H-I-V...Not As Easy As 1-2-3: Eluding Vaccine Development for Decades

This week we answer a commonly encountered question: "why were we able to develop a COVID-19 vaccine in less than a year, but don't have a vaccine for HIV?"

We begin with the population health statistics of HIV globally to set the stage. We then do a primer on classification of viruses to underscore the fact that not all viruses are the same. We focus on SARS-CoV-2 and HIV specifically, and do a brief compare and contrast between the two viruses and virus families.

We focus specifically on the challenges of vaccine development in the context of HIV: complexity of the virus itself, immune response to the virus, and disease pathology. We reiterate that the foundational research for the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine has actually been ongoing since 2002, and wrap up with our hope that someday we will be able to successfully develop an effective HIV vaccine.

PLEASE NOTE: The discussion and information provided in this podcast are for general educational, scientific, and informational purposes only and are not intended as, and should not be treated as, medical or other professional advice for any particular individual or individuals.  Every person and medical issue is different, and diagnosis and treatment requires consideration of specific facts often unique to the individual.  As such, the information contained in this podcast should not be used as a substitute for consultation with and/or treatment by a doctor or other medical professional.  If you are experiencing any medical issue or have any medical concern, you should consult with a doctor or other medical professional. 

Further, due to the inherent limitations of a podcast such as this as well as ongoing scientific developments, we do not guarantee the completeness or accuracy of the information or analysis provided in this podcast, although, of course we always endeavor to provide comprehensive information and analysis. In no event may Unbiased Science or any of the participants in this podcast be held liable to the listener or anyone else for any decision allegedly made or action allegedly taken or not taken allegedly in reliance on the discussion or information in this podcast or for any damages allegedly resulting from such reliance.

RESOURCES

• Infectious Bronchitis Virus: History

• 1968 Letter to Nature: A New Family of Viruses: Coronaviruses

• Human Coronavirus Types

• SARS Vaccine Clinical Trial

• SARS Vaccine Development

• Medical Microbiology: Structure and Classification of Viruses

• Medical Microbiology: Human Retroviruses

• Basics of HIV and AIDS

• Common Opportunistic Infections

• HIV Vaccine Research and Development History

• The Development of HIV Vaccines

• Molecular Mimicry and HIV

• Immunopathogenesis of HIV Infection

• Immune Camouflage and Vaccine Development

• Global HIV and AIDS Statistics

Central Dogma of Molecular Biology Graphic

HIV Replication Graphic