MATR Twin360

The Mid-Atlantic Twin Registry (MATR) at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) invites you to join “Twin360,” a study looking into the impacts of the pandemic and health conditions in twins.

OVERVIEW

MATR Twin360 is a research effort by scientists at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) who want to get the full picture of the impact of the recent pandemic on the health of twin families. These scientists are particularly interested in understanding why some of those infected with the virus experience long-term or recurring symptoms or sometimes develop brand new symptoms months later. Studying twins who had the virus, as well as those who did not, is a powerful way to expand our knowledge of the pandemic and ideally improve our ability to support those impacted. The MATR Twin360 project aims to provide a pathway for twins to take part in this innovative and important research.

WHY SHOULD I JOIN?

Each and every twin has the ability to further our knowledge of the pandemic, particularly because twins provide unique insight into how environmental and hereditary factors influence health Twin360 is your opportunity to contribute to this effort. We have all been impacted by the pandemic to varying degrees and your participation gives added strength to our science. If you complete the survey you will be entered into a raffle for one of several $50 VISA gift cards as a token of our appreciation for your time.

WHY IS THIS RESEARCH BEING DONE?

We are doing this research to learn more about how twins have been directly and indirectly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, for those that may have had COVID-19 symptoms, researchers are particularly interested in why some of those individuals develop long-term symptoms (long-haulers). The data twins provide is will be analyzed by scientists to learn more about the genetic and environmental factors that influence human health and behavior.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF PARTICIPATING?

Researchers hope that knowledge gained from this study will give us a better understanding of how COVID-19 is impacting people as well as learning more about long-term COVID. This will hopefully help inform ways in which people impacted by the virus and the pandemic can be treated.

DATA SHARING

While the MATR is overseeing participant contact, survey outcomes, and maintaining the consents, survey data, and any saliva (DNA) samples, the data analysis will be done by a VCU research team headed up by Dr. F. Gerard Moeller, Director of the VCU C. Kenneth and Dianne Wright Center for Clinical and Translation Research (CCTR) along with Dr. Judy Silberg, Mid-Atlantic Twin Registry (MATR) Scientific Director. The research team will use de-identified (which means your name and other identifying information has been removed) data and study materials for their analysis.

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