Résultats de recherche

À l’UNamur, une thèse menée par Juliette Liégeois, avec le soutien du SPW Recherche dans le cadre du programme Win4Doc, vise à moderniser la production automatisée de radiotraceurs utilisés notamment pour diagnostiquer certains cancers et d’autres maladies. Baptisé SMART, le projet est développé en collaboration avec Synlock, une entreprise qui conçoit des automates de synthèse destinés aux laboratoires académiques et industriels.

Catherine Linard, chercheuse du Département de géographie de l’UNamur, a été récompensée pour ses travaux à la croisée de la géographie et de l’épidémiologie. Ce mandat Francqui-Collen lui permettra, dès septembre et pendant trois ans, d’être déchargée de la majeure partie de ses enseignements afin de se consacrer davantage à ses recherches sur l’influence des changements environnementaux sur propagation des maladies infectieuses. 

Résumé Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a heterogeneous malignancy in which human papillomavirus (HPV) status strongly influences therapeutic response. HPV+ tumors generally show greater sensitivity to treatment, whereas HPV- tumors are associated with 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+ cells increased 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 outcome, 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), PrésidenteProf. Carine MICHIELS (UNamur), SecrétaireProf. Francis RODIER (UMontreal)Prof. Yves POUMAY (UNamur)Prof. Anabelle DECOTTIGNIES (UCLouvain)Prof. Marc THERRIEN (UMontreal)Prof. Sue YOM (UCSF)

L’Université de Stanford a publié un classement prestigieux qui met en lumière les chercheurs les plus influents dans un large éventail de domaines scientifiques. Cette liste, établie sur base de critères bibliographiques, vise à fournir un moyen normalisé d'identifier les leaders scientifiques mondiaux. Il s’agit d’un critère parmi d’autres permettant d’évaluer la qualité de la recherche scientifique. Douze chercheurs de l’Université de Namur en font partie !

Une délégation de l’Université de Namur a participé à une mission exploratoire à l’Université Cheikh Anta Diop (UCAD) de Dakar, au Sénégal. L’objectif : découvrir les recherches menées sur le terrain, rencontrer les chercheurs de l’UCAD et initier de futures collaborations entre les deux institutions. 

RésuméFrequently 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 represent an increased risk during epidemic outbreaks, as highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This thesis focuses on the development of antimicrobial coatings releasing 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 original 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 compromise between mechanical, antibacterial, and antiviral performances. Tribological wear tests confirmed the preservation of its antimicrobial efficacy for up to two years. Perspectives for the further development and scientific validation of this prototype are discussed.JuryProf. Benoît MUYLKENS (UNamur), PrésidentProf. Stéphane LUCAS (UNamur), SecrétaireProf. Jean-Michel DOGNÉ (UNamur)Prof. Philippe STEYER (INSA de Lyon, Université de Lyon)Dr Sébastien PENNINCKX (UNamur)Dr Emile HAYE (Innovative Coating Solutions)