Potential Cure For HIV


Scientists have discovered a way to remove the HIV virus from infected cells.


In a breakthrough that could potentially lead to a cure for HIV infection, scientists have discovered a way to remove the virus from infected cells. The scientists engineered an enzyme which attacks the DNA of the HIV virus and cuts it out of the infected cell, according to the study published in Science magazine.

The enzyme is still far from being ready to use as a treatment, the authors warned, but it offers a glimmer of hope for the more than 40 million people infected worldwide.

The researchers engineered an enzyme called Tre which removes the virus from the genome of infected cells by recognizing and then recombining the structure of the virus’s DNA.

That enzyme was able to eliminate the HIV virus from infected human cells in about three months in the laboratory.

Bravo! The striking thing about basic research like this is that - if successful - it might be possible to adapt the method to other viral ailments. Not to diminish the critical and essential target.

Posted: Mon - July 2, 2007 at 08:36 AM