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Jointly founded by the University of Namur and UCLouvain, the spin-off Intercept Bio aims to take a new step forward in the prevention of viral respiratory infections. Stemming from research conducted by the teams of Professor Stéphane Vincent at the UNamur Bio-Organic Chemistry Laboratory and Professor David Alsteens at the Louvain Institute of Biomolecular Science and Technology at UCLouvain, and a researcher at the WEL Research Institute, the start-up is developing a nasal spray designed to act right at the entry point for respiratory viruses: the nasal passages.

At the University of Namur, a thesis led by Fabian Delhalle, with support from SPW Research as part of the Win4Doc program, is exploring an innovative approach to producing proteins of therapeutic interest. In collaboration with Bio-Sourcing and the Walloon Center for Agricultural Research, this project aims to better understand the mechanisms of lactation in goats in order to optimize biopharmaceutical production that is more accessible, more flexible, and more environmentally friendly.

At UNamur, research is not confined to laboratories. From physics to political science, robotics, biodiversity, law, AI, and health, researchers collaborate daily with numerous stakeholders in society. The goal? To transform ideas into concrete solutions to address current challenges. 

At UNamur, a doctoral thesis led by Juliette Liégeois—with support from SPW Recherche as part of the Win4Doc program—aims to modernize the automated production of radiotracers used, in particular, to diagnose certain cancers and other diseases. Called SMART, the project is being developed in collaboration with Synlock, a company that designs synthesis robots for academic and industrial laboratories.

Catherine Linard, a researcher in the Department of Geography at UNamur, was recognized for her work at the intersection of geography and epidemiology. This Francqui-Collen fellowship will allow her, starting in September and for the next three years, to be relieved of most of her teaching duties so she can devote more time to her research on the influence of environmental changes on the spread of infectious diseases. 

Abstract Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a heterogeneous malignancy in which human papillomavirus (HPV) status strongly influences therapeutic response. HPV-positive tumors generally show greater sensitivity to treatment, whereas HPV-negative tumors are associated with a poorer prognosis and increased resistance. This thesis investigated how HPV status shapes cellular adaptation to therapeutic stress, with a particular focus on therapy-induced senescence (TIS), autophagy, and MMS19.HPV- HNSCC cells developed a senescence-like phenotype following cisplatin or X-ray irradiation, whereas HPV+ cells showed limited induction. Silencing of the viral oncogenes E6 and E7 in HPV-positive cells enhanced this phenotype, indicating that HPV actively modulates treatment-induced cellular responses. Proteomic analyses further identified autophagy- and lysosome-related pathways as major features distinguishing HPV- from HPV+ cells. Autophagy inhibition predominantly impaired proliferation and clonogenic survival in HPV- cells, supporting an HPV-dependent autophagy–senescence axis involved in treatment adaptation.The second part of this thesis identified MMS19, a component of the cytosolic iron–sulfur cluster assembly machinery, as a potential determinant of HPV- HNSCC resistance. MMS19 was associated with poorer clinical outcomes, while its silencing impaired proliferation and clonogenic survival, particularly in HPV- cells.Together, these findings identify autophagy-dependent remodeling and MMS19-associated genome maintenance as potential vulnerabilities contributing to therapeutic resistance in HPV- HNSCC. Jury Prof. Anne-Catherine HEUSKIN (UNamur), ChairProf. Carine MICHIELS (UNamur), SecretaryProf. Francis RODIER (UMontreal)Prof. Yves POUMAY (UNamur)Prof. Anabelle DECOTTIGNIES (UCLouvain)Prof. Marc THERRIEN (University of Montreal)Prof. Sue YOM (UCSF)

Stanford University has published a prestigious ranking that highlights the most influential researchers in a wide range of scientific fields. The list, based on bibliographic criteria, aims to provide a standardized means of identifying the world's scientific leaders. It is one criterion among others for assessing the quality of scientific research. Twelve researchers from the University of Namur are among them!

A delegation from the Université de Namur took part in an exploratory mission to the Université Cheikh Anta Diop (UCAD) in Dakar, Senegal. The aim: to discover the research carried out in the field, meet UCAD researchers and initiate future collaborations between the two institutions.

AbstractFrequently touched surfaces (fomites) serve as reservoirs for pathogens, including bacteria and viruses, and act as vectors for contact-mediated transmission. They contribute to the spread of healthcare-associated infections and pose an increased risk during epidemic outbreaks, as highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This thesis focuses on the development of antimicrobial coatings that release silver (Ag) and copper (Cu), deposited by magnetron sputtering. Three coating matrices were investigated: hydrogenated amorphous carbon with or without chromium (a-C:H and Cr/CrN/a-CrC:H) and titanium aluminum nitride (TiAlN).Antibacterial performance was evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. To assess long-term efficacy, the antibacterial properties of the coatings were investigated through successive bacterial exposure cycles. Antiviral activity was evaluated against porcine respiratory coronavirus (PRCV), a member of the Orthocoronavirinae subfamily to which SARS-CoV-2 also belongs. For this purpose, a rapid, high-throughput antiviral screening assay was developed. This innovative method represents a promising approach for the standardized evaluation of antiviral surfaces. In addition to antimicrobial activity, the coatings were required to exhibit adequate mechanical properties and an attractive black appearance suitable for high-touch surfaces.The combination of Ag and Cu exhibited a synergistic effect, enhancing antimicrobial activity and broadening the spectrum of targeted pathogens. Optimization led to a TiAlN coating containing 0.9 at.% Ag and 1.7 at.% Cu, which provided the best balance between mechanical, antibacterial, and antiviral performance. Tribological wear tests confirmed that its antimicrobial efficacy was maintained for up to two years. Prospects for the further development and scientific validation of this prototype are discussed.JuryProf. Benoît MUYLKENS (UNamur), ChairProf. Stéphane LUCAS (UNamur), SecretaryProf. Jean-Michel DOGNÉ (UNamur)Prof. Philippe STEYER (INSA Lyon, University of Lyon)Dr. Sébastien PENNINCKX (UNamur)Dr. Emile HAYE (Innovative Coating Solutions)