Scientists Identify Gene That Could Develop AIDS Vaccine

Scientists announce they have discovered a gene called Apobec3 that could help in the development of an HIV/AIDS vaccine. The findings were published in the journal Science.

According to the researchers at the University of California San Francisco, Apobec3 "helps mice develop antibodies against an HIV-like virus" and they believe the same gene in humans could lead to a "potent" vaccine against the human immunodeficiency virus. "The gene is crucial to HIV biology," says the lead author, Warner Greene of the Gladstone Institutes at the University of California-San Francisco.

HIV uses one of its nine genes to disable Apobec3 proteins. This could explain why people living with HIV rarely make antibodies against the virus, Greene says, adding, "If we could prevent HIV from destroying this key pivotal host factor, we might allow HIV-infected patients to develop neutralizing antibodies like they do in mice."

All efforts to develop a vaccine against HIV have failed. The foundations headed by Bill Clinton and Bill Gates have been pledged more than $100 millions toward the vaccine research. Last year, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Canadian government established the world's first research institute to develop an AIDS vaccine. Good luck.

Gene May Hold Key to Neutralizing HIV [Reuters]

Some Background...
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Comments

[freeleo]

That's excellent news. AIDS has been around my entire adult life and I'm tired of seeing my brothers suffer and die from this disease. It has been emotionally devastating. I hope there is a cure soon.

[A. Ronald]

Let me cosign with brother Freeleo. I want to see this virus eradicated and an end to the devastation it has caused.

[V9]

I think this is great news. I am one you hold heartedly believes that their is a cure out there for all of our suffering brothers and sisters. I pray that this lead to new discovers and that vaccine against HIV!!!