Session at IUNS-ICN2025 – Recent Advances in Microbiome Science

Session title: Recent Advances in Microbiome Science: Prebiotics, Postbiotics, and Early Nutrition for Optimized Health
Time and location: TUE 26 AUG | 08:00 - 09:30 | Room 252B
Session chair: Isabelle Guelinckx (ILSI Europe)

Objective

This scientific session aims to investigate the complex interactions between prebiotics, microbiome health, and immune function, particularly in relation to infection resistance and vaccination efficacy. By examining the evidence on prebiotics' potential to bolster immunity against bacterial and viral infections, this session will highlight how these dietary components may support effective vaccination. Further, it will explore the maternal microbiome’s role in early childhood development, addressing how both digestible and non-digestible carbohydrates influence health outcomes in young children. Finally, insights into consumer awareness and attitudes toward postbiotics will be presented, identifying research gaps and opportunities for advancing global understanding of postbiotics and their potential health benefits. Together, these discussions aim to provide a comprehensive view of the impact of microbiome-targeted interventions across various life stages and population groups.

Background

With growing recognition of the microbiome’s influence on health, there is increasing interest in how dietary components like prebiotics can shape immune responses and enhance disease resilience. Scientific reviews, such as those covered in this session, are beginning to reveal promising connections between prebiotics, infection defense, and vaccination efficacy, underscoring their potential role in public health strategies. Additionally, shifts in the maternal microbiome during early childhood have emerged as a critical factor in health outcomes, as the session will discuss, exploring evidence from RCTs and cohort studies on the effects of carbohydrates in young children. Furthermore, consumer interest in microbiome health is expanding to include postbiotics; cross-national surveys highlight varying levels of consumer understanding and reveal specific research needs in this area. This session, therefore, provides an opportunity to assess current scientific evidence and consumer insights, aiming to bridge gaps and pave the way for innovative microbiome-focused interventions in health.

Line up

• Prebiotics and Immunity: Their Role in Bacterial, Viral Infections and Vaccination Efficiency (Hediye Arioz Tunc, University of Southampton)
• Benefits, challenges, and opportunities with changes in the maternal microbiome (Eduard Flores Ventura, Institute of Agrochemistry and Food Technology-National Research Council)
• Understanding Postbiotics: Global Consumer Insights and Research Gaps (Delphine Saulnier, Novonesis)