Aug 20 2008
Rosetta Genomics, Ltd. announced today a collaboration with the National Institute of Health to identify microRNAs involved in the progression of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), that may be used as potential drug targets.
Rosetta Genomics has access to the majority of known human and viral microRNAs. From this strong intellectual property position, the company has developed highly sensitive, proprietary technologies to detect and quantify microRNAs. These technologies are based on publicly known human and viral microRNAs in addition to Rosetta Genomics proprietary microRNAs, which are yet to be published. Leveraging Rosetta Genomics' extensive know-how in microRNAs and proprietary technologies, this collaboration will seek to determine the role of microRNAs in HIV viral replication, and their potential to act as novel drug targets for future therapy.
"We are very excited to be collaborating with the NIH in seeking to better understand the link between the aberrant expression of microRNAs and the viral replication of HIV, and to identify potential microRNA drug targets", said Dr. Zvi Bentwich, Chief Scientist of Rosetta Genomics and a world renowned HIV researcher. "Having the opportunity to work with the NIH on this important collaboration is a reflection on our leading capabilities and know how in this field."
In a study published last year (Zhang et al. Nature Medicine, 2007), researchers showed that microRNAs are involved in suppressing HIV replication' and keeping it latent. Through this collaboration, Rosetta Genomics and the NIH aim to deepen the understanding of the role microRNAs play in the HIV life cycle and pathogenesis.