Genotypic and phenotypic characterization of multidrug-resistant bacteria.

Infections by multidrug-resistant bacteria, especially carbapenemase-producing bacteria (EPC), have increased severely in recent years and are associated with high mortality rates. The general objective of this work is to increase the knowledge about the molecular mechanisms that allow the acquisition and dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes in pathogenic bacteria, especially in the presence of subinhibitory amounts of antibiotics. In addition, infections associated with medical implants are being prevented with modified biomaterials. Using resistant strains isolated from patients, the efficacy of new biomaterials with various modifications is being evaluated, as well as the search for new products of natural origin that can affect bacterial growth or biofilm formation.

Study of the antitumor potential of grape must polyphenols in tumors of interest in pediatrics.

Data obtained in a project carried out in collaboration with the company Mostos Españoles S. A., have shown the presence of high concentrations of the polyphenols catechin and quercetin in grape must of the Airén variety. Polyphenols are characterized by their antioxidant capacity and their anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, immunomodulatory, etc. effects. Grapes and grape must are natural products of common consumption and high demand in the food industry, hence the interest in learning more about the beneficial health effects of these products. The objective of this project is to study the effect that grape polyphenols, especially catechin and quercetin, have on some of the most prevalent pediatric tumors such as leukemia and medulloblastoma. In addition, we are interested in determining the molecular mechanisms that polyphenols exert on tumor cells, in order to be able to modulate them and use them as therapeutic targets. This knowledge would open the door to the application of these natural products as bioactive agents against cancer.

Microbiota studies:

In recent years, the intestinal microbiota has proved to be a determining factor in human health, influencing the development of numerous diseases of diverse etiology. Our research is carried out in animal models and in intervention and observational trials in humans. The study of the microbiota is performed by Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) techniques and our work is focused on the processing of the sequencing data of the 16s rRNA gene and the ITS and ITS2 regions of the 18s gene to obtain taxonomic information and subsequent statistical analysis.