Danger from the Wild: HIV, Can We Conquer It? by David Baltimore, Feb. 2007 - Part 1: Introduction to Viruses: HIV and Non-equilibrium Viruses (34:06)

In this set of lectures, I describe the threat facing the world from the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and a... » More

In this set of lectures, I describe the threat facing the world from the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and a bold proposal on how we might meet the challenge of eliminating this disease by engineering the immune system. In part 1, I provide a broad introduction to viruses, describing their basic properties and my own history of studying the replication RNA viruses which led to the discovery of reverse transcriptase. I also illustrate the distinguishing features of equilibrium viruses (e.g. the common cold) that have adapted to co-exist with their host and non-equilibrium viruses (e.g. HIV) that have recently jumped from another species, are not adapted to the new host, and which can lead to disastrous outcomes (e.g. loss of immune function with potential lethality in the case of HIV).

For further information see: http://www.ascb.org/ibioseminars/Baltimore/Baltimore1.cfm « Hide