Publications by Renata Behra | EPFL Graph Search

Fate and effects of microplastic particles in a periphyton-grazer system

Kristin Schirmer, Ahmed Tlili, Renata Behra

In the aquatic environment, microplastic particles (MP) can accumulate in microbial communities that cover submerged substrata, i.e. in periphyton. Despite periphyton being the essential food source for grazers in the benthic zones, MP transfer from periph ...

Elsevier Sci Ltd2024

Influence of Microplastics on Microbial Structure, Function, and Mechanical Properties of Stream Periphyton

Kristin Schirmer, Ahmed Tlili, Renata Behra

Periphyton is a freshwater biofilm composed of prokaryotic and eukaryotic communities that occupy rocks and sediments, forming the base of the food web and playing a key role in nutrient cycling. Given the large surface that periphyton comprises, it may al ...

FRONTIERS MEDIA SA2022

Long-term exposure to silver nanoparticles affects periphyton community structure and function

Kristin Schirmer, Ahmed Tlili, Renata Behra

2018

Interaction of silver nanoparticles with algae and fish cells: a side by side comparison

Kristin Schirmer, Laura Sigg, Renata Behra, Yang Yue, Xiaomei Li

Background: Silver nanoparticles (AgNP) are widely applied and can, upon use, be released into the aquatic environment. This raises concerns about potential impacts of AgNP on aquatic organisms. We here present a side by side comparison of the interaction ...

Biomed Central Ltd2017

Silver nanoparticle-protein interactions in intact rainbow trout gill cells

Kristin Schirmer, Laura Sigg, Renata Behra, Yang Yue

Upon contact with biota, nanoparticles can bind to proteins, which coat the nanoparticles and form a nanoparticle-protein corona. Knowledge of corona proteins is therefore important for a mechanistic understanding of how nanoparticles interact with biomole ...

Royal Soc Chemistry2016

Silver nanoparticles inhibit fish gill cell proliferation in protein-free culture medium

Kristin Schirmer, Laura Sigg, Renata Behra, Yang Yue

While short-term exposures of vertebrate cells, such as from fish, can be performed in defined, serum-free media, long-term cultures generally require addition of growth factors and proteins, normally supplied with a serum supplement. However, proteins are ...

Taylor & Francis Ltd2016

Silver nanoparticle toxicity and association with the alga Euglena gracilis

Kristin Schirmer, Laura Sigg, Renata Behra, Xiaomei Li, Laetitia Bernard

The impact of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on aquatic algae has largely been studied with model species that possess a rigid cell wall. Here, we explored the interactions of AgNPs with Euglena gracilis, a green alga having no cell wall but a pellicle. The ...

Royal Soc Chemistry2015

Effect of Ozone Treatment on Nano-Sized Silver Sulfide in Wastewater Effluent

Urs von Gunten, Renata Behra

Silver nanoparticles used in consumer products are likely to be released into municipal wastewater. Transformation reactions, most importantly sulfidation, lead to the formation of nanoscale silver sulfide (nano-Ag2S) particles. In wastewater treatment pla ...

American Chemical Society2015

Silver Nanoparticle Effects on Stream Periphyton During Short-Term Exposures

Kristin Schirmer, Ahmed Tlili, Renata Behra

Silver nanoparticles (AgNP) are increasingly used as antimicrobials in consumer products. Subsequently released into aquatic environments, they are likely to come in contact with microbial communities like periphyton, which plays a key role as a primary pr ...

Amer Chemical Soc2015

Toxicity of silver nanoparticles to a fish gill cell line: Role of medium composition

Kristin Schirmer, Laura Sigg, Renata Behra, Yang Yue

In aqueous solutions, silver nanoparticle (AgNP) behavior is affected by a variety of factors which lead to altered AgNP size and toxicity. Our research aims to explore the effect of media composition on citrate-coated AgNP (cit-AgNP) behavior and toxicity ...

Informa Healthcare2015