How virus genes and immune responses shape outcomes for Lassa, Ebola, and COVID-19
Project 2
Researchers are comparing virus genes and people’s immune responses to learn why Lassa fever, Ebola, and COVID-19 make some people sicker than others.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Scripps Research Institute, the NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11289315 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You may be asked to give blood or clinical information if you had Lassa fever, Ebola, or COVID-19, or if you were vaccinated against one of these viruses. The team will read virus genomes from samples to map genetic differences and use single-cell sequencing to study how individual immune cells and antibodies change after infection or vaccination. They will combine these lab measurements with health, environmental, and demographic information to look for patterns that link virus changes and immune responses to disease severity and long-term problems. This work brings together data across the three viruses to better understand why some people recover while others develop severe or lasting illness.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are people with confirmed past or recent Lassa, Ebola, or COVID-19 infection (including survivors) or individuals who received vaccines for these viruses and can provide blood samples and clinical information.
Not a fit: People without a history of these infections, those unable to access participating sites, or those unwilling to provide blood samples are unlikely to gain direct benefit from joining.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could help predict who is at higher risk, guide better treatments, and improve vaccine design.
How similar studies have performed: Viral genome sequencing and single-cell immune profiling have yielded important findings for COVID-19 and other infections, but applying these methods across Lassa, Ebola, and SARS-CoV-2 together is a newer, less-tested approach.
Where this research is happening
La Jolla, United States
- Scripps Research Institute, the — La Jolla, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Andersen, Kristian Graugaard — Scripps Research Institute, the
- Study coordinator: Andersen, Kristian Graugaard
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.