Until recently, diabetes was classified into two main forms, type 1 and type 2 diabetes, a classification that does not adequately reflect the complexity of type 2 diabetes in terms of etiologies, differing clinical manifestations and potential complications. In a complex study published in 2018, Ahlqvist et al. analyzed diabetes characteristics in a large Swedish cohort, and three other Scandinavian groups. Five subgroups were distinguished: Severe Autoimmune Diabetes, Severe Insulin Deficient Diabetes, Severe Insulin Resistant Diabetes, Mild Obesity-related Diabetes and Mild Age-related Diabetes. The data-driven cluster analysis was based on easily measurable clinical parameters: GAD antibodies, BMI, HbA1c, age at diabetes onset, HOMA-2 estimates of b-cell function and insulin resistance. The novel subgroups were validated in the German Diabetes Study (GDS) and in the Verona Newly Diagnosed T2D Study-VNDS (partners of the project). In these studies, the subgroups had distinct progression trajectories of diabetes-related complications which were associated with different clinical, metabolic and genetic traits. Both diabetes and its comorbidities have in common that inflammation-related processes are involved in their development. A cross-sectional analysis of the data of 414 individuals with recent adult-onset diabetes from the GDS showed multiple differences in 23 biomarkers of inflammation in the novel diabetes subgroups as described by Ahlqvist et al. A comprehensive multi-omics analysis of metabolically profiled pancreatectomized living human donors showed that patients with diabetes and prediabetes display upregulation of islet genes that were functionally related to cell-extracellular matrix interaction, immune response and signaling pathways. The heterogeneity of immune cells and biomarkers of inflammation raises the question about the role of immune-inflammatory mechanisms in the apparent differences between patients with diabetes regarding the glycemic continuum and risk of developing diabetes-related complications and comorbidities. We believe that the inflammatory component of diabetes plays a crucial role in guiding the trajectory of the disease: deterioration of insulin sensitivity and b-cell function and the progression of micro- and macrovascular comorbidities. The global objective of the network is to redefine the classification of diabetes and set up a clustering of the disease based on in-depth targeted immune-inflammatory phenotyping of individuals, and subsequently a personalized therapy course. In this context, the INTERCEPT-T2D (Improving Type 2 Diabetes Care through Personalized Inflammation-Based Interceptive Medicine) consortium will address two key goals: > Establish novel subgroups of diabetes based on immune-inflammatory profiles of patients > Elucidate the role of the identified subgroups/trajectories in diabetes-related outcomes The project ambition is to develop and utilize algorithms and sensors of immune-inflammatory metabolites to dynamically monitor diabetes status and to identify inflammation indicators correlative to the uncomplicated-to-complicated diabetes transition (“health-to-disease”). The overarching vision of the INTERCEPT-T2D Consortium is to provide a framework for personalized medicine in diabetes. To support its formalisation, evolution, works and goals reaching, INTERCEPT-T2D is aiming for the European call for projects HORIZON-HLTH-2022-STAYHLTH-02-01 : Personalised blue print of chronic inflammation in health-to-disease transition.

The ANR MEDSALT project aims to consolidate and expand a scientific network recently formed with the purpose to use scientific drilling to address the causes, timing, emplacement mechanisms and consequences of the largest and most recent 'salt giant' on Earth: the late Miocene (Messinian) salt deposit in the Mediterranean basin. After obtaining the endorsement of the International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) on a Multiplatform Drilling Proposal (umbrella proposal) in early 2015, the network is planning to submit a site-specific drilling proposal to drill a transect of holes with the R/V Joides Resolution in the evaporite-bearing southern margin of the Balearic promontory in the Western Mediterranean - the aim is to submit the full proposal before the IODP dealine of April 1st 2017, following the submission of a pre-proposal on October 1st 2015. Four key issues will be addressed: 1) What are the causes, timing and emplacement mechanisms of the Mediterranean salt giant ? 2) What are the factors responsible for early salt deformation and fluid flow across and out of the halite layer ? 3) Do salt giants promote the development of a phylogenetically diverse and exceptionally active deep biosphere ? 4) What are the mechanisms underlying the spectacular vertical motions inside basins and their margins ? Our nascent scientific network will consit of a core group of 22 scientists from 10 countries (7 European + USA + Japan + Israel) of which three french scientists (G. Aloisi, J. Lofi and M. Rabineau) play a leading role as PIs of Mediterranean drilling proposals developed within our initiative. Support to this core group will be provided by a supplementary group of 21 scientists that will provide critical knowledge in key areas of our project. The ANR MEDSALT network will finance key actions that include: organising a 43 participants workshops to strengthen and consolidate the Mediterranean drilling community, supporting the participation of network scientists to seismic well site-survey cruises, organising meetings in smaller groups to work on site survey data and finance trips to the US to defend our drilling proposal in front of the IODP Environmental Protection and Safety Panel (EPSP). The MEDSALT drilling initiative will impact the understanding of issues as diverse as submarine geohazards, sub-salt hydrocarbon reservoirs and life in the deep subsurface. This is a unique opportunity for the French scientific community to play a leading role, next to our international partners, in tackling one of the most intellectually challenging open problems in the history of our planet.

The bioactive compounds of saffron (crocus sativus, L) spice and its floral by-products (mainly crocin, safranal and flavonoids) have potential health benefits particularly regarding cognitive function and mental health. There is a lack of knowledge on their use as a source of bioactive extracts for the development of functional food ingredients. The main objective of the project is to develop new innovative and added-value products from saffron and its floral by-products, improving the saffron quality in the Mediterranean area and turning it into a highly profitable botanical source. Specific project objectives and the approach to achieve them are: -To produce high quality saffron and floral by-products optimizing the cultivation and processing conditions, and their characterization, with contribution of saffron producers and SMEs in Algeria and Spain. -To develop and characterize bioactive extracts and ingredients from saffron and its floral by-products improving functionality and stability, using up-to-date and innovative technologies with involvement of the industry. -To develop innovative healthier food products from the saffron ingredients through traditional recipes, preserving the nutritional and organoleptic quality. -To investigate the antimicrobial and prebiotic potential of the extracts, and their cardiometabolic prospects “in vitro” and “in vivo”. -To test the effect of the bioactive extracts on mood and cognition in humans. The multidisciplinary science-based outputs, technological improvements, and applications of saffron bioactive extracts and ingredients with defined authenticity and functional composition, will lead to new functional foods from the traditional Mediterranean diet, contributing to improve the health of the population. At the same time, saffron production will become more sustainable and profitable taking advantage of a high-value biomass. This will also foster the employment and international market in this industrial sector.

The health benefits of the Mediterranean diet (MD) and its protective effect against chronic diseases have been widely studied by the scientific community. Recent studies associate this dietary pattern with a lower incidence of cardiovascular disease, cancer and lower mortality and may even strengthen the immune system against COVID 19. In addition, the MD has a great potential to have a low environmental impact in terms of land use, energy needs, water consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Despite these benefits, it is well-known that the dietary habits of MED populations have gradually moved away from the traditional MD model. Contemporary eating habits, coupled with a more sedentary lifestyle, have led to an increase in the prevalence of obesity among MD populations. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to improve the adoption of traditional MD food consumption in different population groups by designing nutritious, healthy and attractive low-processing recipes, taking into account consumers’ opinions and ideas. For this, co-creation (CC) sessions will be organised with consumers of all ages (children/youth, adults and seniors) to create the healthiest and most attractive recipes based on the MD philosophy, and sensory testing with expert panels. In addition, to test and evaluate the real effect of the MedDiet recipes, monitoring will be carried out through in vivo and in vitro tests, together with a comprehensive assessment of the physical exercise, lifestyle and eating habits of the target population. To assess the authenticity, quality and safety of the designed recipes, a digital farm-to-fork traceability platform will be developed, based on data collection with rapid, mostly non-destructive tools. In addition, the system will be secured with blockchain systems. Business models will be developed to evaluate the socio-economic impact of the designed MD recipes. At the same time, their components and the actual effect on health will be evaluated, with the ultimate goal of activating mechanisms to engage the population and ensure recognition and adherence to MD. The success of the project lies largely in the number and continuity of the educational and experimental activities designed in the programme. Consistency and continuity throughout the programme will be achieved through timely and repeated contact with affiliated stakeholders and the community. A comprehensive training system will be developed from the early years under a Living Labs (LL) approach, teaching children/youth about the importance of eating a balanced and healthy diet and its positive effect on health. In addition, this education and training will be continued at all ages and advances in knowledge on MD in public nutrition, health policies, strategies and guidelines for consumers, industry and policy makers in collaboration with local and regional authorities will be introduced.

INTENSE will respond to several of the “Great Challenges” for the 21st century, which are global food security, use of renewable raw materials and production of energy from biomass, for which the agricultural sector is important. INTENSE will contribute to sustainable increase in food production, novel products for agriculture and new perspectives for European rural landscapes. Future land use must embrace efficient production and utilization of biomass for improved economic, environmental and social outcomes. In the “International Year of Soils” at least 30 % of the agricultural soils in Europe need to be transformed to a state of higher quality. Accordingly, INTENSE will contribute to reconverting poor, abandoned and polluted sites including grassland, set aside land, brownfields, and otherwise marginal lands into sustainable agricultural production across Europe. Innovative systems-based tools for the development and implementation of integrated food and non-food production serving for intensified land management of these land areas will be constructed. These tools open up a wide range of novel products and services across farming communities in Europe. Thus utilizing and developing models characterizing fluxes of matter, productivity and socio-economy, the INTENSE project responds to central questions of FACCE-JPI Core theme 3: Sustainable intensification of integrated food and non-food systems of agriculture. Specifically, recovery of soils from pollution, drought or other reasons for low productivity requires research on (a) identification of crucial soil components and processes (b) identification and assessment of plant species producing high biomass on marginal and/or contaminated soil, (c) the optimum composition for composting and biogas production, (d) degradation and absorption of pollutants by selected species and to demonstrate their potential. INTENSE will combine cropping and soil amendment experiments, precision agricultural and crop modeling tools, experimental biomass conversion to energy, the assessment of greenhouse gas and nutrient emission and other environmental indicators, as well as socioeconomic models. Stakeholders including farms and farm associated biogas enterprises will be an integrated part of the project to serve to facilitate the implementation of sustainable and financially attractive production alternatives. The holistic approach of the project will enable the identification of common traits and at the same time enable the development and dissemination of production chains for sustainable intensification which are adapted to the environmental and socio-economic diversity within Europe.