Research

Our Stress and AGEing (SAGE) group is interested in understanding the mechanisms causing ageing, from cells to humans. Our group is particularly interested in studying the impact of oxidative stress and/or DNA-damaging agents (H2O2, t-BHP, UVB, ...) on the premature appearance of the senescent phenotype in human fibroblasts (Dumont P, 2000; Frippiat, 2001; Debacq-Chainiaux, 2005; Bertrand-Vallery, 2010) or keratinocytes. This led to the concept of « Stress Induced Premature Senescence » or SIPS. Signal transduction pathways involved in the development of the senescent phenotype following stress exposures (Transforming Growth Factor-beta 1 (TGF-ß1), p38MAPK, ...) are also investigated (Frippiat, 2002; Debacq-Chainiaux, 2008; Boilan, 2013). In order to better evaluate changes in gene and protein expression in SIPS or in replicative senescence, larger studies of the transcriptome or proteome were performed and allowed to highlight important partners in the establishment of the senescent phenotype (Dierick 2002; Chrétien, 2008; Debacq-Chainiaux 2008; Bertrand-Vallery, 2010). Through the development of an automated low oxygen pressure cell platform, our group also studies the impact of reduced oxygen pressure, more physiological, on the appearance of the senescent phenotype (Toussaint, 2011; Griffiths 2015). Finally, our group is also involved in the in vitro study of the toxicity of nanoparticles. Our group is involved in several projects funded by the Walloon Region or by the European commission.