Scientists Find Gene Clue in Hunt for AIDS Vaccine
Wed Dec 8, 2004 01:04 PM ET
By Patricia Reaney
LONDON (Reuters) - Scientists said Wednesday they have identified key genes involved in the body's response to HIV, which causes AIDS -- a finding that could narrow the search for an effective vaccine against the deadly illness.
A vaccine is considered the Holy Grail in the battle against the global AIDS epidemic but efforts to find one have been hampered because of HIV's uncanny ability to mutate.
"We have narrowed down the focus of which particular genes are important in determining the outcome of HIV infection," said Dr Philip Goulder, of the Partners AIDS Research Center at Massachusetts General Hospital in the United States.