Mexico City, April 7, 2025.- Dr. Antonieta Martínez-Velascoprofessor and researcher at the School of Engineering at Universidad Panamericanacompleted a distinguished research stay at the Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Biomedical Signals at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC). There, she contributed to an international project on rare diseases that integrates artificial intelligence, bioinformatics, and the Human Phenotype Ontology.
International Collaboration with a Health Impact
The opportunity to participate in this project emerged from a network of researchers affiliated with Universidad Panamericanaspecifically from the Schools of Engineering and Business.
"This was a joint effort that reflects Universidad Panamericana's and Fundación Carolina's commitment to interdisciplinary research and international collaboration," noted Dr. Martínez-Velasco. noted Dr. Martínez-Velasco.
The project, led by Dr. Alexandre Perera Lluna of the Institute for Health Research and Innovation (IRIS)aims to better understand the mechanisms behind rare diseases using the Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO).
This ontology provides a precise representation of rare diseases, facilitating the design of more effective clinical trials and personalized treatment strategies.
Artificial Intelligence in Service of Medicine
One of the project's most significant aspects is the application of artificial intelligence and data science techniques to analyze large volumes of clinical information.
"Our hypothesis is that traditional clinical data analysis is insufficient to capture the complexity of rare diseases and large-scale datasets. With tools like deep learning, we aim to stratify diseases and improve diagnostic accuracy," explained the researcher.
Dr. Martínez-Velasco emphasized that this approach benefits not only patients with rare conditions but also those with more prevalent diseases such as type 2 diabetes, COPD, or kidney disorders.
"The project can optimize clinical trials by identifying which patient groups respond best to specific treatments, ultimately resulting in more effective medical protocols," she added. she added.
Overcoming Challenges in Rare Disease Research
Among the most significant challenges identified by Dr. Martínez-Velasco is the scarcity of datadue to the low prevalence of rare diseases. Nevertheless, she emphasized that the project's outcomes have the potential to revolutionize early diagnosis and improve patients' quality of life.
"The ultimate goal is for these scientific advances to be translated into clinical practice and make a tangible difference," she stated. she stated.
Institutional Commitment to Biomedical Innovation
Dr. Martínez-Velasco recognized the comprehensive support she received from Universidad Panamericana throughout her involvement in this international project. "From the application process to follow-up, Universidad Panamericana has been a catalyst for innovation and researcher development," she affirmed. she affirmed.
Finally, the researcher called on the academic community to promote multidisciplinary collaboration multidisciplinary collaboration in applying artificial intelligence to biomedicine. "Together, we can harness these tools to improve human health and well-being. Research in this field is not only necessary-it is transformative," she concluded. she concluded.
Through this international collaboration, Dr. Antonieta Martínez-Velasco reaffirms Universidad Panamericana's commitment to knowledge generation and cutting-edge research, positioning the institution as a benchmark in biomedical innovation.
Learn more about the project at: https://b2slab.upc.edu/team/visiting.html
Researcher Information:
Dr. Antonieta Martínez-Velasco
Faculty of Engineering, Mexico City Campus
Associate Research Professor, Level B
Member of the National System of Researchers (SNII), Level I
amartinezv@up.edu.mx
