Research projects

The Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome caused by verotoxigenic Escherichia coli is a disease characterized by microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, acute kidney damage, and thrombocytopenia, primarily affecting children under 5 years of age. The mortality rate is around 5%, although long-term sequelae appear in 30% of affected individuals, making it the leading cause of kidney failure in children in the European Union. In Spain, it has been established as a mandatory reporting disease since 2015. However, despite efforts, it remains an underdiagnosed infection, with fatal consequences in childhood. The aim of this project is the multi-omic characterization of verotoxigenic E. coli for the early detection of this bacterium and to establish prevention and support measures for patients in the event of possible development of Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome. Additionally, the potential link between clinical isolates and their origin in the veterinary industry will be studied, allowing us to establish alert systems for the infection and prevent outbreaks of this bacterium. To achieve this, we will rely on omics tools (genomics, proteomics, lipidomics, and infrared spectroscopy), and for data analysis, we will use predictive models based on artificial intelligence algorithms, integrating all obtained data with a 360º approach. The results of this project will enable the development of an online application that will alert in the presence of an STEC with an associated probability.