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HIV seen like never before

    JOHANNESBURG

    For the first time, US scientists have been able take a closeup, three-dimensional look at spike proteins on the surface of the HI virus, which could help speed up the search for a vaccine.

    Known as gp120 and gp41, the spike proteins allow the HI virus to fuse with human cells and create more HIV in the bloodstream.

    "We've got the first really good look of what the whole virus looks like, to the point that we can see the spikes on the surface of the virus," Reuters quoted Prof Kenneth Roux, of Florida State University in Tallahassee, as saying.

    Spike proteins are the only two molecules on the surface of the virus and were obvious targets in finding a vaccine effective against HIV/AIDS, which is estimated to have claimed the lives of some 25 million people globally since the first cases were reported in 1981.

    This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions

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