U.S. Military HIV Research Program
USMHRP takes a synergistic approach to HIV by combining research and care.
The U.S. Military HIV Research Program (USMHRP), HJF’s largest single program, is a tri-service research effort that strives to protect U.S. military personnel and serve the international community by reducing risk of HIV-1 infection.
Established in 1988, the U.S. Military HIV Research Program (USMHRP) continues to make progress by advancing candidate vaccines and increasing understanding of what will be required to develop a globally effective HIV vaccine. In the last few years, the program has successfully integrated care and treatment with the vaccine research, creating powerful synergies between its research and clinical programs.
Headed by Colonel Nelson L. Michael, M.D., Ph.D., USMHRP is centered at the Division of Retrovirology, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR). USMHRP works closely with HJF through a cooperative agreement. This partnership between WRAIR and HJF strengthens research at laboratories in the U.S. and has allowed the program to develop robust international HIV clinical trial capabilities. HJF has nearly 200 employees working directly for USMHRP who conduct research and provide research support and management services.
USMHRP has its headquarters and laboratories in Rockville, Md., and also includes six international vaccine development sites, twenty international surveillance sites and seven military medical treatment facilities. This infrastructure provides a unique and effective surveillance network to monitor the emergence of new virologic strains, and serves as a platform to evaluate candidate vaccines in overseas endemic settings.
Vaccine Research and Development
Researchers within the program draw on the military medical community’s vast experience and expertise in vaccine research. Program scientists leverage these skills to develop effective vaccines that not only will protect U.S. troops from infection, but also bring under control the international proliferation of HIV.
USMHRP engages in basic research to support HIV vaccine development. Efforts include:
- pre-clinical immunology
- molecular biology
- pre-clinical vaccine evaluation
Global Research Efforts
The program collaborates with many U.S. and international agencies, as well as a network of DoD overseas research laboratories. Key to the program’s success are its partnerships with host country governments, universities and community organizations.
One of USMHRP’s ongoing international efforts is a partnership with Makere University in Uganda. The Makerere University-Walter Reed Project (MUWRP) was established in 2002 with a mission to develop a safe and effective HIV vaccine specific to the HIV clades in Uganda. The program is focused on cohort development and HIV surveillance, and has expanded to include HIV prevention, care and treatment there.
Last year, MUWRP commissioned a song and music video called “A Little Bit of Love” to encourage HIV prevention and vaccine awareness in Uganda. The project was collaboration among more than 30 local musicians, many of who are major recording artists in Uganda.
More information about USMHRP, along with the video and song lyrics, is available on the USMHRP website.