The Francqui Foundation invites Belgian or foreign professors to occupy a Chair and to organize teaching at the highest level, in their specialty, while promoting international academic exchanges.

In the framework of the Francqui Chair ULiège 2022-2023, the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine is honored to invite Professor Hans Nauwynck, director of the virology laboratory of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the Universiteit Gent.

Mr. Hans Nauwynck will give an inaugural lecture in English on Friday, May 5 at 4:00 pm entitled “Increased circulation of infectious agents facilitates their genetic evolution and leads to more co-infections and severe diseases - can human medicine learn from veterinary experience?”.

About Hans Nauwynck

Hans Nauwynck is a DVM, who did his PhD and directly became nominated as professor at Ghent University in 1993. In 2004, he took the lead of the Laboratory of Virology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University. At present, he lectures several courses on viral diseases in mammals, fish and shellfish. His research focuses on the molecular pathogenesis of viral diseases in humans and animals, with special emphasis on (i) the entry of the virus in its host cell, (ii) the invasion of the virus in its host through barriers, via leukocytes and along neurons and (iii) the escape of the virus from immunity. Better insights led to the development of new diagnostics, better viral disease control measures and tailor-made vaccines. He is (co-)author of 464 peer reviewed papers, past promoter of 76 PhDs, owner of 13 patents and founder of two spin-offs (Imaqua & Pathosense).

About the lecture series

Inaugural lesson:  Increased circulation of infectious agents facilitates their genetic evolution and leads to more co-infections and severe diseases - can human medicine learn from veterinary experience?

Date: 5 May 2023 from 4pm to 5pm
Location : Amphitheatre Th. Auguste Thiernesse (B45), FMV, Quartier Vallée, Sart-Tilman
Drink at 5pm at the Salle P (B45), FMV, Quartier Vallée, Sart-Tilman

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Meeting ID: 929 6664 7028
Passcode: uHG3xwV1

Contents:

In the past, single infections were the main cause of diseases. Due to the growing population of animals and humans, the frequency of infections is rising, which helps pathogen evolution and increases the chance of co-infections. Many viruses that mainly cause subclinical infections, may cause disease when evolving and acting together with other pathogens. In animals, circo-, parvo-, arteri- and herpesviruses are beautiful examples. As a result, diagnostics should change from single pathogen to multiple pathogen detection. The veterinary experience that was gained over time may be of use for better insights into the pathogenesis of infectious diseases in humans and improvement of their diagnosis and control.

Co-evolution of respiratory viruses with their host finetunes their behavior at the respiratory tract of mammals - one health perspective

Date : 11 May 2023 from 3pm to 5pm
Location : Amphitheatre Th. Auguste Thiernesse (B45), FMV, Quartier Vallée, Sart-Tilman

Contents:

The respiratory tract is a very important replication site for viruses. Viral infections may damage the mucosa and lead to high morbidity and mortality. Viruses may also use the respiratory tract to invade. As a result, the hosts developed in evolution different ways to defend themselves against viral attacks. Examples are mucus, antimicrobial peptides, tight junctions, basement membrane and surveilling macrophages. The viruses co-evolved to counteract these defense mechanisms. Veterinary pathogenesis work will be discussed that led to better insights in this never-ending game between virus and host.

Shrimp are not swimming mice - Basic knowledge on morphology/physiology shows the way for a better control of infectious diseases in shrimp

Date : 17 May 2023 from 3pm to 5pm
Location : Amphitheatre Th. Auguste Thiernesse (B45), FMV, Quartier Vallée, Sart-Tilman

Contents:

Feed conversion in shrimp is one of the best in the world and a lot of people are fond of its taste. Therefore, shrimp aquaculture is booming. However, infectious diseases are hampering the growth of shrimp business. Different approaches to control infectious diseases that were successful in mammals and poultry have been tested but failed in shrimp. Vaccines were developed but do not work which is not surprising as shrimp do not develop adaptive immunity. Stimulating the immune response in a non-specific way is not very effective. Fundamental research has helped in identifying the way pathogens enter shrimp and how this can be hindered. Furthermore, recent research on hemocytes revealed the existence of subpopulations with different functions which opens for the first time possibilities to start the production of shrimp-specific treatments. Finally, behavioral fever has been demonstrated which led to an adaptation of the pond design for a better disease control.

The intriguing games of viruses to invade an organism in the presence of barriers and antiviral immune responses

Date : 26 May 2023 from 3pm to 5pm
Location : Amphitheatre Th. Auguste Thiernesse (B45), FMV, Quartier Vallée, Sart-Tilman

Contents:

After a primary replication, viruses may invade their host and replicate in remote sites causing disease. They developed ingenious mechanisms to do so. Different examples of herpes-, corona- and arteriviruses will be discussed.

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