Uncovering HIV's hidden loop: New finding offers hope for future treatments

For decades, scientists have recognized that human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a formidable viral pathogen. After years of probing work and extensive experimentation, a Yale research team has unlocked one of the reasons why that is. In a new study, the lab led by immunologist Grace Chen discovered that HIV produces a circular RNA (circRNA) that helps the virus turn on its genes and replicate more efficiently. The discovery, which the researchers dubbed "circHIV," could represent a new target for future HIV therapies.