AmfAR Awards $760,000 in Grants for HIV/AIDS Research
The American Foundation for AIDS Research last week awarded $760,000 in grants for new research projects aimed at addressing "some of the unanswered questions still surrounding" the disease. The grants included $360,000 for basic research projects investigating new anti-AIDS drugs, potential AIDS vaccines, viral latency and methods for restoring immune system function in people living with HIV/AIDS. Four two-year fellowships totaling $395,500 were also awarded to allow scientists entering the field of HIV/AIDS research to "conduct original research under the guidance of experienced scientific sponsors." In addition, amfAR announced a $5,000 "short-term" travel grant to allow researchers "to train and study at another institution." Dr. Jay Levy, chair of amfAR's Basic Research Committee and Scientific Advisory Committee, said, "amfAR's new awards target areas of HIV/AIDS research that have challenged scientists. The amfAR-supported researchers plan to study the unique proteins that coat the AIDS virus in order to develop more effective vaccines and drug treatments, and to better understand changes in the immune system that take place after HIV infection" (amfAR release, 10/10). A list of grant recipients is available online.
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