Article Blog 11: Advancements for AIDS Vaccine (April 4, 2010)

In today's society, people all across the world are dealing with the AIDS virus. As we all know, it is, at the moment, incurable. In the article, "Hope for Shot? Structure of HIV Protein Unveiled," (see link: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/science/Hope-for-shot-Structure-of-HIV-protein-unveiled/articleshow/5758543.cms) by The Times of India, it reveals that scientists may have discovered the first breakthrough in finding a vaccine for HIV and most of those efforts use gp120. Having more structural information will facilitate better vaccine design." Scientists at the California Institute of Technology are working to discover whether or not this protein gp120 will help in working towards a vaccine.

The AIDS virus is affecting millions of people worldwide, and so far there have been no advances in creating a vaccine to help delay the spread of the virus or to find a cure. Currently, the only ways to help inhibit the spread of the disease are through prevention, treatment, and education, but once one acquires the deadly, chronic illness there is little they can do to be cured. In the article, "Researchers Discover Structure of Key HIV Protein," (see link: http://topnews.us/content/215265-researchers-discover-structure-key-hiv-protein) Jason Ramsey explains, "In a ground breaking research that might carve the path for a vaccine against AIDS, scientists have provided what they say is the first-ever glance of a structure of a key protein, gp120, found on exterior of a subgroup of HIV-1." If this protein proves to be useful in discovering a vaccine, this will not only affect life here in the United States, but across the globe as well. A vaccine that could prevent the infection would be extremely useful, especially in cities like Washington, D.C. and places such as Africa where the HIV rate is higher that practically every other place in the world. Only time will tell whether or not this protein will be effective. Either way it will greatly affect society. Even if it does not result in the right vaccine, it is definitely a step in the right direction.