On November 17^th, 2023 Professor Trine Mogensen reported in an article for the Danish newspaper 'Berlingske' about the importance of the current COVID-19 research, highlighting the focus on the immense differences in individual suceptibilities to the disease. Prof. Mogensen emphasises the importance of seeking an understanding of the risk factors that predict a severe progression of an infection. In this article, she reports on her involvement in ongoing research (incl. UNDINE) that already has identificied a number of rare genetic defects that may explain an increased suceptibility, even in young people and children. Although the corona virus is not perceived to be a big problem at the moment, the mentioned research aims at developing tests that, in the future, can identify people with an increased risk of suffering from severe COVID-19. Moreover, this knowledge will help to develop personalised treatment approaches also to other viruses, which may emerge in future pandemic outbreaks.

https://www.berlingske.dk/samfund/ny-forskning-derfor-har-en-raekke-boern-og-unge-oeget-risiko-for-at-doe-af

On September 13^th, 2023 Professor Cliona O’Farrelly gave a public talk to residents that live around Trinity College Dublin entitled ‘Our immune system – what has Covid taught us and what can we do strengthen our immunity?’, as part of a Trinity College series talk and EU researchers’ night. Professor O’Farrelly spoke about how we can strengthen our immune systems through maintaining a healthy weight and exercise regime, as recent research over the past decades has shown it can decrease disease associated inflammation throughout the body. The effect of socioeconomic stress on immunity was also discussed, with recent research showing it can also affect our inflammatory response and susceptibility to disease. Finally, the work of the UNDINE consortium was mentioned, and how despite environmental factors, our genetic make-up may determine our immune health and in turn disease susceptibility, as well as our potential to be resistant to disease. The audience remained engaged and interactive throughout asking questions as to what the latest research tells us about protecting ourselves from infection to autoimmune disease. The audience also relayed stories ranging from their individual experiences throughout the COVID-19 pandemic as well as living with autoimmune diseases.  

At the Cell Symposium in Sitges/Spain in March 2023, bioMérieux presented a poster highlighting their progress in the development of a diagnostic tool for the detection of Anti-IFN-I auto-Antibodies. Specifically, they introduced the new VIDAS® auto-Abs IFNα2a IgG type prototype assay, developed as a part of the UNDINE-project (work package 5).

András Spaan (UMCU) is interviewed on the objective of his recent COVID-research, which is a substantial contibution to the UNDINE project. The article addresses the rationale behind the search for rare gentic predispositions and their potential link to the susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infections.

The lucky few to never get coronavirus could teach us more about it