Scientists film HIV spreading for first time

[n2doc]

Scientists have made a breakthrough in understanding how HIV spreads through the human body after filming the process for the first time ever.

By Murray Wardrop
Last Updated: 8:46AM GMT 27 Mar 2009

Researchers found that the virus is transferred from infected cells to healthy ones in a previously unknown way.

It is hoped that the discovery will help researchers create a vaccine to combat the virus, which has led to the deaths of more than 25 million people.

The study was made possible after experts created a molecular clone of infectious HIV and inserted a protein into its genetic code which glows green when exposed to blue light.

This allowed scientists to see the cells on digital video, and capture the way HIV-infected T-cells interact with uninfected ones.

They noted that when an infected cell came into contact with a healthy one, a bridge was created between them, called a virological synapse.

link with video

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/scienceandtechnology/science/sciencenews/5058131/Scientists-film-HIV-spreading-for-first-time.html

[xchrom]

1. recommend -- it will be a vaccine that ends this horrifying scourge. nt

[trotsky]

2. Fascinating video.

But since coconut oil cures AIDS you know we don't need a vaccine. :sarcasm:

[tabatha]

3. That is excellent.

Hopefully, they will also be able to determine why some people are genetically immune to the virus - and maybe do genetic therapy in some cases.

[file83]

4. That cell should have used a condom.