With Nobel Prize-winning technology: removing HIV with genetic scissors

With Nobel Prize-winning technology

Researchers remove HIV with genetic scissors

Today 20 March 2024 | 11:06

Using the Nobel Prize-winning gene-editing technology Crispr, which cuts DNA like scissors at the molecular level, scientists were able to remove HIV from infected cells. This is the conclusion reached by a research team at the University of Amsterdam. “BBCIt is noteworthy that its preliminary results will be presented at a medical conference this week.

Gene scissors against HIV

The new discovery may have the potential to revolutionize HIV treatment. The function of genetic scissors can be conceptualized as “molecular scissors” that are brought exactly to the desired location using so-called guide RNA (gRNA). There they can cut DNA in exactly the right places to remove genes or introduce new genetic material.

While current HIV medications can stop the spread of the virus, they fail to eliminate it completely. However, as the BBC points out, more research is needed to ensure the safety and effectiveness of this method.

The report says the Amsterdam research team urges caution and stresses that their work should be viewed as a test only. According to researchers, there will be no cure for HIV in the near future.

There are no side effects in HIV patients

doctor. “More work is needed to prove that the results in this cell sample can also be replicated in the whole body for future treatment,” said James Dixon, professor of stem cell and gene therapy techniques at the University of Nottingham.

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However, there is another glimmer of hope. According to the report, three HIV-positive volunteers had no serious side effects after 48 weeks while also being treated with CRISPR.

Long-term side effects are a challenge

But the challenge is to remove HIV from any cells that could harbor it in the body. doctor. Jonathan Stoye, a virus expert at the Francis Crick Institute in London, confirmed to the BBC that long-term side effects represent a major problem. It may be many years before this CRISPR-based treatment becomes routine, even if it proves effective.