The National Research Council (CNR) is the main public research institution in Italy. The Institute of Food Sciences, (ISA-CNR) (www.isa.cnr.it) holds a unique position within CNR since it was established in 1994 to meet the need for a research centre where physicians, biochemists, food technologists and others could synergistically co-operate to improve human health through improved nutritional strategies. The missions of ISA-CNR are: • to study composition and nutritional qualities of food; • to evaluate the effects of nutrition and nutrients on human health; • to characterize and improve local food related to the Mediterranean diet; • to apply genomics, proteomics and bioinformatics to nutritional sciences. The research lines are characterized by multidisciplinary approaches and are organized in three distinct areas, including different units: 1. Diet & Human Health; 2. Food Technology; 3. Proteomic and Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry Centre (CESMA-Probio). The Institute of Food Sciences provides a good environment for participant laboratories in the program. Equipment and personnel expertise are available to conduct a broad spectrum of techniques in genetic and nutritional epidemiology, molecular and cellular biology and protein science.