Systems biology in food and nutrition research

Nutritional systems biology includes studies across the interface between biological systems and nutritional as well as other environmental factors. As part of this, the time-dependent interactions between nutrients, host metabolism, and gut microbiota are still understood. Systems biology in the context of food and nutrition research thus requires bridging across multiple levels and concepts, for example, cellular-organismal, host-microbial, short-term versus long-term effects. Given this inherent complexity, it is clear that no single model can encompass human metabolism in the context of nutrition. One attractive view, which is presented here, is to consider a platform-based approach where multiple physiological levels relevant to diet are studied in the context of nutrition.