NeurOmics

Omics technologies network for the research and development of functional ingredients and foods based on scientific evidence with effects on cognitive and mental health resilience.

Cognitive and mental health disorders affect millions of people, with population ageing, lifestyle factors and chronic stress being three of the main drivers of their high incidence and prevalence. For this reason, preventing and slowing the progression of these disorders is one of the major challenges of the 21^st century.

The NEUROMICS network addresses this challenge through the development of scientifically-validated functional ingredients and foods capable of improving mental and cognitive resilience, reducing stress and anxiety, and supporting optimal brain functioning.

To achieve this, the network adopts a comprehensive approach based on advanced omics technologies (genomics, epigenomics, metagenomics, transcriptomics, lipidomics, proteomics and metabolomics), applied across a broad set of functionality and validation studies, including in vitro screening, preclinical assays and clinical studies. It also incorporates predictive models of individual responses to bioactive compounds to advance towards precision nutrition.

Through these activities, NeurOmics will generate solid scientific foundations that enable the transition towards a diet focused on the prevention and deceleration of cognitive and mental disorders, to advance towards the development of functional products with demonstrated mechanisms of action and aligned with EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) requirements.

The network aims to significantly enhance the scientific knowledge and technological capacity of the participating centres, offering the food industry innovative methodologies to develop ingredients and products with direct impact on cognitive function, emotional well-being and stress management. This approach provides companies with robust and reliable tools to design, validate and bring to market high added-value solutions in a rapidly expanding global field.

The NeurOmics network is structured into strategic areas that include technological capacity building, resource optimisation, internationalisation and knowledge transfer. This comprehensive framework encourages the development of new business models centred on cognitive nutrition, the creation of specialised start-ups, and the training of research personnel in omics technologies applied to mental well-being. Furthermore, it contributes to reducing the cost and time involved in validating new functional products, thereby increasing the competitiveness of the agri-food and nutraceutical sectors.

Eurecat participates in NeurOmics through its technological units of Nutrition and Health and Omic Sciences, as well as the Consultancy department. The Nutrition and Health unit develops, within the framework of NeurOmics, food prototypes and preclinical and clinical studies to assess the functional potential of these ingredients and functional foods on mental and cognitive health and their main mechanisms of action.

In parallel, the Omic Sciences unit optimises omics methodologies aimed at the identification and quantification of cognitive and mental health biomarkers, multi-omics approaches and predictive models of individual responses to bioactive compounds to advance towards precision nutrition.

Eurecat, through its Consultancy Department, will also focus its efforts on transferring knowledge and technologies to the agri-food sector, particularly to SMEs, promoting open innovation that connects technology centres, industry, biotechnology, healthcare and digital platforms, and training, attracting and retaining specialised talent in the technologies covered by the network.

The project is coordinated by the CNTA and involves the participation of AINIA, ANFACO-CYTMA, ASINCAR and AZTI, who work together with Eurecat to position Spain as an international benchmark in nutritional neuroscience and the food systems of the future.