What’s in News:

• Scientists as part of a research project, GenOMICC (Genetics of Mortality in Critical Care), have identified 16 new genetic variants that make a person more susceptible to a severe COVID-19 infection.
  • A single gene variant, the team found, disrupted a key messenger molecule in immune system signalling, called interferon alpha-10 — that increased a patient’s risk of severe disease.
  • There were variations in genes that control the levels of a central component of blood clotting — known as Factor 8 — that were linked with critical illness in COVID-19.

About GenOMICC

• The GenOMICC is a research study that brings together clinicians and scientists from around the world to find the genetic factors that lead to determining the outcome in critical illnesses.
• While millions suffer from infectious diseases every year, even though most cases are mild, some people become extremely unwell and need critical care. This may be because of their genes and the GenOMICC project is about identifying them.

Reference:

1. https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/the-genetic-variants-causing-severe-covid-19/article65221636.ece