Synthetic gene helps HIV vaccine hit shape-shifting foe

January 9, 2014

An HIV vaccine that uses a synthetic gene to trigger an immune response might offer a way to protect against the virus where others have failed. Most vaccines work by training immune cells called B-cells to produce antibodies against a virus. Another approach is to stimulate T-cells, which kill cells infected with the virus. This is known as inducing cellular immunity. (New Scientist)