Researchers use CRISPR to eliminate HIV in mice

Scientists have been able to eliminate the HIV virus from the blood of mice, according to new research. Using a combination of long-lasting HIV drugs and CRISPR, scientists were able to first keep the virus from replicating and then used the gene-editing tool to clear remaining virus from the mice. The technique cleared the virus in about a third of the animals used in the study. Using CRISPR in humans still poses several challenges, but current drugs for treating HIV are only able to suppress the presence of the virus in the blood and missing doses could mean the virus will reemerge. Replicating the study’s findings in people is still far off, but scientists now hope to test the approach in larger animal models.