BELGIAN RESEARCH 2020

Page 173

a special interest in the plants nearby hospitals. The virus quantity is dependent on the numbers of patients but also on asymptomatic carriers. To follow the virus concentration in waste water on regularly basis thus permits to perform a sanitary surveillance on the whole population. Hence, it allows to detect an increase in viral concentration associated to a new epidemic peak or to point out the introduction of SARS-CoV-2 into a new geographic area.

The research developed in the Department of Pharmacy (Principal Investigators: Prof. Jean-Michel Dogné & Prof. Jonathan Douxfils, NTHC, NARILIS) in collaboration with the pharmacist-biologist Julien Favresse from the Clinique Saint-Luc – Bouge, aims to evaluate the clinical performance of serologic tests. The objective is to allow for their improvement in order to limit as much as possible the false negative and the false positive results. It is also important to identify the groups of patients that display unusual serological response profiles.

The lockdown as well as the other measures imposed by the Federal Government had, have and will have deep impacts on the Belgian population. Numerous researchers of UNamur look into these questions.

The expertise developed in UNamur in the field of metallic coating is also exploited in the fight against the SARS-CoV-2. Indeed, some metals used as thin coating have been demonstrated to display anti-bacteria properties. Indeed, copper is used for this activity in many hospitals. The Department of Physics (Principal Investigator: Prof. S. Lucas) investigates whether similar coatings would display anti-viral properties. In parallel, the design and 3D printing of new swabs is performed with parallel clinical studies to evaluate their efficacy to sample virus and their safety and comfort for the patients.

To name just a few examples: - Prof. Alain Decrop, who is an expert on tourism research, is studying how tourism restrictions impact not only on the different stakeholders but also on the traveler behavior. - Economy is one of the sectors that is the most affected. Several members of DeFFiP research institute follow and investigate the situation (Principal Investigators: Prof. Marcus Dejardin, Guilhem Cassan, Etienne de Callataÿ). - Belgian politics had to completely reorganize and Belgian politicians from the different federal entities had to coordinate their actions. Prof. Jeremy Dodeigne describes and analyzes these changes while Prof. Laurent De Briey investigates how citizens gained or lost their confidence in politicians. - Many workers had to modify their habits: in one day, homeworking has been imposed without any preparation. Guidelines had to be defined, IT materials had to be provided. If some of them enjoyed very much being able to work at home, some others had to live through difficulties. Prof. Valerie Flohimont, from the Law Faculty, and Prof. Anne-Sophie Collard, from the Faculty of Economy, Social Sciences and Communication, provided their expertise in the field of well-being at work to analyze this new situation and to propose adequate guidelines to implement home working in different work places. - The lockdown deeply affected everyone; many could find enough resilience to cope with this unprecedented situation but others suffered from psychological troubles. Prof. Martin Desseilles, a psychiatrist from the Faculty of Medicine, is analyzing a survey in order to assess what are the percentages of people in each group, what are the troubles people are suffering from and what are the facts that influenced the most the frail ones.

A consortium of researchers from NARILIS, naXys and DeFiPP institutes (Timoteo Carletti, Simon Clesse, Nicolas Franco, Catherine Linard, Jean-Philippe Platteau, Annick Sartenaer, Vincenzo Verardi) has been studying the evolution of the situation in Belgium for weeks. This team has created various models which lean on the statistical data provided by Sciensano. The models project the situations according to the decisions made by the authorities. These estimations comprise a mean trend and intervals can be calculated, which can give an idea of the “trust milestones” between which we should stand. The models enable short-term simulation but also on the long-term if, for instance, the epidemic needs to be evaluated during the summer holidays and then, in September when schools and universities reopen. Each model can be adapted to a particular aim. These works show that mathematical modeling is extremely important, that it contributes to the implemented measures analysis and help predict the evolution of the epidemic. They also show it is essential to sensitize the public to the importance of complying with the measures and take into account the specific Belgian context. Thanks to these works, the scientists of this new consortium can perform daily monitoring of the epidemic in a post-lockdown phase. This is of the outmost importance since these data help in decisionmaking. e-biom is a spin off of UNamur. It is a biological and environmental consulting firm combined with a multidisciplinary lab specializing in biological monitoring, ecological assessment and biological surveys. Its strong expertise in genetics allows to conduct species diagnosis and to address numerous ecological questions in disciplines as varied as biogeography, conservation or landscape genetics.

Finally, universities are also places where ethical concerns are expressed. In the current sanitary crisis, governmental decisions raised numerous questions. Among many others, there are questions about how to choose who should receive the best treatments, why elder people were neglected during the beginning of the pandemia in Belgium, how everyone accepts or does not accept the restrictions imposed on our liberties, what kind of tracing is acceptable on the juridical, ethical and personal points of view. Prof. Elise Degrave, Natalie Rigaux, Laurent Schumacher, Stephanie Wattiez, Valerie Flohimont, Nathalie Burnay and Dr Isabelle Dagneaux are investigating these ethical issues taking into account several angles. They also participate in public debates about these questions in order to help the Society understand the different points of view but also the politicians to take the best decisions.

Following the detection of the SARS-CoV-2 in patient faeces, several international scientific studies showed that viral DNA can be detected in the waste water and that this DNA is not associated to infectious viral particles but the pieces of DNA. Taking advantage of its strong expertise in environmental DNA detection, e-biom developed and validated a genomic detection method for SARS-CoV-2 DNA in waste water, in collaboration with the SANA platform. With the Société Publique de Gestion de l’Eau (SPGE), sites upstream of water treatment plants have been selected, in order to cover most of the Wallonia area, with

The University of Namur is at the heart of the Society, completely fulfilling its role, its third mission, being a place of knowledge, thinking and actions in a world shaken by the COVID-19. 171


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True proximity between clinicians and researchers at the heart of the Charleroi CHU (University Hospital Centre

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Alternative methods to deal with new toxins

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INFOPOLE Cluster TIC The Walloon network of digital stakeholders at the service of innovation

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CREMAN - Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Centre A well-informed partner of the industrial innovations of tomorrow

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Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering Department – ULiège Cutting-edge research and industrial applications join forces

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Liège Space Centre – CSL Developing space technologies

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Chemical Engineering Research Unit – Liege University (ULiège) Working towards sustainable transformation processes

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Center for Education and Research on Macromolecules - CERM Polymers to serve coatings, biomaterials and energy

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StratiCELL Smart science dedicated to healthcare

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SOWALFIN, a key innovation stakeholder in Wallonia

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PDC*line Pharma Your partner in immuno-oncology

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Quality Assistance Analytical expertise for tomorrow’s innovative medicines

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Medi-Line A medical devices expert

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GSK Vaccines An amazing place to create the future

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Miracor Medical SA Cutting-edge cardiac care

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AbbVie Transforming patients' lives

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Dendrogenix A new family of molecules that fight deafness and cancer

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The leading expert in the tumour microenvironment

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Interview with Mr Julien Compère, CEO of University Hospital of Liege (CHU Liège

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Accessia Pharma Provide efficient tools to grow

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Maximising the participation of Walloon stakeholders in European research programmes

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Sizeable investments for the life sciences

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SRIW, a key partner in the regional strategy for plastic recycling & circular economy

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Bridge2Health - B2H Providing solutions leveraging excellence

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Agoria Wallonia brings the technology industry into the 4.0 era

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Industry as the main source of technological progress

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Pro-Rector for Research at UCLouvain

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Haute Ecole Lucia de Brouckère Bachelor’s in medical electronics: a cutting-edge course as a response to the increasing demand for specialist technicians

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Haute Ecole Lucia de Brouckère Master’s in Industrial Engineering Sciences: a highly practical course that integrates research and the needs of the industrial world

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Breast International Group (BIG): the power of international collaboration in cancer research

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A widely recognized expertise in interdisciplinarity

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Queen Fabiola Children’s University Hospital – HUDERF Ensuring optimal development of young children

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The central nervous system and neuroprotection as weapons in the fight against multiple sclerosis

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The Center for Research in Cognition & Neurosciences

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Recognised expert in aquaporins in Sjögren’s syndrome

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treatment of Alzheimer’s disease

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Teresinha Leal’s research on the identification of biomarkers in the sweat gland to evaluate the efficacy of treatment of Cystic Fibrosis

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Regenerative medicine to treat liver diseases

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Sabine Costagliola Lab (IRIBHM-ULB) Expert in thyroid development disorders

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RNA epigenetics in the battle against cancer

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Brussels Polytechnic School – EPB A well-renowned training course to reflect proven global standing

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The 4MAT Department The Specialist in Inorganic Materials

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Vrije Universiteit Brussel - VUB Research and innovation for health

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Université Libre de Bruxelles - ULB Interdisciplinary and interregional research for the benefit of health

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Interview with Prof. Alban de KERCHOVE d’EXAERDE, Research Director at the Laboratory of Neurophysiology of the Faculty of Medicine of the Université Libre of Brussels, President of the Belgian Society of Neuroscience, Vice-President of the Brussels Commissionon Animal Experimentation

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Bayer A pharmaceutical company focusing on innovation to improve patient’s quality of life and answer unmet medical needs

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Alcon A global leader in eye care

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Bolstering the appeal of ULB research centres at a global level

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NVS Consulting Your consultancy partner in clinical research on medicines and medical devices

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Nestlé Strong environmental responsibility

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Towards a more open and innovative Brussels’ economy

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Nestlé Health Sciences A strong player in medical nutrition and consumer care

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pharma.be: Belgium, an innovative pharmavalley in Europe

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Accelerating innovation in medical devices and e-health for patients and healthcare providers

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MedTech Accelerator® Stimulating innovation in medical technologies

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AZ Groeninge implements new care model from a holistic approach

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Better measure the heterogeneity of inflammatory breast cancer

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AZ Jan Palfijn Gent Already two pregnancies after brand new Corona test at IVF

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Clinical research at UZ Gent: a focus on patient-oriented, personalized medicine

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Biotronik A leader in the field of cardiovascular devices

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Arseus Medical Group Innovative solutions for health professionals

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Fujirebio Europe A pioneer in the field of Alzheimer diagnostics

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ProDigest Specialists in intestinal research

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PharmAbs The KU Leuven Antibody Center

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VAXXIUM Your partner for the development of new vaccines

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ECSOR Expertise at the service of clinical research

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VIB: Excellence-driven basic research in life sciences with a strong societal impact

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Ecosynth NV Your partner for sustainable molecule and process development

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UZ Leuven - University Hospitals Leuven High-level research

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Becetel: high-performance materials research for industry and the public sector

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imec, a world-leading research and innovation hub in nanoelectronics and digital technologies

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Becetel: Belgian research centre for pipes and fittings

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VITO Reducing the risk of sustainable innovation for companies

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Flemish universities must get the necessary means to remain appealing

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VLAIO: a one-stop-shop for entrepreneurs in Flanders

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Improving everyone’s quality of life

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