Microbiology and Immunology Training for HIV and HIV-Related Research in Uganda (MITHU)

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Abstract (450 words; 29 lines) This competing renewal builds on the success of the first 4 yrs. of the "Microbiology and Immunology Training for HIV and HIV-Related Research in Uganda” (MITHU) training program. MITHU addresses capacity building in basic/translational biomedical research on HIV and HIV-related complications in Uganda. Persistence of the HIV epidemic, compounded by the evolving SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic and other emerging infections, emphasizes the importance of lab-based research capacity in immunology and molecular microbiology for tracking, prevention, diagnosis and treatment. This capacity requires biomedical faculty at Makerere University (MU) and other institutions in Uganda to train the next generation of biomedical technicians, researchers and faculty. For this competing renewal, MITHU proposes the 5 New Aims. Aim 1. To continue MITHU's success in supporting biomedical MSc training at MU. We propose to continue MSc training as a primary Aim for this next funding cycle. The best MSc students will go on to biomedical PhD training. Aim 2. To expand Biomedical PhD Training at MU by starting a Sandwich PhD program in biomedical sciences with CWRU. We propose a Sandwich PhD where outstanding MSc students will be co-mentored by faculty from MU and CWRU, spend their first yr at CWRU for selected course work in immunology or molecular microbiology, to do lab rotations, and to select CWRU and MU mentors for their thesis project. Thesis research will begin at CWRU and will be completed at MU. This Sandwich PhD program is possible because there are now 9 biomedical research faculty in MU's School of Biomedical Sciences. Six of 9 were trained at CWRU, 2 trained at MU by the Uganda-CWRU Research Collaboration and 1 at Univ. of Wash. Aim 3. To continue mentoring of junior biomedical science faculty and providing re-entry support for returning PhD trainees as they establish themselves as biomedical faculty and researchers in Uganda. MITHU will continue to coordinate a mentoring program for junior and senior research scientists with the College of Health Sciences' NURTURE program. MITHU will also continue to provide re-entry support for PhD trainees returning to Uganda. Improved internet access has greatly improved distance-learning and intercontinental interactions, allowing for remote mentoring, lab meetings and journal clubs. Aim 4. To continue to sponsor the yearly short intensive course “Host- Pathogen interactions in HIV, TB and their complications. This popular course is attended by MU biomedical MSc, MMed and PhD students. This course is a mixture of lectures, journal clubs and workshops in which MU- and CWRU-sponsored scientists present the latest biomedical results and methods related to HIV and its complications. Aim 5. To continue to leverage for MITHU the Uganda-CWRU Research Collaboration's expertise and infrastructure for HIV and TB research for training in the biomedical sciences of HIV and its complications.