Thesis defense – Taner Aktas

Venue: BBS

Defense in french

Taner Aktas
INCIA

Supervisor: Laurent Juvin

Title

Effects of perinatal exposure to titanium dioxide nanoparticles on the development and function of the neural networks responsible for respiration and vocalisation in mice

Résumé

Titanium dioxide (TiO2), used as nanoparticles in cosmetics, medications, and formerly as a food colorant (E171, now banned in Europe), can cross the placenta during pregnancy. This thesis studies, in mice, how a mother’s exposure to these nanoparticles affects her offspring’s nervous system before birth. First, communication between pups and their mother is altered, directly affecting maternal behaviors. Second, in the embryo, the neural networks controlling breathing show altered development, resulting in slowed respiratory activity. These results converge on the same conclusion: the developing brain may be particularly sensitive to this type of nanoparticle, providing new insights into the debate on TiO2 safety.

Keywords : titanium dioxide nanoparticles; perinatal exposure; respiratory neural networks; ultrasonic vocalizations; microglia; developmental neurotoxicology

Publication

Boulain M, Aktas T, Courtand G, Barrière G, Thoby-Brisson M, Morin D, Juvin L. Maternal exposure to titanium dioxide nanoparticles disrupts ultrasonic vocalization development in mouse offspring. Part Fibre Toxicol. 2026 Apr 2;23(1):21. doi: 10.1186/s12989-026-00668-7. PMID: 41928297; PMCID: PMC13104461.

Jury

• M. Laurent Juvin – Université de Bordeaux – Directeur de thèse
• M. Valery Matarazzo – Université Aix Marseille – Rapporteur
• M.Olivier Pierrefiche – Université de Picardie Jules Vernes – Rapporteur
• M. Christian Gestreau – Université Aix Marseille – Examinateur
• Mme Anna Bencsik – Université de Lyon – Examinatricex

• Place
  BBS
  
• Dates
  On 8 December 2026 at 14:00