Meet The Scientist has a fascinating interview with David Knipe of Harvard University. Knipe is developing a vaccine against HSV-2.

Knipe discusses the challenges that researchers have faced in developing a vaccine against the virus, and explains why his new vaccine may be an answer. Knipe’s vaccine has been shown to protect animals who are yet to be exposed to the virus, and also reduce symptomatic disease in those who are already carrying the virus. Acambis are now developing the vaccine for clinical trials in humans.

Knipe also talks about the increasing social acceptance of vaccines against sexually transmitted conditions.