Forum focuses on food and nutrition research
[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/tomatoes.jpg” caption=”The Research to Receptor forum will bring together researchers, entrepreneurs and food industry experts. Photo by Sheldon Smart.”]What is the best way to move nutrition and food research out of the lab and onto store shelves? That is the focus of the Research to Receptor forum that will be held at McMaster on Tuesday, Oct. 16.
The forum aims to bring together researchers, entrepreneurs and food industry experts who are developing functional foods, nutraceuticals and other nutrition related products for their health benefits.
The forum has several goals, including introducing researchers to the business people who need their expertise and linking researchers' technologies to the industry players who can turn those technologies into products.
“Many food producers and processors would benefit from the research expertise at McMaster, but they haven't formed the relationships that are critical to starting a sponsored research arrangement. Forums like this can kick-start the process,” said Elsie Quaite-Randall, executive director of the McMaster Industry Liaison Office (MILO).
“Functional foods and nutraceuticals represent an ideal path for university researchers to help our local agricultural producers and processors build a competitive advantage with differentiated products,” said John Kelly, executive director of MaRS Landing.
Darlene Homonko, executive director of the Golden Horseshoe BioSciences Network adds, “This is a growing and vibrant industry sector in the Niagara-Hamilton and Halton corridor with many companies producing products targeted for their health benefits. The forums will be a key opportunity for companies in these regions to showcase new products and expand their network to enhance their research and development programs.”
The program will include plenary sessions with key guest speakers and thought-provoking panel discussions focusing on functional food and nutraceutical programs, from the discovery side to launching into the market and beyond. It will be held the afternoon of Tuesday, Oct. 16, starting with lunch and a plenary address. After the last panel discussion, there will be a networking reception.
Speakers and panel members include:
The Research to Receptor forum in Hamilton is a co-ordinated partnership between the Golden Horseshoe Biosciences Network, MaRS Landing, and C4, the technology transfer consortium of which McMaster is a founding member. It is one of three such forums being held in southern Ontario this fall; the others will be held in Guelph and London.
An agenda and registration information are available here.
For more information, please contact Sheldon Smart of the McMaster Industry Liaison Office at ext. 28643.
