Front Line Genomics invites you to their event

COVID & Genomics ONLINE: Webinar three - COVID-19 Vaccines and Other Therapeutic Opportunities

About this event

Since the emergence of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 in December 2019, over 115 million cases have been reported worldwide. Whole genome sequencing and global genomic data sharing is playing a pivotal role in the response to the Coronavirus pandemic.

Join us for COVID & Genomics ONLINE, a 4-part webinar series that will share the very latest research and insights from leading experts covering key aspects of the pandemic; from mechanisms of cell entry and disease severity, through to how genomics data is shaping our response to the pandemic.

From this series you will hear detailed, end-to-end analysis of the role of genomics in different aspects of tackling the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the lessons learned from some of the leading experts in the fight against SARS-CoV-2.

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Webinar 1: Mechanisms of infection and the impact of genetics

Wednesday 14th April – 3pm BST / 4pm CEST / 10am EDT

Genomic surveillance has shaped our understanding of SARS-CoV-2. Comparative analysis with SARS-CoV has indicated that the two viruses use the same receptor binding domain, known as the ACE 2 receptor.

This webinar will focus on global research that has evaluated the SARS-CoV-2 genome to understand the mechanisms of entry into host cells. We will also discuss how global data sharing has enabled us to identify variations in genes that could explain the differences seen between severity of infections in patients, which could facilitate better management of the disease in the future.

SARS-CoV-2 entry routes to the central nervous system in COVID-19

  • Helena Radbruch, Research Group Leader and Resident, Department of Neuropathology, Charité

Pathophysiology of COVID-19: mechanisms underlying disease severity and progression

  • Khosrow Adeli, Head and Professor, Clinical Biochemistry, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto

Genetic variants that are associated with risk of COVID-19 related mortality

  • Heping Zhang, Professor of Statistics and Data Science, Yale School of Public Health

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Webinar 2: Variant detection and monitoring

Wednesday 21st April – 3pm BST / 4pm CEST / 10am EDT

SARS-CoV-2 is a large RNA virus with potential for genetic recombination, point mutation and limited replication error correction. Routine analysis of genetic sequence data enables researchers and public health bodies to identify and characterise variant viruses.

This webinar will focus on global research that interrogates the coronavirus genome to recognise and characterise emerging novel variants of the virus and their impact on transmission, susceptibility to treatments and whether our existing testing methods will be effective in the future.

Scaling up SARS-CoV-2 genomic analyses to facilitate global surveillance of variants of concern

  • Todd Treangen, Co-Lead, COVID-19 International Research Team (COV-IRT), and Assistant Professor, Computer Science, Rice University

The importance of hybrid-capture technology to recognise and characterize emerging novel variants

  • Rebecca Nugent, PhD, Senior Director of BioPharma Product Strategy, Twist Bioscience

Wastewater-based monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 infections in small and large populations

  • Carol Wilusz, Professor and Director Molecular Quantification Core, Colorado State University, and;
  • Susan De Long, Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado State University

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Webinar 3: Vaccines and other therapeutic opportunities

Wednesday 28th April – 3pm BST / 4pm CEST / 10am EDT

This webinar will focus on how SARS-CoV-2 genome sequencing data has enabled identification of vaccine targets for COVID-19, and whether AI drug discovery screening will uncover drug repurposing candidates for the development of future treatments. We will also discuss the importance of producing a low-cost scalable vaccine for global health.

COVID-19 asymptomatic infections, the NIH national serosurvey phase I results and what they tell us about risk factors and vaccines

  • Matthew Memoli, Director, LID Clinical Studies Unit, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

Flexibility and mobility of possible SARS-CoV-2 drug targets

  • Rudolf Roemer, Professor, Department of Physics, University of Warwick

Single cell genomics: insights into COVID immunology

  • Stephen Hague, Senior Science and Technology Advisor, 10X Europe

Structural design and genetic engineering of yeast-expressed recombinant SARS-CoV-2 proteins as COVID-19 vaccine candidates

  • Maria Elena Bottazzi, Associate Dean, National School of Tropical Medicine, and Professor, Pediatrics & Molecular Virology & Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’s Hospital

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Webinar 4: COVID-19 Data Sharing

Wednesday 5th May – 3pm BST / 4pm CEST / 10am EDT

Traditionally, vaccine development has taken many years. The urgent need for COVID-19 vaccines and unprecedented global cooperation and data sharing has facilitated the development of vaccines in under a year.

We will discuss how researchers across the globe mobilized to share COVID genomic data, and whether the coronavirus pandemic has changed our perceptions of data sharing moving forward.

Changing the perception of data sharing in Canada: from superfluous commodity to strategic priority

  • Yann Joly, Research Director of the Centre of Genomics and Policy, McGill University, and Chair, VirusSeq’s Ethics and Governance Working Group

Prioritising SARS-CoV-2 mutations and variants

  • Alessandro Carabelli, Postdoctoral Researcher, COVID-19 Genomics UK (COG-UK) Consortium

Data sharing in a time of pandemic

  • Rebecca Li, Executive Director, Vivli

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Hosted by

  • Team member
    CH T
    Celine Hashwe Front Line Genomics

  • Guest speaker
    MB G
    Maria Elena Bottazzi

  • Guest speaker
    SH G
    Stephen Hague

  • Guest speaker
    MM G
    Matthew Memoli

  • Guest speaker
    RR G
    Rudolf Roemer

Front Line Genomics

Delivering the Benefits of Genomics to Patients Faster

Front Line Genomics is a genomics-focused media company, with a social mission to deliver the benefits of genomics to patients faster. We organise the Festival of Genomics, digital events and webinars. We also produce reports and operate a content-rich website.