the subset of HIV isolates = ?

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The "the subset of HIV isolates " is confusing.
Who would like to explain it in a bit more detail?

Context:

While the scientists were unsuccessful so far in crystallizing PG16's sister molecule PG9, they were able to glean insight into its action from biochemical studies using both molecules. By switching a small (seven-amino acid) segment of the CDR3 subdomain of PG9 for a similar segment from PG16, the team changed the subset of HIV isolates neutralized by the antibody. This confirmed the loop in question was the "business end" of the antibody and suggested that it might be possible to create other interesting variants of the antibody by manipulating this region.

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@oristarA,

Sorry oristarA. We're now getting into the highly technical terms of virology. You're going to need a professor or someone with a medical background to properly define this phrase in context.

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@oristarA,

oristarA wrote:

The "the subset of HIV isolates " is confusing.
Who would like to explain it in a bit more detail?

Context:

While the scientists were unsuccessful so far in crystallizing PG16's sister molecule PG9, they were able to glean insight into its action from biochemical studies using both molecules. By switching a small (seven-amino acid) segment of the CDR3 subdomain of PG9 for a similar segment from PG16, the team changed the subset of HIV isolates neutralized by the antibody. This confirmed the loop in question was the "business end" of the antibody and suggested that it might be possible to create other interesting variants of the antibody by manipulating this region.

This is my best guess.

HIV is constantly mutating, so there are multiple HIV strains.
PG9 kills some strains (a subset of HIV viruses) PG16 kills some other strains ( a different subset of HIV viruses).

By switching a small segment of PG9 for a similar segment from PG16, the strain(s) of HIV nutralised were different.

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@dadpad,

Thank you.

Would you like to define the word "isolate" here?

Of course it is a noun.

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Here's how I read it, from a non scientist view:

They have apparently identified an antibody in a molecule of PG16 that neutralizes HIV isolates. They switched this particular segment of one molecule of PG16 into PG9, and they were able to get desired action from this molecule's antibody. (PG9)

The 'business' of the antibody is the work it does. Now they feel that there is the possiblity that they can make other molecules 'work' by just manipulating this same region of a molecule in its loop.

(The process is kind of like changing the recipe in a food dish to make it taste just a little different. )

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@sullyfish6,

Thank you.

The definition of "isolate" is:

Because an HIV virus is instantly mutating, so it is actually a mix of of its variants with original virus - multiple strands of HIV.

Now isolate the multiple strands of HIV one by one. The result will be that we get "HIV isolates" or "some subsets of HIV isolates".

Am I on the right track?

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Yes.
Each individual strain of HIV is an isolate. Each individual strain has been isolated from the other strains.

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@dadpad,

Thanks

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the subset of HIV isolates = ?

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