It's all in the genes. Or is it?

The first set of results from a major pan-European study exploring how the food industry can help tackle metabolic syndrome by developing healthier fats will be published in July.

Researchers on the Lipgene project, launched in February 2004, have been adding genes from marine algae to plants such as rapeseed, enabling them to produce the most beneficial, long-chain omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA.

They have also been developing techniques to improve the fat profile of milk and meat from animals such as cows.

At the centre of the project, however, is a human study exploring how genetic variations between individuals affected their response to dietary fats.

British Nutrition Foundation science director Dr Judith Buttriss said: "Lipgene scientists are currently analysing the results of a human intervention study in eight European cities to examine how variation in different dietary fats influences metabolic syndrome.

"Biomarkers of metabolic syndrome, which is characterised by conditions such as obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and insulin resistance, will be assessed and candidate genes identified as being important in the development of the syndrome," she said.

The scientists have also had access to data from more than 13,000 participants in the French Suvimax trial (an eight-year study into the effects of antioxidants on the incidence of cancer and heart disease), added Buttriss.

"Of these, 900 people have gone on to develop metabolic syndrome, and their DNA has been extracted.

"So we are getting a lot closer to understanding how people with different genotypes respond to dietary interventions."