Laure Elens, Professor at UCLouvain, is one of the two winners of the 2024 Lambertine Lacroix Prize. The title of her research project is "Importance of pharmacokinetics and individual factors to explain variability in Atorvastatin clinical response". Meet the researcher.

What research work have you been awarded this prize for?
"Our research focused on the treatment of hypercholesterolaemia, a major cardiovascular risk factor. Atorvastatin, a widely prescribed statin, shows variable efficacy from one individual to another and can cause muscular side effects in 5 to 15% of patients, with varying degrees of severity. Our work examined the pharmacokinetics of atorvastatin, i.e. its absorption, distribution and elimination in the body. We have identified the role of proteins involved in the elimination of atorvastatin, impacting on the cholesterol-lowering response and regulating the accumulation of the drug in muscle, a factor predisposing to side effects. The integration of our clinical and experimental approaches has revealed that patient-specific factors can influence susceptibility to side effects and drug efficacy, by modifying the clearance and distribution of atorvastatin in the body, such as genetic polymorphisms and drug interactions. Our methodology involves using pharmacokinetic modelling methods, recombinant cell models and human muscle cells that are isolated from volunteer muscle biopsies and differentiated in vitro to provide information on the intracellular behaviour of atorvastatin. In short, this in-depth understanding may lead to personalised treatments, reducing side effects and improving compliance with treatment in the management of hypercholesterolaemia."

You have been awarded a Cardiology Prize, although your research focuses on pharmacokinetics and pharmacogenetics. How did you react when you found out?
"My first reaction was surprise. Not because I doubted the value of our work, but rather because, not being a cardiologist, I was surprised that our research had aroused interest among professionals in the field. Recognising pharmacokinetics and pharmacogenetics as tools that deserve such an award is a real source of pride for me. My second reaction was one of pride, both in the recognition of our work and in my collaborators, in particular Emilia Hoste, who will be presenting her thesis in a few days' time, and Professors Vincent Haufroid, Louise Deldicque and Jean-Luc Balligand, without whom these major advances would not have been possible".

What does this award mean for you?
"First of all, this award brings us prestigious recognition for our approaches. Pharmacokinetics is a fascinating field that offers an in-depth understanding of certain aspects of pharmacology, and this award underlines its practical usefulness. It reinforces our conviction that there is still much to discover in this field. The funds associated with the award are crucial to maintaining our momentum. Our hypotheses, formulated on the basis of our work, suggest in particular that the susceptibility of patients to side effects linked to certain drug interactions could have a genetic origin, impacting the accumulation of atorvastatin in the muscles. This funding will help us to continue these investigations and further our understanding of the mechanisms involved."

On September 26th, the FNRS was targeted by a major computer attack.

Our security measures enabled us to quickly detect the intrusion and take the necessary action. FNRS communications and servers were immediately shut down. They were then subjected to verification and security procedures. The e-space platform, temporarily unavailable, was restarted mid-day on September 29th. However, FNRS telephone services remain disrupted.

The FNRS IT team is currently working hard to complete this work and ensure that the various servers and applications return to normal as quickly as possible. A full assessment of the potential damages is still underway. 

We have been able to establish that the e-space database was not affected and that no scientific information is involved (we will of course continue to conduct regular audits in this regard). However, despite the vigilance and responsiveness of our teams, personal information may have been stolen. All those potentially affected were notified and informed of the precautionary measures to be followed. They also have a contact point at FNRS. There is no indication that personal data has been or may be used for fraudulent purposes. 

We have notified this incident to the Data Protection Authority. A complaint has been filed with the police.

Further information will be provided in the event of new developments.

For questions or assistance : This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Belgium (F.R.S.-FNRS) – Fédération Wallonie – Bruxelles

Network : Deadline for outline proposals: November 10th, 2023, 15.00 CET

F.R.S.-FNRS : Administrative submission deadline on e-space (F.R.S.-FNRS obligation): November 17^th,2023, 14:00 CET

Project duration and maximum budget

The maximum amount of requested funding per project is 300.000 EUR for a total period of 3 years. 

Eligibility rules

Please note that personnel costs (Article III.6)  have an annual average cap of 80,000 euros for this call.

All eligibility rules and criteria can be found in the PINT-MULTI regulations. Please refer to criteria applicable for calls co-funded by the European Commission.

Forms to be submitted

Applicants to F.R.S.-FNRS funding must submit an administrative application on e-space within 5 working days after the general deadline of the call to be eligible. Please select the “PINT-MULTI” funding instrument when creating the administrative application.

Non-permissible costs

“Overhead” is not an eligible cost. If the project is selected for funding, these costs will be subject to a separate agreement between the institution of the beneficiary and the F.R.S.-FNRS. 

CONTACT PERSONS:

Please contact one of the persons below if you have questions regarding the above:

• This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 
• Joël Groeneveld, (+32) 2 504 92 70
• Florence Quist, (+32)2 2 504 93 51

For more info on the call: https://www.biodiversa.eu/2023/06/05/2023-2024-joint-call/

Suspension of the deadline for the submission of applications for the Bourse de séjour scientifique - BSS instrument  which allows one to complete a scientific stay an FWB academic institution: the FNRS suspends the deadline.

Procedure:

• Promoters of research programs funded by the F.R.S.-FNRS who wish to host a researcher who meets the conditions set out in the introduction or a researcher considered to be a Russian/Belarusian dissident must complete the BSS form available online

• This form must be accompanied by a signed certificate from the host university (also sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) stating that the researcher is indeed subject to a temporary protection measure as stipulated in section 1 or that he/she can be considered as a Russian/Belarusian dissident.

Verification of the status of researchers is the responsibility of the host universities

• These requests will be treated in priority by the services concerned. In order to facilitate the processing of requests, the subject of the e-mail should include the term "UKRAINE 2022"
• This flexibility measure is effective immediately
• As a reminder, this directive applies since 4/03/2022 to researchers concerned by the "temporary protection" measure (European Directive 2001/55/EC):

• Ukrainian nationals and their family members whose principal residence was in Ukraine before 24 February 2022.
• Stateless persons, and third-country nationals other than Ukraine, who have benefited from international protection or equivalent national protection in Ukraine and their family members whose main residence was in Ukraine before 24 February 2022.