Molecular Physiology of the Cell

PEROXISCENCE : MSCA postdoctoral fellowship awarded to Olga Martzoukou

We are very pleased to announce that Dr. Olga Martzoukou has been awarded a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Postdoctoral Fellowship.

Tackling fungal mechanisms of survival to fight fungal persistence

Chronic fungal infections are difficult to treat, partly because most fungi take on a quiescent state (a reversible cessation of cell growth), making them persistent to conventional treatments. This resting state is controlled by cellular mechanisms, such as those safeguarding against ferroptosis, a type of iron-dependent cell death. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the PEROXISCENCE project will explore how failures in these defences can stimulate the sensitivity of fungi to ferroptosis. Through the use of yeast as a model system, the project analyses how cells redirect fatty acids to repair damaged membranes instead of breaking them down, with the possibility of uncovering new therapeutic targets. The work will shed light on cellular biology processes, ageing and chronic infections.

Partners:

– Yeast, Amino acids, Signaling, Transport (YeAST) Unit, LABIRIS Institut de Recherche, Commission communautaire française (COCOF), Belgium – Dr. C. Gournas

– Institute for Cell Dynamics and Imaging (ICDI), University of Münster, Germany – Prof. Dr. R. Wedlich-Söldner

Novel study on genetic control of yeast TORC1 published in Scientific Reports

In this article entitled “The A2357T substitution in the kinase domain of yeast Tor1 confers growth promoting TORC1 activity independent of Gtr1/2 and Pib2” and published by Christopher Dereppe and collaborators, we report the isolation of a mutant form of the Tor1 kinase that remains active despite loss of the two main upstream activators of TORC1. This Tor1 mutant is particulary interesting because previous studies have identified an equivalent mutation in human mTOR from multiple cancer cells.

« Smyte » meeting in Stockholm

Alex Deschamps and Bruno André participated to the 40th edition of the « Small Meeting on Yeast Transport and Energetics (SMYTE) » organized in Stockholm (Sept 3 – 6, 2025) by Pr. Per Ljungdahl. The Smyte annually gathers scientists from all countries who are interested in diverse aspects yeast membrane transporters: structure-function relationships, regulation, and signaling properties. This Smyte was exceptional as it was the 40th edition of the meeting. Both Bruno and Alex were invited to give oral presentations and Alex also presented a poster. It was a great pleasure to meet again many colleagues and friends of the « yeast membrane transport » community, including our collaborators Christos Gournas and Melody Cools (Labiris institute, Anderlecht).

Summer doctoral school at Peyresq

Alexandre Deschamps has attented a summer doctoral school organized at Peyresq (4 – 8 August). The school organized by Pr. Karim Zouaoui and colleagues offered a critical reflection on the validity of scientific results through case studies from various fields. It also examined the reliability of sources, the use and limitations of indirect techniques, as well as the impact of confirmation bias and preconceptions in research. A very interesting summer school in a wonderful place.

Conference held at ULB by Kristoff Talin

Almost our entire lab team attended the conference held at ULB on April 25. The talk, entitled “Les religions: un frein à la connaissance scientifique“, was delivered by Prof. Kristoff Talin, a CNRS professor of sociology in France. He presented very insightful findings from his research, and the conference was introduced with a brief historical reflection on the principle of “libre examen”.

Seminar by George Diallinas at Gosselies

It was a great pleasure to host Prof. George Diallinas (University of Athens, Greece), who delivered an outstanding seminar on March 2 entitled ‘A major Golgi-independent trafficking route for non-polarized plasma membrane cargoes unveiled in Aspergillus nidulans’.

Alex Deschamps obtained a FRIA fellowship

Great news ! Alex Deschamps was informed by the FNRS that he’s among the laureates of the last competition for PhD fellowship of the FRIA call. Not a big surprise as his interview went very well, but always nice to receive the official decision. Alex obtained a master diploma in Biochemistry and Molecular and Cellular Biology in 2024 at ULB. He did his master thesis work in our lab where he investigated the potential role of two enzymes in redox homeostasis of the yeast vacuole. Welcome Alex, and keep enjoying Science !

Cold Spring Harbor Asia meeting on « Iron, Reactive Oxygen Species & Ferroptosis in Life, Death & Disease »

Chloé Troch was supported by the FNRS to attend a meeting at the Cold Spring Harbor Asia congres center about « Iron, Reactive Oxygen Species & Ferroptosis in Life, Death & Disease » (Nov 3 – 8, 2024). She represented in a poster her results about the influence of iron on redox homeostasis of the yeast lysosome (vacuole).

6th European workshop on AMPK in Lyon

Christopher Dereppe attended the “6th European Workshop on AMK and AMPK-related kinases ». He represented in a poster his results about the influence of Snf1, the yeast AMPK kinase, on TORC1.

Gordon conference on redox signaling in Barcelona

Chloé Troch and B. André attended the “Mechanisms and Consequences of Redox Signaling” conference in Barcelona (July 14–19). Chloé presented a poster summarizing her first results about the mechanisms involved in redox homeostasis of the yeast vacuole. This meeting, a Gordon Research Conference, centred “its discussions around the range of emerging redox-based signaling pathways employed to sense and offset redox changes to support cell function or target cells for destruction. A key challenge is understanding how redox signaling mechanisms facilitate communication between molecules, organelles, cells, and organisms to initiate different outcomes.“