The AIDS and Molecular Immunology Laboratory (LABAIDS) of the Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (IOC/Fiocruz) has been active since 1991 in research, teaching, scientific dissemination, clinical trials, technological development, innovation, training people and reference activities in the different aspects of HIV infection, with a view to promoting health. 

It is a National Reference for Genotyping and Surveillance of HIV-1 Resistance to Antiretrovirals (ARVs). 

The Laboratory's topics of interest include clinical and translational research studies on HIV; epidemiology, molecular surveillance and resistance to HIV antiretrovirals; and genetics, immunology and virology SARS-CoV-2/Covid-19.

Within these central thematic axes, the diversity, evolutionary history and dynamics of dissemination of circulating HIV subtypes are addressed; genotypic analysis of viruses resistant to antiretroviral drugs; the immunological mechanisms associated with the reconstitution of the immune response and characterization of the anti-HIV-1 humoral immune response in different subtypes; immunological and genetic factors associated with HIV infection and progression to AIDS; the evaluation of the incidence of HIV infection in Brazil; and studies aimed at preventing vertical transmission and comorbidities, as well as evaluating inflammatory markers and progression to AIDS in pregnant women living with HIV.

With its contribution to the construction of the epidemiological-molecular scenario of HIV in Brazil and in some countries in the Americas and Africa, LABAIDS adds relevant information about the evolutionary and demographic history of the viral subtypes involved, resistance to antiretrovirals, the genetic, humoral immune and host cell disease, as well as HIV pathogenic processes and comorbidities, and mother-to-child transmission of HIV-1. 

The Laboratory collaborates with the National Department of STD, AIDS and Viral Hepatitis of the Ministry of Health in its research actions and reference in health, carrying out tests of CD4+ T cell counts, viral load and genotyping for clinical follow-up of patients.

It is also accredited to work in the research networks of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), in the United States, which include the HPTN (HIV Prevention Trials Network), focused on clinical trials in the area of ​​prevention, the ACTG (AIDS Clinical Trails Group) , with therapeutic clinical trials, and the IMPAACT/NICHD (International Group of Maternal and Child-Juvenile Clinical Trials), whose mission is to significantly reduce mortality and illnesses associated with HIV in pregnant women, children and adolescents, developing tests aimed at health child mother and prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV-1.

An important cooperation with the Pasteur Institute in Paris has been established for the implementation of innate immune response approaches.

Head of the AIDS and Molecular Immunology Laboratory
Monick Lindenmeyer Guimaraes (Curriculum lattes) 

Deputy Head of the AIDS and Molecular Immunology Laboratory 
Carmem Beatriz Wagner Giacoia Gripp (Curriculum lattes)