An AIDS vaccine is a long-awaited progress in medicine by researchers and by society in general. That is what Myrna Bonaldo, coordinator of the project “Yellow Fever 17D Vaccine Virus as a vector in the development of an AIDS vaccine" has been searching, supported by Fiotec. From such study, Myrna managed to partially protect monkeys from an HIV-like virus.

Myrna is a researcher at the Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Flavivirus of the Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (IOC/Fiocruz). Her effort in the search for HIV vaccine, with her team and American researchers, resulted in her being nominated for the biggest female award in Latin America: the Claudia Award in the Science category. The award highlights women engaged in building a better Brazil, by means of five categories of activity: Science, Public Policy, Culture, Business and Social Work.

In an interview with Fiotec, the researcher explained better the project and its progress to date. Check Out:

What is the purpose of the project?

We use a well-established vaccine in the population - the yellow fever vaccine – in order to, from it, develop vaccines against other diseases. So, we took the good qualities of an existing and highly safe and effective vaccine in an attempt to provide protection against a second disease in addition to the yellow fever, AIDS. We hope to develop a preventive vaccine, which is capable of inhibiting the replication of HIV in the case of contamination.

How does the study mechanism work?

Genes from other organisms are inserted into the genome of the "weakened" yellow fever virus, which is a vaccine. Thus, the vaccinated individual is exposed to portions of both microorganisms and "learns" to combat the two diseases.

What were the results obtained so far?

With this methodology, we built some viruses containing different parts of the SIV (Simian Immunodeficiency Virus, equivalent to HIV that infects monkeys), composing a combined vaccine in order to combat viruses through various targets. In our tests on animals, we managed to induce good immune response, but it was not enough to completely prevent the disease.

Some articles stated that, in addition to HIV, the study could develop vaccines for malaria. How is this production being made?

This method of inserting genes into the genome of yellow fever virus can be applied to various microorganisms. We have some vaccine development projects for malaria and Chagas disease with the same methodology. However, many previous studies must be done to match the yellow fever virus to the parts of the new microorganisms.

The study is conducted along with the University of Miami. How does this cooperation work?

At the University of Miami, our employees test the vaccines developed in our laboratory in monkeys and evaluate the levels of immune response and protection against SIV infection. It is an essential step for the development of a vaccine, when we evaluate its effectiveness in preventing the disease.

How does it feel to have been nominated for the Claudia award and be a finalist in the "Science" category of the greatest female award in Latin America?

The nomination was an honor to me and my team and motivates us a lot in our work. It is great to receive support from society, because it makes us give the best we have in this very challenging project.