Body's 'clever' protein could stop HIV in its tracks, scientists find

By Bridie Smith, Science Editor
Updated March 14 2017 - 9:48am, first published February 28 2017 - 11:26pm
Researchers Niamh Mangan and Johnson Mak were part of a team that discovered the HIV-beating powers of a naturally occurring protein. Photo: Justin McManus
Researchers Niamh Mangan and Johnson Mak were part of a team that discovered the HIV-beating powers of a naturally occurring protein. Photo: Justin McManus
Johnson Mak from Deakin University holding antibodies that detect the protein interferon epsilon.  Photo: Justin McManus
Johnson Mak from Deakin University holding antibodies that detect the protein interferon epsilon. Photo: Justin McManus
The Age, News, 28/02/2017, picture by Justin McManus. Prof. Johnson Mak from the Hudson Insitute at Deakin Uni and Dr Niamh Mangan , who is a fellow at the Fielding Foundation. Johnson and Niamh collaborated on reserach that discovered a protein (Interferon Epsilon) found in the female reproductive tract that blocks the viral replication of HIV. Johnson and Niamh holding antibodies to detect interferon epsilon. Photo: Justin McManus
The Age, News, 28/02/2017, picture by Justin McManus. Prof. Johnson Mak from the Hudson Insitute at Deakin Uni and Dr Niamh Mangan , who is a fellow at the Fielding Foundation. Johnson and Niamh collaborated on reserach that discovered a protein (Interferon Epsilon) found in the female reproductive tract that blocks the viral replication of HIV. Johnson and Niamh holding antibodies to detect interferon epsilon. Photo: Justin McManus

The body produces its own defence against HIV, scientists have found, and harnessing this weapon could change the way we treat the virus and prevent it from spreading.

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