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Nobel prize for viral discoveries Nobel prize for viral discoveries
(10 minutes later)
The scientists who discovered HIV will share the Nobel prize for medicine with the expert who linked human papillpoma virus (HPV) to cervical cancer.The scientists who discovered HIV will share the Nobel prize for medicine with the expert who linked human papillpoma virus (HPV) to cervical cancer.
Frenchmen Françoise Barré-Sinoussi and Luc Montagnier were recognised for their groundbreaking work in uncovering the virus responsible for Aids.Frenchmen Françoise Barré-Sinoussi and Luc Montagnier were recognised for their groundbreaking work in uncovering the virus responsible for Aids.
Harald zur Hausen, of Germany, received the prize for making the link between the HPV and cervical cancer.Harald zur Hausen, of Germany, received the prize for making the link between the HPV and cervical cancer.
He received half of the prize with the Frenchmen splitting the other half.
In its citation, the Nobel Assembly said Barre-Sinoussi and Montagnier's discovery was vital in enabling scientists to begin to understand the biology of a virus which has killed millions of people worldwide.
More than 25 million people have died of HIV/AIDS since 1981.More than 25 million people have died of HIV/AIDS since 1981.
Globally, over 40 million people are living with HIV.Globally, over 40 million people are living with HIV.
The pair's work in the early 1980s made it possible to clone the HIV-1 genome. Following medical reports of a new immunodeficiency syndrome in 1981, Barre-Sinoussi and Montagnier were the first to identify HIV as the culprit.
"This has allowed identification of important details in its replication cycle and how the virus interacts with its host," the citation said. In its citation, the Nobel Assembly said their discovery was vital in enabling scientists to begin to understand the biology of a virus which continues to pose a huge public health threat throughout the globe.
"Furthermore, it led to development of methods to diagnose infected patients and to screen blood." Their work led to development of methods to diagnose infected patients and to screen blood products, which has limited the spread of the pandemic.
The assembly said zur Hausen "went against current dogma" to discover that HPV caused cervical cancer - the second most common cancer among women. The citation said: "The unprecedented development of several classes of new antiviral drugs is also a result of knowledge of the details of the viral replication cycle."
There is still no cure for HIV. However, for many the disease is no longer an imminent death sentence thanks to the major advances in research and drug development over recent years.
With treatment, people with HIV can live for decades with the condition.
However, HIV medicines are not widely available in many poor countries around the world.
HPVHPV
About 3,000 UK women are diagnosed with this type of cancer every year UK.About 3,000 UK women are diagnosed with this type of cancer every year UK.
The discovery of the link between HPV and cervical cancer has led to the development of vaccines to immunise young girls against HPV.The discovery of the link between HPV and cervical cancer has led to the development of vaccines to immunise young girls against HPV.
The assembly said zur Hausen "went against current dogma" to discover that HPV caused cervical cancer - the second most common cancer among women.
Harald zur Hausen received half of the prize with the Frenchmen splitting the other half.