Our genetics shape our responses to disease – even infectious disease – from how we manifest symptoms to how we clear viruses. We are looking at the genetics of people who had short or asymptomatic COVID-19 and comparing this with individuals who experienced long symptoms after COVID-19 infection. We are also looking to see if known genetic markers for other diseases (for example, markers of autoimmunity) contribute to an individual’s experience of COVID-19 and any long term consequences.
With our colleagues Prof Mike Malim and Dr Katie Noonan, we have assessed antibody responses to the virus that causes COVID-19 in individuals in the CSS Biobank. We are also hoping to look at other antibodies, to see if COVID-19 might affect other antibodies that, although not directly related to the virus, might influence symptoms of long COVID.