UMN researchers help identify mechanism that helps block HIV's ability to spread

Mansky virus

UMN researchers help identify mechanism in drug target that helps block HIV’s ability to spread

Louis M. Mansky, PhD, a University of Minnesota School of Dentistry professor and director of the Institute for Molecular Virology, joined with other University of Minnesota and Emory University researchers on a project which may lead to a more cost-effective option for HIV medication.

The study identified that the nucleoside 5-azacytidine (5-aza-C) blocked HIV’s ability to spread and triggered a process where HIV mutations sped up to a point that the virus wore itself out.

“We now understand the mechanism for how 5-aza-C blocks HIV’s infectivity through hypermutation. This information may aid in developing cheaper HIV drugs,” Mansky said.

For more on the research and discovery, you can read about it on UMN HealthTalk and in Infection Control Today.