La structuration nanométrique par l'auto-assemblage des copolymères à blocs est l'une des stratégies « bottom-up » prometteuses pour contrôler la morphologie de la couche active de cellules photovoltaïques organiques. Dans cette thèse, une nouvelle classe de copolymère constitué d’un bloc semi-conducteur π-conjugué poly(3-hexylthiophène) (P3HT) regioregulier et d’un bloc oligosaccharidique a été synthétisée et a montré une auto-organisation en nanostructures périodiques de domaine inférieure à 10 nm. Deux systèmes de copolymères à blocs ont été synthétisés, le P3HT-bloc-maltoheptaose peracétylé (P3HT-b-AcMal7) et le P3HT-bloc-maltoheptaose (P3HT-b-Mal7), via une réaction de chimie "clic" entre les segments oligosaccharidiques et P3HT fonctionnalisés en extrémité. Une étude exhaustive sur leur comportement d'auto-assemblage par des analyses AFM, TEM et de diffusion des rayons X a révélé que le copolymère à bloc P3HT-b-AcMal7 montre une propension à s'auto-assembler par recuit thermique en structures lamellaires avec une résolution inférieure à 10 nm, c’est-à-dire la morphologie et la taille idéale pour la couche active d’une cellule photovoltaïque organique. De plus, ce système présente l’une des plus petites tailles de domaines réalisées par l'auto-assemblage de copolymères à blocs à base de P3HT. Un réseau lamellaire composé uniquement du P3HT a été obtenu par gravure chimique sélective du bloc sacrificiel AcMal7 à partir d'un film nano-organisé de P3HT-b-AcMal7 et ceci sans affecter la structure lamellaire initiale. Les domaines vides du AcMal7 gravé pourront être remplis par un composé accepteur d'électrons tel que le [6,6]-phényl-C61-butanoate de méthyle (PCBM) pour l’application photovoltaïque comme perspective de cette thèse. Les résultats et les connaissances acquises dans cette étude devraient permettre d'augmenter les performances des prochaines générations de cellules photovoltaïques organiques. / Nanoscale patterning through self-assembly of block copolymers is one of the promising bottom-up strategies for controlling active layer morphology in organic photovoltaics. In this thesis, a new class of carbohydrate-based semiconducting block copolymers consisting of π-conjugated regioregular poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and oligosaccharides were synthesized and self-organized into sub-10 nm scale periodic nanostructures. Two different diblock copolymers, i.e. P3HT-block-peracetylated maltoheptaose (P3HT-b-AcMal7) and P3HT-block-maltoheptaose (P3HT-b-Mal7) were synthesized via "click" reaction between end-functionalized oligosaccharide and P3HT moieties. A comprehensive investigation of their self-assembly behavior by AFM, TEM, and X-ray scattering analyses revealed that the P3HT-b-AcMal7 diblock copolymer has the ability to self-assemble into sub-10 nm scale lamellar structure, which is the ideal morphology of the active layer in organic photovoltaics and one of the smallest domain sizes achieved by self-assembly of P3HT-based block copolymers, via thermal annealing. Nano-patterned film made of P3HT was attained by selective chemical etching of AcMal7 block from microphase-separated P3HT-b-AcMal7 template without affecting the original lamellar structure. The resultant void where the etched-out AcMal7 block existed will be filled with electron acceptor compounds such as [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) for photovoltaic application as a perspective of this thesis. The results and knowledge obtained in this study are expected to provide further advances and innovation in organic photovoltaics.

Les agrobactéries établissent des relations à long terme avec les plantes et ce, dans deux styles de vie différents, rhizosphérique et pathogène (galle du collet). Dans ce mode de vie, les bactéries modifient génétiquement leur hôte et se créent ainsi une niche écologique spécifique (tumeur). La transition entre les deux styles de vie est déclenchée par la perception de signaux végétaux, parmi lesquels des acides hydroxycinnamiques (HCAs) comme l’acide férulique. Or dans l’espèce Agrobacterium fabrum, des gènes spécifiques permettent la dégradation des HCAs. Nous avons émis l’hypothèse que cette dégradation était un signal de proximité de la plante et influençait alors des fonctions importantes pour l’interaction avec celle-ci. Nous avons caractérisé la régulation de la dégradation des HCAs, évalué son rôle dans la valeur sélective d’A. fabrum, et suggéré son importance dans la transition entre les styles de vie rhizosphérique et pathogène. Nous avons montré que la dégradation des HCAs module le métabolisme carboné bactérien, notamment l’utilisation d’acide aminés et d’oligosaccharides de la famille du raffinose. Nous avons caractérisé la protéine MelB qui permet l’import de ces sucres, du mélibiose et du galactinol. Leur utilisation est importante pour la colonisation des plantes dès la germination. L’analyse de l’expression des gènes et du métabolisme bactérien en présence d'un composé signal de la plante, nous a révélé de nouveaux déterminants importants pour l’écologie de ce phytopathogène, notamment des facteurs de transcription. En outre, cette analyse a confirmé l’importance des échanges cellulaires et de déterminants impliqués dans la compétition bactérienne / Agrobacterium establish long term interactions with plants, either in a rhizosphere or pathogenic lifestyle. Pathogenic agrobacteria are causing the crown gall disease by genetically modifying the plant cells host, thus creating a specific ecological niche (tumor). The transition from the rhizosphere to the pathogenic lifestyle is triggered by bacterial perception of plant-derived signals, including hydroxycinnamic acids (HCAs) such as ferulic acid. However, A. fabrum strains have species-specific genes that allow HCAs degradation.We hypothesized that in A. fabrum, the degradation of the HCAs is perceived as a plant signal which influences important functions involved in the interaction with plants. We characterized the regulation of HCAs degradation, evaluated its role in the fitness of A. fabrum, and suggested its importance for the transition between the rhizosphere and pathogenic lifestyles. Then, we showed that the degradation of HCAs modulates carbon metabolism, such as the use of amino acids and sugars belonging to the raffinose family oligosaccharides (RFO). We have demonstrated that besides these sugars, the MelB protein allows the import melibiose and galactinol. Their use is important for plant colonization, since seed germination. The analyzes of gene expression and bacterial metabolism in the presence of a plant signal compound, revealed new determinants important for A. fabrum ecology, including transcription factors. In addition, it confirmed the importance of cellular exchanges and bacterial competition for Agrobacterium fitness in planta

The genome of Escherichia coli harbors several catabolic operons involved in the utilization of a wide variety of natural compounds as carbon sources. The chitobiose (chu) operons of E.coli Is involved in the utilization of chitobiose(disaccharide of N-acety1-D-glucosamine) and cellbiose (disaccharide of glucose) derived from the two most abundant naturally occurring carbon sources on earth, chitin and cellulose respectively. The operon consists of the chbBCARFG genes coding for transport, regulation and hydrolysis functions required to utilize these compounds; the chuyBCA genes code for a multi-subuni PTS transporter ; the chuR codes for a dual function repressor/activator of the operon; the chbF codes for a phospho-glucosidase and the chbG codes for a protein of unknown function. The chu operon Is regulated by three transcription factors; NagC, a key regulator of the nag genes involved in amino sugar metabolism; ChbR, a dual function operon-specific regulator; and CRP_cAMP. The operon is repressed by NagC and ChbR in the absence of catabolic substrate. In the presence of chitobiose, expression is induced by the abrogation of NagC-mediated repression by GlcNAc-6-P generated by the hydrolysis of chitobiose-6-P and subsequent activation of transcription by ChbR and CPR-cAMP. Wild type E.coli connot utilize cellbiose due to the inability of cellbiose to induce expression from the operon. The simultaneous presence of a loss of function mutation in nagC and a gain –of-function mutation in chbR is necessary and sufficient to allow cellbiose to induce expression and confer on E.coli the ability to utilize cellbiose. The activation step by ChbR and CPR-cAMP requires an inducer that is recognized by ChbR. The chemical identity of the inducer and the mechanism of transcriptional activation by ChbR and CPR-cAMP are not understood. The studies described in the chapter 2 shows that chbG is essential for the utilization of the acetylated sugars chitobiose and chitotriose while it is dispensable for the sugars lacking the acety1group such as cellobiose and chitosan dimer, a disaccharide of N-glucosamine. ChbG is produced as a cytosolic protein and removes one acety1 group from chitobiose and chitotriose thus shows a mono-decetylase activity. Taken together, the observing suggest that ChbG deacetylates chitobiose-6-P and chitotriose-6-P producing the mono-decetylated from of the sugars. The deacetylateion is necessary for their recognition both as inducers by ChbR to activate transcription along with CRP-cAMP and as substractes by phosop-glucosidase ChbF. Cellobiose positive(Cel+) mutants carrying nagC delection and different gain-of-function mutations in chbR are independent of chbG for induction by chitobiose suggesting that the mutations in ChbR can allow it to recognize the acetylated form of chitobiose-6-P. Despite normal induction, the mutants to grow on chitobiose without chbG are consistant with the requirement of deacetylation for hydrolysis by ChbF. The prediction active site of chbG was validated by demonstrating the loss of chbG function upon alanine substitution of the putative metal binding residues. Vibro cholerace ChbG can complement the function of E.coli ChbG indicating that ChbG is conserved in both the organisms. The studies presented in chapter 3 address the mechanism of transcriptional activation of the chb operon by ChbR and CPR-cAMP. ChbR and CPR-cAMP function in a synergistic manner in response to the induction signal. The synergy is not because of their cooperative binding to the DNA. The role of CRP as a class I activator via the known mechanism involving interaction between the Activation region1 (AR1) and the C-terminal domain of the alpha subunit of RNA polymerase (CTD) was not crucial for the chb operon. A direct interaction between the two activators in virto was observed. Based on these results and the close spacing of the synergy is due to interaction between the two regulators bound to DNA that is enhanced in the presence of the inducer, binding about an optimal confirmation in ChbR required to interact with RNA polymerase. ChbR contacts different residues in the subunit in response to cellbiose and chitobiose; whereas it utilizes the known residues in the presence cellbiose, it appears to require different and unknown residues for induction in the presence of chitobiose. In conclusion, the studies reported in chapter 2 and 3 provide an understanding of the regulation of the chitin oligosaccharides utilization in E.coli at different levels. The broad implications of these studies and possible future directions are discussed in chapter 4. ChbG is an evolutionary conserved protein found in both prokaryotes and enkayotes including humans. ChbG homologs have been implicated in inflammatory bowel disorders in humans and development in metazoans. Therefore, the studies on chbG described in this thesis have been broader significance.

Dans le contexte actuel, il devient nécessaire de rendre les alternatives au pétrole, tel que le bioéthanol 2G, disponibles à grande échelle. Cependant, l’étape d’hydrolyse par les enzymes de Trichoderma reesei reste un verrou à un procédé économiquement stable et rentable. Ces travaux de thèse, s'intègrent dans le cadre du projet Futurol et ont pour objectifs d'identifier et de caractériser de nouvelles enzymes fongiques pour améliorer l'hydrolyse de la biomasse lignocellulosique. A partir des données protéomiques disponibles pour Podospora anserina et Fusarium verticillioides, une douzaine d'enzymes candidates ont été identifiées dans leurs sécrétomes. Ce travail de thèse s'est plus particulièrement focalisé sur les AA9s « Lytic Polysaccharide Monooxygenases » (LPMOs) de P. anserina. Parmi les LPMOs étudiées, PaLPMO9A, PaLPMO9E et PaLPMO9H, qui possèdent un CBM1, sont les plus actives sur la cellulose. La détermination de la régiosélectivité d'action a mis en évidence que PaLPMO9A et PaLPMO9H clivent la cellulose en position C1 et C4 alors que la PaLPMO9E génère uniquement des produits oxydés en C1. La PaLPMO9H est la plus versatile puisqu’elle est active sur les cello-oligosaccharides solubles et sur les polysaccharides hémicellulosiques liés en β-(1,4) (i.e., xyloglucane, glucomannane). La supplémentation du cocktail de T. reesei avec PaLPMO9E ou PaLPMO9H a permis de doubler les rendements d'hydrolyse du miscanthus prétraité. Les travaux réalisés au cours de cette thèse ont permis de démontrer l'importance de ces enzymes oxydatives dans les phénomènes de déconstruction de la lignocellulose chez les champignons filamenteux. / In the current context, it becomes essential to make alternative to oil, such as the 2G bioethanol, available at large scale. However, the hydrolysis step by Trichoderma reesei enzymes remains the major bottleneck for an economically sustainable process. The present work is part of the Futurol project, and aims at identifying and characterizing new fungal enzymes to improve the hydrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass. From the proteomic data available for Podospora anserina and Fusarium verticillioides, a dozen of interesting enzymes were identified in their secretomes. This work focuses, mainly, on the AA9s « Lytic Polysaccharide Monooxygenases » (LPMOs) from P. anserina. Among all the LPMOs studied, PaLPMO9A, PaLPMO9E and PaLPMO9H that harbored a CBM1 were the most active on cellulose. Investigation of their regioselective mode of action revealed that PaLPMO9A and PaLPMO9H oxidatively cleaved at both C1 and C4 positions while PaLPMO9E released only C1-oxidized products. PaLPMO9H that was the most versatile in terms of substrate specificity as it also displayed activity on cello-oligosaccharides and β-(1,4)-linked hemicellulose polysaccharides (e.g., xyloglucan, glucomannan). The hydrolysis yield of the pretreated miscanthus was significantly improved up to 2 fold, when the PaLPMO9E, or PaLPMO9H were supplemented to the T. reesei cocktail. This work demonstrated the importance of these oxidative enzymes for lignocellulose deconstruction by fungi. These biocatalysts open new prospects to improve the enzymatic conversion of plant biomass for 2G bioethanol production.

La synthèse d’oligosides complexes reste difficilement réalisable par voie chimique. Le recours aux catalyseurs enzymatiques permettrait de pallier aux contraintes de la chimie mais les enzymes naturelles ne présentent pas toujours les propriétés adéquates et nécessitent d’être optimisées par ingénierie moléculaire. Le couplage de la chimie et de biocatalyseurs conçus « sur mesure », peut offrir une alternative prometteuse pour explorer de nouvelles voies de synthèse des sucres, notamment pour la mise au point de glycovaccins. L’objectif de cette thèse a ainsi visé à mettre en œuvre des stratégies d’ingénierie semi-rationnelles de l’amylosaccharase de Neisseria polysaccharea (ASNp), une α-transglucosylase utilisant le saccharose comme substrat, afin de concevoir de nouvelles spécificités de substrats et d’étendre le potentiel de cette enzyme à catalyser de nouvelles réactions, permettant ainsi d’aller bien au-delà de ce que la Nature peut offrir. Dans une première étude, une approche assistée par ordinateur a été suivie afin de remodeler le site actif de l’enzyme (sous-sites +1, +2 et +3) pour la reconnaissance et la glucosylation en α-1,4 d’un accepteur disaccharidique non-naturel (l’allyl 2-deoxy-2-N-trichloroacetyl-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-α-L-rhamnopyranose). Le produit attendu, un trisaccharide, est un précurseur dans la synthèse chimio-enzymatique des oligosaccharides mimant les unités répétitives des lipopolysaccharides de Shigella flexneri, dont l’utilisation ultime est le développement de vaccins contre la Shigellose. Une approche computationnelle faisant appel à des outils dédiés au design automatisé de protéines et à une analyse des séquences a conduit au design d’une librairie d’environ 2.7x104 séquences, qui a ensuite été construite expérimentalement puis criblée. Au final, 55 variants actifs sur saccharose (le substrat donneur) ont été identifiés, et un mutant, appelé F3, a révélé sa capacité à glucosyler en α-1,4 le disaccharide cible. De manière étonnante, ce mutant possède 7 mutations au sein de son site actif, nécessaires au déploiement de sa nouvelle spécificité tout en maintenant son aptitude à utiliser le saccharose comme donneur d'unité glucosyle. Dans une deuxième étude, trois variants ont été identifiés lors du criblage de la librairie semi-rationnelle sur saccharose comme présentant de nouvelles spécificités de produits. Ces mutants ont été caractérisés plus en détails, ainsi que leurs produits, sur un plan biochimique et structural. Ces mutants, appelés 37G4, 39A8 et 47A10, contiennent entre 7 et 11 mutations dans leur site actif. Il a été montré qu’ils étaient capables de reconnaitre le saccharose et le maltose (un produit de la réaction avec le saccharose) comme donneur et accepteur pour synthétiser en quantités variables de l’erlose (α-D-Glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-α-D-Glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-D-Fructose) et du panose (α-D-Glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-α-D-Glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-α-D-glucose), des molécules non produites par l’enzyme sauvage. Des taux de production relativement élevés ont été obtenus pour ces molécules, dont les propriétés acariogènes et le pouvoir sucrant pourraient présenter un intérêt applicatif pour l’industrie alimentaire. Dans une dernière partie, un autre mutant, appelé 30H3, a été isolé lors du criblage primaire de la librairie de par son activité élevée sur saccharose (une amélioration d’un facteur 6.5 comparé à l’enzyme sauvage). Après caractérisation, le mutant s’est avéré synthétiser un profil unique de produits en comparaison de l’enzyme sauvage ASNp. Il s’est ainsi montré très efficace pour la synthèse de maltooligosaccharides solubles, de taille de chaînes contrôlée allant d’un DP 3 à 21, et de faible polydispersité. Aucun polymère insoluble n’a été identifié. La structure 3D du mutant résolue par cristallographie des rayons X a révélé un agrandissement de la poche catalytique en raison de la présence de 9 mutations introduites dans la première sphère.... / Chemical synthesis of complex oligosaccharides still remains critical. Enzymes have emerged as powerful tools to circumvent chemical boundaries of glycochemistry. However, natural enzymes do not necessarily display the required properties and need to be optimized by molecular engineering. Combined use of chemistry and tailored biocatalysts may thus be attractive for exploring novel synthetic routes, especially for glyco-based vaccines development. The objective of this thesis was thus to apply semi-rational engineering strategies to Neisseria polysaccharea amylosucrase (NpAS), a sucrose-utilizing α-transglucosylase, in order to conceive novel substrate specificities and extend the potential of this enzyme to catalyze novel reactions, going beyond what nature has to offer. In a first study, a computer aided-approach was followed to reshape the active site of the enzyme (subsites +1, +2 and +3) for the recognition and α-1,4 glucosylation of a non-natural disaccharide acceptor molecule (allyl 2-deoxy-2-N-trichloroacetyl-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-α-L-rhamnopyranose). The trisaccharide product is a building block for the chemo-enzymatic synthesis of oligosaccharides mimicking the repetitive units of the Shigella flexneri lipopolysaccharides, and ultimately, for the production of a vaccine against Shigellosis disease. Using computational tools dedicated to the automated protein design, combined with sequence analysis, a library of about 2.7x104 sequences was designed and experimentally constructed and screened. Altogether, 55 mutants were identified to be active on sucrose (the donor substrate), and one, called mutant F3, was subsequently found able to catalyze the α-1,4 glucosylation of the target disaccharide. Impressively, this mutant contained seven mutations in the first shell of the active site leading to a drastic reshaping of the catalytic pocket without significantly perturbing the original specificity for sucrose donor substrate. In a second study, three variants were identified from the screening of the semi-rational library on sole sucrose as displaying totally novel product specificities. They were further characterized, as well as their products, at both biochemical and structural level. These mutants, called 37G4, 39A8 and 47A10, contained between 7 and 11 mutations into their active site. They were found able to use sucrose and maltose (a reaction product from sucrose) as both donor and acceptor substrates to produce in varying amounts erlose (α-D-Glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-α-D-Glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-D-Fructose) and panose (α-D-Glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-α-D-Glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-α-D-glucose) trisaccharides, which are not produced at all by parental wild-type enzyme. Relatively high yields were obtained for the production of these molecules, which are known to have acariogenic and sweetening properties and could be of interest for food applications. In a last part, another mutant 30H3 was isolated due to its high activity on sucrose (6.5-fold improvement compared to wild-type activity) from primary screening of the library. When characterized, the mutant revealed a singular product profile compared to that of wild-type NpAS. It appeared highly efficient for the synthesis of soluble maltooligosaccharides of controlled size chains, from DP 3 to 21, and with a low polydispersity. No formation of insoluble polymer was found. The X-ray structure of the mutant was determined and revealed the opening of the catalytic pocket due to the presence of 9 mutations in the first sphere. Molecular dynamics simulations suggested a role of mutations onto flexibility of domain B’ that might interfere with oligosaccharide binding and explain product specificity of the mutant.

La résistance aux antibiotiques a pris une ampleur considérable du fait de l’utilisation des antibiotiques dans de nombreux domaines. Pour respecter l’approche « OneHealth », il est essentiel d’avoir une image spécifique de chaque situation, afin d’orienter les recommandations et de limiter la dissémination des gènes, des plasmides et des clones. Nos objectifs étaient adaptés à nos populations d’étude (chevaux et porcs) afin d’ajuster les résultats aux besoins des filières. Dans la filière équine, nous avons quantifié les résistances phénotypiques et identifié les gènes de β-lactamases à spectre étendu (BLSE/AmpC) présents dans le microbiome des chevaux sains, et nous avons identifié les facteurs de risque associés à leur portage en France et au Québec. En France, nous avons également caractérisé les mécanismes de dissémination des gènes de BLSE/AmpC. Nous avons mis en évidence qu’en France et au Québec, les E. coli commensaux provenant de fèces de chevaux sains étaient majoritairement non susceptibles à l’ampicilline, l’amoxicilline/acide clavulanique et la streptomycine et que des E. coli multirésistants et porteurs de gènes codant pour des BLSE/AmpC étaient détectés dans respectivement environ 45% et 8% des chevaux. Le blaCTX-M-1 était majoritairement détecté bien qu’en France d’autres BLSE aient été identifiés (blaCTX-M-2 et blaCTX-M-14) ainsi que le gène AmpC blaCMY-2. L’administration d’un traitement médical, le nombre de personnes s’occupant des chevaux, le type d’activité et le fait de participer à un évènement équestre dans les trois derniers mois ont été identifiés comme des facteurs de risque du portage des E. coli multirésistants ou producteurs de gènes BLSE/AmpC, soit en France soit au Québec. En France, le plasmide IncHI1-ST9 était majoritairement associé aux gènes blaCTX-M-1/2 et à l’opéron fos. Pour la filière porcine, nos objectifs étaient de colliger les données de la base de données du laboratoire EcL entre 2008 et 2016, d’évaluer la présence d’un agrégat spatio-temporel pour les isolats ETEC:F4 non susceptibles à l’enrofloxacine et de caractériser ces isolats et les éléments génétiques mobiles qu’ils transportent. En effet, l’enrofloxacine est un antibiotique de haute importance en santé humaine, et doit donc faire l’objet d’une surveillance accrue. Nous avons trouvé que plus de 90% des isolats d’E. coli entérotoxinogènes détectés chez des cas de porcs malades soumis au laboratoire EcL de 2008 à 2016 au Québec, étaient multirésistants. Le virotype LT:STb:F4 prédominait jusqu’en 2014, puis a été dépassé par le virotype LT:STb:STa:F4. Un agrégat spatio-temporel d’isolats LT:STb:STa:F4 non susceptibles à l’enrofloxacine a été détecté entre 04/2015 et 09/2016 au centre de la Montérégie. Nous avons démontré la présence d’un clone ETEC:F4 non susceptible à l’enrofloxacine, à haut risque, qui se dissémine en Amérique du Nord depuis 2013. Les isolats appartenant à ce clone sont ST100, O149:H10. Ils sont multirésistants, et associés à une pathogénicité et une virulence augmentée par rapport aux isolats détectés avant 2000. Ils portent le réplicon IncFII. Les résistances et leur mécanisme de dissémination sont différents selon l’espèce animale. Ces divergences sont fonction de l’usage des antibiotiques, et des échanges possibles avec les différents protagonistes en contact avec les animaux. / Antimicrobial resistance has become an essential issue in the last decades because of the extensive use of antimicrobials in numerous sectors. In order to follow the OneHealth approach, it is critical to have a precise picture of each situation, to adjust recommendations and prevent resistance gene dissemination as well as plasmid and clone spread. Our objectives were adapted to the animal populations under study. Therefore, our results were compatible with each sector. In the equine sector, we quantified phenotypic resistance and identified β-lactamase (ESBL/AmpC) genes present in the intestinal microbiome of healthy horses and we identified risk factors associated with their carriage both in France and in Quebec. Then, in France we characterized ESBL/AmpC gene spread mechanisms. We demonstrated that commensal E. coli originating from the feces of healthy horses were mostly non-susceptible to ampicillin, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid and streptomycin. The presence of multidrug resistant E. coli and of E. coli carrying ESBL/AmpC genes was found in around 45% and 8% of horses respectively. The most frequently detected gene was blaCTX-M-1, although blaCTX-M-2 and blaCTX-M-14 were also identified in France. The AmpC gene blaCMY-2 was identified in both localities. Medical treatment, staff number, activity, and participation in an equestrian event within the last three months were identified as risk factors for MDR or ESBL/AmpC E. coli. In France, commensal E. coli from healthy horses most commonly possessed the IncHI1-ST9 plasmid. This plasmid carries blaCTX-M-1/2 genes and the fos operon. For the swine sector in Quebec, our objectives were to gather data provided by the Animal pathogenic and zoonotic E. coli (APZEC) database between 2008 and 2017, to assess the presence of a spatio-temporal cluster for enrofloxacin non-susceptible ETEC:F4 and to characterize these isolates and the mobile genetic elements they carry. Enrofloxacin is an antibiotic classified as highly important in human medicine and as such needs to come under higher scrutiny. For this sector, we demonstrated that more than 90% of enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) isolates from diseased swine submitted to the EcL between 2008 and 2016, were multidrug resistant. The main virotype in 2014 was LT:STb:F4. It was subsequently replaced by the LT:STb:STa:F4 virotype. A spatio-temporal cluster of LT:STb:STa:F4 isolates non-susceptible to enrofloxacin was detected between 04/2015 and 09/2016 in the centre of the Monteregie region. These isolates constituted an ETEC:F4 high risk enrofloxacin non-susceptible clone, which has been spreading in North America since 2013. Isolates belonging to this clone are ST100, O149H10, phylogroup A, and fimH gene negative. These isolates are multidrug resistant and associated with a higher pathogenicity and virulence than isolates detected before 2000. They all carry the incFII replicon. Resistance and mechanisms of dissemination are different according to the animal species being studied. This is likely due to different patterns of antimicrobial use in each industry and possible interactions with different protagonists in contact with the animals. It is essential to understand the situation for each animal species in order to adapt recommendations for efficiently limiting the spread of resistance genes, plasmids and clones.

<p>Primary cell walls are a composite of cellulose microfibrilsand hemicelluloses. Xyloglucan is the principal hemicelluloseof primary cell walls of dicotyledons. Xyloglucanendotransglycosylases (XETs) cleave and religate xyloglucanpolymers in plant cell walls. A XET (PttXET16A) from hybridaspen has been heterologously expressed and characterized inour lab.</p><p>To study XETs enzymology on a molecular level a series ofnovel xyloglucan oligosaccharides (XGOs) have been synthesized.The chromogenic 2-nitrophenol XGO and fluorogenic XGOs havebeen used as kinetic probes for PttXET16A. The first 3-Dstructure of the XET and of the enzyme-substrate complexrevealed new insights into the requirements fortransglycosylation.</p><p>Cellulose fibers are an important raw material for manyindustries. In a novel chemo-enzymatic approach, thetransglycosylating activity of XET was used for biomimeticfiber surface modification. The aminoalditol XGO derivate wasused as key intermediate to incorporate novel chemicalfunctionality into xyloglucan. TheXGO derivatives wereintegrated into xyloglucan with PttXET16A. The resultingmodified xyloglucan was used as a versatile tool fiber surfacemodification.</p>

A indústria cosmética tem se dedicado a desenvolver produtos com apelo antienvelhecimento no intuito de prevenir, retardar e amenizar rugas, englobando assim diversos benefícios para pele em um único produto. Dessa forma, é de fundamental importância avaliar a influência da associação de diferentes ativos cosméticos em uma mesma formulação no que se refere à eficácia da mesma. Nesse contexto, o presente estudo teve como objetivo desenvolver formulações cosméticas contendo oligossacarídeos da alfafa, polissacarídeos da mandioca e filtros solares, bem como a analisar a influência desses componentes no sensorial, textura e eficácia clínica de tais formulações após uma única aplicação (efeitos imediatos) e com o uso prolongado (efeitos em longo prazo). Para tal, formulações cosméticas, contendo ou não filtros solares e ativos objeto de estudo, isolados ou em associação, foram desenvolvidas e submetidas a estudo de estabilidade. As formulações estáveis foram analisadas quanto à textura, espalhabilidade e sensorial. Foram avaliados os efeitos imediatos das formulações com relação a hidratação, função barreira e microrrelevo da pele. Ademais, foi realizada a eficácia clínica das formulações após 45 dias de aplicação na hidratação, função barreira, controle da oleosidade, propriedades mecânicas e microrrelevo da pele. Além disso, foi avaliada a quantidade e largura de poros, padrão de coloração de manchas na pele, ecogeneicidade e espessura da derme. De acordo com os resultados as formulações desenvolvidas foram estáveis e a formulação que contendo filtros e ativos obteve melhores resultados em relação a textura, espalhabilidade e sensorial. No estudo de eficácia clínica, a formulação multifuncional contendo filtros solares e os ativos mostrou efeitos mais pronunciados na melhora da hidratação, microrrelevo e viscoelasticidade da pele. Com relação à influência dos componentes da formulação, a presença de filtros solares na formulação interferiu negativamente nos efeitos imediatos na hidratação e função barreira da pele e positivamente nos parâmetros relacionados ao microrrelevo cutâneo. Os oligossacarídeos de alfafa e polissacarídeos da mandioca mostraram influência positiva e sinergismo na melhora das propriedades mecânicas da pele. Em síntese, a formulação contendo a associação de ativos e filtros solares mostrou eficácia na melhora imediata e em longo prazo das condições gerais da pele envelhecida, além de possuir características sensoriais que atenderam às expectativas das voluntárias, mostrando a importância. Por fim, este estudo mostrou a importância do conhecimento dos componentes das formulações cosméticas e da combinação de substâncias ativas e filtros solares para a elaboração de protocolos de Pesquisa & Desenvolvimento para a obtenção de cosméticos multifuncionais eficazes / The cosmetic industry has been dedicated to develop products with anti-aging appeal in order to prevent, delay and soften wrinkles, combining many benefits for the skin in a single product. Thus, it is crucial to evaluate the influence of the association of different cosmetic actives in the same formulation as regards the effectiveness thereof. In this context, the present study aimed to develop cosmetic formulations containing oligosaccharides alfalfa, polysaccharides cassava and sunscreens, as well as to analyze the influence of these components in the sensory, texture and clinical efficacy of such formulations after a single application (immediate effect) and prolonged use (long-term effects). The cosmetic formulations, with or without sunscreens and active ingredients studied, alone or in combination, were developed and undergone to stability studies. The stable formulations were analyzed regarding texture, spreadability and sensory. The immediate effects of the formulations were evaluated in relation to moisture, barrier function and skin microrelief. Furthermore, the clinical efficacy of the formulations were performed after 45 days of application and were observed the hydration, barrier function, control of sebum, mechanical properties and the skin microrelief. In addition, the number and width of pores staining pattern of spots, echogenicity and thickness of the dermis was evaluated. According to the results the developed formulations were stable and the formulation containing filters and actives showed better results in relation to texture, spreadability and sensory. In the study of clinical efficacy, multifunctional formulation containing sunscreens and actives showed more pronounced effects in improving hydration, micro relief and skin viscoelasticity. Regarding the influence of the formulation components, the presence of sunscreens in the formulation had a negative influence on the immediate effects on the skin hydration and barrier function and positive influence in the parameters related to the skin microrelief. The oligosaccharides and polysaccharides alfalfa cassava showed positive influence and synergism in improving the mechanical properties of the skin. In summary, the correlation of the techniques used were essential to the establishment of a stable multi-functional formulation, with sensory characteristics that met to the expectations of the volunteers and with proven clinical efficacy improving immediate and long-term effects of the general conditions of aging skin. Finally, this study showed the importance of knowledge of cosmetic formulations components for directing the Research & Development of effective multifunctional cosmetics.

Shigella flexneri est une entérobactérie Gram négatif responsable de la forme endémique de la shigellose, l’une des quatre causes majeures d’infection diarrhéique chez les jeunes enfants. La cible majeure de la réponse immunitaire lors d’une infection naturelle est le polysaccharide de surface (PS). Chez S. flexneri 1b, l’un des sérotypes prévalents dans les pays en voie de développement, le PS est défini par le pentasaccharide ramifié α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→3)-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→3)-[α-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)]-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-D-glucopyranoside [I] di-O-acétylé. Ces travaux s’intègrent dans un projet visant le développement d’un vaccin basé sur des sucres synthétiques à couverture large contre les infections par Shigella. Afin de concevoir des glycoconjugués efficaces et induisant une bonne réponse immunitaire chez les enfants, des synthèses multi-grammes des précurseurs mono- à pentasaccharidiques ont été optimisées permettant une stratégie par blocs en vue de l’obtention d’oligosaccharides de grande taille. Au cours de ces synthèses, l’obtention du trisaccharide ramifié C(E)D clé a nécessité de nombreuses optimisations, permettant la conception de synthons tri- à pentasaccharides. Un choix des groupements protecteurs orthogonaux nous a permis d’investiguer les différentes conditions de couplages nous donnant accès à 28 oligosaccharides déprotégés courts diversement acétylés. La validation de ces condensations avec des partenaires plus complexes a permis d’accéder à un large panel d’une cinquantaine d’oligosaccharides de di- à pentadécasaccharides sous leur forme libre, ou encore protégés avec divers degrés d’acétylation. / 700,000 children die each year due to diarrheal diseases, making it the second cause of death among this population. Shigella flexneri is a Gram negative enterobacterium responsible of the endemic form of shigellosis in developing countries. The O-antigen part of the bacterial lipopolysaccharide is the major target of the immune system during natural infection. The O-antigen of S. flexeni 1b, one of the prevalent serotypes, is defined by a ramified pentasaccharide made of three L-rhamnose, one D-glucosamine and one D-glucose with two non-stoichiometric sites for acetylation (I). This work is part of the project aimed at the development of a synthetic carbohydrate-based vaccine against Shigella infections. In order to obtain suitable glyconjugates inducing a high level of protection especially in children, the synthesis of mono- to pentasaccharide precursors was optimized, allowing a convergent synthesis of oligosaccharides with different acetylation patterns. Optimization of the glycosylation conditions, acetylations and protecting group manipulations enable the access to fragments from di to pentadecasaccharides representing S. flexneri type I O-antigen.

As ciclodextrinas são oligossacarídeos descobertos há mais de cem anos e utilizados para modificação de propriedades físico-químicas de moléculas, aplicadas especialmente para aumentar/modificar sua solubilidade através da formação de complexos de inclusão tipo hóspede-hospedeiro entre sua cavidade apolar e grupamentos afins das moléculas hóspedes. O sucesso na obtenção dos complexos de inclusão depende muito do método empregado e é necessário conhecer as opções disponíveis para selecionar a melhor relação entre eficiência e rendimento. Dentre as técnicas utilizadas para a obtenção destes complexos as mais destacadas são a coprecipitação, coevaporação, neutralização, liofilização, spray-drying, malaxagem, moagem e fluidos supercríticos. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar a influência da complexação do pizotifeno (PZT) com ciclodextrinas (CDs) sobre a sua fotodegradação em solução aquosa. Para isso foram utilizados diferentes tipos de CDs (&#945;, &#946; e &#947; ). Adicionalmente, um método analítico indicador de estabilidade por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência foi desenvolvido e validado. Este método cromatográfico foi avaliado quanto a sua seletividade, linearidade, precisão intermediária, exatidão, estimativas de limites inferiores de quantificação e detecção, robustez e saturação dos filtros. A coluna cromatográfica utilizada foi uma Wakosil II 5C18 RS, 250mm x 4,6mm (5&#181;m). A fase móvel (FM) utilizada consistiu numa mistura de solução aquosa de (NaH2PO4 + Pic B8) 2 mmol/l:acetonitrila:trietilamina (600:400:2, v/v) com pH aparente de 3,00±0,05. A vazão de trabalho utilizada foi de 1,5 ml/min e a temperatura da coluna foi mantida a 30°C. O método avaliado mostrou-se capaz de separar o PZT de seus principais produtos de degradação, preciso, exato, satisfatoriamente linear (r2>0,99, intercepto-y próximo de zero), robusto quanto ao pH, composição e vazão da FM e a condição de filtração ideal foi através de filtros de PVDF hidrofílico. A mudança na fotoestabilidade do pizotifeno puro e complexado com &#945;, &#946; e &#947; ciclodextrinas em solução aquosa foi avaliada em câmara de fotoestabilidade sob luz branca e UV por doze dias em frascos de vidro lacrados. Os complexos de inclusão conferiram ao fármaco uma velocidade de degradação no mínimo 19% menor em relação ao PZT puro e uma proteção relativa de até 1,61. A magnitude da fotoproteção foi maior para o complexo formado com &#946;-ciclodextrina independentemente do tipo de radiação. / Cyclodextrins (CDs) are oligosaccharides discovered over one hundred years ago and used to change physicochemical properties of molecules, acting especially over its aqueous solubility through the formation of guest-host type inclusion complexes between its apolar cavity and similar structures in the guest molecule. Among the techniques employed to obtain these inclusion complexes the most commonly used are coprecipitation, coevaporation, neutralization, freeze-drying, spray-drying, kneading, grinding and precipitation from supercritical fluids. The objective of the present work was to evaluate the influence of the complexation of pizotifen (PZT) with various CDs (&#945;, &#946; and &#947;) over its photostability in aqueous solution. Also, a stability indicating high performance chromatographic method was developed and fully validated regarding its selectivity, linearity, intermediate precision, accuracy, lower limits of detection and quantification, robustness and filter saturation. The column used was a Wakosil II 5C18 RS with (250 x 4,6) mm, 5 &#181;m particle size and kept at 30°C. The mobile phase (MP) used consisted of a mixture of a saline aqueous solution (NaH2PO4 + Sodium Octanesulfonate) 2 mmol/l:acetonitrile:tryethylamine (600:400:2 v/v) with its apparent pH adjusted to 3 and with a flow rate of 1,5 ml/min. The method was selective regarding PZT peak even among its degradation products and also precise, exact, linear (r2>0,99 and y-intercept close to zero), robust regarding MP\'s pH, composition and flow rate and the best filtration condition was with hydrophilic PVDF. Photostability changes in pure and complexed PZT in aqueous solution inside sealed glass vials were assessed for 12 days under both white and UV light in a photostability chamber regarding PZT\'s observed degradation rate, half-life and relative protection. Inclusion complexation significantly reduced PZT\'s degradation constant at least 20%, with equivalent increase in its half-life and a maximum relative protection of 1,61. The most significant protection was observed in the &#946;-CD complex solution for both types of irradiation.