Metabolomics in food and nutrition

Project Information

Foodomics

Grant agreement ID: 101186975

DOI

10.3030/101186975

EC signature date 25 September 2024

Start date 1 February 2025

End date 31 January 2030

Funded under

• Widening participation and spreading excellence

Total cost

No data

EU contribution

€ 2 497 500,00

Coordinated by

UNIVERZA V LJUBLJANI
Slovenia

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - Foodomics (Metabolomics in food and nutrition)

Reporting period: 2025-02-01 to 2026-04-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The ERA Chair Foodomics project is embedded in the broader European effort to strengthen research and innovation capacity in widening countries while addressing major societal challenges related to food quality, safety, sustainability, and human health. Advances in omics technologies, particularly metabolomics, create new opportunities to understand food composition and its links to health. However, progress has been constrained by fragmented expertise, limited integration of analytical platforms, and insufficient interdisciplinary training, particularly at the University of Ljubljana.

To address these gaps, the project establishes a coordinated and interdisciplinary research framework that integrates metabolomics, bioinformatics, food science, and nutrition. Its core objective is to bridge the divide between analytical capacity, data interpretation, and practical application. This includes addressing key challenges such as food authenticity and traceability, development of functional foods, and improved understanding of diet-related diseases. Through these activities, the project aims to position the University of Ljubljana as a centre of excellence in foodomics.

The overall objective is to strengthen research and innovation capacity in metabolomics applied to food and nutrition, while improving institutional performance, visibility, and long-term sustainability. This will be achieved through: (i) establishment and operation of the Foodomics ERA Chair and Center of Metabolomics; (ii) integration of research infrastructure and expertise; (iii) enhancement of scientific output and competitiveness through collaborative projects; and (iv) development of advanced education and training programmes.

A central element of the project is the integration of advanced analytical technologies with data-driven approaches, enabling detailed characterization of food systems. It also develops shared infrastructure and data platforms aligned with FAIR principles, ensuring reproducibility, interoperability, and accessibility of research data. Strong emphasis is placed on human capital development through recruitment, interdisciplinary team building, and new educational programmes, including training in bioinformatics and metabolomics.

Expected impacts include advances in metabolomics research, development of innovative analytical tools, and strengthened institutional research capacity. Beyond academia, the project will contribute to improved public health, more sustainable food systems, and evidence-based policymaking. By aligning scientific innovation with societal needs, it is expected to generate lasting impact across research, industry, and policy.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

A major achievement is the establishment of a Center of Metabolomics at the University of Ljubljana, integrating expertise across multiple faculties into a unified interdisciplinary research platform.
This includes coordination of laboratories, consolidation of analytical capabilities, and alignment with European research infrastructures such as METROFOOD‑ERIC, significantly strengthening the technical basis for advanced metabolomics research.
The project has successfully initiated cutting-edge research activities, focusing on food quality, safety, authenticity, and nutritional health. Advanced analytical approaches—such as multi-analytical techniques, chemometrics, and compound-specific isotope analysis—have been implemented.
Research on bioactive compounds from plant materials and food by-products has further supported the development of functional foods. These efforts have already resulted in peer-reviewed publications, confirming the scientific validity of the approaches.
Another key achievement is the development of data infrastructure and computational frameworks. A LabKey-based repository has been deployed and tested, supported by FAIR data management principles, ensuring data reproducibility, interoperability, and long-term accessibility.
The project has also strengthened research competitiveness and collaboration, with multiple national and European project submissions and the successful funding of the SMART‑LIVING TRL 3–6 project. This demonstrates the project’s ability to translate research into innovation.
In parallel, a multidisciplinary research team has been established, alongside progress in education, including a new MSc programme in Bioinformatics and the course Metabolomics Essentials.
Overall, the project has transitioned from setup to an operational and productive research phase, establishing a strong foundation for future high-impact scientific and technological advances.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The ERA Chair Foodomics project has generated key scientific and technical results, positioning the University of Ljubljana as an emerging centre of excellence in metabolomics applied to food and nutrition.
A major achievement is the establishment of a Center of Metabolomics, integrating interdisciplinary expertise and infrastructure across faculties. This has reduced fragmentation of research capacities and enabled coordinated use of advanced analytical technologies.
The project has initiated high-quality research in food metabolomics and integration with bioinformatics. Early peer-reviewed outputs validate these approaches and form the basis for future high-impact research.
A significant technical outcome is the implementation of a FAIR-compliant data infrastructure ensuring reproducibility, interoperability, and long-term usability of metabolomics data.
The project has also enhanced research competitiveness, with multiple national and European project submissions and the successful funding of the SMART‑LIVING TRL 3–6 project, demonstrating strong innovation potential.
In parallel, it has strengthened human capital, through recruitment of key researchers, formation of a multidisciplinary team, and development of new educational programmes in metabolomics and bioinformatics.
To ensure full impact, further efforts are needed in continued research, demonstration activities, industry collaboration, funding access, IPR support, and development of regulatory and data harmonisation frameworks.
Overall, the project provides a solid foundation for future scientific excellence and innovation.