The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) attacks a person’s immune system, specifically CD4+ T cells. The virus destroys these cells, subsequently weakening the infected individual’s immunity against opportunistic infections. If HIV is not treated, it can lead to the development of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). While antiretroviral therapy (ART) is one of the most effective tools in the current fight against HIV, the emergence of drug resistance is proving to be a significant challenge in treating the condition.

Bernhard Ellinger, from the Department Screening Port, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME in Germany, Kristoffer Riecken, from the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE) in Germany, and colleagues have developed a high-throughput HIV-1 drug screening platform, based on lentiviral vectors and compatible with biosafety level-1, to identify novel inhibitors of HIV-1. Read the full article to learn more.

For research use only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.