HIV genome structure decoded

An entire HIV genome structure has been decoded by researchers in the US.

The development could have a widespread effect on the understanding of the virus and result in changes to the strategies used to combat it.

Scientists from the University of North Carolina (UNC) claimed that further research into the HIV genome could result in more antiviral drugs being created.

Study leader Kevin Weeks, professor of chemistry at UNC, wrote in the journal Nature that the secrets of HIV genomes are beginning to be unravelled.

"There is so much structure in the HIV RNA genome that it almost certainly plays a previously unappreciated role in the expression of the genetic code," he stated.

"We are also beginning to understand tricks the genome uses to help the virus escape detection by the human host."

The HIV genome is made up of single-stranded RNA rather than double-stranded DNA and is extremely large in comparison to DNA genomes.

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