Researchers Harness Crispr-Cas Tool to Target and Remove HIV DNA from Infected Cells

Groundbreaking research has demonstrated that HIV can be completely eradicated from infected cells in a laboratory setting, sparking new hope for a potential cure. Scientists utilised the Nobel Prize-winning gene-editing tool, Crispr-Cas, to target and remove all traces of HIV DNA from infected cells, representing a major step forward in HIV research.

Crispr-Cas functions like molecular scissors, cutting DNA at specific locations to either remove unwanted genes or introduce new genetic material. The team of researchers, led by Dr Elena Herrera-Carrillo from Amsterdam UMC, have made significant strides in developing a method capable of efficiently attacking the virus across different types of cells and tissues, even targeting where HIV may hide.

The study, presented at the European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, aimed to focus on parts of the virus that remain constant across all known HIV strains. By targeting these consistent elements, the researchers hope to create a broad-spectrum treatment that can effectively combat multiple HIV variants.

While this achievement marks a significant proof of concept, the researchers caution that it is not yet a cure. They emphasise that the next phase involves refining the delivery method to target the majority of HIV reservoir cells, and balancing efficacy with safety to prepare for potential clinical trials.

The research team, including Yuanling Bao, Zhenghao Yu, and Pascal Kroon, expressed optimism for the future, with the long-term goal of developing a universally applicable cure strategy. However, they stress that it is too early to declare a functional HIV cure, despite these promising results.