scientists Call on 3,000 long-term Covid patients of all ages, genders and races to help them establish a possible genetic link with the virus.
Researchers hope to explore the relationship between genes and individual responses to viruses through more diverse genetic data samples.
The research aims to represent the British population.Scientists hope to recruit people from different backgrounds, including Asian (Indian Pakistan Bengal, Chinese Others), blacks (African, Caribbean, other) and Arabs, and people of mixed race.
Researchers hope that such age, gender, and ethnic diversity can better reflect the population, because many studies are based on European-centric genetic data.
All ages, genders and races can help us understand and fight this disease
British adults with long-term Covid symptoms were invited anonymously to use home testing kits to share their DNA data with the Global Alliance of Coronavirus Researchers.
The research is led by the genetic research platform Sano Genetics and supported by the government funding agency Innovate UK, which aims to help develop treatment methods and identify vulnerable groups.
Scientists also hope that these data will help them determine the possible link between genetic makeup and response to Covid-19.
Dr. David Strain runs the Long Covid Clinic at the University of Exeter School of Medicine and is the lead researcher of the study. He said: “Because this disease affects people in all walks of life indiscriminately, it is very important for us to obtain as representative a population as possible.
“All ages, genders and races can help us understand and fight this disease.
“The importance of understanding why some people often have lasting symptoms after the initial mild infection cannot be underestimated.
“Now that we have a deeper understanding of the actual role of our genes, if we can identify the genes that make individuals susceptible to long-term Covid, it can open the door to potential treatments.”
Symptoms of the disease may include fatigue, shortness of breath, chest pain or tightness, brain fog, insomnia, acupuncture pain, joint pain, depression and anxiety, diarrhea, stomach pain, tinnitus, and skin rash.
Anyone with Covid-related symptoms for more than three weeks can register online at https://sanogenetics.com/study/gold/ and get a free home DNA test kit.
Dr. Patrick Short, CEO and co-founder of Sano Genetics, said: “Understanding how our genes affect our response to Covid-19 is the key to better protecting vulnerable people, developing effective treatments, and helping the world to be safe and open.
“Historically, genetic research has also been heavily biased. It mainly analyzes data from people with white European backgrounds. This means that new discoveries are not always applicable to everyone. We want to ensure that this research does not make the same mistakes. .”
