Los Alamos National Laboratory
Science, Technology & Engineering Highlights
STE Highlights features current, cutting-edge scientific research at Los Alamos National Laboratory and recent awards and recognitions of Los Alamos scientists.
Detailed mapping of HIV ‘sugar shield’ could aid vaccine design
Researchers in LANL’s Theoretical (T) Division along with their partners from Scripps Research Institute developed a novel imaging method that led to the most detailed glycan (or sugar molecule) mapping of HIV. These sugar molecules shield the virus from the immune system, and therefore, gaps where sugar is lacking are ideal for vaccine targeting.
Sugar shields, which are extremely dynamic and flexible, have been notoriously difficult to image; however, they are incredibly important for HIV, influenza, and coronavirus treatment. This new sugar-shield mapping approach is poised to aid vaccine design and development for many glycogen-shielded viruses, including HIV.
Read more in the current STE Highlights.