UCSD Launches Milk Analytics Core to Uncover Potential of Human Milk

Researchers aim to identify bioactive molecules in human milk that could address health challenges and enhance performance across the lifespan.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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The newly established Milk Analytics Core (MAC) at the University of California San Diego is bringing advanced analytics to bear on the complex composition of human milk. The goal is to position human milk not just as nourishment, but as a source of therapeutic discovery, with potential applications ranging from cardiovascular disease to sports performance.

Why it matters

For centuries, human milk has been recognized as the gold standard for infant nutrition, but its benefits may extend far beyond infancy. Researchers are now uncovering the vast, largely unknown potential of human milk to address health challenges and even enhance performance across the lifespan.

The details

The MAC is focused on identifying the bioactive molecules – lipids, proteins, peptides, and especially human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) – that influence immune development, long-term disease risk, and maternal health. HMOs have already gained recognition as potent prebiotics, but research suggests their impact could be far more extensive. Researchers are exploring whether specific oligosaccharides found in human milk could offer a novel approach to treating cardiovascular disease, and are also investigating the potential for human milk to support rapid growth and recovery, potentially benefiting athletes and individuals seeking to enhance their physical capabilities.

  • The MAC was newly established in 2026.

The players

Dr. Lars Bode

Director of the Human Milk Institute at UC San Diego.

University of California San Diego

The institution that established the Milk Analytics Core.

Mother-Milk-Infant Center of Research Excellence (MOMI CORE)

An organization that provided support for the establishment of the MAC.

NIH/NICHD MPRINT Center of Excellence in Therapeutics at UC San Diego

An organization that provided support for the establishment of the MAC.

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What they’re saying

“Believe it or not, we still don't know exactly what is in human milk.”

— Dr. Lars Bode, Director of the Human Milk Institute at UC San Diego

“You would potentially have something that certainly is safe, because we give it to babies every two to three hours for the first few months of life, and we know it's efficacious.”

— Dr. Lars Bode, Director of the Human Milk Institute at UC San Diego

What’s next

Researchers at the Milk Analytics Core will continue to investigate the potential applications of human milk components, including their role in addressing cardiovascular disease and enhancing human performance.

The takeaway

The establishment of the Milk Analytics Core at UC San Diego underscores the growing recognition of human milk's potential to revolutionize healthcare, with researchers exploring its benefits beyond infant nutrition and uncovering its therapeutic and performance-enhancing capabilities.