In a medical breakthrough that could reshape the future of HIV treatment, researchers have successfully used CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing technology to eliminate HIV from human T-cells—and in follow-up lab tests, the virus did not return. This marks a major shift from traditional antiretroviral therapies, which only suppress viral replication but cannot remove the virus embedded in the host's DNA. By directly excising the proviral HIV-1 genome from immune cells, this technique targets the root of the infection—something decades of treatments have struggled to achieve.

What makes this discovery even more promising is that the edited immune cells were not only HIV-free but also resistant to reinfection. That suggests a future where patients might receive a one-time treatment capable of permanently curing HIV. While human clinical trials are still in early stages and much research remains, the results signal hope for millions living with the virus. If proven safe and effective in broader applications, this could become one of the most transformative moments in medical history.

#HIVCure #GeneEditing #CRISPR #MedicalBreakthrough #FutureOfMedicine

Scientists at the University of Sunderland, led by Dr. Maria Teresa Borrello, have developed two experimental drugs—DR-3 and FDR2—that target the enzyme HDAC6.

These drugs have shown promise in halting or reversing liver fibrosis, a condition characterized by the accumulation of scar tissue in the liver.

Research Overview

The research, published in The FEBS Journal, focuses on the role of HDAC6 in liver fibrosis.

HDAC6 is involved in regulating inflammation and the activation of hepatic stellate cells, which are responsible for producing collagen and contributing to scar tissue formation.

By inhibiting HDAC6, the experimental drugs aim to reduce inflammation and prevent the activation of these stellate cells, thereby mitigating fibrosis progression.

Laboratory Findings

In laboratory settings, the HDAC6 inhibitors DR-3 and FDR2 demonstrated high selectivity for HDAC6 over other histone deacetylases.

They effectively reduced markers of hepatic stellate cell activation and fibrogenic gene expression.

Additionally, these compounds increased acetylation of α-tubulin and suppressed TGF-β1-induced SMAD signaling, which are key pathways in fibrosis development.

Ex Vivo Human Liver Models

The efficacy of DR-3 and FDR2 was further validated using human precision-cut liver slices (hPCLS), an ex vivo model that closely mimics human liver tissue.

Treatment with these inhibitors resulted in reduced fibrogenic protein levels and collagen deposition, indicating their potential to reverse existing fibrosis.

Importantly, these effects were achieved without significant toxicity to the liver tissue.

Clinical Implications

The British Liver Trust has welcomed these findings, highlighting their potential to transform care for the UK's estimated two million liver fibrosis patients, many of whom are diagnosed at advanced stages of the disease.

While these results are promising, the drugs are still in the experimental phase and have not yet undergone human clinical trials. Nevertheless, they offer a targeted therapeutic approach that could eventually become a lifesaving treatment worldwide.

In a cutting-edge breakthrough, scientists have created a microscopic device capable of navigating inside the bloodstream to remove cholesterol blockages from arteries—without the need for invasive surgery. These nano-machines are designed to target and break down hardened plaque deposits, offering a minimally invasive way to treat cardiovascular disease at its root. This could potentially revolutionize the way doctors approach clogged arteries, bypassing the risks of traditional stents or bypass surgery.

Still in the early stages of development and animal testing, this technology combines biomedical engineering with nanotechnology, and could soon play a major role in preventing heart attacks and strokes. With heart disease remaining the leading cause of death worldwide, such innovations offer hope for safer, faster, and more accessible treatment. Scientists are optimistic that with continued research and safety validation, this "cholesterol vacuum" could be a clinical reality in the near future.

#Nanotechnology #HeartHealth #MedicalInnovation #CholesterolTreatment #CardiovascularCare

☆Happy Birthday Perona
Here's a throwback to February when I performed on stage as Perona at MAG-C and actually placed 2nd for the very first time in a solo contest
#ペローナ #ペローナコスプレ #コスプレ #cosplay #Perona #PeronaCosplay #OnePiece #OnePieceCosplay #ワンピース

今天真的是被VIVINOS 老師拿捏死死的
我是脆弱的異星粉TTTTT
最後了，先放單人

起初沒有很喜歡Luka 這個瘋子（稱讚
後面覺得我是外星人的話
我一定愛死他的舞台表演

真的很喜歡享受舞台之人
不然我不會那麼深陷偶像角色裡
#アコスタ台北 #コスプレ #cosplay #alienstage #luka