Abstract
Abstract The ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has triggered several months of global turmoil, and governments across the world are now actively attempting to develop strategies to combat both the virus and its societal impact. Since SARS-CoV-2 is a novel pathogen, basic research is essential, and manifold international efforts are now underway in order to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of both the SARS-CoV-2 infection process and the resulting disease, COVID-19. In this article we discuss how the field of Human Genetics can contribute to this endeavor, and summarize available findings from human genetic COVID-19 research. Finally, we briefly outline how through the use of existing national research infrastructure, German scientists can facilitate progress in this novel and fast-moving field.
Highlights
The ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has triggered several months of global turmoil, and governments across the world are actively attempting to develop strategies to combat both the virus and its societal impact
Available data suggest that these clinical and demographic factors are not definitive predictors of COVID-19 outcome. This indicates that additional components of disease etiology, such as genetic factors, are implicated in the determination of SARS-CoV-2 infection risk (i. e., susceptibility) and COVID-19 disease course (i. e., severity)
The hypothesis that genetic factors play an important role in SARS-CoV-2 infection [5] is further supported by previous findings for other viral infections
Summary
The ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has triggered several months of global turmoil, and governments across the world are actively attempting to develop strategies to combat both the virus and its societal impact. As in other infectious diseases, wide variability is observed for SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 in terms of infection risk and clinical course. The hypothesis that genetic factors play an important role in SARS-CoV-2 infection [5] is further supported by previous findings for other viral infections.
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