# Surveillance genome sequencing to detect SARS-CoV-2 virus variants in Montana

> **NIH NIH P20** · UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA · 2021 · $704,474

## Abstract

Project Summary
Montana is a state with large rural and Tribal Nations populations. Both groups have been underrepresented in
whole genome sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 variants and the state of Montana lags significantly behind the
country as a whole in sequencing data available from patients infected with SARS-CoV-2. Given the
emergence of dangerous SARS-CoV-2 variants with higher viral transmissibility and reduced response to
monoclonal antibody therapy and vaccine efficacy, lack of sequencing data is a critical problem for the
Montana state Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) in mounting an appropriate
response to the pandemic. Furthermore, sequencing data will be particularly important for understanding viral
transmission in Tribal Nations, which have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic. This supplement
to the Center for Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics COBRE grant will allow whole genome sequencing and
analysis of >3000 SARS-CoV-2 viruses isolated from patients in the state of Montana, including those living in
rural and Tribal communities. General sequencing results will be made publicly available, except Tribal
samples unless Tribal approval is given, through GenBank and GISAID to facilitate broader analysis of the
emergence of variants of concern (VOC) and variants of interest (VOI) in the United States and will be
communicated directly to the Montana DPHHS and participating Tribal Nations so that they can adjust their
responses to the pandemic. We take advantage of the CLIA-certified SARS-CoV-2 testing facility on the
University of Montana campus, our expertise in whole genome sequencing and our established relationships
with Tribal Nations in Montana to accomplish the goals of this SARS-CoV-2 sequencing supplement. The
analysis of these data will focus on three specific aims:
  Specific Aim 1: What is the genetic structure of SARS-CoV-2 variants across Montana communities
 and how does this variation compare to regional, national, and global SARS-CoV-2 diversity?
  Specific Aim 2: Does the genetic composition of circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants differ between rural
 versus metropolitan and Tribal versus non-Tribal communities in Montana?
  Specific Aim 3: Are specific outbreaks associated with known or putative novel variants of interest
 and/or concern?
Overall, the project will provide critical new insight into how more dangerous variants of SARS-CoV-2 arise and
spread in a rural state and among the disproportionately-effected Tribal Nations in Montana that will allow for
better response to the pandemic for these groups.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10381357
- **Project number:** 3P20GM103546-10S1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA
- **Principal Investigator:** BRUCE E BOWLER
- **Activity code:** P20 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $704,474
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2011-09-01 → 2022-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10381357

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10381357, Surveillance genome sequencing to detect SARS-CoV-2 virus variants in Montana (3P20GM103546-10S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10381357. Licensed CC0.

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