"What's special about these antibodies is that they're able to inactivate the viruses at very low concentrations, which means that if you could induce these antibodies by a vaccine, you wouldn't need very much of them to provide some protection, which we think is very hopeful in terms of vaccine design," Walker says.
The researchers isolated specific molecules from the antibodies that attacked new targets in the virus. Walker says these molecules might be used as what she calls templates for potential vaccines.
"Then, hopefully you can develop vaccine candidates that can induce these types of antibodies in a large population of people."
Walker is cautiously optimistic that her work may lead to an effective HIV vaccine. However, she says her approach may help protect people who are newly exposed to HIV, but probably won't benefit those who already carry the virus.
最新
2013-11-27
2013-11-27
2013-11-27
2013-11-27
2013-11-27
2013-11-27