Research into the Immune Response to COVID-19 Infection launched in Brighton

As COVID-19 continues to spread around the world, researchers are keen to understand  more about this new virus, which currently has no proven treatments or future prevention tactics.

Research is crucial to strengthening health systems; improving treatment approaches and ending the COVID-19 pandemic.

Brighton and Sussex Medical School and the University of Sussex are collaborating on a range of COVID-19 research projects to build evidence across Sussex and create an invaluable resource.

Led by Prof. Florian Kern, Chair in Immunology at Brighton and Sussex Medical School, a research team is beginning a collection of research blood samples from a cohort of at least 100 individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 but have now fully recovered. These samples will be used to study aspects of the body’s defence against COVID-19, related for example, to vaccine design and inflammation. Studies could also help in vaccine design and other treatments.

Volunteers needed for this vital research

The team is looking for volunteers to attend the University of Sussex Campus at Falmer for a one hour session, during which they’ll have a blood sample taken and be asked some questions about their Coronavirus experience and general health.

There’s free parking available; a rail station; good bus connections and travel costs will be covered.

Anyone aged 18+ who has tested positive for COVID-19 in the last four months is eligible. The researchers regret that samples from individuals with HIV-infection, transplant patients, or cancer patients who received treatment in the past year cannot be taken.

How to volunteer

To get involved, please contact the team at One Research, who are managing the volunteer programme. They will explain the sample collection to you, answer your questions, discuss your experiences of the disease and ability to participate. If you are interested, they will forward your details to members of the research team who will contact you to invite you in for giving a blood sample.

oneresearch.co.uk/covid or call 0808 164 1888.

Questions?

Please contact Liz Wakefield, volunteer outreach comms manager on 07798 603571 or email liz@upshotmarketing.co.uk