Saudi/Arab Diseasome Project

The Saudi-Arab Diseasome Project is a flagship initiative led by Dr. Dilek Colak to map the molecular landscape of diseases in Saudi and Arab populations. By integrating genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic datasets with advanced computational biology and network medicine, the project aims to identify robust diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers across cancer, cardiovascular, and neurological disorders. Its findings are expected to clarify the molecular links among seemingly distinct disease phenotypes, reveal the common origins of comorbidities, and highlight unique cellular pathways underlying diseases in Saudi/Arab populations. These insights will support the development of improved diagnostics, prognostics, and novel therapeutic targets.

Unlike traditional single-gene biomarkers, the diseasome approach identifies subnetworks of interconnected genes and pathways. This network-based perspective yields more reliable disease classifiers and deeper understanding of shared mechanisms, enabling clinicians to better distinguish high-risk from low-risk patients at diagnosis, personalize treatments, and avoid unnecessary therapies.

The project has generated more than 50 peer-reviewed publications, numerous conference presentations, and multiple awards. It has also been recognized by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) for advancing bioinformatics and precision medicine in Saudi Arabia. Funding was provided by KACST/NSTIP (2013–2016) under RAC# 2110 006.