Microsoft releases source code of analytical software for AIDS vaccine development

According to Microsoft, the company announced on Wednesday local time that it has released the source code of four analytical software tools to the AIDS research community. This move by the software giant aims to assist in the development of an AIDS vaccine.

　　These source codes are available for researchers to download for free from Microsoft's CodePlex website. The aim is to use the machine learning technology of this software giant to sort through thousands of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) chains. Researchers hope to use this technology to identify genetic templates that can help them train the immune systems of people infected with HIV to overcome AIDS. AIDS researchers will have the option to download these four tools, using their pre-configured formats or using these source codes to develop their own applications.

　　A tool called PhyloD can find correlations between a patient's human leukocyte antigen (HLA) and the virus; the second tool, called Epitope Prediction, is aimed at people with any type of human leukocyte antigen, designed to scan human proteins for parts that can trigger an immune system response; HLA Assignment aims to improve accuracy in identifying antigens; HLA Completion aims to provide more detailed information about genetic composition. Microsoft released this HLA Completion tool on Wednesday local time.

　　After discovering that its machine learning technology had such capabilities, Microsoft applied some of its technologies to AIDS research in 2005. According to David, the chief researcher of Microsoft's Machine Learning and Applied Statistics Group, in a statement: We aim to apply technology to the most severe technological and social challenges globally.