In the recent days it has come to the knowledge that through the initiative of an international distinguished group of eminent researchers through the well-known Center for HIV/AIDS Vaccine Immunology or CHAVI an innovative genome-wide association study of an infectious disease has taken place. The approach or the central direction of the study gives way to the growth of a new understanding regarding the restraining of virus levels subsequent to HIV infection by some people. It is to be noted in this respect that the eminent group has been led by Dr. Barton Haynes, M.D., of Duke University, Durham, N.C., and CHAVI was established in 2005 by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the NIH.

Commenting on this Dr. Elias A. Zerhouni, M.D., Director of the National Institutes of Health or NIH said, "The clearer picture of host responses to the virus achieved through this examination of genomes could lead to improved HIV therapies and provides new targets for vaccine developers." While Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, M.D. and Director of NIAID said, "CHAVI is designed to foster collaborative research to overcome roadblocks that have impeded HIV vaccine development. The insights into genetic factors influencing host control of HIV revealed by this work exemplify the power of such collective investigations."

As learnt from the discourses with the scientists, the chief intent of the genome-wide association studies lays with the identification of the genetic variations among people that can be tied to variations in the susceptibility of the disease. In this course the genome-wide association studies conducted in the recent days have found the linking of the genetic markers to a number of grave ailments, for instance diabetes, cancer and heart disease. Though there have been similar initiatives throughout the globe the CHAVI investigators have become the foremost group in the fruitful application of the genome-wide association techniques in respect of an infectious disease.

While being enquire on their accomplishment of the task Dr. Haynes commented, "People vary greatly in their vulnerability to HIV infection." "In particular, there are striking and largely unexplained differences between individuals in the degree to which they are able to hold viral levels to a low set point in the period soon after infection." In addition he also emphasized on the role of the scientists stating that if they could identify the gene variants facilitating the general people to control HIV infection or the specific means to stay away from it at best, there may shall also be the possibility to design therapies or vaccines rationally to impersonate these naturally occurring genetic advantages.