COVID-19: comparison of clinical, virological and immunological features in a SARS-CoV-2 patient cohort and a newly-established mouse model (Freiburg-COVID-19)

Although clinicians and researchers have been reporting new insights into SARS-CoV-2 infection at an immense rate, many fundamental questions surrounding the underlying biology of the disease remain unanswered. Owing to its unique geographic location, the Upper Rhine region rapidly emerged as one of the earliest sites of viral transmission in Germany. As the major medical center in the area, the University Medical Center Freiburg has been a focal point of patient care, establishing robust diagnostic workflows very early in the epidemic and treating severely ill patients. This project aims to provide an in-depth characterization of the innate and adaptive immune response to SARS-CoV-2 virus in both humans and animals. To achieve this goal, a tightly-linked consortium will leverage a unique synergy between clinicians in direct care of COVID-19 patients, a diagnostic department with established SARS-CoV-2 workflows, basic research expertise in studying highly-pathogenic zoonotic respiratory viruses in animal models, and technical resources allowing in-depth immunophenotyping. This project will provide urgently needed insights into the immune response to COVID-19 infection, including identification of immune effector cells and clarification of a potential cytokine storm. This information can directly aid clinicians in treatment decisions as well as provide key data for research into treatment and prevention strategies. The project will also establish an animal model of infection which will allow in-depth characterization of the disease as well as drug and vaccine tests.