A precisely designed macromolecule that mimics the binding
of HIV to immune system cells could be used to stop the virus from physically
entering the body, according to a new study led by a materials scientist at
Queen Mary University of London.
The researchers created the large molecule with several
sugar molecules, known as glycopolymers. By using different sugars attached to
the macromolecule in solution, the scientists were able to investigate which
sugar molecules were the most effective in inhibiting the potential binding of
the virus.