Projects / Programmes
Obramba človeških celic proti virusu HIV-1, ki je neodvisna od virusnih mutacij (Slovene)
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 7.00.00 |
Interdisciplinary research |
|
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 3.01 |
Medical and Health Sciences |
Basic medicine |
Researchers (8)
Organisations (1)
| no. |
Code |
Research organisation |
City |
Registration number |
No. of publicationsNo. of publications |
| 1. |
0104 |
National Institute of Chemistry |
Ljubljana |
5051592000 |
21,007 |
Significance for science
Viral infections represent health problem for all world. Our project presented a new, original principle of defense against viral infections. It represented an example of implementation of the principles of synthetic biology in health and medicine application. Our result are important for the development of antiviral therapy. Our device is envisioned to be implemented in therapy in a form of gene therapy, which could be a potentially lasting solution for therapy against HIV-1 infections.
The idea of relying on viral functions could be applied also to other HIV-specific processes (such as genome integration, reverse transcription…). In the case of using viral vectors, therapy could be targeted specifically to cells that can be infected by HIV-1. Similar systems can be prepared for therapy of many other pathogens, particularly viruses (e.g. SARS, West Nile virus, hand, foot and mouth disease…) which contain specific proteases and rely on defined cellular receptors.
With innovative approach and methods we expanded knowledge spectrum of researchers and undergraduate and graduate students and represented it to the professional public through scientific journals and meetings.
Significance for the country
Knowledge based economy is the best way of sustainable development ensuring high added value and better competitive position of our country and its industry. The results of our research could contribute to health improvement which would lead to lowering of economical and social damage because of the disease.
Education of highly qualified researchers: Project had direct impact for the society through achievement of high international level of science and the education of highly qualified researchers, which is the best investment for the development of national economy. We included graduate and undergraduate students; this contributed to increase of the number of highly qualified researchers with broad knowledge in the field of natural science.
Transfer of knowledge into industry: The project included the tools of modern cell biology and synthetic biology. The research was based on seeking new basic knowledge in the field of medicine with concomitant possibility for the application.
Promotion of natural science: In the period of last years members of the project team have achieved exceptional successes in the competitions of research projects in the most eminent academic competition (iGEM, described in achievements). Thus, they importantly help to the promotion of natural science in the broad public and Slovenia as the state with the excellent science and education. A wide response of mentioned successes was encountered through all over the world in the newspapers, journals, TV, radio, on web pages. We published the results of our project in valued international journals, what is important for the research response.
Accession to foreign knowledge and incorporation into international division of labor: Equality of cooperation with the researchers from different, especially European countries is of importance for national self-confidence and recognition of Slovenia worldwide. The members in the project group have cooperated with international research community. Into the research more women than men were included; this contributed to increase women presence in science.
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2009,
2010,
2011,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2009,
2010,
2011,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
