Courses, internships and master thesis

• First bachelor, General chemistry  – 7 ECTS
• Second bachelor, Organic chemistry – 4 ECTS
• Third bachelor, Catalysis (hybrid course) – 2 ECTS
• First master, Aromas analysis – 2ECTS
• Second master, Extraction, purification, characterisation and valorisation of bio-based molecules – 6 ECTS
• Continued formation, University certificate in flavor and innovation – 10 ECTS

Internships and Master thesis

The LCNM team has established numerous collaborations with industries and with Belgian and foreign academic institutions. The Laboratory also regularly welcomes trainees from different countries (minimum 3 months).

The Laboratory values this exchange with students and offers them a high quality follow up. By offering topics related to the laboratory's priority areas of research, young researchers benefit from the laboratory's experience in these areas. Additionally, the proposed subjects are real challenges that allow students to show all their acquired skills. They have privileged access to the equipment.

Topic list

Topic 1: Jasmonates in Arabidopsis thaliana responses to phosphate deficiency 
Background: Phosphorus deficiency is widespread throughout the world due to the low bioavailability of phosphate in many soils. Plants are capable of perceiving this deficiency and adapting to it in order to survive. Numerous changes therefore take place within plants, orchestrated in particular by phytohormones. Among these phytohormones, the involvement and functions of jasmonates remain to be elucidated. This project aims to better understand how jasmonates are involved in and contribute to plant responses to phosphate deficiency. On the other hand, you have the opportunity to study the contribution of jasmonates to plant tolerance to phosphate deficiency, from a phenotypic and metabolomic point of view. 
Techniques: hydroponics, mutants, metabolomics (LC-MS/MS, UVvisible spectrophotometry), phenomics (root architecture, leaf surface, etc.).

Topic 2: Study of the metabolome of A. thaliana during surfactin elicitation
Background: Plants are subjected to a variety of biotic and abiotic stresses. Among biotic stresses, attacks by pathogens are numerous, leading to significant stresses or even death. The perception of the pathogen by the plant induces the production of a series of signal molecules, enabling it to defend itself, even if this is not always 100% effective.
In nature, plants are often associated with PGPRs (Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria), which enable them to grow better and resist pathogen attacks more effectively. The secondary metabolites produced by these PGPR are well known as microbial elicitors such as surfactin. These elicitors enable the plant to build up its immune defenses so as to be ready in the event of a potential pathogen attack. The aim of this work will therefore be to identify the metabolomic changes induced by the presence of surfactin in roots of Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh, which will subsequently be infected by a pathogen. The second objective will be to understand what signal is translocated from roots to leaves after pathogen detection.
Techniques: hydroponics, metabolomics (LC-MS/MS).

Topic 3: Development of an HPLC-MS/MS method for the determination of complex oxidized 
from plant samples 
Background: Plant lipids, particularly galacto- and phospho-lipids, are important molecules in cell membranes that are also involved in numerous biological processes. The development and validation of analytical methods for their analysis is therefore of great importance for understanding their functions in cellular processes. In this context, the aim of this work is to contribute to the development and validation of a UHPLC-MS/MS method for the detection and quantification of galacto- and phospho-lipids from plant samples.
Methods: plant culture (soil and hydroponics), lipid extraction, HPLCMS/MS analysis.

Topic 4: Elucidation of the dynamics of essential oils on oomycete membranes Phytophthora infestans - the agent of potato late blight
Background: For many years, essential oils have been known and used for their many biological numerous biological activities. They are also being considered in agronomy as alternatives to synthetic pesticides. The PHYTOIL project aims to use these natural substances to  develop a biofungicide against Phytophthora infestans, the pseudochamgus responsible for potato late blight. Certain oils with promising activity against this pathogen have been selected, and cell damage have been assessed. However, their modes of action remain unclear.
Objective: Preliminary results indicate that, due to their highly hydrophobic nature, the molecules 
making up essential oil may be membrane targets. This will consist in establishing the membrane lipid profile of P. infestans strains, in order to test the interaction of certain major oil compounds on biomimetic membranes. 
Techniques: Biomass culture in solid and liquid media, lipidomics (extraction and analysis of membrane components in LC-MS, GC-MS), biophysics (reconstitution of artificial membranes and 
and molecular dynamics analysis).

Topic 5: Allelopathy induces an underground war
Background: Many plants (donor plants) emit allelochemical compounds via their root systems 
compounds that reduce the germination or growth of plant species belonging to other species (recipient plants) in their immediate environment. At species, these allelochemicals are only released when a recipient plant is perceived by the perceived by the donor plant (induced allelopathy) and not constitutively and continuously (constitutive allelopathy). Using co-cultivation systems in a controlled environment, we are proposing controlled environment, to find the compounds emitted by the recipient plant that will enable them to "spot" its presence and induce the production of allelopathic compounds. 
Techniques: plant co-culture, GC-MS, LC-MS.

Topic 6: Chemical characterization and evaluation of biocidal properties of local bark co-products
Background: Chemical pesticides have been used for many years to reduce the spread of pests (insects, fungi and bacteria) and crop diseases. Given the growing concerns about the health and environmental problems caused by chemical pesticides, the development of sustainable value-added strategies to replace conventional pesticides with bio-based solutions is an imperative for the protection of plants and stored foodstuffs. With this in mind, using plants to protect other plants is an ideal approach, since plants store and synthesize a variety of bioactive substances (which may or may not be volatile), most of which can be extracted and can be used as starting materials in the development of biobased alternatives.

The aim of this work is to extract, purify and chemically characterize secondary metabolites with biocidal properties from local tree barks, which are under-valued sawmill by-products, widespread in Wallonia, with a view to their application in agronomy and wood protection. Green chemistry techniques (use of bio-based solvents) and chromatography will be used in combination with NMR (1D and 2D NMR) and mass spectrometry for the structural elucidation of isolated molecules. The biocidal properties of the extracts obtained will be characterized for agronomic applications.

Topic 7: Study of the modes of action of volatile organic compounds emitted by tropical tree species against insect pests of maize and rice stocks. 
Context: In the Tshopo region of the Democratic Republic of Congo, post-harvest losses of grain are a real scourge for farmers and the population. In many cases, the proportion destroyed by pests exceeds 50%, mainly due to the systematic action of insects. The farmers in the region have no access, either physically or financially to phytosanitary products, they are obliged to resort to traditional, ethnobotanical methods to protect their foodstuffs. Against this backdrop, a first phase of research identified the main species used as repellents against insect pests of maize and rice stocks. However, the effectiveness of these plants as bio-repellents or bio-insecticides has not yet been demonstrated or described. 

This work offers the opportunity to immerse oneself in original research on a subject that is currently little studied. 
Objective: Identify, describe and quantify the effects of volatiles emitted by forest species from Tshopo province, DRC, on insect pests of maize and rice through bioassays; in collaboration with the entomology unit. 
Techniques: Insect breeding and counting, GC-MS, automated insect motion-tracking. 

Topic 8: Essential oils in Senegal to protect stored foodstuffs
Background: Essential oils are known for their biocidal properties. For several years now, the LCMN has been working with a research center and university in Senegal to cultivate and distill local plants containing essential oils. The essential oils are then valorized in a variety of sectors, including agri-food, cosmetics and agronomic applications. Among promising applications, certain essential oils insecticide activity against stored food insects and fungicididal activity against mycotoxin-producing fungi in stored foodstuffs. In this multi-disciplinary project involving rural economics and entomology laboratories, many points remain to be explored: field surveys, chemical characterization of essential oils, studies of biocidal modes of action, development of local strategies for preserving stored foodstuffs using essential oils plants. Some or all of this work may be carried out in Senegal.