Development of nutritional vesicles for precision diagnostics and therapeutics for metabolic diseases

Introduction

The NutriEV project explores the pivotal role of extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from food in nutrition. These nutriEVs are envisioned to serve as superfoods and nutritional biosensors. The project integrates various disciplines, including nutrition, microbiome research, glycan analysis, molecular biology, nanoreagent assembly, biosensors, organoid technologies, in vivo models, and clinical research.

Research Focus

NutriEVs obtained from raw and fermented foods are a model for our research. Investigating the glycans associated with NutriEVs will provide insights into how these vesicles may deliver their nutritional cargo to cells.

Digestive Process and Impact

NutriEVs can withstand the digestive process, influencing the gut microbiome and other gut-resident cells, including their secreted EVs. Subsequently, they transcytose across the gut wall into the bloodstream, impacting cellular metabolism and disease.

Interplay and Investigations

The project delves into the intricate interplay between dietary EVs, the gut residence cell, the microbiome, and their associated EVs. We aim to understand their role in gut health, obesity, and metabolic regulation through a comprehensive array of in vitro, in vivo, and clinical investigations.

Non-invasive Biomonitoring

These EVs are detected in sweat with unique molecular signatures, providing non-invasive biomonitoring technologies to assess nutritional impact. These technologies can potentially revolutionize our ability to evaluate the influence of nutrition.

Conclusion

The successful completion of the NutriEV project presents promising translational opportunities for both the food industry and medicine.