4. ULYSS

ULYSS

The institutional platform ULYSS brings together a wide array of exceptional equipment dedicated to the molecular analysis of substances of highly diverse natures. The platform was established with the objective of covering the broadest possible range of analytes, from small volatile molecules to polyprotein complexes, including synthetic and naturally derived organic molecules. This equipment benefits from the extensive expertise of skilled scientists, who develop analytical methods within the framework of their research or that of their academic or industrial partners. Among the most noteworthy instruments are a wide range of mass spectrometers and nuclear magnetic resonance instruments.

 

1. Structure identification and confirmation of synthetic, biological and natural (macro)molecules
Targets : organic & organometallic (synthetic) molecules, volatile organic compounds (VOC), polymers, proteins, peptides & amino acids; lipids; carbohydrates; plant specific metabolites; biogas (CH4/CO2/CO/H2/NH3) 
  • (High resolution) mass spectrometry analysis in TLC-MS, GC-MS, LC-MS(MS) and MALDI-MS(MS)
  • Structural analysis by mass spectrometry with tandem mass spectrometry and ion mobility spectrometry (CCS determination)
  • Nuclear magnetic resonance (7.4T, 11.75 T & 14T) for liquid and semi-solid samples (all nuclei and all 1D/2D sequences)
2. Chemical profiling : metabolomics and proteomics analysis
  • Metabolic profiling using LC-MSMS analysis with SWATH acquisition or MRM analysis
  • Proteomic profiling with Data Dependent (DDA) and Data Independent (DIA) acquisition in LC-MSMS
  • Peptide/metabolite (relative/absolute) quantification by mass spectrometry
  • Metabolomic profiling using NMR analysis (14 T)
  • Natural molecule profiling including plant specific metabolites using mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance
  • Quality control of herbal drugs and preparations according to Pharmacopoeial monographs, elaboration and validation of QC analytical methods (HPTLC, HPLC, GC coupled with various detectors).
3. Drug biodistribution by molecular imaging, including relaxation time determination
  • In vitro/ in vivo / ex vivo optical imaging (bioluminescence, fluorescence & Cherenkow)
  • In vivo bimodal imaging including multispectral optoacoustic tomography and tomographic ultrasonography
  • In vivo MRI (1H, 19F, 13C, 31P) for morphological and functional applications, tumor growth monitoring and drug biodistribution
  • 1H T1 and T2 relaxation time determination using low resolution NMR spectrometers
Articles illustrating expertise
Want to learn more about ULYSS platform's expertise through its researchers' publications? Visit ORBi, the institutional repository of the University of Mons : https://orbi.umons.ac.be   A few examples :  
  • “Mass Spectrometry Analysis of Saponins”, Philippe Savarino, Marie Demeyer, Corentin Decroo, Emmanuel Colson, and Pascal Gerbaux, Mass Spectrom Rev, 42 (2023) 954-983. (S2MOs)
  • “Comprehensive lipid profiling of Microchloropsis gaditana by liquid chromatography - (tandem) mass spectrometry: Bead milling and extraction solvent effects”, Gaëla Cauchie, Guillaume Delfau-Bonnet, Guillaume Caulier, Anne-Lise Hantson, Jean-Hugues Renault, and Pascal Gerbaux, Algal Research, 58 (2021) 102388. (S2MOs)
  • “Discrimination of regioisomeric and stereoisomeric saponins from Aesculus hippocastanum seeds by ion mobility mass spectrometry”, Emmanuel Colson, Corentin Decroo, Dale Cooper-Shepherd, Guillaume Caulier, Céline Henoumont, Sophie Laurent, Julien De Winter, Patrick Flammang, Martin Palmer, Jan Claereboudt and Pascal Gerbaux, J.Am.Soc.Mass Spectrom., 30 (2019) 2228-2237. (S2MOs)
  • One step further in the characterization of synthetic polymers by ion mobility mass spectrometry: Evaluating the contribution of end-groups”, Quentin Duez, Romain Liénard, Sébastien Moins, Vincent Lemaur, Olivier Coulembier, Jérôme Cornil, Pascal Gerbaux, Julien De Winter, Polymers, 11 (2019) 688-701. (S2MOs)
  • “Discrimination of positional isomers by ion mobility mass spectrometry: Application to organic semiconductors.” Quentin Duez, Maxime Romain, Corentin Tonneaux, Julien De Winter, Vincent Lemaur, Jérôme Cornil, Cyril Poriel and Pascal Gerbaux, Analytical Methods, 10 (2018) 2303 – 2306. (S2MOs)
  • “Microfluidic Diffusion Sizing Applied to the Study of Natural Products and Extracts That Modulate the SARS-CoV-2 Spike RBD/ACE2 Interaction.”, Jason Fauquet, Julie Carette, Pierre Duez, Jiuliang Zhang, Amandine Nachtergael, Molecules, 28, 872 (2023). (CTP)
  • “Deep eutectic solvents for the extraction and stabilization of Ecuadorian quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) saponins.”, Veronica Taco, Philippe Savarino, Samira Benali, Elena Billacrès, Jean-Marie Raquez, Pascal Gerbaux, Pierre Duez, Amandine Nachtergael, Journal of Cleaner Production, 363, 132609 (2022).  (CTP)
  • ” Quality control of herbal drugs and preparations: The methods of analysis, their relevance and applications.”, Welcome Muyumba, Cédrick Mutombo, Helen Sheridan, Amandine Nachtergael, Pierre Duez, Talanta Open, 4, 100070 (2021) (CTP)
  • “An alternative and simplified approach to identification and test for minimum content of TCM herbal drugs.”, DA Frommenwiler, C Sabatini-Samori, R Scherübl, V Wolkinger, A. Nachtergael, DA Guo, E Reich, S Cañigueral, U Rose, Pharmeur Bio Sci Notes, 1-25 (2021). (CTP)
  • “Optimized high-performance thin-layer chromatography‒bioautography screening of Ecuadorian Chenopodium quinoa Willd. leaf extracts for inhibition of α-amylase.” Veronica Taco, Claudio Palmieri, Pierre Duez, Amandine Nachtergael, JPC-J Planar Chromat 34, 561–567 (2021). (CTP)
  • Henoumont, G. Hallot, E. Lipani, C. Gomez, R.N. Muller, L. Vander Elst, M. Port, S. Laurent, « Characterization of organic molecules grafted to silica or bismuth nanoparticles by NMR », Applied Nano (2021)
  • Vangijzegem, D. Stanicki, L. Vander Elst, R.N. Muller, S. Laurent, « VSION as high field MRI T1 contrast agent: evidence of their potential as positive contrast agent for magnetic resonance angiography », Nanotechnology, 295(16), 165603 (2018)
  • Devreux, F. Dioury, C. Henoumont, C. Ferroud, S. Laurent, “Dual-modality probe for MRI and photoacoustic imaging: synthesis, and relaxometric characterization”, Eur. J. Inorg . Chem., 2019(29), 3353 (2019)
  • Stanicki, L. Larbanoix, S. Boutry, T. Vangijzegem, I. Ternad, S. Garifo, R.N. Muller, S. Laurent, « Impact of the chain length on the biodistribution profiles of PEGylated iron oxide nanoparticles: a multimodal imaging study », Journal of Materials Chemistry B, 9(25), 5055 - 5068 (2021)
  • Freis, M.D.L.A. Ramirez, C. Kiefer, S. Harlepp, C. Iacovita, C. Henoumont, C. Affolter-Zbaraszczuk, F. Meyer, D. Mertz, A. Boos, M. Tasso, S. Furgiuele, F. Journe, S. Saussez, S. Bégin-Colin, S. Laurent, « Effect of the size and shape of dendronized iron oxide nanoparticles bearing a targeting ligand on MRI, magnetic hyperthermia, and photothermia properties - from suspension to in vitro studies », Pharmaceutics, (2023)
  • FRS-FNRS / GE 2015 – “Macromolecular and supramolecular mass spectrometry : in-depth characterization of polymers and non-covalent complexes by state-of-the-art high definition mass spectrometry” : acquisition of the Waters Synapt G2-Si mass spectrometer to develop ion mobility experiments
  • ARES-PDR 2020-2022 – « Conception d’une micro-bioraffinerie pour la pratique durable du maraîchage au Burkina faso » : Development of standardized formulations of biopesticides based pn plant metabolites
  • FRS-FNRS / PDR 2022-2026 – “Original Heteroaryl Azo-Functionalized Peptoids As High-Energy Density Solar Thermal Fuels : development of original photoswichable molecules for solar energy storage
  • ARC 2023-2027 : “MOlecular Solar Thermal systems : from molecules to energy capture/exchange prototypes” : development of original photoswichable molecules for solar energy storage
 
  • FRS-FNRS / CDR – “Overcoming the defense mechanisms of Plasmodium: characterization and modulation of lipids that allow the survival of parasites through catalysis of heme detoxification” : acquisition of the Microfluidic Diffusional Sizing instrument to measure protein interactions
  • ARES PRD 2022-2027 – “Appui à l’opérationnalisation des Centres de Médecine Traditionnelle au Burkina Faso, par une recherche multidisciplinaire coordonnée sur la qualité et la sécurité des remèdes à base de plantes. (MT-QUAL)”: development and validation of quality control methods to ensure the safety and consistency of the plant materials used for therapeutic purposes.
  • ARES PRD 2022-2027 - “Reconnaissance mutuelle des savoirs traditionnels et modernes : conditions pour l'implémentation durable d’une médecine intégrative dans le contexte malgache (Tradimad) ” development and validation of quality control methods for traditional remedies.
 
  • ARC : Development of Benzimidazole-modified Polymers as Antibacterial Contact-Active Coatings (BACA-COAT)
  • Fragments of Antibodies (FAR) – Biowin Project - Le but du projet est de développer des solutions industrialisées et simplifiées pour la production de fragments d'anticorps radiomarqués pour la radioimmunothérapie (RIT). Cela permettra l'obtention de nouveaux médicaments modulables et en quantités importantes pour le traitement de cancers par RIT.
  • PrimoGaia, FET-Open Horizon 2020
  • Theraget (projet Euronanomed III)
  • Magnified, First spin-off 2022
Coming soon

 

Member Institutes

  • UMONS Research Institute for Biosciences
  • UMONS Research Institute for Materials Science and Engineering
  • UMONS Research Institute for Health Sciences and Technology

Member Services

  • Organic Synthesis and Mass Spectrometry (FS)
  • Unit of Therapeutic Chemistry and Pharmacognosy (FMPB)
  • Chemical and biochemical process engineering (FPMs)
  • General, Organic and Biomedical Chemistry Unit / CMMI (FMPB)
  • Bioprofiling – ProtMic (FS)

Contact – Coordinator of the platform