COVID-19 Rapid Regional Response
Using genome capture, the COV3R initiative aims to tackle the problem of detecting co-infections in humans, and in the process provide powerful new tools for public health. Co-infection by respiratory viruses is common and bad for patients, yet we know very little about co-infection in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Integrating the genomic detection of most respiratory viruses to better understand differences in the severity of COVID-19 infection will directly and immediately improve public health interventions and clinical treatment plans.
The technique will also give researchers the ability to test for all viral groups, even those scientists do not yet know about. The COV3R team is also developing a unique tool that efficiently captures genetic material and compares it against all coronaviruses known to infect animals, which will be a valuable asset in the current pandemic and for early detection of coronavirus pathogens in the future.
