Kerry Partnership with APC Microbiome Aims to Explore Gut-Brain Axis

The intersection of nutrition and science continues to break new ground as Kerry Group, a global leader in taste and nutrition solutions, partners with APC Microbiome Ireland, a world-renowned research center focused on microbiome science. This collaboration marks a significant step forward in understanding and leveraging the gut-brain axis—a complex system that plays a crucial role in overall health and well-being.

Kerry Group has long been at the forefront of innovation in the food and beverage industry. With a presence in over 150 countries, Kerry’s expertise spans the development of cutting-edge ingredients that enhance taste, texture, and nutritional value. The company’s commitment to health and wellness is evident in its extensive portfolio, which includes solutions designed to improve digestive health, immunity, and cognitive well-being. Kerry’s ability to bring science-based innovations to the global market makes it an ideal partner for advancing gut-brain health research.

APC Microbiome Ireland is recognized globally as a leader in microbiome research. Located at University College Cork, APC’s work focuses on understanding the complex interactions between the microbiome and human health. Their pioneering research has led to significant discoveries in the areas of gut health, immunity, and the gut-brain axis. APC’s deep scientific expertise and its ability to translate research into practical health solutions make it a valuable collaborator for industry leaders like Kerry.

Pictured left to right: Dr Mimmi Lundahl (Kerry), Professor Gerard Clarke (APC), Professor Paul Ross, Principal Investigator and Director (APC), Dr. Michelle O’Donnell (APC), Dr. Alexandra Boelrijk, Global R&D Director for ProActive Health (Kerry), Professor Colin Hill (APC) and Dr Laura Collins (Kerry).

The collaboration between Kerry and APC Microbiome is centered on exploring new concepts in gut-brain health, a field that is rapidly gaining attention for its potential to improve both mental and physical well-being. This partnership leverages Kerry’s market reach and product development capabilities with APC’s scientific insights and research excellence. Together, they aim to develop innovative solutions that can support mental health through targeted gut health interventions.

“The gut-brain axis has come to the forefront in recent years as a critical piece of the puzzle when it comes to improving cognitive health” says Laura Collins, PhD, Cognitive Health Lead for Kerry’s ProActive Health division.

The potential benefits of this collaboration are vast. The insights generated from this partnership could lead to the development of new food, beverage and nutraceutical products that offer targeted benefits for the gut-brain axis, addressing issues like stress, anxiety, and cognitive function.

The collaboration between Kerry and APC extends beyond this recent partnership. Recently, APC Microbiome supported Kerry Health and Nutrition Institute (KHNI) in hosting a webinar focused on postbiotics  — a growing area of interest in gut health. The webinar, which featured insights from Dr. Colin Hill, highlighted the importance of postbiotics in overall well-being and their potential role in gut-brain interactions. This webinar underscored the shared commitment between APC and KHNI to advancing knowledge and innovation in nutrition science.

As the understanding of the gut-brain axis continues to evolve, the partnership between Kerry Group and APC Microbiome Ireland is poised to make significant contributions to this emerging field. By combining Kerry’s and APC’s scientific leadership, this collaboration promises to deliver innovative solutions that enhance both mental and physical health. The future of gut-brain health is bright, and this partnership is at the forefront of driving that innovation forward.

• Erik Bauer, M.Sc.

  Erik works as Sr. Nutrition Scientist at Kerry. In this role, he works on the Editorial Team for Kerry Health and Nutrition Institute providing and supporting content planning, creation, and curation. He also supports global Kerry teams with non-commercial thought-leadership and expertise in health science, sustainability, and nutrition. He has spent nearly a decade in various roles across the food, beverage, and supplements industries, ranging from industrial fermentation process improvement to being a commercial facing Subject Matter Expert in probiotics/gut microbiome. He received his B.Sc. in Microbiology (Biomedical) from the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse and his M.Sc. in Food Science & Human Nutrition from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.