Determining molecular candidates that contribute to the high risk of COVID-19 in elderly individuals

COVID-19 has recently emerged as an age-related disease whose mechanisms are still poorly understood. Using a combination of hypothesis-driven and unsupervised data-based approaches, as well as patients and preclinical models, we hope to find proteins and candidate pathways that can not only predict disease susceptibility, but also unravel the molecular mechanisms through which aging contributes to SARS-Cov-2 infection. We also hope to propose drugs approved by the FDA and ANVISA that can potentially target these pathways to prevent, mitigate or eliminate viral infection. Our general objective is to elucidate how aging constitutes the main risk factor for COVID-19, providing possible solutions for its pandemic.