Research Incubator for Human Milk Oligosaccharides and Synbiotics

At the 2nd annual symposium of the Human Milk Institute in March 2024, UC San Diego announced that it joins forces with Novonesis to pioneer human milk oligosaccharide (HMO) research. Our shared vision is to establish a world-leading research consortium to accelerate new discoveries, elevate the understanding of human milk and HMOs with science, and advance the field of synbiotics to better human health on a global scale.

What are HMOs?

HMOs, short for Human Milk Oligosaccharides, are complex carbohydrates and the third most abundant components of human milk after lactose and lipids. However, unlike the milk sugar lactose, HMOs are not digested by humans and reach distal parts of the intestine where they can act as natural prebiotics that help shape microbial communities and their functions. In addition, HMOs have direct, microbiota-independent effects either locally in the intestine or, after absorption, systemically and in tissues and organs other than the intestine.

HMOs are associated with multiple health benefits in infants, but new studies indicate that they may also serve as biosolutions for people of other age groups.

A leap forward

The research consortium will empower scientific communities by facilitating collaboration between academia and industry, encouraging innovation and knowledge exchange to ultimately elevate the collective understanding and knowledge of how human milk, HMOs and probiotics impact human health and development.

HMI and Novonesis are committed to bringing in other academic and industry partners to develop a strategic framework that identifies knowledge gaps and outlines a robust path to close them. Only together, with a strategic, robust, and synergistic approach, will we be able to uncover the immense potential of HMOs and synbiotics for human health and development

The initial phase

In the initial phase of the partnership, Novonesis is providing start-up funding for five interconnected pilot grants ($50,000 each) along with HMOs and probiotics for the research. The five grantees will not work in isolation but interact closely together to leverage their complementary skills and expertise to generate the most meaningful and impactful results as a consortium.

In addition, Novonesis will provide HMOs and probiotics in-kind under an already pre-negotiated MTA so that all projects use the same materials and can begin immediately.

How to apply

Phase I pilot grants are open to UC San Diego faculty. UC San Diego Postdoctoral Trainees, Medical Fellows, and Residents are also encouraged to apply, but need to be sponsored by a UC San Diego faculty member.

The request for applications closed on May 15, 2024, at 11:59 pm Pacific time.

Applications will be reviewed and selected based on scientific merit, innovation, overall feasibility, the team's scientific and collaborative track record, potential to complement and synergize with other submitted and selected projects to form a consortium, and potential for further research exploration and future intra- and extramural funding.

About Novonesis

Novonesis is a global company leading the era of biosolutions. By leveraging the power of microbiology with science, Novonesis transforms the way the world produces, consumes and lives. In more than 30 industries, Novonesis biosolutions are already creating value for thousands of customers and benefiting the planet. Novonesis' 10,000 people worldwide work closely with their partners and customers to transform business with biology. Learn more about Novonesis on their website.