A Case-Based Framework for Leveraging NutriGenomics Knowledge and Personalized Nutrition Counseling* Daniel D. Wu 1 , Rosina Weber 1 , and Fredric D. Abramson 2 1 College of Information Science and Technology, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA {Duanqing.Wu, Rosina.Weber}@drexel.edu 2 AlphaGenics, Inc., 9700 Great Seneca Highway, Rockville, MD, USA Abstract. NutriGenomics is the bioscience that links the way nutrients and other dietary components shape genetic activity. It builds on the success of Human Genome Project by applying systems biology methods to explain how the molecular components of food, supplements and pharmaceuticals dynami- cally influence and shape the activity of genomic subsystems, which in turn de- fine how a person can stay healthy or become ill. Applying NutriGenomics knowledge is done through Directive Genomics, which develops purposeful dietary strategies that influence gene expression at the individual level with the goal of better genetic function and health. This paper proposes a case-based framework for leveraging nutrigenomics knowledge and Directive Genomics applications. The unique features of the proposed system include a self- maintained distributed case base structure and a CBR-based nutrition counsel- ing module that can learn, adapt, and maintain its case base via the integrated distributed case bases as well as external resources. 1 Introduction Significant advances in computing and laboratory technology enabled the Human Ge- nome Project to successfully characterize the human genome. The resulting flood of data pertaining to gene identification and function creates new challenges to under- stand how the genome functions. The human genome has at least 30,000 different genes, which function as a robust and coherent system and carry each person from birth through the aging process and ultimately death. When viewed as a system, the scientific goal is to understand the relationships between genotypes and phenotypes, and to determine the interaction and regulation of the genome as a network. An emerging research area with broad applications is NutriGenomics, which uses systems biology methods to deepen our understanding of how the molecular nutrition environment influences what the genome does [1, 2]. Traditional nutrition research uses epidemiological, clinical and physiological stud- ies to identify how deficiencies in certain chemicals translate into compromised health. It builds on these findings to explore how dietary choices in general help ex- plain differences in health from one population to another. Our knowledge of these re- *To be presented in the workshop in CBR in Health Sciences, part of the workshop program of the 2004 European Conference in Case-based reasoning.