uced. Once the DNA is copied it then enters the nucleus of the cell and undergoes what is called genome integration where the viral integrase splices viral DNA into cellular DNA. Once the cellular DNA is made, the cell then uses the new DNA as a template for reproducing the HIV RNA genome. Once this occurs the cell then goes through protein synthesis where the cell uses HIV RNA as a template for synthesizing viral proteins. The next step is called protein cleavage where protease enzyme cuts long protein chain into individual proteins so it can be shipped back out of the cell as new viral particles. Now they are free to infect other cells using the same procedure each time. With the use of antiviral scientists hope to disrupt the virus in any of the stages it must go through to infect the cell. If any of the stages were disrupted the virus would not be able to complete its task. Today most all of the antiviral treatments focus on HIV. This is widely due to the fact that is responsible for infecting more than 250,000 people a year in the U.S alone. Over a million in other countries. Clearly there is a very high demand for such a treatment and as the years go on even more people will be in search for this treatment. Although studies of antiviral therapies are not complete, it is safe to say we are on the brink of many new developments in the world of antiviral medications. Now that we are able to fully understand the genome of viruses we are surely going to be able to understand more about viral diseases , how to treat them and may even be able to prevent them. HIV infection worldwide has taken on gigantic pyramidal proportions. For every case of full-blown AIDS there are estimated to be 50-100 HIV positive asymptomatic individuals. Clearly there is a need for a cure to this very deadly and widely spreading disease. To many, these new studies may offer some hope to the many individuals who have recently been diagnosed with HIV or any other...
