Thousands of patients severely ill with coronavirus will have their genetic code studied to help scientists understand whether a person’s genetics may influence their susceptibility to the virus. This matters because the virus affects patients in varied ways, and researchers do not yet know why some people become critically ill while others experience only mild symptoms. By comparing the whole genome sequences of people who have been in intensive care with those who had mild or moderate symptoms, scientists hope to identify genetic factors that put some individuals at greater risk. If the research succeeds, it could help identify those most at risk of severe illness and fast-track new therapies into clinical trials. This would directly change how doctors manage and treat coronavirus patients, potentially saving lives by targeting treatments to those who need them most.
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Thousands of patients severely ill with coronavirus will have their genetic code studied to help scientists understand whether a person’s genetics may influence their susceptibility to the virus. A major new human whole genome sequencing study will take place across the NHS, involving up to 20,000 people currently or previously in an intensive care unit with coronavirus, as well as 15,000 individuals who have mild or moderate symptoms. Genomics England, is partnering with the GenOMICC consortium, Illumina and the NHS to launch the research drive, which will reach patients in 170 intensive care units throughout the UK. The project is backed by Genomics England, UK Research and Innovation, the Department of Health and Social Care and the National Institute for Health Research. Illumina will sequence all 35,000 genomes and share some of the cost via an in-kind contribution. The study, facilitated by the University of Edinburgh and multiple NHS hospitals, will explore the varied effects coronavirus has on patients, supporting the search for treatments by identifying those most at risk and helping to fast-track new therapies into clinical trials.
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