Exploring host cellular responses to SARS-CoV-2 variants using RNA sequencing of infected human airway epithelial cells

This study explores the interaction between various SARS-CoV-2 variants and host cells by using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) of human airway epithelial cells. The primary objective was to elucidate the host cellular responses, including metabolic and immune pathways, to different SARS-CoV-2 variants. Human airway epithelial cells were infected with SARS-CoV-2 variants (IC19, Alpha, Beta, Delta, Omicron BA.1, and BA.5) and compared with mock samples at time 0. Samples were collected at 24 and 72 hours post-infection for RNA isolation and subsequent bulk RNA-sequencing. The RNA-seq data processing involved quality checks, mapping reads to a reference genome, and identifying differentially expressed genes to determine changes in gene expression in response to viral infection. This analysis aims to provide a deeper understanding of the molecular interactions between SARS-CoV-2 variants and host cells, contributing to the broader knowledge of viral pathogenicity and host-pathogen interactions.