HIV eliminated from genome

HIV eliminated from genome

Researchers who eliminated HIV from mice say their results are an important advance in efforts to develop a cure for HIV infection in people. 

This is the first time that the AIDS-causing virus has been eradicated from the genomes of living animals,according to the authors of the study. 

In this study, the researchers used a gene editing system called CRISPR-Cas9 to remove large fragments of HIV DNA from infected cells, along with a new drugr egimen called long-acting slow-effective release (LASER) ART. 

"We now have a clear path to move ahead to trials in nonhuman primates and possibly clinical trials in human patients within the year,"said co-senior author Kamel Khalili, professor and chair of neuroscience atTemple University in Philadelphia.