Engineering Bacteriophages for HIV Treatment: From Gene Delivery to Immune Modulation

Abstract

The application of bacteriophage targeting in HIV therapy is an innovative research area exploring the potential of phages—viruses that typically target bacteria—to combat viral infections, including HIV. Bacteriophage Therapy, a creative approach to tackling viral infections, has gained attention in the context of HIV treatment. One promising strategy involves using Gene Delivery systems where engineered phages could serve as vectors for delivering therapeutic genes or RNA molecules, potentially silencing HIV replication or enhancing immune responses. Moreover, the application of CRISPR technology in conjunction with phage therapy is being investigated to edit viral genomes within infected cells, providing a precision tool for controlling HIV at the genetic level. Such approaches may complement existing Antiretroviral Therapy (ART), which is often hindered by issues like drug resistance and side effects.