The prevalence of obesity and its comorbidities has reached pandemic proportions and its economic and social burden highlights the need to develop therapeutic strategies beyond traditional lifestyle interventions. It is now well established that the obese brain is stressed, and the hypothesis that endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in hypothalamic cells is causally linked to obesity and associated comorbidities has been well supported. We have identified a novel thioredoxin-like protein called SELENOT that regulates redox homeostasis. The genetic invalidation of SELENOT in mice is lethal in utero and the reduction of its expression in POMC neurons or beta-pancreatic cells, major sites of metabolic integration, causes an alteration of hormonal secretions. Conversely, administration of a peptide mimetic of SELENOT, named PSELT, attenuates obesity and hyperglycemia in a pilot study performed in mice. Our goal is to demonstrate that SELENOT is an important regulator of ER stress and POMC production associated with energy homeostasis, and that the SELENOT peptide we developed may represent a valuable therapeutic tool against obesity and type 2 diabetes. In particular, we would like to answer the following questions: 1. What are the molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of ER stress by SELENOT? 2. What is the role of SELENOT in POMC neuron function? 3. What are the metabolic effects of the PSELT peptide and its mechanism of action. The data obtained will be essential in order to use the PSELT as a therapy against obesity and its comorbidities, which represent a priority issue for the French health system.

A quarter of the adult population in industrialized countries experiences mental health issues during their lifetime. In France, despite the existence of specialized legislation, mental/neuro-psychiatric disorders are estimated to contribute to 32% of the global disease burden. Yet overall, and in France in particular, mental illness receives insufficient attention despite its substantial contribution to the nonfatal disease burden, chronic nature, and estimated 20-year reduction in life expectancy. To a large extent, in fact, premature mortality in individuals with mental illness is due to non-communicable physical disorders that have not been properly diagnosed or treated. In turn, in the Covid-19 pandemic context, the mental illness burden seems to be growing at an alarming rate and will likely continue to do so in the coming years. Another deleterious aspect of the current situation is that it exacerbates existing risk behaviors (i.e., increased smoking, alcohol use, snacking, sedentariness). MEMORIES is a 4-year multi-disciplinary project with 5 inter-related work packages; its main working hypothesis addresses the role of mental health status as a potentially modifiable determinant of nutrition-related chronic disorders such as obesity and type 2 diabetes among adults. MEMORIES has 3 specific aims: (1) estimate and rank the relative risk of nutrition-related chronic disorders associated with different mental disorders; (2) develop and validate an epidemiological, prospectively applicable mental multi-morbidity index; (3) investigate the prospective association of mental multi-morbidity with nutrition-related chronic disorders (obesity, type 2 diabetes and their comorbidity) in general (the French NutriNet-Santé e-cohort) and vulnerable (e.g., smokers, heavy alcohol users, individuals with poor dietary quality and/or high levels of sedentariness) population samples, and estimate the proportion of avoidable morbidity and mortality related to these disorders. The overarching goal of MEMORIES is to contribute to the reduction of morbidity and premature mortality rates in individuals with mental illnesses, based on new scientific tools and knowledge derived from a rigorous multidisciplinary approach encompassing epidemiology, nutrition, psychology, endocrinology, biostatistics, preventive medicine, and public health. The results can thus guide clinical practice, primary and secondary prevention, epidemiological and intervention research, and public health policy.

Innovations in food packaging mostly concern food shelf-life and consumer safety by the inhibition or prevention of microbial growth onto food, thanks to the development of antimicrobial active packaging. In particular, bio-based biodegradable polymers and antimicrobial natural compounds generate a growing interest in the sustainability of packaged food. The aim of NanoBAP project is to investigate the potential of electrospun nanofibers in the field of active packaging, through the development of an antimicrobial and antioxidant coating based on biosourced materials for the combined release of multiple natural active compounds from a PLA film. Two strategies based on electrospinning will be fully investigated: from the design and characterisation of physico-chemical properties of the coated films and the release/transfer mechanisms of active compounds up to the evaluation of in vitro and model/simplified food antimicrobial activity. The final innovative proposed packaging solution would be of key importance for the packing of sliced or textured fresh foods. In conclusion, the outcome of this project will generate fully bio-based and biodegradable active films with the potential to substantially mitigate plastic pollution and to reduce food waste. This will make a both scientific and economical step forward to “zero waste” concept.

EVOLVEPACK project is framed in the context of innovative sustainable strategies for reducing food waste in the Mediterranean area through the use of sustainable, environmental-friendly, cost-effective and antimicrobial packaging materials to control food hazards by inhibiting microbial growth. The project proposal is a RIA that seeks to contribute to an increased sustainability of the food supply chain, by exploring underexploited agro-industrial, marine residues and antimicrobial enzymes and then develop novel antimicrobial sustainable food packaging and coating materials, aimed at reducing food waste and improve safety in the Mediterranean food supply chain. The overall objective of the EVOLVEPACK project is to design and produce innovative, cost-effective, compostable and/or recyclable food packages based on active bioplastics and cellulosic materials. Trays, flexible films and absorbing pads will be developed considering a circular economy strategy. A thorough analysis of the antimicrobial packaging structures in terms of composition, antimicrobial characteristics, safety assessment and validation in food products will be carried out. These materials will be used to pack fruit/vegetables and fish, which are the basis in the Mediterranean diet, but are prone to rapid deterioration. Migration studies will be performed to assess the food safety of the developed concepts. Quantitative and non-quantitative constraints such as processability, consumer acceptance food safety, among others, will be considered in order to facilitate the design of sustainable packaging structures based on a requirement-driven approach. EVOLVEPACK will also provide an answer to society´s concerns related to food safety, environmental and economic circularity issues of the food industry and food packaging in the Mediterranean region. The project Consortium is composed of 10 Partners from 8 different countries, covering a range of complementary competences and skills, aligned with the European Strategy for Plastics in a Circular Economy from 2018, which seeks to contribute to one of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) from the United Nations, related to prevention and reduction of marine contamination, promoting the use of more sustainable materials. EVOLVEPACK will be executed over 36 months with a total budget of € 1.998.553,22 requesting a public contribution of € 1.559.053,96. The project will generate broad scientific-technological knowledge (TRL 4) and develop applicable solutions (TRL 6-7), under an overall approach structured in 8 Work Packages.