Antibody find lifts HIV vaccine hopes
Of course, it hasnt been made for human use yet, and wont be available for the poor for a while. But its a promising start.
Aids related diseases kill about 2 million people per year, so this is a very exciting development. Apparently people that already have the disease may also be treated , which I thought was pretty cool too.The Australian wrote:
Decrease Increase Print Page: Print Leigh Dayton, Science writer | September 04, 2009
Article from: The Australian
HIV researchers have made the biggest breakthrough in 15 years, identifying two powerful antibodies that appear to fight all types of the virus - a development that brings new hope of a vaccine.
Using powerful screening technology, a US team has discovered two infection-fighting proteins in blood taken from an African who was already infected with HIV but did not show any of the symptoms.
The scientists found these antibodies apparently neutralised all major groups, or clades, of HIV.
By determining where the antibodies bind to the virus, they know which parts of the virus to target with vaccines. They also identified what genes the donor's body used to build the "broadly neutralising antibodies".
Of course, it hasnt been made for human use yet, and wont be available for the poor for a while. But its a promising start.
