Advancing food, nutrition, and health research in Europe by connecting and building research infrastructures in a DISH-RI: Results of the EuroDISH project

Harriette M Snoek, Lars M T Eijssen, Marjolein Geurts, Cecile Vors, Kerry Brown, Marc-Jeroen Bogaardt, Rosalie AM Dhonukshe-Rutten, Chris T Evelo, Leopold Fezeu, Paul Finglas, Martine Laville, Marga Ocké, Giuditta Perozzi, Krijn Poppe, Nadia Slimani, Inge Tetens, Lada Timotijevic, Karin Zimmermann, Pieter van ´t Veer

Research output: Contribution to journalReviewResearchpeer-review

20 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background
Research infrastructures (RIs) are essential to advance research on the relationship between food, nutrition, and health. RIs will facilitate innovation and allow insights at the systems level which are required to design (public health) strategies that will address societal challenges more effectively.
Approach
In the EuroDISH project we mapped existing RIs in the food and health area in Europe, identified outstanding needs, and synthesised this into a conceptual design of a pan-European DISH-RI. The DISH model was used to describe and structure the research area: Determinants of food choice, Intake of foods and nutrients, Status and functional markers of nutritional health, and Health and disease risk.
Key findings
The need to develop RIs in the food and health domain clearly emerged from the EuroDISH project. It showed the necessity for a unique interdisciplinary and multi-stakeholder RI that overarches the research domains. A DISH-RI should bring services to the research community that facilitate network and community building and provide access to standardised, interoperable, and innovative data and tools. It should fulfil the scientific needs to connect within and between research domains and make use of current initiatives. Added value can also be created by providing services to policy makers and industry, unlocking data and enabling valorisation of research insights in practice through public-private
partnerships. The governance of these services (e.g. ownership) and the centralised and distributed activities of the RI itself (e.g. flexibility, innovation) needs to be organised and aligned with the different interests of public and private partners.
Original languageEnglish
JournalTrends in Food Science & Technology
Volume73
Pages (from-to)58-66
Number of pages9
ISSN0924-2244
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2018
Externally publishedYes

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