Résultats de recherche

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

JuryProf. Max COLLINET (UNamur), présidentProf. Johan YANS (UNamur), secrétaireProf. Flavien CHOULET (Université Marie et Louis Pasteur)Dr Alexandre FELTEN (UNamur)Prof. Mohammed BOUABDELLAH (Université Mohammed IV Polytechnique)Prof. Nadine MATTIELLI (Université libre de Bruxelles)Dr Augustin DEKONINCK (UMons)RésuméSupergene processes are responsible for the redistribution of metals near the surface and can form economically significant mineral deposits. This PhD thesis investigates the evolution (genesis and timing) of supergene mineralization in polymetallic systems from Morocco (Anti-Atlas and Atlas) and France (Provence). The study combines field observations, petrography, geochemistry, stable isotopes analyses and experimental oxidation to provide a multiscale understanding from microscopic characterization to the regional geological evolution.Stable Cu and Fe isotopes show singular fractionation in each deposit, which primarily depends on the primary ore isotopic composition. In addition, specific minerals (i.e., arsenates) may strongly impact Cu fractionation of later formed minerals (i.e., malachite), which can lead to extremely variable Cu isotope compositions across deposits. Hence, Cu and Fe isotopes must be considered as site specific. Experimental investigations complete geological data by quantifying oxidation rates of pyrite and galena under various conditions. These results highlight that the timing of weathering is reproductible and fit with natural examples studied in this thesis via (U–Th)/He and K–Ar geochronology. However, pyrite oxidation (4.3 µm/year) is faster than galena, which may have a catalytic effect  on other sulfides in polymetallic deposits.Overall, supergene mineralization reflects combined controls from mineralogy, host rocks, fluids, climate and tectonics. This work refines genetic models and provides new tools to describe and constrain secondary mineralization, and their potential impact on metallurgical processes.

C’est une belle reconnaissance pour la recherche à l’UNamur : trois projets Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Networks (DN) viennent d’être octroyés, avec une contribution déterminante de chercheurs namurois ! Le premier, en chimie, implique le professeur Stéphane Vincent ; le deuxième, consacré à la résilience des écosystèmes, associe le professeur Frédérik de Laender ; et le troisième, dans le domaine de la photonique, bénéficie de l’expertise du chercheur qualifié F.RS. - FNRS. Michaël Lobet.