HIV

The Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology (MIP) Department is comprised of over 400 individuals who share a common passion for solving some of the most important human and animal health problems today. Research programs include those related to mycobacteria, retroviruses, prions, and arthropod-borne infectious diseases, as well as the diagnostic investigation of naturally-occurring animal diseases. A leader in education, MIP provides the only microbiology undergraduate degree program in Colorado, a graduate program that provides training in a number of cutting-edge disciplines, and several specialized veterinary residency training programs.

Virology and immunology research at Gladstone is focused primarily on three primary and urgent challenges in HIV/AIDS. We desperately need a vaccine for those at risk of coming in contact with the virus, as well as a cure for the millions of people who are already infected. And finally, we need new approaches for restoring a normal lifespan to those who are HIV-positive—but dying much too early from diseases of aging. In addition to HIV, we’re working on a variety of other areas of investigation: Gladstone scientists are looking for new biological targets for drugs that will attack the hepatitis C virus—which has infected 170 million people worldwide. Hepatitis C is a common co-infection with HIV/AIDS. We are also investigating the molecular structure of viruses associated with cancer—and how to remove them from the body as a way to reduce the risk of cancer. And we are investigating why newborns and infants mount less effective immune responses to viruses than adults do.

The Institute of Human Virology (IHV) is the first center in the United States – perhaps the world – to combine the disciplines of basic science, epidemiology and clinical research in a concerted effort to speed the discovery of diagnostics and therapeutics for a wide variety of chronic and deadly viral and immune disorders – most notably HIV, the cause of AIDS. Formed in 1996 as a partnership between the State of Maryland, the City of Baltimore, the University System of Maryland and the University of Maryland Medical System, IHV is an institute of the University of Maryland School of Medicine and is home to some of the most globally-recognized and world-renowned experts in the field of human virology.

Karolinska Institute (KI) is one of the world’s leading medical universities. Their mission is centered toward research and education, to help improve people’s health. In Sweden, Karolinska Institute accounts for over 40 per cent of the medical academic research and has the largest collection of medical education. Since 1901 the Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institute has selected the Nobel laureates in Physiology or Medicine, and several alumni have won the prestigious award.

Finding solutions to prevent, treat and cure infectious diseases and understanding the complexities of microbes and the immune system requires innovative approaches and concentrated effort. This is why the University of Melbourne – a world leader in education, teaching and research excellence – and The Royal Melbourne Hospital – an internationally renowned institution providing outstanding care, research and learning –partnered to create the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity (Doherty Institute); a centre of excellence where leading scientists and clinicians collaborate to improve human health globally.

Harare is home to a NIH AIDS Clinical Trials Unit that conducts research with NIAID HIV Research networks including the AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG), International Maternal Pediatric and Adolescent AIDS Clinical Trials (IMPAACT), and Microbial Trials Network (MTN). In addition, UZ has a NIAID HIV Clinical Pharmacology Specialty Laboratory. These clinical research networks are led by senior clinical scientists who have been involved in international multicenter trials for the past two decades hence their ability to contribute to the HIV, HBV, HCV, HPV, and other global virology research agendas. A number of NIH funded studies exist including training programs such as e.g., International Clinical, Operational and Health Services Research Training Award for AIDS and TB (ICOHRTA AIDS/TB) as well as the PEPFAR funded Medical Education Partnership Initiative (MEPI).The Antiviral Pharmacology Laboratory was initially funded as a developmental International Pharmacology Specialty Laboratory and in 2015 gained status as an ACTG International Specialty Pharmacology Laboratory. This change in status reflected successful external assessment for its readiness to participate in protocol support for ACTG as well as other networks within the Clinical Trails Unit – Virology Program. The interface among the HIV Research Networks allows the clinical pharmacology laboratory to contribute drug assays, pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamics, drug interactions and pharmacogenomics research to HIV prevention and treatment research protocols in adults, pediatrics, adolescents, pregnant women, as well as to cure, vaccines, and co-infection (e.g., TB, HBV, HPV) protocols.