As science around the link between the gut microbiome and diet is booming, it requires different types of expertise. Partnerships are therefore key to advance nutrition-based innovations. Our partnership with UC San Diego is an opportunity to change the way we do science, from science for scientists to science for people. We want to put consumers and citizen scientists at the center of innovation to shape our “Health through Gut” strategy.
To mark 100 years since the creation of our first Danone yogurt in 1919, we are engaging in open science through this THDMI initiative, and by opening our historical collection of 1,800 strains to researchers around the world to help us progress towards a healthier and more sustainable world. Both are important steps in Danone’s commitment to open science, our 2030 Goals and objective to serve the food revolution with partners.
Our partnership will allow us to engage hundreds of citizen scientists from around the world in the gut microbiome revolution, described as ‘the next frontier in healthcare’. Because of the high variability in the gut microbiome composition between individuals, we need big data through recruitment of several cohorts across all geographical regions to enable a full mapping of the gut microbiome and measure the effect of diet. Most importantly, unlike other similar initiatives, this program is using cutting edge techniques, the latest sequencing technology, to assess the gut microbiome composition.
According to Liliana Jimenez, Innovation, Science & Nutrition Director at Danone Nutricia Research, “This program builds on 30 years of research into gut health led by Danone and will be a key pillar in delivering our ambition to bring health through food to as many people as possible. We believe that science belongs to people - this initiative will give people the opportunity to become citizen scientists and to contribute to the health through gut revolution.”
