On Going Projects

The EU FT-ICR MS project aims to establish a European network of FT-ICR (Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance) mass spectrometry (MS) centers in association with a manufacturer and a SME software company.

 

The Project has 4 objectives :

1. Provide the EU academic, SME and industrial communities’ with access to world-class FT-ICR MS centers.
2. Build an EU community of end-users and FT-ICR MS scientists.
3. Open access to data and open source software to the EU FT-ICR MS network.
4. Strengthen the FT-ICR MS application fields by promoting innovative and cooperative research between European FT-ICR MS academic scientists and private companies(instrumentation and software)

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Projects funded by the FNRS

EOS (Excellence Of Science, FNRS-FWO) project has been granted in 2018.

The Mass Spectrometry Laboratory (PIs Edwin De Pauw and Loic Quinton) participates in the project “Ecological roles of cyclic lipopeptides from plant beneficial rhizobacteria: a chemical-biology approach to decipher primary functions of secondary metabolites”, coordination HÖFTE Monica, UGhent.

 

MucoSWEATOmics

The aim of the study is to identify new biomarkers of CFTR function in sweat and in sweat gland. Sweat is a watery solution containing trace amounts of proteins and peptides that may contribute to the antimicrobial defense system of the skin barrier, playing a role in innate immune responses against potential pathogens. The peptide and metabolite composition of sweat has not been fully explored. Evidence suggests that the composition of the skin barrier could vary with diseases. The causes and consequences of the changes of sweat proteins and peptides in humans are unknown. This clinical trial will focus on multiomics analysis of sweat, mainly of the antimicrobial peptides that play a key role in the host-pathogen interaction. Antioxidants, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory compounds may contribute to the regulation of systemic inflammation and pathophysiological disorders. In cystic fibrosis, inflammatory responses are altered, exaggerated and persistent, even in the absence of infection. It is therefore relevant to study the influence of CFTR mutations on the profile of antimicrobial peptides expressed in sweat. The clinical study will potentially lead to the discovery of novel non-invasive biomarkers of the disease in sweat.

About MucoSWEATOmics

 

VenomsForLiege – V4L

The project aims at taking advantage of the potential of underexploited venoms to discover and characterize valuable modulators of SK and HCN ion channels. These receptors are targets of high interest for the understanding of the central nervous system functions. Indeed, the huge potential of animal venoms to provide highly selective ligands of cell receptors is not questionable, scorpions are, for example, among the most remarkable producers of toxins affecting ion channels. In this context, our project, VenomsForLiège proposes to deeply investigate 40 crude venoms to seek for atypical and innovative ligands for SK and HCN ion channels. The workflow will start with a MS-based fast affinity screening to allow a rational selection of the most promising venomous species for our study. The latter will be analyzed through an integrated methodology combining sourcing of the species, transcriptomics (venom glands), proteomics (crude venoms), peptide production (recombinant synthesis, purification and folding) and electrophysiological characterization to look for highly selective ligands for SK and HCN channels. The toxin-receptor complexes will finally be modeled by the help of cryo electron microscopy to understand the mechanism of action of such toxins. The tools and methods developed for this project will be applied similarly to support the development of new peptidic compounds, but also non-peptidic ones, with potential therapeutic applications (drug design). The co-PIs of this study are the Dr Alain Brans (Protein synthesis, InBios, Sciences Faculty), le Dr Frédéric Kerff (Cristallography, InBios, Sciences Faculty), le Prof. Vincent Seutin (Pharmacology, Medecine Faculty) et le Prof. Jean-François Liégeois (Drug Design,CIRM, Medecine Faculty).

 

RHIZOCLIP

Plant roots often carry Bacillus and Pseudomonas bacteria that protect the plant against pathogens. This beneficial effect (biocontrol) results from secretion of bacterial metabolites. Those are either antimicrobial or trigger the plant’s own defense responses. These metabolites include cyclic lipopeptides (CLPs), which are biosurfactants composed of a fatty acid tail linked to a cyclized oligopeptide. The objective is to answer the following key questions: which CLPs are readily formed on plant roots; how is their production modulated by pathogenic fungi and other CLP producers; are these CLPs essential for root colonization; how do plants respond to their perception; why do some CLPs have antifungal activity and how do CLPs interact with each other. We are also interested in the evolutionary origin of CLP diversity and we will propose a novel classification based on their chemical and biological properties.

About Rhizoclip

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Projects funded at federal and regional levels

KIT QUANTA : absolute quantification of proteins in complex matrices (blood, urine and cerebrospinal fluid or CSF) thanks to a “universal” standardization kit

In the world of biomarker discovery, there are few validations of biomarker candidates. The discovery and validation steps in the development of biomarkers remain quite challenging and lengthy. The need for high-throughput technique is therefore urgent. SRM method (Selected Reaction Monitoring) can solve the problem in offering high-throughput analyses. The difficulty of this method lies in the implementation of standardization for absolute quantification. Different standardization approaches now exist in proteomics but all have their limitations. One example is the use of isotopically-labelled peptides for the absolute quantification of proteins. This method is highly specific of the protein to quantify but do not take into account all the bias introduced at each step of the process needed before SRM analyses. In combination with this already well-known technique, our “kit” will allow to control the whole preparation process and therefore will be a useful and necessary tool for longitudinal studies or studies involving a large number of samples in the process of biomarker discovery. Several actors work in collaboration to reach this goal: the Mass Spectrometry Laboratory (MSLab) in ULiège, the laboratory of Proteomics and Microbiology (ProtMic) in UMons and Eurogentec S.A. This project has been possible thanks to the support of the the European Regional Development Fund.

 

Glycocell

The goal of the GLYCOCELL project is to gain a better understanding of the influence of the glycosylation profile on the immunogenicity of viral glycoproteins produced in genetically engineered BY-2 cell lines in the N-glycosylation pathway. In parallel, the project aims to optimize the culture conditions of BY-2 cells in order to increase their productivity. This dual approach should allow the production in sufficient quantity and in a controlled manner of an immunogenic viral glycoprotein having a predefined glycosylation profile more homogeneous and simplified with respect to the same glycoprotein produced in animal CHO cells.

 

ORTHENZY

Notre objectif est de développer une stratégie innovante capable de dégrader la matrice de biofilms se formant dans le cadre d’infections sur matériel orthopédique implanté. La stratégie repose sur l’utilisation d’un cocktail enzymatique optimisé pour dégrader la matrice de biofilms de diverses espèces fréquemment rencontrées dans le contexte d’infections orthopédiques, et aussi de biofilms multi-espèces. Ce cocktail est destiné à être utilisé comme adjuvant aux antibiotiques conventionnels. En effet, il ne présente pas d’activité bactéricide par lui-même mais permet de restaurer l’accès des antibiotiques aux bactéries en déstructurant la matrice du biofilm.

 

Epinox

This project aims to identify new erythrocyte epitopes, representative of intravascular oxidation, for the production of immunological tests for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. These biomarkers will be evidenced by a non-biased proteomic approach on samples of erythrocytes from patients duly phenotyped clinically and healthy volunteers. Indeed, changes in oxidative stress specific to cardiovascular risk factors result in changes in abundance, localization and post-translational modifications (nitrotyrosination or carbonylation) of cytosolic and membrane proteins in erythrocytes. These expressional and / or post-translational changes will be correlated with measurements of endothelial function, oxidative stress and nitrosylhemoglobin (HbNO) in the same erythrocytes. This screening will allow us to reveal modified proteins which will thus provide new epitopes to generate antibodies used later in immunoassays to market.

 

PFASFORWARD

Research on PFAS contamination in the food Chain.                                               

The main objective of PFASFORWARD is to gain insights concerning the presence, prevalence, behaviour, and distribution of various per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) throughout the entire food chain, including the impact of processing. The pathways by which PFAS can enter the feed and food chain will also be investigated. 
PFASFORWARD will focus on the PFAS listed by Commission Recommendation (EU) 2022/14311, mainly 4-EFSA-PFAS, carboxylate-PFAS (C5-C14), sulfonate-PFAS (C4-C13), and PFAS substitutes (DONA, F53B minor and major and HFPO-DA). Furthermore, untargeted analyses will also be performed for a limited number of samples to extend the analyte scope and envisage a broader range of fluorinated contaminants.
Firstly, the monitoring data obtained within FLUOREX will be further complemented by adding matrices from the market. Afterwards, PFAS behaviour and distribution will be investigated by analyzing different highly contaminated edible fractions of the same animal (including fish, pig, cattle and chicken) or plant (including apples, potatoes, carrots, and cauliflower). Since the concentrations of PFAS can vary between the different parts, the impact of processing (e.g. grain milling, juice pressing, production of meat and dairy products) will be investigated. It should also be taken into account that this might be influenced by the type of PFAS (e.g. long-chain versus short-chain compounds). 
Additionally, more knowledge on the origin and transfer of PFAS throughout the food chain will be obtained through literature review, experiments or simulations in order to be able to reduce or prevent possible contamination and, as such, guarantee consumers' food safety. Information on possible PFAS transfer from compost, sewage sludge, irrigation water, well water, soil, feed and feed materials will be gathered. 
PFASFORWARD will not only give an overview of the presence of PFAS on the Belgian market but also respond to issues highlighted in the Commission Recommendation (EU) 2022/1431 on PFAS monitoring in food.

 

IMPOFAD

Impurities in oil- or fat-derived food additives and compound foods.

During the deodorisation of refined edible oils, glycidyl fatty acid esters can be generated as process contaminants. They are subsequently hydrolysed within the human digestive tract to glycidol. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has concluded that glycidol has a genotoxic and carcinogenic potential. Margins of exposure (MoE) ranged from 11300 to 102000 for the mean exposure of different population groups, while only MoEs of 25000 or higher are considered a low health concern. However, existing maximum levels for glycidol fatty acid esters in food are rather limited and relate exclusively to oils and fats. Regarding fat or oil-derived food additives (FA), currently, glycidyl fatty acids (expressed as glycidol) are only recently regulated in three FA (E471, E475, E476), while others are under discussion at the European level. Indeed, a possible and significant contribution through certain additives for which no maximum levels of glycidol fatty acid esters exist may lead to a composite food containing unacceptable levels of these food process contaminants (FPC). Furthermore, these additives may contain traces of other impurities, such as glycidyl fatty esters (GEs), esters of 3-MCPD, PAHs, PFAS, PCBs, PCDD/Fs, MOSH/MOAH, heavy metals, fatty acids, fatty acid oxidation products, fat-soluble mycotoxins or pesticides, for which little or no occurrence data are available so far. The resulting exposure to impurities from the consumption of FA could, however, be substantial. An intake assessment for the combined exposure to multiple FA in the MULTI-EXP-ADD project, based on EFSA exposure estimates to FA in Belgium, revealed that if metals would be present in FA at concentrations near the European Union (EU) specification limits, the estimated dietary intake through the consumption of FA in food would be 2-12 times higher than the general dietary exposure estimates for these metals. This implies that the actual concentration levels in FA are much lower than the specification limits and/or that the general dietary exposure estimates insufficiently take into account food products that contain FA. Direct measurements of these impurities in additives are needed to support the research questions asked in section 3.3.In addition, there is no consensus on the possibility of the formation of glycidyl fatty acid esters and 3-MCPD in composite food preparations that undergo thermal processes. The heat treatment of compound foods containing lipids, in the presence of carbohydrates, can contribute to the formation of those compounds or alter their level. The inclusion of certain additives in the compound food formulation may also favour the formation of those FPC.

 

PFAS-Blaster

Experimental validation and modelling of a treatment system for eliminating eternal pollutants from different matrices (water and activated carbon) using a combination of electron beams and biological action with regeneration of the filter media.                                           

Les PFAS (substances per- et polyfluoroalkylées) forment une classe de composés chimiques largement utilisés dans une gamme diversifiée de produits de consommation et industriels en raison de leurs propriétés uniques de résistance aux taches, à l'eau et à la graisse. Cependant, leur omniprésence dans l'environnement et leur persistance prolongée ont soulevé des préoccupations croissantes en matière de santé publique et environnementale. En raison de leur résistance aux processus de dégradation naturelle, les PFAS sont devenus des contaminants récalcitrants dans les sols, les eaux souterraines, les eaux de surface et même dans les organismes vivants. Leur présence continue dans l'environnement pose des risques pour la santé publique.

Face à cette problématique, la recherche et le développement de techniques de traitement efficaces pour éliminer ou réduire les PFAS dans l'environnement sont devenus une priorité majeure. Les méthodes de traitement existantes comprennent l'oxydation chimique, la filtration sur charbon actif, l'échange d'ions, la précipitation chimique et diverses techniques de traitement biologique. Cependant, chacune de ces méthodes présente des limites en termes d'efficacité, de coût et de faisabilité à grande échelle. Actuellement seule l’incinération permet d’éliminer les PFAS avec efficacité mais avec un coût environnemental et énergétique significatif.

Ce projet a pour objectif la validation de technologies innovantes pour détruire efficacement les PFAS par: 

1. L’utilisation d’un faisceau d’électrons issus d’un Rhodotron®, ayant une énergie suffisante pour initier des réactions radicalaires afin de briser les liaisons C-F et donc permettre une destruction des molécules de PFAS en molécules organiques dégradables. Le courant de faisceau élevé des Rhodotrons IBA permet d’envisager un traitement à l’échelle industrielle des PFAS ;
2. Le développement d’un procédé de désorption thermique à basse température (~350°C) des matrices en vue de pouvoir concentrer les PFAS (pour augmenter le rendement de dégradation par faisceau d’électrons grâce à une concentration plus élevée en PFAS) mais aussi des produits de dégradation des PFAS des matrices de charbon actif et des boues de bioréacteurs, en vue de recycler et permettre la réutilisation des matrices de charbon actif ;
3. L’utilisation de consortiums de micro-organismes pour compléter le traitement des sous-produits de l’irradiation dans les eaux de process et les boues des bioréacteurs (afin d’atteindre la minéralisation de certains sous-produits) et prétraiter les matrices en amont du traitement par irradiation.

PEA

Propellant powders with Reduced Erosion.                                              

Généralement discrète, l’activité de la Défense en Région Wallonne n’en est pas moins l’une des plus importante et compte nombre de fleurons industriels wallons, à l’instar des partenaires industriels du projet, PB Clermont et FN Herstal. C’est dans un contexte économique tendu, notamment par la guerre des prix causée par l’arrivée massive de produits américains bradés sur le marché européen, que ce projet, mené en partenariat avec l’Ecole Royale Militaire et l’Université de Liège, a pour objectif de développer une poudre pour arme de petit calibre permettant d’atténuer l’érosion des canons lors du tir.
Ce projet, novateur à l’échelle mondiale, constitue une innovation de rupture sur le marché des munitions pour armes de petit calibre et les avancées technologiques majeures effectuées dans le cadre de ce développement permettront à la fois à PB Clermont et à la FN Herstal de mettre sur le marché des produits innovants qui permettront de créer une réelle différentiation susceptible de conduire à un développement économique significatif et à la pérennisation à long terme, voire au développement, de l’emploi industriel en région wallonne.