COVID-19 Research Area(s): Diagnostics, Genomics & Transmission Dynamics, Healthcare Delivery & Policy

Bob Hancock, UBC Killam professor in the department of microbiology and immunology, is receiving $422,084 from CIHR to lead a research project that will use genomic methods to identify which patients with COVID-19 are at higher risk of developing life-threatening sepsis. Teams in Vancouver and Quebec will use next-generation RNA sequencing technology to examine the complete gene expression profiles of severely ill patients, with the goal of enabling early diagnosis of patients more likely to develop severe sepsis, and identifying potential treatment strategies.