Duration
Qualité en Recherche et Développement : 5h Th, 10h Pr
Stratégies de découverte des molécules bioactives : 20h Th
Techniques de culture de cellules et de tissus : 8h Th, 20h Pr
Environnement de recherche à l'ULiège : les plateformes technologiques : 10h Th
Number of credits
| Master in pharmacy, research focus | 5 crédits |
Lecturer
Qualité en Recherche et Développement : Pierre-Yves Sacre, Joëlle Widart, Eric Ziemons
Stratégies de découverte des molécules bioactives : Pierre Francotte, Julien Hanson, Allison Ledoux
Techniques de culture de cellules et de tissus : Erik Maquoi
Environnement de recherche à l'ULiège : les plateformes technologiques : Carine Bebrone, Jérôme Eeckhout, Barbara Polese
Language(s) of instruction
French language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the second semester
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
Qualité en Recherche et Développement
In this course, we will address various topics related to quality in research and development, such as the importance of scientific quality, the rigorous design of a study, the appropriate acquisition, analysis, and management of data, as well as good practices to improve the quality of research work.
The ultimate objective is to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to carry out high-quality research and ensure its valorization.
The course content will include:
- Introduction to quality in research
- Electronic laboratory notebook
- Introduction to data management according to the FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable)
- Validation of analytical procedures
- Introduction to design of experiments (DoE)
Stratégies de découverte des molécules bioactives
This course presents the main strategies for discovering bioactive molecules, from natural sources and synthetic chemistry to modern experimental and virtual screening approaches. It addresses methods for identifying and optimizing hits into leads. Historical and contemporary examples illustrate the major developments of the discipline, from 'traditional' pharmacognosy and medicinal chemistry to approaches integrating artificial intelligence, green chemistry, and polypharmacology.
Techniques de culture de cellules et de tissus
The course is subdivided in the following way:
- cellular lines
- techniques of aseptie
- environment of the culture
- primary cultures
- techniques of observation in optical microscopy
- contaminations
- instability, variation and conservation
- measurement of viability and cytotoxicity
- three-dimensional culture
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
Qualité en Recherche et Développement
The objective of the course is to train future researchers capable of producing reliable and valuable results within both academic and professional contexts.
This objective is reflected in the following learning outcomes:
Pharmaceutical expertise
- Explain the importance of analytical method validation and its impact on the reliability of results.
- Evaluate the role of quality assurance in the valorization of research work.
- Apply concepts related to design of experiments (DoE) in a research context.
- Implement the FAIR principles to organize and manage experimental data.
- Explain the importance of a Data Management Plan, integrating ethical and legal dimensions.
- Use an electronic laboratory notebook and justify its contribution to data traceability and research valorization.
- Understand the importance of qualification, calibration, and preventive maintenance of laboratory equipment.
- Recognize the importance of staff training.
- Determine the expected performance of an instrument/method and monitor these performances (control charts)
Stratégies de découverte des molécules bioactives
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Identify the main sources of bioactive molecules (natural, synthetic, biotechnological).
- Explain and compare different experimental and virtual screening approaches used in drug discovery.
- Describe the key steps from hit discovery to lead optimization.
- Analyze historical and contemporary examples to illustrate the evolution of strategies in medicinal chemistry.
- Integrate cross-cutting concepts (structure-activity relationships, physicochemical parameters, ADME/Tox) in the evaluation of a bioactive compound.
- Discuss emerging approaches such as green chemistry, artificial intelligence, and polypharmacology in the context of drug discovery.
Techniques de culture de cellules et de tissus
The philosophy of the course of culture of cells is to communicate to the students the basic techniques used for the culture of animal or human cells in vitro
The objective continued are:
- maintenance and propagation of the viable isolated cells apart from the organism
- application of good laboratory practices in a cell culture laboratory
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
Qualité en Recherche et Développement
Prerequisites or co-requisites:
- Chimie analytique pharmaceutique (CHIM0330-3)
- Biostatistique I (STAT1001-1)
- Analyse des médicaments (PHAR0344-3)
- Technologie pharmaceutique et biopharmacie (PHAR0343-3 & PHAR0003-1)
Stratégies de découverte des molécules bioactives
Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmacognosy & General Pharmacology
Techniques de culture de cellules et de tissus
Good knowledge in cellular biology, including cell morphology and physiology.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
Stratégies de découverte des molécules bioactives
Course requiring active student participation.
Techniques de culture de cellules et de tissus
Analysis of scientific publications related to issues in in vitro cell culture.
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Qualité en Recherche et Développement
Face-to-face course
Further information:
The lectures are delivered in an ex-cathedra format. Short video sequences and demonstrations will be used to illustrate the theoretical concepts covered, and their assimilation will be directly assessed through the interactive Wooclap platform.
Stratégies de découverte des molécules bioactives
Face-to-face course
Techniques de culture de cellules et de tissus
Face-to-face course
Further information:
Face-to-face course
Further information:
Second semester
Course materials and recommended or required readings
Qualité en Recherche et Développement
Platform(s) used for course materials:
- eCampus
Further information:
All lecture notes will be available on the eCampus platform.
General references (recommended reading): "Quantification, Validation and Uncertainty in Analytical Sciences: An Analyst's Companion", M. Feinberg & S. Rudaz, Wiley, 2024. "Optimal Design of Experiments: A Case Study Approach", P. Goos & B. Jones, Wiley, 2011.
Stratégies de découverte des molécules bioactives
Platform(s) used for course materials:
- eCampus
Further information:
The course materials will be made available online progressively.
Techniques de culture de cellules et de tissus
Platform(s) used for course materials:
- MyULiège
Further information:
Platform(s) used for course materials: MyULiège
Dias (slideshow) on line
A reference book for in-depth study: Culture of animal cells: a manual of basic technique and specialized applications. R. Ian Freshney - 7th edition - Wiley Editions (available at the library of Sciences de la Vie - CHU)
Qualité en Recherche et Développement
Exam(s) in session
Any session
- In-person
written exam
Stratégies de découverte des molécules bioactives
Exam(s) in session
Any session
- In-person
written exam ( multiple-choice questionnaire, open-ended questions )
Techniques de culture de cellules et de tissus
Exam(s) in session
Any session
- In-person
written exam ( open-ended questions )
Further information:
In-class assessment in the form of a written exam with open-ended questions
or
Distance assessment imposed by the health situation: distance written exam with open-ended questions
Work placement(s)
Stratégies de découverte des molécules bioactives
Information on internship opportunities within the laboratory will be provided to interested students.
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
Stratégies de découverte des molécules bioactives
n.a.
Contacts
Qualité en Recherche et Développement
Ir. Joëlle Widart, Maître de conférence (jwidart@uliege)
Dr Pierre-Yves Sacré, Prof. Associé (pysacre@uliege.be)
Dr. Eric Ziemons, Chargé de cours, Laboratoire de Chimie Analytique Pharmaceutique, CIRM, Département de Pharmacie, CHU Bât. B36 (+2), Quartier Hôpital, avenue Hippocrate 15, 4000 Liège
Tel. : 04/366.43.16
e-mail : eziemons@uliege.be
Stratégies de découverte des molécules bioactives
The course is taught by three lecturers: Allison Ledoux, Julien Hanson, and Pierre Francotte.
For any organizational matters, please contact Pierre Francotte.
For content-related questions, students should contact the relevant lecturer directly by email.
- allison.ledoux@uliege.be
- J.Hanson@ulg.ac.be
- Pierre.Francotte@uliege.be
Techniques de culture de cellules et de tissus
Dr. Erik Maquoi
Laboratoire de Biologie des Tumeurs et du Développement
Tour de Pathologie, B23 (+4), route 688
Avenue Hippocrate, 13
Sart - Tilman
B 4000 Liège
Tél: 04/366.25.31
E-mail: Erik.Maquoi@uliege.be