SARS-CoV-2 Resistance

The SARS-CoV-2 resistance study, also known as DIRECTS (Detecting Innate Protection against SARS-CoV-2), is a research project to understand why some people are naturally resistant to the virus.
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We are conducting three studies to help us understand this resistance – DIRECTS-1 with St James's Hospital healthcare workers and their household members, and DIRECTS-2 with members of the public. If you’re interested in this study or would like more information, please get in touch!

partners

funding

partners

funding

STUDY TIMELINE

What Happened

In 2019, a new type of the coronavirus, called SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) emerged. It quickly spread across the globe, resulting in widespread fatalities and numerous lockdowns aimed at containing the outbreak. The swift development of effective vaccines saved millions.

An Exciting Research Question

People infected with Sars-CoV-2 respond very differently. Some become very ill and can even die, others become mildly ill, others have no symptoms. There is even a fourth group who can completely resist infection.
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We think that the latter group has ‘super’ innate immune systems that protect them from Sars-CoV-2. It may actually also protect them from other viral infections. People are frequently exposed to all sorts of viruses but not everyone gets infected every time. Understanding why some people seem to be naturally protected can help us design new ways to combat viral infection.

*these are the people we are looking for

(the three main outcomes of viral exposure)

resistant → exposed to the virus but not infected.

asymptomatic → infected but displaying no signs of COVID-19.

symptomatic → infected and displaying typical signs of COVID-19.

*and we need you to get in touch to find them

Get in Touch

THE STUDY

DIRECTS

(Detecting Innate Resistance against SARS-CoV-2)

DIRECTS is a research study aiming to understand why some people are naturally resistant to getting COVID-19 infection. Identifying who is resistant and how they are resistant could have a major impact on public health measures, vaccine development and basic understanding of viral infections. There are two components to DIRECTS:

DIRECTS-1 is focused on St James's Hospital healthcare workers (HCWs) and their close household contacts.

DIRECTS-2 seeks volunteers from the general public who did not contract COVID-19 despite being close household contacts of individuals previously positive for COVID-19.

Led by Experts

The TCD/SJH team tackling this project has extensive globally recognised research experience into:

  • Immune responsiveness to viral infection.

  • Together with their international collaborators, access to some of the most sophisticated technologies and research facilities in the world

  • Significant experience in the care of people with COVID-19 infection.

If you’re interested in this study or would like more information, please get in touch with us! Study information is listed below. If you have further questions please see our FAQ section or feel free to contact us.

IN THE MEDIA

FAQs

What is DIRECTS?
Why are we undertaking this study?
Who should take part in this study?
Taking part in this study: What's involved?
Who is classified as a household contact of a previously COVID-19 infected individual
How do I register for the study?
After the online questionnaire is completed, how will I be contacted?
Where and when will the blood/saliva testing take place?
Will study participants be given results of their test?
I have had the COVID-19 vaccine. Can I still take part in the study?
How will my data be protected?
Where can I find out more?

This is a unique opportunity to take part in a study which we hope will help us to achieve a greater understanding of COVID-19.

We hope you will take the time to participate. Thank you in advance for your support.

THE TEAM

Cliona O'Farrelly, PhD

Principal Investigator

Prof. Cliona Ni Cheallaigh

Infectious Diseases Consultant Physician

Prof. Colm Bergin

Infectious Diseases Consultant Physician

Dr. Niall Conlon

Consultant Immunologist

Nollaig Bourke, PhD

Medical Gerontology Assistant Professor

Dr. Liam Townsend

Consultant Physician Infectious Diseases
St. James' Hospital

COVID Human Genetic Effort

An international consortium to find the genetic basis of coronavirus infection

UNDINE project

Horizon Europe Programme

ALUMNI

Dr. Jonathan McGrath

Clinical Research Fellow Infectious Diseases Consultant
St. James' Hospital

Jamie Sugrue, PhD

MSCA Research Fellow
Institut Pasteur Paris

Margaret Needham, PhD

Project Manager
Trinity College Dublin