How our genes affect COVID-19
MHC Variation in Host Response to SARS-CoV2 and COVID-19 Outcomes
This project looks at how differences in our immune system genes might explain why some people get sicker from COVID-19 than others.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11114066 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Our genes play a big role in how our bodies fight off infections like COVID-19. This project focuses on a specific set of genes, called HLA, which are crucial for our immune system. Researchers will gather information from hundreds of thousands of volunteer bone marrow donors who already have their HLA genes mapped. By using a special smartphone app, they will collect data on COVID-19 symptoms and outcomes from these volunteers, helping us understand how variations in these genes affect how people respond to the virus.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have previously volunteered as bone marrow donors and have existing HLA genotyping data.
Not a fit: Patients who do not have existing HLA genotyping data from bone marrow donor registries would not directly participate in the data collection for this specific project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help us understand why COVID-19 affects people differently and guide the development of new vaccines and treatments.
How similar studies have performed: While the role of HLA in other infectious diseases is known, its specific impact on COVID-19 outcomes is still being explored, making this a novel and important area of inquiry.
Where this research is happening
San Francisco, United States
- University of California, San Francisco — San Francisco, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hollenbach, Jill Allison — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Hollenbach, Jill Allison
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.