The hottest thing in AIDS research at the moment is the research to treat HIV infection with genetics. Scientists who are spearheading the
The hottest thing in AIDS research at the moment is the research to treat HIV infection with genetics. Scientists who are spearheading the research into this project have developed a lot of interest in this new concept. The new AIDS drug will be developed with genes in mind.
The idea behind this study is the fact that some people who are infected with the dreaded human immuno-deficiency virus have never developed AIDS and a very few appear to actually resist infection altogether despite repeated exposure.These patients all have variations in genes that produce the cell surface proteins that HIV must latch on to in order to enter the cell. The resulting variations in cell surface proteins in those few patients ensure that HIV can't get in easily. The virus then is unable to replicate as quickly, buying a patient time before AIDS develops.
Drugs called, “ second receptor drugs” are being developed which target these proteins and these drugs are expected to enter the market soon. According to David Gilden, of the American foundation for AIDS research, “these second receptor drugs are the hottest things in AIDS research.” He adds that they offer a lot of hope.
But till anything substantial happens lets hope the new approach to control HIV/AIDS works. It is early days yet.
