Launch of CoFGen – A data collection for Functional Genomics in COVID-19

Functional genomics allow us to monitor which gene sequences are transcribed at a certain point in time or in health and disease. Transcriptome data from COVID-19 patients aids to understand the effects of the viral infection on the immune cells - generating novel approaches for therapy.

In an effort to advance research in these areas, a collection of functional genomics data in the context of COVID-19 was created and now released. Democratizing and centralizing data storage, this will further establish a culture of data sharing. 

The COVID-19 Functional Genomics (CoFGen) initiative  was led by GHGA and researchers from the research area Systems Medicine at the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) and the Life and Medical Sciences Institute of Bonn University. Closely collaborating with DeCOI, CoFGen gathers transcriptome data that was generated in the context of studying how COVID-19 influences the immune system. The data is made available via EGA, FastGenomics or the data collecting researchers.

Currently CoFGen contains twelve datasets, five of which are available on FastGenomics, EGA, or both. The datasets are grouped according to the sample type under study: Whole blood, peripheral blood mononuclear cells, a combination of both, or other samples, such as lung epithelium, bronchoalveolar lavage, nasal epithelium or myocardial samples. 

If you want your bulk or single cell data featured in CoFGen, please contact Karoline Mauer or Thomas Ulas.