# Idaho INBRE SARS-CoV-2 variant surveillance using viral genome sequencing and analyses

> **NIH NIH P20** · UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO · 2021 · $737,106

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY (30-lines)
This Idaho INBRE Program Administrative Supplement will fund a surveillance study of severe
acute respiratory syndrome corona virus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) in a unique study population. It will
leverage the IDeA-built advanced-level bioinformatics infrastructure at the University of Idaho to
sequence and analyze the genomes of SARS-CoV-2 circulating in the state. Idaho is primarily
rural, poor, and geographically remote. The state ranks at or near the bottom among all states in
the U.S. in health, education, socioeconomic status, and the number of primary-care physicians
per capita. The study population will include the University of Idaho and the surrounding region.
The University of Idaho has the only repository of SARS-CoV-2 clinical isolates in northern
Idaho. Currently, there are 1,782 SARS-CoV-2 positive samples and based on projections, this
number will increase to >2,400 over the next months; 2,100 viral genomes will be sequenced,
assembled, and coupled with metadata to determine associations with specific times
(travel/holidays), gender, and age groups. This data will be used in collaboration with the Idaho
Department of Health & Welfare and the COBRE in Matrix in Biology to track the pandemic in
rural communities. The entire northern Idaho region is critically missing from the state’s
sequencing strategy as almost no commercial labs or hospitals testing for SARS-CoV-2 have
saved positive samples. The proposal has three specific aims. Specific Aim 1 will sequence
SARS-CoV-2 genomes from the unique Idaho study population and identify variants present
over time. Specific Aim 2 will determine if SARS-CoV-2 variants are associated with outbreak
events, specific times, and/or statewide travel by a highly mobile university student sub-
population undergoing mandatory testing. Specific Aim 3 will determine how SARS-CoV-2
variants in the unique Idaho study population are distributed by gender and age groups. The
mandatory university testing removes bias from a large subset of the positive samples and
represents a unique opportunity to monitor the appearance and spread of new variants.
Previous and ongoing positive viral isolates are or will be appropriately stored and cataloged.
CDC/NIH-recommended protocols, standards, and resources for SARS-CoV-2 sequencing and
data processing will be used. These analyses will contribute to our understanding of the
dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 transmission, mutation, and the emergence of variants. SARS-CoV-2
variants are a major public health concern as they may increase infection rate, increase disease
severity, and/or undermine immunization strategies. This work will advance and improve SARS-
CoV-2 variant surveillance in Idaho.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10379719
- **Project number:** 3P20GM103408-21S1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO
- **Principal Investigator:** Carolyn Hovde Bohach
- **Activity code:** P20 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $737,106
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2001-09-30 → 2024-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10379719

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10379719, Idaho INBRE SARS-CoV-2 variant surveillance using viral genome sequencing and analyses (3P20GM103408-21S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-14 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10379719. Licensed CC0.

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