Molecular Virology/Epidemiology HIV Training in Kazakhstan (MoVE-Kaz) - The HIV epidemic remains a persistent public health challenge in the United States (U.S.), particularly with respect to antiretroviral drug resistance, transmission network dynamics, and the emergence of viral variants. Molecular epidemiology approaches developed and validated through international collaboration are essential to strengthening HIV surveillance, prevention, and treatment strategies in the U.S. The MoVE Kaz training program builds sustained capacity in molecular virology and applied epidemiology in Kazakhstan and neighboring Central Asian countries—regions with distinct HIV transmission patterns, viral subtypes, and resistance profiles that are not readily observable within the U.S. In the past two decades, HIV variants such as A6, CRF63_02A6, and CRF_02AG, have originated and amplified in Central Asia. These variants exhibit unique transmission and drug-resistance patterns, which has led to challenges with surveillance and prevention efforts in Central Asia. Despite prevention efforts toward control and harm reduction, the incidence of these HIV variants remains steadily on the rise in the region. Additionally, concerns have escalated due to the spread of these variants into other continents, including Europe and North America, which represents a clear threat to further outbreaks of these unique HIV variants that may be challenging to control and/or treat. The rise of these variants and potential risk of outbreaks in other regions justifies the immediate need of the foreign component in this training program. The innovative molecular epidemiology approaches our team is testing in Kazakhstan and Central Asia will aid in controlling further propagation of region-specific variants to minimize the potential risk to North America, including the U.S. Central Asian countries also provide access to large, well characterized national HIV sequence datasets, unique circulating recombinant forms, and transmission network structures that cannot be replicated domestically, which strengthens the justification for training in the Central Asia. These features offer a critical opportunity to develop, test, and refine analytic methods for HIV phylogeny, drug resistance surveillance, and outbreak detection that directly informs U.S. public health practice. By training in Central Asia, our combined Kazakh and U.S. mentors will strengthen the next cohort of global scientists who work in and collaborate with U.S. public health institutions. The project also directly benefits American health by strengthening analytic approaches applicable to U.S. HIV programs, enhancing preparedness for emerging resistance patterns, improving transmission cluster detection methods relevant to U.S. epidemics, and training U.S. and international investigators who collaborate with U.S. public health institutions. Training activities combine in country mentored research with targeted short-term training at U.S. institutions, ensuring bidirectional knowledge exchange and method harmonization. The knowledge generated through this program supports NIH mission critical objectives by advancing evidence-based strategies to prevent HIV transmission, optimize treatment effectiveness, and safeguard the health of Americans.
