The University of Ljubljana (UL) is using metabolomics research in food and nutrition to address challenges in the food industry.
The university was recently awarded the ERA Chair in Foodomics, enabling the establishment of a new interdisciplinary Centre for Metabolomics.
The Metabolomics Research Centre accelerate the integration of several research groups working together to create the critical mass of interdisciplinary knowledge needed to improve national food, nutrition and health research.
The established network of researchers and professors will also integrate the knowledge generated into the educational process at UL.
How metabolomics will advance a healthier future
Understanding the inter-individual variability of metabolism leading to different metabotypes (a necessary step towards personalised nutrition) and producing food with higher added value by applying new processing technologies to improve the bioavailability of micronutrients.
The Foodomics project will broaden the application of metabolomics into nutritional studies, enabling a deeper understanding of bioactive compounds, human-microbial co-metabolism, and the discovery of health-related biomarkers.
These advances will support efforts to improve human health, particularly in areas like obesity and diabetes, and contribute to personalised nutrition and higher-quality food production.
Strengthening research and education capacities at the University of Ljubljana
The project aims to significantly strengthen research and education capacities at the University of Ljubljana by introducing new competencies in cutting-edge areas of metabolomics.
The project is led by ERA Chair holder Dr Urška Vrhovšek, an internationally recognised expert in food metabolomics, who will bring expertise in advanced high-throughput techniques for chemical profiling of food and metabolic products.
Through interdisciplinary collaboration among UL’s various faculties and national research infrastructures, the project will serve as a platform for integrating fragmented expertise, aligning national R&D capabilities with the latest international developments, and fostering scientific excellence.
The formation of a diverse research team – including established researchers, postdoctoral fellows, and junior scientists – ensures a strong foundation for long-term knowledge generation and sustainability.
To maximise impact, knowledge transfer to both research networks and industry will be supported by an expert advisory board and a strong stakeholder engagement strategy.
Scientific results will be disseminated through open-access publications and made available via the ERA Chair website and relevant repositories, ensuring wide accessibility and transparency.
