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The FOOD METabolome as a novel concept to assess dietary exposures in CHildren – FOODMETCH
Development of obesity and risk of chronic diseases is largely influenced by the diet, but the association is hard to grasp because of the challenges of dietary assessment with traditional methods based on questionnaires. Progress in the development of metabolomics and the measurement of the food me
Dynamic coding of tactile-to-motor transformation in human and macaque posterior parietal cortex – DYN-T2M
Posterior parietal cortex (PPC) is a central structure for sensorimotor transformation. Yet, its contribution to planning movements towards the own body is still unclear. This project investigates the implementation of goal-directed tactile-motor processing in human and non-human primate (macaque) P
Micro visualizations for pervasive and mobile data exploration – MicroVis
We will study human perception of and interaction with micro visualizations given small as well as complex data. The increasing demand for data visualizations on small mobile devices such as fitness tracking armbands, smart watches, or mobile phones drives our research. Given this usage context, we
Phase relations and physical properties of iron-oxygen compounds at multimegabar pressures and high temperatures – FEOX
The structures, properties and high-pressure and high-temperature behavior of compounds in the Fe–O system remain controversial and full of surprises despite a long history of research. Over the last decade several high-pressure iron oxides with hitherto unknown stoichiometries were discovered. Thes
ABA-dependent control of plant hydraulics in plant acclimation to water deficit – ABAqua
Water plays a crucial role in terrestrial ecosystems. Besides its general ecological importance, water availability is the major constraint for higher plant productivity in the field. An emphasis of the project is to answer how the different hormone sensitivities and actions of ABA on root and guar
Electronic transport in photochromic molecules under plasmonic excitation – Plasmochrom
The joint project PlasmoChrom is devoted to the study of electronic transport properties of photoswitchable molecules contacted to metal leads under light irradiation. It is based on the mastering of three hot topics, which are the understanding of electrical transport through metal-molecule-metal j
Titanium/polymer sheets designed for biomedical applications – BIOSMS
The project deals with the design of new Ti/polymer(P)/Ti and P/Ti/P sheets for biomedical applications, controlling their interface and adjusting their mechanical properties and shaping behaviour. Elaboration, process development, analysis of the properties, and their forming limits will be perform
Evolutionary Ecology of fossil anthropoid primates in Southeast Asia – EVEPRIMASIA
The main goal of the EVEPRIMASIA project is to improve our understanding of the paleoecology of the anthropoid primates that evolved in the Central Basin of Myanmar during the Cenozoic. Two periods of interest have been selected for our investigations: - the anthropoid-bearing fauna of Pondaun
Dissection of the cellular processes during heterologous protein production in P. putida – or how much is a protein? – CHEAP
In this project, we will perform an extensive, system-level investigation of the metabolic response to heterologous protein production in P. putida. With an interdisciplinary team of scientists from two laboratories in France and Germany, we will systematically collect quantitative data from P. puti
Dissecting the molecular interactions of mitochondrial glutaredoxin S15 in plants – mitoglu
The recent demonstration that GRXS15 coordinates an [2Fe-2S] cluster using glutathione molecules which can be transferred to an acceptor protein and that null mutants for the mitochondrial GRXS15 in Arabidopsis are embryo-lethal provided clear evidence that GRXS15 is an essential component of the IS
Betaine Lipid in euKaryotes – BLinK
The objective of the BLinK project is to evaluate to what extent betaine lipids and phosphatidylcholine (PC) share physicochemical properties and could substitute each other in vivo, and how the presence of betaine lipid affects the lipid remodelling response to phosphate starvation. The project is
Atomic structure, dynamic and electronic properties of aperiodic crystals. – Aperiodic
Aperiodic crystals are materials that possess long-range order but lack lattice periodicity. They comprise incommensurately modulated structures, incommensurate composite crystals and quasicrystals. They are found in a large variety of systems, ranging from the elements to proteins. Although progres
Cellular repair and toxicity determinants of the major oxidative DNA lesion thymine glycol – TG-TOX
The main objectives of the project are: 1/ to investigate the contributions of individual DNA glycosylases, NTH1 and NEIL1, initiating the Base Excision Repair pathway (BER) to repair of TG; 2/ to elucidate the molecular mechanisms regulating the recruitment of DNA glycosylases to damage sites in th
Superresolution of multiscale images from materials sciences using geometrical features – SUPREMATIM
Recent and ongoing developments in imaging techniques and computational analysis deeply modify the way materials sciences and engineering consider their objects of research. Our project will contribute to this direction of research by developing new super-resolution methods guided by high-resolution
Fast and Accurate Design Methodologies using Fully Event-Driven Simulations for non-ideal Mixed-Signal Systems – FastSim-MS
Nowadays wireless communication is becoming more important and need the implementation of power efficient and high density ICs. Hence, mixed-signal systems like DC-DC converters or phase-locked loops (PLL) are increasingly integrated. These systems mix analogue and digital parts and exhibit a nonlin
Growth and Evolution of Planets in protoplAnetaRy Disks – GEPARD
Proto-planetary disks spread and are accreted by the star, and eventually vanish in a few million years. This observation has long been attributed to the effect of a mysterious viscosity, itself often attribued to turbulence caused by the magneto rotationnal instability. But recent results challenge
Combining Magnetic Spectroscopy and Modern Multireference Methods to Understand the Properties of Bio-Inspired and Enzymatic Multicopper Systems – CUBISM
Copper active sites play central biological roles, including electron transfer, dioxygen binding, activation and reduction, as well as denitrification processes. Enzymatic copper centers are extremely diverse in geometric and electronic structure, and range from mononuclear sites to dinuclear, trinu
PARAMOUNT: Production of Aerosol paRticle orgAnic Matter in ClOUds: chamber and laboratory studies, mechanisms, modelling and iNTegration – PARAMOUNT
Chemical processes in clouds have been suggested to contribute substantially to organic aerosol particle mass since a long time. Recent evidence from the HCCT-2010 field study and the CUMULUS chamber study suggest that this organic mass production can be substantial and depends on the concentration
Bivalve shell-based, high-resolution multi-proxy reconstruction of marine primary production – Pecten maximus, Bay of Brest – HIPPO
This project deals with the development of an innovative approach that can provide data on past phytoplankton dynamics in coastal ecosystems with a high temporal resolution (seasonal to inter-annual). This approach is based on the use of bivalve shells (scallops Pecten maximus, in the bay of Brest).
Presubicular bursting and visual anchoring of the head direction signal – BURST
This bilateral collaboration between our two laboratories in Paris and Berlin aims to elucidate how cells and circuits interact dynamically to produce a visual anchoring for our sense of orientation. We combine in vivo single-cell physiology during behavior with analysis of cellular properties and m
Modulating the shift from goal-directed to habitual behaviors by manipulation of dopaminergic striatonigral loops – DOPALOOPS
The temporal recruitment of striatal subregions and dopaminergic neurons that form topographically organized cortico-basal ganglia loops have been well characterized. However, the molecular and neuranatomical candidates for the transfer across CBG loops underlying habit formation have not yet been c
Far-infrared magneto-spectroscopy of novel semiconductor materials in megagauss magnetic fields using quantum-cascade lasers – TeraMegaSpec
Magneto-spectroscopy at terahertz (THz) frequencies in megagauss (MG) magnetic fields is an innovative approach for the investigation of novel semiconducting materials. Recently, this ap proach has become possible through both, the development of THz quantum-cascade lasers (QCLs) and the realization
Bismuth Organic Liquid Detector with Cherenkov Light and Charge Readout for Positron Emission Tomography – BOLD-PET
Positron emission tomography (PET) is a medical imaging technique used in clinics and research to visualize the distribution of a radioactive tracer in a patient's body. It is very sensitive, detecting tiny amounts of the tracer with excellent accuracy. However, the spatial resolution of the techniq
Interplay between Ferroelectricity and Superconductivity – IFAS
The aim of this project was to explore the intricate relationship between superconductivity and ferroelectricity, two distinct states of matter, which become immediate neighbours in the context of strontium titanate and its derivative compounds. The French and the German partners had begun their col
Non-equilibrium classical, quantum and active fluids – NEQfluids
The variety of non-equilibrium systems is much larger than in equilibrium and yet, their statistical description remains a major task. The NEQfluids project aims for a unified view by the use of functional renormalization of non-equilibrium systems which can be described as fluids, at least at a mes
Atomic scale redistribution of carbon during the transformation from austenite to martensite in steels – C-TRAM
Martensitic steels are of high applicational relevance due to their extraordinary strength and the adjustability of their strength, toughness and formability over a wide range by simple thermal treatments. The bulk properties of martensitic steels are sensitively depending on the volume fraction, mo
Chemistry for a 3D spintronics – C3DS
Spintronics is worth billions in magnetic sensors, and is fast emerging in the semiconductor industry (MRAM). Devices use both effects of magnetoresistance (magnetization influencing electric current) and the reverse, spin-transfer torques (a spin-polarized current to reverse magnetization). Spintro
Dielectric nanoresonators and metasurfaces for photon pair generation – NanoPair
Dielectric optical nanoresonators and metasurfaces constructed from such nanoresonators have been shown to enable control of light scattering, reflection and transmission. In structures with second-order nonlinearity, efficient second-harmonic generation can be used to generate classical light, with
Elucidating the role and regulation of heterochromatin during maize reproduction, and its potential for developing novel plant breeding strategies. – CHROMOBREED
Sequence information (the genome) determines phenotypic outcome, but depends on a proper chromatin environment (the epigenome) for both the transcriptional competence of genes, and the organization of the genome. The epigenome is thus of great interest for fundamental as well as translational resear
Distribution and effect of wild introgressions in cultivated tomato – INTROMATO
Introgression of wild alleles into cultivated tomato has been a common practice in breeding programs over the last century that has improved important traits like pathogen resistance or fruit quality. As a result, most if not all modern tomato varieties contain introgressions from a variety of wild
CEST MRI to study BrAin MetaBolism and Function: insights from OptO fMRI and MR spectroscopy. – BAMBOO
Chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) and chemical exchange spin-lock (CESL) MRI are powerful tools for metabolic imaging. Indeed, detection of specific neurometabolites can be performed using CEST/CESL MRI with enhanced sensitivity, temporal or spatial resolutions compared to NMR Spectroscop
Spontaneous and electrically-induced cortical excitability changes of epileptic networks after radio-frequency thermo-coagulation. – RFTC
Epilepsy is a network disease. Epileptic activity travels fast though the brain and even in focal epilepsies inter-ictal epileptic activity can involve widespread brain regions. Epileptic brain show sign of permanent widespread changes but despite these observations patients become seizure free afte
Topology of Conductive Ferroelectric Domain Walls – TOPELEC
Domain walls (DWs) in ferroelectrics have become a topic of major interest over the last 10 years because of their exceptional dielectric, optical, magnetic, electronic and mechanical properties. The DWs represent nanometric interfaces that extend across the full bulk system and display an ultra-hig
Dialogue(s) for fertility: deciphering spermatozoa-oviduct interactions and their implications for artificial insemination in dairy cattle – DIALOG
Around the time of conception, time-specific hormonal changes occur in the oviduct, modulating sperm-maternal interactions, sperm survival and fertilization. Deciphering these hormonal driven interactions will be useful to improve artificial insemination outcome, one major stake in dairy industry. T
Evaluation of P2X7 as a therapeutic target in autoimmune encephalomyelitis and in tumor immunnity – TARGET-P2X7
P2X7, a ligand-gated ion channel, and ARTC2, a toxin-related ecto-enzyme, are immune cell surface proteins that sense ATP and NAD+ released from cells as endogenous danger signals during sterile inflammation. On myeloid cells, P2X7 is a key mediator of inflammation. On T cells, ARTC2 and P2X7 regula
Property Changes of Multiphasic Fluids by Geometrical Confinement in Advanced Mesoporous Materials – NanoLiquids
Fluids confined in nanometer-size porous geometry exhibit unique properties that have no equivalent in the corresponding bulk systems. As such, they deserve an extensive interest for their high potential of technological innovation. In this context, the scientific community has been encouraged to im
Functional analysis of prolactin-sensitive neural circuits in the arcuate nucleus – Prol-Hyp
One of the great challenges remaining in integrative physiology today is to understand how the brain decodes fluctuating hormone levels to orchestrate precise and coordinated control over complex multifaceted physiological processes such as reproduction, lactation and metabolism. The hormone prolact
MicroRNAs and Epithelial-Mesenchymal Interactions in Lung Fibrosis – FIBROMIR
Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF), the most common and lethal interstitial lung disease of unknown etiology, is a highly morbid progressive disorder. IPF is a disease associated with aging and as such its incidence is anticipated to gradually increase as the proportion of the population of older a
Deciphering the link between stress and regeneration in pancreatic beta cells – BETASTRESS
The survival and normal function of cells depend on ubiquitously expressed signalling pathways that protect against proteotoxic and genotoxic stress as well as stress due to infection or inflammation. Among these pathways, the unfolded protein response (UPR) protecting against dangerous protein over
Coupled micromechanical modelling for the analysis and prevention of erosion in hydraulic and offshore infrastructures – COMET
The scope of this project concerns the water-flow erosion of geomaterials in relation to the failure of civil engineering infrastructures with large socio-economic relevance such as flood protection dykes and offshore wind-farm foundations. We aim to clarify the underlying mechanisms by which such s
BREaking the COde of MYelination – BRECOMY
It has been postulated that the emergence of vertebrates was made possible by the acquisition of neural crest cells, which then led to the development of evolutionarily advantageous complex head structures. In this regard, consecutive to the acquisition of the neural crest, the contribution of one i
Dissecting the metabolic plasticity of Actinobacteria – METACTINO
Actinobacteria form one of the most ancient and diverse bacterial phyla and include important human pathogens like Mycobacterium tuberculosis, invaluable sources of antibiotics like Streptomyces, and major industrial cell factories like Corynebacterium glutamicum. There is a strong interest and an i
Constitutive modelling of UV printed polymer composites – UVLightComposites
3D-printing is an innovative technique to manufacture three-dimensional objects with complex shape. Processed materials are metals, ceramics or polymers depending on the working principle of the printer. During the point- or layer-wise printing the material experiences a transition from a liquid to
Self-excited instabilities in aero- and thermoacoustics – SelfiXs
Self-excited oscillations resulting from flow-acoustic or flow-flame-acoustic feedback mechanisms can generate very high levels of pulsations in applications such as power plants or gas transportation systems. Such pulsations can lead to considerable environmental, reliability and safety proble
Relaxor Solar Cell Absorbers – RelaxSolaire
Solar cell absorbers must fulfill a number of requirements for high performance: Appropriate bandgap, high charge carrier mobility and lifetime, appropriate work function to match charge carrier selective conductive layers, and an appropriate design for light capturing. In order to avoid charge c
Reliable, secure and privacy preserving multi-biometric person authentication – RESPECT
Biometrics refers to the automated recognition of individuals based on their behavioural or biological characteristics. In spite of their numerous advantages over traditional authentication systems based on PINs or passwords (e.g., biometric characteristics cannot be lost or forgotten), biometric sy
Tubular phononic crystal sensor platform for (bio)chemical liquid analysis – Tubular Bell
The project aims at a new class of phononic crystals, Tubular Phononic Crystals (TPCs) and their application as Tubular Phononic Crystal Sensor, the Tubular Bell. Our vision is a fundamentally new sensor concept for in-line monitoring of liquids in cylindrical structures like pipes (chemistry) or ve
Functional analysis of the cGAS/STING axis during bacterial and viral infections and implications for the development of innovative vaccines – cGAS-Vac
The cGAS/STING innate immune sensor pathway plays a key role for the induction of protective immunity against many DNA-encoded pathogens, including intracellular bacteria and viruses. While during the last years a great body of knowledge accumulated regarding the response of the cGAS/STING pathway t
Laser spectroscopy of simple muonic atoms – LASIMUS
We aim at the first laser spectroscopy of the ground state (1S) hyperfine splitting (HFS) of muonic hydrogen and the muonic helium-3 ion with a relative accuracy of 1 ppm. This yields the corresponding nuclear properties of the proton and helium-3 nucleus with 100fold improved precision. This propos
Molecular and cellular aspects of the life cycle of multipartite viruses: nanoviruses – Nanovirus
Emerging plant viruses are a threat worldwide. Studying their life cycles in details is a prerequisite to reveal alternative control strategies. We will target the family Nanoviridae for both practical and fundamental reasons: i) it represents a huge threat for Musaceae crop (genus Babuvirus) and fo
Supramolecular nanomaterials containing phosphorescent transition metal clusters – SNAPSTER
The SNAPSTER project aims to tackle key challenges in the field of energy conversion for lighting and optoelectronics. Rare earth oxides (REO) are currently used in these fields and are nowadays considered by EU as strategic minerals for high technology applications like electric vehicles or energy
Effects of mechanical micro-environment on early stages of Cadherins junction formation – microCJ
Cadherins, which are a large family of receptors residing on the plasma membrane, are instrumental in the adhesion of cells in a variety of tissues. Typically, they aggregate into micron size adherens junctions, in the environment comprising the glycocalyx, the plasma membrane and the cytoskeleton.
Structural and functional studies of import and intermembrane space transfer of mitochondrial membrane proteins – MitoMemProtImp
Mitochondria are essential for Fe-S cluster biogenesis, crucial for apoptosis, involved in numerous metabolic pathways and well known for their role in ATP synthesis. All these processes depend on beta-barrel channels in the outer membrane and alpha-helical metabolite carriers in the inner membrane.
Monogenic forms of juvenile onset diabetes: towards novel insights in beta cell development, function and survival – MONODIA-POP
A small subset of juvenile onset insulin-treated diabetes (JOD) is caused by single gene mutations, contrasting with the general multifactorial inheritance of common diabetes. Several genes responsible for monogenic diabetes have been identified to date, and these affect ß-cell development, function
MagmaPropagator: An operational forecasting tool for location and time of volcanic eruptions due to off-conduit magma propagation. – MagmaPropagator
This project aims at developing a physics-based tool to forecast scenarios for the location and time of a fissure eruption following magma propagation below the surface. Often magma avoids the central conduit and propagates through tortuous pathways, eventually opening a new fissure on the volcano f
Identification of extracellular matrix-derived biomarkers and targets in dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa – DEBtarget
Dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (DEB) is a genetic skin blistering disorder caused by collagen VII deficiency. The most severe forms of the disease are also characterized by formation of slow healing wounds and progressive soft tissue fibrosis, which significantly contribute to disease morbidity. F
Shock-like focusing of inertial waves - the localized generation of turbulence – Focus
This project aims at developing a theory on the evolution of an initially axisymmetric rotating flow containing conical inertial waves that emerge from a vibrating torus and meet in a focal point. The understanding of this archetypal flow raises several questions pertaining to its topology and dynam
Nasal Odorant Metabolites: characterization and function in olfactory perception – NAOMI
A functional sense of smell is essential for evaluating and enjoying food, receiving information about conspecifics, and detecting threats via airborne chemical cues. Olfactory dysfunction has been associated with an impaired quality of life, reflected by a higher incidence of undesirable mental sta
Decoding E6AP/UBE3A function: Structural revelations and small molecule modulators. – UBE3A
The activity of many cell regulatory proteins is controlled by covalent modification with ubiquitin. The specificity of the ubiquitin-conjugation system is mediated by the action of E3 ubiquitin-protein ligases. Notably, E3s are frequently deregulated in human diseases including cancer, viral infect
EARLY STEPS OF PHLEBOVIRUS INFECTION – PHLEBO
The Phlebovirus genus constitutes a group of viruses mainly transmitted by ticks and phlebotomine sandflies. Many phleboviruses cause severe diseases – often fatal – and have been reported on different continents, including Western Europe. The increasing number of outbreaks and the apparent wide dis