COVID-19 immunity study: Tracking and characterizing natural immunity to SARS-CoV2 during COVID-19

COVID-19 Research Area(s): Diagnostics, Genomics & Transmission Dynamics, Vaccines & Treatments

There are major outstanding questions in how the immune response to Sars-CoV-2 evolves, and why outcomes are so good for some, and so devastating for others. Our work proposes to gain the first insight into how T cell meditated immunity might control these outcomes and why there are such strong sex-based differences. Understanding the natural history of these critical innate and adaptive immune functions is critical to identify patients at highest risk as well as for guiding the development of an optimal vaccine. There are many research questions that could be pursed using the samples collected from these subjects. Overall the results of this work will provide new information about the progress of the disease and potentially provide new immunological management to reduce the mortality/dissemination of the disease.