The Fondazione Genomic SARS-CoV-2 Study COVID-19

To identify the main common genetic determinants of severe COVID-19 by conducting a GWAS: in first phase we will compare SARS-CoV-2 positive patients with severe lung affection to healthy controls from the same geographic area, in order to provide initial data informing the research in the field in a timely fashion. This will be conducted in close collaboration with the University of Kiel COVID-19 genomic initiative. Later on, we will proceed to assess objectives 1 and 2 in the full cohort, including also infected controls who did not developed clinically significant symptoms

To provide extensive genetic characterization of all patients managed at the Fondazione in order to facilitate other groups working on specific projects (e.g. on candidate genes such as SERPINA1 and ACE2 by the Intensive Care and Cardiology Units and other that may emerge from upcoming projects), in a large population and in a very timely fashion, and without incurring in any additional expenses for the Fondazione research network, and coordinate research efforts.

"To provide a coordination to manage the collaboration with other research consortia in the field, e.g. the An anonymized GWAS to urgently query host genetic predisposition to severe COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2 infection) lung disease, and the COVID-19 Host Genetic Initiative (https://www.covid19hg.org). Indeed, collaboration among large networks analyzing several thousand cases will be ultimately necessary to clarify the genetic basis of COVID-19 susceptibility, and large collaborative networks are essential instruments for conducting human genetic research."