From 2017, a group of researchers started working on a plasmid gene therapy for delivering a HIV antibody.

These three pieces depict a series of experiments, undertaken from 2017 to 2021, intended to transfer the N6 antibody gene using a plasmid vector. The N6 antibody was discovered in a patient that was naturally resistant to HIV. The antibody’s corresponding gene sequence was published online by the NIH.

N6 V2 (2019)

The second experiment used a modified version of the plasmid vector, designed to last for months within the body. Direct quantification of the antibody proved difficult, however, Tristan’s blood serum seemed to bind to HIV’s envelope (GP120) relatively better after the injection via an ELISA.

N6 V1 (2017)

The initial version was a basic plasmid which had had the N6 gene inserted into it. The recipient, Tristan Roberts, was off of ART at the time. The first experiment did not yield meaningful results - subsequent viral load & CD4 tests were within historical ranges.

V1: Andreas Stuermer suggested that N6 might be suitable for a plasmid therapy; David Ishee was contracted by Aaron Traywick to make the first version, which was injected by Tristan Roberts in 2017. The majority of the funds are going towards a multi-sig wallet for future HIV research.

V2: Walter designed the plasmid, Tristan subjectively evaluated it, Jessica performed analysis on the samples, and Mac provided financial and emotional support. Similarly to V1, the majority of the proceeds from this auction will go towards a multi-sig wallet for future HIV research.

Entities included in the ‘Partners’ split include the multisig behind Desci.Eth, which is supporting travel to #DeSci conferences, the Foresight Institute, which funds radical new science, and the nascent Science Fund.

If the plasmid antibody delivery method later proves successful, this combination treatment anti-patent will be editioned and auctioned to fund a phase 1 study.