Article

Guillaume Berionni Belgian representative at the European Chemical Society

One year after receiving funding from the European Research Council (ERC) for his B-Yond project, Prof Guillaume Berionni has just been named a Fellow of the prestigious European chemistry society Chemistry Europe. This distinction makes him the new representative for Belgium for a period of 2 years.
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Article

Innovating in the face of vulnerability: our students challenged!

What if our students became agents of change? That's the ambition launched by a team of motivated teachers in the Faculty of Economics, Social Sciences and Management. For five months, students will be challenged to propose a social innovation linked to one of the 17 sustainable development goals.
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Event

Open morning

Take part in our open morning Given the works in the rue de Bruxelles and the renovation of part of the University parking lots, we invite you to use public transport whenever possible (train or bus) to reach Namur. UNamur boasts an ideal location, in the heart of the city just a five-minute walk from the TEC and SNCB train stations.If you're coming by car, take a look at the parking map provided. Look forward to seeing you on Saturday, June 29!
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Event

CHITEL 2024 - Congress of Theoretical Chemists of Latin Expression

Initiated in 1969 by Pullmann and Del Re, the congress is an annual meeting to promote collaboration and friendship between Latin-speaking theoretical chemists. In its early years, European researchers were the main contributors. Subsequently, the Latin American community has made a major contribution, with the emergence of teams whose international reputation now extends far beyond our own community.We are delighted to be holding this meeting at the University of Namur, 55 years after the first CHITEL was organised in Paris, France. We are sure that this 2024 edition will once again be an opportunity to take advantage of the good humour and dynamism of Latin to encourage, develop and strengthen scientific exchanges.We look forward to welcoming you at the University of Namur,The CHITEL 2024 Local Organising Committee. Website
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Article

Chemistry at UNamur: half a century of excellence and innovation in research and teaching

How does chemistry play a part in developing innovative, sustainable solutions for society's current and future challenges? What unique teaching methods does UNamur use to train enlightened leaders in the field of chemistry? On the occasion of its 50th anniversary, the Department of Chemistry lifts the veil on some of its major research projects and innovative teaching practices.
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Article

Iluna Timmerman, management engineering student and familiar face on Flemish television

She's 18, studying for a BAC 1 in the Faculty of Economics, Social Sciences and Management, and is at the heart of a reality TV show following her family's life in Flanders. The show is called Château Planckaert, named after her grandfather Eddy Planckaert, a famous racing cyclist. Meet Iluna Timmerman, a serious, humble and reserved student.
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Article

At the heart of our apiaries: between research and education

The United Nations has designated May 20 as World Bees Day. These insects are essential to biodiversity, yet are threatened by many external factors. Two years ago, UNamur's Department of Veterinary Medicine set up apiaries to train and raise awareness of beekeeping among its students and teaching staff.
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Manage your studies

Useful links Class schedules - ADE WebCampus Virtual Student Office (VSO) Useful information Build the EAPAcademic calendarVademecum du bachelier Study regulationsUNamur mapCode of good conductStudent job checklist Frequently asked questions Do you have a question about your EAP? The enrollment service pages can help you configure your EAP. Still have a question? You can contact the secretariat of your program.I don't have my Eid and password Please contact the registration department. If you have already obtained your accesses and your identifiers do not work, you can contact IT support at support.etudiant@unamur.be Request for exemption For all requests for exemption from courses (excluding languages), please contact your program manager. To request an exemption for a language course, please contact your program secretary. You will receive a form to complete. Medical certificate & Exam postponement In the event of illness during an examination period, you may refer to the Study Regulations:Article 43. Inability to take part in an assessment§1st. Any student registered for an assessment who is unable to take part must notify the examiner concerned and the vice-dean or his/her delegate no later than the day of the assessment, and comply with the provisions of article 44. Otherwise, a student's absence from an assessment will be sanctioned by a mark of 0/20.§2. To prove that a student is unable to take part in an assessment, he or she may present a medical certificate covering the period in question.§3. It is forbidden to take part in an assessment during the period covered by a medical certificate. The student who participates in an assessment despite a deficient state of health or serious personal problems, cannot under any circumstances have the result subsequently cancelled, even with a medical certificate or any other attestation. Request an attestation All your attestations are available online on the Virtual Office, in the "My attestations" tab Image Contact Do you have another question? Don't hesitate to contact us. Contact us
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Event

Public thesis defense - Virgile NEYMAN

Characterization of trehalase from Acyrthosiphon pisum for the design of new insecticides SummaryAphids are major pests in agriculture, causing direct damage to plants and acting as vectors for phytopathogenic viruses. Conventional insecticides are widely used to control them, but their toxicity and efficacy pose problems in terms of the environment, human health and the emergence of resistance to these compounds. New alternatives are therefore needed, such as biological control using predators or parasitoids. However, these methods are not always economically viable on a large scale. As part of this thesis, another approach is being explored which involves developing new insecticides targeting the biochemical functions of aphids.The project aims to discover new inhibitors of trehalase, an enzyme essential for insect energy metabolism. Inhibition of this enzyme could disrupt vital insect functions without affecting mammals. This research involved several stages: the purification and complete characterization of trehalase from Acyrthosiphon pisum (the model for this study), the in vivo, in vitro and in silico analysis of commercial inhibitors on this enzyme, before moving on to the search for new inhibitors. Two points of integrated insect management were explored, biological and chemical control.The biological side saw the study of a strain of Streptomyces naturally producing trehalase-inhibiting metabolites, notably validamycin A, a molecule recognized in the literature as one of the best inhibitors, but not applicable as an insecticide. Other molecules appear to have interesting features, but we have not been able to isolate and characterize them.The chemical side has enabled us to create a pharmacophore hypothesis based on experimental results on molecules obtained by virtual screening. Although these molecules are not usable as insecticides as they stand, this hypothesis provides a better understanding of trehalase inhibitors in general and can be used to refine future analyses. JuryProf. Jean-Yves MATROULE (UNamur), presidentDr Catherine MICHAUX (UNamur), promoter and secretaryProf. Frédéric FRANCIS (ULiège), co-promoterProf. André MATAGNE (ULiège)Dr Rudy CAPARROS (ULiège)Dr Morgan HANS (Biocidal)
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Public thesis defense - Doux BARAKA KUSINZA

Essay topic Essays on women's (dis)advantages in access to resources.Composition of the Jury:Prof. Catherine Guirkinger - Promoter (UNamur)Prof. Lorenzo Trimarchi - President of the Jury (UNamur)Prof. Jean-Marie Baland (UNamur)Prof. Jordan Loper (University of Clermont-Ferrand)Prof. Julia Vaillant (World Bank)
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Public thesis defense - Sébastien MEURANT

Thesis subject Use of BioID within mitochondria: examples with the study of human mitochondrial co-translational import process and with the identification of MPV17 function Summary This thesis was divided into two different parts dedicated to the study of a mitochondrial process and of a mitochondrial protein using a proximity labelling assay called BioID. The first project was dedicated to the study of a poorly characterized process, the mitochondrial co-translational import. In this process, translation is coupled to the translocation of the mitochondrial proteins, alleviating the energy cost typically associated with the post-translational import relying on chaperone systems. However, the mechanisms are still unclear with only few actors identified but none that have been described in mammals yet. We thus profiled endogenously the TOM20 proxisome using BioID. Despite the enrichment of RNA binding proteins in the TOM20 proxisome, we could not demonstrate a role for a selected candidate, LARP4, in the mitochondrial co-translational import process. Nonetheless, additional uses of this BioID cell line were highlighted such as the monitoring of protein entry inside mitochondria and a potential application in the prediction of mitochondrial protein half-life.The second project was dedicated to the study of MPV17, a protein of the inner mitochondrial membrane whose gene is associated with mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome. However, the exact molecular function of the protein is still unclear. The approach used in this project was to identify the interacting partners of MPV17, using BioID, to get additional clues about the protein function. In this project we demonstrated an interaction of MPV17 with the MICOS complex but the KO of MPV17 didn't impact mitochondria ultrastructure. However, the depletion of MPV17 protein led to increased mitochondria-derived vesicle formation. Therefore, we investigated a potential degradation of the mtDNA as the cause of the mtDNA depletion observed in MPV17 KO cells but, despite a higher mitophagy level in KO cells, the blockade of the lysosomal activity didn't prevent the depletion. Additional in silico analyses suggested a channel activity of MPV17 further supported by its direct interaction with the Cyclophilin D, a protein of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore. Interestingly, MPV17 KO cells also display higher level of mitochondrial calcium which would be related to the degradation of the mtDNA since the blockade of mitochondrial calcium entry prevents the depletion. We thus propose a role of MPV17 as a potential new member of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore whereas in the absence of the protein, the build-up of calcium inside the mitochondria would lead to the observed mtDNA degradation. Jury Prof. Benoît MUYLKENS (UNamur), ChairmanProf. Patsy RENARD (UNamur), Promoter and SecretaryProf. Thierry ARNOULD (UNamur), Co-PromoterProf. Dr. David PLA-MARTIN (Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Germany)Dr. Timothy WAI (Institut Pasteur Paris, France)Prof. David PLA-MARTIN (Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Germany)Dr. Timothy WAI (Institut Pasteur de Paris, France)Prof. Guy LENAERS (Université d'Angers, France)Prof. Sven EYCKERMAN (Universiteit Gent)
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10 years of the MT180 competition: 3 UNamur candidates take part in the national final in Brussels

On March 24, 2024, the tenth edition of the MT180 competition, a French-language competition for the popularization of science, took place at UNamur. Two physicists and a geographer represented our university at the national final, held in Brussels on May 16.
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