Using viral diversity to improve estimates of HIV incidence
Official title: Viral Diversity an Innovative Biomarker for Refining Estimates of HIV Incidence
Funded at Botswana-Harvard AIDS Institute · NIH-10871865 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at new ways to understand how HIV spreads by examining the differences in the virus, which could help improve tools for fighting HIV and possibly finding a cure, while also exploring insights that could be useful for COVID-19.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Botswana-Harvard AIDS Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Gaborone, Botswana) |
| Project start | August 1, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $136,460 |
| NIH project number | 5K43TW012350-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10871865 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals at risk of HIV infection or those living with HIV who are interested in contributing to advancements in HIV prevention and treatment.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not at risk for HIV or those who are not engaged in HIV-related care may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing innovative methods to estimate the incidence of HIV infections by analyzing viral diversity. The approach combines advanced techniques in molecular epidemiology, phylogenetics, and bioinformatics to track and eliminate new HIV infections. Patients may benefit from improved tools that can help public health officials evaluate the effectiveness of HIV interventions and potentially contribute to the development of a cure. The research also includes a focus on SARS-CoV-2 genomics, which may provide insights relevant to COVID-19.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more accurate estimates of HIV incidence, improving public health responses and intervention strategies.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown success in using viral diversity as a biomarker for tracking HIV incidence, indicating that this approach has potential for meaningful advancements.
Where this research is happening
-
Botswana-Harvard AIDS Institute
Gaborone, Botswana Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Moyo, Sikhulile — Botswana-Harvard AIDS Institute
- Study coordinator: Moyo, Sikhulile
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.