Nutrigenomics is the study of how constituents of the diet interact with genes, and their products, to alter phenotype and, conversely, how genes and their products metabolize these constituents into nutrients, antinutrients, and bioactive compounds.  Nutrigenomics research is being conducted throughout the world with the expressed goal of increasing global health and wellness and reducing health disparities in developed and developing countries.  Many nutrigenomic projects would be aided by collaborations with other researchers who have cohorts, biological materials, or other unique resources for conducting more robust studies. 

The Nutrigenomics Society is collaborating with NuGO to create a database of activities and projects of national and regional centers, organizations, companies, laboratories and individual investigators.  The goals of the society are to 

• foster collaboration between nutrigenomic researchers worldwide
• develop best practices for human, laboratory animal, and cell culture systems
• foster technology development
• develop and dissemminate educational materials
• provide a site for scheduling national and international meetings
• and seek input on ethical issues from the many diverse cultures of the world.

This website will be organized as the Nutrigenomics Information Portal hosted by NuGO but run cooperatively with the researchers from around the world.  NIP will soon have searchable functions to find researchers, projects, and resources to foster collaborations.  Registered users will be able to join discussion groups on topics related to nutrigenomics research.  Although these groups will provide a forum for unstructured discussions, appropriate discussion groups will be charged with developing best practices for the field.  We anticipate that the results of these discussions will form the basis of publications for guiding (but not directing) research with humans, laboratory animals, and cell cultures.

We are encouraging all researchers in nutrigenomics or related fields with an interest in this effort to join our intiative.  To do so, please register via the link Register. Logging in will take you directly to the secure area (folders) of the NIP and the Nutrigenomics Society. Reply to the item 'Interest in the Nutrigenomics Society.'  We will provide you with appropriate permissions for accessing secure areas of the website. 

Comments and suggestions can be sent to:

• Lynnette Ferguson (Nurigenomics New Zealand): l.ferguson@auckland.ac.nz
• Jim Kaput (UC Davis and UIC Laboratory of Nutrigenomic Medicine): jkaput@ucdavis.edu
• Jose Ordovas (Jean Mayer HNRCA Tufts University): jose.ordovas@tufts.edu
• Ray Rodriguez (UC Davis):  rlrodriguez@ucdavis.edu
• Ben van Ommen (NuGO): benvanommen@filternet.nl

The Nutrigenomic Society website is hosted by NuGO and managed by Topshare