Project description
The impact of artificial sweeteners on the gut microbiome
Artificial sweeteners such as aspartame were developed to reduce sugar consumption, but there are concerns about their safety. Recent evidence indicates that certain amino acid-based sweeteners might influence brain health, potentially through complex interactions with the gut microbiome and the gut-brain axis. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the SWEETBARRELS project will investigate how artificial sweeteners can form supramolecular aggregates, which may contribute to cellular toxicity and neurodegeneration. Researchers will design novel molecules that inhibit harmful aggregation of sweeteners and reduce potential neurological risks. Project findings can lead to the development of safer artificial sweeteners.
Objective
Since the beginning of food industrialization, consumers have expected products that could bring balance to the delicate relationship between flavour and nutritional requirements. In the case of sugar and sweeteners, the necessity of a low-calories sweetener capable of providing an equivalent sweet flavour without the high caloric intake inherent to sugar-sweetened drinks stimulated the food industry to develop novel artificial molecules. Sadly, consumers who wanted to “keep tabs” on their weight have faced unexpected health-related controversy, first with Cyclamate and its carcinogenic potential, later with the ups and downs on Saccharin-associated risks, and nowadays with the on-going debate about Aspartame and related substances. Besides the proposed role of Aspartame in some neurodegenerative disorders, there are questions about the impact that this, and others amino acid-based sweeteners, may have in the gut microbiome. Since the gut microbiome can affect brain health throw the gut-brain axis, understanding self-assembly can give a clearer panorama about the role of Aspartame, and structurally related non-nutritional sweeteners as Neotame, and Advantame, on neurocognitive processes. The SWEETBARRELS project focuses on understanding the self-assembly process of these molecules, since supramolecular aggregates have been proposed as one the main causes of cytotoxicity for these substances. I will use this knowledge, and previously reports of assembly modulation of amyloid structures, to design a pioneering inhibition strategy based on the synthesis of new molecules rationally designed to interfere in the aggregation process, altering the formation of potentially cytotoxic supramolecular species.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
You need to log in or register to use this function
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
-
HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
See all projects funded under this programme
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
See all projects funded under this funding scheme
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01
See all projects funded under this callCoordinator
Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
18071 Granada
Spain
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.