Scientific-Research Institute of Virology was established on December 27, 1978. By decision No. 134 of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan on March 11, 1994 the Institute became a member of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan. In 2000, the Institute was transferred to the system of the Ministry of health of the Republic of Uzbekistan as a "Scientific-Research Institute of Virology of the Ministry of health of the Republic of Uzbekistan" by decision of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan on March 30, 2010.

Scientific-Research Institute of Virology MH RUz is one of specialized scientific-research institutions for clinical and applied Virology.

Professor Sh. Kh. Khodzhayev was appointed Director of the Institute of Virology in 1979. Formation Institute and the construction of its buildings were directly under the supervision of Professor Khodjaeva Sh.Kh., who led the institute for 25 years.

The team of the branch of the Institute of Virology, 1979.

The staff of the Institute studied successfully viral hepatitis spread in the context of individual regions of the Republic of Uzbekistan, with the assistance of the complex of modern research methods; they conducted their prevention and implemented highly sensitive diagnostics methods.

From 2004 to present, Director of the Institute is Professor Musabayev E.I.

Until that time, only viral hepatitis and arbovirus infections were studied on the base of the institute. However, over the past 14 years, the activities of the institute have significantly expanded.

The objectives of the institute:

• Provision of the population with highly qualified specialized medical care in diagnosis, treatment and prevention of common Viral and other infectious diseases;
• Implementation of scientific-research work on epidemiology, clinic, diagnostics, treatment and prophylaxis of viral hepatitis, HIV, influenza, avian influenza and new flu, arbovirus and other viral infections;
• Implementation of epidemiological and epizootological surveillance of arbovirus infections, study of their natural foci and laboratory diagnosis in the regions, as well as improving measures to prevent the spread of these infections among the population.;
• Introduction in practical healthcare of modern laboratory methods for diagnosis of viral infections;
• Scientific-research work on the quality of diagnostics and drugs;
• Implementation of clinical trials of pharmaceuticals, medical devices, as well as methods of diagnostics and treatment of diseases on the Institute profile;
• Rendering methodical and practical help to the healthcare institutions in the study of effectiveness of conducted immuneprophylactic activities against viral infections;
• Establishment of scientific and practical links with Virologic service specialists of the Republic and foreign States;
• Implementation of training, retraining and upgrading the skills of medical personnel;
• Monitoring of HIV infection in the country together with AIDS centers, studying of clinical forms of the disease, rendering medical assistance and study of effectiveness of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs, establishment of dispensary observation.

Achievements:

Using modern complex morphological, electron microscopic and immune-histochemical studies revealed comparative structural and virological features of liver disease with chronic viral hepatitis.

For the first time in Uzbekistan, the phenomenon of cytoplasmic membrane of lymphocytes in the liver of patients with hepatitis D described electro-microscopically and reported at international conferences (Germany 2009, European Conference on Delta hepatitis -Turkey, 2010).

The Institute staff designed a modified method of detecting HBsAg in liver biopsy slides in patients with hepatitis B.

For the first time in Uzbekistan, deciphering of nucleotide sequence of the virus genome performed, using which, mutation of genes, resistance of the virus to antiviral therapy is determined.

Mutations in specific genes, having an impact on the course of chronic hepatitis C, and the effectiveness of antiviral treatment of this pathology detected, which allows developing methods of predicting treatment results and outcomes of chronic hepatitis C, taking into account polymorphism of certain genetic factors.

Mathematical models of viral hepatitis were designed for the first time and reported at international conferences (Japan, Germany, China).

An additional method of treating Congo-Crimean hemorrhagic fever was developed and implemented using ribavirin.

Etiological structure of virus diarrhea studied, including epidemiology of rotavirus infection and disease burden.

Cost-effective model of prevention of developed cirrhosis of the liver of viral etiology was developed in Uzbekistan, using predictive and mathematical modeling.

Effectiveness of non-invasive marker of liver fibrosis M2BP shown as prognostic marker of liver fibrosis in chronic viral hepatitis of different etiology.

The Research Institute of Virology is affiliated with The Global Virus Network (GVN)

The GVN is a unique independent global organization with deep and comprehensive expertise in human virology available to the international community by bringing together the best practices of institutions involved in the study of viral threats to human health, and with the ability to address current virological issues and the challenges of preparing for existing and potential pandemics.

The GVN is a professional community of virologists with a global vocation. GVN currently has 68 Centers and 11 affiliates in 39 countries, including the U.S.A, China, Japan, Australia, Germany, France, Spain, India and others.

The GVN's mission is to support the development and deepening of vital links between the global health community and the virological scientific community. The GVN works to bridge the gap between governmental public health oversight and the virological scientific community by ensuring that public health officials receive the information they need, when they need it. Working in different countries and institutions, many researchers are constrained by a lack of experience and knowledge, funds and resources,objective political and economic barriers.

2020-yildan Virusologiya ilmiy-tadqiqot instituti Global virus tarmog‘ining filiali etib saylandi. The Institute is affiliated through the  «Fondazione Pascale», Institute, National Cancer Institute, Neopal,Smorodintsev Russian Influenza Research Institute (SRII), and the Institute of Human Virology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, USA.

Source:  https://gvn.org/gvn-centers-of-excellence/affiliates/

«Scopus Awards 2023»

On December 6, 2023 the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation of the Republic of Uzbekistan in cooperation with the company "ELSEVIER" organised a Forum dedicated to the national subscription to the international scientific database "Science Direct" and the ceremony of awarding "Scopus Awards 2023", higher educational and scientific organisations that achieved results in the publication of scientific articles in prestigious scientific journals indexed in the international scientific and technical database "Scopus" in the direction of "Social Impact of Scientific Research".

The Institute of Virology was included in the top 10 organisations for publication activity in the international scientific and technical database Scopus and was awarded in the field of medical sciences.

The director of the Research Institute of Virology of the Republican Specialized Scientific and Practical Medical Center for Epidemiology, Microbiology, Infectious and Parasitic Diseases was awarded the title of Academician

In accordance with paragraph 173 of the State Program for the implementation of the Development Strategy of New Uzbekistan in 2022 - 2026 in the “Year of Caring for People and Quality Education”, approved by Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan dated February 28, 2023 No. PD-27, for the purpose of widespread celebration of 80- anniversary of the formation of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan, further increasing the prestige of domestic science, strengthening the role of academic science in increasing the scientific and technological potential of the country, on the recommendation of the Presidium and current full members of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan in the field of medical sciences, director of the Research Institute of Virology of the Scientific and Practical Center Republic of Specialized Epidemiology, Microbiology, Infectious and Parasitic Diseases - Erkin Isakovich Musabaev was awarded the title of Academician.