Rapid Whole Genome Sequencing Diagnoses and Guides Treatment in Critically Ill Children in Belgium in Less than 40 Hours

Rapid Whole Genome Sequencing (rWGS) represents a valuable exploration in critically ill pediatric patients. Early diagnosis allows care to be adjusted. We evaluated the feasibility, turnaround time (TAT), yield, and utility of rWGS in Belgium. Twenty-one unrelated critically ill patients were recruited from the neonatal intensive care units, the pediatric intensive care unit, and the neuropediatric unit, and offered rWGS as a first tier test. Libraries were prepared in the laboratory of human genetics of the University of Liège using Illumina DNA PCR-free protocol. Sequencing was performed on a NovaSeq 6000 in trio for 19 and in duo for two probands. The TAT was calculated from the sample reception to the validation of results. Clinical utility data were provided by treating physicians. A definite diagnosis was reached in twelve (57.5%) patients in 39.80 h on average (range: 37.05-43.7). An unsuspected diagnosis was identified in seven patients. rWGS guided care adjustments in diagnosed patients, including a gene therapy, an off-label drug trial and two condition-specific treatments. We successfully implemented the fastest rWGS platform in Europe and obtained one of the highest rWGS yields. This study establishes the path for a nationwide semi-centered rWGS network in Belgium.

Highly Active and Stable Ni/La-Doped Ceria Material for Catalytic CO2 Reduction by Reverse Water-Gas Shift Reaction

The design of an active, effective, and economically viable catalyst for CO₂ conversion into value-added products is crucial in the fight against global warming and energy demand. We have developed very efficient catalysts for reverse water-gas shift (rWGS) reaction. Specific conditions of the synthesis by combustion allow the obtention of macroporous materials based on nanosized Ni particles supported on a mixed oxide of high purity and crystallinity. Here, we show that Ni/La-doped CeO₂ catalysts─with the "right" Ni and La proportions─have an unprecedented catalytic performance per unit mass of catalyst for the rWGS reaction as the first step toward CO₂ valorization. Correlations between physicochemical properties and catalytic activity, obtained using a combination of different techniques such as X-ray and neutron powder diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, in situ near ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, electron microscopy, and catalytic testing, point out to optimum values for the Ni loading and the La proportion. Density functional theory calculations of elementary steps of the reaction on model Ni/ceria catalysts aid toward the microscopic understanding of the nature of the active sites. This finding offers a fundamental basis for developing economical catalysts that can be effectively used for CO₂ reduction with hydrogen. A catalyst based on Ni_0.07/(Ce_0.9La_0.1O_x)_0.93 shows a CO production of 58 × 10^-5 mol_CO·g_cat^-1·s^-1 (700 °C, H₂/CO₂ = 2; selectivity to CO > 99.5), being stable for 100 h under continuous reaction.

Electrical Reverse Shift: Sustainable CO2 Valorization for Industrial Scale

Utilization of CO 2 is a requirement for a sustainable production of carbon-based chemicals. Reverse water-gas-shift (RWGS) can valorize CO 2 by reaction with hydrogen to produce a synthesis gas compatible with existing industrial infrastructure. Fully electrified reverse water-gas-shift (eRWGS™) was achieved using integrated ohmic heating and a nickel type catalyst at industrially relevant conditions. Using a feed of H 2 :CO 2 in a ratio of 2.25 at 10 barg, utilizing high temperature operation at 1050°C allowed for production of a synthesis gas with a H 2 /CO ratio of 2.0 and no detectable methane, ideal for production of sustainable fuel by e.g. the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. Facilitating RWGS through CH 4 as intermediate was found superior to the selective RWGS route, due to higher activity and suppression of carbon formation. The eRWGS™ catalyst is found to provide a preferential emissions free route for production of synthesis gas for any relevant H 2 /CO ratio, enabling production of sustainable carbon-based chemicals from CO 2 and renewable electricity with high hydrogen and carbon efficiency.