A microbicide that can trick HIV into 'popping' itself into oblivion was created by researchers, including one of Indian origin.
Scientists from Drexel's College of Engineering; School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems; and College of Medicine have named the microbicide DAVEI - which stands for 'Dual Action Virolytic Entry Inhibitor.'
Lack of Condom Use in Porn Industry Blamed for HIV Infection in Porn Star Couple
Adult movie stars and real life couple Cameron Bay and Rod Daily have blamed the lack of condom usage in the porn industry for them being tested positive for HIV.
Advertisement
Dr. Cameron Abrams, a professor in Drexel's College of Engineering and a primary investigator of the project, said that while several molecules that destroy HIV have recently been announced, DAVEI is unique among them by virtue of its design, specificity and high potency.
A team co-led by Abrams and Dr. Irwin Chaiken in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in Drexel's College of Medicine, and including Dr. Mark Contarino and doctoral students Arangassery Rosemary Bastian and R. V. Kalyana Sundaram, developed the molecule assembled from pieces of other molecules and engineered for a specific purpose, in this case to fight HIV.
The idea behind DAVEI was to design a molecule that hijacks the virus's fusion machinery, the tools it uses to attach to and attack a healthy cell, and tricks the virus into destroying itself.
The team designed DAVEI from two main ingredients. One piece, called the Membrane Proximal External Region (MPER), is itself a small piece of the fusion machinery and interacts strongly with viral membranes. The other piece, called cyanovirin, binds to the sugar coating of the protein spike. Working together, the MPER and cyanovirin in DAVEI 'tweak' the fusion machinery in a way that mimics the forces it feels when attached to a cell.
The research is set to be published in the October edition of the American Society for Microbiology's Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy.
Source: ANI
Advertisement
The idea behind DAVEI was to design a molecule that hijacks the virus's fusion machinery, the tools it uses to attach to and attack a healthy cell, and tricks the virus into destroying itself.
The team designed DAVEI from two main ingredients. One piece, called the Membrane Proximal External Region (MPER), is itself a small piece of the fusion machinery and interacts strongly with viral membranes. The other piece, called cyanovirin, binds to the sugar coating of the protein spike. Working together, the MPER and cyanovirin in DAVEI 'tweak' the fusion machinery in a way that mimics the forces it feels when attached to a cell.
The research is set to be published in the October edition of the American Society for Microbiology's Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy.
Source: ANI
Advertisement
Advertisement
|
Advertisement
Recommended Readings
Latest AIDS/HIV News
The Phase 1 trial for a preventive HIV vaccine candidate has initiated enrollment in both the United States and South Africa.
In the United States, African American women make up only 26% of female PrEP users, yet they account for 57% of new infections among women.
Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery in the fight against HIV/AIDS with the successful resolution of the enigmatic immune-evading HIV protein complex.
Tailored quit-smoking programs are designed to address the risks associated with comorbidity in individuals living with HIV.
DNA editing tool CRISPR-Cas13 helps diagnose and signal the presence of HIV antibodies in HIV patients.
