IN DEEP
INteraction between Diet, lifestyle, Environment and internal Exposome towards healthy and sustainable food production and innovative Packaging.
IN DEEP is an innovative project dedicated to studying the interaction between nutrition, environment, lifestyle and the human exposome in order to promote more sustainable food systems, public health and innovative technologies for environmental monitoring and prevention.
The project
The IN DEEP project aims to investigate, in an integrated and multidisciplinary manner, the interactions among diet, lifestyle, environmental factors and the human exposome, with the aim of identifying the biological and environmental determinants associated with the development of chronic non-communicable diseases and of supporting the design of innovative preventive strategies.
The experimental approach involves the quantitative and qualitative characterisation of the main components of the exposome through the integration of clinical, environmental and behavioural data, collected through in-situ monitoring campaigns and through the use of a mobile unit dedicated to Population-based screening. This information will make it possible to assess the synergistic impact of environmental pollutants, metabolic parameters and lifestyle habits on the health of the population.
In parallel, the project integrates the development of advanced technologies for environmental monitoring, including miniaturised sensor platforms for the real-time detection of indoor and outdoor air quality, as well as the application of omic methods for the identification of biomarkers of exposure and individual susceptibility. The set of activities is aimed at building predictive models useful for personalised prevention and for promoting more sustainable food and environmental systems.
Results
The main objectives include the development of strategies for the environmental sustainability of food systems and the creation of flexible, sustainable packaging; the design of educational pathways supported by digital technologies and artificial intelligence; the application of state-of-the-art omic methods for the study of the human exposome; the development of a nutraceutical product following a Quality by Design approach; the creation of miniaturised sensors for monitoring indoor and outdoor pollution; and the development of predictive algorithms to assess the effectiveness of interventions on lifestyle changes.
The overall objective is to improve knowledge of the risk factors associated with food systems, fostering the prevention of chronic non-communicable diseases and promoting sustainable models with positive effects on public health and the environment. ] The expected results of the IN DEEP project derive from the integration of the various research and development lines and constitute a significant advance in the understanding and management of food systems and their impacts on health and the environment. The definition of effective strategies for reducing the environmental impact of food systems is expected, together with the development of innovative solutions in the field of sustainable packaging.
The use of digital technologies and artificial intelligence in educational pathways will enable an improvement in awareness and in the adoption of prevention-oriented behaviours.
The application of omic methods and the study of the human exposome will allow a more in-depth characterisation of risk factors, while the development of nutraceuticals following a Quality by Design approach will foster innovation in the health sector. In addition, the miniaturised sensors and predictive algorithms will contribute to environmental monitoring and to assessing the effectiveness of lifestyle interventions.
