Stopping HIV with a vaccine, and evolutionary insights

Last week the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at MSU featured Peter Kwong from the NIAID Vaccine Research Center. Hosted by Prof. Erik Martinez-Hackert, Dr. Kwong described how structural biologists are using "reverse engineering" to track the natural development of highly effective antibodies against the HIV1 virus in patients. The human immune system, over the course of 2-3 years, can eventually generate antibodies that target the sensitive sites on the envelope glycoprotein of the virus. Unfortunately for these patients, the development of these neutralizing antibodies occurs too late to put a halt to their infections, but if such antibodies could be produced by vaccination, they would likely block transmission. A tour-de-force of biochemistry, genomics, and immunology - maybe our investment in basic research will pay off to meet this continuing threat.