Leader of the research team Javier Martinez-Picado explained that his team had found the molecule which allows the AIDS virus to travel like a "Trojan horse" and invade dendritic cells, which are those responsible for activating the body's immune system.
The discovery opens the door to the development of a new family of drugs to halt the spread of the virus and hopefully, the development of a vaccine.
Director of the IrsiCaixa AIDS Research Institute Bonaventura Clotet said that the discovery would help develop a more efficient response from the immune system, although it will need around 10-15 years before a product able to block the vital molecule can be developed, tested and placed on the market, given that work is still in an early stage.
VietNamNet/Xinhuanet
