Grant: Fellowship - PA: Biomedical / Clinical HIV/AIDS Research

The World Health Organization reported that more than 30 million people were infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in 2009. Of these individuals, 1.8 million died of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Humans come in contact with many types of viruses. Most viruses cause our bodies to mount an immune response, which causes the viruses to be safely removed from our bodies. This is why it takes about 7 days to get over the flu. There are two main reasons why our bodies cannot completely remove HIV. The first reason is that HIV mutates very quickly, meaning that the virus looks different to our immune system. Consequently, our immune system needs to "recognize" the "new HIV". It is like being infected by one virus after another. The second reason why our immune systems cannot kill HIV is because HIV actually attacks the cells that make up our immune system. Current HIV therapies target the ability of the virus to divide by interfering with specific viral proteins. Because HIV mutates so often, these therapies become ineffective over time. Therefore, the need for a cure for HIV remains. This project will examine many small proteins (peptides) and select those that have two characteristics. Firstly, the peptide must prevent the virus from infecting the cells of our immune system. Secondly, peptides will be selected if they can change our immune response such that if infected, our immune system will stand a better chance of clearing the infection. Peptides possessing both of these characteristics will be optimized until they are viable candidates for clinical trials. This project oould have an enormous global impact if successful. Not only would these drugs significantly improve the life expectancy and quality of life of individuals suffering with HIV, if combined with safe sex practices, these drugs may further limit the spread of HIV.