Within our ORBI (Organelle Biology) research group, we study mitochondrial biology (function and deregulation) in stem cell differentiation, intercellular communication or cellular responses to fatty acid exposure.

Promotor (PI) | Thierry Arnould

Thierry Arnould is a full professor at the University of Namur and a member of the NARILIS Institute.

See Thierry Arnould's profile in the UNamur directory.

Thierry Arnould (ORBI)

Promotor (PI) | Patsy Renard

Patsy Renard is a full professor at the University of Namur and a member of the Narilis Institute.

See Patsy Renard's profile in the UNamur directory.

Photo de Patsy Renard

Mitochondria are definitely much more complex than the reductive “power house”. They host a variety of metabolic pathways, on top of ATP production, and integrate signals from other cell compartments with which they also physically and functionally interact to contribute to cell adaptive behaviour.

In our research group ORBI (Organelle Biology), we study the biology of mitochondria (function and dysregulation) in the stem cell differentiation, intercellular communication or cell responses to fatty acid exposure.

The ORBI team mainly explores the fundamental aspects of mitochondria such as mitochondrial protein import mechanisms as well as the biology of the organelles in intercellular communication, stem cell differentiation (early development, hepatogenic differentiation, beta-cell like differentiation,…). In addition,  we also explore mitochondria dysfunction in mammalian (human and animal) cell responses related to metabolism, fatty acid exposure and obesity, infection by intracellular bacteria, cancer cell irradiations,… In these research programmes, cell signaling pathway analyses (UPR, autophagic, apoptotic, …), study of metabolism, protein interactions, modulations of gene expression,… are analysed using different OMIC approaches/technologies, among others.

More specifically, our current research programmes are focused on:

  • Role of ASCs and adipocyte dysregulation in lipedema disease
  • Transdifferentiation of cardiofibroblasts into cardiomyocytes
  • Mitochondrial co-translational import
  • Pathophysiology of MASLD
  • Mitochondrial responses in irradiated cancer cells
  • Epitranscriptomic effects in mitochondria of breast cancer cells
  • Lipotoxicity in kidney cells
  • Study of bioactive peptides in cells involved in inflammation and obesity

Our publications:

AMPK protects proximal tubular epithelial cells from lysosomal dysfunction and dedifferentiation induced by lipotoxicity.Pierre L, Juszczak F, Delmotte V, Decarnoncle M, Ledoux B, Bultot L, Bertrand L, Boonen M, Renard P, Arnould T, Declèves AE.Autophagy. 2025 Apr;21(4):860-880. doi: 10.1080/15548627.2024.2435238. Epub 2024 Dec 15.PMID: 39675352 Free PMC article.

Host cell egress of Brucella abortus requires BNIP3L-mediated mitophagy. Verbeke J, Fayt Y, Martin L, Yilmaz O, Sedzicki J, Reboul A, Jadot M, Renard P, Dehio C, Renard HF, Letesson JJ, De Bolle X, Arnould T.EMBO J. 2023 Jul 17;42(14):e112817. doi: 10.15252/embj.2022112817. Epub 2023 May 25.

A critical role for heme synthesis and succinate in the regulation of pluripotent states transitions. Detraux D, Caruso M, Feller L, Fransolet M, Meurant S, Mathieu J, Arnould T, Renard P.Elife. 2023 Jul 10;12:e78546. doi: 10.7554/eLife.78546.PMID: 37428012 Free PMC article.

Endogenous TOM20 Proximity Labeling: A Swiss-Knife for the Study of Mitochondrial Proteins in Human Cells. Meurant S, Mauclet L, Dieu M, Arnould T, Eyckerman S, Renard P.Int J Mol Sci. 2023 May 31;24(11):9604. doi: 10.3390/ijms24119604.PMID: 37298552 Free PMC article.

The global downregulation of protein synthesis observed during hepatogenic maturation is associated with a decrease in TOP mRNA translation. Caruso M, Meurant S, Detraux D, Mathieu A, Gilson M, Dieu M, Fattaccioli A, Demazy C, Najimi M, Sokal E, Arnould T, Verfaillie C, Lafontaine DLJ, Renard P.Stem Cell Reports. 2023 Jan 10;18(1):254-268. doi: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2022.11.020. Epub 2022 Dec 22.PMID: 36563686

Characterization of the Proteins Secreted by Equine Muscle-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Exposed to Cartilage Explants in Osteoarthritis Model. Dechêne L, Colin M, Demazy C, Fransolet M, Niesten A, Arnould T, Serteyn D, Dieu M, Renard P.Stem Cell Rev Rep. 2023 Feb;19(2):550-567. doi: 10.1007/s12015-022-10463-4. Epub 2022 Oct 22.PMID: 36271312 Free PMC article.

The Transcription Factor 7-Like 2-Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Coactivator-1 Alpha Axis Connects Mitochondrial Biogenesis and Metabolic Shift with Stem Cell Commitment to Hepatic Differentiation. Wanet A, Caruso M, Domelevo Entfellner JB, Najar M, Fattaccioli A, Demazy C, Evraerts J, El-Kehdy H, Pourcher G, Sokal E, Arnould T, Tiffin N, Najimi M, Renard P.Stem Cells. 2017 Oct;35(10):2184-2197. doi: 10.1002/stem.2688. Epub 2017 Aug 27.PMID: 28795454

Mitochondrial remodeling in hepatic differentiation and dedifferentiation. Wanet A, Remacle N, Najar M, Sokal E, Arnould T, Najimi M, Renard P.Int J Biochem Cell Biol. 2014 Sep;54:174-85. doi: 10.1016/j.biocel.2014.07.015. Epub 2014 Jul 30.PMID: 25084555

Mitochondrial Uncoupling: A Key Controller of Biological Processes in Physiology and Diseases. Demine S, Renard P, Arnould T.Cells. 2019 Jul 30;8(8):795. doi: 10.3390/cells8080795.PMID: 31366145 Free PMC article. Review.

Connecting Mitochondria, Metabolism, and Stem Cell Fate. Wanet A, Arnould T, Najimi M, Renard P.Stem Cells Dev. 2015 Sep 1;24(17):1957-71. doi: 10.1089/scd.2015.0117. Epub 2015 Jul 2.PMID: 26134242 Free PMC article. Review.