The Center for Environmental, Food and Toxicological Technology (TecnATox) was born in 2008 as a result of the merger of members of the Laboratory of Toxicology and Environmental Health (LTSM) and the Environmental Analysis and Management group (AGA, later consolidated as AGACAPE) and Research in Neurobehavior and Health (NEUROLAB). After years of collaboration with the Nutrition and Metabolic Health Research (NuMeH) research group, it officially joined TecnATox in 2022, strengthening the area of nutrition and health with its expertise in the study of nutrition human and its impact on metabolic health. In 2023, to strengthen the center's research and adapt to technological and knowledge progress, TecnATox incorporated three other groups that work on complementary and transversal topics: the Research Group on Advanced Intelligent Technologies for the Management of Knowledge (ITAKA), Nutrigenomics Research Group (NTG) and Microsystems and Nanotechnologies for Chemical Analysis (MINOS). All the groups that make up TecnATox belong to the Rovira i Virgili University and are research groups consolidated by the Agency for the Management of University and Research Grants (AGAUR).
With the mission of being an international reference center at the forefront of multidisciplinary research and innovation in toxicology, nutrition, environmental protection and human health, TecnATox aims to exert a driving effect in the Spanish Science, Technology and Innovation System, addressing the present and future of social challenges on public health and environmental sustainability for better planetary health. The Strategic Research Program 2025-2028 reflects a clear evolution from fundamental research to actions that transcend routine activities, to foster a culture of curiosity, creativity, integrity, resilience and internal/external collaboration and excel excellence in research, innovation and knowledge transfer. The program focuses on 2 main innovative and multidisciplinary challenges:
- CHALLENGE 1
Improve human health by focusing on the multifaceted aspects of health and well-being, encompassing food, nutrition and toxicology in a holistic approach, empowering individuals and communities to achieve a balanced and resilient state of health, contributing ultimately to a healthier and more prosperous state of society.
- CHALLENGE 2
Advance environmental sustainability and planetary health through the innovative application of cutting-edge technologies, leveraging tools in AI, computer vision, deep and machine learning models, and advanced nanomaterials for energy and sensing applications and the development of new intelligent systems for the efficient management of resources and environmental monitoring. Through the integration of engineering processes, TecnATox aims to strengthen sustainability practices in various industries with a commitment to translate technological advances into tangible solutions, fostering a sustainable future for the environment and society.