Centre Interdisciplinaire de Génoprotéomique Appliquée (Interdisciplinary Grouping of Applied Genoproteomic)

The center was created within the University of Liege in October 2003 and first included about 20 research laboratories working in different areas while using genoproteomic approaches.

Since early 2007, GIGA Research has developed a structure of 7 thematic research units (TRU), ie a total of more than 550 researchers from 4 different Faculties (Medicine, Science, Applied Sciences and Veterinary Medicine).

This multidisciplinarity together with the pooling of technical, logistic and administrative resources is one of the major features of GIGA-Research.

 

The 7 Thematic Research Units (TRU):

* GIGA-Cancer

The GIGA-Cancer unit is composed of several laboratories sharing a common interest in the study of the mechanisms involved during cancer development and progression. More particularly, GIGA-Cancer researchers investigate the molecular mechanisms implicated during tumor invasion and metastases through the study of several protease families (metalloproteases, ADAMTs,...) that degrade the extracellular matrix. They also examine the role of several extracellular matrix components such as the SIBLINGs (Small integrin-binding ligand N-linked proteins) during the several steps of cancer progression.

GIGA-CANCER groups also have a special interest in the study of angiogenesis, a key biological process that allows the neovascularization of malignant lesions, enabling their local growth and facilitating the dissemination of cancer cells. Finally, GIGA-Cancer is involved in projects aiming to identify new accessible cancer biomarkers which could be the bases for targeted cancer therapies.

* GIGA-Genetics

The “Genetics” thematic unit of GIGA-R focuses on the forward genetic dissection of Mendelian and complex traits in human and domestic animals, using state-of-the-art genome-wide approaches. It has a strong epigenetics program, rooted in unique animal models, with special emphasis on microRNA biology. It develops approaches for the utilization of molecular information in livestock breeding, including genomic selection and transgenics.

It includes three ULg research units: the Unit of Animal Genomics (Michel Georges), the Unit of Hepatology and Gastroenterology (Edouard Louis & Jacques Belaiche) and the Unit of Human Genetics (Vincent Bours). It totals 40 members, of which more than half are post-doctoral fellows or senior scientists. In addition to wet-lab genomicists, the unit has a strong bioinformatics/statistical genetics component. Women make up more than 50 % of the unit, and more than five nationalities are represented.

* GIGA-Development, Stem Cells & Regenerative Medicine

The URT "Development and stem cells" is presently composed of 3 research units interested in the molecular mechanisms underlying the formation of various organs during ontogenesis, in transgenesis and in the use of embryonic stem cells.
    The group supervised by Marianne Voz and Bernard Peers studies the regulatory genes involved in pancreas organogenesis, pancreatic cell differentiation and pancreatic tumorigenesis.
    Research performed by the team of Marc Muller includes the development of the pituitary and the formation of cartilage and bones.  
These two teams are using zebrafish, an animal model particularly suitable for embyological and genetic studies.  
The interest of Luc Grobet’s laboratory includes the establishment of efficient transgenesis methods in chicks and the use of embryonic stem cells for toxicologic/ drug screening purposes.

* GIGA-Infection, Immunity & Inflammation

The ever-improving understating of the mechanisms by which the immune system maintains organism integrity against internal or external aggressions, sustains continuous improvements made in the treatment of many human diseases.

The Infection, Immunity and Inflammation (I³) Unit of the GIGA-Research Institute aims at stimulating synergies between research groups studying various but complementary aspects of immunity, such as immune cell development, haematology, inflammation, allergy, cancer immunology and viral infections.

Created in 2008, the I³ Unit is composed of 11 laboratories and more than 90 researchers. Research themes span the spectrum from bench-to-bedside with studies ranging from cell culture systems and animal models of disease to clinical studies using state-of-the-art laboratory techniques.

The I³ aims at becoming a national centre of excellence for immunology-related disciplines with an increasing international impact.

* GIGA-Neurosciences

The GIGA-neurosciences unit was established at the University of Liege in 1999 as the Center for Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology (CNCM). The center at that time consisted of various laboratories which shared a common interest : the nervous system. Scattered geographically in 1999, these laboratories were combined into a single site in June 2005.

During the move, a real pooling of technical resources of each laboratory was done, and led to the establishment of five technical platforms: cell culture, histology, molecular biology, electrophysiology and confocal imaging. Much more than just a pooling of technical resources, this consolidation has allowed scientific interactions among groups and researchers, resulting in an increase in the quality of work and the results reflected currently in terms of publications. In 2009, the CNCM integrated GIGA-Research as  "Neurosciences" thematic unit.

This unit has established strong links with the clinical departments of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Neuropsychology the University Hospital, and with the Cyclotron Research Center focussed on functional neuroimaging technologies. The GIGA-neurosciences unit promotes the exchange of research findings, especially the knowledge of new techniques, and provides the necessary facilitis for students to become Neuroscientists.

* GIGA-Signal Transduction

The unit of Signal Transduction is interested in deciphering the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying NF-κB activation through the classical or the alternative pathway in order to better understand how this transcription factor is deregulated in chronic inflammatory diseases as well as in cancer.

The unit is also investigating the role of phosphatases as well as of ceramides in cell apoptosis. It also carries out interactome studies for kinases such as ATM and TBK1 or cytosolic receptors such as NOD2. Finally, we also address the mechanisms underlying Familial Dysautonomia, a genetic disease caused by the loss of function of the Elongator complex.

The research topics of the Laboratory of Connective Tissues Biology are focused on the molecular mechanisms allowing cells to sense and to react to physico-chemical cues originating from the extracellular environment. They include reactivity of the cells to the mechano-chemical properties of the extracellular matrix, to microgravity during space flight, and, more recently, to UV irradiation.

* GIGA-Systems Biology & Chemical Biology

The TRU in "Systems Biology and Chemical Biology" of GIGA-R has the mission to develop the research at GIGA-R in bioinformatics, systems biology, and chemical biology.

 

This thematic research unit has a highly interdisciplinary team of about fifty researchers (engineers, computer scientists, statisticians, biologists, chemists, physicists). They develop instrumentation techniques for high throughput biological data and image acquisition, as well as methods, algorithms and software packages for the exploitation of proteomics, genomics, metabolomics, cellulomics and physiomics data and images. Their research also aims at developing static and dynamic modeling approaches for gene expression regulation, signalling and metabolomic networks, and to apply these methods in the context of research projects in collaboration with other thematic research units of GIGA-R and outside of the University of Liège.