DeCOI is a national network founded in 3/2020 for the use of NGS-based omics data in COVID-19 research. DeCOI is based on the DFG-funded network of NGS competence centers , bringing together expertise in sequencing and NGS data generation. The German Human Genome Phenome Archive (GHGA) and the NFDI4Microbiota Consortium are the other large founding consortia of DeCOI, providing extended expertise in data management and data analysis.
DeCOI is closely connected to the German Biobank Node (GBN) , LEOSS , the Helmholtz KI Cooperation Unit , the German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) and the LifeTime Initiative . For the integration of NGS data into international efforts to control COVID-19, DeCOI is also partner of the international COVID-19 host genetics initiative . Therefore, DeCOI is set up as an established network to make a specific contribution to the COVID-19 crisis by utilizing NGS-technologies.
As with other diseases, multi-omics approaches, particularly those based on NGS-technologies, provide critically important information to better understand the SARS-CoV-2 infection and the disease-related aspects of COVID-19.