Project title: ERA Chair in Integrative One Health Informatics

Project No.: 1.1.1.5/2/24/A/002

Period: 1 January 2025 – 30 September 2029

Project costs: 2 500 000,00 EUR

Principal Investigator: Alvis Brāzma

Project summary:

The EchoHEALTH project aims to enhance the translational excellence of the Latvian Biomedical and Research Centre (LBMC) by establishing the One Health Informatics Centre (OHIC), spearheaded by an experienced bioinformatician Alvis Brāzma as ERA Chair holder. This initiative seeks to bridge the significant gap in bioinformatics and data science within the health sector, leveraging Latvia’s biobanking and omics infrastructure alongside comprehensive national datasets. EchoHEALTH will transition from traditional epidemiological approaches to integrated, preventative health strategies, fostering robust intersectoral research partnerships aligned with the WHO’s One Health principle. Objectives include creating an integrated One Health research informatics resource, enhancing biomedical and public health connectivity, and ensuring the sustainability of Latvia’s Research and Innovation ecosystem.

EchoHEALTH will address EU priorities like the One Health Action Plan against Antimicrobial Resistance, contributing to cancer prevention and environmental health strategies. Key efforts include developing new research strands, a comprehensive training program, strengthening LBMC’s innovation potential, and raising One Health concept awareness. EchoHEALTH is timely positioned to make systemic improvements, contributing to global health imperatives and sustainable development in Europe.

The BMC premises are accessible for persons with functional impairments:

• Access to the elevator is available by vehicle.
• A lift is available for movement between floors.
• Access to laboratories and other facilities within the BMC is ensured.

Information published 02.01.2025.

Progress of the project:

1 January 2025 – 31 March 2025

Under the leadership of BMC leading researcher Dr. Alvis Brāzma, the selection of a new scientific group leader and other team members has begun. Monthly consultative meetings with the BMC bioinformatics team have been organized under his guidance. Work had been carried out on the development of the project’s Data Management Plan (DMP) and the Dissemination, Exploitation, and Communication Plan (DECP).

Information published 31.03.2025.