Scientists from Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University and University of Pittsburgh first to suppress and eliminate HIV-1 from infected cells using gene editing technology

Briefing

Scientists from Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University and University of Pittsburgh first to suppress and eliminate HIV-1 from infected cells using gene editing technology

May 23, 2017

Briefing

  • Suppressing HIV-1 DNA – Team of scientists first to suppress HIV DNA from living animal genomes using gene editing technology CRISPR/Cas9, performing procedure in three different animal models, including "humanized" model of mice transplanted with human immune cells
  • Animal Subjects – Observed how CRISPR/Cas9 blocks viral replication and systemic infection in mice with human immune cells affected by HIV-1 and with EcoHIV, mouse equivalent of HIV-1
  • Bioluminescence Imaging System – Used novel technology that identifies location of HIV-1 infected cells, allowing detection of replication in real-time and ability to virtually see HIV-1 reservoirs in passively infected cells and tissues
  • Next Steps – Replicate study using primates as subject, with ultimate goal of doing clinical trials on humans affected by said virus

Accelerator

Sector

Healthcare/Health Sciences

Organization

Temple University, University of Pittsburgh

Source

Original Publication Date

May 1, 2017

Leave a comment