Viral pathogens theme
Led by Professor Pontiano Kaleebu
Historically, the Unit was established to tackle the emerging HIV epidemic, and HIV research has been a long-standing strength of the Unit. In later years, the Unit expanded to address other emerging and re-emerging infections especially viruses and non-communicable diseases. This experience enabled the Unit to engage rapidly to support of SARS-CoV-2 research. Furthermore, the Unit is closely affiliated to the UVRI which is one of the few institutes in Africa dedicated to virus research. The Viral Pathogens Theme has three focus areas: viral pathogen epidemiology and interventions (VPEI); viral pathogen discovery, diversity and impact on epidemic and disease outcome (VPDD); and oncogenic virus immunovirology (OVI).
Virology research at the Unit seeks to understand the epidemiology of HIV, oncogenic and emerging/re-emerging infections and associated co-infections, to contribute to the interventions, discovery of viruses of public health importance and to understand how pathogen diversity affects epidemics and disease outcome, with the aim of facilitating the development of effective preventive and treatment therapies.
The activities are primarily hosted in the Unit’s field stations, with on-site immunology and virology, P2 and P3 laboratories and clinical research facilities. The immunology, sequencing, clinical research, General Population Cohort and Clinical Diagnostic Laboratory platforms are all key to this Theme. The high-performance cluster UMIC is also of extreme importance. The work under this Theme is closely linked with our Vaccines and Non-communicable diseases research thematic areas to allow for a healthy research intersection and exchange of relevant knowledge.
Our strong partnership with the Uganda Ministry of Health and close affiliation to the Uganda Virus Research Institute, one of the few institutes in Africa dedicated to virus research, positions us favorably to ensure that knowledge emerging from our work informs the development of useful and relevant policy and practice.
Our research focus areas are highlighted below.
- Viral pathogen epidemiology and interventions (VPEI)
Building and expanding on past discoveries, our collaborative studies primarily seek to: inform interventions for HIV prevention and treatment by quantifying the magnitude and trends of infection and mortality in general and key populations; develop new interventions for HIV prevention and treatment, expanding coverage of existing tools and improving long-term health of persons living with HIV; inform the future development of targeted intervention strategies to decrease transmission and pathogenicity of Kaposi’s sarcoma associated herpesvirus (KSHV) and other oncogenic infections, by identifying environmental correlates of viral control. We also have a number of ongoing SARS-CoV-2 studies and smaller studies of other viruses.
Focus area experts
- Dr Eugene Ruzagira
- Dr Joseph Mugisha
- Dr Yunia Mayanja,
- Dr Sylvia Kusemererwa,
- Dr Joseph Lutaakome,
- Dr Freddie Kibengo,
- Dr Jonathan Kitonsa
- Dr Gloria Lubega
- Dr Ubaldo Bahemuka
- Viral pathogen discovery, diversity and impact on epidemic and disease outcome
Using metagenomics and bioinformatic approaches, we are looking for new and re-emerging viruses of public health importance with the aim of identifying intervention tools. We study emerging HIV drug resistance patterns and predictors, notably in the era of integrase inhibitors, protease inhibitors, and PrEP, and; investigate how HIV and SARS-CoV2 diversity affect immune protection, these include characterizing recently transmitted HIV-1 viruses and their sensitivity to neutralization and profiling of SARS CoV-2 immune responses. We are also expanding our work in B cell repertoires studies and generation of monoclonal antibodies. This B cell work is to expand into other viral infections like Ebola and Rift Valley Fever.
Focus area experts
- Dr Jennifer Serwanga
- Dr Deo Ssemwanga
- Dr Sheila Balinda
- Dr Geoffrey Kimbugwe
- Dr Nicholas Bbosa
- Mr Dan Lule
- Dr Andrew Obuku
- Dr Anne Kapaata
- Oncogenic viruses
Our study of oncogenic viruses aims to contribute to cancer control & prevention by understanding transmission and pathogenesis in population-based studies. A cornerstone of activity relates to the Kaposi’s sarcoma virus, which is highly prevalent in the region and is the underlying cause of one of the most common cancers (KS).
Focus area expert
- Professor Rob Newton
- Dr Angela Nalwoga
- Dr Katherine Sabourin
- Dr Miriam Nakanwagi (PhD student)