HIV's Houdini Powers Examined

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In an accompanying commentary, two British scientists speculate that it may be possible to design a "complex" vaccine that would anticipate mutations in the AIDS virus.

Another alternative would be to develop a vaccine that would focus on killing parts of the virus that don't mutate as rapidly, they said. In February, researchers at the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases announced in the journal Nature that they had found this type of non-mutating "site of vulnerability" on the surface of HIV, renewing hopes for an effective vaccine.

Ultimately, Korber is hopeful about the possible effects of her research, as well. It may bring scientists "one tiny nudge closer to a vaccine," she said.

More information

Learn more about HIV vaccine research from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention.