Human gene that blocks HIV infection identified

From the March 2008 issue of Positive Living

Another team of researchers at University of Alberta have identified a human gene called TRIM 22 that blocks HIV infection in cell culture by preventing the assembly of the virus.

This is a promising research as if you can prevent the viral assembly, then you are preventing the virus from leaving the cell and causing other cells to become infected. Identifying this gene opens the way to further work into natural ways of stopping the spread of HIV which are different and could mimic current approaches used by antiviral therapy.

Researchers are currently trying to work out why this gene does not work in people living with HIV and seeing if they can switch it on hoping that if they are successful, then the research could lead to new treatments to prevent new HIV transmission and the spread of the virus within the body of those already infected.

ScienceDaily February 29, 2008

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This article was first published in March 2008.

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