“Berlin Patient” Timothy Brown was cured of HIV after he received stem cells from a patient naturally immune to the disease. His story inspired two companies to try and recreate that natural immunity in HIV patients using stem cells and two (then-new) gene-editing techniques.
The approach has proven so popular that long before conclusive clinical trial results are due in, a third team has entered the fray: Harvard University. Harvard is using stem cells and the hottest gene-editing newcomer of all: CRISPR/Cas9.
Researchers behind all three approaches are highly confident in their respective approaches, they told Bioscience Technology this week. The clear impression each left: few stones will remain unturned in the high-tech quest to replicate the simple— if stunning— success of the Berlin Patient.
Read full, original article: Fighting HIV with Stem Cells and Cutting-edge Genetics
