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Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism

"Healthy living across the lifespan" from prevention to disease management.

NUTRIM contributes to health maintenance and personalised medicine by unraveling lifestyle and disease-induced derangements in metabolism and by developing targeted nutritional, exercise and drug interventions. This is facilitated by a state of the art research infrastructure and close interaction between scientists, clinicians, master and PhD students.

NUTRIM's focus and overall aim

Research into lifestyle and disease-specific factors in disease onset and progression, plays a crucial role in the pursuit of new therapeutic diagnostic methods and new forms of treatment. Therefore, NUTRIM's research focuses on the entire life cycle of people to improve preventive lifestyle strategies, current and novel treatments options, and the improvement of patient care and the patient's experience.

NUTRIM research focuses on chronic diseases, including diabetes, COPD, inflammatory bowel disease, liver disease and renal disease, and contributes to improving cancer care. Biomedical research is directly linked to clinical trials and research focusing on behavioural interventions and health promotion. A primary goal is to accelerate the translation of science to patient and population.

Icoon RA's NUTRIM puzzel nieuwe huisstijl

NUTRIM PhD Programme

NUTRIM offers a PhD programme with high internationally recognised standards and qualified supervisors will guide you. Our ambition is to foster the academic development of young researchers such that they can develop themselves by acquiring skills and expertise. 

The NUTRIM PhD training offers a programme for candidates who aspire a broad understanding of nutrition, human movement, metabolism and toxicology, next to outstanding research capabilities. NUTRIM aims to meet the demand for scientists who are acquainted with novel fundamental research concepts and are equipped to optimise the translation from science to the clinic and to public health.

Learn more about NUTRIM PhD opportunities

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NUTRIM Research areas

NUTRIM RA 1 beeld Metabolic health

1. Metabolic Health

The focus in Research Area 1 is to create a better mechanistic understanding of the etiology of obesity, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, which all affect global health.

More on metabolic health

Case Studies of research area 1 

NUTRIM RA 2 beeld L&D health

2. Liver & Digestive Health

Disorders studied in research area 2 include inflammatory bowel disease, liver failure, irritable bowel syndrome, cancer cachexia, cholestasis or non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.

More on liver and digestive health

Case Studies of research area 2
 

NUTRIM RA 3 beeld healthy ageing

3. Healthy Ageing

Research in area 3 focuses on understanding the onset of disease related to age and lifestyle and to identify people with an enhanced risk for disease and (re-)hospitalisation.

More on healthy ageing

Case Studies of research area 3
 

NUTRIM science stories

Meet our researchers and discover how their science makes an impact. Our Science Stories page offers an overview and inside look on how our interdisciplinary teams translate research into real-world health solutions and societal impact. 

Discover how NUTRIM researchers make a difference in healthy living, prevention, and vitality. Read the latest breakthroughs, inspiring projects, and personal stories, explore the interviews, videos, and impact stories that show how science truly matters. Explore why NUTRIM Matters and meet the people behind the research.

To the NUTRIM science stories

 

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NUTRIM news

More NUTRIM news
Niels van Best Hustinxprijs

Niels van Best | Winner of the 2026 Hustinx Science Award

Meet Dr. Niels van Best, NUTRIM researcher, winner of the 2026 Hustinx Science Award, and discover his research
Portrait Hannah Pallubinsky

Air conditioning isn’t the only solution during heatwaves, but what is?

Air conditioners are not always the best solution to cope with heat, says Hannah Pallubinsky, Assistant Professor of Nutrition and Movement Sciences at the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences. A much better approach is to gradually acclimatise yourself to the heat or take a siesta.
Wouter van de Worp NUTRIM

Wouter van de Worp awarded a prestigious NWO Veni grant!

Congratulations! NUTRIM Postdoc Dr. Wouter van de Worp received a NWO Veni grant. His Veni project focuses on cancer cachexia and muscle wasting.
NWO Veni grant

Five FHML researchers receive Veni grants

From stimulating myelin repair in human brain cells to studying how tumours release proteins that trigger muscle breakdown: five innovative FHML research projects receive a Veni.
Marit van Hooren en Niels Ruber

Why do people with cancer lose weight?

Many people with cancer lose weight unintentionally. Why does this happen? Marit van Hooren and Niels Ruber believe the bowel is involved.

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PhD defences

NUTRIM PhD theses of all three research areas listed by publication year.

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Publications

Take a look at the latest research output from NUTRIM. Publications highlight work from all three research areas.

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NUTRIM case studies

Read the best practices and narratives of NUTRIM's scientific and societal impact 

Contact NUTRIM

Universiteitssingel 40 6229 ER Maastricht C2.531

secretariaat-nutrim@maastrichtuniversity.nl

NUTRIM research institute is part of Maastricht University's Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences. We work in close cooperation with the Maastricht University Medical Center+. 

MUMC+ is known both nationally and internationally for its focus on prevention and taking an integrated approach to health care: from prevention, promotion of good health, and basic care, to top-level clinical diagnostics and treatment. Patient safety is our top priority in all of our endeavours. 

MUMC+ is part of The Netherlands Federation of University Medical Centres.

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