Research activities
Symbioses and diseases
Symbioses are intimate and durable associations between organisms of different species, among which are the commensal, mutualist and parasite type relationships. The laboratory is interested in the various adaptations shown by symbiotic organisms as well as in the mechanisms that ensure the transgenerational longevity of symbioses.
Socio-ecological aquacultures
Socio-ecological aquacultures are emerging aquacultures that are “ecologically clean” and have a direct economic impact on disadvantaged communities. Our laboratory is involved in the development of three socio-ecological aquacultures: sea cucumbers (sea cucumbers), seaweeds (algoculture) and corals (coralliculture).
Biological Materials and Biomimetics
By definition, a biological material, like for instance bone, shell or silk, is a structural material produced by a living organism. Nature is full of such biomaterials whose properties, generally unique, offer an incredible source of inspiration for the design of novel materials and the development of new technological applications. This life imitation approach is called biomimetics.
Marine Photobiology
In animals, light is used as an almost instantaneous information carrier and has a huge importance for survival! Light perception is a crucial sense for interacting with the environment: animals see or, more generally, feel the light even in absence of eyes… In contrast, they can also send information, through light, to other organisms of their own or other species : they emit, reemit, reflect or modulate light…
Our unit is also associated with the following UMONS research institutes :
