18 projects
Status
Domain
Organization Type
Rapid serological profiling of SARS-CoV-2 antibody response
Development of antibodies is the method by which we derive immunity to a pathogen. Tracking of the development of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) is important in our understanding of this pandemic and formation of an exit strategy. Antibodies can identify different parts or proteins of a pathogen known as antigens. Current tests do not distinguish which antigens antibodies have been developed against or the level of antibody production. Using protein arrays, printed at the LIH RPPA facility we will provide a more complete analysis of the antibody development.
Comparing the technical performances of three real-time PCR protocols to counteract the COVID-19 ...
The outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 infections has underlined the critical value of laboratory diagnosis in order to quickly identify infected-patients, to provide optimized care, and to limit COVID-19 transmission. Several real-time RT-PCR diagnostic assays were rapidly developped, in particular by pharmaceutical companies which were Conformité Européenne (CE) marked. Since all countries are currently facing reagent shortages that limit the testing capacity, several real-time PCR assays were established to counteract the COVID-19 outbreak by using different techniques and suppliers, such as in Lu...
Development of a high performance COVID-19 immunoassay to assess population-based viral immunity
The current situation of lock-down in many countries creates a strong need for large screening efforts in order to assess the immune status of the population and to advice decision makers on measures to relaunch social and economic activites. Due to the need for serological testing on high numbers of individuals over several months, shortages are predictable and a major threat to society. The present proposal aims at the setup of a diagnostic assay using an immunodetection technique and recombinant viral surface proteins expressed and purified in Luxembourg. This assay will allow Luxembourg...
Cell-cell interaction model of COVID19 for potential interventions
The emergence of COVID-19 pandemic implies new challenges for the Health Systems worldwide. The great majority of COVID-19 infections are mild and self-limiting in nature. Nevertheless, a small percentage of the patients require hospitalisation and specialised attention in Intensive Care Units (ICUs). The role of host immune responses in clearance of COVID-19 or the role, if any, of host immune responses in contributing to severe respiratory pathogenesis of COVID-19 infections is not known at this time. There are previously identified specific host immune response chemokine and cytokine sig...
Relation of severity of COVID-19 infection to nutrient status, oxidative stress, inflammation & v...
Background: Severity of COVID-19 infection is related to host-factors including the immune and respiratory system, gut health, and pre-existing cardio-metabolic diseases. Enhanced inflammation and oxidative stress may worsen the prognosis of COVID-19 subjects. An imbalanced diet poor in essential micronutrients, dietary fiber and phytochemicals and containing insufficient proteins and antioxidant properties can aggravate these aspects, worsening the immune system and infection risk, especially in conjunction with enhanced visceral adiposity exacerbating chronic inflammation. Individuals wit...
Multi-omics evaluation of microbial co-infection as marker of COVID-19 severity -(CO-INFECTOMICS)
The main goal of this project is to understand if SARS-CoV2 co-infections are a predictive marker of disease severity in the Luxembourgish population. To achieve this, the study will compare the respiratory and stool samples of mild and severe SARS-CoV2 positive patients. Using metagenomics and metatranscriptomics, microbial profiles of the respiratory and intestinal tracts will be investigated, with a specific attention for co-infections. Moreover, individual microbial profiles will be correlated to the health parameters and immune response. We hope that the CO-INFECTOMICS project will ena...
Peptide / protein /single-cell map of the renin-angiotensin system in Covid-19
Receptors for entry of SARS-CoV-2 into lung pneumocytes belong to the renin-angiotensin system and disease that are associated to a dysregulation of the same system (e.g.: diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases) are thought to be associated with a bad Covid-19 prognosis. At the same time these receptor are also expressed on cells of the immune system and the immune system is involved in diseases associated to RAS dysregulation. Our project wish to use an integrated mass spectrometry / flow cytometry approach to build a map of the RAS at the peptide and protein level together w...
MicroRNA biomarkers of COVID-19 severity
The Cardiovascular Research Unit of LIH proposes to apply its know-how on RNA biomarkers to identify circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) able to predict COVID-19 severity. This project is included in COVID-19 Task force WP02 and aims to fulfill the medical need of identifying patients at high risk of developing complications after infection by SARS-CoV-2 virus. The discovery of novel prognostic biomarkers will help tailoring healthcare to each individual for patient's benefit. Considering the importance of the inflammatory storm on disease severity and patient outcome, we will focus on inflamma...
