“We have a new understanding and this understanding of micronutrients is based on two facts,” Dr Eggersdorfer relayed.
“Fact one is that we know about the human genome and for the first time we can study the interaction of micronutrients, vitamins at the genes and what we see is that a number of vitamins interact with many genes – they regulate the genes up and down and generate by this a health effect-benefit.”
“The second topic is what we have learned from intake studies – what kind of micronutrients do [people] get via their diets and what do they need.”
The Awards highlighted developments in this area with invited speakers gave perspectives about, “what this means for humans”.
Advocacy
Eggersdorfer said it was important for industry to interact with academia to drive research and promote the benefits of nutritional supplementation.
“I see my role in nutrition science and advocacy that I do have a network with key scientists in the field; that I communicate and advocate what is the role of micronutrients for health and to avoid risk of chronic diseases and support healthy ageing.”
The Award was won by French cellular biologist Dr Armelle Corpet for her work on histerone protein chaperoning, genome integrity and breast cancer prognosis.