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Three-Dimensional Structure of HIV Revealed

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the better-understanding-certainly-can't-hurt dept.

Mutatis Mutandis writes "The BBC is reporting that a team of scientists from Oxford, Heidelberg and Munich has created the first accurate three-dimensional images of the HIV virus. The virus was found to have an average diameter of 125 nanometers, well below the wavelength of visible light. In the past the structure of viruses with a regular structure has been produced by 3D reconstruction techniques that work on a set of electron microscopy images of different viruses, but the irregular structure of HIV does not allow this. Scientists have now used a tomography technique that employs a series of images taken from a single virus, somewhat similar to the better known X-Ray CAT scan, but on a quite different scale." Structure also has a video of the 3-d rendering available for download. Relatedly an anonymous reader writes "A research team at Brown University has genetically modified bacteria found in yogurt so that the bugs produce a protein proven to block HIV infection in monkeys. The results offer hope for a microbicide that can prevent the spread of HIV, which now affects about 40 million people."

10 of 189 comments (clear)

  1. great by caffeinemessiah · · Score: 4, Funny

    now every grad student taking a bioinformatics class gets a pop quiz tomorrow!

    --
    An old-timer with old-timey ideas.
  2. Monkeys?? by mattkime · · Score: 5, Funny

    the bugs produce a protein proven to block HIV infection in monkeys

    ...but what about treatment for those that don't believe in evolution?

    clearly, another example of the scientific elites pushing their liberal agenda

    --
    Know what I like about atheists? I've yet to meet one that believes God is on their side.
  3. Cool by 0racle · · Score: 5, Funny

    When can I buy the plushie?

    --
    "I use a Mac because I'm just better than you are."
    1. Re:Cool by catnap_seven · · Score: 5, Funny

      My guess would be Burger King, judging by the colour scheme

    2. Re:Cool by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      That's creepy.

      I always knew thier burgers tasted funny.

  4. So now that we've got the 3D model by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Does that mean we can start using it in Counterstrike mods?

  5. obligatory by pyros · · Score: 4, Funny

    Frink: Take an ordinary double-helix ...

    Wiggum: Woah! Slow down there egghead.

  6. I've got to admit... by neoshroom · · Score: 3, Funny

    I've got to admit obliterating AIDs from the world with only a submachine gun does sound appealing.

    --
    Big apple, new Yorik, undig it, something's unrotting in Edenmark.
  7. Re:Why not use honeypot approach to fighting virus by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Great plan. You make the fake t cells, I'll do the rest.

  8. What's really scary by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    is how very similar it is to the Burger King logo

    BK logo

    HIV