In a first, UNC-CH researchers unravel HIV genome

Source: PR about Nature article

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. ­ Researchers at UNC-Chapel Hill have decoded the HIV genome for the first time, and the results could lead to advances in the fight against AIDS say the editors of the journal Nature.

Led by UNC-CH chemistry professor Kevin Weeks, the team published their findings in the Aug. 6 issue of Nature. Nature chose the study as its cover story "Inside HIV-1." http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v460/n7256/full/nature08237.html

Nature noted in its editorial that the UNC-CH work provided "total" analysis of the RNA."Secondary structures within single-stranded viral RNA genomes are known to serve functional andregulatory roles, but until now there has been no comprehensive analysis of total RNA for anyvirus," the editors wrote.The HIV genome is composed of two strands and includes nearly 10,000 nucleotides each, Weeks noted. H

IV and viruses are composed of single-strand RNA rather than DNA, which is a doublestrand. Genetic information is contained in nucleotides, and it is more complex in RNA, Weeks noted

Read more: http://localtechwire.com/business/local_tech_wire/news/blogpost/5734113/

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This is exciting work by the "locals" here in Chapel Hill. The Nature article requires login for access.

intelligence. :)


Nice work guys.

(As pointed out by Charles Kuralt and others, so proud of being humble. Esse quam videri.)

K:) Another happy grad here, UNC '70.

Thanks U of North Carolina.

kudos to them. I love RTP, more smart people per capita than anywhere in the US.

:kick: