Etienne BLANC is an Associate Professor and holder of a research chair at the University of Rennes, specialised in biochemistry, cellular and molecular biology, metabolism and toxicology at IRSET (Institute for Research in Health, Environment and Work – INSERM UMRS 1035) in Rennes.

Chemical engineer by training (ENSCM) and holder of a PhD in biology, his scientific career has naturally focused on studying the effects of chemical molecules on health, using molecular and cellular biology techniques. The first part of his work focused on the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of alcohol in liver diseases. For more than a decade now, his research has focused on the impact of chemicals present in the environment (the chemical component of the exposome) on the onset and progression of chronic liver diseases and other associated pathologies such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. In this context, he coordinates the ANR Bastion project, which investigates the role of pesticide exposure in the development of these diseases, focusing largely on disruptions to energy metabolism. In 2024, he took over as head of the Métatox team at UMR 1124, before being awarded a Research Chair at the University of Rennes in 2026, funded by Rennes Métropole.

Recently, as part of European projects such as Oberon and PARC (Partnership for the Assessment of Risks from Chemicals), part of his work has focused on developing New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) required for the regulatory assessment of chemical substances, thereby helping to reduce the use of animal testing. The in vitro component of these methods relies heavily on molecular biology techniques.

As a lecturer, he has been deeply involved in teaching biochemistry and molecular biology. He has contributed to the publication of various books with Dunod Edition (Mémo biochimie, Fluorescience Biochimie, Fluorescience Biologie Moléculaire) and to the production of teaching resources (Biochemistry video clips) for the online university Unisciel. He also served as Director of Education at the Institut Villebon – Georges Charpak (Université Paris Cité/Université Paris Saclay), which deals with issues of inclusion and educational innovation in the teaching of science and technology in higher education.