HIV pharmacogenomics website launched

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A new website highlighting developments in HIV pharmacogenomics has been launched, in a collaboration between pharmacology groups at the University of Liverpool, Vanderbilt University in the United States and the University of Lausanne in Switzerland.

Analysis of the interaction between genes and drugs, known as pharmacogenomics, is an accelerating field of research, and the website’s editors believe that, over the coming years, increased knowledge in the field of HIV pharmacogenomics will drive clinical management towards the goal of truly individualised therapy for all patients.

The site includes a list of recent publications with links to PubMed abstracts, and will also include a library of information on HIV pharmacogenomics.

Glossary

drug interaction

A risky combination of drugs, when drug A interferes with the functioning of drug B. Blood levels of the drug may be lowered or raised, potentially interfering with effectiveness or making side-effects worse. Also known as a drug-drug interaction.

genes

Genes are instruction manuals for our bodies. They determine characteristics like our eye and hair colour. Every human has a set of around 20,000 genes. We get one copy of each gene from each of our parents. Genes can also play a part in our health and may affect our risk of developing some health condition.

The site is edited by Professor David Back (Liverpool), Dr Richard Kim (Vanderbilt); Dr Amalio Telenti (Lausanne) and Catia Marzolini PhD (Vanderbilt).

www.hiv-pharmacogenomics.org