Kyoto University
Graphical abstract The Kazuo Takayama lab shows how iPS cells can be used to study SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19. With more than 125 million people infected and nearly 3 million dead, the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the world in inconceivable ways. Adding to the challenge is that the patient condition varies widely, from the asymptomatic to respiratory failure and death. A new study by CiRA researchers shows how iPS cells can be used to study infection by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), revealing gender differences seen with the disease. One of the devasting aspects of COVID-19 is its unpredictable nature. An unknown number of people infected are asymptomatic, and those that do show symptoms range widely, from mild to severe.