Techknow Thursday!

I was reading on the BBC site and checking reddit when I came across this wonderful article which describes how scientists have made breakthroughs on decoding the HIV-1 virus and its genetic material. What this means is that along with the information decoded from human "junk DNA," as described in this article, there may be, in the not-too-distant future, a cure or vaccine for HIV and AIDS. That's fascinating!

Apparently, most of our DNA is actually comprised of "junk DNA" which is little more than an evolutionary artifact...a fossil so to speak. Through examining this DNA though, scientists may have provided a bullet-proof vaccine. In the BBC article, scientists have also gotten through the genetic code of HIV-1 which can only lead to a better understanding of how the virus operates which may lead to better drugs and eventually a cure. Let's hope they keep finding breakthroughs along these lines! You should read both articles...great reads!