NIUM

What an amazing experience at StartLife’s 15-Year Anniversary Demo Day! 🎉 We’re proud to have shared our vision for NIUM alongside such inspiring founders and innovators. Huge thanks to the StartLife team and community for the opportunity and support. Together we’re shaping the future of agrifoodtech! 🌱🚀

𝑭𝒐𝒐𝒅 𝒊𝒔 𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒏 𝒇𝒖𝒆𝒍, 𝒊𝒕’𝒔 𝒊𝒏𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏! 🍉 On #WorldFoodDay, we’re reminded that every bite we take sends signals to our gut microbiota, shaping our health in profound ways. Thanks to #bioinformatics, we’re beginning to decode how nutrition influences microbial diversity, resilience, and wellbeing. But this isn’t just a scientific insight, it’s a call for #equity. Access to nutritious food is essential not only for human dignity but for microbial balance. Because health truly begins with what’s on the plate. At #NIUM, we don’t just study food, we decode it! 💻 By testing specific compounds and applying advanced #bioinformatics, we uncover how nutrition shapes the gut microbiome at a molecular level. It’s how we turn data into dietary impact, and science into solutions for better #health. 

𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘮𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘮𝘪𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘣𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬. This #WorldMentalHealthDay, we’re highlighting the powerful link between your gut and your brain (what scientists call the #gutbrainaxis). The trillions of microbes living in your digestive system don’t just help with digestion; they also produce neurotransmitters, regulate inflammation, and influence how you feel. Caring for your gut may support mental well-being. That means: 🌱 Eating more plant-based, fiber-rich foods 🧘 Finding moments to unwind and manage stress 🥛 Including fermented foods in your diet 💤 Getting consistent, quality sleep 𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐥𝐞𝐭’𝐬 𝐛𝐞 𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫: While nurturing your microbiome can play a supportive role, it’s not a substitute for 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩. If you’re struggling, reaching out to a mental health professional is one of the most important steps you can take. Mental health matters, you are not alone ❤️🩹

We are proud to announce the launch of IngredientIA, where NIUM will support the development of advanced technologies to transform our understanding of the impact of food ingredients on the gut microbiome. Within this project, we will integrate our expertise in microbiome science, engineering, and metabolic modelling for the development of a micro-scale automated digestion system. The power of AI will further enrich this system and how we develop novel food products. We are incredibly excited to work with our amazing partners at OmniumAI, INL - International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, and Universidade do Minho.

🐾 𝐇𝐞𝐲 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞, 𝐢𝐭’𝐬 𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧 — #𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐝𝐮𝐭𝐲! I keep getting asked the big question: “𝑩𝒂𝒓𝒏𝒆𝒚, 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕’𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒐𝒅 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒎𝒚 𝒅𝒐𝒈?” Well… I personally love chicken and jamón (who doesn’t?). But when it comes to science, things aren’t so simple. Researchers are still debating the “perfect” dog diet. So, what do we know so far? Let’s dig into the latest findings! 🦴🔬 Turns out, #NIUM is on the case — they sniff out what works by testing ingredients to help your dog food go the extra gut mile. Pretty cool, right? #DogNutrition #DogGutHealth #CanineMicrobiota #LinkedInPets

🎤 Just a few days to go until we pitch at StartLife’s 15th Anniversary Demo Day! Join us in Wageningen! 🚀 https://lnkd.in/eXFBcrHG #DemoDay #Wageningen #Agrifoodtech #StartupShowcase #FoodInnovation

#BackToSchool: 𝐆𝐮𝐭 𝐌𝐢𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐢𝐨𝐭𝐚 𝐃𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐃𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐞𝐬 – Part 3 You thought we were done? The microbiome has layers, and so does its humor. Welcome to Part 3! 🧃 #Kombucha (n.) Fermented tea with a personality. Loved by hipsters, tolerated by microbes, and confusing to everyone else. 🦠 #MicrobialDiversity (n.) The microbial version of a thriving social scene. More diversity = better health. Less diversity = your gut is basically a ghost town. 🧪 #Metagenomics (n.) The CSI of microbiome science. Sequencing everything in your gut to figure out who’s living there and what they’re up to. 🧟♀️ #OpportunisticPathogens (n.) The microbes that behave until your immune system takes a nap. Then it’s party time—and not the good kind. 🧫 #Lactobacillus (n.) The overfriendly bacteria that shows up in yogurt, supplements, and your gut. Loves to ferment things and keep your intestines chill. Basically, the extrovert of the microbiome. 🦠 #Bifidobacterium (n.) The wise elder of the gut community. Shows up early in life (thanks, breast milk!) and sticks around to keep things balanced. Think of it as your gut’s life coach. 🚪 #IntestinalPermeability (n.) Also known as “leaky gut.” When your gut lining gets a little too open-minded and lets things through it shouldn’t. Cue inflammation, confusion, and a lot of wellness blog traffic. 🔥 #InflammatoryBowelDisease (IBD) (n.) When your immune system and your gut microbiota stop getting along. Includes Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis. Basically, a long-term breakup with your own intestines. Science is serious, but your gut doesn’t have to be. Share your favorite term and let’s ferment some fun!

#BackToSchool: 𝐆𝐮𝐭 𝐌𝐢𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐢𝐨𝐭𝐚 𝐃𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐃𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐞𝐬 – Part 2 If your gut could talk, it’d probably use these terms! Part 2 of our #MicrobiotaDictionary is here to translate the microbial madness. 💩 #FecalMicrobiotaTransplant (FMT) (n.) The ultimate microbial makeover. Yes, it’s poop. Yes, it’s medical. No, you shouldn’t DIY. 🍽️ #FermentedFoods (n.) Microbe-packed delicacies that smell suspicious but work wonders. Yogurt, kimchi, and kombucha—your gut’s gourmet favorites. 🧠 #GutBrainAxis (n.) The VIP hotline between your intestines and your brain. When your gut microbes gossip, your mood listens. 💊 #Antibiotics (n.) Microbial napalm. Great for killing bad bacteria, but your good guys might need a support group afterward. 🥬 #Fiber (n.) The gourmet meal for your gut microbes. Skip it, and they’ll start eating your mucus. Yes, really. 🧟♂️ #Pathobionts (n.) Bacteria that are chill until they’re not. Like that friend who’s fine until they miss lunch. 🧪 #Metabolites (n.) Tiny chemical messages from your microbes. Some heal, some harm, all are busy doing gut business. 🧬 #ShortChainFattyAcids (SCFAs) (n.) Tiny molecules with big personalities. Produced by fiber-loving microbes, they help regulate inflammation, metabolism, and mood. Think of them as microbial love notes to your body. Got a favorite funny microbiota term? Drop it in the comments, let’s keep the gut giggles going!

#BackToSchool: 𝐆𝐮𝐭 𝐌𝐢𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐢𝐨𝐭𝐚 𝐃𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐃𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐞𝐬 – Part 1 In honor of back-to-school season, we’ve put together a “Gut Microbiota Dictionary for Dummies ” (because let's face it, even our gut bacteria sound smarter than we do sometimes). Whether you're a scientist, health nerd, or someone who just learned that 𝘉𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘥𝘰𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘶𝘮 isn't a Hogwarts spell... this one's for you! 💩✨ 🧫 #Microbiome (n.) A bustling microbial metropolis inside you. Think New York City, but with more fiber and less pizza. 🔬 #Dysbiosis (n.) When your gut microbes throw a party and forget to invite the good guys. Often leads to bloating, mood swings, and questionable life choices. 🦠 #Probiotics (n.) Friendly bacteria you pay to live in your gut rent-free. Some are helpful. Others are just freeloaders in fancy packaging. 🌱 #Prebiotics (n.) Fiber-rich snacks for your gut bugs. Think of them as the catering service for your microbiome. 🧃 #Synbiotics (n.) The dynamic duo: probiotics + prebiotics. Like Batman and Robin, but for your gut. One brings the bugs, the other brings the snacks. 🧬 #Postbiotics (n.) Microbial leftovers that actually do something. Like the crusts your gut bugs leave behind, nutritious and surprisingly powerful. 🧪 #Psychobiotics (n.) Bacteria with a degree in mood management. They don’t do therapy, but they might help with anxiety. Consider this your first microbial vocabulary lesson. Part 2 coming soon... No homework, promise! ✏️