HIV study creates new antibodies

New synthetic molecules which could boost the body's immunity to HIV have been created.

Scientists at Yale University have made the breakthrough in a study which is published in the Journal of American Chemical Society.

The molecules, which are called antibody-recruiting molecules targeting HIV (ARM-H), connect with antibodies in the bloodstream.

They also bind with HIV and HIV-infected cells, which then alerts the body's immune system.

David Spiegel, assistant professor of chemistry and author of the research, said: "Instead of trying to kill the pathogens directly, these molecules manipulate our immune system to do something it wouldn't ordinarily do."

The study has also developed antibodies which could help the body's battle against prostate cancer.

Recently, a study in a US hospital found that HIV self testing could be 99 per cent effective.

The research involved 402 patients examining themselves through a pin prick or mouth swab, with 400 of the tests returning the same result as a hospital analysis.

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