Antibody Discovered for 91% of HIV Strains

[Miktar]

U.S. government scientists have discovered three powerful antibodies, the strongest of which neutralizes 91% of HIV strains, more than any AIDS antibody yet discovered.

Looking closely at the strongest antibody, they have detailed exactly what part of the virus it targets and how it attacks that site. Together with recent research into how to make animals produce antibodies, the new findings constitute a significant step toward an AIDS vaccine.

The antibodies were discovered in the cells of a 60-year-old African-American gay man, known in the scientific literature as Donor 45, whose body made the antibodies naturally. Researchers screened 25 million of his cells to find 12 that produced the antibodies.

Now the trick will be for scientists to develop a vaccine or other methods to make anyone's body produce them.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000...Tabs%3Darticle

[Garson007]

I still think that gene therapy is the way forward for combating viruses like HIV.

What I find interesting about the article is its speculation about influenza. If we can find a way to completely eradicate influenza it would be a much bigger victory than eradicating HIV could ever be. The lack of influenza type viruses would propel human life expectancy into the high double figures, if not triple.

[dammit]

\o/ This is amazing news! <3 Science.

[Demikid]

Watch as many people won't take the anti-bodies due to the donor being gay

[BattleMoose]

Donor 45 is one lucky dude, and +1 for science! \o/

I really hope they are able to get a vaccine out soon.

[KalMaverick]

Watch as many people won't take the anti-bodies due to the donor being gay

Oh no you wrong there, if it involves their lives then there will be nothing wrong with the gay guy.

[7h3gr835hnoZz]

Now one just has to hope the cursed virus doesn't mutate into something even more resilient, then it would be even harder to find a solution to the disease.

[Mr_krinkle]

And the only people who will be able to benefit from this is the people who can afford it.

[Rah_Skill]

America creates AIDs, America will not "find" the "cure".

The cure does exist, though. It's a certain cancer cell that exists in 1 out of 1000 European Whites - which can lie dormant, but is unlikely to do so. So either die from AIDs or die from Cancer.

[vii]

America creates AIDs, America will not "find" the "cure".

The cure does exist, though. It's a certain cancer cell that exists in 1 out of 1000 European Whites - which can lie dormant, but is unlikely to do so. So either die from AIDs or die from Cancer.

Are you being sarcastic or serious. Because both fail and make you look like an idiot...

[dammit]

America creates AIDs, America will not "find" the "cure".

The cure does exist, though. It's a certain cancer cell that exists in 1 out of 1000 European Whites - which can lie dormant, but is unlikely to do so. So either die from AIDs or die from Cancer.

lolwut?

[Miktar]

America creates AIDs, America will not "find" the "cure".

The cure does exist, though. It's a certain cancer cell that exists in 1 out of 1000 European Whites - which can lie dormant, but is unlikely to do so. So either die from AIDs or die from Cancer.

You are one post away from being banned for being stupid.

[Rah_Skill]

I shall post the link to the BBC News article when I find it, then. Only going by what scientists have said.

Can't find that exact article, maybe they had it wrong but I know it said about Cancer. Was on these lines:
http://www.wired.com/medtech/health/news/2005/01/66198
http://ezinearticles.com/?HIV-AIDS--...ims&id=3871400

[onona]

Only going by what scientists dumb**** retarded morons on the internet have said.

I fixed it for you.

[B4warn3d]

The antibodies could also be tested in a "microbicide," a gel that women or gay men could apply before sex to prevent infection.

WTF So only gay men and get aids from having unprotected sex?

[BattleMoose]

If a woman applies the gel, then the man ****ing her cannot get it, at least that is my understanding (By neutralizing the virus).

[Gambit]

Science is cool!

[Zen]

Oh no you wrong there, if it involves their lives then there will be nothing wrong with the gay guy.

Not true. There are people in the world that would rather die than receive an organ/blood transfusion from a person who is of a different race/gender/sexual alignment. Yes people are that stubborn, particularly the religious zealots.

[IRnNuke]

I don't see why it was important to mention that Donor 45 is gay. I'm no doctor but I don't think his sexual prefrance has anything to do with his bodies ability to combat the virus.

[Nferno]

I don't see why it was important to mention that Donor 45 is gay. I'm no doctor but I don't think his sexual prefrance has anything to do with his bodies ability to combat the virus.

Fair enough, though keep in mind that originally the myth was that HIV/AIDS came from homosexuals. The irony is that the antibodies are to come from a homosexual and that his body made them naturally.

Pretty sure that's why it was mentioned, unless I'm totally mistaken.