The team, comprised of scientists from Temple University and the Nebraska Medical Center, were able to destroy the virus in living mice using CRISPR in addition to .
CRISPR is the new process which allows scientists to edit the DNA of living organisms. It gained publicity when it was used by a Chinese scientist to modify the DNA of three children before birth.
The mice used in the study were injected with human cells to more accurately represent a human immune system. First, the mice were given antiretroviral therapy in order to reduce the growth of HIV then scientists used CRISPR to remove the HIV still present. This method worked for nine of the twenty-one mice it was tested on.
The next step is to move on to primates, with the ultimate goal being to one day use this method in humans who have contracted HIV.
