Objective
The objective of the COST Action is to bridge the knowledge gap on in vitro colonic microbiota models by providing consensus protocols and robust data to improve understanding of the events taking place throughout the complete gastrointestinal system, including the complex interactions between the microbiota and the host. In addition, innovative educational tools will be developed to increase knowledge of colonic fermentation models among young researchers and extend this knowledge to society, in order to prevent unhealthy consumer choices resulting from misleading messages. By bringing together different experts in Gastroenterology, Microbiology, Physiology, Nutrition, Food Science, Biochemistry, Bioinformatics, Biotechnology, etc., the new COST Action could represent an effective strategy for the development of healthy foods and the fight against disease.
Activities
There are 5 Working Groups that will address the different actions of the project.
WG 1: Review of existing in vitro human colon models and establishment of guidelines to enable better comparison of data from different models
WG2: Extension to other intestinal compartments and host interactions
WG3: Extension to disease situations
WG4: Data science and data management
WG5: Regulation, education, technology transfer, training and dissemination
Dissemination/Transfer
