Stopping HIV Spread

HIV attacks the immune system, invading one type of cell called a CD4 lymphocyte. The virus encourages infected cells to sidle up alongside healthy, uninfected cells before making them unload an infectious cargo of HIV, passing on the virus. Now researchers have discovered that a molecule called ADAP plays a critical role in this process. They've found a way to alter this ADAP molecule so that it can still do its normal job inside an immune cell - so the cell stays healthy - but it can't cooperate with HIV, stopping the virus spreading. Chris Rudd from Cambridge University is the lead author... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists