Search results

Abstract Since its emergence in 1996, the Asian H5 Goose/Guangdong (Gs/Gd) lineage has circulated widely in poultry in southern China, spilling over to wild birds by 2002. Wild bird infections facilitated global dissemination via migratory waterfowl and repeated spillback into poultry, challenging the view that HPAI primarily arises from LPAI mutation. Subclade 2.3.4.4b emerged in Asia in 2013, reached Europe in 2016, caused recurrent epizootics, diversified into multiple genotypes, became dominant in wild birds, and shows zoonotic potential.This thesis investigates critical knowledge gaps regarding H5Nx subclade 2.3.4.4b in poultry: (1) early within-flock spread after punctual introduction in chickens, particularly during the first European epizootics; (2) influence of pre-existing immunity on silent circulation; (3) limitations in diagnostic throughput during epizootic peaks; (4) potential of environmental surveillance, including air and dust sampling; and (5) impact on egg contamination and the reproductive tract, relevant for food safety and zoonotic risk.Four main objectives were addressed: (1) development of an experimental model simulating punctual introductions and spread, comparing 2017 and 2020 strains and assessing pre-existing immunity; (2) enhancement of diagnostic capacity via alternative sampling, semi-automated RNA extraction, and high-throughput processing; (3) evaluation of air and dust sampling for virus monitoring under experimental and field conditions; and (4) assessment of egg contamination risk. Alternative sampling and environmental monitoring were also applied to Newcastle disease virus as a comparative notifiable pathogen. Jury Prof. Tuci Elio - University of Namur, BelgiumProf. Anthony Cleve - University of Namur, BelgiumProf. Pierre-Yves Schobbens - University of Namur, BelgiumProf. Alvaro Gutierrez - Universidad Politecnica de Madrid, EspagneMr. Fabian Duchesne - Qualitics SPRLProf. Anders Lyhne Christensen - SDU, Denmark Evènement public et gratuit - Inscription obligatoire Je m'inscris

Jury PromotersProf. Anthony Simonofski - University of NamurProf. Corentin Burnay - University of NamurOther members of the juryProf. Annick Castiaux - University of NamurProf. Lieselot Daneels - Ghent UniversityProf. Ida Lindgren - Linköping UniversityProf. Benoît Vanderose - University of NamurChair of the juryProf. Sophie Béreau - University of Namur

The show focuses on how ideologies infiltrate everyday actions, intimate relationships, media discourse, and domestic conflicts. It reveals what causes people to change their minds, hesitate, or give up... but also what allows them to repair, care for, and remain connected. How can we get involved without losing ourselves, without crushing ourselves, without reproducing the violence we are fighting against? The show brings out forms of solidarity that are "warm," sensitive, localized, sometimes tiny, but capable of producing common ground and restoring a grip on reality.Between minor frictions and major historical events, the Théâtre Universitaire de Namur and the Compagnie Gami compose an ode to the collective, the common good, exchange, and diversity. Register

A unique evening, followed by the awards ceremony for the It’s Not Rocket Science® science communication competition, which this year is open to high school seniors. Because, now more than ever, the mission of a university is above all to make knowledge accessible to everyone.The venue will be announced by email to registered participants a few days before the date.Participation is free, but registration is required! I'm signing up!

The UNamur Gender Committee invites you to its "Gender and Economy" lunch on Tuesday, March 10, between 12:50 p.m. and 1:50 p.m., to discuss economic violence, echoing the theme chosen for this year's March 8.We will welcome the non-profit organization Financité, which will present a 30-minute film featuring testimonials from women who have been victims of economic violence within their relationships. A discussion will follow with Catherine Guirkinger, economist at UNamur, and a representative from Financité, moderated by François-Xavier Fiévez.Sandwiches will be provided before the conference. The event is free, but registration is required. Register

📍 Four places to remember: the Citadel, Place d'Armes, Place Maurice Servais, and Rue du Collège.🕓 March 15 from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.On the program:La Namuroise at the Citadel, on the esplanade, will be offering tastings of Houppe and Bertinchamp beers accompanied by crochons and biétrumés.La Liégeoise on the Place d'Armes will offer tastings of Val-Dieu and peket accompanied by boulets liégeois.La Chimacienne on Place Maurice Servais will offer Chimay Bleue, Chimay Blanche, and Blood Orange, served with Chimay cheese and charcuterie.La Brabo on Rue du Collège will offer tastings of Brugse Zot with a delicious carbonnade. Information and registration

Far from a conference or a lecture, this is a convivial, participatory moment, led by our project manager Valérie Tilman, to question - in particular - European policies on managing migration and welcoming refugees.Practicalities : - Meet on Thursday December 4, from 12:45 to 1:45 pm, at FUCID- Lunch offered: in order to anticipate the number of sandwiches, please register by Tuesday December 2, with info@fucid-unamur.beParticipants are advised to listen to the podcast "Shelters of fortune. Partie 2" avant le débat : Le monde allant vers | Abris de fortune. Part 2: Hotspots and informal camps | Ausha Event link

JuryProf. Régis HALLEZ (UNamur), PresidentProf. Jean-Yves MATROULE (UNamur), SecretaryDr. Rob VAN HOUDT (SCK CEN)Dr. Kristel MIJNENDONCKX (SCK CEN)Prof. Liselot DEWACHTER (UCLouvain)AbstractThe viable-but-nonculturable (VBNC) state is a type of bacterial dormancy triggered by sublethal stress, where cells remain intact but lose the ability to grow on standard media. This poses challenges for microbial monitoring and public health, as VBNC cells can evade detection and might regain virulence upon resuscitation. Copper compounds are explored as antimicrobial agents, however sublethal Cu concentrations were shown to induce the VBNC state in certain bacteria. This thesis investigates the Cu-induced VBNC state in Cupriavidus metallidurans, a metal-resistant betaproteobacterium, and examines the involvement of its Cu resistance determinants (CRDs). While resuscitation is usually mediated by external factors, we aimed to uncover intrinsic processes that enable spontaneous resuscitation, a rare phenotype lacking mechanistic understanding. Proteomic analysis revealed that expression of CRDs, among others, correlated with mitigated dormancy. Time-resolved profiling showed that VBNC cells exhibit highly dynamic proteomes: VBNC entry involved oxidative stress response, and resuscitation correlated with metabolic reconstitution and the strong induction of periplasmic CRDs. Temporal clustering corroborated the explored proteomic modifications. Through mutational studies we identified the plasmid-encoded copAB system as the minimal resuscitation factor, where integrity of the CopA methionine-rich domain proved critical. ICP-MS analysis indicated that detoxification relies on Cu sequestration rather than export. Altogether, this work uncovers key intrinsic factors and proposes a mechanistic basis for spontaneous resuscitation from the Cu-induced VBNC state in C. metallidurans. These insights refine our understanding of the VBNC state as a dynamic survival strategy and of bacterial Cu resistance.

JuryDr Luca FUSARO (UNamur), PresidentProf. Carmela APRILE (UNamur), SecretaryProf. Francesco GIACALONE (University of Palermo)Prof. Paolo PESCARMONA (University of Groningen)Prof. Michelangelo GRUTTADAURIA (University of Palermo)AbstractThis PhD research focused on the design, synthesis, and catalytic evaluation of novel materials based on metal phthalocyanines (MPCs) and imidazolium bromide salts. The initial materials were extensively characterized using a wide range of analytical, spectroscopic, and spectrometric techniques, including solid-state NMR, XPS, TEM, EDX, FT-IR, Raman, CHN analysis, ICP-OES, N₂ physisorption, and TGA. These systems showed remarkable performance in promoting the cycloaddition of CO₂ to epoxides to form cyclic carbonates. Building on these results, a new class of catalysts was developed by covalently anchoring metal phthalocyanines and imidazolium salts onto multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), yielding materials denoted as MPC@MWCNTs. This strategy enabled the creation of a versatile family of catalysts-prepared with different metal centers (Al, Mg, Fe, Ni, Co, Cu, Zn)-while maintaining a unified synthetic approach. The incorporation of MWCNTs was aimed at enhancing both catalytic activity and stability through synergistic support effects. The resulting MPC@MWCNTs were successfully applied in diverse catalytic contexts: CO₂ valorization into cyclic carbonates (Mg-, Fe-, Cu-, and Zn-based systems), nitro-reduction reactions to afford amines (Fe-based system), and electrocatalytic methanol oxidation for energy-related applications (Ni-based system). Overall, this work demonstrated the potential of MPC@MWCNT hybrid materials as robust, tunable, and multifunctional catalysts for sustainable chemical transformations. Attend the event remotely (Teams)

Save the date! More information coming soon.

The Spring of Science is a major scientific and technological (STEM) event in Wallonia and Brussels. Initiated by the Wallonia-Brussels Federation, the event is coordinated by the Sciences.be network and organized by French-speaking universities and colleges. It takes place every year at the beginning of spring and is open to everyone, young and old alike. Throughout the week, numerous free activities are offered to students during the week and to anyone who is curious. Through this week of scientific and technological discovery, the Printemps des Sciences inspires or confirms scientific vocations, helps teachers improve and enrich science education, gives students a more realistic perception of what science is today, improves the general perception of science and technology, contributes to reintegrating science into the heart of general culture, and improves the scientific culture of citizens.About this year's theme"The awakening mind: 25 years of scientific culture"Scientific culture helps us see the world differently: it teaches us to ask questions. Thanks to it, we discover hidden or surprising things that make everyday life more interesting. Scientific culture transforms what seems mundane into something extraordinary. It allows us to better understand our environment, to question ourselves, and to marvel at its beauty and complexity.  Full program & practical information

The exhibition, which opened on December 4, is also an opportunity to highlight 12 original pictorial works by Filipino artists around the person of Rizal. This is the BeLikha project, produced by the Filipino diaspora in Belgium.In conjunction with the exhibition, a film-debate evening will be held in the first week of February. The students have selected the documentary "Overseas" (2019), whose director Sung-A Yoon is an INSAS graduate; the film is produced by a Belgian company (Iota Production). It focuses on a domestic training school in the Philippines. The debate scheduled after the film will focus on modern slavery, in the presence of the director and experts in the history of slavery.Guided tours by appointment: expo-philippines@unamur.be.Context of the exhibitionGiven the desire and support of Senator Loren LAGARDA (in the Philippines) wishing to promote research on the Philippines, the University of Namur has signed several agreements (the latest in November 2024) with the Philippine Embassy in Belgium undertaking to promote the study of the Philippines, particularly in Geography and History. The program is called Philippine Studies.The University of Namur has a long tradition of exchanges with universities and various associations in the Philippines (Geography, Philosophy of Science, FUCID, History...)The date chosen to hold this exhibition corresponds to the launch of the year commemorating the death of Philippine revolutionary hero José Rizal (†1896), who stayed in Belgium and wrote his main work El Filibusterismo, and to the 80th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Belgium and the Philippines (1946). A commemorative work on Rizal will also close the year in December 2026 (the precise date of the commemoration of his death).