Dr Christine Bösch Wins LIAB Award for Groundbreaking Beetroot Research

The Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST) has announced that it awarded Dr. Christine Bösch, Associate Professor in Nutrition at the University of Leeds, the 2024 LIST International Award in Bioinnovation (LIAB Award).

Recognised for her pioneering research on the health benefits of red beetroot, Dr. Bösch received the award at a ceremony on Tuesday 26 November 2024 at the Halle des Poches à Fontes in Esch-Belval. The event celebrated bioinnovation with 70 guests in attendance, and Dr. Bösch was presented with a €10,000 prize.

Her research focuses on betalains, the red and yellow pigments in beetroot and similar foods, and their potential to improve blood pressure, diabetes management, cardiovascular health and gut microbiota. By studying the bioavailability of betalains, their radical scavenging properties, and how they transform during digestion, Dr. Bösch’s work reportedly opens doors for innovative applications in functional foods and animal feed.

“It is an honour to receive the LIAB Award. It serves as an external recognition of our research achievements and highlights its relevance not only to the scientific community but also to industry,” Dr. Bösch remarked during the ceremony.

The LIAB Award, sponsored by PM-International, a Luxembourg-based leader in dietary supplements and health products, underscores the partnership between LIST and PM-International. This collaboration focuses on bioactive molecule research and innovative applications, supported by shared laboratory facilities at LIST’s Belvaux headquarters. By fostering these partnerships, LIST added it continues to connect global innovation leaders while addressing concrete market needs in bioinnovation, biology, health and food sciences.

Dr Lucien Hoffmann, Science Director at LIST, said: “Through the LIAB Award, LIST and its partner PM-International have succeeded in forging strong connections between Luxembourg and world-leading researchers in bioinnovation. A key criterion for the award is its focus on practical application, which has been exemplified by the groundbreaking work of this year's winner, Dr Christine Bösch, as well as previous laureates, Professor Paul Spagnuolo in 2017 and Dr Ozan N. Ciftci in 2020. Their research holds significant promise, particularly in advancing the field of health in the coming years.”