The AIDS virus in gene therapy

2002/01/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Genetika
• Medikuntza

Gene therapy has become a hopeful way to combat genetic diseases. Now, the Adelaide Women and Children's Hospital has taken another step on this path. Gene therapy involves replacing defective genes with an appropriate carrier that transfers healthy genes.

With this intention, Australian researchers have used the AIDS virus (HIV-1) and obtained a good result. On the one hand, HIV, unlike many other viruses, has the ability to enter cells that are not in the reproductive phase and, on the other, the transferred genetic material permanently becomes part of the cell.

In addition, the virus has been transformed to prevent transmission of AIDS. So, they have already started experimenting with the modified AIDS virus in animals and believe it may be appropriate to cure some human genetic diseases.