The project is concerned with two areas which so far have rarely come together: complex terms and proof theory. ExtenDD focuses on definite descriptions as the most important and troublesome singular terms and on sequent calculus and its generalizations as the most important tool of modern proof theory. Since Russell's 'On Denoting', regarded as a paradigm of analytic philosophy, definite descriptions occupy a central place in philosophical research and many deep and detailed studies have been carried out. The second half of the 20th century saw the development of new approaches to this phenomenon based on non-classical logics, in particular free logic in which, contrary to Frege's and Russell's classical logic, it is not assumed that every term refers. Yet despite the long history of research into definite descriptions, a paradigm of formal logic has so far rarely been applied to them: proof theory. The methods developed by Gentzen, in particular those relating to his sequent calculus, provide the means for the deepest study of proofs and their properties. Yet only a small effort has so far been put into the adequate treatment of definite descriptions in this framework. The same counts for other complex singular terms such as set abstracts and number operators. ExtenDD fills this important gap in research. Applying the methods of proof theory to definite descriptions is profitable to both sides. Competing theories of definite descriptions and complex terms in general, their advantages and shortcomings, are shown in a new light. The behaviour of complex terms needs subtle syntactical analysis and requires enriching the toolkit of proof theory. ExtenDD deals with both challenges: it develops formal theories of definite descriptions and modifies the machinery of proof theory to cover new areas of application. The realization of ExtenDD affects significantly the field of proof theory, automated deduction and philosophy of language.

The main objective of this work is to develop simple sensing solutions for benzodiazepines (BDZ, date rape drugs) detection. The outcomes of this project are expected to be visible to citizens as the fully functional sensing solutions. Proposed innovation is a resultant of three main streams: (i) 3D printing for the sensors development, (ii) comprehensive electroanalysis of BDZs at the electrified liquid-liquid interface (eLLI), and (iii) very meticulous electroanalytical screening focused on BDZ and co-existing interfering species (defined based on target real samples). BDZ are psychoactive species renowned for their ability to induce sedation, aid sleep and are prescribed to treat a range of clinical conditions (e.g. anxiety). Some BDZs and their structural analogues are classified as illicit drugs and are subjected to strict control. The combination of BDZ and alcohol was mostly related to drug-facilitated crimes such as sexual assaults. Due to related health and economic issues caused by BDZs it is necessary to strengthen their on-the-spot detection. This project will develop eLLI based analytical tools to evade BDZ related social crimes and health hazards. 3D printing will be used to create sensing platforms that can be utilized on the spot. Further, the solutions proposed in this proposal are expected to be fully applicable for the presumptive analysis of BDZ drugs by non-expects and possess commercial opportunities for widespread adoption. The adviser and the researcher bring complimentary experience in the domains of eLLI and electrochemical sensors. Moreover, the goal of this project is to enhance the innovative potential of researcher who wish to acquire new skills through advanced training, mobility, new environment, and who is seeking to continue his career in research. MSCA guidelines on supervision Will be followed to foster soft and hard skills of researcher, willing to contribute to solving the challenges defined by the MSCA Green Charter.

Insulin resistance and related metabolic disorders can be favoured by genetic predisposition and are promoted by environmental factors, which impact the cell’s metabolic control via epigenetic mechanisms. Advances in epigenetics opened new points of view on the deciphering of the molecular mechanisms regulating insulin action and metabolic control. In the field of pharmaceutical discovery, the majority of first-in-class newly therapeutics falls within the class of regulators of the epigenomes, molecules that act to activate or inhibit epigenetic writers (enzymes adding acetyl, methyl or other chemical groups to histones and DNA), readers (effectors acting upon interaction with the modified histones and DNA) and erasers (enzymes removing the histone post-translational modification (PTM). While the alterations on DNA methylation patterns in various conditions of altered metabolism have been investigated, in situation such as obesity, insulin resistance and diabetes, the evidence supporting an association, or causality, between epigenetic changes of histone post-translational modifications and metabolic dysfunction, especially in human studies, is scant. Our project aims to generate a deeper mechanistic description of the relation between insulin signalling and histone PTMs (acetylation and other acylations), and to investigate whether defects in histone acylations take place in diabetes. While insulin-dependency of histone acetylation in cell culture and on a few selected genes have been investigated, the regulation at the genome-wide level is an exciting future field of research that we aim to explore. In spite of these gaps in the understanding of the interaction between insulin action and the cell’s epigenetic response, some preclinical investigations in rodents already suggest that inhibition of one class of epigenetic erasers, the histone deacetylases, can be a therapeutic option to alleviate insulin resistance and Type 2 Diabetes. The aim of our project is threefold: from the discovery point of view, we aim to shed light on the relationship between the action of insulin on the epigenome and the possible dysregulation of such control in metabolic disease. From a translation phase into preclinical discovery, we aim to harness the richness of newly described epigenetic modulators (most of which are at advanced preclinical testing and/or already evaluated in oncology clinical trials) towards a validation of their potential in the metabolic and diabetes field. From a public-health and societal point of view, we are aware that epigenetics is a trending word in the news, the internet and social platforms. The understanding of how epigenetics can influence our health and how both "genes and environment" in turn play a role in shaping such epigenetic influence is still limited in the general population and often distorted by input from low quality or misleading sources. Questions like "Would this epigenetic treatment change my genome?", "Should I follow this dietary regime if it changes my genes?" are not uncommon. With an eye to future pharmacological or nutritional interventions for obesity, metabolic diseases and cancer that rely on alterations of the patient's epigenome, we deem it timely to accompany our scientific research with insight from a social scientist (to be recruited as a partner in our network). In particular, we will seek to attract a group interested in identifying and analysing the implications, perception and acceptance of such interventions.