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Project leader: Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Wolfgang Maus-Friedrichs / Prof. Dr. med. Steffen Emmert
Funding period: 01/2023 - 12/2025
Funding body: DFG
Researchers: B. Sc. Maria Eleni Katsanou, M. Sc. Philipp Moritz
The photocatalytic activity of titanium dioxide nanoparticles leads to the formation of mutagenic reactive oxygen species (ROS) under UV irradiation in the presence of water. Titanium dioxide nanoparticles are used in cosmetics and sun creams. While they do not penetrate the skin barrier in healthy skin, they may be able to penetrate the outermost layer of the epidermis(stratum corneum) and reach the living layers of the skin in diseases that restrict the skin's natural barrier function. It is to be feared that as soon as even small quantities of photocatalytically active particles reach living tissue, aggressive ROS are formed, particularly under UV radiation. These can then damage the cells and genetic material in the deeper layers of the skin and thus increase the risk of skin cancer. While extensive studies have shown that sun creams containing nanoscale titanium dioxide particles can be used safely on healthy, undamaged skin, their safe use on skin damaged by disease or stressed by sunburn, wind, salt water or sand is still unclear. Consequently, the aim of this project is to contribute to the assessment of the risk posed by sunscreen and cosmetic products containing titanium dioxide nanoparticles for patients with barrier-damaged skin.