# SARS-CoV-2 whole genome sequencing from large-scale campus testing and state-wide communities in NH

> **NIH NIH P20** · UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE · 2022 · $789,189

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
 The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has challenged public health systems globally. Several variants of concern
have been identified, some of which increase transmissibility, severity of disease, risk for reinfection, and/or
variable responses to prior infection or vaccination. In the US—and especially in New Hampshire—the number
of SARS-CoV-2 genomes sequenced has been sparse but have been substantially increased by our prior
efforts. Furthermore, SARS-CoV-2 sequencing efforts have primarily been directed toward symptomatic
individuals and/or contact tracing of special cases. We currently lack knowledge in several areas: (1) the
temporal sequence and geolocation of the appearance of SARS-CoV-2 variants in regional communities; (2)
the correlation between increases in transmissibility and SARS-CoV-2 variants; (3) differences in the
distribution of variants among different racial, ethnic, gender, and age groups as well as in presentation of
clinical symptoms; and (4) the extent to which previously infected and/or vaccinated individuals acquire the
virus and which variants are reinfecting these individuals. In addition, wastewater surveillance of SARS-CoV-2
is a valuable public health tool but we lack an understanding of the relationship between the SARS-CoV-2
variants in human specimens and the variants detected in wastewater samples from the same geolocation.
 The primary objective is to continue determining the genomic sequence of a large, representative set of
SARS-CoV-2 variants within the state of NH and to apply this knowledge to better understand the likelihood
that specific variants increase transmissibility of the virus, evade the immune systems of those previously
infected, or increase the likelihood of infected individuals to experience clinical symptoms. Our central
hypothesis is that whole genome sequence analysis of SARS-CoV-2 variants will exhibit significant differences
in temporal and geolocation prevalence, susceptibility of sub-populations to become infected and develop
symptoms, and ability to infect individuals whose immune systems have previously been challenged.
 We will sequence ~5000 archived and prospectively collected SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic specimens from
individuals who test positive from the University of New Hampshire, the NH Department of Health and Human
Services, and the COVID-19 surveillance and clinical testing programs at Dartmouth College and Dartmouth-
Hitchcock Medical Center. In addition, we will evaluate the ability of genomic surveillance of wastewater
samples to serve as a sentinel for SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks in a congregate community where direct
correlations can be made between wastewater samples and human specimens from the same geolocation.
 Understanding the distribution and infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 variants will enable public health agencies to
provide more accurate and specific guidance on public health measures that need to be enacted to control
COVID-19 based on the types of SARS-CoV-2 ...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10595370
- **Project number:** 3P20GM113131-05S3
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
- **Principal Investigator:** Rick H Cote
- **Activity code:** P20 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $789,189
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2017-08-01 → 2023-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10595370

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10595370, SARS-CoV-2 whole genome sequencing from large-scale campus testing and state-wide communities in NH (3P20GM113131-05S3). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10595370. Licensed CC0.

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