Blood DNA markings linked to long COVID symptoms
Official title: Blood DNA Methylation Biomarkers of Post Acute Sequelae of SARS CoV 2 Infection (PASC)
Funded at Albany Medical College · NIH-11381710 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how patterns of DNA methylation in blood relate to long-term COVID-19 effects in patients who were seriously ill.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Albany Medical College NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Albany, United States) |
| Project start | July 5, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $772,218 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI173035-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11381710 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults who survived severe or critical COVID-19 and consent to blood collection and health data participation.
✕Less likely to help
People with mild COVID-19 who do not experience long-term symptoms may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
If you had severe COVID-19, researchers will analyze blood samples to map DNA methylation and gene activity over time to understand why some people experience prolonged symptoms after recovery. They will perform whole-genome methylation analysis and RNA sequencing on circulating white blood cells to identify subgroups of patients with persistent changes. The goal is to connect lasting epigenetic changes to the PASC condition and its clinical features, which could guide future therapies. Participation would involve providing blood samples and clinical data during and after acute illness to track changes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could help identify why some people develop long-term COVID symptoms and point toward targeted treatments or monitoring strategies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work links acute illness methylation changes to outcomes; this study extends to persistence after recovery among COVID-19 survivors.
Where this research is happening
-
Albany Medical College
Albany, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jaitovich, Adolfo Ariel — Albany Medical College
- Study coordinator: Jaitovich, Adolfo Ariel
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.