InteractHoMiG
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UNDERSTANDING THE POTENTIAL OF MODULATING HOST-MICROBIOME-GLYCAN INTERACTIONS (“THE TRIANGLE OF SWEETNESS”) TO TACKLE NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASES (INTERACTHoMiG)
This project has recieved funding from the European Union’s Horizon Research and Innovation programme under the HORIZON-EIC (HORIZON-EIC-2023-PATHFINDERCHALLENGES-01) grant agreement No. 101161110
Project description
First year key results
Over the last year, several tasks have been successfully executed, resulting in significant progress and some achievements were obtained.
- We expanded our glycosyltransferase library by more than 200 enzymes and produced the first set of glycans for initial gut barrier function screening using a newly optimized Caco-2 intestinal epithelial model.
- In addition, we developed a microbial strain capable of producing a complex mixture of HMOs mimicking human milk composition, advancing our disruptive innovation in the field of infant formula and dietary supplements.
- A panel of 20 human milk oligosaccharides was screened using the optimized intestinal epithelial Caco-2 cell model. Barrier integrity was assessed by TEER (transepithelial electrical resistance) measurements, yielding promising results, particularly for several newly developed HMOs.
- In parallel, we conducted preparatory experiments to optimize microbial strains, exposure conditions and readouts for Caco-2 cells within the HuMiX 4.0 model, while also developing a high-throughput screening platform based on a Hollow-Fiber Membrane Gut-on-a-Chip model to investigate host-microbe-glycan interplay.
- For the Precision nutrition portfolio, the InteractHoMiG consortium contributed ideas to develop further and to implement the strategic plan by joining the steering committee and actively participating in working groups. Potential cross-project collaborations with other projects were identified and will be further explored in the near future. Details of the portfolio strategic plan are published in the Publications Office of the European Union website.
Initial project
Glycans, namely human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), play crucial roles in the functions of the gut, metabolism, and immunity. While HMOs are vital in infant development and exhibit bioactive properties in adults, it is required to analyze and decode their functions in depth.
The current joint project by Utrecht University and Inbiose aims to identify novel glycosyltransferase enzymes, produce previously inaccessible HMOs, test glycan-microbe interactions in an ex vivo simulated gut microenvironment, decode direct and indirect effects of HMOs on the gut barrier in an in vitro cell model, and integrate the host-microbe-glycan interplay (“the triangle of sweetness”) in a human-microbial crosstalk (HuMiX) model. Thanks to powerful statistical methods, machine learning, and natural language processing techniques, we envision a thorough understanding about glycan structure-function relationship and predict their potential applications with stratifications based on gender, diet, and health conditions. We expect to validate at least one HMO alleviating impact of inflammation under two diets that is ready for a clinical trial. Cutting-edge Omics methods and data analysis pipelines will allow us to understand better the host-microbe-glycan triangle, and will provide both a wealth of research data and an expanded range of HMOs as research tools and potential therapeutics and/or preventives in human non-communicable diseases and food-related health conditions.
Our unique consortium capacities and a wealth of experience in glycoengineering, biosynthesis, bioinformatics, and noncommunicable chronic disease targeting will enable us to achieve the project goals. The project will create additional opportunities for Utrecht University and Inbiose in the further exploration and commercialisation of HMOs. We fully expect InteractHoMiG to be a milestone project for glycobiology research and prebiotic/probiotic/postbiotic/synbiotic R&D within the EU and worldwide.
The InteractHoMiG project work plan is divided into 10 WPs designed to maximise the use of time and resources to achieve the proposed objectives and summarised in the PERT chart.
WP1&2 will be dedicated to glycan library creation and synthesis.
WP3&4&5 will aim to characterize the host-glycan-gut microbiota interaction to generate a wealth of data on the effects of glycans.
WP6 will deal with deciphering the glycan structure-function relationships and prediction of their potential applications.
WP7 will be an in vivo validation of a selected glycan molecule in a rodent model.
WP8 encompasses the EIC Pathfinder Challenge portfolio activities are therefore will be dedicated to promoting awareness of the technologies developed in the InteractHoMiG project and disseminating results of the project across the scientific community and market stakeholders, to ensure their feedback and participation to the project outcomes and secure their collaboration for future development. The WP will also be dedicated exploiting project results. All activities will be coordinated within WP9, which will be dedicated to ensuring prompt implementation of project activities within the set deadlines and budget.
Finally, to promote the synergies of the projects and the impact of the precision nutrition program, WP10 will be dedicated for the portfolio activities, e.g. effective communications, standardization activities, discussing on common strategies, ….
Partners
News and events
On 10/11/2025, the periodic review meeting of the InteractHoMiG project took place with the Project Officer, together with Inbiose and Utrecht University. We are pleased to report a very positive outcome.
Both the European Innovation Council (EIC) and the expert monitors provided positive evaluations of the project’s progress and results to date.
We would like to express our sincere appreciation to Project Officer (Ioannis Manolidis), EIC Pathfinder Precision Nutrition Programme Manager (Ivan Stefanic) EIC Pathfinder Precision Nutrition Portfolio Officer (Danilo Pietretti) and two expert monitors: Alba Silipo & Joao Carlos Cruz de Sousa for their constructive feedback and continued support.
On June 24th, 2025, we held the biannual General Assembly meeting of project InteractHoMiG. It was a pleasure to welcome our colleagues from Utrecht University to Inbiose for a productive and inspiring day of collaboration. We shared exciting updates on:
- The progress in the production of HMOs
- Advancements in building in vitro models
- Our growing interactions with other projects within the EIC pathfinder portfolio on precision nutrition
The day concluded with relaxed and cheerful summer drinks outdoors – a perfect way to celebrate our shared progress and team spirit.
A big thank you to everyone who contributed to the success of this meeting. Looking forward to the next chapter of Project InteractHoMiG!
On 31/03/2025, team members of the InteractHoMiG project gathered on a biannual general assembly meeting. The event was hosted by the group of Prof. Saskia Braber at the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Utrecht University). We updated each other on the progress of making glycan library, cell models, interaction with other projects of the EIC Precision Nutrition portfolio and plans for the next phase. We enjoyed the lab tour and admired all the facilities of the group, ended with a cozy drink session. Thanks Saskia, Marit and Carlon for the fantastic organization of the meeting! We’ll see you all next time at Inbiose!
On 18-19/02/2025, team members of the InteractHoMiG project joined
the kick-off meeting of the EIC Portfolio Precision Nutrition at the
EISMEA premise in Brussel together with the other 7 projects:
Bugs4Urate, DiBaN, FIBRE-MATCH, GLUCOTYPES, MENTORING, NutriEV and
NUTRIMMUNE. Under the guidance of the program manager Ivan Stefanic and
the portfolio team, we believe this initiative will bring together
multiple stakeholders, fostering collaboration and innovation across the
board.
Stay tuned for more updates of our contribution in the
working groups of the portfolio program.
On 15/10/2024 the project InteractHoMig was kicked-off at Inbiose nv
(Belgium). We wish the project team 4 years with innovative and fun all
the way!
Collaborations
EIC Pathfinder Challenge Portfolio — Precision Nutrition
The EIC Pathfinder Challenge Portfolio brings together the eight research consortia funded by the EIC Pathfinder Challenge “Precision Nutrition” call, to foster collaboration, facilitate data sharing, and enhance synergies among participating teams. With a strong focus on entrepreneurship and innovation, the portfolio aims to translate research into real-world applications, maximizing societal and market impact.
The EIC Pathfinder Challenge “Precision Nutrition” is a 2023 European Innovation Council (EIC) initiative supporting research on nutrition, the gut microbiome, and glycans. It aims to develop personalized dietary guidelines that consider individual factors such as age, gender, and genetics, ultimately improving health and preventing disease.
DiBan
Linking Intestinal Bacteria and Host Metabolism to Tackle Type2 Diabetes with Novel Food
Type 2 diabetes (T2D), marked by insulin resistance or low insulin, causes elevated blood glucose. Intestinal dysbiosis contributes to T2D progression and is associated with poor nutrition.
The EIC-funded DiBaN project combats dysbiosis and T2D using novel nutrients from ‘metabolically healthy’ insects to support microbiome-host metabolic balance.
It develops ex vivo platforms simulating dysbiosis and insulin resistance, overcoming nutrient testing limits. An AI-based tool will predict individual responses to nutritional interventions based on project data.
GLUCOTYPES
Glucose variability patterns for precision nutrition in diabetes
GLUCOTYPES is redefining how we approach type 2 diabetes prevention. By combining advanced glucose monitoring, molecular biology, and machine learning, this EIC-funded project aims to identify unique blood sugar patterns –defined as “glucotypes”– that can provide early insights into disease development and lay the foundation for personalized nutrition strategies.
Led by a multidisciplinary team from across Europe, the project combines cutting-edge science with a shared commitment to improving health.
NutriEV
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from food play an important role in nutrition. They can withstand digestion and influence the gut microbiome, gut-resident cells and even the EVs these cells secrete. When they cross the gut wall into the bloodstream, they can affect cellular metabolism and disease.
The EIC-funded NutriEV project aims to investigate the role of EVs derived from raw and fermented foods in gut health, obesity and metabolic regulation. This could support their use in non-invasive monitoring and in therapeutics delivery. To do so, the team will rely on comprehensive in vitro, in vivo and clinical investigations.
MENTORING
Malnutrition significantly impacts many individuals, particularly vulnerable groups such as lung cancer patients. With over 2.2 million new cases in 2020, lung cancer constitutes a global health crisis, affecting quality of life and leading to psychological distress, comorbidities and metabolic complications. The EIC-funded MENTORING project aims to improve the nutritional and metabolic status of lung cancer patients by addressing nutritional deficiencies, restoring the microbiome and developing personalised dietary plans. This precision nutrition approach aims to reduce cancer progression and enhance quality of life. By employing validated multi-omics approaches, the project has the potential to transform healthcare by significantly improving patients’ nutritional and metabolic conditions.
Bugs4Urate
The Bugs4Urate project project explores how diet, glycans, and gut microbiota affect urate metabolism to create safer, more effective hyperuricemia treatments and prevent gout.
Gout is a painful disease caused by high blood urate, often linked to diet and metabolic imbalance. Current treatments have limitations.
Bugs4Urate introduces a precision nutrition approach using probiotics, dietary fibres, and patient stratification to reduce serum urate levels and address gout’s root causes with targeted microbiome-based strategies.
FIBRE-MATCH
The FIBRE-MATCH project aims to match dietary fibre types to gut microbiome subtypes to minimise gastrointestinal symptoms caused by metabolism of fibres.
It identifies major fibre-metabolising microbiome types in Europeans and their metabolic outputs from common dietary fibres and develops fermented microbiome-tailored fibre-rich foods.
The project develops a database on the contents of different fibres in foods and evaluates the impact of microbiota-matched dietary fibre on non-communicable disease risk markers and habitual fibre intake.
NUTRIMMUNE
Precision Nutrition to optimize immune response for metabolic health
NUTRIMMUNE is a collaborative project on a European scale, aiming to define new standards for precision nutrition that takes into account individual immune profiles and symptoms.
Nutrition adapted to the individual, based on knowledge of immunology and metabolomics, is considered a promising avenue for preventing these pathologies and improving the quality of life of patients.
The origin of NUTRIMMUNE is based on the emerging need for new approaches to treat metabolic disorders (such as type 2 diabetes and obesity), the incidence of which continues to increase in Europe. The objective of the project is to address the need to better understand the interaction between nutrition and the immune system, and to develop personalized nutritional strategies capable of optimizing metabolic health.
Indeed, NUTRIMMUNE brings together academic, clinical and industrial partners from several European countries to carry out this innovative research.This project is part of the European Innovation Council Pathfinder.
Contact
Contact our team:
Project manager: Ingrid M. Vandenbosch-Vankeekem i.m.vandenbosch-vankeekem@uu.nl
Utrecht University: Saskia Braber S.braber@uu.nl
Inbiose nv.: Ut Van Nguyen ut.van.nguyen@inbiose.com