KPBS Midday Edition

Vaccinated? Your Poop Could Help COVID-19 Research

By Jade Hindmon / KPBS Midday Edition Co-Host, Harrison Patiño / Producer, KPBS Midday Edition

Published March 31, 2021 at 9:49 AM PDT

This story was published more than 3 years ago.

A man gets the COVID-19 vaccine at San Diego County's "Vaccination Superstation" in Chula Vista, Calif. Jan. 21, 2021.

Persephone Biosciences wants to enlist 250 San Diegans to share stool staples to analyze how the COVID-19 vaccine interacts with our bodies.

As more people get vaccinated, how the vaccine interacts with our bodies is still being researched.

One San Diego Biotech company is soliciting stool samples from vaccinated San Diegans to analyze how the vaccine is interacting with gut microbiomes.

The study, titled, Vaccine Observation to Include all Communities for Equitable Science or VOICES, is being overseen by Torrey Pines biotechnology company Persephone Biosciences. The company is inviting vaccinated San Diegans to participate in the study on its web site.

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The company said the resulting study data could help develop new medications to treat COVID-19 and improve vaccine efficacy.

Persephone Biosciences CEO Stephanie Culler joined Midday Edition on Wednesday to discuss the project.

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KPBS Midday Edition Biotech

Jade Hindmon

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Jade Hindmon is the host of KPBS Midday Edition. She connects San Diego through fearless conversations that inform, inspire and make you think. Prior to Midday Edition Jade was a reporter and fill-in anchor in the KPBS newsroom covering everything from politics to policing and the economy. Her award winning work spans network affiliates across the southeast and midwest. As a very proud Rattler, Jade studied broadcast journalism and political science at Florida A&M University. She takes a special interest in topics about democracy, accountability, racial justice, science and wellness.

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Harrison Patiño

Harrison Patiño is a producer for "KPBS Midday Edition". His primary roles include story development, and is involved in the audio production and coordination of interview subjects. Prior to joining KPBS, Harrison held various positions at Hawaii Public Radio within its news and music departments. While pursuing a double major in journalism and classics at The University of Hawaii at Manoa, Harrison worked at the school's student-run radio station, KTUH. After graduating, Harrison served as a community advisor for the University of Hawaii at Manoa's Student Media Board.

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