Cette thèse comprend deux parties distinctes, dans lesquelles seront décrits tout d’abord, le développement d’un procédé multicatalytique en un seul pot d’une réaction de méthylénation suivie d’un couplage de Heck, puis dans un second temps, une étude vers la synthèse de l’Hodgsonox. Le premier thème de la thèse correspond à la mise en place d’un procédé en un seul pot, basé sur la méthodologie de méthylénation catalysée par un métal de transition, développée au sein du groupe du Pr. Lebel, et sur des couplages de Heck. Différentes études de compatibilité des réactifs mis en présence sont abordées, ainsi que le choix des conditions optimales (Pd(OAc)2 et P(o-tol)3) pour la réalisation d’un tel système qui ne requiert aucun isolement du produit intermédiaire. Il a été démontré que la présence de triphénylphosphine en excès inhibe la réaction de couplage de Heck, ce qui a finalement orienté notre choix vers les sels de cuivre pour la catalyse de la réaction de méthylénation. Le tandem séquentiel a ensuite été appliqué à la synthèse de divers stilbènes, notamment des composés dérivés du Resvératrol, molécule d’intérêt thérapeutique pour les maladies cardiovasculaires, et à la synthèse d’indanes substitués, avec un couplage intramoléculaire, avec de bons rendements. La deuxième partie de cette thèse traite de l’étude menée vers la synthèse de l’Hodgsonox. Cette molécule correspond à une nouvelle classe de sesquiterpènes tricycliques, comportant un dihydropyrane doté d’une fonction éther diallylique. Cette molécule représente un défi synthétique pour le groupe du Pr. Lebel, qui envisage de synthétiser les deux doubles liaisons terminales au moyen de la méthodologie de méthylénation développée au sein du groupe. L’Hodgsonox, dont la biosynthèse utilise la voie MEP, a un potentiel insecticide pour la croissance de la larve de la mouche verte d’Australie, Lucilia cuprina. La synthèse envisagée au cours de ces travaux est basée sur la formation préalable d’un cycle à 5 chaînons, comportant 3 centres stéréogéniques, puis sur la cyclisation du cycle pyranique au moyen d’une réaction d’insertion dans un lien O H. Un dédoublement cinétique dynamique sur une δ butyrolactone substituée permet de fixer la stéréochimie relative de deux centres chiraux dès la première étape. Le cycle à 5 chaînons est ensuite formé par métathèse après 6 étapes avec un rendement de 37%. Une addition conjuguée suivie d’une réaction de Saegusa et d’une réaction d’hydrosilylation introduit le groupement isopropyle de manière syn. Après mise en place d’un groupement céto-ester, un transfert de groupement diazonium permet de préparer le précurseur pour la réaction d’insertion dans un lien O-H. Le bicycle correspondant à la structure de base de l’Hodgsonox a été préparé au moyen de 16 étapes linéaires avec un rendement global de 12%. / This thesis is divided in two sections. The first topic to be discussed is the development of a multicatalytic one pot process of methylenation and Heck coupling reactions, and the second topic is the studies toward the synthesis of Hodgsonox. The first part of this thesis describes the development of a one pot process, based on the transition-metal catalyzed methylenation reaction reported by the Lebel group, and on Heck coupling reactions. The compatibility of reagents is studied and the optimal reaction conditions of the coupling reaction (Pd(OAc)2 et P(o tol)3) are described for this process, which does not require isolation of the alkene intermediate. The presence of excess triphenylphosphine inhibits the Heck coupling reaction, thus copper salts are used to catalyze the methylenation reaction. This tandem sequence was then used to synthesize different stilbenes, particularly hydroxylated (E) stilbenoids, analogues of Resveratrol, which are known to have a therapeutic activity against cardiovascular diseases, and substituted indanes, through an intramolecular Heck coupling reaction, all in good yields. The second part of this thesis describes the studies toward the synthesis of Hodgsonox. This molecule represents a new class of sesquiterpene with a cyclopenta[5,1-c]pyran ring system fused to an epoxide ring. The combination of a mono- and a 1,1-disubstituted double bond flanking the oxygenated carbon of the pyran ring is a unique structural feature, making the synthesis of this molecule a very attractive challenge. Hodgsonox also represents a good system to test the versatility of our metal-catalyzed methylenation reaction, since we propose to use this methodology to construct the two terminal alkenes from a dicarbonyl derivative. Hodgsonox, which is biosynthesized by the MEP pathway, exhibits activity against the larvae of the Australian green blowfly Lucilia cuprina. The synthesis planned during this work, is based on the prior formation of a 5-membered ring, with 3 stereogenic centers, followed by an O-H insertion reaction to cyclize the dihydropyran ring. A dynamic kinetic resolution of a substituted δ butyrolactone determines the relative stereochemistry of two chiral centers in the first step. The 5 membered cycle is then synthesized via a cross metathesis reaction, after 6 steps and a 37% global yield. A conjugated addition, followed by a Saegusa oxidation reaction and a hydrosilylation reaction gave the syn isopropyl group. After the formation of the ketoester functionality, a diazo transfer allows us to prepare the presursor for the OH insertion reaction. The bicycle, corresponding to the structural base of the Hodgsonox, was prepared in 16 linear steps in a 12 % global yield.

Mémoire numérisé par la Division de la gestion de documents et des archives de l'Université de Montréal

The human body has evolved certain defence mechanisms to cope with the high occurrence of free radicals. These radicals are obtained endogenously from the mitochondria, peroxisomes, the cytochrome P450 (CYP 450) system and neutrophils, or exogenously from the environment. Lack of antioxidants and/or increased production of free radicals will result in oxidative stress, which has been implicated in certain human diseases such as hypertension, inflammation, ageing, autoimmunity, atherosclerosis, Parkinson?s disease, cancer and diabetes. Although the initial aim was to standardise a single assay to quantify both 8–OHdG and DHN–MA, this could not be achieved in this study due to the vast difference in the chemical properties of these two metabolites. Following the decision to use two separate assays for the quantification of the mentioned biomarkers, the 8–OHdG assay was standardised and validated. The intrabatch variation of the assay was 4.18% and the interbatch variation was 17.37%. Unfortunately, the DHN–MA assay could not be standardised within the time frame of this study due to experimental difficulties. Therefore, only urinary 8–OHdG and serum ROS levels were quantified. Urinary 8–OHdG levels were measured in 409 participants (209 Caucasians, 101 males and 108 females and 200 Africans, 100 males and 100 females) from the SABPA study. After removal of outliers from the data matrix, the effect of gender and ethnicity was investigated on the measured urinary 8–OHdG levels. No significant difference in the urinary 8–OHdG levels between Caucasian males (n=87) and females (n=96) were observed (p = 0.68). A similar observation was made for the African males (n=86) and females (n=84), where no significant difference in 8–OHdG levels was detected (p = 0.053). Thus, from the results obtained in this study, it seems that urinary 8–OHdG levels are not influenced by gender. However, 8–OHdG levels were dramatically influenced by ethnicity. Caucasian males (n=87) excreted 70% higher amounts of 8–OHdG compared to African males (n=86) (p < 0.001). Caucasian females (n=96) also excreted larger urinary 8–OHdG amounts (42%) compared to African females (n=84) (p < 0.001). Therefore, it seems that urinary 8–OHdG levels are dramatically influenced by ethnicity. Finally, urinary 8–OHdG levels were compared to serum ROS levels, but no significant correlation between the measured metabolites was observed (r = –0.045). Hence, urinary 8–OHdG and serum ROS levels are not related in these subjects. Even though the initial aim of this study was to standardise an analytical method to quantify both urinary 8–OHdG and DHN–MA, this could not be achieved due to time constraints. vi The human body has evolved certain defence mechanisms to cope with the high occurrence of free radicals. These radicals are obtained endogenously from the mitochondria, peroxisomes, the cytochrome P450 (CYP 450) system and neutrophils, or exogenously from the environment. Lack of antioxidants and/or increased production of free radicals will result in oxidative stress, which has been implicated in certain human diseases such as hypertension, inflammation, ageing, autoimmunity, atherosclerosis, Parkinson?s disease, cancer and diabetes. Although the initial aim was to standardise a single assay to quantify both 8–OHdG and DHN–MA, this could not be achieved in this study due to the vast difference in the chemical properties of these two metabolites. Following the decision to use two separate assays for the quantification of the mentioned biomarkers, the 8–OHdG assay was standardised and validated. The intrabatch variation of the assay was 4.18% and the interbatch variation was 17.37%. Unfortunately, the DHN–MA assay could not be standardised within the time frame of this study due to experimental difficulties. Therefore, only urinary 8–OHdG and serum ROS levels were quantified. Urinary 8–OHdG levels were measured in 409 participants (209 Caucasians, 101 males and 108 females and 200 Africans, 100 males and 100 females) from the SABPA study. After removal of outliers from the data matrix, the effect of gender and ethnicity was investigated on the measured urinary 8–OHdG levels. No significant difference in the urinary 8–OHdG levels between Caucasian males (n=87) and females (n=96) were observed (p = 0.68). A similar observation was made for the African males (n=86) and females (n=84), where no significant difference in 8–OHdG levels was detected (p = 0.053). Thus, from the results obtained in this study, it seems that urinary 8–OHdG levels are not influenced by gender. However, 8–OHdG levels were dramatically influenced by ethnicity. Caucasian males (n=87) excreted 70% higher amounts of 8–OHdG compared to African males (n=86) (p < 0.001). Caucasian females (n=96) also excreted larger urinary 8–OHdG amounts (42%) compared to African females (n=84) (p < 0.001). Therefore, it seems that urinary 8–OHdG levels are dramatically influenced by ethnicity. Finally, urinary 8–OHdG levels were compared to serum ROS levels, but no significant correlation between the measured metabolites was observed (r = –0.045). Hence, urinary 8–OHdG and serum ROS levels are not related in these subjects. Even though the initial aim of this study was to standardise an analytical method to quantify both urinary 8–OHdG and DHN–MA, this could not be achieved due to time constraints. However, an LC–MS/MS analytical assay was standardised and validated for the quantification of urinary 8–OHdG. The method proved reliable for the quantification of 8–OHdG from urine samples and can thus be used for further studies on oxidative DNA damage. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Biochemistry))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

The human body has evolved certain defence mechanisms to cope with the high occurrence of free radicals. These radicals are obtained endogenously from the mitochondria, peroxisomes, the cytochrome P450 (CYP 450) system and neutrophils, or exogenously from the environment. Lack of antioxidants and/or increased production of free radicals will result in oxidative stress, which has been implicated in certain human diseases such as hypertension, inflammation, ageing, autoimmunity, atherosclerosis, Parkinson?s disease, cancer and diabetes. Although the initial aim was to standardise a single assay to quantify both 8–OHdG and DHN–MA, this could not be achieved in this study due to the vast difference in the chemical properties of these two metabolites. Following the decision to use two separate assays for the quantification of the mentioned biomarkers, the 8–OHdG assay was standardised and validated. The intrabatch variation of the assay was 4.18% and the interbatch variation was 17.37%. Unfortunately, the DHN–MA assay could not be standardised within the time frame of this study due to experimental difficulties. Therefore, only urinary 8–OHdG and serum ROS levels were quantified. Urinary 8–OHdG levels were measured in 409 participants (209 Caucasians, 101 males and 108 females and 200 Africans, 100 males and 100 females) from the SABPA study. After removal of outliers from the data matrix, the effect of gender and ethnicity was investigated on the measured urinary 8–OHdG levels. No significant difference in the urinary 8–OHdG levels between Caucasian males (n=87) and females (n=96) were observed (p = 0.68). A similar observation was made for the African males (n=86) and females (n=84), where no significant difference in 8–OHdG levels was detected (p = 0.053). Thus, from the results obtained in this study, it seems that urinary 8–OHdG levels are not influenced by gender. However, 8–OHdG levels were dramatically influenced by ethnicity. Caucasian males (n=87) excreted 70% higher amounts of 8–OHdG compared to African males (n=86) (p < 0.001). Caucasian females (n=96) also excreted larger urinary 8–OHdG amounts (42%) compared to African females (n=84) (p < 0.001). Therefore, it seems that urinary 8–OHdG levels are dramatically influenced by ethnicity. Finally, urinary 8–OHdG levels were compared to serum ROS levels, but no significant correlation between the measured metabolites was observed (r = –0.045). Hence, urinary 8–OHdG and serum ROS levels are not related in these subjects. Even though the initial aim of this study was to standardise an analytical method to quantify both urinary 8–OHdG and DHN–MA, this could not be achieved due to time constraints. vi The human body has evolved certain defence mechanisms to cope with the high occurrence of free radicals. These radicals are obtained endogenously from the mitochondria, peroxisomes, the cytochrome P450 (CYP 450) system and neutrophils, or exogenously from the environment. Lack of antioxidants and/or increased production of free radicals will result in oxidative stress, which has been implicated in certain human diseases such as hypertension, inflammation, ageing, autoimmunity, atherosclerosis, Parkinson?s disease, cancer and diabetes. Although the initial aim was to standardise a single assay to quantify both 8–OHdG and DHN–MA, this could not be achieved in this study due to the vast difference in the chemical properties of these two metabolites. Following the decision to use two separate assays for the quantification of the mentioned biomarkers, the 8–OHdG assay was standardised and validated. The intrabatch variation of the assay was 4.18% and the interbatch variation was 17.37%. Unfortunately, the DHN–MA assay could not be standardised within the time frame of this study due to experimental difficulties. Therefore, only urinary 8–OHdG and serum ROS levels were quantified. Urinary 8–OHdG levels were measured in 409 participants (209 Caucasians, 101 males and 108 females and 200 Africans, 100 males and 100 females) from the SABPA study. After removal of outliers from the data matrix, the effect of gender and ethnicity was investigated on the measured urinary 8–OHdG levels. No significant difference in the urinary 8–OHdG levels between Caucasian males (n=87) and females (n=96) were observed (p = 0.68). A similar observation was made for the African males (n=86) and females (n=84), where no significant difference in 8–OHdG levels was detected (p = 0.053). Thus, from the results obtained in this study, it seems that urinary 8–OHdG levels are not influenced by gender. However, 8–OHdG levels were dramatically influenced by ethnicity. Caucasian males (n=87) excreted 70% higher amounts of 8–OHdG compared to African males (n=86) (p < 0.001). Caucasian females (n=96) also excreted larger urinary 8–OHdG amounts (42%) compared to African females (n=84) (p < 0.001). Therefore, it seems that urinary 8–OHdG levels are dramatically influenced by ethnicity. Finally, urinary 8–OHdG levels were compared to serum ROS levels, but no significant correlation between the measured metabolites was observed (r = –0.045). Hence, urinary 8–OHdG and serum ROS levels are not related in these subjects. Even though the initial aim of this study was to standardise an analytical method to quantify both urinary 8–OHdG and DHN–MA, this could not be achieved due to time constraints. However, an LC–MS/MS analytical assay was standardised and validated for the quantification of urinary 8–OHdG. The method proved reliable for the quantification of 8–OHdG from urine samples and can thus be used for further studies on oxidative DNA damage. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Biochemistry))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

Ce travail est une contribution à la simulation numérique d'écoulements turbulents autour de corps non profilés. Après avoir précisé les ingrédients numériques et les modèles de turbulence utilisés dans nos simulations, nous présentons une étude sur l'évaluation des effets de la procédure dynamique des modèles de sous-maille dans un modèle VMS-LES et une approche hybride RANS/VMS-LES. Des problèmes d'écoulements autour d'un cylindre seul et en tandem sont considérés. Nous étudions ensuite le comportement de modèles de turbulence hybrides pour la simulation d'écoulements en régime sous-critique autour d'un cylindre circulaire. Le calcul de l'écoulement autour d'un cylindre de section rectangulaire par l'approche VMS-LES est aussi présenté. Enfin, dans une dernière partie, après avoir fait une revue des travaux importants sur les schémas d'avancement en temps multirate, nous proposons une nouvelle approche explicite multirate par agglomération de volumes finis que nous appliquons à des calculs d'écoulements turbulents complexes en utilisant un modèle de turbulence hybride. / This work is a contribution to the numerical simulation of turbulent flows around bluff bodies. After specifying the numerical ingredients and the turbulence models used in our simulations, we present a study on the impact of the dynamic sub-grid scale modeling in VMS-LES model and a RANS/VMS-LES hybrid turbulence approach. Simulations of flows around a cylinder and a tandem are performed. Next, we assess the behaviour of some hybrid turbulence models for the simulation of flows around a circular cylinder in the subcritical regime. The computation of the flow around a rectangular cylinder with the VMS-LES approach is also presented. At last, after a review of some important works on multirate time advancing schemes, we propose a new volume-agglomeration explicit multirate approach that is applied to the computation of complex turbulent flows by a hybrid turbulence model.

Pregnenolona (PREG) e 17-alfa-hidroxipregnenolona (17OHPREG) são dois esteroides produzidos pela glândula adrenal e precursores de vários hormônios esteroidais. A dosagem desses compostos tem aplicações clínicas, como o diagnóstico de doenças relacionadas aos corticoesteroides e mineralocorticóides e especialmente na avaliação da atividade da enzima 3-&#946;-hidroxidesidrogenase que é decisiva no diagnóstico de um dos tipos de hiperplasia da glândula adrenal que causa defeitos severos na síntese de esteroides. Métodos cromatográficos associados à espectrometria de massas superaram a especificidade reduzida dos imunoensaios e tem sido crescentemente utilizados na quantificação de esteroides. Os últimos anos tem sido marcados pela hegemonia da cromatografia líquida acoplada à espectrometria de massas em tandem (LC-MS/MS) em grande parte devido à velocidade e possibilidade da análise direta de vários analitos. Porém, no caso específico dos esteroides de tipo 3-hidroxi-5-eno, que apresentam baixa afinidade protônica e, portanto, baixa eficiência de ionização, são necessárias muitas etapas para a conversão em derivados mais detectáveis. Embora desfavorecida em relação ao LC-MS/MS nos últimos anos, a cromatografia gasosa acoplada à espectrometria de massas (CG-MS) apresenta várias características favoráveis para a análise de esteroides como a eficiência cromatográfica ainda insuperável. Adicionalmente, a incorporação da espectrometria de massas em tandem ao CG (CG-MS/MS) torna a técnica tão seletiva quanto LC-MS/MS. No presente trabalho, foi desenvolvido um novo método que permite a extração e derivatização simultâneas da PREG e 17OHPREG de amostras de soro tornando o método de preparo da amostra tão simples quanto os descritos para LC-MS/MS. O método de detecção desenvolvido baseado em ionização química no modo negativo obteve a sensibilidade necessária para o diagnóstico da deficiência da enzima 3-beta-hidroxidesidrogenase utilizando apenas 250 &#181:L de amostra. / Pregnenolone (PREG) and 17&#945;-hydroxypregnenolone (17OHPREG) are two steroid precursors produced by the adrenal gland. The quantification of these compounds is essential for the evaluation of 3-&#946;-hidroxidesidrogenase enzyme activity, which promotes the conversion of PREG in 17OHPREG. The 3-&#946:-hidroxidesidrogenase deficiency is a rare but severe type of adrenal hyperplasia that causes serious defects in steroid synthesis. Chromatographic methods coupled to mass spectrometry overcame immunoassays limitations such as reduced specificity, and have been widely used for steroids quantification. Recent years have been marked by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) hegemony due to the speed and possibility to analyze directly several analytes. However, in the case of type 3-hydroxy-5-ene steroids, which have low affinity for protons and, therefore, low ionization efficiency, many steps are required for conversion to detectable products. Notwithstanding, gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS) has some favorable features for steroid analysis such as unbeatable chromatographic efficiency. In addition, the incorporation of tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) makes it as selective as LC-MS/MS. In this study, a new method for simultaneous extraction and derivatization of PREG and 17OHPREG from serum was developed. This procedure makes sample preparation for GC-MS/MS as simples as those described for LC-MS/MS. The detection method based on negative mode chemical ionization achieved the sensitivity required for the diagnosis of 3-&#946;-hidroxidesidrogenase defficiency using only 250 &#181;L of sample.

A venlafaxina (VEN), em razão de sua eficácia e brandos efeitos adversos, tem sido um dos antidepressivos mais prescritos no tratamento da depressão e ansiedade. Neste trabalho, um método analítico empregando as técnicas MISPE miniaturizada e cromatografia líquida acoplada à espectrometria de massas em Tandem, foi utilizado para a determinação de VEN e seus principais metabólitos em amostras de plasma para fins de monitorização terapêutica. A fase MIP foi sintetizada via polimerização radicalar por precipitação, fazendo uso de VEN (molécula molde), ácido metacrílico (monômero funcional), etileno glicol dimetacrilato, (reagente reticulante) e 2,2 azobisisobutironitrila (iniciador radicalar) em tolueno (solvente). Para controle utilizou-se o polímero não impresso (NIP), sintetizado por procedimento análogo ao do MIP, porém sem o uso da molécula molde. A caracterização química e estrutural dos polímeros foi realizada por espectroscopia no infravermelho com transformada de fourier e microscopia eletrônica de varredura. A otimização das variáveis de MISPE miniaturizada favoreceu a detectabilidade analítica e diminuiu o efeito de memória. As extrações realizadas com MIP apresentaram taxa de recuperação de 84% para VEN e de 2-28% para os antidepressivos (clorpromazina, fluoxetina, clomipramina, imipramina e sertralina). O polímero não impresso apresentou baixa recuperação para a VEN (taxa de recuperação: 49%) e para os demais antidepressivos (taxas de recuperação menores que 40%). Estes experimentos comprovam a seletividade da fase MIP desenvolvida. O método padronizado apresentou linearidade na faixa de 3 a 700 ng mL-1 para VEN, 5 a 700 ng mL-1 para O-desmetilvenlafaxina (ODV) e de 3 a 500 ng mL-1 para N-desmetilvenlafaxina (NDV), precisão com coeficientes de variação menores que 15% e exatidão com valores de erro padrão relativo na faixa de -11,8 a 16,01 %. As concentrações correspondentes aos limites inferiores de quantificação para VEN (3 ng mL-1) e ODV ( 5 ng mL-1) foram inferiores aos intervalos terapêuticos preconizados. O método desenvolvido, quando comparado a aos métodos da literatura para determinação de VEN e metabolitos, apresentou maior seletividade, menor consumo de amostra e de solventes orgânicos e permitiu a reutilização da fase extratora. Segundo os parâmetros de validação analítica avaliados e amostras de pacientes em terapia com VEN analisadas, o método proposto é adequado para determinação de VEN, ODV e NDV em amostras de plasma para fins de monitorização terapêutica. / Venlafaxine elicits a small number of adverse effects, so it is one of the most frequently prescribed drugs to treat major depression, generalized anxiety, and social anxiety disorders in adults. In this study, venlafaxine (VEN), O-desmethylvenlafaxine (ODV), and N-desmethylvenlafaxine (NDV) were pre-concentrated with the aid of miniaturized SPE based on MIPs as extraction phase. MIPs are synthetic polymers with cavities specifically designed to hold a target molecule or structurally similar compounds. The molecularly imprinted polymers were prepared by addition of VEN, metacrylic acid (MAA, monomer), ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA, cross-linker), and 2,2-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN, initiator) to toluene (solvent). The non-imprinted polymer (NIP), used for comparison, was also synthesized by following exactly the same procedure, but excluding the template VEN from the formulation. The polymer was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Optimization of the MIP phase extraction variables favored miniaturized analytical detectability and reduced the memory effect. The extractions performed with the synthesized MIP showed recovery rate of 84% for VEN and 2-28% for other antidepressants (chlorpromazine, fluoxetine, clomipramine, imipramine, and sertraline). The non-imprinted polymer provided low recovery of VEN (recovery rate: 49%) and other antidepressants (recovery rates lower than 40%). These experiments demonstrated the selectivity of the developed MIP phase. The standardized method was linear in the range of 300 - 700 ng mL-1 for VEN, 5-700 ng mL-1 for ODV, and 3 to 500 ng mL-1 for NDV. Precision had coefficients of variation smaller than 15%; the accuracy standard error values ranged from -11.8 to 16.01%. Compared with literature methods, the developed method was more selective for determination of VEN and metabolites, required lower consumption of sample and organic solvents, and enabled reuse of the extraction phase. According to the assessed analytical validation parameters and to the analysis of samples obtained from patients undergoing therapy with VEN, the proposed method is suitable to determine VEN, NDV, and ODV in plasma samples for therapeutic drug monitoring.

A partir d’un dispositif eTandem chinois-français initié et développé par l’Université de Genève (Suisse) et l’Université du Hubei (Chine) sur cinq années, cette thèse aborde deux problématiques : l’ingénierie pédagogique du dispositif et la co-construction des compétences via la réalisation des rôles d’expert et d’apprenant entre les locuteurs natifs et non natifs. D’une part, nous montrons que la conception du dispositif doit prendre en compte l’influence des exigences institutionnelles, des pédagogies et des cultures éducatives sur la motivation, les stratégies et les performances des apprenants. D’autre part, nous analysons de manière fine des interactions au sein de binômes dont les styles d’organisation peuvent varier. Le « projet didactique » sous-jacent à leurs échanges, grâce notamment à son caractère institutionnalisé, mobilise des ressources technologiques et interculturelles en lien avec le processus d’apprentissage. Nous montrons en particulier comment les stratégies de résolution de problèmes (négociation du sens et de la forme) sont prolongées et enrichies par les outils informatiques. / Based on a Chinese-French eTandem course initiated and developed by the University of Geneva (Switzerland) and the University of Hubei (China) over five years, this thesis tackles two issues: instructional design of the course and co-construction of competences through the realization of the roles of expert (native speaker) and learner (non-native speaker). On the one hand, our research shows that the course design should take into account the influence of the institutional requirements, teaching methods and the educational cultures on students’ motivation, strategies, and performance. On the other hand, we analyse interactions between learners, which present varying organisational styles. Thanks to the institutionalisation of the eTandem course, the « didactical characteristics » identified in their interaction mobilizes technological and intercultural resources related to the learning process. We show particularly how problem-solving strategies (negotiation of meaning and form) are extended and enriched by new technologies.

Le vieillissement est un processus complexe déterminé par des facteurs génétiques et environnementaux qui varie d’un individu à l’autre. Bien que le vieillissement soit la cause principale de nombreuses maladies, nos connaissances sur le sujet sont relativement limitées. Tout au long de ce travail, j’ai utilisé la levure bourgeonnante Saccharomyces cerevisiae pour identifier les facteurs génétiques et environnementaux influant sur le vieillissement et pour comprendre les interactions qu’ils entretiennent entre eux. Jusqu’à présent, les approches classiques de génétique ont permis de découvrir un certain nombre de gènes impliqués dans la régulation du vieillissement chronologique de la levure (CLS), basé sur la longévité de celle-ci en conditions non-prolifératives. Or, ces approches se sont essentiellement centrées sur des souches de laboratoire et n’ont que très peu exploité les richesses de la biodiversité. Dans une première partie, j’ai utilisé une large cohorte de levures composée de plus de 1000 souches naturelles de S. cerevisiae afin d’estimer la variabilité de longévité existant au sein de l’espèce. Leur longévité a été étudiée dans différentes conditions connues pour freiner le vieillissement : sous restriction calorique ou en présence d’un agoniste de la restriction calorique, la molécule rapamycine, qui inhibe directement la voie de signalisation TOR. Les microorganismes passent la majeure partie de leur vie dans des environnements défavorables, pauvres en ressources nutritives. Leur capacité à survivre à ces périodes de restriction (CLS) est donc primordiale. J’ai observé que les souches sauvages ont tendance à spontanément initier le programme de méiose aboutissant à la formation de spores lorsque les conditions environnementales deviennent restreintes. En revanche, les souches domestiques préfèrent entrer en quiescence, ce qui leur confère une viabilité et une résistance accrues. De plus, en ayant recours à une approche basée sur des gènes présélectionnés et à une étude d’association pangénomique, j’ai observé que la variabilité de longévité entre les différentes souches est déterminée par un large spectre de polymorphismes génétiques, tels que des mutations non-synonymes ou non-sens, et par l’absence ou la présence de certains gènes. Toutes ces composantes génétiques interagissent pleinement avec l’environnement. Dans une deuxième partie, j’ai réalisé une analyse de liaison génétique grâce à 1056 souches descendantes de deux souches parentales. La longévité (CLS) de ces 1056 souches a été mesurée dans le but d’identifier des locus de caractères quantitatifs (QTLs). Le vieillissement chronologique a été déterminé à la fois à partir d’un milieu riche, d’un milieu restreint en calories, ou en présence de rapamycine. J’ai identifié 30 QTLs distincts, certains d’entre eux sont communs et récurrents dans plusieurs environnements, tandis que d’autres sont plus spécifiques et occasionnels. Les deux QTLs principaux, associés aux gènes HPF1 et FLO11, codent tous deux des protéines du mur cellulaire, et sont jusqu’à présent non reconnus comme régulateurs du vieillissement. Etonnement, ces deux gènes contiennent des répétitions d’ADN en tandem qui s’avèrent être massivement amplifiées dans une des deux souches parentales d’origine. Alors que les allèles courts de HPF1 et FLO11 n’ont pas d’effet sur le vieillissement, les allèles longs sont relativement délétères, hormis en présence de rapamycine. Après investigation, il semble que la forme allongée de HPF1 provoque la flottaison des cellules de levure au cours de la phase de croissance, les exposants à des taux plus élevés d’oxygène. / Aging is a classical complex trait varying quantitatively among individuals and affected by both the genetic background and the environment. While aging is the highest risk factor for a large number of diseases, little is known about the underlying molecular mechanisms. Identifying the causal genetic variants underlying natural variation in longevity and understanding their interaction with the genetic background and the environment remains a major challenge. In this work, I used the budding yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, to identify environmental and genetic factors contributing to aging. While extensive classical genetic studies discovered several genes involved in the regulation of chronological lifespan (CLS), which measures cell viability dynamic in non-dividing condition, using laboratory strains in standard conditions, there are only few studies exploiting variations in natural populations. In the first part, I used a large cohort of more than 1000 sequenced natural S. cerevisiae strains to provide a species-wide overview of CLS variability. Longevity was measured in different environments, including calorie restriction (CR), a natural intervention known to increase lifespan, and in the presence of rapamycin (RM), a drug that mimics CR by downregulating the TOR pathway. Unicellular microorganisms spend most of their lifetime in harsh restricted environments interrupted by short windows of growth, making CLS an important and likely adaptive trait. I found that wild strains subjected to CLS tend to trigger the meiotic developmental process leading to the formation of gametes wrapped into a very resistant cell wall. In contrast, domesticated strains tend to enter quiescence state when starved and display a tremendous variability in their survival capacity. Moreover, using both candidate gene approach and genome-wide association studies (GWAS), I demonstrated that variability in CLS is determined by a full spectrum of genetic variant that include gene presence/absence, copy number variation, non-synonymous SNPs and loss of function. All these genetic features were strongly regulated by the environment. In the second part, I performed linkage analysis using 1056 diploid segregants derived from a two parent advanced intercross. These 1056 diploid segregants were phenotyped for CLS to map quantitative trait loci (QTLs). The CLS was measured in complete media, CR and RM environments across multiple time points. I mapped 30 distinct QTLs, with some shared across different environments and time points, while others were unique to a specific condition. The two major effect size QTLs were linked with natural variation in the cell wall glycoproteins FLO11 and HPF1, previously unknown to regulate CLS. Interestingly, both genes presented massive intragenic tandem repeat expansions in one of the founder strain used in the crossing scheme. While the short versions of FLO11 and HPF1 alleles did not impact CLS, tandem repeat expansions within those genes were sufficient to confer a dominant detrimental effect that was partially buffered by rapamycin treatment. Further investigation revealed that the extended form of HPF1 makes cells floating during exponential phase, exposing them to higher oxygen rates, and leading to perturbation of redox homeostasis, activation of misfolded protein response, and alteration of multiple genes involved in methionine, ribosome and lipid biosynthesis, eventually contributing to CLS shortening. Taken together, my work provided an unprecedented overview of natural variation in CLS in a genetic model system and revealed multiple genetic and environmental factors that shape the species phenotypic variation.

L'objectif de cette thèse est de réaliser l'intégration monolithique de nanofils (NFs) à base de l’alliage Al0.2Ga0.8As sur des substrats de Si par épitaxie par jets moléculaires via la méthode vapeur-liquide-solide (VLS) auto-assistée et de développer une cellule solaire tandem (TSC) à base de ces NFs.Pour atteindre cet objectif, nous avons tout d'abord étudié la croissance de NFs GaAs, étape clé pour le développement des NFs p-GaAs/p.i.n-Al0.2Ga 0.8As coeur/coquille, qui devraient constituer la cellule supérieure de la TSC. Nous avons montré, en particulier, l'influence de l'angle d'incidence du flux de Ga sur la cinétique de croissance des NFs GaAs. Un modèle théorique et des simulations numériques ont été réalisées pour expliquer ces résultats expérimentaux.Nous avons ensuite utilisé le savoir-faire acquis pour faire croître des NFs p-GaAs/p.i.n-Al0,2Ga0,8As coeur/coquille sur des substrats de Si prêts pour l'emploi. Les caractérisations EBIC réalisées sur ces NFs ont montré qu'ils sont des candidats potentiels pour la réalisation d’une cellule photovoltaïque. Nous avons ensuite fait croître ces NFs sur des substrats de Si patternés afin d'obtenir des réseaux réguliers de ces NFs. Nous avons développé un protocole, basé sur un pré-traitement thermique, qui permet d'obtenir des rendements élevés de NFs verticaux (80-90 %) sur une surface patternée de 0,9 x 0,9 mm2.Enfin, nous avons consacré une partie de notre travail à définir le procédé de fabrication optimal pour la TSC, en concentrant notre attention sur le développement de la jonction tunnel de la TSC, l'encapsulation des NFs et le contact électrique supérieur du réseau de NFs. / The objective of this thesis is to achieve monolithical integration of Al0.2Ga0.8As-based nanowires (NWs) on Si substrates by molecular beam epitaxy via the self-assisted vapour-liquid-solid (VLS) method and develop a NWs-based tandem solar cell (TSC).In order to fulfil this purpose, we firstly focused our attention on the growth of GaAs NWs this being a key-step for the development of p-GaAs/p.i.n-Al0.2Ga0.8As core/shell NWs, which are expected to constitute the top cell of the TSC. We have shown, in particular, the influence of the incidence angle of the Ga flux on the GaAs NW growth kinetic. A theoretical model and numerical simulations were performed to explain these experimental results.Subsequently, we employed the skills acquired to grow p-GaAs/p.i.n-Al0.2Ga0.8As core/shell NWs on epi-ready Si substrates. EBIC characterizations performed on these NWs have shown that they are potential building blocks for a photovoltaic cell. We then committed to growing them on patterned Si substrates so as to obtain regular arrays of NWs. We have developed a protocol, based on a thermal pre-treatment, which allows obtaining high vertical yields of such NWs (80-90 %) on patterned Si substrates (on a surface of 0.9 x 0.9 mm2).Finally, we dedicated part of our work to define the optimal fabrication process for the TSC, focusing our attention to the development of the TSC tunnel junction, the NW encapsulation and the top contacting of the NWs.