Bionano Genomics Will Be Used in Research Identifying Gene Variants that Contribute to Coronavirus Disease Susceptibility

First study to be based in Wuhan, China; European and North American studies expected to follow

SAN DIEGO, March 10, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bionano Genomics announced the launch of a global network of studies aiming to identify genomic variants that influence COVID-19 disease resistance, sensitivity, disease progression and drug response. The first study will focus on the Wuhan, China outbreak, and will be performed at the site of Wuhan-based Bionano service provider GrandOmics in collaboration with Bionano Genomics. At least one hundred patients who tested positive for COVID-19 infection will undergo whole genome analysis using the Bionano Saphyr system, and genomic variants will be compared between those patients who show no or mild symptoms and those who show severe illness. The study will control for viral strain differences, and for the known risk factors of age and chronic illness such as heart disease, diabetes, or other immune-compromising disease.

The Bionano Saphyr system images label patterns on extremely long molecules of genomic DNA to identify structural variants. While Bionano’s technology is not suited for viral detection itself, which is typically performed with PCR assays, Saphyr is uniquely capable of detecting structural variants in the human genome. Such variants can predispose an individual to having a mild or severe disease progression, or to be resistant altogether. Additionally, certain variants may determine the individual’s response to drug treatments.

Genomic variants that predispose an individual to resistance and progression have been identified for a variety of infectious diseases. Deletions in the alpha-globin gene lead to sickle cell anemia but protect against malaria infection. A structural variant in the CCR5 gene provides protection against HIV-infection, and this knowledge led to the cure of several individuals who received a bone marrow transplant from a donor carrying that mutation. Genetic variation at the IL28B locus gives carriers a 3-fold greater chance of eradicating the Hepatitis-C virus after drug treatment compared to those without this genetic variation. Structural variation at the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) locus, a gene cluster of about 150 genes, has been associated with resistance to a variety of infectious diseases. Saphyr can uniquely analyze and phase the alleles of the human MHC locus.