# SARS-CoV-2 whole genome sequencing from large-scale campus testing and state-wide communities in NH--Center of Integrated Biomedical and Bioengineering Research (CIBBR)

> **NIH NIH P20** · UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE · 2021 · $757,077

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
 The Covid-19 pandemic has challenged public health systems throughout the world. Since October
2020, novel variants of concern of the SARS-CoV-2 virus have been identified and appear to be a significant
concern for rates of infection, severity of disease, and the potential for variable responses to prior infection
and/or vaccination. In the US—and especially in the state of New Hampshire—the number of SARS-CoV-2
genomes sequenced has been sparse. Furthermore, SARS-CoV-2 sequencing efforts have primarily been
directed toward symptomatic individuals and/or contact tracing of special cases (e.g., hospital transmission).
We currently lack knowledge in several areas including the temporal sequence and geolocation of the
appearance of SARS-CoV-2 variants in regional communities; the correlation between incidents of viral
outbreaks and SARS-CoV-2 variants; and the racial, ethnic, gender, and age susceptibility to infection (and
severity of COVID-19 symptoms) by specific SARS-CoV-2 variants. In addition, as the U.S. enters a critical
phase of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic to develop herd immunity through prior infection and the vaccination
program, we also lack an understanding of to what extent previously infected and/or vaccinated individuals are
still susceptible to infection by SARS-CoV-2, and if so, what variants are infecting these supposedly “protected”
individuals.
 The objective of this project is to determine the genomic sequence of a large majority of the SARS-
CoV-2 variants identified in infected individuals in the state of NH and to apply this knowledge to better
understand the likelihood that SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern increase the transmissibility of the virus, evade
the immune systems of those previously infected, or result in a greater likelihood of infected individuals to
experience clinical symptoms. The study population for this project consists of 12,000 stored human
specimens previously confirmed by diagnostic tests to contain the SARS-CoV-2 virus, as well as newly
identified specimens infected with SARS-CoV-2 as they become available during the project period.
Preliminary whole-genome sequencing results document the quality of stored specimens as well as the ability
to determine the lineage of SARS-CoV-2 variants present in the UNH congregate community and in the
general NH population. Large-scale genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 will permit correlating SARS-CoV-2
variant prevalence with available metadata (e.g., date of infection, geolocation, severity of outbreaks,
symptomology, and characteristics of the sample population.
 Understanding the distribution and infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 variants will provide public health
agencies with more accurate and specific information on public health measures that need to be enacted to
control COVID-19 based on the types of SARS-CoV-2 variants present in specific populations, including those
in congregate communities and previously infected individuals.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10381231
- **Project number:** 3P20GM113131-05S1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
- **Principal Investigator:** Rick H Cote
- **Activity code:** P20 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $757,077
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2017-08-01 → 2023-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10381231

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10381231, SARS-CoV-2 whole genome sequencing from large-scale campus testing and state-wide communities in NH--Center of Integrated Biomedical and Bioengineering Research (CIBBR) (3P20GM113131-05S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-28 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10381231. Licensed CC0.

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