The Early Nutrition Journey and MFGM: Evidence for Improving Cognitive Outcomes

This education is about:

• The science and structure of MFGM
• Benefits of MFGM for infant neurodevelopment
• MFGM production, manufacturing, and implications for infant formula

Why it matters:

The structure and function of the brain develops at an astonishing rate during the first 1,000 days of life, and nutrition has been shown to play a key role in this process. Milk fat globule membrane (MFGM)—a complex 3-layer membrane structure found in human milk—contains key lipids and proteins that play a role in supporting early neurodevelopment. Understanding the science, structure, and evidence supporting the neurodevelopmental benefits of MFGM is important for all clinicians and researchers interested in supporting cognitive outcomes in formula-fed infants.

• Profile

  John Colombo, PhD

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  John Colombo, PhD, is director of the Schiefelbusch Institute for Life Span Studies, and a professor of psychology at the University of Kansas (KU) in Lawrence, Kansas. Dr. Colombo received his doctorate from the State University of New York at Buffalo.

  In addition to being an active participant in the Brain, Behavior, and Quantitative Science doctoral program in the Department of Psychology at KU, Dr. Colombo is affiliated with three interdisciplinary doctoral programs: Child Language, Clinical Child Psychology, and Neuroscience. He has also served as director of the KU research institute for many years and the principal investigator on numerous clinical trials funded by the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, as well as private companies and foundations.

  Dr. Colombo’s research studies have included the measurement and evaluation of neurocognitive development in infancy and early childhood in both typically developing as well as at-risk populations of infants and young children. In recent years he has worked to include innovative laboratory measures of neurodevelopment into clinical trials evaluating the effects of nutrients and micronutrients on the development of cognitive function.

  The International Congress of Infant Studies (ICIS) recently honored Dr. Colombo with the organization’s Translational Research Award for his more than three decades of research. ICIS is the largest scientific society in the world dedicated to the study of human development during infancy and early childhood. The award honors scientists who have successfully moved basic research findings on early human development from the laboratory to the applied world. Dr. Colombo was recognized not only for his own research accomplishments but also for mentoring, over the years, the many scientists whose research has had a significant impact on enhancing the lives of infants and their families.

  Dr. Colombo has authored or coauthored six books, more than 100 peer-reviewed chapters and articles, and has been an invited speaker at national and international symposia. He serves on the editorial boards of several medical journals including the International Journal of Pediatrics, Infancy, Child Development, and Infant Behavior and Development.

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  John Colombo, PhD

  Professor of Psychology
  Director of the Schiefelbusch Institute for Life Span Studies
  University of Kansas
  Lawrence, Kansas

• Profile

  Sean Deoni, PhD

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  Dr. Deoni received his PhD in medical biophysics from the University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada, and postdoctoral research fellowships at the Centre for Neuroimaging Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College London, and Oxford University UK.

  Dr. Deoni is an associate professor of pediatrics (research) and associate professor of diagnostic imaging (research) at Brown University. As a physicist by training, his research interests focus on understanding the biological basis of the MRI signal and developing novel techniques to investigate brain tissue and microstructure. As a neuroscientist, I have strived to use those techniques to characterize healthy and atypical child neurodevelopment and decipher the complex environmental interactions that shape patterns of growth and outcome. And as a parent, I’ve sought to use that information to help children become their most confident, curious, and healthy self no matter where they live, play, and grow.

  Dr. Deoni has authored more than 120 peer-reviewed journal articles. 

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  Sean Deoni, PhD

  Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Radiology
  Director, Advanced Baby Imaging Lab
  Warren Alpert Medical School
  Brown University
  Pawtucket, Rhode Island

• Profile

  Rafael Jiménez-Flores, PhD

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  Rafael Jiménez-Flores, PhD, is the JT 'Stubby' Parker Endowed Chair in Dairy Foods and a professor in the Department of Food Science and Technology at The Ohio State University (OSU). He received his MS degree from Cornell University, and his PhD degree in food science and agricultural chemistry from the University of California, Davis.

  At OSU, Dr. Jiménez-Flores develops and teaches graduate and undergraduate courses focused on dairy foods, and engages in dynamic research and outreach programs. His research work has involved developing novel methods for dairy processing, characterization of the milk fat globule membrane, surface interactions of milk components and lactic acid bacteria, spore incidence in dairy processing plants, and biological activity of milk components.

  Dr. Jiménez-Flores has developed strong relationships with representatives of the dairy foods industry. He serves as vice president of the American Dairy Science Association, an international organization of educators, scientists and industry representatives, and has held a number of other board, committee and editorial positions with the organization.

  Dr. Rafael Jiménez-Flores holds six patents, has authored 10 book chapters and more than 150 peer-reviewed journal articles. He was the recipient of the prestigious International Dairy Foods Association Research Award in Dairy Foods Processing.

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  Rafael Jiménez-Flores, PhD

  J.T. Parker Endowed Chair in Dairy Foods
  College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences
  Department of Food Science and Technology
  The Ohio State University
  Columbus, Ohio