Mission, Organization, and Future Direction of the Serological Sciences Network for COVID-19 (SeroNet) Epidemiologic Cohort Studies
Authors: Figueiredo Jane C , Hirsch Fred R , Kushi Lawrence H , Nembhard Wendy N , Crawford James M , Mantis Nicholas , Finster Laurel , Merin Noah M , Merchant Akil , Reckamp Karen L , Melmed Gil Y , Braun Jonathan , McGovern Dermot , Parekh Samir , Corley Douglas A , Zohoori Namvar , Amick Benjamin C , Du Ruofei , Gregersen Peter K , Diamond Betty , Taioli Emanuela , Sariol Carlos , Espino Ana , Weiskopf Daniela , Gifoni Alba , Brien James , Hanege William , Lipsitch Marc , Zidar David A , Scheck McAlearney Ann , Wajnberg Ania , LaBaer Joshua , Yvonne Lewis E , Binder Raquel A , Moormann Ann M , Forconi Catherine , Forrester Sarah , Batista Jennifer , Schieffelin John , Kim Dongjoo , Biancon Giulia , VanOudenhove Jennifer , Halene Stephanie , Fan Rong , Barouch Dan H , Alter Galit , Pinninti Swetha , Boppana Suresh B , Pati Sunil K , Latting Misty , Karaba Andrew H , Roback John , Sekaly Rafick , Neish Andrew , Brincks Ahnalee M , Granger Douglas A , Karger Amy B , Thyagarajan Bharat , Thomas Stefani N , Klein Sabra L , Cox Andrea L , Lucas Todd , Furr-Holden Debra , Key Kent , Jones Nicole , Wrammerr Jens , Suthar Mehul , Yu Wong Serre , Bowman Natalie M , Simon Viviana , Richardson Lynne D , McBride Russell , Krammer Florian , Rana Meenakshi , Kennedy Joshua , Boehme Karl , Forrest Craig , Granger Steve W , Heaney Christopher D , Knight Lapinski Maria , Wallet Shannon , Baric Ralph S , Schifanella Luca , Lopez Marcos , Fernández Soledad , Kenah Eben , Panchal Ashish R , Britt William J , Sanz Iñaki , Dhodapkar Madhav , Ahmed Rafi , Bartelt Luther A , Markmann Alena J , Lin Jessica T , Hagan Robert S , Wolfgang Matthew C , Skarbinski Jacek 
Published: April 2022

Background

Global efforts are needed to elucidate the epidemiology of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the underlying cause of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), including seroprevalence, risk factors, and long-term sequelae, as well as immune responses after vaccination across populations and the social dimensions of prevention and treatment strategies.

Methods

In the United States, the National Cancer Institute in partnership with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, established the SARS-CoV-2 Serological Sciences Network (SeroNet) as the nation’s largest coordinated effort to study coronavirus disease 2019. The network comprises multidisciplinary researchers bridging gaps and fostering collaborations among immunologists, epidemiologists, virologists, clinicians and clinical laboratories, social and behavioral scientists, policymakers, data scientists, and community members. In total, 49 institutions form the SeroNet consortium to study individuals with cancer, autoimmune disease, inflammatory bowel diseases, cardiovascular diseases, human immunodeficiency virus, transplant recipients, as well as otherwise healthy pregnant women, children, college students, and high-risk occupational workers (including healthcare workers and first responders).

Results

Several studies focus on underrepresented populations, including ethnic minorities and rural communities. To support integrative data analyses across SeroNet studies, efforts are underway to define common data elements for standardized serology measurements, cellular and molecular assays, self-reported data, treatment, and clinical outcomes.

Conclusions

In this paper, we discuss the overarching framework for SeroNet epidemiology studies, critical research questions under investigation, and data accessibility for the worldwide scientific community. Lessons learned will help inform preparedness and responsiveness to future emerging diseases.