Research

In May 2020, cooperation was initiated between the Interdisciplinary Centre for Mathematical and Computational Modelling (ICM) at the University of Warsaw (UW), the Department of Pediatrics with Observation Unit at the Medical University of Warsaw (WUM), and the Department of Pediatrics and Infectious Diseases at the Medical University of Wrocław (UMW). This was confirmed by the signing of a letter of intent on July 28, 2020, and the consent of the UMW Bioethics Committee.

The goal of establishing the group was the interdisciplinary analysis of the environmental, genetic, and epidemiological determinants of PIMS syndrome (Pediatric Inflammatory Multisystem Syndrome, also known as MIS-C – Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children). Thirty-six hospital wards from across the country participated in the research consortium.

The result of the team’s collaborative work was the identification and medical characterization of the first PIMS cases in Poland. The team published three scientific articles, and the research results were also presented at the congress of the European Society for Paediatric Infectious Diseases.

In the years 2020-2023, the PIMS project continued under two editions of the “Excellence Initiative – Research University” (IDUB) program (Action VI.1. Strengthening and developing cooperation between UW and WUM in the federalization process). IDUB funding covered two projects:

  • “Identification of genetic and environmental factors activating PIMS syndrome in Poland”; applicants: Dr. Katarzyna Suski Grabowski (ICM UW), Dr. Miron Bartosz Kursa (ICM UW), Dr. hab. n. med. Ernest Kuchar (WUM), Prof. dr hab. n. med. Rafał Płoski (WUM)
  • “Assessment of the impact of the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 variant on the epidemiology and clinical picture of COVID-19 among children”; applicants: Dr. Marek Michalewicz (ICM UW), Prof. Urszula Anna Demkow (WUM).

During the realization of the first IDUB competition, the PIMS team expanded its ranks to include researchers from the Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics of the Polish Academy of Sciences (IBB). Researchers from ICM and IBB formed the interdisciplinary, non-medical part of the group, specializing in bioinformatics, molecular genetics, health geography, and proteomics. They were responsible for advanced, multi-omic differential analysis, allowing for the detection of even subtle, multi-element, and non-linear relationships that identify biomarkers, molecular mechanisms, and the epidemiological dynamics of PIMS.

Researchers from the WUM and UMW Departments initiated a nationwide registry of patients with the new childhood inflammatory disease, PIMS, which complicates a past SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus infection (MOIS-CoR registry – Multiorgan Inflammatory Syndrome Covid Related). The role of the medical professionals also included collecting biological material for further research.

As a result, the interdisciplinary UMW – WUM – ICM – IBB team conducted comprehensive genetic analyses of patients and their families.

Key Researchers in the Project:

  • ICM UW: dr. C. Suski-Grabowski (genetic analyses), dr. M. Kursa (data analyses, mathematical modeling), dr. A. Afelt (environmental and epidemiological analyses)
  • WUM: Assoc. Prof. Dr. hab., n.med. E. Kuchar (medical program for PIMS patients), M. Okarska-Napierała – pediatrician & N. Dudek (Medical supervision of PIMS patients), prof., R. Płoski (genetic material sequencing)
  • UMW: Dr. n.med., Pediatrician K. Ludwikowska, PhD student M. Biela (medical supervision of PIMS patients)
  • IBB: dr. D. Cysewski (preparation and execution of proteomic analyses).