PolyBio Research Foundation

Dr. Rigel Chan is investigating SARS-CoV-2’s impact on the development of #Alzheimers. His work has found that S protein levels in cells aren’t associated with AD, “but exposure to antigens like Spike may alter the conditions such that [patients] become more susceptible to HSV1.” PolyBio is supporting this project that will determine if SCV2 infection of human brain cell models changes protein/gene expression, leading to AD and Parkinson’s. The team will also measure the detrimental impact on brain cells such as neurons & microglia—as well as how coinfection with HSV1 exacerbates neurodegenerative disease. Read the full summary: https://lnkd.in/gAPmrFGX Dr. Chan’s talk was a part of PolyBio’s Fall 2024 symposium. Watch the full presentation here (3:34:07): https://lnkd.in/gxy9nXKZ #sarscov2 #viruses #alzheimers #neurodegenerativediseases #brainhealth

Dr. Zian Tseng has been studying sudden cardiac deaths since 2011–and is now using those data to compare to SCDs post-COVID. “A post-2020 person who recovered from COVID… died suddenly from their acute myocardial infarction. We found SARS-CoV-2 Spike RNA in their brain [tissue].” The project is expanding the PolyBio-supported POstmortemSystematic InvesTigation of Sudden Cardiac Death autopsy study to examine key questions regarding Long COVID: ??What is the tissue distribution and burden of SARS-CoV-2 RNA/proteins in the tissues of sudden death victims with and without Long Covid? ??What is the prevalence of persistent tissue SCV2 in deaths supposedly unrelated to COVID-19? ??What are the transcriptional and proteomic host responses in various tissue regions and cell types in acute and convalescent COVID-19 and how do these responses correlate with potential SARS-CoV-2 persistence? Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eqY8-WBS Watch the full presentation at PolyBio’s Fall 2024 symposium recording, available here: https://lnkd.in/gK27GYVA #longcovidresearch #cardiovascularresearch #sarscov2 #postviralconditions #complexchronicillness #infectionassociatedchronicillness

It was great to join this Berkeley d/acc day panel to brainstorm a future focused on technology innovation done openly and transparently. I also gave a talk delineating PolyBio Research Foundation's model for rapid research on viral, parasite, and other infections as drivers of chronic disease & aging.

Dr. David Price is investigating the role of lung dysfunction in Long Covid: “We’re sampling bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and transbronchial biopsies… what we plan to do is metagenomics, metatranscriptomics & RNA seq… to get some idea of the pathogenesis of LC at the site of initial infection.” Supported by PolyBio, Dr. Price & colleagues will analyze lung tissue & blood samples by cutting-edge methods for immune cell activity and SCV2 proteins & viral persistence. The lung microbiome composition is also being characterized & associated with any SCV2 persistence. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gmTkUT6H This presentation was a part of PolyBio’s Fall 2024 Symposium, available here: https://lnkd.in/gBNTM3Rq

Dr. Petter Brodin is leading a project investigating the genetic determinants of Long Covid. “We’re currently looking for genetic variants that could explain why [Long Covid patients] have what we think is impaired antiviral immunity, leading to viral persistence.” PolyBio is supporting Dr. Brodin’s current search for genetic mechanisms underlying impaired cellular immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 infections. The team is performing whole genome sequencing in relation to >3000 whole genomes obtained from patients with variable presentations. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gJeqScus #longcovidresearch #immunesystem #interferon #sarscov2

Dr. Akiko Iwasaki, who has led work on the role of human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) in chronic diseases i.e. lupus, is now investigating the role of HERVs in Long Covid. “We’re now collaborating to understand whether antibodies specific to Epstein Barr Virus can engage a pathological impact [in LC] when bound to this [HERV] cognate antigen.” PolyBio is supporting Dr. Iwasaki’s current research that probes the relationship between HERV activity, viral and bacterial pathogen reactivation, and Long Covid pathogenesis. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gseeEtvm Dr. Iwasaki’s full presentation is available here: https://lnkd.in/gK27GYVA

"The combination of the aMCC brain region being a hub of cognitive control and being very sensitive to inflammation led us to think that maybe disruption of aMCC signaling is part of why people experience 'brain fog,'" says Dr. Michael VanElzakker Dr. VanElzakker's lab is conducting aMCC neuroimaging in long COVID and ME/CFS patients & controls with a specialized dual MRI-PET scanner simultaneously measures 1) cognitive control task brain activation using fMRI, 2) neuroinflammation using PET, and 3) brain tissue chemical composition using magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). These concurrent techniques allow understanding of actual mechanisms underlying neuropsych symptoms. Before scanning, participants also wear a sleep device for 2 nights, undergo pupillometry, and give blood & saliva samples that enable molecular analyses closer to root cause. The imaging is part of this Polybio-supported project: https://lnkd.in/gAkP9RQw

“We’re trialing a low dose of Rapamycin once a week… which may have an immune-supporting effect,” Dr. Proal explained last week for the CoRE Clinic of Mount Sinai Health System. “There are a couple studies that show this low dose could improve signalling of interferons… used to control viral infections.” Patient samples will be sent to Dr. Akiko Iwasaki’s lab for infectious & immune testing to help determine the biological parameters of patients who may respond to the drug. In a potentially larger trial, “we can use that data to select in those patients that show those biological characteristics of responders.” This trial of Rapamycin is supported by PolyBio. In our Fall 2024 symposium, Dr. Proal explained the premise and design of the study, which can be viewed here: https://lnkd.in/gK27GYVA

“We identified 16 #LongCOVID patient classes from this 600-patient cohort,” says Dr. Max Qian, who is using machine learning to identify long Covid endotypes. “[One endotype] focuses on neurological and cardiovascular problems;” another shows “sensory, hormonal & GI problems.” PolyBio is supporting this multi-institution collaboration that uses UCSF and Mount Sinai patient data to assess Long Covid endotypes. The project team is implementing a machine learning method for classifying the patients into groups, with a focus on longitudinal symptom patterns. Read more at PolyBio.org: https://lnkd.in/gRxtse_3 Max Qian’s presentation was a part of PolyBio’s Fall 2024 Symposium, available here: https://lnkd.in/geMEwusP #machinelearningresearch #complexchronicillness #infectionassociatedchronicillness #longcovidresearch #longcovidsymptoms

Dr. Amy Proal, Scientific Director of the CoRE Clinic at Mount Sinai Health System discusses viral persistence as a driver of ME/CFS with Dr.s Raven Baxter & David Putrino: “[research] finds the RNA backbone & protein of enteroviruses in ME/CFS gut tissue.” The CoRE team hosts patient education sessions discussing pathology & treatment of infection-associated chronic conditions every month. Watch February’s session here: https://lnkd.in/gj6czPQU