Dimensions of Discovery: Karen Plaut's One Health Special Edition Introduction

March 5, 2025

Dear Colleagues,   

This special edition of Dimensions of Discovery is dedicated to the groundbreaking work happening under Purdue’s strategic One Health initiative.

Through the One Health initiative, Purdue researchers, in collaboration with industry partners, are taking advantage of similarities and dependencies among human, animal and plant sciences to address complex global health challenges. Purdue and Indiana businesses lead in innovation in plant and animal agriculture, human health and pharmaceutical manufacturing. Supported by a spirit of collaboration, our work impacts the health or our nation.

This special edition highlights One Health-related research to solve some of those challenges. Included are the use of digital twins to better predict cancer outcomes and our new understanding of how improper protein folding leads to many diseases, which may open new therapeutic avenues. Also featured is our work to explain how an enzyme found in humans and animals with liver cancer affects treatment success and the improved tracking of human population health through cross-species genomic analyses. These are just a few current examples with real-world impact.

In addition, Purdue’s ability to make meaningful impact in One Health is demonstrated by the close partnership with the  recently announced  launch of a new academic-industry consortium, spearheaded by Purdue’s William D. and Sherry L. Young Institute for Advanced Pharmaceutical Manufacturing in collaboration with Eli Lilly and Company and Merck. This collaboration is designed to speed the evolution of pharma manufacturing.

We are excited about the opportunity to further amplify Purdue’s efforts in One Health with our expanding presence in Indianapolis. The One Health Innovation District will offer a state-of-the-art shared-use facility to foster greater connections among Elanco Animal Health and other industries with Purdue faculty and students. By integrating Purdue’s cutting-edge research with industry expertise, we are laying the foundation for breakthroughs that will shape the future of health and medicine.

Thanks,

Karen Plaut
Executive Vice President for Research