Systematic and comprehensive analysis of wastewater and other environmental samples for chemical and toxic substances, pharmaceutical residues, pathogens, and other biological risk factors enables the early detection of threats and allows for a much more accurate assessment of their potential impact on human health and life.
Latvian scientists, led by Professor Jānis Kloviņš, submitted this initiative to the European Union’s research and innovation framework programme Horizon Europe under the “Teaming for Excellence” call. Having successfully passed two evaluation stages, the project has been nominated for funding, securing EUR 15 million. The grant agreement preparation process is currently underway, paving the way for the project’s implementation.
The initiative is led by the Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre (BMC) in collaboration with Riga Technical University (RTU), the Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment BIOR, the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), and the University of Dundee.
The main objective of the project is to establish an integrated environmental and human health monitoring and research platform that will not only enable systematic environmental monitoring but also provide insights into how various environmental factors affect human health. A key component of the project is linking environmental data with observations from human populations, including cohort studies and clinical research, to gain a much more comprehensive understanding of how environmental factors influence disease risks, health status, and quality of life.
One of the project’s key elements is the development of a digital twin of the entire system. This will serve as an integrated and dynamic tool, bringing together data on environmental processes, microbiological and chemical risks, and their relationship with human health observations. The digital twin will enable real-time monitoring, modelling of possible development scenarios, and significantly more effective early warning, analysis, and decision-making.
Latvia already has a solid foundation for developing such an approach, based on SARS-CoV-2 monitoring in wastewater, involving several national institutions, including BMC, RTU, and BIOR. This collaboration has demonstrated that by combining laboratory analysis, data modelling, and interinstitutional coordination, it is possible to create an effective early warning system. Within the project, this experience will be significantly expanded by developing a unified, long-term platform that goes beyond wastewater monitoring to include broader environmental factor analysis, its linkage with human health data, and real-time digital system representation.
For Latvia, this represents an opportunity to become one of the first countries in Europe to implement such a comprehensive approach to integrating environmental and health data over the next six years. This system will support not only public health monitoring and safety but also evidence-based decision-making, prevention, and the development of new research directions.
Jānis Kloviņš, Chair of the Scientific Council of BMC, emphasizes that such a project and integrated approach will not only enable early detection of risks related to infections, antimicrobial resistance, and chemical pollution, but also provide a much deeper understanding of how these risks affect people across different populations and clinical contexts. By combining environmental monitoring with human health data and the capabilities of a digital twin, it will be possible to identify sources of risk, transmission pathways, and potential impacts much more precisely, as well as to make timely, evidence-based decisions for the protection of public health.
By securing this project, Latvia will attract EUR 15 million in European Union funding. These funds will be invested in creating a modern, coordinated monitoring and research system that will strengthen national capacity for the early identification and assessment of infections, antimicrobial resistance, chemical pollution, and other environmental risks from a human health perspective.
At the same time, BMC is on the threshold of significant changes. On May 31 this year, the Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre will merge with the Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis (OSI) to establish the National Research and Innovation Institute (NIRI). This project will strategically strengthen the development of the new institute and support its mission to create science-based solutions that help people live healthier and longer lives.
According to the conditions of the call, an equivalent level of funding must also be ensured by Latvia. The national co-financing will be covered from the European Union Structural Funds allocated to Latvia for science, with part of these resources strategically directed towards the development of new research and monitoring infrastructure.