When We Put a Molecule in the Human Body, We Can’t Predict What It Will Do
Drug development is often hampered by failures related to absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADME/Tox). Improved predictive models for molecular interactions are essential for designing safer, more effective drugs, as well as evaluating the impact of environmental chemicals.
Additionally, there is a significant gap in our knowledge of what exactly is present in foods and how these components affect human biology. A comprehensive mapping of the “foodome” and studies on food component functionality are needed to advance nutrition science and personalized dietary interventions.
Foundational Capabilities (10)
Systematically map drug–target interactions (the “pharm-ome”) to better predict drug efficacy, side effects, and repurposing
Adapt pharm-ome mapping approaches to environmental toxins to predict their biological impacts and improve safety assessments.
For example, scalable solutions for rapid detection and neutralization of mycotoxins in food systems, which contaminate 25% of agricultural products and post significant health risks (e.g., portable sensors and enzyme/ microbial/ RNA-based detoxification systems).
Develop predictive models for ADME-Tox to lower drug candidate failure rates and increase clinical safety and efficacy.
Systematically catalog the chemical and biological components of foods and study their interactions with the human body at multiple scales—from receptors to whole organisms.
Characterize microplastics in food and water and understand human exposure and impacts. Develop new technologies to degrade PET, polystyrene, and microplastics (e.g., microbe/ enzyme systems).
Surveillance networks of genetic mutations in bacteria and fungi–both foodborne pathogens and antimicrobial resistance trends.
Measure the biological effects of food components at the receptor, cellular, organ, and organism levels to understand their impact on human health.
Develop models to forecast which epitopes will dominate immune responses upon exposure to new antigens, guiding vaccine and therapeutic development.
Create computational models to predict and mitigate immune responses to biologic drugs, improving safety profiles.