Francesca Bietto
Project Title: InfBar- Infant Intestinal Barrier: Development of In Vitro Infant Intestinal Models to Assess Responses to Infant Formulae
Overview: Originally from Italy, I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Biology and a Master’s in Food and Nutritional Science.
My academic journey has always been driven by a deep curiosity about how biology and nutrition intersect to influence human health—starting from the very beginning of life.
During my PhD, I pioneered the development of the first lab-grown model of an infant’s gut. This innovative system allows scientists to safely study how different baby formulas impact early gut development without putting real infants at risk. My research provides crucial insights into how nutrition shapes the gut barrier and overall health in the earliest stages of life.
The goal of my work is to help design safer, more effective infant formulas that closely mimic the benefits of breast milk. By doing so, I aim to give every child a healthier start, especially those who cannot be breastfed, laying a stronger foundation for lifelong wellbeing.
My passion lies in translational science that bridges the lab and real-world impact, combining biological innovation with a deep commitment to child health and nutrition.
Programme Area: Food Bioscience
Research: ORCID