ULiège, CHU de Liège, CIRM
" This study aims at measuring the activity of the Angiotensin-2 enzyme (AT2) by LCMS./MS in COVID patients. This enzyme plays a key-role in the mechanisms of the infection by the SARS-COV2 "
Funding: Fondation Leon Fredericq
Contact: Professor Etienne Cavalier Department of Clinical Chemsitry University of Liège, CHU de Liège etienne.cavalier@chuliege.be
UCLouvain
" The project we propose here focuses directly on modeling the evolution of the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. The strategy we use is based on a mix of parametric and non-parametric models with the direct purpose of making short-term predictions of the immediate effects of the virus, as well medium-term forecasts of the evolution of the virus in the population. It provides new methodological aspects that combine the flexibility of non and semi-parametric statistical models with deterministic epidemiological models in order to build new, better statistical models that take into account this information regarding the life of the virus in the population. "
Funding: Planning on applying for the "Projets Exceptionnels de Recherche" at FNRS for mid-may.
Publication References: Not yet available
Contact: Eugen Pircalabelu Institute of Statistics, Biostatistics and Actuarial Sciences ISBA – LIDAM UCLouvain Voie du Roman Pays 20, 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium...
UMONS
" Development of a Covid-19 serum library within the UMONS biobank. Collection and storage of samples (serum, blood or urine samples as well as nasopharyngeal samples) from patients diagnosed with Covid-19 positive or negative by an RT-PCR test. Collaboration between UMONS and Ambroise-Paré hospital (Mons) as well as Epicura hospital network (Baudour, Hornu). "
Funding: UMONS logistic and fiinancial supports
Contact: UMONS Biobank Prof. A. legrand, Manager Dr. F. Journe, Coordinator
ULiege, CHU, GIGA I3
" Are obstructive diseases risk factors for developing pulmonary complications due to COVID19? We will include all patients followed up at CHU of Liege for COVID19 infection and classify them according to their underlying bronchopulmonary disease. The aim is to evaluate if asthma, severe asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases represent risk factors for developing pulmonary complications during COVID 19 infection. We want to find out biological or clinical predictors of complications. We also want to evaluate efficacy and safety of inhaled corticosteroids in asthma in case of COVID infection. Biomarkers will be measured at baseline and during follow-up. "
Funding: Fonds Leon Frederic
Contact: Schleich Florence, MD, PhD fschleich@chuliege.be fschleich@ulg.ac.be
UCLouvain
" Production of SARS-Cov-2 glycoproteins in glyco-engineered plant suspension cells to obtain homogenous and predefined N-glycosylation profiles, characterize their binding and/or produce vaccine. "
Funding: Own funding and WALInnov
Contact: francois.chaumont@uclouvain.be catherine.navarre@uclouvain.be UCLouvain/LIBST
UCLouvain
" This study aims to assess the potential roles of spike glycoproteins and viral proteins encoded by ORF6, ORF7a, ORF8 and ORF10 in the antagonism of several known restriction factors (BST-2, GBP5, IFITM, ...) and in the modulation of innate immune responses (NF-kB pathway and IFN response). These proteins will be expressed in different cell models and we will define their ability to bind and/or degrade restriction factors. Depending on results, we will perform sequencing (NGS) of these genes from clinical isolates in order to observe whether the genetic variability can be linked to the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 viruses. "
Funding: Own funds
Contact: francois.dufrasne@uclouvain.be
ULiège
“ Microsys Laboratory takes part in 3D printing of protective visor elements for care staff. This activity is enabled by the recent acquisition of a high-performance 3D printer and takes place within the framework of an ongoing project aimed at developing technologies in the field of microsystems, sensors and packaging.”
Funding: Projets compléments FEDER Micro+ (conventions 1510608 et 1510609)
Contact: Francois Dupont - fff.dupont@uliege.be
Laboratory of Cancer Epigenetics, ULB, Faculty of Medicine - Royal Academy of Medicine of Belgium
" In recent years epigenetics has become an essential component of biological research, playing key roles in many physiopathological conditions. Recent work in viral epigenetics highlighted these modifications as an essential mechanism in modulating many viruses life cycles. To date, whether this holds true also for SARS-CoV-2 remains unknown, let alone the potential use of epigenetics inhibitors as novel antiviral therapy against SARS-CoV-2. • To address these unanswered questions and to respond to the current international urge of new therapeutic approaches against COVID-19, our study, which would uncover a link between epigenetics and SARS-CoV-2, aim to provide innovative advances for SARS-CoV-2 biology and therapy: • Overall, we will generate a comprehensive dataset aiming at expanding further our understanding of the biological functions of epigenetic modifications in the SARS-CoV-2...
ULiège - FNRS
" L'atteinte rénale semble fréquente et précoce dans la COVID-19. Sa physiopathologie est inconnue. Le but de cette étude est de caractériser cette néphropathie nouvelle causée par le SRAS-Cov-2. Nous réalisons une biopsie rénale post mortem chez tout patient décédé dans le cadre d'une infection COVID-19 en salle d'hospitalisation ou aux soins intensifs (SI). L'étude se focalise sur la corrélation anatomo-clinique. L'étude histologique inclut (i) une description conventionnelle des compartiments glomérulaire, tubulaire et interstitiel ; (ii) une détection immuno-histochimique des antigènes viraux du SRAS-Cov-2 et leur distribution préférentielle dans chaque segment du néphron ; (iii) une caractérisation de l'infiltrat inflammatoire éventuel ; et (iv) une microscopie électronique. "
Funding: Fondation Léon Frédéricq ULiège (21.600 euros) FNRS (en attente) Société Francophone de Néphrologie (en attente)
Contact: Pr dr François JOURET Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de...
UCLouvain
" We have ran two quantitative surveys (500 respondents, each) on employees experience of organizational communication during the covid-19 crisis. These two data collections will be followed by a collect of qualitative data through interviews. The aim is to measure the employees satisfaction during the crisis in contrast with a "normal" situation. This comparison will help to understand and identify key factors explaining employees satisfaction with communication practices. "
Funding: Déborah Horlait is funded by a doctiris grant. We have also the support of Moodfactory, the company hosting the doctiris research.
Contact: Déborah Horlait deborah.horlait@uclouvain.be
UCLouvain, CHU UCLouvain/UNamur
" Evaluation of the thrombotic risk associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection and its management in the intensive care unit: a clinical and biological longitudinal study. Background Since the beginning of SARS-CoV-2 outbreak in December 2019, data accumulate regarding the high thrombotic risk associated with this infection, which could explain substantial part of the observed morbidity and mortality (1). Accordingly, a retrospective study suggested that prophylactic anticoagulation could reduce mortality in severe COVID-19 patients with sepsis-induced coagulopathy (2). Furthermore, a European cohort reported a 27% incidence of venous thrombo-embolisms (VTEs) despite systematic prophylactic anticoagulation, raising the question whether deeper anticoagulant regimen would be beneficial in severe COVID-19 (3). Some authors also suggested that fibrinolysis alterations could be a significant determinant of SARS-CoV-2 infection's prognosis, as it is in...
ULB - FNRS
" Because of the persistence of viruses on surfaces, they represent Indirect transmission vectors of diseases. If many antibacterial surfaces exist, virucidal surfaces are more challenging. This project aims at developping Superior virucidal surfaces. This project is a collaboration between the ChemSIN (synthesis of surfaces), the laboratory of Molecular virology and the Centre for Diabetes Research of ULB "
Funding: ULB Walloon Region (requested) FNRS (requested)
Contact: Freniers@ulb.ac.be cvlint@ulb.ac.be Anne.Op.De.Beeck@ulb.be
ULB - FNRS
" Inactivation of viruses on surfaces, textiles, surgical Tools, or any 2D or 3D object cannot always be performed using chemicals. This project aims at inactivating viruses using various atmospheric plasma sources, and study these mechanisms of inactivation. "
Funding: ULB Walloon Region (requested)
Contact: Freniers@ulb.ac.be cvlint@ulb.ac.be anne.op.de.beeck@ulb.be
UMONS ; FabLab Mons ; Fab-C Charleroi Métropole ; FabLab Wapi
" Visors for face masks produced at FabLab Mons. In collaboration with Fab-C Charleroi Métropole and FabLab Wapi, FabLab Mons is currently producing visors for nursing staff. These visors extend the life of the masks by preventing splash contamination. This has been made possible with the financial support of the FRMH and the donation of transparent sheets from multiple organisations, which has enabled the FabLab to distribute several thousand visors (23,000+ distributed to date) to medical doctors, nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists, nursing home staff, opticians and audiologists. "
Contact: FabLab Mons https://fablabmons.be contact@fablabmons.be
Hôpital Erasme and ULB - Faculty of medicine
" A translational prospective research project was initiated to characterize longitudinally the immune responses of patients with COVID-19, to identify the mechanisms underlying progression to severe disease. Blood samples are collected at three different time points from two groups of patients, those with a flu-like disease, and those with respiratory symptoms (mild to severe). They are stored in a biobank after appropriate treatment to be further available for different research projects. The first one will focus on the characterization of the phenotype of innate cells (dendritic cells, monocytes, NK cells) and T lymphocyte subpopulations, and on the analysis of the concentrations of IFN-a and a panel of other cytokines, to investigate the importance of the kinetic of pDC mobilization and type I IFN production before the appearance of the cytokine storm. "
Funding: - ULB - COVID-19 special call - FNRS - crédit urgent de recherche...
