Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre has launched a significant initiative in the field of bioinformatics

Author
Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre

March 12, 2025

medicine research

Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre (BMC) has launched a significant initiative in the field of bioinformatics – the implementation of the project EchoHEALTH: ERA Chair in Integrative One Health Informatics, which is planned to run for the next five years. The scientific leader of the project is Dr. Alvis Brāzma, a leading researcher at BMC and an experienced scientist who has spent most of his professional career at the EMBL European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI).

20250310_140706_samazinata.jpg
Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre publicity photo

EchoHEALTH aims to enhance BMC’s excellence in knowledge and technology transfer by establishing the One Health Informatics Centre (OHIC), which will be led by Alvis Brāzma as the ERA Chair. This initiative is focused on bridging a significant gap in bioinformatics and data science within the healthcare sector. It will leverage Latvia’s biobank and omics infrastructure while integrating comprehensive national datasets.

One of the activities of the project involves training BMC researchers and students working in the field of bioinformatics, providing consultation on various bioinformatics challenges, and optimizing implemented bioinformatics analysis solutions.

On March 10, Alvis Brāzma met with BMC staff involved in the implementation of scientific projects and working with bioinformatics data by applying various bioinformatics tools. During the meeting, the latest developments in bioinformatics at BMC were discussed, and key issues to be addressed were identified. These working seminars are planned to be held regularly, ensuring a long-term contribution to strengthening BMC’s capacity and competitiveness in bioinformatics.

Additionally, this week, Alvis Brāzma is meeting with representatives of Latvia’s leading universities and key opinion leaders in the field to discuss collaboration opportunities in bioinformatics. This is an essential step in establishing the One Health Informatics Centre.

The project is being implemented with the support of the European Regional Development Fund, project No. 1.1.1.5/2/24/A/002, with a total funding amount of €2,500,000.

Recommended articles

research

Daugavpils Universitāte – a Key Research Hub in Latgale

Daugavpils University (DU) is one of the leading research centers in the Latgale region, dedicated to developing an internationally competitive research environment. The work of DU researchers not only contributes to the growth of science in Latvia but also strengthens the regional innovation ecosy…

Daugavpils University

April 25, 2025

research

There’s still time to apply for this year's fundamental and applied research project competition

Applications for the Latvian Council of Science's open competition for fundamental and applied research projects this year can be submitted until May 7th. This year, the competition has a funding pool of 17.7 million euros. Fundamental and applied research projects are funded to ensure the creat…

Labs of Latvia

April 28, 2025

research medicine

Transforming Eggshell Waste into Next-Generation Biomaterials for Bone Regeneration

Every year, tens of millions of tons of eggs are produced, of which several million tons consist of eggshells. Although eggshells are considered valueless and are mostly discarded as waste, they can serve as raw material for producing high-value-added products. As part of the European Econom…

Latvijas Zinātnes padome

April 17, 2025

technologies medicine

Artificial Intelligence Achieves 93% Accuracy in Stroke Diagnosis

The Latvian artificial intelligence solutions developer "Apply", in collaboration with radiologists Assoc. Prof. Kārlis Kupčs and Dr. Andris Veiss, has created a solution called "Sinapse", which assists the Stroke Unit of Pauls Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital (PSCUH) in detecting ischemic str…

Labs of Latvia

April 15, 2025