the population in Europe. Thus, chronic inflammation and autoimmunity are one of the thematic priorities within FP7 Cooperation Health (‘Other Chronic Diseases’). The TAM family of receptor tyrosine kinases - Tyro3, Axl and Mer – together with their activating ligands Gas6 and Protein S - play pivotal roles in immunomodulation and regulation of tissue homeostasis and TAM-deficient mice present systemic inflammation and autoimmunity. However the molecular mechanisms underlying these phenomena remain poorly understood. We have recently discovered that TAM signalling is essential for the development of macrophages in the Marginal Zone (MZ) of the spleen. The heterogeneity of the macrophage lineage has long been recognized, but the developmental origin and function of tissue macrophage subsets have not been clarified. The main objective of this research proposal is to characterize the mechanism/s by which TAM receptors participate in splenic MZ macrophages differentiation and function and ultimately, their contribution to human immune disorders. To achieve this aim I propose to use cutting-edge technologies in gene targeting, cell biology, immunohistochemisty, imaging and bioinformatics. The project will involve numerous mouse models deficient in both the TAM receptors and their ligands and novel in vivo approaches. This proposal, with a great clinical relevance, seeks to link two issues that remain unexplored: 1) the role of TAM receptors in the immune response and autoimmune diseases, and 2) the molecular mechanisms leading to differentiation and specialization of tissue macrophages. The project will be developed in two outstanding centers focused on biomedical research: The Salk Institute (USA) and the IIBM-CSIC (Spain).

Keywords: immunology,chronic disease,spleen,macrophage,infection,autoimmunity,marginal zone,axl,tyro3,mer,tam
Characterization of Lupin B-Conglutin Seed Proteins with a Focus on Health Benefits and their Role in Allergenicity (LUPIN-CHALLENGE)

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-2011-IOF, 2011)
Start date: 2012-08-01
End date: 2015-07-31
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 267049.2
EU funding (EUR): 267049.2
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Diabetes and Obesity (Diabesity) is a growing worldwide epidemic, with more than 285 million people suffering this disease in the world, and is difficult to eradicate due to increasing unhealthy lifestyles. Lupins, and in particular, Lupinus angustifolius (L.), also known as narrow-leaf lupin (NLL), are getting more and more recognition for multiple benefits, since lupin grains are a potential human health food, with specific nutritional attributes, highly beneficial for agriculture, and also with important pharmaceutical attributes. As is the case for many legumes, seed proteins from lupin species can potentially contribute to food allergy. The prevalence of food allergies varies by country, but the highest is among young children between 0-14 years old, affecting over a quarter (26%) of the world’s population. NLL seed storage proteins (conglutins) are the major class of seed proteins in NLL and they will be analyzed using powerful plant reverse genetic and mouse genetic models (including mice genetically predisposed to obesity), to identify key proteins involved in health attributes of the lupin grain that lead to an increase to an increase in insulin sensitivity and/or reducing appetite. This project will gain in knowledge about the health beneficial attributes of NLL seed storage proteins, helping to develop strategies for diseases prevention by designing an alternative and more healthy and medical beneficial lupin-enriched foods for “Diabesity” treatment. In addition, the project will use different approaches to characterize the lupin conglutin proteins’ allergenic properties, and their role in food allergies and cross-reactivity with different food allergen proteins. The knowledge obtained will help to develop rationale strategies for allergy prevention, allergy diagnosis, and food allergy therapy improvement through diagnosis kits and vaccine development.

Keywords: plant genetics,molecular biology,field crops,food products,laboratory animal science,allergology
Verification Approaches for Planning in Agent programming languages (VAPA)

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-2011-IIF, 2011)
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 209033.4
EU funding (EUR): 209033.4
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

As computation becomes more distributed and the information landscape more complex with the increasing amount of information being shared and distributed online, agent-based computation has become a key technology. Recent advances in agent- based software include techniques for verification of a Multiagent Systems (MAS) using model checking, as well as the ability to generate new plans at runtime to allow a agent to cope with unforeseen circumstances. Although model-checking techniques have been employed in the context of planning within a single entity in a fully observable domain in classic AI, agents in a MAS system do not share all their information, and thus operate with only partial information about other agents within the system. The introduction of planning to MAS programming languages have opened new possibilities for the development of flexible systems, however, the planning techniques currently available for MAS planning are still relatively inefficient. In the VAPA project, we aim to improve on the effectiveness of MAS planning under incomplete information by drawing on experiences that have been learned in classical planning via model checking, namely the work of Cimati et al. We thus aim to bring these advances to the MAS setting by designing planning algorithms based on a MAS model checker by mapping MAS planning problems into a model checker such as Model Checker for Multiagent Systems (MCMAS).

Keywords: agent technology,planning,model checking
Single-molecule magnets based on the orbitally-degenerate spin centers and stable organic radicals complexes (VOLURAD)

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-2011-IIF, 2011)
Start date: 2012-07-23
End date: 2014-07-22
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 269096.4
EU funding (EUR): 269096.4
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The finding some polynuclear complexes can behave like magnets on the molecular level attracted much attention, opening perspectives for their applications in processing devices or for high density information storage carriers. To manifest single-molecule magnet (SMM) behaviour a polynuclear complex should have a high-spin ground-state and strong negative anisotropy (D). The energy barrier, U, separating two spin orientations (up-down) is proportional to the product of │D│ and square of spin, S. Therefore the larger the D and S values are the higher the U barriers should be and the longer the magnetization might be blocked. However, such single-molecule magnetization is so far only observed at temperatures too low to allow an application. The project aims to rise the blocking temperature by increasing the U. Our approach is based on heterospin polynuclear complexes assembling involving orbitally-degenerated 4d, 5d metal centres (Os, Ru) and 3d metal ions or/and nitroxide radicals. If the utilisation of the first guaranties the strong anisotropy, the use of the stable radicals as ligands and bridges assures well isolated high spin ground-state owing to the strong exchange interactions between spin carriers. The synthesis work will be complemented with structural analysis and magnetic studies of these systems to elucidate the magnetic interactions as well the magnetic anisotropy in conjunction with theoretical magneto-structural analysis. A major goal of the project is to discover some rules for the rational design of polynuclear cluster systems with elevated blocking temperatures. The project results will document the coordination chemistry of 4d and 5d ions with nitroxides, a field lacking of fundamental results. The complexes will bring experimental opportunity to test and improve theoretical models. The project might be considered as a step toward molecular spintronics. Prototypes of devices could be envisioned if the right property shows up at liquid nitrogen.

Keywords: coordination chemistry heterometallic complexes molecular chemistry transition metals nitroxide free radical single-molecule magnet molecular magnetism magnetic athe finding some polynuclear complexe
Tracing Neanderthal Territories: Landscape Organization and Stone Resource Management in South East France. (TRACETERRE)

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-2011-IEF, 2011)
Start date: 2013-06-24
End date: 2015-10-13
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 201932.4
EU funding (EUR): 201932.4
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The story of the Neanderthals has seen an explosion of interest over the past few decades, both in terms of scientific research and popular appetite for facts and narrative about this extinct human species. The recent revelation that Neanderthals made a significant contribution to modern human genomes has intensified the world’s focus, especially on their similarity to early modern humans. Contemporary research questions converge on the nature of Neanderthal adaptations, and the extent of cognitive parallels between the two species. In particular, were there any differences in how Neanderthals organized their lives on scales as large as entire landscapes? The TRACETERRE project aims to advance these key remaining questions by pursuing research using cutting-edge interdisciplinary methods on the Neanderthal archaeology (c. 60-30 ka BP) of South East France. This diverse region represents a key area where examination of the variability in Neanderthal landscape use and resource management can be characterized through analysis of stone tool (lithic) acquisition/exploitation and technology. These apparently elementary aspects of the archaeological record in fact derive from complex cognitive factors, which can reveal much about differences between Neanderthal and early modern human minds. TRACETERRE will for the first time apply petro-archaeological techniques to open-air sites, to determine the nature of Neanderthal landscape organization by accurately tracing lithics to their sources and integrating these sites into wider settlement systems. The project represents a unique opportunity for transnational collaboration to address key questions on Neanderthal territorial organization. Training in a pioneering new technique will diversify the scientific skills of the researcher, at the same time as producing ground-breaking research. TRACETERRE will therefore significantly enhance her prospects for career independence, while contributing to European research excellence.

Keywords: archaeology,neanderthals,territory,human evolution,landscapes,palaeolithic,material culture
Unraveling the chemistry of the lithium-air battery by novel solid state NMR techniques (LANMR)

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-2011-IEF, 2011)
Start date: 2012-03-01
End date: 2014-02-28
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 209033.4
EU funding (EUR): 209033.4
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

Lithium–air (Li-air) batteries have potentially much higher gravimetric energy storage density compared to all other battery chemistries. If successfully developed, this (charged) battery could compete with gasoline as an energy source for electric vehicles. However, in order to fulfill its promise and satisfy the key criteria for a practical electric vehicle propulsion battery, numerous scientific and technical challenges must be overcome. These include the voltage gap between the charge and discharge, inefficient cycling and limited practical specific energy. Like other battery technologies, its performance can be significantly improved by understanding the fundamental battery chemistry occurring during the electrochemical cycle. In the case of the Li-air battery the discharge and charge mechanisms are strongly dependent on the choice of electrolyte solvent, the presence of catalytic species in the cathode, which decrease the charging potential and surprisingly affect the capacity, and the porosity/surface area of the composite carbon cathode. A quantitative understanding of the electrochemical reactions (and parasitic side reactions) during the cell cycle is a necessary aspect in the development of a practical rechargeable Li-air battery. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) can allow us to monitor these chemical processes, providing unique molecular and atomic information on these often disordered and amorphous materials. Here we propose to apply existing and novel solid state NMR techniques in the study of Li-air batteries under ex-situ and in-situ operating conditions. By real time monitoring of the formation and disassociation of lithium containing species we expect to derive a mechanistic description of the cell's chemistry in the presence of various electrolyte environments and catalytic species, relate this to its electrochemical performance, and suggest how the cell can be improved.

Keywords: physical sciences,lithium-air battery,solid state nmr,in situ nmr,oxygen reduction reaction,electrolyte decomposition
Tailor made lipases for synthetic catalysis in biphasic media: From poly (lactone) applications towards novel sugar esters (AQUACAT)

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: Germany
Call:  (FP7-PEOPLE-2011-IIF, 2011)
Start date: 2012-06-01
End date: 2014-05-31
Duration (months): 24.0
Total project cost (EUR): 224462.4
EU funding (EUR): 224462.4
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

AquaCat aims to design greener chemical processes by combining the use of lipase catalysis to that of aqueous biphasic reaction media with a specific view to the synthesis of poly(lactone) nanoparticles and sugar esters for pharmaceutical, cosmetical and chemical applications. A multidisciplinary approach encompassing physical chemistry and polymer science as well as industrial biotechnology, biocatalysis and enzyme technology will be followed to cover the various relevant scales. AquaCat will tailor the lipases microenvironment, design the reaction medium making lipase function as synthetic catalyst of confined organic substrates and identify the relevant parameters for industrial scale up of these processes. AquaCat will thus circumvent major problems in the current manufacturing processes making the use of organometallic catalysts, hazardous organic solvents, high energy consumption and multi-steps for nanoparticle elaboration obsolete. Lipases will be used to catalyze the ring-opening polymerization in nano-emulsions consisting of lactone nanodroplets dispersed in aqueous or aqueous-biphasic systems. The most innovative aspect of AquaCat is to directly synthesize the core-shell poly(lactone) in one step in water. The same principle will be applied to the synthesis of important specialty chemicals like sugar esters based on renewable feedstock. A trademark of this project will thus be the possibility to transfer and merge the expert’s fundamental background in colloid/polymer science, industrial biotechnology and biocatalysis from the third country into the EU giving novel insights into the basic reaction mechanisms and the influence of the emulsion properties on enzyme catalysis. Thus, AquaCat will create mutually-beneficial research co-operations and enable the application of results to other valuable substrates and could soon become a feasible strategy for the European industry to design sustainable processes for high value-added products.

Keywords: technological sciences,chemistry,biomaterial,lipases,polylactones,sugar esters,ring opening polymerization,emulsion,drug delivery system,nanoparticles