FARAH - ULiège 
" We are describing the evolution of the respiratory function after infection using whole-body plethysmography in a hamster model of SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia. Although the tropism of the virus for the upper respiratory tract is well documented, little is known about the pathophysiological mechanisms involved in the impairment of the respiratory function and the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in some patients. There is a critical need for the development of noninvasive evaluation tools of the respiratory function over the disease course in order to develop therapeutic strategies aiming at specifically improving this function. Plethysmography is a noninvasive method allowing the quantitative evaluation of the lung volume and function. The selected plethysmographic parameters will allow a noninvasive monitoring of the lung function and lesions in the hamster model, permitting the screening of therapeutic molecules aiming at alleviating the...

Read more: Daniel Desmecht, Professor - Mutien Garigliany, Professor

FARAH - ULiège 
" We recently showed that domestic cats can be spontaneously infected by SARS-CoV-2 and develop transient, yet severe, pneumonia. Similar reports in other countries confirmed the susceptibility of cats, ferrets, lions and tigers to the infection. Dogs can get infected but, apparenlty, subclinically. Beside the importance of these findings for veterinarians and animal health, a series of domestic or wild animal species might constitute a reservoir of SARS-CoV-2 and dramatically complicate the "uncontainment" process. Domestic cats, minks, ferrets, hamsters, dogs, tigers and lions were all shown to be naturally or (for some species) experimentally susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection. In addition, cats, minks, ferrets and hamsters were shown to be able to efficiently transmit the virus to in-contact animals. Little is known about the actual host range of the virus. It is critically needed to determine which domestic, peri-domestic (especially rodents) and wild animals can...

Read more: Daniel Desmecht, Professor - Mutien Garigliany, Professor

UCLouvain - FNRS
" We developed protocols to measure the interaction between single virus and living cells and monitor the effect of blocking molecule interfering with the virus binding. "
Contact: Dr. David Alsteens UCLouvain/ LIBST This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

ULB - Fablab ULB
" A multidisciplinary team at the Fablab ULB (Université Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium) has developed and produced different open-source emergency protective solutions against Covid-19 for hospitals and caregivers. Most of these solutions have been developed within the global fablab network using digital fabrication machines (laser cutter, 3D printers,...) and open-source documentation which allowed other fablabs in the world to develop and produced these solutions locally. Face Protective Masks Face Protective Masks have been developed to protect caregivers from aerosol projection. Thanks to a lot of help (other fablabs, architectural offices, students, volunteers,...), we have produced more than 50 000 Protective Face Shields and distributed them in hospitals and to other caregivers. This project was made in collaboration with Fab-C (Charleroi), fablab Yourlab (Andenne) and the Hospital CHU Saint-Pierre in Brussels and supported by the Michel Crémer Foundation. Swabs...

Read more: Denis Terwagne, Professor - Victor Lévy, Professor - Alain Delchambre, Professor - Nicolas De Coster

ULiège and RevaTis SA (Spin Off)
" The project aims to assess the effects of muscle derived stem cells on a preclinical model of acute respiratory distress syndrome induced by a perfusion of endotoxins. We focused on the modulation of neutrophil excessive activation. RevaTis developped a GMP production of muscle derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells and is authorized to produce clinical batches. The IPCLab (Liege University) developed an ARDS model in pigs. We aim to demonstrate a reduction of the ARDS severity, a reduction of the cytokines storm and a modulation of the excessive activation of neutrophils observed in ARDS. "
Funding: Research grants from Ulg (POC) and FNRS (CURE) are pending. RevaTis supplies muscle derived Stem Cells for R&D projects
Publication References: Sci Rep. 2017 Apr 6;7(1):696. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-00803-7. From skeletal muscle to stem cells: an innovative and minimally-invasive process for multiple species. Ceusters J, Lejeune JP, Sandersen C, Niesten A...

Read more: Didier Serteyn, Professor - Justine Ceusters, CSO RevaTis - Charlotte Sandersen, Professor

ULiège, GIGA
" There is no effective antiviral treatment for SARS-Cov-2 which is responsible for the current pandemic. Research efforts are therefore focused on the rapid development of vaccines and the evaluation of antiviral drugs. Testing the effectiveness of these on virus cultures is laborious and requires a BSL3 environment. In order to be able to evaluate (quickly and in safe conditions) the effectiveness of the various drugs acting against this virus, cells expressing Sars-Cov2 viral enzymes will be generated. In these cells, enzymatic activity would be easily quantifiable using a reporter system. In a first phase of our project, different FDA-approuved drugs will be tested, hoping to identify some that will be effective against viral enzymes. "
Funding: FONDATION LEON FREDERICQ
Contact: Dr. Emmanuel Di Valentin Platform manager University of LIEGE (ULiege) Giga Viral Vectors Platform Tour GIGA B34 (+4) CHU Avenue Hypocrate 1 B-4000 LIEGE (Sart Tilman) Tel. +32 (0) 4 366 45...

Read more: Emmanuel Di Valentin, Doctor

ULiège
" Development of Methods for Mask and N95 Decontamination (the DeMaND study) and reuse for healthcare workers at the frontline The aim of this study is to identify and test, simple low-cost safe decontamination methods to enable medical masks and N95/ FFP2 respirators reuse in healthcare settings where there are critical shortages. "
Funding: Open Philanthropy
Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

ULiège
"DECONTAMINATION AND REUSE OF SURGICAL MASKS AND FILTERING FACEPIECE RESPIRATORS The global test protocol, presented in this project, aims to assess: a) the effectiveness of several decontamination methods with regard to integrity (""barrier"" function) and the quality of surgical masks and filtering facepiece respirators FFP2/N95; b) the efficacy of these decontamination methods on the inactivation of a coronavirus, similar to the SARS-CoV-2 virus present on surgical masks and filtering facepiece respirators FFP2/N95. Moreover, the present project aims to set up a consortium of companies and laboratories to meet the diverse and varied requests for ""reuse"" of various medical protective equipment (masks, filters, clothing, etc.) linked with the environmental approach."
Funding: Walloon Government
Contact: https://www.news.uliege.be/cms/c_11717821/fr/l-uliege-coordonne-le-projet-wallon-de-decontamination-des-masques-chirurgicaux-et-de-protection-respiratoire-ffp2...

Read more: Eric Haubruge, Professeur ordinaire - Etienne Thiry, Professeur ordinaire - Georges Daube,...

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 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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 - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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...

Read more: François Fuks, Full Professor

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...

Read more: Francois Mullier, Prof - Alain Dive, Prof - Michael Hardy, Dr - Sarah Lessire, Prof - Isabelle...

UNamur
" The main scientific question of this project aims to understand this inter-individual variability in the response to 2019-nCoV in human population, first during ageing process, second among population of same age. The first hypothesis that will be tested in this project is that epigenetic differences among human population can, at least partly, explain differences in the individual responses to SARS-CoV-2, and that this virus differentially affects the epigenome of different individuals during the infection. The second hypothesis that will be tested is that changes in the epigenome during ageing could increase the susceptibility of patients to SARS-CoV-2. "
Funding: To be searched
Publication References: - Fellous A, Earley RL, Silvestre F. Identification and expression of mangrove rivulus (Kryptolebias marmoratus) histone deacetylase (HDAC) and lysine acetyltransferase (KAT) genes. Gene, 691 (2019), 56-69. - Fellous A, Earley RL, Silvestre F. The Kdm/Kmt gene families in...

Read more: Frédéric Silvestre, Professor