PARTNERSHIP

The partnership including strategic, supporting, and network partners is designed as an open system aimed at strengthening internationalisation, institutional cooperation, and long-term academic collaboration in translational systems biology and nutriomics. Its development supports the integration of multiomic research domains, including genomics, epigenomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, the microbiome, and nutriomics.

The network enables the development of a shared interoperable data environment and a digital platform facilitating collaboration, mentoring, mobility, and knowledge exchange. It also supports joint activities such as staff and student exchanges, study visits, training, workshops, publications, and grant applications, contributing to improved research quality, increased international visibility, and the sustainability of collaboration in precision nutrition, precision medicine, and non-communicable disease prevention.  

1. POLAND

1.1. Institution: H. Kołłątaj University of Agriculture in Krakow,  The Faculty of Food Technology
Address: ul. Balicka 122, 30-149 Kraków, Poland, EU
Contact: Prof. Aneta Koronowicz, PhD, aneta.koronowicz@urk.edu.pl
Position: University Professor, Bibliographic database:  ORCID: 0000-0002-1653-2867
1.2. Role in the project: Applicant
1.3.Profile Summary: The unit serves as the coordinator and applicant of the project.
Expertise in functional foods, human nutrition, nutriepigenomics, diet–microbiome–host interactions, and translational systems biology. Focuses on epigenetic regulation by bioactive dietary compounds and integrates in vivo and in vitro experimental models, multi-omics analyses (transcriptomics, epigenomics, microbiome), and high-throughput molecular techniques. Experienced in international and national projects (NCN OPUS, OPUS-LAP/WEAVE, PRELUDIUM, NCBR Innoglobo), doctoral training, and long-term mobility programs with partners in Canada, Czech Republic, USA, and Kenya. Implements standardized QA/QC procedures, data management, and integration of multi-omics datasets. Bridges mechanistic studies with translational and population-level research to advance precision nutrition and human health. Facilitates international research networks via CTBSN, supporting strategic collaboration, education, and digital knowledge-sharing platforms.
1.4. A recommendation letter from the Rector of the University of Agriculture in Krakow regarding the establishment of the Center for Translational Systems Biology is attached separately (Appendix S2).

2. CZECH REPUBLIC

2.1. Institution: Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Department of Microbiology, Nutrition and Dietetics
Address: Kamýcká 129, 165 00 Prague 6 – Suchdol, Czech Republic, EU
Contact: prof. Ivo Doskočil, PHD, ORCID: doskocil@af.czu.cz
Position: Assistant Professor, Bibliographic databases: 0000-0002-7373-1360; Scopus
2.2. Role in the project: Strategic Partner
2.3. Profile Summary: Expertise in food microbiology, nutritional interventions, and gut barrier–microbiome interactions. Focuses on in vitro digestion models (INFOGEST), 2D and 3D intestinal epithelial models, and metabolite profiling including SCFA and fatty acid composition. Leads studies integrating standardized in vitro digestion, metabolomics, and gut epithelial responses, with emphasis on functional foods and diet–microbiome–host interactions. Experienced in data standardization, QA/QC procedures, FAIR-compliant data management, and international project collaboration. Extensive experience in European and Czech national projects (GAČR, Horizon Europe, METROFOOD-CZ), with publications in Foods, Journal of Food Composition and Analysis, and Frontiers in Immunology. Bridges experimental food microbiology with translational models of gut barrier function to advance precision nutrition and mechanistic understanding of diet–microbiome interactions. 

3. CANADA

3.1. Institution: University of British Columbia (UBC), Faculty of Land and Food Systems, Stefanska Lab – Nutritional Epigenomics in Cancer Laboratory
Address: 2205 East Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
Contact: Barbara Stefanska, barbara.stefanska@ubc.ca
Position: Associate Professor, Bibliographic databases: ORCID: 0000-0001-5421-3165; Scopus
3.2. Role in the project: Strategic Partner
3.3. Profile Summary: Expertise in nutritional epigenomics, DNA methylation, and chromatin regulation in response to dietary bioactive compounds. Focuses on nutriepigenomic mechanisms of polyphenols, phytoestrogens, and functional foods in cancer prevention and modulation of inflammatory pathways. Leads interdisciplinary studies integrating genome-wide DNA methylation profiling, locus-specific analyses, DNA–protein interactions, and multi-omics data in vitro and in vivo. Extensive publication record covering epigenetic regulation by diet, mechanistic studies on DNMTs and TETs, and translational applications of nutritional epigenomics. Experienced in mentoring graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, implementing international collaborative projects, and ensuring high-quality epigenomic data (QC/QA). Bridges mechanistic epigenetic research with translational nutritional science to advance precision nutrition and human health. 

4. USA – Cornell University

4.1. Institution: Cornell University, Cornell Joan Klein Jacobs Center for Precision Nutrition and Health
Address: 311 Savage Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
Contact: Prof. Saurabh Mehta, smehta@cornell.edu
Position: Director of the Cornell Joan Klein Jacobs Center for Precision Nutrition and Health,
Bibliographic databases: ORCID: 0000-0003-3788-0665; Scopus
4.2. Role in the project: Strategic Partner
4.3. Profile Summary: Expertise in human nutrition, precision nutrition, epidemiology, and translational public health, integrating nutrigenomics, multi‑omics biomarker research, and systems biology approaches. Focus on diet–host interactions, nutritional diagnostics, and the interplay between nutrition, infection, inflammation, and disease outcomes across the life course, including maternal and child health. Leads interdisciplinary studies on nutritional interventions, point‑of‑care diagnostics (e.g., NutriPhone, FeverPhone), and randomized controlled trials in diverse global settings, combining molecular, clinical, and population health data. Extensive leadership in national and international research programs, including NIH‑funded initiatives in precision nutrition and global health, with a strong record of translational and population‑based research designed to inform policy and clinical practice. Bridges mechanistic understanding of nutrition with practical applications to improve metabolic and health outcomes. Extensive publication record (>160 articles, Scopus H-index 40).

5. GERMANY

5.1. Institution: Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry (Leibniz-Institut für Pflanzenbiochemie, IPB), Halle (Saale), Germany
Contact: Prof. Sylvestre Marillonnet; Sylvestre.Marillonnet@ipb-halle.de
Address: Weinberg 3, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
Position: Group Leader / Senior Scientist, Bibliographic databases: ORCID: 0000-0002-4263-797X; Scopus  
5.2. Role in the project: Strategic Partner
5.3. Expertise in plant biochemistry, synthetic biology, and metabolic engineering, integrating systems biology and multi-omics approaches to design and optimize biosynthetic pathways of bioactive metabolites. Focus on functional food development and biofortification, including genetically engineered plants producing betalains, anthocyanins, and other antioxidants with potential health benefits. Leads interdisciplinary studies on modular cloning technologies (MoClo/Golden Gate) for rapid construction of multi-gene circuits and optimization of metabolic pathways in plants, yeast, and bacteria. Extensive publication record (>70 articles, Scopus H-index 42) covering metabolic pathway engineering, synthetic biology, functional metabolite biosynthesis, and translational applications in nutrition and health. Experienced in high-throughput omics analyses, translational plant biology, and international collaborative projects. Bridges molecular, systems-level, and translational approaches to advance precision nutrition strategies, functional food innovation, and the production of bioactive compounds with antioxidant and nutraceutical properties.

6. CHINA

6.1. Institution: Sun Yat-sen University (SYSU) and the Sixth affiliated Hospital of SYSU Key Laboratory for Human Microbiome and Chronic Disease, Ministry of Education,
Address: 26 Yuancun Erheng Road, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510655, China
Contact: Prof. Tao Zuo, zuot@mail.sysu.edu.cn
Position: Professor; Deputy Director, Bibliographic databases: ORCID: 0000-0001-8450-5281); Scopus
6.2. Role in the project: Strategic Partner
6.3. Profile Summary: Expertise in human microbiome research, chronic disease biology, and translational systems medicine, integrating multi-omics analyses including genomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics, and microbiomics. Focus on diet–microbiome–host interactions, microbial ecology, and mechanisms linking microbiota composition to inflammatory and metabolic pathways. Leads interdisciplinary studies on interventions targeting gut bacteria, viruses, and fungi, including nutritional, probiotic, and microbiome-directed therapies, with translational applications in chronic disease prevention and management. Extensive publication record (>110 articles, Scopus H-index 46) covering microbiome-host interactions, multi-omics integration, and systems biology approaches, with experience in high-throughput data generation, gnotobiotic animal models, and clinical cohort analyses. Bridges molecular mechanisms with translational and population-level research to advance precision nutrition and human health.

7. UKRAINE

7.1. Institution: Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University, Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology
Address: 57 Shevchenko Street, 76018 Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine
Contact: Prof. Volodymyra I. Lushchak, volodymyr.lushchak@cnu.edu.ua
Position: Professor, Bibliographic database: ORCID: 0000-0001-5602-3330, Scopus
7.2. Role in the project: Strategic Partner
7.3. Profile Summary: Expertise in oxidative stress biology, redox signaling, metabolic adaptation, hormesis, and resilience biomarkers, integrating nutrigenomics, epigenomics, transcriptomics, and multi-omics approaches. Focus on diet–microbiome–host interactions, functional foods, and bioactive compounds, including sulforaphane from broccoli sprouts, and their effects on metabolic and immune pathways. Leads interdisciplinary studies in cellular and organismal models (mice, Drosophila, yeast) combining biochemical, molecular, and metabolomic analyses, with translational applications to prevention of non-communicable diseases. Extensive publication record (>250 articles, Scopus H-index 52) covering oxidative stress, metabolic regulation, dietary bioactives, and resilience mechanisms, with experience in multi-omics data integration, translational models, and international collaborative projects. Bridges molecular mechanisms with system-level research to advance functional nutrition and human health.

8. POLAND (2) – IMiD

8.1. Institution: Institute of Mother and Child, The Department of Medical Genetics
Address: ul. Kasprzaka 17A, 01-211 Warsaw, Poland, EU
Contact: Prof. Beata Nowakowska, Prof. IMiD, beata.nowakowska@imid.med.pl 
Position: Head of the Department of Medical Genetics,
Bibliographic databases: ORCID: 0000-0001-9095-8906, Scopus
8.2. Role in the project: Supporting Partner
8.3. Profile Summary: Research expertise in maternal and child health, precision nutrition, and dietary interventions. Focus on nutrition during pregnancy and lactation, early-life feeding practices, and the impact of diet on infant and child development, metabolic health, and growth. Experienced in clinical and population-based studies, multi-omics analyses, and integration of genetic, molecular, and microbiome data. Operates specialized nutrition laboratories providing dietary guidelines, nutritional consultations, and evaluation of food products for infants, children, and mothers. Supports translational research linking diet–microbiome–epigenome interactions to health outcomes, and contributes to education and training of young scientists in nutrition, nutrigenomics, and child health.

9. POLAND (3) – AKF

9.1. Institution: B. Czech University of Physical Culture in Krakow
Address: al. Jana Pawła II 78, 31-571 Kraków, Poland, EU
Contact: Prof. Barbara Frączek; dyrektorszdr@awf.krakow.pl
Position: Director of the Doctoral School at AKF Krakow
Bibliographic databases:  ORCID: 0000-0002-5673-6135, Scopus
9.2. Role in the project: Supporting Partner
9.3. Profile Summary: Research and education expertise in human nutrition, sports dietetics, sport medicine, metabolism, and public health. Focus on dietary interventions, assessment of nutritional status, physical activity, body composition, and metabolic health indicators. Integrates population-based and clinical research with doctoral training, supporting the development of young scientists in nutrition and metabolism. Experienced in organizing interdisciplinary educational initiatives, research seminars, and international collaborations. Provides translational support linking molecular and microbiome research with population-level and practical applications in health and nutrition.

10. POLAND (4) – SPZOZ Bochnia

10.1. Institution: Independent Public Health Care Institution in Bochnia "District Hospital", Department of Surgery, Oncological Surgery
Address: ul. Krakowska 31, 32-700 Bochnia, Poland, EU
Contact: Prof. Piotr Skotnicki, pskotnicki@vp.pl, administracja@szpital-bochnia.pl
Position: Head of the General Surgery Department with a Subdivision of Oncological Surgery, Bibliography: Pubmed
10.2. Role in the project: Network Partner
10.3. Profile Summary: Clinical and translational research expertise in surgical oncology, perioperative care, and nutrition-based interventions. Focus on operative treatment of gastrointestinal and other cancers, nutritional support, immunomodulatory dietary strategies, and monitoring of inflammatory and metabolic parameters. Integrates clinical practice with multi-omics and molecular research to assess diet–immune interactions, reduce perioperative complications, and support personalized nutrition approaches in surgical and oncological patient populations. Experienced in collaborative research, clinical trials, and implementation of functional nutrition strategies to improve patient outcomes.

11. USA (2) – UIUC

11.1. Institution: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), Nutritional Sciences
Address: 339 Bevier Hall, 905 South Goodwin Avenue, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
Contact: Prof. Sharon M. Donovan, PhD, RD, DFASN, sdonovan@illinois.edu
Position: Professor and Melissa M. Noel Endowed Chair in Nutrition and Health; Director, Personalized Nutrition Initiative, Bibliographic databases: ORCID: 0000-0002-9785-4189; Scopus 
11.2. Role in the project: Network Partner
11.3. Profile Summary: Expertise in cancer research, precision nutrition, and translational nutritional sciences, integrating nutrigenomics, epigenomics, transcriptomics, and microbiome research. Focus on diet–microbiome–host interactions, bioactive dietary compounds, and immune-metabolic regulation. Leads interdisciplinary studies on functional foods and antioxidants, including anthocyanins, betalains, and carotenoids, and their effects on metabolic and immune pathways. Extensive publication record (>300 articles, Scopus H-index 61) covering metabolomics, dietary bioactives, and microbiome interactions, with experience in multi-omics data integration, translational models, and clinical trials. Bridges molecular mechanisms with population- and clinical-level research to advance personalized nutrition and human health.

12. USA (3) – SUNY

12.1. Institution: The State University of New York (SUNY) in Stony Brook (Stony Brook University), Stony Brook Medicine, Department of Family, Population & Preventive Medicine
Address: 101 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
Contact: dr. med. sc. Adam Master, adam.master@stonybrookmedicine.edu
Position: Scientific Advisor / Volunteer Research Affiliate
Bibliographic databases: ORCID: 0000-0001-9391-8846; Google Scholar
12.2. Role in the project: Network Partner
12.3. Profile Summary: Cancer research and pharmacogenomics expertise integrating nutrigenomics, nutriomics, epigenomics, transcriptomics, epitranscriptomics, and genetic analyses for clinical trials, systems biology. Focus on translational control, translational regulome and translatome and integrated stress response. Studies molecular responses to bioactive, anticancer dietary compounds, including functional foods and antioxidants such as anthocyanins, betalains, and carotenoids, fatty acids (CLA, SCFAs), with effects on Redox pathways and thyroid hormone receptor biology (THRA/THRB). In vivo, in vitro, ex vivo experiments, genome editing, gene silencing, engahcing. Experienced in multi-omics data integration (RNA-seq, DNA methylation, metabolomics, proteomics) and modeling of regulatory networks, supporting translational research on diet–gene interactions and functional food impacts on human health, as well as pharmacochemistry and drug development.

13. GREECE – Crete

13.1. Institution: Hellenic Mediterranean University (HMU), Department of Nutrition and Dietetics Sciences,
Address: Estavromenos Campus, 71410 Heraklion, Crete, Greece
Contact: prof. Christopher Papandreou, papchris@hmu.gr
Position: Assistant Professor, Bibliographic databases: ORCID: 0000-0002-6803-507X; Google Scholar; Scopus
13.2. Role in the project: Network Partner
13.3. Profile Summary: Expertise in nutritional metabolomics, biomarker discovery, precision nutrition, and gut microbiome research, integrating population-based, clinical, and molecular approaches. Focus on diet–metabolome–microbiome interactions, chronic disease epidemiology, and multi-omics data integration using advanced statistical and machine learning methods. Experienced in large cohort studies (e.g., HELIX, UK Biobank, Rhea Cohort) and international research projects, with extensive publications (>100 papers, Scopus H-index 30) in metabolomics, diet-related biomarkers, and human health.

14. ISRAEL

14.1. Institution: Reichman University, Rabin Medical Center (RMC), Department of General Intensive Care and Institute for Nutrition Research
Address: Derech Ze’ev Jabotinsky 39, 49100 Petah Tikva, Israel
Contact: Prof. Pierre Singer, pierre.singer@gmail.com
Position: Head of the Institute for Nutrition Research; Senior Physician, Intensive Care Unit
Bibliographic databases: ORCID: 0000-0003-0779-9321; Google Scholar; Scopus
14.2. Role in the project: Network Partner
14.3 Profile Summary: Expertise in clinical nutrition, metabolism, and intensive care medicine, with a long record of translational research on metabolic regulation and nutritional therapy in critically ill patients. Focus areas include clinical nutrition management, metabolic responses in intensive care, integration of metabolic and physiological data, and development of evidence-based nutritional care standards. Experienced in leading clinical research, multicenter studies, and contributing to international guidelines on nutrition in critical care. Extensive publications (>390 papers, Scopus H-index 63)

15. SPAIN

15.1. Institution: University of Valencia (Universitat de València, UV), Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Food Sciences, Toxicology and Forensic Medicine
Address: Av. de Blasco Ibáñez 15, 46010 Valencia, Spain
Contact: Prof. Carolina Ortega Azorín, carolina.ortega@uv.es
Position: Permanent Lecturer, Bibliographic database: ORCID: 0000-0001-6719-9358
15.2. Role in the project: Network Partner
15.3. Profile Summary: Expertise in nutrigenomics, nutrigenetics, epigenomics, and precision nutrition, integrating clinical, molecular, and epidemiological approaches to analyze gene–diet interactions, with emphasis on the Mediterranean diet. Experienced in large population cohorts, intervention studies, cardiometabolic risk, metabolic syndrome, obesity, and advanced genetic statistics, including polygenic risk scores. Strong track record in population-based and translational research supporting cardiovascular health and personalized nutrition strategies.

16. MEXICO

16.1. Institution: National Institute of Cancerology (Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, INCan)
Address: Av. San Fernando No. 22, Col. Sección XVI, Tlalpan, 14080 Mexico City, Mexico
Contact: prof. Angel Denisse Castro-Eguiluz, adcastro@secihti.mx
Position: SECIHTI Researcher / INCan; Head of the Molecular and Clinical Oncology Laboratory (OMC Lab)
Bibliographic databases: ORCID: 0000-0001-6873-122X; GoogleScholar; Scopus; Loop
16.2. Role in the project: Network Partner
16.3. Profile Summary: Expertise in immunonutrition, immunometabolism, and gut microbiota research, integrating molecular biology, immunology, and nutritional science. Focus on diet-mediated modulation of immune responses, chronic and cancer-related disease mechanisms, inflammation, and host–microbiome interactions. Experienced in translational and interdisciplinary research, with extensive publications and involvement in national and international projects, supporting precision nutrition and immunological health interventions.

17. Upcoming Partners Expressing Interest:

Netherlands, EU
Institution: Maastricht University, Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Department of Human Biology. Address: Minderbroedersberg 4–6, 6211 LK Maastricht, The Netherlands (postal: P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht)

Belgium, EU
Institution: International Life Sciences Institute Europe (ILSI). Address: Avenue Emmanuel Mounier 83, Box 6, B-1200 Brussels, Belgium

USA – UCLA
Institution: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), David Geffen School of Medicine – Departments of Medicine, Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics, and Human Genetics. Address: Geffen Hall, 885 Tiverton Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA

USA – Stanford University
Institution: Stanford University School of Medicine, Center for Genomics and Personalized Medicine. Address: 300 Pasteur Drive, M344, Stanford, CA 94305-5120, USA