Following on from RNA Unplugged, it is timely to mention the Human Immunodeficiency Virus or HIV. HIV is the virus which causes AIDS and is an RNA virus. When this virus enters the human cell its genome is converted (reverse transcribed) into cDNA by a virally encoded enzyme in the virus particle. Viral cDNA is imported into the cell nucleus and integrates with the host DNA, and starts to replicate itself.
When I first started working in research, HIV was almost unheard of. There were rumours that it had started with a homosexual lab worker who had accidentally engineered this retrovirus. The rumour went even further to say that said worker had gone to the States to be a pig farmer!
No matter how it started, the AIDS epidemic continues to be a world-wide phenomenon, and there is still a stigma attached to being diagnosed HIV positive. Indeed in Africa, centuries of tribal culture continue to be the focus of many AIDS campaigns.
Recently, I was reminded of the great work that Annie Lennox has done to raise awareness of the AIDS epidemic at home and abroad.
And yet again, it's that clever RNA molecule at work.