Interfering with Greg Louganis, your sister's bobby pins and glycoprotein 41

The rate of HIV replication is estimated to be about 10 billion particles a day, and the cell's structure is its primary defense against infection. Cell membranes provide a defense against infection by forming a tight bond, preventing cells from being invaded by other organisms. The complex process of how HIV enters a cell is explained, and various parts of the process are illustrated. One key step in the process is fusion, which is when a virus particle attaches to a T cell, and the virus and cell merge together, allowing the virus to enter the cell. Researchers hope to find ways to interfere with fusion, so as to prevent HIV infection. Trimeris, Inc. has developed a new drug called T-20, or pentafuside, that is capable of preventing HIV from infecting a target cell. Results from studies of T-20 are provided, and ongoing studies are described.