Researchers from North Carolina, USA, have decoded the genome structure of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), the virus that causes AIDS. The genome, which carries its information as RNA, is composed of two separate strands, of nearly 10,000 nucleotides each. On top of this, the intricate structures that these strands form are often difficult and painstaking to analyze. In fact, up until now they have only ever been partially modeled, and always in small regions. Now that this has changed, it could well represent a change in the ability of modern medicine to fight and possibility to control viruses as dangerous as HIV.
The RNA structure has been found to influence many important steps in the infectivity cycle of HIV. Such information can be used to help scientists understand how the human host is tricked into ignoring the presence of the virus, which can make early detection and medication possible. An understanding of exactly what we are dealing with can also lead to scientists modifying the sequence of the virus, and seeing what changes affect its growth. This can help to ascertain what segments of the genome are the most important to the virus, which can give us an indication of possible weaknesses.
These results will have considerable implications for the understanding of human viruses, and are expected to accelerate further research into the development of future antiviral drugs.
Lonsdale - 42060228
Reference:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090805133015.htm
