In The Fight Against HIV In Africa, Rectal Microbicides Are Becoming A High Priority
IRMA (International Rectal Microbicide Advocates) will release "On the Map: Ensuring Africa's Place in Rectal Microbicide Research and Advocacy" at a special evening reception at the international Microbicides 2012 conference at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Center. The report can be found here:* A cornerstone of IRMA's Project ARM (Africa for Rectal Microbicides) initiative, the strategy document developed by African advocates, researchers, and global allies outlines priority actions to ensure Africa fully engages in rectal microbicide research and advocacy activities, including the integration of safe anal-sex messaging into HIV prevention programs.
SIV And HIV: Replication Of Immunodeficiency Virus In Humans
The acquired immunodeficiency syndrome ( AIDS ) pandemic is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1), which attacks the immune system and leaves infected individuals susceptible to opportunistic infections. AIDS and HIV-1 are thought to have a relatively short history in humans, with the first infections likely occurring around the turn of the 20th century. HIV-1 is derived from highly related simian immunodeficiency viruses (SIVs) that infect modern primates, including chimpanzees.
Genetically Engineered Stem Cells Seek Out And Kill HIV In Mouse Model
Expanding on previous research providing proof-of-principal that human stem cells can be genetically engineered into HIV-fighting cells, a team of UCLA researchers have now demonstrated that these cells can actually attack HIV-infected cells in a living organism. The study, published in the journal PLoS Pathogens, demonstrates for the first time that engineering stem cells to form immune cells that target HIV is effective in suppressing the virus in living tissues in an animal model, said lead investigator Scott G.