Academic Units

Human Nutrition Unit

The Human Nutrition Unit is formed by more than 20 academics with solid training and extensive experience in preclinical, clinical, and observational studies focused on understanding the impact of nutrition on human health. We offer an ideal environment to conduct basic and applied research, addressing topics ranging from the role of nutrients in health and disease programming and the epigenetic mechanisms involved, to the study of inborn errors of metabolism, genetic alterations, and autoimmune disorders. 

We have specialized laboratories where a wide range of research lines are developed, including metabolic and genetic diseases, celiac disease and food intolerances, sleep neurobiology, micronutrients, obesity and cardiometabolic diseases, aging, and physical activity.

The academic staff also actively participate in teaching of the postgraduate programs such as the Master's Degree in Nutrition and Food (MNA) and Aging and Quality of Life (MECV), as well as the Doctorate in Nutrition and Food (DOCNUTAL). In addition, they collaborate in various diploma and specialization courses, both within and outside the University of Chile.

In relation to outreach and community engagement activities, the members of the Unit are part of various national and international scientific societies, editorial committees of scientific journals, study groups of funding agencies, and ministerial commissions responsible for developing guidelines on nutrition and health for the population.

Public Nutrition Unit

The Public Nutrition Unit is responsible for facing public health problems from the perspective of Nutrition and Food Environments.

Chile and the world face the epidemic of chronic non-communicable diseases related to nutrition, such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and obesity. All this in the context of a rapid aging of the population, making it more susceptible to diseases associated with diet and sedentary lifestyle.

To meet these challenges, the Unit investigates these issues from different points of view and covers the entire life course. The main research topics are:

• Obesity Prevention in kindergartens and schools, including implementation design and evaluation of interventions.
• Cardiometabolic risk and malnutrition due to excess, physical condition and body composition, early psychosocial adversity associated with cardio-metabolic risk, and social, biological and psychological aspects of obesity.
• Longevity, functionality and quality of life in older people and the impact on society
• Impact of food environments on health, including food contamination and safety.

In the area of instruction, the Unit collaborates with the Nutrition and Food Doctorate program, the Master in Aging and Quality of Life, and the Master in Nutrition and Food program. In addition, the unit coordinates 11 postgraduate degrees dictated at INTA.

In terms of extension and community engagement, the Unit represents INTA in Ministerial Commissions and before Government organisms in charge of elaborating and evaluating policies and programs related to adequate nutrition and health of the population.

Food Unit

UnAlim conducts research of excellence, recognized both nationally and internationally by researchers in the area of food science and technology. Its structure is organized in specialized laboratories where diverse basic and applied research questions are addressed, extending from the study of healthy food chemistry to the use of biotechnologies and sensory analysis of food. 

UnAlim brings together academics with interdisciplinary training and experts in the areas of bioactive compounds with antioxidant and/or anti-inflammatory properties, nutrition and lipid technology in food, encapsulation of bioactive compounds and formation of edible and/or biodegradable films, biotechnologies based on microorganisms and molecular biology with interest in nutrition, and organoleptic characterization of foods through sensory evaluation.

The laboratories that make up UnAlim have state-of-the-art equipment and modern facilities that allow the development of frontier research, including the use and valorization of agro-food co- and by-products (such as seeds, skins, stems and/or roots), rich in bioactive compounds, to produce innovative ingredients and functional foods of interest to the food industry for human and/or animal consumption.

UnAlim stands out for offering academic training of excellence, supported by research, contributing significantly to the development of higher education in Chile. Its members actively participate in the formation of highly qualified human resources through teaching and thesis direction in various graduate programs (Masters and PhD) of the University.

In addition to its academic work, it also carries out engagement activities with the environment and provides analytical services to the public and private sector, constantly strengthening the link with the community and its productive environment. In addition, UnAlim maintains a solid network of collaboration with national and international institutions, highlighting strategic alliances with researchers and centers in countries such as Spain, United Kingdom, Brazil and Colombia. It also deeply values its links with the food industry, promoting the joint development of innovative solutions for the sector. 

Basic Nutrition Unit

The Basic Nutrition Unit comprises a group of 14 academics working on various lines of research focused on generating knowledge about the cellular and molecular bases of processes associated with nutrition, health and productive systems.

The research carried out in this Unit has diverse backgrounds. Study, for example, the mechanisms of the host-pathogen relationship at the genomic and bioinformatic levels, which are fundamental to understanding the impact of diet and the role of microorganisms in the body. Also carries out research analyzing the genome of different species of fruit trees of commercial importance for our country, Chile (cherry, plum and peach), and their relationship with fruit traits. Furthermore, through the use of various techniques, both in vivo and in vitro, the Unit contributes to a better understanding of how the metabolic responses of cells are associated with diseases such as cancer, diabetes and those related to aging.

The multidisciplinary work of this Unit has enabled the implementation of various types of projects, including basic and applied research, providing a development space for the training of new students and projects, as well as facilitating participation in multiple internal and external academic programs.