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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)

Five years after its inauguration, the Astronomical Observatory of the University of Namur has been enriched by a new set of instruments unique in Belgium: a Schmidt astrograph of the Rowe-Ackermann type, 28 cm in diameter, equipped with a 62-megapixel full-format color camera. These exceptional instruments will offer the public an immersive educational experience unrivalled in the Walloon Region.

From 2020 to 2025, as part of her doctoral thesis in history, researcher Julie Duchêne conducted a ground-breaking investigation blending history and biology to trace the cohabitation between humans and wolves in Wallonia and Luxembourg, from the 18th to the early 20th century. Thanks to an innovative interdisciplinary approach, including DNA analysis of naturalized 19th-century specimens, her work sheds light on the mechanisms that led to the local extinction of the species. This research was made possible thanks to the support of numerous scientific and cultural partners.

An international team of researchers has just published an article in the prestigious journal Light: Science & Applications (LSA) from the Nature group.  The teams led by Professors Michaël Lobet and Alexandre Mayer (University of Namur) collaborated with the team led by Professor Shanhui Fan, one of the leading experts in the field, from the prestigious Stanford University in California (USA).  The result: an article entitled ‘Twist-Induced Beam Steering and Blazing Effects in Photonic Crystal Devices’, or the study of beam deflection by twisting in photonic crystal devices.  Come on, let's twist light again at UNamur! 

Abstract This work demonstrates that polymer-coated gold nanoparticles can function not only as radiosensitizers but also as agents for macrophage reprogramming. Specifically, we show that these nanoparticles can repolarize tumor-associated macrophages from the immunosuppressive M2 phenotype to the pro-inflammatory M1 phenotype-a process further enhanced by clinically relevant doses of X-ray radiation. Among the four nanoparticle formulations tested, 50 nm PVP-coated gold nanoparticles were particularly effective in promoting macrophage repolarization and reducing pancreatic cancer cell viability in co-culture, both with and without radiation. These findings highlight a promising strategy to enhance the efficacy of cancer radiotherapy. Jury Prof. Julien COLAUX (UNamur), ChairmanProf. Anne-Catherine HEUSKIN (UNamur), SecretaryProf. Carine MICHIELS (UNamur)Prof. Henri-François RENARD (UNamur)Prof. Michel MOUTSCHEN (ULiège)Dr Dimitri STANICKI (UMons)Prof. Devika CHITHRANI (University of Victoria)

Welcome to the 1ʳᵉ MG-ERC conference This conference, linked to the research themes of the Chemistry Department, aims to bring together around 100 researchers working in the fields of heteroatom chemistry, coordination chemistry, catalysis, and inorganic chemistry. It represents a real novelty in Belgium in terms of the areas covered, and will enable participants to discover new concepts, ideas and trends in these recent areas of research in chemistry. Here is the list of speakers, who are world experts in their fieldsDr. Daniël Broere (Utrecht University, Netherlands)Prof. Agnieszka Nowak-Król (Universität Würzburg, Germany)Dr. Antoine Simonneau (Université Paul-Sabatier, Toulouse, France)Prof. Dr. Sebastian Riedel (Freie Universität, Berlin, Germany)Dr. Arnaud Voituriez (Université Paris-Saclay, France)Prof. Dr. Alessandro Bismuto (Universität Bonn, Germany)Dr. Christian Hering-Junghans (Leibniz-Institut für Katalyse, Germany)Prof. Connie Lu (Universität Bonn, Germany)Prof. Simon Aldridge (University of Oxford, UK)Dr. Ghenwa Bouhadir (Université Paul-Sabatier, Toulouse, France)Prof. Dr. Viktoria Däschlein (Universität Bonn, Germany)Prof. Viktoria Däschlein-Gessner (Ruhr-University of Bochum, Germany)Dr. Jennifer A. Garden (University of Edinburgh, UK)Prof. Muriel Hissler (Université de Rennes, France)Prof. Jean-François Paquin (Université de Laval, Canada) More information and registration

Something for everyone 09:30 | Welcome ceremony for new students11:00 | Back-to-school celebration at Saint-Aubain Cathedral (Place Saint-Aubain - 5000 Namur), followed by student welcome by the Cercles. Read more

Every two years, the International Symposium on Marek's Disease and Avian Herpesviruses (MDAH) brings together researchers from around the world to exchange the latest insights on poultry viral diseases - covering their biology, evolution, control strategies, and epidemiology. Attendees include PhD students, postdocs and researchers representing academia, government, and commercial organizations from North and South America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Australia, and Africa. More information on the MDAH2026 website

Deadlines Opening of abstract submissions and registrations: September 15, 2025Deadline to submit indicative title and summary: November 30, 2025Deadline for final abstract submissions: May 1, 2026Early bird registration deadline: March 1, 2026 More information on the website

On July 1, 2025, the F.R.S.-FNRS published the list of winners of the various doctoral and postdoctoral mandates, Télévie projects and co-financing with the Fonds de recherche du Québec. Among these, many UNamur researchers were awarded funding. UNamur's particularly high ranking rate demonstrates the quality and excellence of research on the Namur campus.

SummaryIn 2025, machine learning continues to revolutionize various scientific fields, with major implications in physics, particularly photonics. The integration of advanced machine learning algorithms has enabled significant advances in the design and control of photonic systems, improving their efficiency and performance. These advances are essential for the development of communication, imaging and quantum computing technologies. However, physics research presents many challenges that go beyond simple performance measurements: identifying patterns and building analytical models is often just as crucial.In this thesis, we apply computational intelligence tools, in particular heuristic optimization and neural networks, to develop data-driven approaches to solving various tasks in physics. Although data-centric, our approach remains rooted in physics, always seeking to understand the physical phenomena underlying the algorithms. The results of this thesis cover a wide range of applications, from the design of complex metasurfaces and diffraction gratings to the analysis and interpretation of spectral data. We have also successfully developed an optimizer capable of learning and adapting to the problems encountered, particularly in physics. This key tool in our arsenal outperforms state-of-the-art methods in our applications. In particular, it has enabled the design of a coronagraphic phase plate for exoplanet imaging, with a performance 25% better than the best previous solutions.We have also designed a compact, all-dielectric beam deflection device, operating efficiently for all polarizations, reaching a maximum efficiency of 90%. Starting from a purely data-driven design, we were able to extract and validate an analytical model based on the behavior of an echelle lattice, providing a physical understanding of its operation. In addition to simulation-based tasks, we also processed experimental data, developing an animal origin classifier for scrolls, capable of distinguishing three animal species with 90% accuracy. This tool offers a non-invasive method for conservators and historians wishing to analyze fragile historical materials.Jury members Prof. Michaël LOBET (UNamur), PresidentProf. Alexandre MAYER (UNamur), SecretaryDr. Charlotte BEAUTHIER (CENAREO)Prof. Benoît FRENAY (UNamur)Prof. Olivier DEPARIS (UNamur)Prof. Denis LANGEVIN (Université de Clermont Auvergne)Prof. Hai Son NGUYEN (Ecole Centrale de Lyon)

The first global conference of Chinese materials researchers took place from July 22 to 28, 2025, at the University of Namur. Organized by Professor Bao-Lian Su, director of the Inorganic Materials Chemistry Laboratory (CMI) of the Nanomaterials Chemistry Unit (UCNano) in the Chemistry Department at the University of Namur, Belgium, in collaboration with Professor Qing-Jie Zhang of Wuhan University of Technology (China) and Professor Max Gao-Qing Lu of the University of Wollongong (Australia), the event brought together nearly 500 participants.