Alanna Slater

Project Title: Glyco-engineering human milk oligosaccharides for infant formula applications 

Overview: Alanna is looking at developing an alternative approach of formulating milk oligosaccharides in human milk using a glycoengineering approach allowing for their enhanced production for the purpose of incorporation in foods and infant formula. It has been shown that HMOs have an impact on the microbiome preventing pathogenic infection and promoting beneficial colonisation, therefore the study of these HMOs give high nutritional benefit and have the potential to regulate immune responses and the microbiome formation. Success in this area will have a major impact on the milk formula manufacturing industry in Ireland.  Alanna is a graduate Immunology student experienced in cell culture and is extremely interested immune system interactions and the microbiome. Alanna is from Co. Limerick and is an avid Gaeilgeoir and Scout.

Programme Area: Food Programme

Supervisors: Dr. Rita Hickey and Dr. Gavin Davey

Location: Teagasc Moorepark and Trinity College Dublin

Funding Source: Teagasc