Synthetic Cells for Functional Food Platforms

Global food shortage together with economical stress poses a nutritional threat to various populations. For elders, food shortage affects health and well-being and is directly associated with immune and neurological deficiencies. Synthetic cells (SC) – lipid-based vesicles composed of essential fatty acids and loaded with immune-supporting vitamins and nutrients have been suggested as economical nutritional supplements that can be produced at large-scale and integrated into generic food matrices to improve their nutritional value. In this research program, we propose to develop nourishing SC targeted to deficiencies of the immune and neurological systems, to support the aging body.