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Gene editing technique may cure HIV in next 3 years

Sunday, 03 April 2016 1:38 AM [ Last Update: Sunday, 03 April 2016 1:37 AM ]

A graphic depiction of the human's genetic system.

A gene editing technique used by American scientists to cure HIV has been named the scientific breakthrough of the year.

A team of Temple University scientists in Pennsylvania have used the technique to eliminate the virus from human cells by snipping it out.

The same method was used back in 2014 to remove the HIV DNA from normal human cells. But this time, they were able to remove it from infected T-cells which play an important role in the immune system.

In this gene-editing system, a targeted protein uses enzymes to remove genetic sequences from cells.

Although these promising results were achieved in lab experiments, the team is optimistic that the treatment could be trialed on humans within three years.

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