Gene editing is the recent HIV cure breakthrough in the scientific research techniques. The technique has enabled the scientists to shear the HIV virus from the human cells. Over the years, the American scientists have made great efforts in finding cure for the HIV using the gene editing techniques. After numerous years of research, the research team in Pennsyvania in the Temple University, they managed to eliminate the HIV virus from the human cells through the snipping technique (Doug, 2016). The snipping of the HIV cells from the human body successful took place in the laboratory but the researchers believe that the trials would be successful within the next 3 years. In 2014, the HIV researchers had also managed to eliminate the HIV DNA from the normal cells of human being. Using the same technology, the scientists managed to eliminate the infected T-cells which normally weakness the human being immune system.  The tests also went ahead to simulate the manner in which the virus would be treated in human bodies.

During the study, the scientists’ team obtained blood from patients suffering from HIV Virus. The T-cells from these patients were cultured in the laboratory and they were later treated with Crispr gene editing system in which the which targeted the proteins used in enzymes to eliminate genetic sequence of the HIV Virus cells. The results from the study proved that it was possible for the scientists to eliminate the virus and bar it from re-infecting the cells once treated. Despite the fact that gene editing has became a fundamental medical research in the current HIV phenomenon, scientists and research fears that the process might result into further health complications (Zhang, et al. 2015). Nevertheless, through the use of high detailed genome sequence analysis of the cells treatment, scientists and researchers believes after HIV cells treatment AIDS patients will continue to function normally without any side effects.

Elimination of HIV-1 Genomes from Human T-lymphoid Cells by Cas9 Gene Editing

AIDS remains a critical public health crisis in the world. Currently, over thirty five million people in the world are believed to be HIV infected in the globe. New infections are expected to rise with a steady rate of 3 million in the coming years (Doug, 2016). The Antiretroviral therapy is believed to effectively control the Viremia in HIV patients and restore the host cell but failed to eliminate the latently infected T-cells. Individuals infected with HIV virus must consistently continue to consume ART given the persistence of the reservoir cells of the HIV-1-infection virus. During the latency stage, the HIV infected cells within a human being, there are little or no viral proteins are produced. Therefore, they result into avoidance of the viral cytopathic effects and evade the clearance by the host immune system. Given the fact that the CD4+ memory T-cells cubicle which is believed to be the most prominent latently infected is the critical focus of the research in eliminating the HIV-1 infection.  Under this approach, the researchers and scientists continue to use kill and shock approach to trigger elimination of the cells producing the HIV virus. The inhibition of the Vorinostat and deacetylase results into reactivation of the latent virus in the cells.

However, there are numerous limitations to the approach because most HIV genomes fractions in the reservoir are believed to be non-functional. Moreover, the integrated provirus might fail to produce replication of the virus fully, the CD4+ cell of the HIV-1 infections have been found by the viral outgrowth analyzes to be smaller that the cells being reactivated within the reservoir. The elimination of the reactivated infected cells using the cytotoxix T lymphocyte has not been sufficient. There is possibility of viral rebound of the uninfected T-cells hence difficult to protect the uninfected people in the society (Zhang, et al. 2015). Despite the approach therapeutic efficacy and success, The ART treatment has been unable to treat and eradicate the HIV-1 infected patients and necessitates these patients to undergo long life treatment and medication. As a result, a new therapeutic approach is required in order to achieve complete treatment and elimination of the HIV-1-infection, reduce the medical costs and long term side effects associated with the treatment and elimination of the virus.

Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)

The pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is the recent HIV-Infection virus prevention method where people uninfected with HIV virus usually takes daily pills in order to reduce the risk of being infected. The pills taken contain two medicines which are used to treat HIV. People who regularly take these pills once exposed to HIV through sexual inter-course the pills prevent them from infection (Karn, 2013). The PrEP is the modern powerful technique which may be combined with the use of condoms to provide HIV virus infection prevention. People who normally use this method of HIV virus prevention must be committed to taking drugs daily and visiting health care providers after every three months.

As a matter of fact, PrEP pills are not consumed by everybody but consumed by people who are at a high risk of HIV virus infection and are HIV negative. It is also appropriate for HIV negative individual in a relationship with a HIV positive partner. It is also applicable to heterosexual partners who regularly engage in unproductive sex, gays and an individual who is polygamous. The PrEP is the most effective strategy for preventing individuals from being infected with HIV virus. It is only regarded to be ineffective if the pills are not taken consistently.  The strategy become even more effective once combined with the use of condoms (Karn, 2013). People using the PrEP encounter minor side effects such as loss of appetite and stomachache. In conclusion, the PrEP HIV Virus prevention has been regarded to be the safest way to prevent HIV infections.