How COVID-19 viruses adapt from animals to people
SARS-CoV adaptations through a Systems Biology Lens (SYBIL)
The team uses lab work, animal models, blood samples, and computer modeling to find virus changes and human responses that could point to new tests or treatments for people with COVID-19.
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-11247094 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project combines laboratory experiments, animal models (including bats), large-scale 'omics' measurements, and machine-learning models to map how SARS-type viruses interact with human biology. Researchers look for networks of human genes and proteins the virus uses, plus blood biomarkers that reflect those networks' activity. The goal is to find human targets that drugs could block and blood tests that might indicate disease severity or treatment response. If you have had COVID-19 or are willing to give blood or clinical samples, some parts of the work could include your samples or data through Mount Sinai or partner sites.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants would include people with current or recent SARS-CoV-2 infection, individuals willing to donate blood or clinical samples, and possibly healthy volunteers for comparison.
Not a fit: People without coronavirus exposure or those seeking immediate clinical treatment rather than contributing samples are unlikely to get direct benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could identify blood tests to track disease and human targets for new therapies that reduce virus replication or severe COVID-19.
How similar studies have performed: Related systems-biology work found host networks and blood markers for influenza and early COVID research has suggested possible targets, but converting these discoveries into approved treatments remains largely unproven.
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.