Résultats de recherche

The conference is co-organized by the University of Namur, Belgium and Wuhan University of Technology, China and supported by Foshan Xianhu Laboratory and other organisms.More info on the GCMC2025 website...

A quelques jours de la Journée mondiale de l’eau et du Printemps des Sciences 2025, nous vous invitons à une conférence inaugurale sur la thématique de l’eau comme bien commun. Dans une société marquée par les crises et les dérèglements climatiques, réaffirmer la place de l’eau comme “bien commun” pourrait être une voie prometteuse pour mieux préserver ce patrimoine collectif si précieux.4 expert·e·s aux profils variés viendront partager leurs perspectives pour éclairer cet enjeu crucial.Au programme :Mots d’introduction et de bienvenue : Adrien Dolimont, Ministre-Président de la Wallonie et Ministre en charge de la Recherche Annick Castiaux, Rectrice de l’Université de NamurNicolas Velings, Directeur du Département des Sciences, des Technologies et du Vivant de la Haute Ecole Louvain en Hainaut et Président de Synhera  Table-ronde animée par Anne-Sophie Bruyndonckx, avec :Nicolas Brasero, Coordinateur du Contrat de Rivière Haine ASBLAurore Degré, Professeure de physique des sols et d’hydrologie et Vice-Doyenne à l’Enseignement à l'ULiège – Gembloux Agro-Bio TechPatrick Kestemont, Professeur ordinaire de la Faculté des Sciences de l'UNamur, Directeur du laboratoire de Physiologie et Toxicologie Environnementale, Institut de Recherche Life, Earth & EnvironmentLaura Rizzerio, Philosophe, Professeure à l'UNamur, Directrice du Centre Universitaire Notre-Dame de la Paix et membre de l'Institut ESPHINEchanges avec le publicLe Printemps des Sciences est LE rendez-vous incontournable de la culture scientifique et technologique (STEM) en Wallonie et à Bruxelles. L’édition 2025, qui se déroulera du 24 au 30 mars 2025, a pour thème “Eau-rêka”.

Charting the DNA methylome landscape in cancer, chronic disease and phenotype Abstract: Our team has developed some of the first pipelines for genome-scale DNA methylation analysis. Our work has revealed aberrant methylation and expression patterns in several cancer types and revealed new mechanism of epigenetic regulation in cancer cells. We are now applying cutting-edge whole genome scale DNA methylation analysis in tissues as well as well as in cell free DNA (epigenetic liquid biopsy) and epigenetic editing platforms to investigate clinically relevant biomedical questions in cancer (for example, methylation map of colorectal, prostate, lung cancer and pancreatic cancer patients). Our work in epigenetic editing has implication in revealing causal function and new epigenetic regulation. In this talk, I will present the key findings from some of our works over the years and also elaborate on some recent and future directions in understanding the role of DNA methylation events in cancer metastasis, early detection, and treatment monitoring in solid cancers and also in chronic diseases and phenotype. More information on the ILEE website

High-Sensitivity Birefringence Mapping Using Near-Circularly Polarized Light I will describe several techniques for mapping a two-dimensional birefringence distribution, which can be classified according to the optical schemes and principles of work:Illumination geometry (transmitted light/reflected light)Image acquisition (sequential acquisition/simultaneous acquisition)Polarization control (electrically controlled variable retardance/mechanical rotation).This classification facilitates a comparative analysis of the capabilities and limitations in these methods for birefringence characterization. Polychromatic polarizing microscopy (PPM) provides unique capabilities to alternative methods. It leverages vector interference to generate vivid, full-spectrum colors at extremely low retardances, down to < 10 nm. PPM is a significant departure from conventional polarizing microscopes that rely on Newton interference, which requires retardances above 400 nm for color formation. Furthermore, PPM's color output directly reflects the orientation of the birefringent material, a feature absent in conventional microscopy where color is solely determined by retardance.Joint seminar of ILEE & NISM!Le séminaire est accessible à des personnes externes également, pas besoin de s'inscrire. Plus d'infos

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 effectiveness 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), PrésidentProf. Stéphane LUCAS (UNamur), SecrétaireProf. Carine MICHIELS (UNamur)Dr Sébastien PENNINCKX (Hôpital Universitaire de Bruxelles)Prof. Cristian FERNANDEZ (Université de Bern)Dr Rudi LABARBE (IBA)

Abstract Due to their unique chemical, physical and photophysical properties, organoboron compounds and in particular triarylboranes play a central role in chemistry and in catalysis. Trivalent neutral boron Lewis acids, which are planar trigonal species, have been shown to exhibit enhanced Lewis acidity and electrophilicities when constrained in a pyramidal trigonal environment. Within the context of the emerging area of geometrically constrained main-group elements, the fundamental experimental and computational investigations of the impact of structural deformation on the physicochemical properties and reactivity of borane derivatives is of interest. This thesis will explore successively the development of geometrically constrained intramolecular FLP and of cationic boron Lewis superacid based on the aza-boratriptycene scaffold, then the synthesis of pyramidalyzed electron-deficient borenium cation with tethered pyridine and NHC ligands embedded in the triptycene scaffold and will finally focus on chiral borenium cations as new Lewis acids. A collaborative work dealing with the combination of the strong 9-sulfonium-10-boratriptycene with hindered Lewis bases is finally performed for developing latent FLP. This work deepens our understanding of the synthesis of constrained boron Lewis acids species, a key step to develop new pyramidal boron Lewis superacids, deblocking new kinds of reactivity in main-group chemistry. For instance, electrophilic Csp2–H borylation reactions of electron-poor aromatics were observed, new unusual binding mode at weakly coordinating anions were discovered and encouraging steps were initiated for reaching new chiral boron-based Lewis acids, opening the path toward new horizons in main-group chemistry.JuryProf. Benoît CHAMPAGNE (UNamur), PrésidentProf. Guillaume BERIONNI (UNamur), SecrétaireProf. Olivier CHUZEL (Aix-Marseille Université)Prof. Raphaël ROBIETTE (UCLouvain)Prof. Stéphane VINCENT (UNamur)

The scientific programme will include 14 academics presenting their work during keynote lectures, a series of oral communications presented by tenured professors, experienced researchers, PhD students or postdoctoral fellows, and two poster sessions. More information and registration

Jury Prof. Nathalie BURNAY (UNamur), présidenteProf. Sabine HENRY (UNamur), secrétaireDr. Florence DE LONGUEVILLE (UNamur)Prof. Nathalie MONDAIN (Université d’Ottawa)Prof. Etienne PIGUET (Université de Neuchâtel)Prof. Sane TIDIANE (Université Assane Seck/Ziguinchor) Abstract Recent attention to environmental change has highlighted its impact on rural communities, particularly in Africa, where household-level adaptations play a crucial role in larger societal responses. Current research often overlooks these small-scale, everyday adaptations and how they evolve over time, limiting our understanding of rural communities' dynamic responses to environmental changes. This study focused on households living in rural West Africa, more specifically in the region of Saint-Louis in Senegal. To capture the complexity of the household adaptation journeys, the structured timeline mapping methodology was developed, which consists of completing timelines during interviews. Timelines were collected from 39 individuals in 17 households to explore how families perceive and adapt to environmental shifts. In addition, this research reflected on the added value and necessity of interviewing multiple household members to capture diverse lived experiences and ensure a comprehensive household-level perspective.Analysis of the data categorized the adaptation journeys into four typological groups reflecting different sensitivities and adaptive capacities: (1) diversified adjusters, (2) system maintainers, (3) environmental independence strivers, and (4) opportunity-driven adapters. All groups have differentiated responses to similar environmental changes, with differences in the temporality of the response, differences in the types of adaptations, and differences in the amount and diversity of adaptations. These differences result in resilience that evolves unevenly over time. Understanding these varied adaptation pathways lead to formulate policy recommendations aimed at improving adaptive capacity, resilience, and sustainable livelihoods.

Two talks will be held:Renato OLARTE HERNANDEZ from UNamur will talk about: "Second Quantization in Quantum Chemistry".He will be followed by the talk of Prof. Marc de WERGIFOSSE (UCLouvain) entitled "Natural Response Orbitals and the RespA Procedure". 

This event will be the perfect opportunity not only to discover the latest advances in the field of biological macromolecules research, but also to share knowledge, collaborate, as well as to showcase the outstanding work of PhD students. PhD students are encouraged to submit an abstract for an oral presentation and/or poster. Five talks will be selected on the basis of received abstracts and added to the final programme. Prizes will be awarded for the best oral presentation and the best poster at the end of the event.  More info about abstract submission and registration on the website

La Plateforme intergouvernementale scientifique et politique sur la biodiversité et les services écosystémiques (IPBES) vient de publier dans la prestigieuse revue «Nature» une étude qui répertorie et évalue les différentes valeurs que l’on donne à la nature. Nicolas Dendoncker, professeur au Département de géographie et membre de l'Institut ILEE de l’UNamur en est l’un des co-auteurs.

La Plateforme intergouvernementale scientifique et politique sur la biodiversité et les services écosystémiques (IPBES) vient de publier un nouveau rapport qui répertorie et évalue les différentes valeurs que l’on donne à la nature. Un travail titanesque mené pendant trois ans par des experts du monde entier, dont Nicolas Dendoncker, professeur au Département de géographie et membre de l'Institut ILEE de l’UNamur.