Victorian study gets funding boost to examine long-term effects of COVID-19
The Victorian Government has boosted its funding for a study to examine the long-term effects of COVID-19, including the potential links between the virus and unborn babies.
A dedicated group of scientists will investigate the cellular mechanisms leading to lingering "long COVID" issues including fatigue, cognitive difficulties and ongoing breathing problems.
The study forms part of the government's $31 million COVID-19 Research Fund, including $2.3 million to the Murdoch Children's Research Institute's (MCRI's) Impact of COVID-19 on Organs research project.
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Coronavirus can cause long-term illness for some people, research has found (Stock image). Christoph Soeder/dpa via AP
Researchers will study the effects of coronavirus on pregnant women, including the placenta, and if the virus can be transferred to the fetus.
The various strains of COVID-19 from the UK, India and Brazil will also be analysed to gain a further understanding of the more 'infectious' variants.
The MCRI is one of the only facilities in the world able to study the effect of the virus on every major human organ.
It is the first time research of this nature has been undertaken in Australia.
"Our extraordinary medical research institutes produce world-leading results that change and save lives every day, and we're backing them to continue this vital work," Medical Research Minister Jaala Pulford said.
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An electron microscope shows Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 virus particles, orange, isolated from a patient. (NIAID/National Institutes of Health via AP) AP
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"Victoria is one of the few places in the world where research has been able to continue over the past 12 months, thanks to the work everyone has done to get on top of this wildly infectious virus."
A number of significant discoveries have already been made, including identifying issues with the heart muscle as a result of the virus disrupting oxygen supply.
Victoria is home to 14 independent medical research institutes, employing more than 5800 people.
"The knowledge we're building will help people now and for generations to come," Ms Pulford said.
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