Our research

Current data in food toxicology reflect the lack of consideration given to the gastrointestinal tract and its functions when a potentially toxic chemical agent is ingested daily with food. The intestine has mainly been considered as an absorption site which conditions the bioavailability and toxicity of food contaminants for other functions of the organism, and not as a primary target of these substances.

The ENTeRisk team (previously DIXIT) created at the end of 2013 aims to study the fate and effects in the intestine of chemical substances used as food additives (nanoparticles, texturizing agents or coloring agents) or present unintentionally in food (substances migrating from packaging, pesticides). The team focuses on the mechanisms of deregulation along the microbiota-intestine axis and the consequences on the health of the host.

Different exposure scenarios are considered by varying the dose (closest to humans), the duration (acute or chronic) and the period of exposure over the course of life (in adults, in children/newborns, during pregnancy). Finally, whatever the chemical agent, the hormonal status of the exposed individual is taken into account to rule on possible sexual dimorphism in the short and long term effects of contaminants.