Understanding why some people have long-lasting COVID-19 infections
Official title: Dissecting the drivers of persistent SARS-CoV-2 infections
Funded at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai · NIH-10889260 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking into why some people with weakened immune systems continue to have SARS-CoV-2 infections even after getting sick, and it aims to find out how the virus changes in these patients over time to help improve treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| 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 start | July 17, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $844,998 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI171569-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10889260 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include immunocompromised individuals who have experienced prolonged COVID-19 infections.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have fully recovered from COVID-19 and do not have ongoing symptoms or infections are unlikely to benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the reasons behind persistent SARS-CoV-2 infections, particularly in immunocompromised individuals who may not clear the virus after the initial infection. By analyzing clinical data and using advanced techniques in bioinformatics and genomics, the study aims to identify the clinical features and treatments associated with these ongoing infections. The researchers will utilize a large dataset from New York City, examining how the virus evolves within patients over time. This comprehensive approach seeks to uncover the mechanisms that lead to prolonged viral presence and the emergence of new variants.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment strategies for patients with persistent COVID-19 infections.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that understanding viral persistence can lead to significant advancements in treatment, suggesting that this approach has the potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Simon, Viviana a — Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- Study coordinator: Simon, Viviana a
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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.