Pathway to Personalised Nutrition Cluster
Aim
To establish a cross-disciplinary network enabling
life sciences, food and public health sectors in the
Eastern region to take advantage of the advances in
nutritional genomics.
Rationale
The ability to create and exploit knowledge
is an integral feature of every successful advanced
economy. IFR has secured funding from the East of England
Development Agency (EEDA) to take advantage of the knowledge
and on-going research in nutritional genomics across
the region.
Nutrigenomics requires input from a wide variety of
specialities, together with complex and expensive equipment
and bioinformatics. Thus, collaboration between academic
and industrial organisations is essential. In addition,
the technological innovation and anticipated benefits
are most likely to be realised through exploitation
by SMEs. The Cluster offers opportunities for companies,
research bodies and universities in the region to participate
in high-quality research in collaboration with one another,
and their European counterparts.
More specifically, this regional network provides an
opportunity to:
- Support a forum for discussion and the exchange
of information about nutritional genomics
- Provide access to tailored information about nutritional
genomics for external organisations and individuals
- Facilitate interaction between academic and industrial
members, national and regional Government, and other
organisations with interests in nutrigenomics. .
- Develop a regional dimension to international nutrigenomics
research, and commercial and public activities in
this area
- Ensure sufficient financial resources are available
to sustain the network beyond the initial funding
provided by EEDA and the DTI
Who Attends?
Primarily academics and industrialists based in the
East of England region.
Food and biotech organisations based outside the region
are also invited in order to ensure a diversity of members
and interests.
IFR
Skill Base Underlying the Cluster
IFR is member of The European Nutrigenomics Organisation
(NuGO) – linking genomics, nutrition and health research.
This world-leading European Network of Excellence (www.nugo.org)
is a partnership between 22 academic and research institutes,
each with expertise applicable to nutritional genomics
research.
The Cluster draws on this expertise in:
- Harmonisation and standardisation of post-genomics
technology and informatics systems
- Exploitation of technological and scientific innovations
in key areas of nutrition and health research
- Encouragement of excellence in nutrigenomics research
by sharing knowledge with all stakeholders
- Promotion of evidence-based healthier food production
and consumer choice
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