What is the genMARK study?
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, a great variation in illness of individuals with COVID-19 has been noted. There are differences in both severity of the COVID-19 illness as well as the presentation of signs and symptoms. One reason for this variation could be our genetic differences that influence our body’s response to COVID-19 .
The genMARK study focuses on children and adults with a spectrum of COVID-related illnesses. Using genetic research, this study seeks to understand whether a person’s genetics affect the severity of their COVID-19 illness.
The genMARK study aims to find out why some individuals have severe forms of Coronavirus (COVID-19) illness, while others get mild illness, even when they are otherwise healthy.
Study steering committee
The genMARK steering committee is made up of researchers who are most responsible for major decision-making for the research project. They work closely with other members of the research team, who collectively help to frame the conduct of the study, oversee deliverables and assist with knowledge translation.
Dr. Upton Allen, SickKids
Dr. Shaun Morris, SickKids
Dr. Julia Upton, SickKids
Collaborators
Dr. Lisa Strug, SickKids, Liaison with HostSeq
Dr. Jesse Papenburg, Montreal Children’s Hospital
Dr. Manish Sadarangani, BC Children’s Hospital, IMPACT
Dr. Tex Kissoon, BC Children’s Hospital
Dr. Hartley Garfield, Associate Professor, University of Toronto
Not pictured:
Dr. Allison McGeer, Mount Sinai Hospital
Collaborating sites
genMARK is an international study with collaborators from around the world.
The Centre for Applied Genomics
The University of the West Indies
The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids)
The Centre for Applied Genomics
The University of the West Indies
Toronto Invasive Bacterial Diseases Network (TIBDN)
Canadian Immunization Monitoring Program, ACTive (IMPACT)
International Severe Acute Respiratory and Emerging Infection Constortium (ISARIC)