Thesis presented on November 10, 2017

Abstract:
Metallic nanoparticles are used in variety of consumer products (solar screen, paint or medicine), which results in an increasing release of nanoparticles in the environment. There is a need of better evaluating their fate and impacts in the environment. Microorganisms are one of the first targets of nanoparticles in the environment. Most studies on microorganisms and bacteria have focused on cellular mortality, and did not take into account possible transformations of NPs in the environment, which modify their toxicity. This study is focused on model bacteria, Bacillus subtilis and three nanoparticles: Ag-NPs, ZnO-NPs and TiO₂-NPs. We evaluate on one hand the impact of nanoparticles on the metabolism on the metabolism of Bacillus subtilis, and on the other hand the impact of Bacillus subtilis and of its secretome on the nanoparticles, both being mutually dependent.


Keywords:
Bacillus subtilis, nanoparticles, environment, toxicity

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