An innovative research project to unravel the special features of human breast milk and enrich formula milk using omics technologies
We aim to perform an extensive comparative analysis of human breastmilk with three locally traded animal milks (domestic sheep, goats and cattle from different regions of Greece).
In particular, a high-quality, quantitative and qualitative study will be conducted for the analysis of the membrane and intracellular composition
of the major classes of secreted extracellular vesicles and other transported microparticles. The long term aim is to establish topological networks
of phylogenetic distance across human biopolymers. The proposed multidimensional bioinformatics analysis will show which animal milk has the highest
phylogenetic affinity for human milk based on specific nucleotide and amino acid sequences, and thus the highest nutritional value for neonates.
Application of high-throughput techniques in combination with comparative genomic analysis of mRNAs, non-coding RNAs, proteins, and small molecules
that bind or are encapsulated in secreted lipid membranes (exosomes) will be included.
POPULAR SCIENCE ARTICLE
Discover epigenetic mechanisms of signal transfer through exosome analysis
Exosomes represent packages carrying regulated conserved sets of functionally enriched biopolymers, which if understood will enable the molecular fingerprinting of a large number of animal sources with regards to their similarity to human breast milk. The present study will also examine the comparison of existing milk processing techniques for which it is most nutritionally and medically appropriate, as well as the certification of innovative milk production and maintenance methods. Finally, it will create the necessary scientific and technological bases in the academy for the manufacture and production of specially modified extracellular vesicles (exosomes) as natural breastfeeding medical supplements in animal milk and thereby enhance the specially-prepared high-quality animal milk with immediate beneficial and therapeutic effect for infants, and in particular early infants, or infants suffering from a series of metabolic and developmental syndromes.