When it comes to children and COVID-19, we have many more questions than answers. Why are most children not getting as sick from the virus? Why are some becoming critically ill? Why are some developing puzzling symptoms? And, are children carrying the virus and spreading it silently through families and communities?
A multidisciplinary team of UCalgary researchers is studying the genes and immune response of Alberta children, and the unique genetic code of the virus itself in pan-Alberta research focused on tracking the transmission of COVID-19.
Children here in Alberta, and around the world, have milder symptoms and recover more rapidly than adults with COVID, says Dr. Jim Kellner, MD(pictured above), a professor in the departments of Paediatrics, Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Disease, and Community Health Sciences at the Cumming School of Medicine (CSM), and an infectious disease researcher at the CSMs Alberta Childrens Hospital Research Institute (ACHRI).
We want to better understand how contagious children are, precisely how the virus is affecting their young bodies, and how children develop immunity against COVID-19.
Kellner is leading a team of 29 child health and wellness scientists and physicians to study children with COVID-19 across the province. The Alberta Childhood COVID-19 Cohort Study (AB3C) will investigate how children are responding to the infection and how they are spreading it. The UCalgary study, a collaboration between the University of Alberta, Alberta Health Services (AHS), the Alberta Childrens Hospital and Alberta Precision Laboratories (APL), is funded by Genome Alberta and the Alberta Childrens Hospital Foundation through ACHRI.
Alberta is a Canadian leader in COVID testing, completing more than 200,000 tests, testing more than 22,000 children and youth, including some with no symptoms, says Kellner, also a member of the Calvin, Phoebe and Joan Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, and the OBrien Institute for Public Health.
We are so fortunate in Alberta to have province-wide systems and teams AHS, APL, and electronic medical records that facilitate the study of the virus infection in children and detection of antibodies in children who have contracted the disease.
This research will draw from provincial COVID test results and collect blood, urine and stool samples which will be biobanked. Kellners team will then follow up with families to track short- and long-term symptoms of the disease and its impact on family and community members.
A member of the Canadian COVID-19 Immunity Task Force Leadership Group, Kellner will report Alberta findings to a national network of scientists, clinicians and public health experts. This powerful collaboration between a national initiative and UCalgary scientists will allow us to share detailed evidence on COVID-19 spread, the development of immunity and targets for potential treatments and vaccines, says Kellner.
Francois Bernier, left, with David Bailey of Alberta Genome.
Riley Brandt, University of Calgary
The team will also look at the biology of the virus, the childs genome and immune response to the infection. One aim of this deep dive is to study whether the virus is changing as it moves through the population. Dr. Francois Bernier, MD, head of the Department of Medical Genetics and professor in the Department of Paediatrics at the CSM and an ACHRI physician-scientist, is leading the genomics arm of the study.
Bernier and his colleagues will delve into the unique bar code of each instance of the virus itself. The genetic code of the virus is like a FedEx label, says Bernier. Deep analysis of the viruss genes will allow us to precisely trace transmission, allowing us to say This one originated in Europe, and this one came from the United States, he says.
Investigating COVID-19 in children will help scientists understand why some people become critically ill with the virus and others only mildly ill. To that end, the genomics team will also investigate the full biology of Albertans infected with the virus. The interplay between the viruss genes and the genes of infected Albertans is a key focus.
Not everyone is equally susceptible to COVID, says Bernier. We suspect genetics play a critical role.
Data mining is also essential to our understanding the complexities of COVID, he continues. We have big data experts at UCalgary who will use machine learning to give us real answers on this virus, how it is moving and spreading, and how it is interacting with the genes and the immune system of Albertans who are infected.
The multi-disciplinary team includes immunologists, epidemiologists, infectious and inflammatory disease experts, geneticists, bioinformaticians, health economists, and advanced computing experts. Bernier will share his teams data with national and international research groups including GISAID, contributing to a global effort to map the pandemics movement, its evolving genetics, and the latest development of medical countermeasures.
As social isolation policies change and we focus more keenly on community spread, it will be increasingly important to identify, quantify and track infections, immunity, and disease severity to be better able to predict and prevent the risk to children and families, says Kellner.
Information on UCalgarys response to COVID-19 can be found on the Emergency Management website.
The University of Calgary is uniquely positioned to find solutions to key global challenges. Through the research strategy forInfections, Inflammation, and Chronic Diseases in the Changing Environment (IICD), top scientists lead multidisciplinary teams to understand and prevent the complex factors that threaten our health and economies.
Read more here:
UCalgary researchers launch 360-degree study of children and COVID-19 - UCalgary News
- IOM not webcast today. Why Not? [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- National Academies skeptical at Best. [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Some Confusion Exists [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Why DTC Genomics IS Medicine. [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- First Mari, Now Linda. Who's next? [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Is it true? [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Re-Reviewing the National Academies [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- The problem with nonclinicians....... [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Crazy Night of Emails to Government [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Adrienne Carlson's Personalized Medicine. [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Tell Me, How do you feel now? Sherpa's RX [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- This Just In. 23andMe to go to GPs. I love my readers!! [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Sorry so long away [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- 2D6 Rears its ugly head..... [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Ok, Fine, Back to Plavix [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Kaiser a protoype for Collins' Aim [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- A few months late to the party.... [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Stated Another Way....... [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Excuse Me? Harvard and Navigenics? WTF? [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Follow up to Yesterday's WTF? Harvard, Navi? and Pfizer??? [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Did you get your kit? Thanks Dr. Rob from MedCo [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Gluco...Wha? Parkinson's Disease and Glucocerebrosidase mutations. [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Away and now back, What did I miss???? 23andme layoffs? Selling Genomes for cheap up next! [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Change IS Needed. I agree with William, sometimes. [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Good Enough Science? Apparently so at 23andme [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Long QT Syndrome, location matters [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Congratulations Generation Health. Nice pick up! [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- An argument 23andSerge can't win...23andme but not medicine [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Stop. Breathe. Repeat. An analysis of the direction of DTC Genomics Field. [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Hey DTC genomics, Stay Private, Stay Alive, Go Public and Die [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- You can't have it both way. Either scared your genome is sold off or not. [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- 15 Days Away Gives Time for Perspective. [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- What about the SACGHS registry? Another missed opportunity? [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- AJHG is in and my Favorite Muin is in it! But He Is NOT the Father! [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Navigenics for 23andMe prices? [Last Updated On: December 18th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 18th, 2009]
- Lp(a) Maybe there's something there that wasn't there before? [Last Updated On: December 24th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 24th, 2009]
- Another Year, Another Bankruptcy [Last Updated On: December 31st, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 31st, 2009]
- 5 Technologies going bye bye in this decade? [Last Updated On: January 6th, 2010] [Originally Added On: January 6th, 2010]
- Hackers, HITECH and HIPAA in DTC Genomics, Oh My! [Last Updated On: January 7th, 2010] [Originally Added On: January 7th, 2010]
- Personal Genomics Flop.....big Belly Flop! [Last Updated On: January 8th, 2010] [Originally Added On: January 8th, 2010]
- Gotta Love It. Even the daycare....... [Last Updated On: January 11th, 2010] [Originally Added On: January 11th, 2010]
- Congratulations Navigenics. You ARE a clinical lab! Uh-Oh... [Last Updated On: January 12th, 2010] [Originally Added On: January 12th, 2010]
- CETP, Jewish Centenarians and Alzheimers [Last Updated On: January 14th, 2010] [Originally Added On: January 14th, 2010]
- Enter the "Not" DTC Genomics Rep [Last Updated On: January 17th, 2010] [Originally Added On: January 17th, 2010]
- Why Dr. Vanier's Navigenics appointment is good for PM [Last Updated On: January 22nd, 2010] [Originally Added On: January 22nd, 2010]
- Holy Crap! MedCo Follows in CVS footsteps [Last Updated On: February 3rd, 2010] [Originally Added On: February 3rd, 2010]
- FDA, Warfarin, still not as sexy to me. [Last Updated On: February 5th, 2010] [Originally Added On: February 5th, 2010]
- Hype, Hype, Hype from a single study. [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2010] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2010]
- I love my readers, even Renata M! [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2010] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2010]
- How can insurers use DTC genomics to profile? [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2010] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2010]
- 9p21.....ahem. Paynter et.al. Smackdown. Again. [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2010] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2010]
- Hey! It's Pete Hulick! Are you Going to GET? [Last Updated On: February 19th, 2010] [Originally Added On: February 19th, 2010]
- I was wrong......AHEM [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2010] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2010]
- G2C2, finally a tool for genomic education! [Last Updated On: March 2nd, 2010] [Originally Added On: March 2nd, 2010]
- Just 4 million? What 23andMe is worth. [Last Updated On: March 5th, 2010] [Originally Added On: March 5th, 2010]
- What a difference a year makes [Last Updated On: March 9th, 2010] [Originally Added On: March 9th, 2010]
- ........DTC Genomic Medicine? [Last Updated On: March 12th, 2010] [Originally Added On: March 12th, 2010]
- The FDA, 2c19 and the ACC [Last Updated On: March 13th, 2010] [Originally Added On: March 13th, 2010]
- The problem with Comparative Whole Genomics...... [Last Updated On: March 13th, 2010] [Originally Added On: March 13th, 2010]
- BRCA testing by 23andME is the same as Myriad Genetics. [Last Updated On: March 15th, 2010] [Originally Added On: March 15th, 2010]
- The Argument Against DTC Genomics Marketing and such [Last Updated On: March 16th, 2010] [Originally Added On: March 16th, 2010]
- A moment of Clarity. Some DTCG is not bad. [Last Updated On: March 18th, 2010] [Originally Added On: March 18th, 2010]
- SNPs for breast cancer risk? It Depends. [Last Updated On: March 18th, 2010] [Originally Added On: March 18th, 2010]
- How can MDVIP use Navigenics Test for Medicine? [Last Updated On: March 18th, 2010] [Originally Added On: March 18th, 2010]
- Why did P&G invest in Navigenics? [Last Updated On: March 23rd, 2010] [Originally Added On: March 23rd, 2010]
- PGx in DTCG? Doesn't stand up to Useful testing. [Last Updated On: March 25th, 2010] [Originally Added On: March 25th, 2010]
- End of Gene Patents? [Last Updated On: March 29th, 2010] [Originally Added On: March 29th, 2010]
- Sherpa Accepting Chief Medical Officership [Last Updated On: April 3rd, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 3rd, 2010]
- The Rumors of My Death........ [Last Updated On: April 20th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 20th, 2010]
- Happy DNA Day! [Last Updated On: April 25th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 25th, 2010]
- 99 USD, DNA day and patient letters [Last Updated On: April 25th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 25th, 2010]
- 2C19, Navigenics and Clinical Reality. [Last Updated On: May 1st, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 1st, 2010]
- Coriell Personalized Medicine Collaborative rising [Last Updated On: May 7th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 7th, 2010]
- Personal Genomes in Clinical Care. Quake paper is a waste! [Last Updated On: May 11th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 11th, 2010]
- Personal Genomes in Clinical Care. Quake paper Falls Short! [Last Updated On: May 13th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 13th, 2010]
- Last post edited by Drew [Last Updated On: May 13th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 13th, 2010]
- GateKeeper? FCUK U! [Last Updated On: May 13th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 13th, 2010]
- GateKeeper? F! U! [Last Updated On: May 15th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 15th, 2010]
- Potential of genomic medicine, LOST [Last Updated On: May 19th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 19th, 2010]
- How Bad Can a House Investigation be for DTC Genomics? [Last Updated On: May 20th, 2010] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2010]