Subbian Receives BIO5 Seed Grant to Research COVID-19
BME associate professor Vignesh Subbian has secured a seed grant from the BIO5 Institute's Technology and Research Initiative Fund to compile characteristics of hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Arizona. Subbian will work with Dr. Jarrod Mosier, associate professor in the College of Medicine – Tucson, not only to compile information, but also explore the relationships between COVID-19, pre-existing health conditions and the environment.
Subbian is on one of 13 research teams awarded a total of $500,000 in rapid-turnaround seed grants to jump-start projects to fight COVID-19.
Over the next six months, the researchers – BIO5 Institute members representing seven UA colleges – will use TRIF funds to study the lifecycle of the novel coronavirus, identify potential treatments and create patient databases to expand understanding of the disease, among other goals.
"Innovative faculty are working together to research how the virus spreads and infects people, developing new therapeutics and creating programs to foster health and well-being," said Jennifer Barton, director of the BIO5 Institute and BME professor.