How the human genome is helping to fight COVID-19

Since the beginning of the pandemic a few years ago, scientists have raced to figure out why some people contract severe cases of Covid from the SARS-CoV-2 virus, while others experience few to no symptoms at all. In a recent study published to the journal Nature, an international team of roughly 3 000 scientists combed through genetic data from 46 studies and pinpointed 13 locations in the human genome that influence the susceptibility and severity of the disease. This information could help scientists identify high-risk populations and develop better treatments. To see this research in action, read ‘Can America’s fastest supercomputer defeat COVID for good?’, on page 48 of the July/August 2022 issue.