Alaska INBRE IV One Health supports COVID-19 research
Alaska INBRE, supported by grant number P20GM103395 from the National Institutes of Health and the University of Alaska, has committed $101,700 funding to date for COVID-19 research.
UAF Associate Professor and Deputy Director of the Alaska State Virology Lab Jack Chen, PhD., was awarded $50,000 to sequence viral genomes from Alaska cases of COVID-19. The objective of this project is to identify potential clusters of positive COVID-19 cases in Alaska and their linkage to other isolates worldwide using whole genome sequencing technology. The primary outcome of this project is 48 sequenced Sars-CoV-2 genomes from Alaska COVID-19 cases identified in March and April of 2020.
UAA Associate Professor Eric Bortz, Ph.D., was awarded $40,800 for nanopore viral genome sequencing methods development, sequencing and phylogenetics in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Bortz’s team developed a Pathogenomics Toolbox to establish and disseminate protocols for sequencing of RNA virus genomes (e.g. coronavirus, influenza, measles, HIV). These methods include biosafety protocols, sequencing procedures and bioinformatics analysis pipelines as well as points-of-contact for specific protocols. These protocols are publicly available and have been used to sequence and publish over 90 genomes from Alaska COVID-19 cases.
Drs. Chen & Bortz along with UAF Assistant Professor Devin Drown are working together in collaboration with INBRE Bioinformatics Director Jason Burkhead on phyloepidemic analysis of COVID-19 in Alaska based on SARS-CoV-2 sequencing. $6000 was invested in supplies. This work leverages Bortz and Chen COVID-19 sequencing projects to produce a phylogenetic timeline and cluster determination of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Alaska. The initial results will be presented at the Annual IDeA Program Meeting on September 22, 2020 with the following title: “Genomic epidemiology of COVID-19 in Alaska: multiple independent introductions and community spread of SARS-CoV-2.” Genomes are shared on the publicly available GISAID website.
UAA Associate Professor Max Kullberg, Ph.D., was awarded $4,900 for supplies necessary for development of a vaccine against the spike protein using C3-liposomes. Dr. Kullberg’s study builds upon his development of nanoparticle-based antigen delivery to initiate enhanced immune responses. This work will build foundational and application-based knowledge to promote SARS-CoV-2 vaccine development.
Source: Dr. Paul Layer, University of Alaska Vice President for Academic Affairs and Research