Characterising the Global Immune Responses to SARS-CoV-2 in COVID-19 Acutely Infected and Recovered Ugandans.

The project will address the following objectives: 1) Humoral Responses. (1a) Develop sensitive and specific binding antibody tests for detecting exposure to SARS CoV-2. (1b) Develop functional assays for detecting SARS-CoV-2 neutralising antibodies. (1c) Distinguish memory B-cells to isolate human monoclonal antibodies for therapeutics. (1d) Describe association(s) between detected antibodies and clinical outcome/comorbidities. 2) T-Cell Responses. (2a) Determine immunogenic regions of SARS-CoV-2. (2b) Determine the anti-viral T Cell correlates of protection. (2c) Describe association(s) between T Cell responses and clinical outcomes across risk groups (age, sex, comorbidities). 3) Inflammatory Responses and associated omics. (3a) Describe underlying single cell processes associated with distinct disease outcomes. (3b) Describe cytokine profiles associated with distinct disease. 4) Blood Genomics. (4a) Host genetics signatures associated with control of disease. (4b) Genetic regulation of ACE-2 gene expression. (4c) Host HLAs associated with distinct disease outcomes