Public thesis defense - Pauline TRICQUET
The Elongator complex is involved in the addition of 5'-carboxylmethyluridine (cm5U)-derived modifications to transfer RNAs (tRNAs), thereby influencing the translation of certain messenger RNAs (mRNAs) and helping to maintain the integrity of the proteome. This complex is involved in a variety of biological processes, and is of particular importance in oncology. The identification of chemical inhibitors of Elongator is of significant interest in both basic and pharmaceutical research.Through a yeast screen, this work reveals a potential new role for Elongator and identifies a chemical inhibitor of the complex. This compound presents itself as an interesting candidate as a pharmacological inhibitor, opening up new perspectives for the search for anti-cancer therapies.
See content
Annual meeting of the Namur Cancer Research Pole
Thematic sessionsThe day will be organized in two thematic sessions:Cancer metabolismNew advances in cancer therapyInvited speakersProf. Rebecca FITZGERALD, Early Cancer Institute, University of Cambridge, UKDr. Sébastien DUTERTRE, IBMM, University of Montpellier, FranceProf. Sarah-Maria FENDT, Laboratory of Cellular Metabolism and Metabolic Regulation, VIB-KU Leuven, BelgiumDr. Arnaud BLOMME, Laboratory of Metabolic Regulation, GIGA Institute, University of Liège, Belgium Call for communicationsYoung researchers are invited to submit abstracts for oral communications and posters. All topics related to the field of cancer research are welcome. The deadline for abstract submission is April 1, 2025. Organizing committeeProf. Jean-Pierre Gillet - UNamur, NARILIS, Laboratory of Molecular Cancer BiologyProf. Marc Hennequart - UNamur, NARILIS, Laboratory of Cancer metabolismProf. Marielle Boonen - UNamur, NARILIS, Laboratory of Intracellular Trafficking BiologyProf. Benjamin Beck - ULB, IRIBHMProf. Lionel D'Hondt - CHU UCL Namur, Department of Oncology
More info
See content
Seminar by Prof. Nicolas Rouhier, titular of the 2024-2025 Francqui International Chair
Annual Research Day
The program
2:00 pm | Keynote lecture on the use of AI in research - Hugues BERSINI, Professor at the Université libre de Bruxelles: "Can science be just data driven?" 3:00 pm | Presentations by UNamur researchers3:00 pm | Catherine Guirkinger: Use of AI in an economic history project3:15 pm | Nicolas Roy (PI: Alexandre Mayer): AI at the service of innovation in photonics and optics: revealing the secrets of scrolls through the classification of animal species15:25 | Nemanja Antonic (PI: Elio Tuci): An in silico representation of C. elegans collective behaviour<15h35 | Nicolas Franco : The benefits and dangers of "predicting the future" with covid-like machine learning models 15h45 | Michel Ajzen : Managerial and human implications of AI in organizations <15h55 | Robin Ghyselinck (PI : Bruno Dumas) : Deep Learning for endoscopy: towards next generation computer-aided diagnosis4:05 pm | Auguste Debroise (PI : Guilhem Cassan) : LLMs to measure the importance of stereotypes within gender representations in Hollywood films16h15 | Gabriel Dias De Carvalho : Learning practices in physics using generative AI16h25 | Sébastien Dujardin (PI : Catherine Linard) : Where Geography meets AI: A case study on mapping online flood conversations16h35 | Jeremy Dodeigne : LLMs in SHS: revolutionary tools in a Wild West Territory? Reflections on costs, transparency and open science16h45 | Antoinette Rouvroy : Governing AI in Democracy17h00 | Keynote lecture on ethics and guidelines to consider when using AI in research projects and writing research articles - Bettina BERENDT, Professor at KU Leuven18h00 | Benoît Frenay and Michaël Lobet : Creation of an IA scientific committee at UNamur18:10 | DrinkA certificate of attendance, worth 0.5 cross-disciplinary doctoral training credits, will be issued on request. Contact: secretariat.adre@unamur.beThis event is free of charge, but registration is required.
I want to register
See content
Medical Journal Club in primary care
Target audienceGeneral practitioners (in practice or in training)PharmacistsMedical and pharmacy studentsObjectivesShare and discuss scientific articles relevant to frontline practice in a friendly and caring atmosphereStrengthen skills in critical reading and evidence-based medicineCreate a lasting link between the field and the academic worldFederate an active and committed medico-pharmaceutical community.pharmaceutical communityWhy participate?Because science moves fast, and we all benefit from taking the time to read, understand, and question the literature together. Because quality care starts with shared reflection. And because it's the ideal opportunity to strengthen bridges between disciplines.Location and frequency of meetingsUNamur - Quai22 - 2 times a yearFirst meeting: 5/06/2025 (free with registration)INAMI accreditation required.
I want to register
See content
Public defense of doctoral thesis in Physical Sciences - Andrea Scarmelotto
Abstract
Radiotherapy is a cornerstone of cancer treatment and is currently administered to approximately half of all cancer patients. However, the cytotoxic effects of ionizing radiation on normal tissues represent a major limitation, as they restrict the dose that can be safely delivered to patients and, consequently, reduce the likelihood of effective tumor control. In this context, delivering radiation at ultra-high dose rates (UHDR, > 40 Gy/s) is gaining increasing attention due to its potential to spare healthy tissues surrounding the tumor and to prevent radiation-induced side effects, as compared to conventional dose rates (CONV, on the order of Gy/min).The mechanism underlying this protective effect-termed the FLASH effect-remains elusive, driving intensive research to elucidate the biological processes triggered by this type of irradiation.In vitro models offer a valuable tool to support this research, allowing for the efficient screening of various beam parameters and biological responses in a time- and cost-effective manner. In this study, multicellular tumor spheroids and normal cells were exposed to proton irradiation at UHDR to evaluate its efficacy in controlling tumor growth and its cytotoxic impact on healthy tissues, respectively.We report that UHDR and CONV irradiation induced a comparable growth delay in 3D tumor spheroids, suggesting similar efficacy in tumor control. In normal cells, both dose rates induced similar levels of senescence; however, UHDR irradiation led to lower apoptosis induction at clinically relevant doses and early time points post-irradiation.Taken together, these findings further highlight the potential of UHDR irradiation to modulate the response of normal tissues while maintaining comparable tumor control.JuryProf. Thomas BALLIGAND (UNamur), PresidentProf. Stéphane LUCAS (UNamur), SecretaryProf. Carine MICHIELS (UNamur)Dr Sébastien PENNINCKX (Hôpital Universitaire de Bruxelles)Prof. Cristian FERNANDEZ (University of Bern)Dr Rudi LABARBE (IBA)
See content