NAmur Research Institute for LIfe Sciences
Three new projects driven by NARILIS researchers and supported by the EU's research and innovation programme H2020
ACtIVAtE
The virulence potential of human pathogens: how Acinetobacter baumanii survives Acanthamoeba castellanii predation
Led by Prof. Xavier De Bolle - UNamur, Research Unit in Biology of Microorganisms & Prof. Karine Van Doninck - UNamur, Research Unit in Environmental and Evolutionary Biology
This project aims at applying original large-scale screening approaches to identify A. baumannii virulence factors using the amoeba A. castellanii as host-pathogen system.
A Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowship of two years was awarded to the post-doc researcher Dr. Charles Vander Henst. The project will start in January 2018.
CANITEST
Proof-of-concept of a PCR test designed to identify the dogs carrying the more virulent strains of Capnocytopaha canimorsus
Led by Prof. Guy Cornelis - UNamur, Research Unit in Biology of Microorganisms
The idea to be taken as proof of concept is drawn from a previous ERC grant CAPCAN (2012-2016). This grant aimed at understanding the molecular and genetic bases of the dramatic human infections caused by Capnocytophaga canimorsus. The proposal is now to market the PCR test designed to identify the dogs carrying the more virulent strains.
The project has started in December 2017 and will last for 18 months.
PATROLS
Physiologically Anchored Tools for Realistic nanOmateriaL hazard aSsement
Led by Prof. Stéphane Lucas - UNamur, Physics of Matter and Radiation
The aim of PATROLS is to establish and standardize a battery of innovative, next generation physiologically anchored, hazard assessment tools that accurately predict adverse effects caused by long-term (chronic), low dose engineered nanomaterials exposure in human and environmental systems to support regulatory risk decision making.
The project will start in January 2018 and will run for 3,5 years. It will be moved forward by post-doc researcher Dr. Jorge Mejia Mendoza and research scientist Ornella Fichera, with the support of the UNamur SIAM platform (Dr. Julien Colaux).
