Mapping the Uncharted Human Metabolism for Novel Food Bioactives

ongoing

BioTransform is a multidisciplinary doctoral network aiming to investigate the role of certain constituents found in food products (food bioactives - FB) on human health, focusing on their metabolism. FB coexist with nutrients, but they are biologically active compounds present in our diet and characterised by great structural variability and biological properties. Despite the imperative role of gut microbiota in health maintenance and disease prevention, the available information regarding FB metabolism remains scarce and the biotransformation occurring in the human organism highly unexplored. Thus, the goal of BioTransform is to combine state-of-the-art methods, technologies and approaches in a complementary and integrated way to reveal the impact of FB and their metabolites (biotransformation products) on health and disease. To this end, human pilot studies, in vitro and in silico metabolism simulation methods, gut microbiota sequencing, metabolite profiling and metabolomics will be employed. Metabolites will be biologically profiled through biochemical and cell-based assays. In BioTransform, the metabolism of olive and bilberry FB (secoiridoids, phenols and polyphenols), which are European flagship food products with proven activity in metabolism-related pathologies, will be systematically investigated. A key innovative characteristic of BioTransform is the holistic approach towards metabolism of FB, unique so far, combining all required disciplines and including experts at EU level. BioTransform objectives will be accomplished through eleven complementary doctoral projects from nine education and research entities, additionally including the participation of six associated partners from the private sector and one from academia. Beyond the scientific achievements, the ultimate goal of BioTransform is to educate, train and prepare young scientists to be interdisciplinary and competent researchers and professionals in the area of health and food science.