A third of all health spending is accounted for by illnesses whose origin and progression are influenced directly or indirectly by dietary factors. The close links that exist between genome research, molecular and clinical nutrition and plant biotechnology have supported the development of new strategies in recent years to diagnose, prevent and treat diet-related illnesses. The understanding of the interaction between diet or food components and the human genome (nutrigenomics) could thereby lead to the development of innovative health-promoting food (also called functional food).

To reflect the increasing importance of the sectors of nutrigenomics and functional food, the French and British Embassies in Germany and BioTOP are jointly organizing a workshop on the „Innovative health-promoting food“. The aim of the workshop is to present the state of the art in research, application and policy-making in the area of nutrigenomics and functional food in France, Germany and the UK. The workshop also seeks to facilitate trilateral cooperation between companies, academics and regulators.

The workshop will consist of thematic sessions and chaired discussion on the following subjects:

• Nutrigenomics
• Metabolomics
• Gastro-intestinal performance (pro/pre-biotics)
• Secondary plant metabolites
• Brain food / Mental performance
• Processing aspects of functional food

No entrance fee is required to attend the workshop.