Department of Papillomavirus and Other Oncogenic Virus Infections Research

Cervical cancer (CC) remains a significant public health concern affecting women's health. Persistent infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) is the primary etiological factor in its development. The prolonged progression of precancerous lesions provides an opportunity for timely disease detection and prevention through modern screening methods, including HPV DNA testing and liquid-based cytology.

Main areas of departmental activity

The Research Institute of Virology conducts scientific and practical research aimed at studying the epidemiology of HPV infection, improving laboratory diagnostic methods, HPV genotyping, and implementing modern approaches to the early detection of precancerous lesions and cervical cancer. Particular attention is paid to evaluating the performance of diagnostic test systems and improving the quality of screening procedures.

Implementation of the National cervical cancer screening programme

Since 2024, the Institute, in collaboration with the State Health Insurance Fund of the Republic of Uzbekistan, has been involved in organizing and conducting screening for the early detection of cervical cancer. Since 2025, this work has continued within the framework of the national programme implemented pursuant to Presidential Resolution No. PP-402 of 22 November 2024. Screening activities are currently ongoing in Tashkent, using HPV DNA testing followed by further diagnostic assessment of women with positive results.

International cooperation and quality control

Since 2025, the Institute, in collaboration with the Korea Foundation for International Healthcare (KOFIH), has been implementing the project entitled "Improving Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Research and Diagnostics in the Republic of Uzbekistan". Within this collaboration, research is being conducted to assess and monitor the quality of HPV diagnostics, with the aim of improving the reliability of laboratory results, advancing diagnostic technologies, and strengthening the professional capacity of specialists.

The objective of the Department is to develop evidence-based approaches to HPV infection diagnostics, improve the quality of laboratory investigations, and strengthen the system for cervical cancer prevention and early detection in the Republic of Uzbekistan.

LYUBOV MIKHAILOVNA AKHMEDOVA, PhD

Head of the department of papillomavirus and other oncogenic virus infections

EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

2004–2011 – Undergraduate student at Tashkent Pediatric Medical Institute.

2011–2014 – Master's student at Tashkent Pediatric Medical Institute.

2013–2014 – Manager at British Pharma.

2014–2016 – Infectious disease physician at the Kungrad district medical association.

2016–2021 – Virologist at the Reference laboratory, Research institute of Virology.

2018–2021 – Doctoral student in the basic doctoral programme at the Research institute of Virology.

2021–2023 – Master's student at Hiroshima university, Japan.

2023–Present – Head of the department of papillomavirus and other oncogenic virus infections, Research institute of Virology, Republican specialized medical center for epidemiology, microbiology, infectious and parasitic diseases.