NAT4LIFE

Cancer is the number one cause of death in world, but according to the WHO 30% of cancer deaths can be prevented. Epidemiological studies strongly indicate that a diet rich in crucifer vegetables (e.g. broccoli) is correlated with reduced incidences of several kinds of cancer. The cancerpreventive effects have been associated with the presence of glucosinolates, the natural products present in only cruciferous vegetables.

 

In this project we wish to explore the use of glucoraphanin, the major glucosinolate in broccoli, as health-promoting dietary supplement or medicine. As an important first step towards this goal we will determine the bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of glucoraphanin when consumed in a pure form or in a broccoli food matrix. The gained knowledge will underpin subsequent clinical trials.

 

Engineering of biosynthetic pathways in microorganisms has become an attractive alternative to stabile production of complex plant natural products. To accommodate a future market, we will develop a yeast platform for production of glucoraphanin using transport engineering and flux optimization through modular control provided by synthetic scaffolding proteins.

 

The international, cross-disciplinary project will bring together scientists with strong and complementary expertise in each their field. Establishment of this state-of-the-art technology platform within synthetic biology for cost-efficient, biological production of glucoraphanin has great commercial potential. Relevant IPR for glucosinolate engineering is owned by LIFE-UC. Hence, by integrating basic science and innovation, the project will contribute to building a knowledge-based bio-economy in the functional food and medicine industry.

 

Partner	Expertise	Role in project
Prof. mso Barbara Halkier, Head of glucosinolate group at LIFE-UC	Glucosinolate biosynthesis and transport engineering	Engineering of yeast to produce glucoraphanin
Prof. Richard Mithen, Head of Plant Natural Products and Health, Institute of Food Research, UK	Human nutrition and phytochemicals with focus on glucosinolates and prostate carcinogenesis	Intervention study to test bioavailability of glucoraphanin pure or in a food matrix
Assoc.Prof. Uffe Mortensen, Deputy Dir. of Centre for Microbial Biotechnology, DTU	Yeast genetics	Yeast  'omics analysis
Chris MacDonald	Health coach, communicator	Outreach to the public