Rocio Sánchez Sánchez.

Bióloga egresada del Instituto Tecnológico Superior de Irapuato. Inició su carrera profesional como integrante del área de síntesis de ácidos nucleicos de la empresa T4 Oligo en 2018, donde se posicionó como experta en síntesis de ácidos nucleicos mediante la contribución en la mejora de protocolos, así como el desarrollo de nuevos procedimiento para síntesis de ácidos nucleicos, integrando nuevas químicas que amplían el espectro de aplicaciones de esta tecnología.

Se integró a la empresa Genes2Life en el área de investigación y desarrollo en el año 2020, convirtiéndose en líder del departamento de Diseño Molecular en 2020. Formó parte del equipo de investigación que de manera asertiva respondió a la pandemia mediante el desarrollo de kits para diagnóstico de SARS-CoV-2.

Entre los proyectos que ha dirigido, podemos destacar el desarrollo de kits para el tamizaje de variantes de SARS-CoV-2 con importancia epidemiológica, cuyo primer producto fue terminado en 2021, y ha sido actualizado de forma constante para mantenerse al día con el panorama epidemiológico actual.

Algunos de los resultados de las investigaciones que ha desarrollado el departamento que dirige se han incluido en dos publicaciones científicas. Una de ellas, en la que además funge como una de las dos principales autoras, titulada RT-qPCR Assays for Rapid Detection of the N501Y, 69-70del, K417N, and E484K SARS-CoV-2 Mutations: A Screening Strategy to Identify Variants With Clinical Impact ha sido referenciada más de 50 veces en otras publicaciones enfocadas al análisis de mutaciones y variantes del virus SARS-CoV-2, lo que destaca la relevancia de esa investigación.

Actualmente colabora en ITRASIG, donde continúa liderando e innovando en ámbitos biotecnológicos relacionados con tecnologías y herramientas basadas en ácidos nucleicos.

PUBLICACIONES

An Upgrade on the Surveillance System of SARS-CoV-2: Deployment of New Methods for Genetic Inspection.

Abstract

SARS-CoV-2 variants surveillance is a worldwide task that has been approached with techniques such as Next Generation Sequencing (NGS); however, this technology is not widely available in developing countries because of the lack of equipment and limited funding in science. An option is to deploy a RT-qPCR screening test which aids in the analysis of a higher number of samples, in a shorter time and at a lower cost. In this study, variants present in samples positive for SARS-CoV-2 were identified with a RT-qPCR mutation screening kit and were later confirmed by NGS. A sample with an abnormal result was found with the screening test, suggesting the simultaneous presence of two viral populations with different mutations. The DRAGEN Lineage analysis identified the Delta variant, but there was no information about the other three mutations previously detected. When the sequenced data was deeply analyzed, there were reads with differential mutation patterns, that could be identified and classified in terms of relative abundance, whereas only the dominant population was reported by DRAGEN software. Since most of the software developed to analyze SARS-CoV-2 sequences was aimed at obtaining the consensus sequence quickly, the information about viral populations within a sample is scarce. Here, we present a faster and deeper SARS-CoV-2 surveillance method, from RT-qPCR screening to NGS analysis.

Leer artículo completo...

Beyond SARS-CoV-2: epidemiological surveillance of respiratory viruses in Jalisco, Mexico.

Abstract

Introduction: Respiratory viral infections represent a significant global health burden. Historically, influenza, rhinovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, and adenovirus have been the prevalent viruses; however, the landscape shifted with the widespread emergence of SARS-CoV-2. The aim of this study is to present a comprehensive epidemiological analysis of viral respiratory infections in Jalisco, Mexico.

Methods: Data encompassing individuals with flu-like symptoms from July 2021 to February 2023 was scrutinized for viral diagnosis through PCR multiplex. The efect of social mobility on the increase in respiratory viral diagnosis infection was considered to estimate its impact. Additionally, sequences of respiratory viruses stored in public databases were retrieved to ascertain the phylogenetic classification of previously reported viruses in Mexico.

Results: SARS-CoV-2 was the most detected virus (n=5,703; 92.2%), followed by influenza (n=479; 7.78%). These viruses were also found as the most common co-infection (n=11; 50%), and for those with influenza, a higher incidence of severe disease was reported (n=122; 90.4%; p < 0.001). Regarding comorbidities and unhealthy habits, smoking was found to be a risk factor for influenza infection but a protective factor for SARS-CoV-2 (OR=2.62; IC 95%: 1.66–4.13; OR=0.65; IC 95%: 0.45–0.94), respectively. Furthermore, our findings revealed a direct correlation between mobility and the prevalence of influenza infection (0.214; p < 0.001).

Discussion: The study presents evidence of respiratory virus reemergence and prevalence during the social reactivation, facilitating future preventive measures.

Leer artículo completo...

RT-qPCR Assays for Rapid Detection of the N501Y, 69-70del, K417N, and E484K SARS-CoV-2 Mutations: A Screening Strategy to Identify Variants With Clinical Impact

Abstract

Background: Several variants of the SARS-CoV-2 have been documented globally during the current COVID-19 pandemic. The N501Y, 69-70del, K417N, and E484K SARS-CoV-2 mutations have been documented among the most relevant due to their potential pathogenic biological effects. This study aimed to design, validate, and propose a fast real-time RT-qPCR assay to detect SARS-CoV-2 mutations with possible clinical and epidemiological relevance in the Mexican population.

Methods: Targeting spike (S) gene mutations of SARS-CoV-2 (N501Y, 69-70del, K417N, and E484K), specific primers, and probes for three specific quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) assays were designed, and validated using Sanger sequencing. These assays were applied in clinical samples of 1060 COVID-19 patients from Jalisco Mexico.

Results: In silico analyzes showed high specificity of the three assays. Amplicons of samples were confirmed through sequencing. The screening of samples of COVID-19 patients allowed the identification of the E484K mutation in nine individuals and the identification of P.2 Brazilian variant in Mexico.

Conclusion: This work provides low-cost RT-qPCR assays for rapid screening and molecular surveillance of mutations with potential clinical impact. This strategy allowed the detection of E484K mutation and P.2 variant for the first time in samples from the Mexican population.