Scientists Discover Potential Tool Against HIV

[Guest guest]

[americanscientist.org]

 

Scientists Discover Potential Tool Against HIV

 

Scientists at the University of Minnesota reported Wednesday that they

found

a way to block transmission of the virus that causes AIDS in animals,

raising hopes of a potential breakthrough in the battle against the

worldwide

epidemic.

 

The scientists were able to prevent infection in a group of female

monkeys

by treating them with a gel containing a common food additive, known as

glycerol monolaurate or GML, before they were exposed to the virus. The

discovery, reported in the journal Nature, could lead to a novel and

effective way to prevent sexual transmission in women, said Dr. Ashley

Haase, who led the study with fellow microbiologist Patrick Schlievert.