Dr. Perez Cano will also give a keynote speech at Nutrients 2026 for Session 4: Understanding the role of microbiota in clinical practice.
In this interview, he shares valuable insights into his current research focus, emerging trends in clinical nutrition, key research challenges, and potential solutions, as well as his personal recommendations for must-read papers.
1. Self-Introduction
- To begin, could you please introduce yourself, including your name, current position, and institutional affiliation?
My name is Francisco J. Pérez-Cano. I am an academic at the Department of Biochemistry and Physiology at the Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Science in the University of Barcelona (UB), Spain. I am also the director of the Institute of Research in Nutrition and Food Safety (INSA-UB).
2. Research Background and Current Focus
- What first sparked your interest in this field, and who or what has been most influential in shaping your research journey?
I started working in the interaction between diet and immunity just after my degree in pharmacy. Our group, “Autoimmunity and Tolerance”, was at that moment making a shift towards the impact of nutrition on the immune system, and since then, more than 20 years ago, we reinvented ourselves as the “Autoimmunity, Immunonutrition and Tolerance (AIT) Research Group”.
The most influential person in this journey has been my advisor, Prof. Margarida Castell, who has led the group excellently, driving it from more basic research in terms of immunology to a more applied approach in relation to the diet.
- Could you describe your current research focus and share any recent developments or key findings with us?
Our research group is approaching the immunonutrition field under different approximations. We first started evaluating the effect of polyphenols on immunity in 2002, focusing first on systemic immunity/inflammation models, later on moving to the intestinal immunity, and later involving the microbiota as an important actor in their effects. Nowadays, we are working on their immunoprogramming effect, together with the role of dietary fibre.
We are also interested in microbial modulators, and in collaboration with several companies, we have provided evidence of the potential of several probiotics, prebiotics, and postbiotics on immunity, especially in early life and in the context of infections.
Additionally, breast milk as a link between maternal and infant immunity has been a key object of study in our group. We have studied how to modulate maternal immune composition through diet, but also how breast milk constituents can be retained after their processing or conservation in Human Milk Banks. Finally, Coeliac disease has now caught our attention as we have found different approaches to modulate its course, especially by the invention of an enzyme with high gluten-degrading activity.
- What major challenges have you encountered in your research, and how have you addressed them?
One of the major challenges in science is to use the appropriate model for the demonstration of our hypotheses. We have been adapting during all this period by adapting or generating animal models that are useful for our objectives: from early life infection to systemic inflammation, from diarrhoea to stress, and from prematurity to immune challenges. They exist as a way to experimentally test the bioactivity of a compound.
3. Nutrients 2026 & Keynote Talk
- What is the title of your keynote lecture at Nutrients 2026, and which conference session does it align with?
My talk is focused on “Breast Milk and Infant Immune Development: From Preclinical Data to Clinical Advice.” It is placed in Session 4, “Understanding the Role of Microbiota in Clinical Practice”, as I will also talk about how, by modulating maternal diet, we can impact breast milk composition and therefore have an influence on later-life infant outcomes.
- Could you briefly outline the main themes of your talk and explain why this topic is particularly relevant today?
Research on breast milk is essential to advance our understanding of early-life nutrition and its impact on infant growth, immune development, and long-term health. Human milk is a complex and dynamic biological fluid containing nutrients, immune factors, microbiota-modulating components, and numerous bioactive molecules that shape neonatal physiology. Studying its composition and variability provides insights into maternal–infant interactions and the mechanisms underlying protection against infections and chronic diseases. Moreover, breast milk research supports the development of improved clinical practices, donor milk processing strategies, and optimised infant feeding recommendations. Ultimately, this knowledge contributes to evidence-based interventions aimed at promoting healthier developmental trajectories in early life.
- Are there any key publications or resources you would recommend for attendees who wish to prepare for your talk?
This article describes what we know about the immunoglobulins in breast milk, and this article describes how maternal diet can influence the defensive capacity of their offspring by a clinical and preclinical approach.
- As a keynote speaker, what do you hope Nutrients 2026 conference will offer to scholars and researchers worldwide?
An international conference like this one brings together scientists, researchers, and health professionals from different countries to share the latest research and discoveries in the field. It includes keynote lectures, research presentations, and poster sessions on hot topics. Nutrients 2026 also links the conference to the publication of abstracts and full-length articles. Attendees will not only have the keynote lectures, but they will also have opportunities to network, collaborate, and discuss new ideas with experts in the field. The conference will highlight emerging trends, innovative methods, and global nutrition challenges. It will also provide a platform for young scientists to present their work and receive feedback from the scientific community. Scientists can learn about the latest research trends in nutrition science at the same time that they have the opportunity for valuable networking, to discover career opportunities, research funding possibilities, and new directions for future studies.
4. Views on Open-Access Publishing
- What are your views on recent trends and developments in open-access publishing, particularly in the field of nutrition research?
I think that open access (OA) publishing is significantly reshaping nutrition research by improving the accessibility and dissemination of scientific findings. This model allows immediate and free access to research outputs, which increases visibility, citation potential, and the ability of clinicians, policymakers, and researchers worldwide to use the evidence.
5. Emerging Trends Related to Clinical Nutrition
- What do you see as the most important emerging or “hot” topics in clinical nutrition or the role of microbiota in clinical practice over the next few years, and why?
In my opinion, one of the most important emerging topics in clinical nutrition is precision nutrition based on the gut microbiome, where dietary interventions are tailored according to an individual’s microbial profile to improve health outcomes. Another key area is the development of microbiome-based therapeutics. Advances in multi-omics and computational tools are also enabling a deeper understanding of diet–microbiota interactions and their role in metabolic, inflammatory, and neurological diseases.
Nutrients 2026 Abstract Submission and Early Bird Registration
For those interested in joining Dr. Francisco José Pérez-Cano and other leading experts in clinical nutrition and healthcare research at Nutrients 2026–Clinical Nutrition: From Research to Practice, please visit the links below for more information and registration details.
Collaborations are welcome
The Nutrients 2026 organising committee actively encourages partnerships with professional societies, clinical nutrition organisations, food industry companies, and research institutions.
The conference creates an ideal environment for forging connections with leading researchers, healthcare professionals, and policymakers who are actively shaping the future of clinical nutrition. Industry representatives will find valuable opportunities to explore research initiatives and learn about emerging market trends in clinical nutrition.
You can also join by registering or submitting your abstract.
Organisations interested in exploring partnership opportunities, or anyone interested in this international conference, can reach out to the organising committee at nutrients2026@mdpi.com to discuss creative collaboration possibilities or any inquiries.