Research News - November / December 2023 #16
| Portraits | Scientific and technical culture |
| Research projects | Development and intellectual property |
| EUR InterMEDIUS | EUR Implanteus |
| Change of name | Distinction |
[Headlines] The first international conference of the Green and Sustainable Plant Chemistry Chair: BIOVASA-2023 took place on 2 and 3 November 2023.
Focusing on the theme of biomass valorisation, the aim of the BIOVASA2023 conference was to encourage discussions and collaborations in order to promote green and sustainable chemistry practices for the betterment of our planet. It was hosted by the Semlalie Faculty of Sciences at Cadi Ayyad University and co-organised by Avignon University, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Compiègne University of Technology and Sultan Moulay Slimane University.
Inaugurated in the presence of the President of Cadi Ayyad University, the Rector of the Semlalia Faculty of Science and all the speakers, it was dedicated to Professor Farid Chemat, who passed away last January.
With over 100 participants and some fifty speakers, the conference was a real platform for exchanging knowledge on the cutting-edge technologies for transforming biomass into valuable products.
In addition to the presentations, participants were able to enjoy over fifty posters, the high quality of which was underlined by the guest speakers.
The discussions focused on 5 themes:
- Plant biomass resources and raw materials
- Sustainable chemistry applied to the development of plant biomass
- Green and ecological extraction processes for natural products
- Biomaterials derived from biomass: Biopolymers and bioactive molecules
- Developing plant biomass for sustainable applications
Microwave eco-extraction demonstrations were also given using teaching kits created by Professor Farid Chemat and his teams. These kits were also distributed to Cadi Ayyad University, Sultan Moulay Slimane University and the two doctoral students selected by the jury for the best presentation and poster.
>>> To find out more, read the full article
The portraits
November 2023 - Laurent Legendre
Laurent Legendre is Professor of Plant Physiology at Avignon University and carries out his research within the INRAE PSH research unit (Plants and Horticultural Cropping Systems).
It focuses on improving the efficient use of water, fertilisers, minerals and pesticides in growing fruit and vegetables.
He is currently working on introducing a crop that is better suited to the climate in mainland France and has many health benefits, such as sweet potatoes and other tropical tuberous plants.
December 2023 - Lindsay Mas-Normand
Lindsay Mas-Normand is a doctoral student in analytical chemistry at the IMBE laboratory.
Her thesis involves studying the natural dyes present in heritage objects. She recently developed a method for discriminating between different yellow dye plants on the basis of their composition, and for identifying chemomarkers for each species.
Scientific and Technical Culture
Upcoming Science Cafés
Restaurant Françoise, 6 - rue du Gal Leclerc - Avignon - Free admission
7 December at 8.30pm - "Water from near and far
With Konstantinos CHALIKAKISHDR Lecturer and Researcher, UMR EMMAH
Christel TENTORINIHead of Territorial Coordination, Syndicat Mixte du Bassin des Sorgues
Karine VICIANADirector of the Maison Régionale de l'Eau
The exceptional drought of the past two years has made water stakeholders and civil society aware of the urgent need for action. The issue of water has been central to all bodies and regions, leading to Estates General organised by the départements and the region. In the face of climate change, which is restricting access to water, how can we adapt our territories, behaviours and uses? What are the major challenges ahead in terms of water and what solutions can we envisage for a sustainable future?
>> More info
8 December at 7.00 pm - "Geomatics for the development of floating solar energy".
With Constance DALLERYTechnical Support Engineer at Laketricity
At this Café des Sciences Géographiques, you'll find out more about how geomatics and cartography are contributing to the development of floating solar power.
Laketricity, an innovative company in the field of lake-based photovoltaic panels, will be presenting its experience, and one of its representatives will be explaining how geomatics provides an effective response to the challenges facing the company.
>> More info
18 December from 6pm to 9.30pm: Festi'Fabre - An ode to nature
As part of the 200 years of Jean-Henri FabreThe students of the Master 1 Culture and Communication programme invite you to share their passion for nature.
- Round table with Joseph Jacquin-Porretazdirector of the Requien Museum, to discover and understand the link between Jean-Henri Fabre's philosophy and Japanese culture.
- Screening of a Japanese animated film (Surprise...!)
Reserved for members of Avignon Université
Avignon University, Hannah Arendt campus, sports centre climbing gym
Research projects
Scientists working on the European Life VineAdapt project have released their very first publication
IMBE researchers (Léo Rocher, Emile Melloul, Olivier Blight and Armin Bischoff) have published their first study in the scientific journal "Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment" as part of the European Life VineAdapt project.
This article, entitled "Analyse de l'influence de la composition floristique de l'interrang sur les prédateurs et pollinisateurs / Effect of spontaneous vegetation on beneficial arthropods in Mediterranean vineyards".focuses on the impact of vegetation between the rows of vineyards on arthropods, which are crucial to agro-ecosystems. By studying 37 vineyards in the south of France, the researchers analysed how certain plant characteristics influence beneficial arthropods and the predation of harmful insects.
Their study shows that floral cover and plant diversity between vine rows favour the abundance of predators such as ladybird beetles, crab spiders and parasitoid wasps. These results underline the crucial importance of floral resources and plant diversity in supporting these beneficial arthropods in the biological fight against pests, thus offering avenues for more sustainable agriculture.
>> Find out more about the Life VineAdapt project
The 4th edition of the IA Festival took place on 14 and 15 November
The fourth edition of the Festival of Artificial Intelligence, organised by the LIAvignon Chair and the Avignon Computer Laboratory (LIA), took place on 14 and 15 November. The festival, which featured workshops, meetings and conference-debates led by researchers and experts, included a day devoted to the presentation of various research projects, including advances in European SELMA project led by Yannick Estève, Professor at the Avignon Computer Science Laboratory. The aim of the project is to develop a multilingual multimedia platform.
The theme on 15 November was "AI, multilingualism and sovereignty". Through meetings and panel discussions, the day looked at artificial intelligence from two specific but closely related angles: multilingualism and sovereignty.
>> Read more
Development and intellectual property
Partnership between Avignon University (IMBE) and the Grand Port Maritime de Marseille
The Port of Marseille Fos and Avignon University are removing concrete foundations to breathe new life into an exceptional ecosystem: the Crau "coussouls".
For the first time, the Grand Port de Marseille is carrying out a project to loosen a concrete slab in the commune of Fos-sur-Mer.
Unsealing renatures by removing concrete or bitumen to restore the soil, allowing it to regain its functions. Crucial in the face of climate change and the biodiversity crisis, this practice will be a first in the Crau plain. The aim: to restore "coussouls de CrauThis unique ecosystem has been affected by industrial, military and agricultural development.
To evaluate the effects of this action, a collaboration between scientists from CNRS, INRAE and Avignon University has been established. They will monitor the effects of the loosening on the soil, wildlife and vegetation over the following years. In 2024 and 2025, the " UNDERGROUND - Under the concrete, the steppe? "led by Thierry DUTOIT (CNRS), Annette BERARD (INRAE) and Claude DOUSSAN (INRAE) is funded by the SFR Tersys via its annual call for projects.
>> Read more
The ANR's Joint Laboratory (LabCom) programme celebrates its 10th anniversary
On Thursday 23 November, the French National Research Agency (ANR) celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Joint Laboratory (LabCom) programme at the Maison de la Chimie in Paris.
The event was an opportunity for the ANR to unveil the remarkable results of around a hundred LabCom projects, covering a wide range of scientific and technological fields as well as a variety of socio-economic sectors.
Grégory Durand, Senior Lecturer HDR at Avignon University (UPRI / ERIT S2CB - Synthesis and Bio-organic Colloidal Systems), represented the LabCom Chem2staB. Created in 2015, the Chem2staB LabCom brings together teams of chemists from Avignon University (UPRI / ERIT S2CB - Synthesis and Bio-organic Colloidal Systems) and biochemists from the company Eurofins CALIXAR.
The main objective of Chem2staB is to develop new molecules capable of extracting, stabilising and crystallising therapeutic targets and antigens (in particular membrane proteins) without altering their structure. This research is of major importance in the field of reagents for proteomics, in particular for the validation of membrane-type pharmaceutical targets, an emerging field with crucial implications for human and animal health.
>> Read more
EUR InterMEDIUS
EUR InterMEDIUS Thematic School: 18 & 19 December
New documentary writing in the 21st century: between filiations and reinventions
Free admission, Register here
In person at the Hannah Arendt campus, room 2E05 and at the university library (research room 2 and projection room)
Broadcast by videoconference on BBB : bbb.univ-avignon.fr/b/gar-9yi-mw7
EUR InterMEDIUS is organising its next thematic school on 18 and 19 December, in partnership with the Villa Créative, the laboratory Cultural Identity Texts and Theatricality (ICTT) and the Norbet Elias Centre.
Over two hybrid, multilingual days (French, English and Spanish), the speakers will bring together theory and practice.
Documentary makers will share their experiences of making documentaries.
The film We met in virtual reality by Joe Hunting will be screened, and as a preview, José Luis Guerin will give us a glimpse of a work in progress. At the same time, experts will provide theoretical and epistemological support on developments in the genre, particularly in the world of virtual reality.
Discover the "Intermedius en Personne" portrait series
Discover the "InteMEDIUS in Person" series of portraits of the students and researchers involved in EUR!
The first articles in this series highlight the students who are currently doing a placement funded by EUR InterMEDIUS, presenting their missions and future plans.
>> Michel Marie Lamah at the CIHAM laboratory (History, Archaeology and Literature of the Medieval Christian and Muslim Worlds)
>> Fabien Palate at the ESPACE laboratory (Study of Structures, Adaptation Processes and Changes in Space)
EUR Implanteus
Implanteus Lectures - 17 January 2024
The next conference will take place on Wednesday 17 January from 2.30pm to 4.30pm by videoconference.
" The use of agri-food by-products" by Ana Isabel Cordeiro, Instituto Politécnico de Portalegre (Portugal).
More information to come on the Implanteus website.
Change of name
The Biens Normes Contrats (LBNC) laboratory becomes the Legal, Political, Economic and Management Sciences (-JPEG) laboratory.
The Biens Normes Contrats (LBNC) laboratory recently announced its name change to the Legal, Political, Economic and Management Sciences laboratory (-JPEG). This change is intended to reflect the now interdisciplinary nature of a research unit which, in addition to the legal disciplines (sections 01, 02 and 03) which historically made it up, has in recent years opened up to political science (section 04), economics (section 05) and management (section 06). The new name, JPEG, is the result of a consensus and features a median point, a nod to the .jpeg file format, evoking the 'digital societies' theme that has been a major focus of the researchers in recent years, and to the inclusive dimension of the laboratory.
Distinction
Avignon University rewarded for its research into public warnings in France
Acculturation to risks, training exercises and a culture of alert are three essential levers for effective safety measures, synonymous with protecting populations. The work carried out by the ESPACE laboratory at Avignon University was rewarded on 14 November 2023 when it was awarded the "Apport de la recherche sur les crises de sécurité civile" prize at the 16th Major Risks Information Forum, under the patronage of Yaël Braun-Pivet, President of the French National Assembly.
Working closely with the Digital Transition Directorate (DTNUM) and the Office of Public Alerting, Awareness and Education (BASEP) of the Ministry of the Interior and Overseas France, the project team coordinated by Johnny Douvinet took part in 58 exercises organised throughout France over the period June 2022-November 2023, simulating alerts in the event of flooding, industrial accidents, dam bursts, a tsunami or an act of terrorism.
Doctoral Schools
Upcoming thesis defences
- [Thesis defense] 11/12/23: Léo Mouillard-Lample: "Competition between bees, the emergence of floral resources as a common good" (INRAE Abeilles)
- [Dissertation defence] 11/12/23, Anaïs Chanclu: "Recognising people by their voices: Definition of a scientific framework to guarantee the reliability of the results of a voice comparison in the forensic context" (LIA)
- [Thesis defense] 11/12/23: Andrea Radici: "A modelling framework for the development of eco-efficient control strategies against aerial plant pathogens: the cases of black rust in wheat and moniliosis in peaches" (INRAE BioSP)
- [Thesis defence] 12/12/23, Sandra Najac: "Contact de langues et identité chez des Québécois d'origine haïtienne" (ICTT)
- [Thesis defence] 12/12/23: Thomas Pressecq: "Development of a decision-making tool to promote the use of microbial biocontrol" (INRAE Pathologie Végétale, INRAE Ecodéveloppement and APREL)
- [Thesis defense] 16/12/23, Yosra Belghith: "Eco-extraction of high added-value biomolecules from olive pomace" (SQPOV)
- [Defense de thèse] 18/12/23 : Adrien Servent - Rationalisation des conditions opératoires au cours de la transformation de fruits tropicaux pour maximiser les qualités sensorielle et nutritionnelle. Application to flash détente and tangential filtration (INRAE/UMR SQPOV)
- [Thesis defense] 18/12/23: Julio Cesar Perez Garcia: "Contribution to security and privacy in the Internet of Things based on Blockchain: Robustness, reliability, and scalability." (LIA)
- [Thesis defence] 18/12/23, Clémentine Leroy: "Sensitivity of wild bees to landscape changes in agroecosystems". (UR 406 Bees & Environment, INRAE)
The Research and Innovation Support Department (DARI)
The Research and Innovation Support Department (DARI) supports the research activities of its laboratories.
It participates in the implementation and operational management of the University's scientific policy and supports research players in their relations with the various partners in the socio-economic world.
Mis à jour le 7 December 2023