One Health

The One Health theme is a comprehensive research approach that aims to combat and control communicable diseases that threaten Saudi Arabia. The One Health concept integrates human, animal and environmental well-being, linked by microbiomes vital for ecosystem functionality. Healthy microbiomes support balanced ecosystems and reduce pollutants, positively impacting human health while contributing to biotechnological advances. Severe imbalances precipitate pandemics and exacerbate antimicrobial resistance (AMR), threatening the health advances of Saudi Arabia, the region and the planet. The One Health theme will use this approach to monitor ecosystems and ameliorate imbalances, defending Saudi Arabia against emerging microbial- and chemical-associated health threats that will become increasingly prevalent due to climate change, anthropogenic activities and increased global travel.

To achieve this goal, the theme will tap into the multidisciplinary expertise of the KAUST faculty directly associated with One Health, as well as the cross-sectional expertise of the entire KCSH to develop a well-rounded national defense security toolbox. This toolbox will incorporate state-of-the-art detection capabilities, epidemiology modeling and predictive tools for managing biological threats, such as communicable disease vectors, and chemical threats such as air pollution. In addition, One Health will develop the first microbial vault in Saudi Arabia, which collates valuable microbial isolates that can become a source of probiotics and postbiotics for environmental remediation and public health protection.