International
One of the goals of the RU is to offer an international level platform of tools and skills. Most of the teams are involved in international projects and in infrastructure at the European level. The collaboration between members will allow a better coverage of the international calls.
The Theoretical Physical Chemistry group is strongly involved in collaborative research projects in the EU and outside the EU. As detailed below it is involved in COST actions, in FET EU projects and in projects funded by US national research agencies. Its expertise in the theory of the control of molecular reactivity and in parallel information processing at the molecular level and the synergies in the field of the control of chemical reactions under extreme conditions detailed above could lead to the participation of the RU in international projects in this field.
The NANOCHEM group is also strongly involved in collaborative research projects in the EU (UK, Italy, Germany, France, Spain, The Netherlands) and outside the EU (USA and China), through COST actions, FET EU projects, international Doctoral School IDS-FunMat, and projects funded by the partner's countries
The Inorganic Analytical Chemistry is involved in the EU COST action BM1401, Raman 4clinics and more specifically in therapeutic monitoring of anti-tumoral drugs and antibiotics in body fluids by Raman SERS.
The Mass Spectrometry Laboratory is strongly involved in COST actions, European projects and International collaborations outside Europe. A European infrastructure network has recently been funded at which the laboratory takes part. Scientists can be welcome in the laboratory, the expenses being covered by the EU, the focus is paced on mass spectrometry imaging at ultra-high resolution. An interregional project focused on lipids aims at the development of a multicentic virtual institute on lipids (Eurlipids).
Within the COST action “Native Mass spectrometry”, the MSlab has introduced the concept of ions “density” and designed a calibration method for ion mobility derived cross sections that do not required a priori ions geometries calculation by theoretical methods. A method to deconvolute peaks using their natural peak width is also part of the effort. Several papers have been published on the topic. Several project combining physical methods and biophysical aspects are in progress.
Combination of HDX and XL-MS to unravel assembly and functioning of the bacterial type II secretion system (Coll. Dr Romé Voulhoux, IMM, Marseille, France). Unicellular organisms such as bacteria have developed sophisticated protein secretory machines to deliver effector proteins outside the producing cell. The Type II Secretion System (T2SS) is a complex macromolecular nanomachine, embedded in the bacterial envelope ensuring efficient release into the extracellular medium of complex exoproteins requiring intra-bacterial folding. In contrast to other secretion systems, little is known about T2SS assembly and effector recognition. Numerous interactions have been however reported between components of the machinery and secreted effectors. These thematic plans to identify the residues involved in those interactions by developing dedicated HDX and cross linking approaches revealed by mass spectrometry to understand (i) how the different components are assembled together and (ii) how folded effectors are specifically recognized and transported by the machinery.
Venomics, from the primary structure of peptide toxins to their quantification in biological fluids (Coll. Dr Nicolas Gilles, CEA, Paris-Saclay, France).Because of their great complexity and diversity, the interest for venom animals has increased in the past decades. The concern in the study of chemical and functional characteristics of venom toxins is not only due to their relevance in the envenoming understanding and treatment, but also to their potential as valuable research tools in different areas of knowledge. Due to our involvement in Venomics Project (FP7 Heath- 2011-2015), peptide toxins are now routinely sequenced and characterized. Venomics thematic is rapidly evolving to (i) the characterization of peptide-receptor binding by the mean of cross-linking and HDX exchanges, and (ii) the quantification of such toxins into biological fluids. For supporting these purposes, we have recently identified a peptide from green mamba venom, Mambaquaretin-1 (MQ-1), that exhibits selective nanomolar affinity for the Vasopressin type-2 Receptor (V2R). This property transforms this toxic peptide into a promising therapeutic agent against polycystic kidney diseases. This model is perfect for studying how the toxin binds to its membrane receptor (not depicted to date), and to quantify its evolution in murine biological fluids, important to determine for considering MQ as a real promising drug-candidate).
The Molecular Dynamics Laboratory collaborates with European large-scale facilities (in particular the Léon Brillouin Laboratory in Saclay) in the frame of his research projects on the self-assembling of supramolecular species. As far as science dissemination issues are concerned, the laboratory participates in the activities of the European Chemistry Thematic Network Association (ECTNA).
Two laboratories received an international label :
CITOS (PI JC Monbaliu) was chosen by Corning Incorporated, the world leader in glasses and therapeutics, to establish an advanced Corning® Advanced-Flow ™ Reactor (AFR) technology laboratory. CiTOS is the first qualified European laboratory for this technology.
The CART is an analytical platform recognized at national and European levels. Since 2007, the CART has been appointed as National Reference Laboratory (NRL) by the Federal Food Safety Agency in Belgium to assist the competent authorities in terms of risk management linked to chemical substances in foodstuff. In 2017, its contract has been renewed for the third time, until 2020. CART is as an active member of the European Reference Laboratories network. The CART organized several European workshops in Liege (2010, 2013 and 2015; 50 participants each), JF Focant chaired the international Symposium in Brussels (Dioxin 2011; 1100 participants); obtained large European call tenders for biomonitoring of POPs in serum (Institut de veille Sanitaire, 2005, France; Istituto Superiore di Sanita 2018, Italy); G. Eppe chaired an international experts committee to deliver a European SANTE guidance document on measurement uncertainty for contaminants using isotope dilution mass spectrometry.
One of the challenge for the RU will be to associate members in common international projects while maintaining the individual specificity and performance of each member. An internal scientific council has been created to manage research at RU level in order to generate synergy and to improve the scientific coverage when answering national/international calls.
