Understanding diverse COVID-19 outcomes at the cellular and molecular level

Approximately 40% of COVID-19 survivors experience the Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 (LONG-COVID-19) or Long COVID. It is currently not possible to predict who will become long-haulers and continue to experience symptoms that last for weeks or even months. The goal of this project is to better understand the molecular underpinnings of diverse patient outcomes in COVID-19 and develop molecular diagnostics that can identify specific patient groups for targeted management, improving patient care and allocation of scarce resources to those who need them most. Our research team has unique access to IMPACC study, a unique resource that includes comprehensive molecular profiling at many time points during infection, as well as in long-term follow-up, on a large group of COVID-19 patients. Crucially, the size of this cohort allows for capture of disease variability driven by emerging variants, as well as the effect of vaccines in diminishing disease. The molecular signatures we develop will be validated using ongoing Canadian research cohorts.

Faculty Supervisor:

Scott J. Tebbutt

Student:

Partner:

PROOF Centre of Excellence

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Health and Related Sciences & Technology; Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

The University of British Columbia

Program: