Early biological signals that predict mild or severe COVID-19
Project 1 - A systems biology approach to identify early networks and signatures associated with mild and severe SARS-CoV-2 infections in vivo
Researchers are using patient samples and animal models to find early biological signs that predict whether an adult will have mild or severe COVID-19, including people with diabetes or obesity.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11247111 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You may be asked to give blood and other clinical samples early after a SARS-CoV-2 infection so researchers can study molecules and immune responses. The team will run multi-omics analyses (genes, proteins, metabolites) on those patient samples and on matched mouse and hamster models that mimic obesity, type 2 diabetes, or aging. Computational modeling will combine the human and animal data to identify network drivers and biomarkers that appear early in infection. The project aims to explain why some people, especially those with diabetes or other comorbidities, develop more severe COVID-19.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults recently infected with SARS-CoV-2, including people with or without prior vaccination or prior infection, and especially those with obesity, type 2 diabetes, or advanced age.
Not a fit: People who are not infected with SARS-CoV-2, children, or those needing immediate clinical treatment rather than participation in a biomarker study are unlikely to receive direct benefit from joining this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help doctors identify people at high risk for severe COVID early and guide treatments to prevent hospitalization.
How similar studies have performed: Previous multi-omics and immune-profiling studies have found signatures linked to severe COVID-19, so this builds on promising but still-developing evidence.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Garcia-Sastre, Adolfo — Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- Study coordinator: Garcia-Sastre, Adolfo
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 below.