# Genomic Basis of Susceptibility to COVID-19 Infection and its Complications

> **NIH NIH U01** · MAYO CLINIC ROCHESTER · 2020 · $282,848

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
In addition to causing millions of cases and hundreds of thousands of deaths, the Coronavirus
disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has brought life and economic activity to a near standstill in
many parts of the world. A coordinated scientific effort is necessary to mitigate the widespread
misery, morbidity and mortality inflicted by the pandemic. The goal of this supplemental
application is to contribute to informatics and genomics efforts to identify the genomic basis of
susceptibility to and complications of COVID-19. The wide spectrum of disease severity with
COVID-19 is only partially explained by age and medical comorbidities and genetic factors are
likely to play a key role. Identifying genomic factors impacting COVID-19 case status and
complications is important for risk stratification, identifying new pathophysiologic pathways for
drug development/repurposing, and improved understanding of the biology of SARS-CoV-2
infection and its complications.
As part of the electronic Medical Records and Genomics (eMERGE) since its inception in 2007,
Mayo investigators have considerable experience in using the electronic health record (EHR) for
genomics research. We will develop electronic phenotyping algorithms to ascertain COVID-19
case status, complications and fatality, to identify genomic variants associated with adverse
outcomes. Using DNA samples linked to the EHR, we will perform genomic analyses to identify
common and rare variants associated with case status, case severity and case mortality. We
will collaborate with health systems and consortia in the US and around the world to increase
the power and rapidity of the genomic studies. Our specific aims are: Specific Aim 1: Develop
and validate electronic phenotyping algorithms to ascertain COVID-19 related phenotypes
including case control status, i.e., individuals tested and those were identified to be positive for
COVID-19, and disease severity, in particular cardiovascular complications including myocardial
injury/infarction, arrhythmias, coagulopathy as well as large vessel thrombosis. Specific Aim 2:
Perform genomic association analyses to identify variants associated with susceptibility to
infection with SARS-CoV-2 and its complications. We will compare test +ve vs test -ve
individuals, mild vs hospitalized cases of COVID-19 and among the latter those who develop
severe disease or die. In addition to genome-wide association studies (GWAS), we will conduct
association studies of the HLA region and burden tests using sequence data.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10165210
- **Project number:** 3U01HG006379-09S1
- **Recipient organization:** MAYO CLINIC ROCHESTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Iftikhar J Kullo
- **Activity code:** U01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $282,848
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2011-08-15 → 2025-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10165210

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10165210, Genomic Basis of Susceptibility to COVID-19 Infection and its Complications (3U01HG006379-09S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10165210. Licensed CC0.

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