Johns Hopkins scientists figure out how to 'disarm' AIDS virus

[meegbear]

Source: RawStory.com

Scientists at Johns Hopkins University said recently that they have learned how to "disarm" the AIDS virus by eliminating the cells' membranes, effectively stopping it from hijacking its victim's immune system.

Research results published last week in the medical journal Blood indicated the treatment method could lead to a vaccine against the virus, which affected about 33.3 million people worldwide at the end of 2009.

Scientists said their new method works by eliminating a membrane of cholesterol used by HIV to disguise itself and disarm the immune system. It steals the cholesterol from the first immune response to its intrusion, then uses it to communicate with the rest of the immune system. By stripping it of that essential cholesterol membrane, the AIDS virus is attacked by the immune system and shut down.

It's not clear if the technique would work inside a human test subject, but David Graham, a molecular biologist at Johns Hopkins University, told Voice of America news that he believes science has finally "broken the code."

Read more: http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2011/09/26/johns-hopkins-scientists-figure-out-how-to-disarm-aids-virus/

[closeupready]

1. K&R

nt

[Avalux]

2. Good news! Just need to show it works in a person now.

THAT is the tricky part, as it has been with all HIV vaccine attempts. Here's hoping this one will be successful.

[slackmaster]

3. This research will pay off big-time if they can figure out how to apply it to the flu virus

:kick:

[RKP5637]

4. K&R!!! n/t

[HopeHoops]

5. This app will be available on PS3 within a month.

[leeroysphitz]

13. We only wish it could be that easy. n/t

[gateley]

6. Keep it up, JH! One step closer! nt

[Duppers]

7. Best Med school & great university

'course I'm biased, my son is there.

I am so happy about this as it will extend a good friend's life.

[SoapBox]

8. wow...and hopefully Pharma won't stomp this discovery out, so that they can...

continue to sell their meds that only keep the virus at bay...until it mutates...and they then can
begin selling another med.

[HuckleB]

9. Why does every new discovery come with conspiracy theories?

[LaydeeBug]

10. vaccine by the end of 2009? IT'S A LITTLE LATE, so maybe this article is BS. nt

[DirkGently]

11. Not what it says. "2009" modifies how many had AIDS, not when the vaccine was expected.

It could mean part of the press release was put together in 2009, before the results were actually published; otherwise you might expect a fresher stat.

[immoderate]

12. 2009 is whan they last counted the WW AIDS victims.

Could still be BS, but not because of that. :shrug:

--imm

[LaydeeBug]

14. I jumped the gun, I am sorry. :)

[immoderate]

15. Hey, we're all still waiting for the Air Car.

--imm